How common are engine problems in the 2016 Chevrolet Sonic?

NHTSA lists 16 engine complaints for the 2016 Sonic, which is 33% of the 48 total complaints filed for this model year.

Is there a recall for the 2016 Chevrolet Sonic engine?

No related recalls are listed for the engine problem area in the NHTSA data provided.

At what mileage do 2016 Sonic engine problems typically start?

The median mileage at failure reported to NHTSA for these engine complaints is 68,500 miles.

What are the most common engine symptoms owners report?

Owners describe stalling at low speeds, overheating, persistent check engine lights, and rough acceleration or idling.

Were there any crashes or fires linked to these engine complaints?

NHTSA data shows 1 crash and 1 fire among the 16 engine complaints for the 2016 Sonic, with no injuries reported.

2016 Chevrolet Sonic Engine Problems

NHTSA lists 16 engine complaints for the 2016 Chevrolet Sonic, 33% of its 48 total complaints. Owners commonly report stalling, overheating, and check-engine warnings, with a median failure mileage of 68,500 miles. No related recalls are listed for this engine issue.

Engine complaints: 16; 33% of 48
Crashes reported: 1
Fires reported: 1
Injuries reported: 0
Median mileage: 68,500 mi
Related recalls: 0

Typical engine symptoms owners report

Vehicle stalls or shuts off without warning while driving at low speeds or at a complete stop.
Engine overheats, sometimes accompanied by stalling and a shutdown of the vehicle.
Check engine light stays on persistently, in some cases linked to a defective valve cover gasket or bent turbo fins.
Vehicle jerks or hesitates during acceleration, with owners reporting oxygen sensor or battery replacements that did not fix the problem.
Engine sputters or idles high after refueling, sometimes tied to a purge valve issue.
One case involved rodent damage to engine compartment insulation that caused a minor fire.

When 2016 Chevrolet Sonic engine complaints were filed

First complaint May 24, 2016, latest Feb 18, 2026.

16 complaints filed with NHTSA from May 2016 to Feb 2026; peak Dec 2021 (2).

Engine recalls for the 2016 Chevrolet Sonic

No safety recalls on record for this model year.

Engine complaints by Sonic model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

20110 (0%)
201298 (28%)
201366 (30%)
201440 (27%)
201527 (24%)
201616 (33%)
201721 (57%)
20184 (29%)
20194 (50%)
20202 (20%)

Frequently asked questions

How common are engine problems in the 2016 Chevrolet Sonic?: NHTSA lists 16 engine complaints for the 2016 Sonic, which is 33% of the 48 total complaints filed for this model year.
Is there a recall for the 2016 Chevrolet Sonic engine?: No related recalls are listed for the engine problem area in the NHTSA data provided.
At what mileage do 2016 Sonic engine problems typically start?: The median mileage at failure reported to NHTSA for these engine complaints is 68,500 miles.
What are the most common engine symptoms owners report?: Owners describe stalling at low speeds, overheating, persistent check engine lights, and rough acceleration or idling.
Were there any crashes or fires linked to these engine complaints?: NHTSA data shows 1 crash and 1 fire among the 16 engine complaints for the 2016 Sonic, with no injuries reported.