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2015 Chevrolet Sonic

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Sonic years

Owner complaints for the 2015 Chevrolet Sonic are substantially higher than the model-year median of 42.5.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

79 reports with mileage · 35 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Electrical System. Review the 34 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Air Bags. Review the 27 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 23 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

15 crash reports3 fire reports11 injury reports

What owners actually said

114 reports
75,000 miles · Nov 11, 2019
Unknown Or Other

I TOOK MY CAR IN FOR THE RECALL FOR THE MANIFOLD. WITHIN 30 DAYS, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON. TOOK IT IN FOR SERVICE FOR THAT, ALL OR THE O2 SENSORS HAD GONE BAD, A CRACK IN THE HOUSING AT THE THERMOSTAT AND A FEW OTHER THINGS. GOT IT BACK AND 100 MILES LATER THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AGAIN. THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER IS B…

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I TOOK MY CAR IN FOR THE RECALL FOR THE MANIFOLD. WITHIN 30 DAYS, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON. TOOK IT IN FOR SERVICE FOR THAT, ALL OR THE O2 SENSORS HAD GONE BAD, A CRACK IN THE HOUSING AT THE THERMOSTAT AND A FEW OTHER THINGS. GOT IT BACK AND 100 MILES LATER THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AGAIN. THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER IS BAD.

NHTSA ODI #11279439

25,000 miles · Oct 13, 2019
Wheels

I HAVE A 2015 CHEVROLET SONIC. EVERY TIME I'VE BEEN INTO THE CHEVROLET SERVICE CENTER TO HAVE THE OIL CHANGED, THE CHEVROLET SERVICE CENTER UNDERINFLATES MY TIRES. THE CHEVROLET MANUFACTURER CALLS FOR 38 PSI IN ALL FOUR TIRES. THE CHEVROLET SERVICE CENTER SETS THE PSI IN ALL FOUR TIRES AT 35 PSI. NOW, I'M QUESTIONING ALL OIL AND…

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I HAVE A 2015 CHEVROLET SONIC. EVERY TIME I'VE BEEN INTO THE CHEVROLET SERVICE CENTER TO HAVE THE OIL CHANGED, THE CHEVROLET SERVICE CENTER UNDERINFLATES MY TIRES. THE CHEVROLET MANUFACTURER CALLS FOR 38 PSI IN ALL FOUR TIRES. THE CHEVROLET SERVICE CENTER SETS THE PSI IN ALL FOUR TIRES AT 35 PSI. NOW, I'M QUESTIONING ALL OIL AND LUBE SERVICE CENTERS. ARE THEY ALSO UNDERINFLATING TIRES? THIS HAPPENED LAST ABOUT 7 MONTHS AGO. I'VE USED THREE DIFFERENT SERVICE CENTERS SINCE I"VE OWNED THE CAR. SERVICE CENTERS IN WICHITA, KS; OKLAHOMA CITY, OK; GULFPORT, MS.

NHTSA ODI #11268148

25,000 miles · Oct 10, 2019
Electrical System

WHILE DRIVING DOWN A CITY STREET MY DOORS UNLOCKED, ALL OF THEM. WHILE STILL DRIVING I PUSHED THE BUTTON ON THE DRIVER DOOR TO LOCK THE DOORS AND THEY ALL LOCKED. SHUT MY CAR OFF AT MY DESTINATION, GOT BACK INTO CAR AND STARTED IT, BEGAN DRIVING AND AGAIN IT HAPPENED, I RE LOCKED ALL THE DOORS AGAIN. NEXT DAY, STARTED CAR, PUT I…

