2017 Chevrolet SONIC: complaints, problems and recalls
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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10914414 · 2016-10-07 (October 7, 2016)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 CHEVROLET SONIC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE AND WITH THE WINDOW DEFROSTER ON THE FRONT WINDSHIELD ACTIVATED, IT WOULD REMAIN FOGGED AND WOULD NOT DEFROST. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30.
Owner-reported narrative. 30 miles reported. Look up ODI 10914414 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10985973 · 2017-05-16 (May 16, 2017)
PASSENGER SIDE WIPER HAS GAP BETWEEN DRIVER SIDE WATER RUNS DOWN WINDSHIELD IN A STREAM ON ALL WIPER SPEEDS. DISTRACTS VISIBILTY. REPORTED TO DEALER AND CHEVROLET.
Owner-reported narrative. 250 miles reported. Look up ODI 10985973 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 ↗
Owner report 11101714 · 2018-06-13 (June 13, 2018)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2017 CHEVROLET SONIC. WHILE DRIVING OUT OF A PARKING LOT AT APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A POLE WITHOUT WARNING. ALL THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED CHEMICAL BURNS FROM THE AIR BAGS THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY AND DEEMED A TOTAL LOSS. THE DEALER WAS NOT CALLED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 55,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 55,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11101714 at NHTSA ↗
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 11111313 · 2018-07-14 (July 14, 2018)
WHILE DRIVING TO WORK WITHIN THE CITY LIMITS MY DAUGHTER HAD AN ACCIDENT A FEW DAYS AGO INVOLVING A REAR END COLLISION WITH A FOUR WHEEL DRIVE PICKUP. SHE DIDN'T NOTICE THE CARS IN FRONT HAD STOPPED SUDDENLY AND HIT THE TRUCK IN FRONT OF HER. THE PROBLEM WITH THIS IS THAT HER FRONT PROXIMITY SIGNAL DIDN'T SOUND OFF WARNING SHE WAS TOO CLOSE AND AFTER THE IMPACT HER AIRBAGS NEVER DEPLOYED. VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING AT LEASTT 35 MPH. I AM VERY CONCERNED FOR HER SAFETY WITH THE CAR NOW AND IF IT'S REPAIRABLE WE WILL STILL SELL AS MY CONFIDENCE IN THE …
Owner-reported narrative. 4,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 11111313 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11119428 · 2018-08-12 (August 12, 2018)
MASTER CYLINDER AND POWER BREAK BOOSTER NEED TO BE REPLACED AT 42800 MILES.
Owner-reported narrative. 42,800 miles reported. Look up ODI 11119428 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11121759 · 2018-08-22 (August 22, 2018)
WAS DRIVING ABOUT 30 MPH , AIR CONDITIONING WAS ON RECIRCULATE I BLACKED OUT AND TOTALED THE CAR . HOSPITAL RAN A CARBON MONOXIDE TEST AND IT WAS HIGH ,WAS THE CAUSE OF BLACKOUT. NOW HAVE MEMORY PROBLEMS AND SEVERE BACK PAIN
Owner-reported narrative. 12,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11121759 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
0 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
No recall campaigns are recorded in this snapshot.