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2016 Chevrolet Sonic

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2016 Chevrolet Sonic do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 42.5.

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

All reported categories

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

30 reports with mileage · 18 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.

  • Engine. Review the 13 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 11 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Air Bags. Review the 8 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

8 crash reports1 fire reports5 injury reports

Engine complaints

13 reports
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Mileage unknown · Feb 18, 2026
Engine

This car overheated and a head gasket blew. I am on a Facebook forum, and it seems like all of these cars have these problems. The Chevy Sonic ltz turbo 1.4 2016 is known for coolant issues and head gasket failures. My car only had 104,000 miles on it. It should last a lot longer than that, but this is a common issue. For some r…

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This car overheated and a head gasket blew. I am on a Facebook forum, and it seems like all of these cars have these problems. The Chevy Sonic ltz turbo 1.4 2016 is known for coolant issues and head gasket failures. My car only had 104,000 miles on it. It should last a lot longer than that, but this is a common issue. For some reason there was a recall but they stopped fixing cars with 1.4 engines that came out after 2014. There cars don't have temperature gauges and when they overheat they don't tell you until a light comes on the dash and by then it's too late and your engine is blown. This should be illegal. Chevrolet needs to fix this.

NHTSA ODI #11718737

36,299 miles · Jun 20, 2024
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Engine

The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Sonic. The contact stated while driving approximately 45 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power. The ESC and oil pressure warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the residence. The vehicle was then taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the Intake Plenum Gaske…

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The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Sonic. The contact stated while driving approximately 45 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power. The ESC and oil pressure warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the residence. The vehicle was then taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the Intake Plenum Gasket and other unknown parts needed to be sealed. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 36,299.

NHTSA ODI #11595505

38,000 miles · Dec 21, 2021
EngineEngine And Engine Cooling

The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Sonic. The contact stated while driving 25 MPH, the vehicle began to stall inadvertently. The engine overheating warning light illuminated. The contact stated that she veered to the side of the road and turned off the vehicle. The contact's friend came on the scene and provided her with engine c…

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The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Sonic. The contact stated while driving 25 MPH, the vehicle began to stall inadvertently. The engine overheating warning light illuminated. The contact stated that she veered to the side of the road and turned off the vehicle. The contact's friend came on the scene and provided her with engine coolant, and she added the coolant to the vehicle. The contact continued to drive the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the thermostat housing had melted and needed to be replaced. The contact stated that the vehicle was repaired; however, the failure reoccurred while driving. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic several times and the thermostat housing was replaced three times due to its plastic-based material. The contact stated that she was unable to drive the vehicle for more than an hour and a half without a reoccurrence of the failure. The vehicle was taken back to the independent mechanic who diagnosed that the head gasket had melted. The independent mechanic advised the contact to purchase a new vehicle like the engine compartment of the vehicle was poorly made. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and offered to assist the contact with scheduling an appointment with the dealer for diagnosis. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle's approximate failure mileage was 38,000.

NHTSA ODI #11444626

Mileage unknown · Feb 4, 2021
Electrical SystemEngine

THE HEAT DOESNT WORK. KEEPS BLOWING OUT COOL AIR. THIS PAST SUMMER THE AC WOULDN'T WORK. WHEN I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP THEY SAID IT WAS AN ELECTRICAL ISSUE BUT THEY FIXED IT. I BELIEVE THE TWO ISSUES ARE RELATED.

NHTSA ODI #11394748

Mileage unknown · Jul 30, 2020
Electrical SystemEngine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 CHEVROLET SONIC. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOSS MOTIVE POWER AND STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SEVERAL ATTEMPTS WERE NEEDED TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 CHEVROLET SONIC. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOSS MOTIVE POWER AND STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SEVERAL ATTEMPTS WERE NEEDED TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ODI #11342404

100,000 miles · Jun 14, 2020
EngineFuel/propulsion System

CAR HESITATED TO START AFTER GETTING GAS. WHEN IT DOES FINALLY START IT SPUTTERS AND HAVE TO REV MOTOR SOME TO MAKE IT STOP. IDLES HIGH. AFTER GET STARTED AND START TO DRIVE IT IT'S OK, BUT WHEN STOPPED AT A LIGHT IT IDLES HIGHER. I HAVE HAD THE PURGE VALVE REPLACED, BUT IT'S STILL DOING IT.

NHTSA ODI #11328726

Mileage unknown · Mar 3, 2020
EngineFuel/propulsion System

VEHICLE BEGAN HAVING TROUBLE WITH ACCELERATION AND JERKING WHEN STOPPED IN JULY 2019. TOOK VEHICLE TO A SHOP WHERE IT WAS SUGGESTED I REPLACE THE BATTERY AND THE OXYGEN SENSORS. BOTH WERE REPLACED. VEHICLE STILL CONTINUES TO JERK AND NOT PROPERLY ACCELERATE. VEHICLE DRIVES SMOOTH SO LONG AS THEIR IS A FULL TANK OF GAS AND ITS GO…

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VEHICLE BEGAN HAVING TROUBLE WITH ACCELERATION AND JERKING WHEN STOPPED IN JULY 2019. TOOK VEHICLE TO A SHOP WHERE IT WAS SUGGESTED I REPLACE THE BATTERY AND THE OXYGEN SENSORS. BOTH WERE REPLACED. VEHICLE STILL CONTINUES TO JERK AND NOT PROPERLY ACCELERATE. VEHICLE DRIVES SMOOTH SO LONG AS THEIR IS A FULL TANK OF GAS AND ITS GOING A STEADY AT LEAST 40 MPH. WHEN THE GAS GETS BELOW HALF TANK, THE VEHICLE WILL CONTINUE WITH THE JERKING AND ACCELERATING ISSUE. VEHICLE ALSO HAS TO BE RESTARTED NUMEROUS TIMES AFTER GAS IS PUT IN.

