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NHTSA vehicle safety data

2013 Chevrolet Sonic Recalls, Ratings & Complaints

The 2013 Chevrolet Sonic has 6 NHTSA recall campaigns and 217 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Chevrolet dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2013 Chevrolet Sonic, plus NCAP crash-test ratings. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

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2013 Chevrolet Sonic owner complaints

Owners have filed 217 complaints with NHTSA about the 2013 Chevrolet Sonic, describing incidents dated September 12, 2012 to October 11, 2025.

Most-cited components

  • Engine 60 complaints
  • Electrical System 56 complaints
  • Unknown or Other 45 complaints
  • Power Train 38 complaints
  • Air Bags 25 complaints
  • Fuel/Propulsion System 14 complaints

Of the 217 complaints on file, 24 report a crash and 4 a fire; across all 217 complaints, owners report 20 injuries (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

  • ODI #11709620 · Filed

    The contact owned a 2013 Chevrolet Sonic. The contact stated that the vehicle had previously sustained undercarriage damage while driving at 20 MPH and hitting a pothole. The undercarriage was repaired. Additionally, the contact stated that while driving at 25 MPH, the vehicle started to overheat. A…

  • ODI #11666137 · Filed

    Vehicle enters into catalyst monitor too early. Monitor Fales indicating that the catalyst is below efficiency threshold. A vehicle is run for a significant amount of time before being allowed to enter the driving conditions for the catalyst monitor, monitor will pass. This indicates that there is a…

  • ODI #11655253 · Filed

    On 7-27-2023 General Motors issued a recall on 2013 models of Sonic, my VIN was not included in this recall. However on 4-16-2025 my sonic was involved in a impact incident in which the air bags should have deployed, and did not. It is my opinion that Chevy, knowing of the issues with the model of…

Read all 217 complaints

Owner-reported

2013 Chevrolet Sonic mileage at failure

161 of the 217 complaints on file for the 2013 Chevrolet Sonic give the vehicle's mileage when the problem happened.

Mileage at failure by component, from owners' complaints to NHTSA
EngineMedian 60,000 milesMiddle half 18,000–95,000 milesBased on 46 complaints
Electrical SystemMedian 60,000 milesMiddle half 40,000–85,000 milesBased on 42 complaints

A component's median is its 50th percentile, and its middle half runs from its 25th to its 75th percentile.

Owners give the mileage themselves, often as a round number, and NHTSA doesn't check it. A complaint that names several components counts under each one, and mileages that can't be right, such as 999,999, or 50 miles on a five-year-old car, are left out.

These figures describe the complaints owners filed. They don't predict when a particular vehicle will have a problem, and vehicles that never had one aren't counted.

Mileage from NHTSA's complaints file of October 31, 2026. How these figures are worked out

NHTSA defect investigations

NHTSA's investigations file lists the 2013 Chevrolet Sonic in 1 investigation. A listed model year means only that an investigation names it; it says nothing about any particular vehicle. An open investigation is not a finding that a safety defect exists, and NHTSA can close one without a recall.

Open and recently closed NHTSA defect investigations

Driver's Air Bag Inflator May Explode

NHTSA #23V516000 · Air Bags — Frontal — Driver Side — Inflator Module · NHTSA notice

Reported July 27, 2023 · General Motors, LLC

Potentially affected: 767 vehicles

Repair completion: 46.36% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Manufacturer campaign N232413120 · Owners notified October 23, 2023

Defect description

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2013 Buick Verano, Chevrolet Camero, Sonic, and Volt vehicles. The driver-side air bag inflator may explode during deployment due to a manufacturing defect.

Safety consequence

An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.

Manufacturer remedy

Dealers will replace the driver-side air bag module, free of charge. On some 2013 Volt vehicles, the steering wheel will be replaced as well, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 23, 2023. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300 and Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N232413120.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.

No 'Key Left in Ignition' Warning Chime/FMVSS 114

NHTSA #16V257000 · Equipment — Electrical — Radio/Tape Deck/Cd Etc. · NHTSA notice

Reported April 28, 2016 · General Motors LLC

Potentially affected: 317,572 vehicles

Repair completion: 81.16% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Manufacturer campaign 17130 · Owners notified May 26, 2016 · Vehicles built May 29, 2012 – April 13, 2016 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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."