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WHILE DRIVING DOWN A CITY STREET MY DOORS UNLOCKED, ALL OF THEM. WHILE STILL DRIVING I PUSHED THE BUTTON ON THE DRIVER DOOR TO LOCK THE DOORS AND THEY ALL LOCKED. SHUT MY CAR OFF AT MY DESTINATION, GOT BACK INTO CAR AND STARTED IT, BEGAN DRIVING AND AGAIN IT HAPPENED, I RE LOCKED ALL THE DOORS AGAIN. NEXT DAY, STARTED CAR, PUT INTO REVERSE AND A WARNING FLASHED ACROSS MY INFORMATION SCREEN ABOUT MY BACK UP CAMERA NOT FUNCTIONING CORRECTLY (THIS WAS NOT AN OPTION ON MY CAR WHEN I BOUGHT IT, THERE IS NO BACK UP CAMERA) SINCE THEN I DON'T HAVE THE OUTDOOR TEMP SHOWING ANYMORE AND THE RADIO VOLUME, PHONE BUTTONS ON STEERING WHEEL DO NOT WORK, JUST THE ONES ON THE RIGHT RIDE OF STEERING WHEEL. THIS HAS HAPPENED JUST SINCE MY WARRANTY ON THESE ITEMS HAS EXPIRED. WAS THIS DONE ON PURPOSE BY THE DEALERSHIP, USING SOFTWARE INSTALLED WHILE GETTING MY COMPLEMENTARY OIL CHANGE (THAT HAS NOW ALSO EXPIRED)? I HAVE NOT HAD MY CAR IN FOR A RECALL WITHIN THE LAST YEAR. IF I REMEMBER IT HAS ONLY BEEN IN FOR ONE RECALL RIGHT AFTER I FIRST BOUGHT IT (AROUND JANUARY 2016) SO I KNOW IT'S NOT THAT. I HAVE SEARCHED THE WORLD WIDE WEB TO LEARN THAT MANY OTHER PEOPLE ARE HAVING THE SAME ISSUES WITH NO RESOLVE AND THERE ARE NO RECALLS. I FEEL MY DOORS UNLOCKING WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD IS A SAFETY ISSUE.

NHTSA ODI #11267613

73,000 miles · Oct 7, 2019
Power Train

TRANSMISSION IS SURGING IN GEAR, IN MOTION AND STATIONARY, AT ANY SPEED. SENSATION IS STRONG ENOUGH TO NOTICE EVEN AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. FEELS LIKE RESISTANCE BUILDING AND THEN RELEASING RAPIDLY. SEEMS TO HAPPEN MORE IN COLDER WEATHER. UNSURE IF CLUTCH IS SLIPPING/GRABBING. EQUATE SENSATION TO SOMEONE BUMPING THE CAR FROM THE REAR …

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TRANSMISSION IS SURGING IN GEAR, IN MOTION AND STATIONARY, AT ANY SPEED. SENSATION IS STRONG ENOUGH TO NOTICE EVEN AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. FEELS LIKE RESISTANCE BUILDING AND THEN RELEASING RAPIDLY. SEEMS TO HAPPEN MORE IN COLDER WEATHER. UNSURE IF CLUTCH IS SLIPPING/GRABBING. EQUATE SENSATION TO SOMEONE BUMPING THE CAR FROM THE REAR OR PRESSING ON THE GAS PEDAL BRIEFLY WITH THE BRAKES APPLIED.

NHTSA ODI #11266781

25,000 miles · Sep 30, 2019
Unknown Or Other

STATIONARY. 2015 CHEVY SONIC. THE GEAR SHIFT BUTTON/KNOB WAS STICKING AND FINALLY BROKE. I'VE HAD TO FIDDLE WITH IT (FOR THE LAST SEVEN MONTHS OR SO) TO GET THE CAR IN AND OUT OF GEAR USING A SCREWDRIVER. WHEN THE BUTTON WAS STUCK IN THE IN POSITION, THE GEAR SHIFT DID NOT LOCK IN PLACE AND WHEN IN PARK I COULD NOT GET THE KEY O…

