CSR

Chevrolet · NHTSA safety record

2018 Chevrolet Sonic

Every safety complaint, recall and defect investigation the US government holds on this vehicle.

14

Complaints

0

Crashes

0

Fires

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

Owners of the 2018 Chevrolet Sonic have filed 14 safety complaints with NHTSA between November 2018 and July 2025. The most complained-about system is the electrical system, named in 5 of them (36%). The typical failure was reported at 27,475 miles, the median across the 8 complaints that gave an odometer reading.

NHTSA has issued 1 recall covering this vehicle.

Recalls (1)

SEATS

18V342000 · May 27, 2018

The defect
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018 Chevrolet Sonic vehicles. A joint in the driver's seat-back frame may not be properly welded, reducing the strength of the seat-back frame.
The risk
In the event of a rear-impact crash, the seat-back may fail, increasing the risk of injury.
The remedy
GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's seat-back, free of charge. The recall began June 28, 2018. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 18178.

General Motors LLC · up to 71 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 14.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 5 36%
ENGINE 4 29%
SEATS 2 14%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 2 14%
WHEELS 2 14%
AIR BAGS 1 7%
EXTERIOR LIGHTING 1 7%
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE 1 7%
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 1 7%
PARKING BRAKE 1 7%
SEAT BELTS 1 7%
STEERING 1 7%

When the complaints arrived

By the year NHTSA received them, which is not the year the failures happened. They peaked in 2019 at 3.

2018 2019 2025
2018 to 2025

In owners' own words

Quoted from NHTSA's complaint file. These are unverified accounts by the people who filed them, not findings of fault.

ENGINE
Dear GM Executive Office, I am writing in frustration and disappointment after being told today by Chevrolet Customer Assistance that the case I opened (Case # [XXX]) was simply a "dealer complaint" and that no further help would be offered - despite my vehicle exhibiting a recurring, safety-related malfunction covered under Special Coverage N232395330 - Turbocharger Replacement. To Whom It May Concern, I am writing to formally request a resolution regarding a recurring and unresolved issue with my son’s 2018 Chevrolet Sonic Premier (Turbocharged engine), VIN: [XXX] This past January we brought the vehicle to Ziegler Buick GMC of Lincolnwood an authorized due to overheating and a warning

NHTSA complaint 11675305, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

85,000 miles

The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Sonic. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the engine was idling roughly. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. Additionally, the contact stated that the vehicle was consuming an excessive amount of fuel. The contact stated that the canister purge valve had previously been replaced, but the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who determined that the canister purge valve needed to be replaced a second time. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 85,000.

NHTSA complaint 11661264. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER
My car has had CAM shaft issues upon buying the car. I have taken the car to Chevrolet in Dallas and in Forney, TX and the car still has the same issue. My car engine check light has remained on and consulting a personal mechanic, they informed me that this could be a recall issue and that I should report it.

NHTSA complaint 11492498. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION:FRONT PASSENGER

15,000 miles

The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Sonic. The contact stated that while a 95-pound passenger was seated in the front passenger’s seat, the air bag system was deactivated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who was unable to determine a failure and indicated no failure was found. The manufacturer was notified of the issue. The failure mileage was 15,000.

NHTSA complaint 11471326. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The has as well as mileage is not accurate and it constantly changes even while not driving which is adding more miles to car than actually is and you will never know how much gas you have in car truly which is safety concern especially if you are driving on interstate and can’t tell how much gas you have in car and suddenly run out of gas while other are behind you going 70 mph which can cause a wreck

NHTSA complaint 11462831. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

SEATS

28,000 miles

The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Sonic. The contact stated that operating the vehicle, the front driver side seat would erroneously slide forward causing the driver's knees to make contact with the dash panel. In addition, while driving at various speeds the vehicle had suddenly stalled. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who diagnosed that the electronic control unit hardware was faulty. Also, the emergency brake cable was hanging low to the ground under the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The local dealer was notified of the failures. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 28,000.

NHTSA complaint 11436408. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

Compare

Other years of the Chevrolet Sonic

Model year Complaints Recalls Deaths
2017 37 0
2016 48 2
2015 114 3 1
2014 149 4
2013 217 6
2012 353 7 1

Other 2018 Chevrolet models

Every Chevrolet on this site — 298 vehicles, 747 recall campaigns and 5 open investigation s.

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

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.

Compiled and maintained by
Independent developer and analyst