The 2016 Chevrolet Sonic is associated with 48 official NHTSA owner defect complaints and 2 safety recall campaigns in the federal safety database. The most frequently reported component area is Air Bags, accounting for 6 reports (13% of total complaints). EPA testing covers 12 certified vehicle configurations spanning 1.4l 4-cyl and 1.8l 4-cyl configurations. Gasoline and hybrid variants deliver 28 to 32 MPG combined.
Key Data Findings
- • NHTSA Owner Complaints: 48 reports
- • Safety Recall Campaigns: 2 campaigns
- • Top Reported Defect Area: Air Bags (6 / 13%)
- • Safety Incident Signals: 8 crash / 1 fire / 5 injury reports
- • NHTSA Overall Safety Rating: 5 / 5 Stars
- • EPA Efficiency: 28–32 MPG (12 variants)
Data Note: Compiled directly from official NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI), NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, and EPA FuelEconomy.gov databases.
| Variant | Engine | Drivetrain | Transmission | City | Highway | Combined | EV Range | Est. Annual Fuel Cost |
| Sonic | 1.4L 4-Cyl | Front-Wheel Drive | Manual 6-spd | 28 MPG | 38 MPG | 32 MPG | — | $1,900 / yr |
| Sonic 5 | 1.4L 4-Cyl | Front-Wheel Drive | Manual 6-spd | 28 MPG | 38 MPG | 32 MPG | — | $1,900 / yr |
| Sonic | 1.4L 4-Cyl | Front-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S6) | 27 MPG | 36 MPG | 30 MPG | — | $2,050 / yr |
| Sonic 5 | 1.4L 4-Cyl | Front-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S6) | 27 MPG | 36 MPG | 30 MPG | — | $2,050 / yr |
| Sonic RS | 1.4L 4-Cyl | Front-Wheel Drive | Manual 6-spd | 26 MPG | 33 MPG | 29 MPG | — | $2,100 / yr |
| Sonic | 1.8L 4-Cyl | Front-Wheel Drive | Manual 5-spd | 26 MPG | 34 MPG | 29 MPG | — | $2,100 / yr |
| Sonic 5 RS | 1.4L 4-Cyl | Front-Wheel Drive | Manual 6-spd | 26 MPG | 33 MPG | 29 MPG | — | $2,100 / yr |
| Sonic 5 | 1.8L 4-Cyl | Front-Wheel Drive | Manual 5-spd | 26 MPG | 34 MPG | 29 MPG | — | $2,100 / yr |
| Sonic RS | 1.4L 4-Cyl | Front-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S6) | 25 MPG | 33 MPG | 28 MPG | — | $2,200 / yr |
| Sonic | 1.8L 4-Cyl | Front-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S6) | 24 MPG | 34 MPG | 28 MPG | — | $2,200 / yr |
| Sonic 5 RS | 1.4L 4-Cyl | Front-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S6) | 25 MPG | 33 MPG | 28 MPG | — | $2,200 / yr |
| Sonic 5 | 1.8L 4-Cyl | Front-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S6) | 24 MPG | 34 MPG | 28 MPG | — | $2,200 / yr |
Data Boundary Note: EPA specifications are shown by certified vehicle configuration. NHTSA complaints and recall totals are recorded at the model-year level across all configurations.
| Tested Drivetrain / Cab Variant | Overall Rating | Frontal Crash | Side Crash | Rollover Rating | Rollover Risk |
| 4 DR FWD | | | | | 12.6% |
| 5 DR FWD | | | | | 12.6% |
Active Driver Assistance Systems (NHTSA Recorded): Forward Collision Warning (FCW) is documented as Optional and Lane Departure Warning (LDW) is documented as Optional in official NHTSA records for tested 2016 Chevrolet Sonic models.
View complete 2016 Chevrolet Sonic crash test & safety breakdown →
Top Reported Problem Categories
Ranked by total consumer complaint submissions recorded by NHTSA
Data Attribution & Context: Complaints are self-reported by vehicle owners to NHTSA and represent unverified consumer submissions. Complaint volume does not equal a statistically controlled failure rate and is not adjusted for total vehicles sold or cumulative mileage driven.
View all 2016 Chevrolet Sonic problems & component breakdown (25 categories) →
Affected Component: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE
Defect Summary: 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 or if the driver leaves the key in the ignition. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) numbers 208 "Occupant Crash Protection" and 114 "Theft Protection."
Free Manufacturer Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will update the radio software, free of charge. The recall began on July 22, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 45340.
Affected Component: EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.
Defect Summary: 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 off the ignition and leaving the key in the cylinder, waits 10 minutes or longer to open the door. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 114 "Theft Protection."
Free Manufacturer Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will update the radio software, free of charge. The manufacturer has not yet provided a notification schedule. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 17130.
View all 2016 Chevrolet Sonic recalls & campaign history (2 campaigns) →