2013 Chevrolet Sonic problems and recalls

Owners have filed 217 complaints on the 2013 Chevrolet Sonic, and NHTSA has issued 6 recalls. The most cited component is the Electrical System (56 complaints).

217
Complaints
6
Recalls
24
Crash reports
4
Fire reports
20
Injuries
107.6
Severity index

Severity index 107.6 High. The index weights crashes, fires, injuries and fatalities per 100 complaints. How it is calculated.

Middle half of all tracked vehiclesThis vehicle: 107.6p25 46p75 80cleanestworst
Severity index against the quartile range for all tracked vehicles.

Ranked 15 of 145 by severity index among 2013 vehicles with at least 40 complaints, highest first. 90% of those vehicles scored lower. Full 2013 ranking.

Components cited in complaints

Electrical SystemElectrical System: 56 complaints (25.8%)56 26%EngineEngine: 55 complaints (25.3%)55 25%Unknown Or OtherUnknown Or Other: 45 complaints (20.7%)45 21%Power TrainPower Train: 38 complaints (17.5%)38 18%Air BagsAir Bags: 25 complaints (11.5%)25 12%Fuel/Propulsion SystemFuel/Propulsion System: 13 complaints (6.0%)13 6%SteeringSteering: 13 complaints (6.0%)13 6%Electronic Stability Co…Electronic Stability Control (Esc): 12 complaints (5.5%)12 6%
A single complaint can cite more than one component, so shares total over 100%.
ComponentComplaintsShare of complaints citing it
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM5625.8%
ENGINE5525.3%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER4520.7%
POWER TRAIN3817.5%
AIR BAGS2511.5%
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM136.0%
STEERING136.0%
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)125.5%

Complaints filed per year

018352013: 92014: 282015: 302016: 352017: 172018: 252019: 262020: 222021: 42022: 82023: 32024: 52025: 42026: 1 (partial year)131415163517181920212223242526
Complaints by the calendar year they were filed. The hatched bar is the current year to date.
YearComplaints
20139
201428
201530
201635
201717
201825
201926
202022
20214
20228
20233
20245
20254
2026 (year to date)1
Filings in 2023 to 2025 ran 0.4x those in 2020 to 2022 (12 against 34).

Recall campaigns

CampaignReportedComponentSummary
16V25700028/04/2016EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013-2016 Chevrolet Sonic and Trax vehicles and 2013-2015 Chevrolet Spark vehicles equipped with a Bring Your Own Media radio. The affected radios may fail to provide an audible warning chime when the driver, after turning
14V41700002/07/2014EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICALGeneral Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Buick Encore all-wheel-drive vehicles manufactured August 23, 2012, to September 9, 2013; Verano vehicles manufactured August 8, 2012, to June 20, 2013; Chevrolet Cruze vehicles manufactured August 7, 2012, to Augu
13V22000024/05/2013ELECTRICAL SYSTEMGeneral Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013 Cadillac ATS and model year 2013 Cadillac XTS; model year 2014 Chevrolet Impala; and 2013 Chevrolet Sonic vehicles. Originally, in May 2013, GM recalled 1,627 model year 2013 Cadillac ATS and model year 2013 Cadillac X
12V45400017/09/2012ELECTRICAL SYSTEMGeneral Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013 Chevrolet Sonic vehicles manufactured from May 29, 2012, through August 29, 2012. When a turn signal lamp fails to operate, the Body Control Module (BCM) in these vehicles does not detect this condition and will not in
13V46400026/09/2013FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:MOUNTINGGeneral Motors (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013 and 2014 Chevrolet Sonic vehicles manufactured August 2, 2013, through August 12, 2013. Due to insufficient welds, the front fuel tank strap bracket may separate from the vehicle.
23V51600027/07/2023AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULEGeneral Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2013 Buick Verano, Chevrolet Camero, Sonic, and Volt vehicles. The driver-side air bag inflator may explode during deployment due to a manufacturing defect.

Other Chevrolet Sonic model years

Severity index for every other model year on file. Compare all 7 years side by side.

Source. NHTSA public complaint and recall APIs (api.nhtsa.gov), retrieved 2026-07-25. Complaints are unverified consumer reports. Totals vary with units sold and years on the road. Not affiliated with NHTSA or any manufacturer.