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STATIONARY. 2015 CHEVY SONIC. THE GEAR SHIFT BUTTON/KNOB WAS STICKING AND FINALLY BROKE. I'VE HAD TO FIDDLE WITH IT (FOR THE LAST SEVEN MONTHS OR SO) TO GET THE CAR IN AND OUT OF GEAR USING A SCREWDRIVER. WHEN THE BUTTON WAS STUCK IN THE IN POSITION, THE GEAR SHIFT DID NOT LOCK IN PLACE AND WHEN IN PARK I COULD NOT GET THE KEY OUT OF THE IGNITION. WHEN THE BUTTON WAS IN THE OUT POSITION, IT WAS DIFFICULT TO PUSH IN AT TIMES. IT FINALLY BROKE. I'VE GOT THE CASING COMPLETELY OFF AND THE BROKEN BUTTON OUT. THERE'S A PLASTIC LEVER/SPRING/CONTRAPTION THAT YOU CAN PRESS DOWN WITH A SCREWDRIVER TO UNLOCK AND MOVE THE GEAR SHIFTER. I'M 'CAUTIOUSLY' ON MY WAY TO THE DEALER TO GET IT FIXED. HERE'S A YOUTUBE VIDEO TO GIVE YOU A BETTER IDEA OF WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT. SONIC SHIFTER BUTTON REPAIR HTTPS://WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/WATCH?V=0HS_BLN4NYO I'VE ALSO SUPPLIED A PHOTO. SEE ATTACHED. 42423234 GEAR KNOB LEVER COVER KIT FOR 2012 2016 CHEVY SONIC

NHTSA ODI #11265276

30,345 miles · Sep 18, 2019
Engine

VEHICLE FELT LIKE IT WAS VIBRATING WHILE IN IDLE AND WHEN PRESSING DOWN ON THE BRAKES. THERE WAS VERY LOW ACCELERATION AND IT FELT LIKE MY CAR WAS IN NEUTRAL. I WAS DRIVING ON A CITY STREET GOING ABOUT 20-25 MPH. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TURNED ON. I TOOK MY CAR IN AND HAD TO HAVE THE IGNITION COIL AND IGNITION BOOT REPLACED AT 30…

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VEHICLE FELT LIKE IT WAS VIBRATING WHILE IN IDLE AND WHEN PRESSING DOWN ON THE BRAKES. THERE WAS VERY LOW ACCELERATION AND IT FELT LIKE MY CAR WAS IN NEUTRAL. I WAS DRIVING ON A CITY STREET GOING ABOUT 20-25 MPH. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TURNED ON. I TOOK MY CAR IN AND HAD TO HAVE THE IGNITION COIL AND IGNITION BOOT REPLACED AT 30,345 MILES.

NHTSA ODI #11256299

65,000 miles · Aug 31, 2019
Electrical SystemEngineUnknown Or Other

MY CHEVY SONIC STALLS WHILE DRIVING IT. THE ENGINE SHUTS DOWN, DOOR LOCKS CYCLE, LIGHTS GO ON AND OFF, POWER STEERING AND BRAKES GO OUT, RPMS DROP, AND UNTIL TODAY, IT TURNS BACK ON, THE RPMS JUMP SKY HIGH, AND THE MOTOR REVS BACK TO LIFE AND IT GOES FINE AGAIN FOR AWHILE. BUT TODAY IT STALLED SITTING IN MCDONALDS PARKING LOT A…

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MY CHEVY SONIC STALLS WHILE DRIVING IT. THE ENGINE SHUTS DOWN, DOOR LOCKS CYCLE, LIGHTS GO ON AND OFF, POWER STEERING AND BRAKES GO OUT, RPMS DROP, AND UNTIL TODAY, IT TURNS BACK ON, THE RPMS JUMP SKY HIGH, AND THE MOTOR REVS BACK TO LIFE AND IT GOES FINE AGAIN FOR AWHILE. BUT TODAY IT STALLED SITTING IN MCDONALDS PARKING LOT AND NOT ONLY DIDN'T START AGAIN, BUT HAD TO BE JUMPED. I CAN ONLY IMAGINE WHAT WOULD HAVE HAPPENED IF MY GRANDDAUGHTER AND I HAD HER IN HEAVY TRAFFIC WHEN THAT HAPPENED! EVERY OTHER TIME IT'S BEEN GOING DOWN THE ROAD. ONE TIME I WAS IN TRAFFIC AND IT ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. IT HAPPENS ALMOST EVERY DAY. ESPECIALLY IF I'M RUNNING THE AIR CONDITIONER. IT HAPPENS AT ALL SPEEDS. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO 3 MECHANICS AND IT DOESN'T 'THROW ANY CODES'. IT DID SHOW A LITTLE ISSUE WITH THE ALTERNATOR SO WE REPLACED IT BUT IT DIDN'T CHARGE ANYTHING. I'VE DONE SOME RESEARCH AND THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE WITH SEVERAL YEARS OF CHEVY SONIC CARS. UNFORTUNATELY OUR OUTCRY IS GOING NOWHERE. GM SEEMS DETERMINED TO IGNORE US UNTIL SOMEONE DIES AND THEY GET SUED. CAN YOU PLEASE GET THEM TO RECALL THE ENGINE OR WHATEVER IT IS THAT'S CAUSING THIS ISSUE? PLEASE?!!! THANK YOU!

