2016 Chevrolet SONIC: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
48 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
47,500 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2016 model year. Data snapshot: . 30 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 13 of 48 complaints (27.1%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical and battery issues | 7 | 14.6% |
| Engine operation | 4 | 8.3% |
| Braking behavior | 4 | 8.3% |
| Steering behavior | 3 | 6.3% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 2.1% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 2.1% |
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 | 13 |
| Electrical System | 9 |
| Air Bags | 8 |
| Unknown Or Other | 8 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 5 |
| Electronic Stability Control (Esc) | 3 |
| Power Train | 3 |
| Suspension | 3 |
Engine: 13; Electrical System: 9; Air Bags: 8; Unknown Or Other: 8; Fuel/Propulsion System: 5; Electronic Stability Control (Esc): 3; Power Train: 3; Suspension: 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 | 7 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 9 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 7 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 5 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 2 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 7; 25,000 to 49,999: 9; 50,000 to 74,999: 7; 75,000 to 99,999: 5; 100,000 to 149,999: 2; 150,000 and above: 0
25,000 to 49,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (9). 18 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 | 2 |
| 2017 | 6 |
| 2018 | 8 |
| 2019 | 9 |
| 2020 | 12 |
| 2021 | 4 |
| 2022 | 1 |
| 2023 | 2 |
| 2024 | 1 |
| 2025 | 1 |
| 2026 | 2 |
2016: 2; 2017: 6; 2018: 8; 2019: 9; 2020: 12; 2021: 4; 2022: 1; 2023: 2; 2024: 1; 2025: 1; 2026: 2
Pattern summary
Engine leads the component reports. Electrical and battery issues appears in 7 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 4 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 4 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 10869954 · 2016-05-24 (May 24, 2016)
2016 CHEVROLET SONIC. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO SIGNIFICANT RODENT DAMAGE TO ENGINE COMPARTMENT INSULATION CAUSES A MINOR FIRE. *SMD
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10869954 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10883709 · 2016-07-09 (July 9, 2016)
THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED NEW WITH LESS THAN 50 MILES ON IT. THE VEHICLE SWAYS AND DRIFTS AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. IT MOVES LEFT AND RIGHT IN THE LANE. I DON'T FEEL SAFE IN THE VEHICLE. I DON'T FEEL I AM IN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. I NOTICE THIS AT SPEEDS OF ABOUT 45 MPH AND ABOVE. I HAD IT INTO THE CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP AND THEY REPROGRAMMED THE CONTROL MODULE OF THE ELECTRIC STEERING BUT THE PROBLEM STILL PERSISTS. GM HAS GIVEN ME NO SATISFACTION AND NO HELP WITH THIS MATTER. I DON'T WANT TO DRIVE THIS VEHICLE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS AGAIN UNTIL THI…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10883709 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10983523 · 2017-05-04 (May 4, 2017)
WHILE TRAVELING SOUTH ON INTERSTATE 95 IN THE RIGHT LANE IN THE AREA OF MILE MARKER 7 IN SOUTH CAROLINA A PIECE OF FOREIGN DEBUS WAS RAN OVER BY THE CAR IN FROM OF ME. THE LARGE PIECE OF METAL BOUNCED OF THE ROAD AND HIT THE FRONT BUMPER GRILL AND AIR CONDITIONING CONDENSER ( 24 INCH PIECE OF METAL IT APPEARED TO BE SOMETHING THAT WOULD HOLD A SEMI TRACK SPARE TIRE IN PLACE) THE CAR I WAS BEHIND DIDN'T STOP TO ENSURE MY SAFETY HOWEVER THEY DID BRAKE AND CONTINUE ON THEIR JOURNEY. I PULLED OFF AS SOON AS I COULD GET IN A SAFE PLACE AND I HAVE…
Owner-reported narrative. 15,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10983523 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10993851 · 2017-06-07 (June 7, 2017)
CARS COMPUTER/PROGRAMMING IS REMOTELY CONTROLLED ,BRAKES TRANMISSION LIGHTS SUSPENSION DO NOTB PERFORM AS INTENDED BY MANUFACTURER.HACKING INVOLVED WHILE DRIVING STATIONARY FREEWAYS/CITY STREETS.
Owner-reported narrative. 48,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10993851 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11014248 · 2017-08-10 (August 10, 2017)
WHEN BACKING UP AND GOING FORWARD UP TO 25 MPH THE FRONT SUSPENSION WAS VERY NOISY. FRONT SWAY LINKS REPLACED BY DEALER UNDER WARRANTY.
Owner-reported narrative. 9,248 miles reported. Look up ODI 11014248 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11040715 · 2017-10-28 (October 28, 2017)
TAMARA RECALL
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11040715 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11045076 · 2017-11-10 (November 10, 2017)
THESE ISSUES HAPPEN WHILE THE VEHICLE IS BOTH IN MOTION AND STILL.THE RIGHT INDICATOR LIGHT MALFUNCTIONS QUITE EXCESSIVELY. THE MALFUNCTION CAUSES THE REAR INDICATOR TO TURN OFF AND THE PEOPLE DRIVING BEHIND YOU CANNOT SEE YOU USING A TURN SIGNAL. ALSO THE SUSPENSION DOES NOT BRACE IMPACT OR ADJUST TO DIFFERENT TERRAIN.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11045076 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11051689 · 2017-12-01 (December 1, 2017)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 CHEVROLET SONIC. WHILE PULLING INTO A PARKING SPOT, THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED. THE VEHICLE DROVE OVER A CONCRETE MEDIAN AND THROUGH BUSHES BEFORE COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A THUMB INJURY THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AUFFENBERG CHEVROLET BUICK GMC (830 VALLEY CREEK DR, FARMINGTON, MO 63640), BUT THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND DID NOT ASS…
Owner-reported narrative. 32,847 miles reported. Look up ODI 11051689 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
2 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
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 ↗