NHTSA ODI #11315791

65,000 miles · Jan 21, 2020
EnginePower Train

PURCHASED MY CAR IN OCTOBER OF 2018. IN JULY OF 2019, MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, FOLLOWED SHORTLY AFTERWARD BY THE TEMPERATURE OVERHEAT GAUGE. TOOK MY CAR IN AND WAS TOLD THAT MY THERMOSTAT NEEDED REPLACED AND THAT THIS IS COMMON WITH MY MAKE/MODEL. REPLACED THE THERMOSTAT. IN JANUARY 2020, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN, …

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PURCHASED MY CAR IN OCTOBER OF 2018. IN JULY OF 2019, MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, FOLLOWED SHORTLY AFTERWARD BY THE TEMPERATURE OVERHEAT GAUGE. TOOK MY CAR IN AND WAS TOLD THAT MY THERMOSTAT NEEDED REPLACED AND THAT THIS IS COMMON WITH MY MAKE/MODEL. REPLACED THE THERMOSTAT. IN JANUARY 2020, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN, WITH A PO599 CODE. TOOK IT TO LOCAL AUTO SHOP TO HAVE IT DIAGNOSED; THEY SAID THAT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON WHEN STARTING THE CAR, SO LIKELY WASN'T AN OVERHEATING ISSUE. THEY THOUGHT IT WAS THE SENSORS/CIRCUITS. AFTER RUNNING DIAGNOSTIC CHECK, AGAIN SUGGESTED REPLACING THE THERMOSTAT. THIS IS NOW THE SECOND TIME THE THERMOSTAT HAS NEEDED REPLACED IN THE YEAR AND THREE MONTHS THAT I HAVE OWNED THE VEHICLE. WHEN AT JIFFY LUBE, I WAS TOLD THAT THEY HAD SEEN AT LEAST FOUR OTHER SONICS COME IN WITH THE SAME CHECK ENGINE CODE.

NHTSA ODI #11300805

50,000 miles · Nov 20, 2019
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 CHEVROLET SONIC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VALVE COVER GASKET BECAME DEFECTIVE, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR PERSISTENTLY ILLUMINATED, AND THE TURBO ENGINE'S FINS WERE BENT. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO TWO INDEPENDENT MECHANICS TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 CHEVROLET SONIC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VALVE COVER GASKET BECAME DEFECTIVE, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR PERSISTENTLY ILLUMINATED, AND THE TURBO ENGINE'S FINS WERE BENT. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO TWO INDEPENDENT MECHANICS TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 50,000.

NHTSA ODI #11281438

Mileage unknown · Oct 24, 2019
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Engine

I PURCHASED MY CAR ON MARCH 9,2019. IN MAY I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP [XXX] IN MOULTRIE, GEORGIA WHERE I PURCHASED THE CAR FROM AND NO ONE LOOKED AT IT, IT JUST SAT OUT THERE. WHEN I'M AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT TOO LONG MY CAR WILL CUT OFF OCCASIONALLY AND ALWAYS HESITATE WHEN ACCELERATING EVEN SOMETIMES WHEN I?M IN REVERSE. I GOT MY …

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I PURCHASED MY CAR ON MARCH 9,2019. IN MAY I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP [XXX] IN MOULTRIE, GEORGIA WHERE I PURCHASED THE CAR FROM AND NO ONE LOOKED AT IT, IT JUST SAT OUT THERE. WHEN I'M AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT TOO LONG MY CAR WILL CUT OFF OCCASIONALLY AND ALWAYS HESITATE WHEN ACCELERATING EVEN SOMETIMES WHEN I?M IN REVERSE. I GOT MY TRANSMISSION LOOKED AT AND NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH IT. ONE DAY AFTER I STOPPED AT THE STOP SIGN AND ACCELERATED MY CAR CUT OFF WHILE I WAS ALREADY IN DRIVE AND I ALMOST GOT HIT. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I GOT IT FROM AND TOLD THEM THAT IT WAS CUTTING WHILE IN TRAFFIC AND HE SAID ALL HE COULD TELL ME WAS TO KEEP DRIVING IT AND HE DON'T REMEMBER SELLING ME NO CAR, WHEN I TOLD HIM HE DID AND HIS NAME IS EVEN ON MY PAPERWORK LISTED [XXX]. TOOK IT TO A LOCAL AUTO MECHANIC SHOP AND A FRIEND OF THE FAMILY MECHANIC SHOP AND NEITHER SHOPS COULD FIGURE OUT WHAT WAS WRONG. IN SEPTEMBER I CALLED THE CHEVROLET MANUFACTURING OFFICE AND THEY TOLD ME TO TAKE IT TO THE NEAREST CHEVROLET PLACE. THEY LOOKED AT AND COULDN?T FIND ANYTHING AND MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WASN'T COMING ON BUT THEY TEST DROVE IT AND SEEN EXACTLY WHAT I WAS TALKING ABOUT. THEY TRIED DOING AN INDUSTRIAL FLUSH AND IT DIDN'T WORK. THEY SUGGESTED MY ALTERNATOR BE REPLACED CAUSE IT WAS READING A 15, SERPENTINE BELT AND BELT TENSIONER BE REPLACED, I DID THAT AND TOOK IT TO AN AUTO MECHANIC SHOP SINCE I DIDN'T HAVE A WARRANTY. THE PROBLEM ISN'T FIXED AND IT STILL JERKS AND CUTS OFF TO THIS DAY. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ODI #11270721

Official recalls

2

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.

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.