NHTSA ODI #11252537

48,000 miles · Aug 19, 2019
Air BagsExterior LightingStructureCrash

MY WIFE WAS DRIVING ON A STRAIGHT ROAD WITH CRUISE CONTROL SET AT 60 MPH WHEN SHE SAW A DEER IN THE ROAD - SHE SWERVED AND BRAKED HITTING THE DEER IN THE DRIVERS HEADLIGHT AREA ABOVE DRIVERS FRONT TIRE AND BOTH DRIVER SIDE DOORS. THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY AND THE SEAT BELT DID NOT LOCK IN PLACE AND HOLD HER IN PLACE.

NHTSA ODI #11245012

7,200 miles · Jun 22, 2019
EngineUnknown Or Other

ANTIFREEZE OVERFLOW HAS A LEAK AND IS BUBBLING OVER THE ENGINE LIGHT ON EVEN AFTER TAKING IT TO CHEVY DEALER. CAR STUTTERED AND HAD BAD SMELL AIR DOES NOT GET COOL WE HAD TO PULL OVER AND THE SECOND TIME THIS HAPPENED THE CAR WOULD NOT START

NHTSA ODI #11221906

Mileage unknown · Apr 6, 2019
Air BagsElectronic Stability Control (esc)Fuel/propulsion System

I'VE REALIZED AND NOTICED IN MY VEHICLE; THAT SOME THINGS AREN'T ELECTRONIC SET CORRECT. MY AIR BAG LIGHT FOR PASSENGER; DOES NOT TURN ON WHEN I HAVE A PASSENGER. SOME DAYS IT WILL BE ON AND OTHER TIMES IT WILL NOT. MY SCREEN GLITCHES HERE AND THERE AND NOT WORKING CORRECTLY EVEN WITH TOUCH. A FEW BUTTONS ON THE STEERING WILL AR…

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I'VE REALIZED AND NOTICED IN MY VEHICLE; THAT SOME THINGS AREN'T ELECTRONIC SET CORRECT. MY AIR BAG LIGHT FOR PASSENGER; DOES NOT TURN ON WHEN I HAVE A PASSENGER. SOME DAYS IT WILL BE ON AND OTHER TIMES IT WILL NOT. MY SCREEN GLITCHES HERE AND THERE AND NOT WORKING CORRECTLY EVEN WITH TOUCH. A FEW BUTTONS ON THE STEERING WILL ARE NOT AS WELL WORKING FOR SOME REASON. MY FUEL GAGE FOR MILES CHANGES AND NOT SET UP CORRECTLY WITH PUMP. IT WILL SHOW 280 WHEN FULL THE. MOVE UP MAYBE 15 MINUTES LATER THEN BACK DOWN. NOT LIKE IT WAS WHEN I FIRST PURCHASE MY VEHICLE.

NHTSA ODI #11194353

Official recalls

3

16V422000 · Electrical System:software; Equipment:electrical:radio/tape Deck/cd Etc.

Jun 10, 2016

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 Chevrolet Sonic and Trax, and 2013-2015 Spark vehicles equipped with a Bring Your Own Media radio. The affected radios may fail to provide an audible warning chime when the driver fails to fasten their seatbelt or if the driver leaves the key in the ignition. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) numbers 208 "Occupant Crash Protection" and 114 "Theft Protection."

