Sedan · Gas
Chevrolet Sonic 2015-2020
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- Price
- $15,200–$20,900
- MPG
- 32
- Strength: Strong running costs
- Strength: Strong reliability
- Watch-out: Below-average cargo & utility
- Watch-out: Below-average passenger space
How it scores for you10 scores
Cheap, tossable basic transportation with decent economy and few vices, though thin refinement and no crash-test record show the price point.
Recalled far less often than cars of the same model years; none of its 4 recalls were serious. About 9% of its owner complaints describe a crash, fire or injury. Based on recalls and serious defect reports — it doesn't capture everyday repairs or problems fixed by warranty extensions.
Not yet crash-tested by NHTSA, so this is scored as middle-of-the-road.
About $2,050 a year in fuel (EPA estimate) — cheaper to run than about 73% of cars we track.
14.9 cu ft of cargo space — more than about 32% of other sedans we track.
Subcompact quarters; the 14.9 cu ft trunk is the packaging bright spot.
Tossable and light with decent steering for a subcompact; 138 hp keeps expectations modest.
7-inch MyLink with CarPlay from 2017 was generous for a subcompact of this vintage.
Busy ride and elevated noise on the highway; economy-car seats.
Typical resale value for a sedan.
No published tow rating; front- or rear-wheel drive only.
Safety & recalls6 recalls
Not yet rated by NHTSA.
6 recalls · 5 common complaint areas across 2015–2018
- Electrical — 31 complaints (2015)
- Recall — Seats (2018)
- Airbags — 23 complaints (2015)
2020
No recorded issues.
2019
No recorded issues.
2018
- RecallSeats18V342000
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018 Chevrolet Sonic vehicles. A joint in the driver's seat-back frame may not be properly welded, reducing the strength of the seat-back frame.
- Complaint clusterElectrical5 complaintscomplaints:ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The has as well as mileage is not accurate and it constantly changes even while not driving which is adding more miles to car than actually is and you will never know how much gas you have in car truly which is safety concern especially if you are driving on interstate and can’t tell how much gas yo
2017
- Complaint clusterEngine11 complaintscomplaints:ENGINE
I have replaced the same part now 4 times. I have multiple receipts. Cause the car the shut off or slow down while on the highway.
- Complaint clusterAirbags5 complaintscomplaints:AIR BAGS
The contact owns a 2017 Chevrolet Sonic. The contact stated that, while driving at 40 MPH, another vehicle failed to yield at a stop sign. As a result, the contact was unable to stop in time and collided with the driver's side B Pillar center region of the other vehicle. The air bags did deploy, whi
2016
- RecallElectrical: software; equipment: electrical: radio/tape deck/cd etc.16V257000
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
- RecallElectrical: software; equipment: electrical: radio/tape deck/cd etc.16V422000
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 leave
- Complaint clusterElectrical11 complaintscomplaints:ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
My car lock and unlocks when I did not hit any buttons. The remote start does not work sometimes. The battery loses connection from time to time with a brand new battery.
- Complaint clusterAirbags7 complaintscomplaints:AIR BAGS
Hello, I need you guys help. I got into a car wrecked which wasn’t my fault. The airbags they deployed and my child car seat was damage. I got a police report stating that the car accident wasn’t my fault and it’s the fault of a 16 year old. He merge straight into my Car and I have all these expeens
- Complaint clusterEngine6 complaintscomplaints:ENGINE
This car overheated and a head gasket blew. I am on a Facebook forum, and it seems like all of these cars have these problems. The Chevy Sonic ltz turbo 1.4 2016 is known for coolant issues and head gasket failures. My car only had 104,000 miles on it. It should last a lot longer than that, but this
- Complaint clusterUnknown or other6 complaintscomplaints:UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Radio malfunctions. Channels automatically change and touch screen doesn't work all the time. I believe 2015 Sonic has a recall for this issue , but not 2016. It appears to be the same issue.
2015
- RecallEquipment: electrical: radio/tape deck/cd etc.15V416000
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 Chevrolet Spark vehicles manufactured April 30, 2014, to May 20, 2015, and 2015 Chevrolet Sonic vehicles manufactured June 18, 2014, to June 10, 2015. In the affected vehicles, equipped with the base radio and OnStar, the radio may l
- RecallElectrical: software; equipment: electrical: radio/tape deck/cd etc.16V257000
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
- RecallElectrical: software; equipment: electrical: radio/tape deck/cd etc.16V422000
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 leave
- Complaint clusterElectrical31 complaintscomplaints:ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Odometer Fraud. The contact owns a 2015 Chevrolet Sonic. The contact purchased the vehicle from a dealer in March 2024. The contact stated that when the vehicle was purchased, the odometer at 60,000, and the advertisement stated 60,000. The contact recently acquired the Carfax report, which indicate
- Complaint clusterAirbags23 complaintscomplaints:AIR BAGS
Passenger seat airbag shows that it is still off even when there is someone in the Passenger seat
- Complaint clusterPowertrain12 complaintscomplaints:POWER TRAIN
Code U0101 is set. Unable to communicate with TCM. Troubleshooted and found TCM is bad. Removed necessary components for tcm replacement. Removed the tcm/valve body assembly and replaced. Replaced necessary gaskets and reinstalled necessary components. Set transmission fluid level to specifications
- Complaint clusterUnknown or other11 complaintscomplaints:UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The driver, and front passenger interior door handles the metallic chrome coating starts to lose its adhesive. When opening the door from the inside it cuts your hands if you don't notice it. Both door handles started to have the same issue within the same year. My children, my wife and myself all h
- Complaint clusterEngine9 complaintscomplaints:ENGINE
Stalls when reduced speed. CEL constant. Codes indicate Emission promlem. Cleared by replacing intake valve. CEL came back on.
Cost to own$15,600 / 5 yr
MSRP, new
$15,200–$20,900
Estimated used price, by model year
$2,050/yr
EPA estimate, combined fuel cost per year.
Specs
City MPG
28
Highway MPG
38
Combined MPG
32
Horsepower
138 hp
Doors
4
Cargo volume
14.9 cu ft
Limited data — dimensions unavailable.
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