Model year
2016 Chevrolet Sonic
NHTSA lists 2 recalls and 48 complaints for the 2016 Chevrolet Sonic (recall file dated Oct 23, 2026; complaint file dated Oct 23, 2026). The components listed on the most complaints are ENGINE (13), ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (9), AIR BAGS (8). 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
16V422000 · Jun 10, 2016
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE; EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 Chevrolet Sonic and Trax, and 2013-2015 Spark vehicles equipped with a Bring Your Own Media radio. The affected radios may fail to provide an audible warning chime when the driver fails to fasten their seatbelt…
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…
Complaints
48 distinct complaints. Crash flag on 8, fire flag on 1, injury field 6, 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
No investigations are matched to this name.
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 RS · 1.4L · Manual 6-spd · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 26 | 33 | 29 | — | — | $2,300 |
| Sonic · 1.4L · Automatic (S6) · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 27 | 36 | 30 | — | — | $2,250 |
| Sonic RS · 1.4L · Automatic (S6) · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 25 | 33 | 28 | — | — | $2,400 |
| Sonic · 1.8L · Automatic (S6) · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 24 | 34 | 28 | — | — | $2,400 |
| Sonic · 1.8L · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 26 | 34 | 29 | — | — | $2,300 |
| Sonic 5 RS · 1.4L · Manual 6-spd · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 26 | 33 | 29 | — | — | $2,300 |
| Sonic 5 RS · 1.4L · Automatic (S6) · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 25 | 33 | 28 | — | — | $2,400 |
| 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 5 · 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 |
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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 2016 Chevrolet Sonic at NHTSA. Complaint narratives stay on NHTSA's site and are not copied here.