Every safety complaint, recall and defect investigation the US government
holds on this vehicle.
48
Complaints
8
Crashes
1
Fires
6
Injuries
0
Deaths
Owners of the 2016 Chevrolet Sonic have filed 48
safety complaints with NHTSA
between May 2016 and February 2026.
The most complained-about system is the engine,
named in 13 of them
(27%). The typical failure was reported at 47,500 miles, the median
across the 30 complaints that gave an
odometer reading.
NHTSA has issued 2 recalls covering this
vehicle.
Recalls (2)
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE
16V422000 · June 10, 2016
The defect
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."
The risk
Without audible indicators, the driver may not fasten their seatbelt, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.
The 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.
General Motors LLC · up to 18,780 vehicles across all model years covered
EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.
16V257000 · April 28, 2016
The defect
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."
The risk
Without audible indicators, the driver may leave the key in the ignition, increasing the risk of theft.
The 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.
General Motors LLC · up to 317,572 vehicles across all model years covered
What owners report
Complaints naming each system. One complaint can name several, so these add
up to more than 48.
ENGINE 13 27%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 11 23%
AIR BAGS 8 17%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 8 17%
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 5 10%
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) 3 6%
POWER TRAIN 3 6%
SUSPENSION 3 6%
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 2 4%
SEATS 2 4%
SERVICE BRAKES 2 4%
STEERING 2 4%
When the complaints arrived
By the year NHTSA received them, which is not the year the failures
happened. They peaked in 2020 at 12.
2016 to 2026, the last of them a part year
In owners' own words
Quoted from NHTSA's complaint file. These are unverified accounts by the
people who filed them, not findings of fault.
AIR BAGS
2 injured · crash · towed · 58,000 miles
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2016 CHEVROLET SONIC. WHILE DRIVING AND MAKING A RIGHT TURN, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE SIDE CURTAIN AIR BAG FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE DRIVER AND FRONT PASSENGER SUSTAINED HEAD, NECK, AND BACK INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED TO CARMAX (2550 ROOSEVELT BLVD, CLEARWATER, FL 33760, (727) 507-0790). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND OPENED CASE NUMBER: 900227. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 58,000.
NHTSA complaint 11118152. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.
SERVICE BRAKES
1 injured · crash · towed · 32,847 miles
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 CHEVROLET SONIC. WHILE PULLING INTO A PARKING SPOT, THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED. THE VEHICLE DROVE OVER A CONCRETE MEDIAN AND THROUGH BUSHES BEFORE COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A THUMB INJURY THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AUFFENBERG CHEVROLET BUICK GMC (830 VALLEY CREEK DR, FARMINGTON, MO 63640), BUT THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 32,847.
NHTSA complaint 11051689. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.
AIR BAGS
1 injured · crash · towed · 97,131 miles
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2016 CHEVROLET SONIC. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO TURN ONTO A NEIGHBORHOOD STREET IN THE RAIN, THE VEHICLE HYDROPLANED AND BEGAN TO SLIDE. THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO THE FRONT END OF ANOTHER VEHICLE THAT WAS IDLING AT A STOP SIGN. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE HOOD AND FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE VEHICLE WERE DAMAGED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A COLLISION SHOP BY THE CONTACT'S INSURANCE COMPANY. THE OTHER DRIVER SUSTAINED SMALL CUTS THAT DID NOT REQUIRE MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 97,131.
NHTSA complaint 11278369. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.
AIR BAGS
1 injured · crash · towed · 2,000 miles
THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT KEEPS GOING ON AND OFF. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR APPROX 2 MONTHS.
NHTSA complaint 11364059. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.
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 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 complaint 11718737. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Radio malfunctions. Channels automatically change and touch screen doesn't work all the time. I believe 2015 Sonic has a recall for this issue , but not 2016. It appears to be the same issue.
NHTSA complaint 11713403. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.
STEERING
116,000 miles
The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Sonic. The contact stated that the driver's side door was stuck, and extra force was needed to open the door. The contact stated that the failure was intermittent. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that the power locks functioned as designed. Additionally, the contact stated that the steering wheel would unlock from the normal position and almost fell into the driver’s lap. The contact stated that failure of the steering wheel was frequent and occurred while driving at various speeds. The failure with the door was intermittent. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was purchased. …
NHTSA complaint 11683159, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.
ENGINE
36,299 miles
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 complaint 11595505. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
My car lock and unlocks when I did not hit any buttons. The remote start does not work sometimes. The battery loses connection from time to time with a brand new battery.
NHTSA complaint 11541260. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
My car lock and unlocks when I did not hit any buttons. The remote start does not work sometimes. The battery loses connection from time to time with a brand new battery. I own 2 of these cars and the same exact thing is happening. There needs to be a recall on this
NHTSA complaint 11541262. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.
If this is your car and a dealer keeps failing to fix it, your state's lemon
law may require the manufacturer to replace it or buy it back.
What each state asks for
, read from the statutes.
Where these numbers come from
Complaints: NHTSA's ODI
complaint file
, published August 20, 2026. One
complaint is one ODI number, which is how NHTSA counts them.
Recalls: NHTSA's recall
campaign API
, most recent campaign filed August 12, 2026.
Investigations: NHTSA's ODI
investigation file
, published 2026-08-19.
A complaint is one owner's account and has not been verified by NHTSA or by
us. A vehicle with more complaints is not necessarily worse: models that
sold in larger numbers collect more of them. How this is counted.
G
Compiled and maintained by guarledes Independent developer and analyst