What year Chevrolet Sonic should I avoid?

Avoid the 2012, 2013, and 2015 Chevrolet Sonic. These years have the highest complaint indexes (100, 89, and 78) among all model years and each carries multiple recall campaigns.

Which Chevrolet Sonic year is the best?

The 2018 and 2019 Sonic are rated Best, with complaint indexes of 22 and 11, the lowest of any model year. The 2017 and 2020 model years are also rated Good.

Is the 2012 Chevrolet Sonic reliable?

The 2012 Sonic has the highest complaint index (100) of all Sonic years and ranks worst overall, based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls. Transmission & Powertrain problems account for 44% of that year's complaints, and GM issued 7 recall campaigns for it.

Does the Chevrolet Sonic have recalls?

Across the 2011-2020 model years, NHTSA lists 16 recall campaigns for the Sonic, including issues with transmission turbine shafts, airbag inflators, and radio software.

What are the most common Chevrolet Sonic problems?

Across all model years, the top reported problem areas are Engine (29% of 953 complaints), Electrical System (24%), and Transmission & Powertrain (24%), based on NHTSA owner complaints.

Chevrolet Sonic Best and Worst Years (2011–2020)

Avoid the 2012, 2013, and 2015 Chevrolet Sonic, which carry the highest complaint indexes (100, 89, and 78) and multiple recall campaigns. The 2018 and 2019 model years are rated Best, with complaint indexes of just 22 and 11.

Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls per model-year, ranked within this model — not a reliability rating. Methodology.

Avoid 2012 Avoid 2013 Avoid 2015 Best 2018 Best 2019

Model years: 10; 2011–2020
NHTSA complaints: 953
Recall campaigns: 16
Crashes reported: 91
Fires reported: 18
Top problem area: Engine

Sonic Complaint Index by year

Higher = more complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and Do-Not-Drive recalls per year on the road, relative to other years of this model.

Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best

Chevrolet Sonic problems and recalls by year

Year	Verdict	Index	Complaints	Crashes	Fires	Recalls	Top issue	MPG	NCAP
2011	No verdict	0	1	0	0	0	—	—	—
2012	Avoid	100	354	27	5	7	Transmission & Powertrain	29.5	5★
2013	Avoid	89	217	24	4	6	Engine	29	5★
2014	Caution	67	150	11	4	4	Electrical System	29	5★
2015	Avoid	78	114	15	3	3	Electrical System	29	5★
2016	Caution	56	48	8	1	2	Engine	29	5★
2017	Good	44	37	6	1	0	Engine	29	5★
2018	Best	22	14	0	0	1	Electrical System	29.5	5★
2019	Best	11	8	0	0	0	Engine	29	5★
2020	Good	33	10	0	0	0	Electrical System	29	5★

Sonic years to avoid: what went wrong

2012 Chevrolet Sonic Index 100 · 354 complaints · 7 recalls

The 2012 Sonic has the highest complaint index (100) of any year and ranks worst overall. Transmission & Powertrain problems dominate, making up 44% of complaints for the year, with a median failure mileage of 50,000. Owners describe hesitation and gear-hunting during acceleration. NHTSA also logged 27 crashes, 5 fires, 18 injuries, and 1 death for this year. GM issued 7 recalls, including a transmission turbine shaft replacement and a steering wheel airbag coil fix, plus an engine oil pan/block heater cord campaign.

2012 transmission & powertrain problems →2012 engine problems →2012 electrical system problems →

2013 Chevrolet Sonic Index 89 · 217 complaints · 6 recalls

The 2013 Sonic has a complaint index of 89, the second-worst of any year. Engine complaints lead at 30% of the year's total, with a median failure mileage of 61,000, followed closely by Electrical System issues at 26% (median 62,500 miles). Owners reported unintended acceleration and crashes with failed airbag deployment. NHTSA recorded 24 crashes and 20 injuries for the year. Three recalls apply, covering a driver-side airbag inflator defect, a radio software update, and the same oil pan/block heater cord issue as 2012.

2013 engine problems →2013 electrical system problems →2013 transmission & powertrain problems →

2015 Chevrolet Sonic Index 78 · 114 complaints · 3 recalls

The 2015 Sonic carries a complaint index of 78. Electrical System complaints top the list at 31% of the year's total, with a median failure mileage of 49,500, followed by Airbags at 24% (median 28,700 miles). Owners described power steering warnings before crashes and airbags failing to deploy, including a fatal crash. NHTSA logged 15 crashes, 3 fires, 19 injuries, and 1 death for this year. Three recalls address radio software issues affecting audible warning chimes.

2015 electrical system problems →2015 airbags problems →2015 engine problems →

Most common Chevy Sonic problems (all years)

Share of NHTSA complaints by component group across all model years.

Engine278 (29%)
Electrical System233 (24%)
Transmission & Powertrain231 (24%)
Other174 (18%)
Airbags126 (13%)
Brakes82 (9%)
Fuel System74 (8%)
Steering54 (6%)
Suspension, Wheels & Tires49 (5%)
Structure & Body45 (5%)

A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.

Frequently asked questions

What year Chevrolet Sonic should I avoid?: Avoid the 2012, 2013, and 2015 Chevrolet Sonic. These years have the highest complaint indexes (100, 89, and 78) among all model years and each carries multiple recall campaigns.
Which Chevrolet Sonic year is the best?: The 2018 and 2019 Sonic are rated Best, with complaint indexes of 22 and 11, the lowest of any model year. The 2017 and 2020 model years are also rated Good.
Is the 2012 Chevrolet Sonic reliable?: The 2012 Sonic has the highest complaint index (100) of all Sonic years and ranks worst overall, based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls. Transmission & Powertrain problems account for 44% of that year's complaints, and GM issued 7 recall campaigns for it.
Does the Chevrolet Sonic have recalls?: Across the 2011-2020 model years, NHTSA lists 16 recall campaigns for the Sonic, including issues with transmission turbine shafts, airbag inflators, and radio software.
What are the most common Chevrolet Sonic problems?: Across all model years, the top reported problem areas are Engine (29% of 953 complaints), Electrical System (24%), and Transmission & Powertrain (24%), based on NHTSA owner complaints.