2018 Chevrolet SONIC: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
14 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
27,475 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2018 model year. Data snapshot: . 8 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 5 of 14 complaints (35.7%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Steering behavior | 2 | 14.3% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 7.1% |
| Braking behavior | 1 | 7.1% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 7.1% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Electrical System | 5 |
| Engine | 4 |
| Seats | 2 |
| Unknown Or Other | 2 |
| Wheels | 2 |
| Air Bags:Sensor:Occupant Classification:Front Passenger | 1 |
| Exterior Lighting | 1 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 1 |
Electrical System: 5; Engine: 4; Seats: 2; Unknown Or Other: 2; Wheels: 2; Air Bags:Sensor:Occupant Classification:Front Passenger: 1; Exterior Lighting: 1; Fuel System, Gasoline: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 3 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 3 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 2 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 3; 25,000 to 49,999: 3; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 2; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (3). 6 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 |
|---|---|
| 2018 | 2 |
| 2019 | 3 |
| 2020 | 2 |
| 2021 | 2 |
| 2022 | 3 |
| 2025 | 2 |
2018: 2; 2019: 3; 2020: 2; 2021: 2; 2022: 3; 2025: 2
Pattern summary
Electrical System leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 2 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 1 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 1 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 11151389 · 2018-11-14 (November 14, 2018)
MY DRIVER SEAT DROPS A LEVEL WHILE I DRIVE . VERY DANGEROUS AND HAZARDOUS.
Owner-reported narrative. 15,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11151389 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11152052 · 2018-11-16 (November 16, 2018)
DURING NIGHT OPERATION, THE BACKLIGHT OF THE CENTER SCREEN IS SO BRIGHT IT CAUSES DIFFICULTY SEEING THE ROAD. THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER IS AT AN ACCEPTABLE LEVEL (AS ADJUSTED BY THE SWITCH TO THE LEFT OF THE STEERING WHEEL), BUT THE CENTER SCREEN IS STILL TOO BRIGHT. A SIMPLE FLOATING SOFTWARE BUTTON ALLOWING A DISPLAY OFF FUNCTION WOULD ADDRESS ISSUE. AS IT IS, THE DISPLAY OFF FUNCTION IS HIDDEN IN A SUBMENU REQUIRING INATTENTION TO THE ROAD TO ACTIVATE. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11152052 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11181140 · 2019-02-19 (February 19, 2019)
THE 2018 SONIC IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE IN THE SNOW. IT HAS NO TRACTION TO START FROM A STOPPED POSITION, NO TRACTION TO STOP AND NO ABILITY TO CONTROL STEERING OR TURNING.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11181140 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11255556 · 2019-09-16 (September 16, 2019)
MY 2018 CHEVROLET SONIC RADIO SCREEN WENT BLACK WITHOUT WARNING WHILE I WAS DRIVING. I LOST ALL FUNCTIONS THROUGH THE RADIO SCREEN. THIS HAPPENED A SECOND TIME IN ROUTE TO WORK WITHIN A FEW DAYS. I'M CONCERNED THAT THE RADIO MAY GO BLACK DURING AN EMERGENCY WHEN I NEED TO USE ON STAR.
Owner-reported narrative. 26,950 miles reported. Look up ODI 11255556 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11291401 · 2019-12-26 (December 26, 2019)
HAVING AN ISSUE WITH THE RADIO ITSELF, ITS WENT BLACK A FEW TIMES ON ME AS I WAS DRIVING. AND ALSO WHEN I WAS PARKED. NO RESPONSE ON IT AT ALL. IM AFRAID IF SOMETHING HAPPENS LIKE WHEN IM IN A WRECK AND WHEN I TRY TO CALL ONSTAR WHILE ITS NOT WORKING IM AFRAID OF IT NOT CONNECTING, AND ALSO IVE HAD ISSUES WITH THE WINDOW SWITCHES NOT ROLLING UP OR DOWN THE WINDOWS NO CLICKING NOISES WHEN I PUSH ON THE SWITCH ALL FOUR HAVE DONE IT, ACTING LIKE ITS NOT GETTING A ELECTRIC SIGNAL TO THE SWITCHES, WHAT I USUALLY DO WHEN THAT HAPPENS IS PULL THE CAR …
Owner-reported narrative. 22,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11291401 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11316425 · 2020-03-05 (March 5, 2020)
TODAY I'M WRITING IN BEHALF OF CARITE OF OAKLAND PARK I HAD A EMAIL CHAT WITH BRIAN MCCOY THE BRANCH OWNER OF THE COMPANY, I WAS TOLD BY HIM THAT THE CAR WAS PUT IN AS REPO STATUS, DUE TO ME GIVING THE CAR BACK. I FEEL MY LIFE WAS PUT IN DANGER NUMEROUS OF TIMES AND DUE TO THE NEGLIGENCE OF THE COMPANY I WAS NOT GIVEN A RELIABLE VEHICLE NOR WAS I TREATED AS A VALUED CUSTOMER... GOOD DAY, I'VE MADE ALL ATTEMPTS REGARDING THIS SITUATION WITH CARITE I'M THE TIME ALLOWED.. I'M REQUESTING A FULL REFUND OF MY MONEY I'VE MADE IT CLEAR AND I DON'T WA…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11316425 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11352415 · 2020-09-01 (September 1, 2020)
THE PASSENGER SEAT BELT DOES NOT CLIP OR WILL COME UNDONE AT ANY GIVEN TIME. I MADE THE DEALERSHIP AWARE OF THE CONCERN WHEN THE VEHICLE HAD APPROXIMATELY 39,000 MILES. THEY STATED THAT SINCE IT WAS OUT OF WARRANTY IT DID NOT QUALIFY FOR PRODUCTION DEFECT. THIS IS A SAFETY CONCERN THAT COULD ENDANGER THE LIFE OF A PERSON IF WEST BELT FAILS DURING A CRASH.
Owner-reported narrative. 39,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11352415 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11398829 · 2021-03-03 (March 3, 2021)
MY RADIO TURNS OFF AND ON, ON ITS OWN. ALSO WHEN I HAVE MY BLUETOOTH TURNED ON FOR MY PHONE, IT GETS STUCK AFTER I HANG UP THE PHONE AFTER A CALL. I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK ON A STATE ROAD. MY RIGHT WHEEL BEARING WENT OUT AND I HAD TO REPLACE IT LAST YEAR.
Owner-reported narrative. 96,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11398829 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
1 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
18V342000 · Seats
Reported: 2018-05-27 (May 27, 2018)
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018 Chevrolet Sonic vehicles. A joint in the driver's seat-back frame may not be properly welded, reducing the strength of the seat-back frame.
Consequence: In the event of a rear-impact crash, the seat-back may fail, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's seat-back, free of charge. The recall began June 28, 2018. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 18178.
NHTSA campaign record ↗