YearToAvoid

2017 Chevrolet Sonic Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Good

Complaint Index

44/100

#6 most-complained of 10 Sonic years

The 2017 Chevrolet Sonic has 37 NHTSA complaints, a complaint index of 44, and no recalls, ranking 6th worst out of 10 model years with a "Good" verdict. Engine issues are the top problem area at 57% of complaints.

Complaints
37
Recalls
0
Crashes / fires
6 / 1
Injuries / deaths
4 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
5 / 5 ★
EPA combined MPG
29
26 city / 35 hwy

Top 2017 Chevrolet Sonic problems

NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Engine21 (57%)
  2. Airbags6 (16%)
  3. Electrical System6 (16%)
  4. Brakes5 (14%)
  5. Fuel System4 (11%)
  6. Other4 (11%)
  7. Steering4 (11%)
  8. Visibility & Wipers4 (11%)
  9. Structure & Body1 (3%)
  10. Suspension, Wheels & Tires1 (3%)

What owners report

  • Airbags reportedly failed to deploy or deployed improperly during low-speed crashes, including one collision at about 20 mph and another impact under 70,000 miles.
  • One owner reported flames forming from behind the radio while driving at 25 mph, leading the driver to pull over and exit the vehicle.
  • Front windshields reportedly fogged over and would not clear even with the defroster running.
  • A passenger-side wiper reportedly left a gap that let water stream down the windshield at all speeds, reducing visibility.
  • Brakes reportedly failed to stop the car promptly when coming to a stop at lights or stop signs.
  • An EVAP solenoid that regulates air and fuel reportedly needed replacement at 42,000 miles, with the automaker declining to cover the cost.
2017 Chevrolet Sonic complaints: complaints filed per month5Oct 2016Jul 2018Aug 2019Apr 2020Jan 2021Jun 2023Apr 2024Nov 2025
57 complaints filed with NHTSA from Oct 2016 to Apr 2026; peak Jun 2018 (5).

2017 Chevrolet Sonic recalls

No safety recalls on record for this model year.

2017 Chevrolet Sonic fuel economy and fuel cost

City
26 MPG
Highway
35 MPG
Combined
29 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$2,225
15,000 mi/yr
Fuel
Regular
Current regular gas
$4.32/gal
national avg.

EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.

2017 compared with other Sonic years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)02550751002011201220132014201520162017201820192020
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2015Avoid78114329
2016Caution5648229
2017Good4437029
2018Good3314129.5
2019Best118029

All Chevrolet Sonic years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2017 Chevrolet Sonic reliable?
NHTSA lists 37 complaints and 0 recalls for the 2017 Sonic, giving it a complaint index of 44 and a "Good" verdict relative to other Sonic model years.
What is the biggest problem with the 2017 Chevrolet Sonic?
Engine complaints make up 57% of all reported issues, the largest problem area for this model year, with a median failure mileage of 54,568 miles.
Does the 2017 Chevrolet Sonic have any recalls?
No. NHTSA lists 0 recalls for the 2017 Chevrolet Sonic, including 0 do-not-drive recalls.
How does the 2017 Sonic compare to other Sonic years?
The 2017 Sonic ranks 6th worst out of 10 model years, well below the 2012 Sonic's complaint index of 100 and above the 2019 Sonic's index of 11, the best year.
What is the fuel economy of the 2017 Chevrolet Sonic?
The EPA rates the 2017 Sonic at 29 mpg combined (26 city / 35 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,225.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.