2015 Chevrolet SONIC: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
114 owner complaints analyzed
3 distinct recall campaigns
35,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2015 model year. Data snapshot: . 79 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 32 of 114 complaints (28.1%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Steering behavior | 12 | 10.5% |
| Braking behavior | 11 | 9.6% |
| Transmission and shifting | 9 | 7.9% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 9 | 7.9% |
| Engine operation | 6 | 5.3% |
| Fuel system concerns | 2 | 1.8% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Electrical System | 32 |
| Air Bags | 27 |
| Engine | 23 |
| Unknown Or Other | 22 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 12 |
| Power Train | 12 |
| Steering | 6 |
| Electronic Stability Control (Esc) | 4 |
Electrical System: 32; Air Bags: 27; Engine: 23; Unknown Or Other: 22; Fuel/Propulsion System: 12; Power Train: 12; Steering: 6; Electronic Stability Control (Esc): 4
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 29 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 23 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 13 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 8 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 4 |
| 150,000 and above | 2 |
Under 25,000: 29; 25,000 to 49,999: 23; 50,000 to 74,999: 13; 75,000 to 99,999: 8; 100,000 to 149,999: 4; 150,000 and above: 2
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (29). 35 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 |
|---|---|
| 2015 | 9 |
| 2016 | 17 |
| 2017 | 12 |
| 2018 | 12 |
| 2019 | 16 |
| 2020 | 11 |
| 2021 | 8 |
| 2022 | 12 |
| 2023 | 6 |
| 2024 | 7 |
| 2025 | 3 |
| 2026 | 1 |
2015: 9; 2016: 17; 2017: 12; 2018: 12; 2019: 16; 2020: 11; 2021: 8; 2022: 12; 2023: 6; 2024: 7; 2025: 3; 2026: 1
Pattern summary
Electrical System leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 12 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 11 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 9 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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10702727 · 2015-03-30 (March 30, 2015)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 CHEVROLET SONIC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT WAS CONTINUOUSLY ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING AND THEY STATED THAT THE AIR BAG SYSTEM WAS NOT OPERATING PROPERLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70.
Owner-reported narrative. 70 miles reported. Look up ODI 10702727 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10704189 · 2015-04-07 (April 7, 2015)
MY HUSBAND AND I WERE TRAVELING STRAIGHT IN A 2015 CHEVROLET SONIC LT AT APPROXIMATELY 35-40 MPH WHEN THE DRIVER OF A 2002 TOYOTA COROLLA MADE A LEFT HAND TURN CAUSING A COLLISION. SIMPLY PUT WE T BONED THE OTHER VEHICLE. 2015 CHEVY SONICS ARE EQUIPPED WITH WEIGHT SENSING RESTRAINT SYSTEMS. I WAS THE PASSENGER AND WEIGH APPROXIMATELY 142 LBS. BOTH DRIVER FRONT AIR BAGS DEPLOYED, KNEE AND STEERING WHEEL. THE PASSENGER FRONT AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOYED. ALMOST ALL OF THE DAMAGE WAS TO THE FRONT END PASSENGER SIDE. TOTAL MILEAGE AT TIME OF COLLISION…
Owner-reported narrative. 3,191 miles reported. Look up ODI 10704189 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10704206 · 2015-04-07 (April 7, 2015)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 CHEVROLET SONIC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 26. UPDATED 6/8/15*CN UPDATED 10/05/2017*CN
Owner-reported narrative. 26 miles reported. Look up ODI 10704206 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10746253 · 2015-08-04 (August 4, 2015)
WHEN GOING AROUND A CORNER TO RIGHT YOU FIGHT STEERING AND THEN CAR GOES TO LEFT HARD AND IT CROSSES CENTER LINE. I FEEL FOR THE SAFETY OF THE OWNER AND OTHERS ON THE HIGHWAY THIS NEEDS ADDRESSED AND FIXED
Owner-reported narrative. 500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10746253 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10747406 · 2015-08-10 (August 10, 2015)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 CHEVROLET SONIC. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A DEER. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A HEAD INJURY THAT DID NOT REQUIRE MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED EXTENSIVE FRONT END DAMAGE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 2,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10747406 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10760484 · 2015-08-31 (August 31, 2015)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 CHEVROLET SONIC. WHEN THE AIR CONDITIONER WAS ACTIVATED, THE VEHICLE PRODUCED AN ABNORMAL MOLD ODOR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FILTER NEEDED TO BE CLEANED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 8,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 8,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10760484 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10761416 · 2015-09-03 (September 3, 2015)
MY WIFE AND DAUGHTER HIT A DEER GOING ABOUT 60 MPH. THE DEER HIT THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE FROM THE GRILL TO THE CORNER. AFTER THE IMPACT THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE DAMAGE COULD BE A TOTAL LOSS JUST WAITING ON THE INSURANCE ADJUSTER.
Owner-reported narrative. 3,646 miles reported. Look up ODI 10761416 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10811525 · 2015-12-21 (December 21, 2015)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 CHEVROLET SONIC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE DRIVER WAS DRIVING AT 50 MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE AND THE VEHICLE ENGULFED IN FLAMES. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED FATAL INJURIES AND DIED ON THE SCENE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AND WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10811525 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
3 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
15V416000 · Equipment:Electrical:Radio/Tape Deck/Cd Etc.
Reported: 2015-06-30 (June 30, 2015)
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 lock up due to a software issue, causing the display to go blank and all audio functions to cease. Because of this, there may be no warning chimes such as the reminder to buckle the seat belt and the key being left in ignition when the driver goes to exit the vehicle. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 208 "Occupant Crash Protection", and 114 "Theft Protection."
Consequence: Without audible indicators, the driver may leave the key in the ignition, increasing the risk of theft. If a driver or front passenger does not buckle their seat belt, there would be no chime to remind them to fasten their seat belts. If a driver or passenger does not buckle their seat belt there is an increased risk that they will be injured in a crash.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will update the radio software, free of charge. The recall began on August 11, 2015. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 15504.
NHTSA campaign record ↗16V257000 · Electrical System:Software | Equipment:Electrical:Radio/Tape Deck/Cd Etc.
Reported: 2016-04-28 (April 28, 2016)
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."
Consequence: Without audible indicators, the driver may leave the key in the ignition, increasing the risk of theft.
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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗16V422000 · Electrical System:Software | Equipment:Electrical:Radio/Tape Deck/Cd Etc.
Reported: 2016-06-10 (June 10, 2016)
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."
Consequence: Without audible indicators, the driver may not fasten their seatbelt, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.
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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