2017 Chevrolet SONIC problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
37 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
42,800 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2017 model year. Data snapshot: . 21 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 19 of 37 complaints (51.4%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Steering behavior | 6 | 16.2% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 3 | 8.1% |
| Transmission and shifting | 2 | 5.4% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 2.7% |
| Braking behavior | 1 | 2.7% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Engine | 19 |
| Air Bags | 6 |
| Electrical System | 5 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 4 |
| Steering | 4 |
| Unknown Or Other | 4 |
| Visibility/Wiper | 4 |
| Electronic Stability Control (Esc) | 3 |
Engine: 19; Air Bags: 6; Electrical System: 5; Fuel/Propulsion System: 4; Steering: 4; Unknown Or Other: 4; Visibility/Wiper: 4; Electronic Stability Control (Esc): 3
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 8 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 5 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 6 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 2 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 8; 25,000 to 49,999: 5; 50,000 to 74,999: 6; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 2; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (8). 16 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2016 | 1 |
| 2017 | 2 |
| 2018 | 6 |
| 2019 | 4 |
| 2020 | 7 |
| 2021 | 1 |
| 2022 | 3 |
| 2023 | 4 |
| 2024 | 4 |
| 2025 | 3 |
| 2026 | 2 |
2016: 1; 2017: 2; 2018: 6; 2019: 4; 2020: 7; 2021: 1; 2022: 3; 2023: 4; 2024: 4; 2025: 3; 2026: 2
Pattern summary
Engine leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 6 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 3 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 2 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 11103355 · 2018-06-22 (June 22, 2018)
WHEN STARTING OUR 2017 CHEVROLET SONIC THERE IS EXHAUST FUMES THAT ARE VERY STRONG THAT EVEN MAKE IT INTO THE INTERIOR OF THE CAR. THE EXHAUST WHEN IDLING WILL HAVE A LOUD RATTLE AND WILL BOTH ACCOMPANY THE EXHAUST FUMES AND AT TIMES WHEN THERE ISN'T THE STRONG EXHAUST FUMES. WE HAVE ALSO RECENTLY HAD TO START TURNING THE TRACTION CONTROL OFF AND WATCHING TO MAKE SURE IT STAYS OFF BECAUSE IT WILL RANDOMLY ACTIVATE ON DRY PAVEMENT AND WE WILL HAVE TO HOLD TIGHT TO THE STEERING WHEEL OR IT WILL JERK THE VEHICLE IN A DIFFERENT DIRECTION AND HAS AL…
Owner-reported narrative. 10,200 miles reported. Look up ODI 11103355 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11282854 · 2019-11-29 (November 29, 2019)
IN MAY OF 2019 WHILE TRYING TO START PUSH BUTTON CAR WOULD NOT START LIGHTS CAME ON IN CAR SAYING SERVICE POWER STEERING AND SERVICE STABILITRAK I GOT IT TO DEALER IT WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY AT THAT TIME THEY HAD ME REPLACE A BATTERY FOR OVER $200 WHICH THEY SAY WAS CAUSE ONLY FOR THIS SAME THING TO HAPPEN IN AUG2019/ WHICH THEY CLAIM THEY REPAIRED BOTH TIMES WHILE DRIVING WHEEL TIGHTENS UP AND U CAN'T STEER EVERY TIME THIS HAPPENS THEY CLAIM COULD NOT SERVICE CAR CAUSE THEY HAD TO SEE THE READING ON DASHBOARD THEN AGAIN IN NOVEMBER 2019 THE S…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11282854 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11560907 · 2023-12-19 (December 19, 2023)
steering wheel will lock up when you turn on car, we took it to Paradise Chevrolet, and they found power steering module has update available however need 12 Volt battery to be a higher CCA to reprogram p/s volt battery testing at 356 CCA recommend replacing battery and reprogramming P/S module. Of course, this was not covered under our Protection Plan and should be covered, I had to pay. $578.37 My car is only six years, and this should not be happing. 11/27/23 vehicle shuts off while driving this has happened three time to us. we cannot drive…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11560907 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11585433 · 2024-04-26 (April 26, 2024)
The contact owns a 2017 Chevrolet Sonic. The contact stated that when the vehicle was started, the entire vehicle was shaking. The contact stated that after the vehicle was left idling, the shaking and vibration diminished; however, when the vehicle was shifted into drive(D) and the accelerator pedal was depressed, the vehicle was slow to respond. The contact stated that the vehicle was slow to gain forward momentum while attempting to merge into traffic or ascend a grade in the road. The contact drove the vehicle to an independent mechanic who…
Owner-reported narrative. 108,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11585433 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11716327 · 2026-02-06 (February 6, 2026)
The contact owns a 2017 Chevrolet Sonic. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the engine made an abnormally rough sound, the transmission failed to shift as intended, and the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. The contact exited the highway and continued to drive at slower speeds. The vehicle was taken to an Auto Zone, where it was diagnosed with turbo charger failure. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or…
Owner-reported narrative. 55,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11716327 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11302140 · 2020-01-26 (January 26, 2020)
EVAP PURGE SOLENOID STUCK OPEN CAUSING CAR TO STALL OUT WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY- STREETS. IF STOPPED AT A LIGHT OR HAD TO SLOW DOWN IT WOULD CAUSE THE CAR TO STALL IN MID INTERSECTION AND PUT MYSELF AND FAMILY IN DANGER OF GETTING INTO AN ACCIDENT. WINDSHIELD WASHER UNIT STOPPED WORKING CAUSING MY WINDSHIELD TO IMPAIR MY VISIBILITY NOT ONCE BUT TWICE NOW. DASH LIGHTS KEEP DIMMING SOMETIMES WHEN I START THE CAR AND SOMETIMES WHILE IM DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD CAUSING IT HARD TO TELL THE SPEED AND FUEL LEVEL BUT DOESNT DO IT ALL THE TIME IT CO…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11302140 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11057324 · 2017-12-29 (December 29, 2017)
MY 2017 CHEVY SONIC HAS A BRAKE PROBLEM . BRAKES SOMETIMES FAIL TO STOP WHEN APPLIED. THIS HAPPENS WHEN MOVING AND COMING TO STOP AT RED LIGHT OR STOP SIGN. THE CAR IS CURRENTLY AT THE DEALERSHIP. THEY SAIDED THEY ARE WAITING TO HEAR FROM GM.
Owner-reported narrative. 5,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11057324 at NHTSA ↗