2017 Chevrolet Sonic problems and recalls

51% of owner complaints on the 2017 Chevrolet Sonic related to the Engine (19 of 37).

37
Complaints
0
Recalls
6
Crash reports
1
Fire reports
4
Injuries
89.8
Severity index

Severity index 89.8 High. The index weights crashes, fires, injuries and fatalities per 100 complaints. How it is calculated.

Middle half of all tracked vehiclesThis vehicle: 89.8p25 46p75 80cleanestworst
Severity index against the quartile range for all tracked vehicles.

Components cited in complaints

EngineEngine: 19 complaints (51.4%)19 51%Air BagsAir Bags: 6 complaints (16.2%)6 16%Electrical SystemElectrical System: 5 complaints (13.5%)5 14%SteeringSteering: 4 complaints (10.8%)4 11%Unknown Or OtherUnknown Or Other: 4 complaints (10.8%)4 11%Fuel/Propulsion SystemFuel/Propulsion System: 4 complaints (10.8%)4 11%Visibility/WiperVisibility/Wiper: 4 complaints (10.8%)4 11%Vehicle Speed ControlVehicle Speed Control: 3 complaints (8.1%)3 8%
A single complaint can cite more than one component, so shares total over 100%.
ComponentComplaintsShare of complaints citing it
ENGINE1951.4%
AIR BAGS616.2%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM513.5%
STEERING410.8%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER410.8%
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM410.8%
VISIBILITY/WIPER410.8%
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL38.1%

Complaints filed per year

0472016: 12017: 22018: 62019: 42020: 72021: 12022: 32023: 42024: 42025: 32026: 2 (partial year)16171819207212223242526
Complaints by the calendar year they were filed. The hatched bar is the current year to date.
YearComplaints
20161
20172
20186
20194
20207
20211
20223
20234
20244
20253
2026 (year to date)2
Filings in 2023 to 2025 were close to 2020 to 2022 (11 against 11).

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.