Model year
2013 Chevrolet Sonic
NHTSA lists 6 recalls and 217 complaints for the 2013 Chevrolet Sonic (recall file dated Oct 23, 2026; complaint file dated Oct 23, 2026). The components listed on the most complaints are ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (55), ENGINE (55), UNKNOWN OR OTHER (45). NHTSA lists 1 investigation with no close date in the file. NHTSA rated 2 variants 5 stars overall. EPA rates it 28–32 mpg combined depending on configuration (fuel economy file dated Sep 29, 2026). EPA's annual fuel-cost figures for these configurations are $2,100–$2,400, based on 15,000 miles and 55% city driving.
- 2012 354 complaints
- 2013 217 complaints
- 2014 150 complaints
- 2015 114 complaints
- 2016 48 complaints
- 2017 37 complaints
- 2018 15 complaints
- 2019 8 complaints
- 2020 10 complaints
Recalls
23V516000 · Jul 27, 2023
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
General 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.
16V257000 · Apr 28, 2016
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE; EQUIPMENT: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…
14V417000 · Jul 2, 2014
EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL
General 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…
13V464000 · Sep 26, 2013
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:MOUNTING
General 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.
13V220000 · May 24, 2013
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
General 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…
12V454000 · Sep 17, 2012
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
General 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…
Complaints
217 distinct complaints. Crash flag on 24, fire flag on 4, injury field 20, deaths field 0. A complaint can be counted under more than one component. The injury and death figures are the file's numbers (the highest value on each complaint, then added), not a separate verified count of people.
Investigations
| Action | Subject | Opened | Closed |
|---|---|---|---|
| EA21002 | Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture · AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE; AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE | Sep 17, 2021 | No close date in the file |
Safety ratings
| Variant | Overall | Front | Side | Pole | Rollover | Photo |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 DR FWD | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 4 · possibility 0.126 | NHTSA photo |
| 5 DR FWD | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 4 · possibility 0.126 | — |
Fuel economy
| Configuration | Fuel | City | Hwy | Comb | kWh/100 mi | Range | Annual fuel cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sonic · 1.4L · Manual 6-spd · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 28 | 38 | 32 | — | — | $2,100 |
| Sonic · 1.4L · Automatic (S6) · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 27 | 36 | 30 | — | — | $2,250 |
| Sonic 5 · 1.4L · Manual 6-spd · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 28 | 38 | 32 | — | — | $2,100 |
| Sonic 5 · 1.4L · Automatic (S6) · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 27 | 36 | 30 | — | — | $2,250 |
| Sonic · 1.8L · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 26 | 34 | 29 | — | — | $2,300 |
| Sonic · 1.8L · Automatic (S6) · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 24 | 34 | 28 | — | — | $2,400 |
| Sonic 5 · 1.8L · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 26 | 34 | 29 | — | — | $2,300 |
| Sonic 5 · 1.8L · Automatic (S6) · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 24 | 34 | 28 | — | — | $2,400 |
| Sonic RS · 1.4L · Manual 6-spd · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 27 | 33 | 29 | — | — | $2,300 |
| Sonic RS · 1.4L · Automatic (S6) · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 25 | 33 | 28 | — | — | $2,400 |
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Check a vehicle
This page is not a VIN lookup. NHTSA's recall tool checks a specific vehicle: nhtsa.gov/recalls. NHTSA's page for this model year is 2013 Chevrolet Sonic at NHTSA. Complaint narratives stay on NHTSA's site and are not copied here.