2020 Chevrolet Sonic Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Good The 2020 Chevrolet Sonic has a complaint index of 33, ranking 7th out of 10 model years, with a Good verdict. It has 10 NHTSA complaints, no recalls, no crashes, fires, injuries, or deaths reported.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 33/100
- #7 of 10 Sonic years
- Verdict
- Good
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 10
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 0
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 0
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- Top issue
- Electrical System
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 29
- 26 city / 34 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 0 / 0
Top 2020 Chevy Sonic problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Electrical System6 (60%)
- Transmission & Powertrain3 (30%)
- Engine2 (20%)
- Airbags1 (10%)
- Fuel System1 (10%)
- Other1 (10%)
- Steering1 (10%)
- Structure & Body1 (10%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Keyless ignition allows the car to be shifted out of park before the engine is started or the key fob to be turned off without the vehicle being in park.
- Owners report the radio, power steering, and door locks shutting off intermittently while driving, sometimes requiring the car to be restarted.
- Front driver and passenger airbags deployed without a crash while the vehicle was moving at highway speed, causing loss of steering control.
- A temperature sensor issue can trigger a fault code that puts the transmission into limp mode instantly during heavy traffic, along with coolant leaks and overheating.
- The evaporative emissions (EVAP) purge system was reported to leak, and the engine shut off unexpectedly while driving.
- The plastic thermostat housing cracked and caused a sudden, rapid loss of engine coolant.
2020 Chevrolet Sonic recalls
No safety recalls on record for this model year.
2020 Chevrolet Sonic fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 26 MPG
- Highway
- 34 MPG
- Combined
- 29 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $2,250
- 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.
2020 compared with other Sonic years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2020 Chevrolet Sonic reliable?
- Compared to other Sonic model years, 2020 ranks well with a complaint index of 33, placing it 7th of 10 years and earning a Good verdict from NHTSA complaint data.
- Does the 2020 Chevrolet Sonic have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists no recalls for the 2020 Chevrolet Sonic.
- What is the most common problem with the 2020 Chevrolet Sonic?
- Electrical system issues are the top complaint area, making up 60% of complaints, including keyless ignition faults and intermittent power steering and radio shutoffs.
- What year Chevrolet Sonic should I avoid?
- Based on NHTSA complaint data, the 2012, 2013, and 2015 Sonic model years are rated Avoid, with complaint indexes of 100, 89, and 78 respectively, compared to 33 for 2020.
- What is the fuel economy of the 2020 Chevrolet Sonic?
- The 2020 Sonic gets 29 mpg combined (26 city / 34 highway) per EPA data, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,250.