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: Without audible indicators, the driver may not fasten their seatbelt, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will update the radio software, free of charge. The recall began on July 22, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 45340.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Electrical System:software

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 Chevrolet Sonic and Trax, and 2013-2015 Spark vehicles equipped with a Bring Your Own Media radio. The affected radios may fail to provide an audible warning chime when the driver fails to fasten their seatbelt or if the driver leaves the key in the ignition. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) numbers 208 "Occupant Crash Protection" and 114 "Theft Protection."

Consequence: Without audible indicators, the driver may not fasten their seatbelt, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will update the radio software, free of charge. The recall began on July 22, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 45340.

Equipment:electrical:radio/tape Deck/cd Etc.

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 Chevrolet Sonic and Trax, and 2013-2015 Spark vehicles equipped with a Bring Your Own Media radio. The affected radios may fail to provide an audible warning chime when the driver fails to fasten their seatbelt or if the driver leaves the key in the ignition. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) numbers 208 "Occupant Crash Protection" and 114 "Theft Protection."

Consequence: Without audible indicators, the driver may not fasten their seatbelt, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will update the radio software, free of charge. The recall began on July 22, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 45340.

16V257000 · Electrical System:software; Equipment:electrical:radio/tape Deck/cd Etc.

Apr 28, 2016

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013-2016 Chevrolet Sonic and Trax vehicles and 2013-2015 Chevrolet Spark vehicles equipped with a Bring Your Own Media radio. The affected radios may fail to provide an audible warning chime when the driver, after turning off the ignition and leaving the key in the cylinder, waits 10 minutes or longer to open the door. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 114 "Theft Protection."

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: Without audible indicators, the driver may leave the key in the ignition, increasing the risk of theft.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will update the radio software, free of charge. The manufacturer has not yet provided a notification schedule. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 17130.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Electrical System:software

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013-2016 Chevrolet Sonic and Trax vehicles and 2013-2015 Chevrolet Spark vehicles equipped with a Bring Your Own Media radio. The affected radios may fail to provide an audible warning chime when the driver, after turning off the ignition and leaving the key in the cylinder, waits 10 minutes or longer to open the door. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 114 "Theft Protection."

Consequence: Without audible indicators, the driver may leave the key in the ignition, increasing the risk of theft.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will update the radio software, free of charge. The manufacturer has not yet provided a notification schedule. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 17130.

Equipment:electrical:radio/tape Deck/cd Etc.

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013-2016 Chevrolet Sonic and Trax vehicles and 2013-2015 Chevrolet Spark vehicles equipped with a Bring Your Own Media radio. The affected radios may fail to provide an audible warning chime when the driver, after turning off the ignition and leaving the key in the cylinder, waits 10 minutes or longer to open the door. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 114 "Theft Protection."

Consequence: Without audible indicators, the driver may leave the key in the ignition, increasing the risk of theft.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will update the radio software, free of charge. The manufacturer has not yet provided a notification schedule. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 17130.

15V416000 · Equipment:electrical:radio/tape Deck/cd Etc.

Jun 30, 2015

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 Chevrolet Spark vehicles manufactured April 30, 2014, to May 20, 2015, and 2015 Chevrolet Sonic vehicles manufactured June 18, 2014, to June 10, 2015. In the affected vehicles, equipped with the base radio and OnStar, the radio may lock up due to a software issue, causing the display to go blank and all audio functions to cease. Because of this, there may be no warning chimes such as the reminder to buckle the seat belt and the key being left in ignition when the driver goes to exit the vehicle. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 208 "Occupant Crash Protection", and 114 "Theft Protection."

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: Without audible indicators, the driver may leave the key in the ignition, increasing the risk of theft. If a driver or front passenger does not buckle their seat belt, there would be no chime to remind them to fasten their seat belts. If a driver or passenger does not buckle their seat belt there is an increased risk that they will be injured in a crash.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will update the radio software, free of charge. The recall began on August 11, 2015. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 15504.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.