NHTSA lists 48 complaints for the 2016 Chevrolet Sonic, 8 of them mention a crash and 1 mention a fire. 5 complaints mention an injury, with 6 injuries and 0 deaths reported.
Data build 2026-10-08.
NHTSA lists this vehicle as CHEVROLET SONIC.
At a glance
Complaints
48
With crash
8
With fire
1
With injury (complaints)
5
Injuries
6
Deaths
0
Recalls
2
Do not drive recalls
0
Park outside recalls
0
Recall potential units (maximum)
317,572
Investigations
0
Open investigations
0
Manufacturer communications
1,084
Complaints per 100k sold: 86.87. Units sold: 55,255; sales year: 2016; basis: calendar_year_us_sales_proxy_for_model_year. goodcarbadcar.net.
Where the complaints are
Top systems
System
Complaints
Share of this vehicle's complaints
ENGINE
13
27.1%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
11
22.9%
AIR BAGS
8
16.7%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
8
16.7%
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
5
10.4%
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)
3
6.3%
POWER TRAIN
3
6.3%
SUSPENSION
3
6.3%
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
2
4.2%
SEATS
2
4.2%
Top subsystems
System
Subsystem
Complaints
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
IGNITION
1
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
WIRING
1
STRUCTURE
BODY
1
One complaint can name several systems, so shares can add to more than 100 percent.
Confidence is the model's own probability for the label it chose (0 to 1), not accuracy.
Model-generated labels on tagged complaints only. Model years 2013 and newer are tagged in full; 2012 in part (see tagged_share); earlier model years have no tags. NHTSA's own flags remain separate in the complaints block.
Defect: 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 (excerpt)
Consequence: Without audible indicators, the driver may not fasten their seatbelt, increasing the risk of injury during a crash. (excerpt)
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. (excerpt)
Defect: 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 vehic (excerpt)
Consequence: Without audible indicators, the driver may leave the key in the ignition, increasing the risk of theft. (excerpt)
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. (excerpt)
Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.
Investigations
0 investigations; 0 open.
Manufacturer communications
1,084 manufacturer communications.
Communications by system
System
Count
EQUIPMENT
445
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
215
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
130
ENGINE
113
POWER TRAIN
85
EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY
66
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
66
WHEELS
48
11037555
Date: 2026-09-26. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: UNKNOWN OR OTHER.
This PI provides Diagnostics tips on how the LIN bus works and how to diagnosis it.
11037253
Date: 2026-09-04. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: UNKNOWN OR OTHER.
This preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into Technical Assistance.
11035340
Date: 2026-07-21. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: UNKNOWN OR OTHER.
PI to help diagnose A/C concern
11030974
Date: 2026-04-01. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: UNKNOWN OR OTHER.
This preliminary information communicates information about how to determine if a wheel and tires size change is available.
11030091
Date: 2026-03-09. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: UNKNOWN OR OTHER.
This preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into Technical Assistance.
11030092
Date: 2026-03-09. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: UNKNOWN OR OTHER.
This Preliminary information communicates the steps on how to save a GDS2 Session Log and upload to a Technical Assistance Case in CX Connect.
11027601
Date: 2026-01-08. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: UNKNOWN OR OTHER.
This preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into Technical Assistance.
11025755
Date: 2025-11-20. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: UNKNOWN OR OTHER.
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have had multiple repair attempts that are being performed on customera s vehicles that exhibit vibration conditions without utilizing the support of General Motors Technical Assistance Center. If
11023091
Date: 2025-09-09. Type: Other. Systems: UNKNOWN OR OTHER.
New Vehicle Monitoring Programs Section in IVH
11022084
Date: 2025-08-14. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: UNKNOWN OR OTHER.
This preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into Technical Assistance.
Notes on this record
Complaints from the API and bulk file are merged and deduplicated by ODI number; the API alone misses records.
System and subsystem counts are numbers of distinct complaints, recalls or communications that name them. One record can name several systems, so shares across systems can add to more than 100 percent; a single share never exceeds 100 percent.
Recalls are counted once per campaign, investigations once per action and manufacturer communications once per NHTSA id, even when NHTSA lists several model names for the same record.
A sales denominator is a calendar-year proxy, not the population of vehicles still in use. Rates are copied from verified pipeline output.