Safety consequence

Without audible indicators, the driver may leave the key in the ignition, increasing the risk of theft.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Engine Block Heater Power Cord Damage

NHTSA #14V417000 · Equipment — Electrical · NHTSA notice

Reported July 2, 2014 · General Motors LLC

Potentially affected: 2,990 vehicles

Repair completion: 78.83% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Manufacturer campaign 14257 · Owners notified August 29, 2014 · Vehicles built May 29, 2012 – August 8, 2013 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Buick Encore all-wheel-drive vehicles manufactured August 23, 2012, to September 9, 2013; Verano vehicles manufactured August 8, 2012, to June 20, 2013; Chevrolet Cruze vehicles manufactured August 7, 2012, to August 16, 2013, and 2012-2014 Chevrolet Sonic vehicles manufactured May 10, 2011, to August 16, 2012 equipped with a Calix oil pan/block heater. In cold temperatures, the insulation on the engine block heater cord can become damaged, allowing the wires to be exposed.

Safety consequence

Exposed wires increase the risk of electrical shock and personal injury if the cord is handled while it is plugged in.

Manufacturer remedy

GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the engine oil pan/block heater cord with a new cord that is rated for temperatures of minus 40 degree Celsius. The recall began in August 2014. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 14257.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Fuel Tank may Separate from Car

NHTSA #13V464000 · Fuel System, Gasoline — Storage — Tank Assembly — Mounting · NHTSA notice

Reported September 26, 2013 · General Motors LLC

Potentially affected: 1,558 vehicles

Repair completion: 91.46% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Manufacturer campaign 13296 · Owners notified November 7, 2013 · Vehicles built August 2, 2013 – August 9, 2013 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

General Motors (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013 and 2014 Chevrolet Sonic vehicles manufactured August 2, 2013, through August 12, 2013. Due to insufficient welds, the front fuel tank strap bracket may separate from the vehicle.

Safety consequence

If the front fuel tank strap bracket separates, the increased load may lead to the failure of the other tank support. As a result, the fuel tank may come loose from the vehicle causing a fuel leak. A fuel leak, in the presence of an ignition source, may result in a fire.

Manufacturer remedy

GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the front fuel tank strap bracket, and repair it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on November 7, 2013. Owners may contact GM at 1-800-521-7300. GM's recall campaign number is 13296.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Brake Lights Flashing Intermittently/FMVSS 108

NHTSA #13V220000 · Electrical System · NHTSA notice

Reported May 24, 2013 · General Motors LLC

Potentially affected: 10,210 vehicles

Repair completion: 94.62% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Manufacturer campaign 13158 · Owners notified June 13, 2013 · Vehicles built June 7, 2013 – August 6, 2013 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013 Cadillac ATS and model year 2013 Cadillac XTS; model year 2014 Chevrolet Impala; and 2013 Chevrolet Sonic vehicles. Originally, in May 2013, GM recalled 1,627 model year 2013 Cadillac ATS and model year 2013 Cadillac XTS; and model year 2014 Chevrolet Impala vehicles. In October 2013, GM informed the agency that it was adding model year 2013 Chevrolet Sonic vehicles to this campaign , representing an additional 8,050 units. The total number of vehicles being recalled is now 9,677. On the affected vehicles, the brake lamps may intermittently flash without the brakes being applied and the cruise control may disengage. Thus, these vehicles fail to conform to the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 108, "Lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment."

Safety consequence

If the brake lamps flash when the vehicle is not slowing, a following driver may not adjust vehicle speed when the vehicle is in fact braking, and the brake lamps are illuminating as intended, increasing the risk of a crash.

Manufacturer remedy

GM will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the body control module. The recall began on June 13, 2013. Owner's may contact Chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438 or Cadillac at 1-866-982-2339. GM's recall number is 13158.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Turn Signal Failure

NHTSA #12V454000 · Electrical System · NHTSA notice

Reported September 17, 2012 · General Motors LLC

Potentially affected: 4,716 vehicles

Manufacturer campaign 12209 · Owners notified October 2, 2012 · Vehicles built May 29, 2012 – August 29, 2012 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013 Chevrolet Sonic vehicles manufactured from May 29, 2012, through August 29, 2012. When a turn signal lamp fails to operate, the Body Control Module (BCM) in these vehicles does not detect this condition and will not indicate the condition to the driver. Thus, These vehicles fail to conform to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."

Safety consequence

If the driver is not aware that the turn signal is not functioning and does not have the light repaired, other drivers may not be alerted that the vehicle is turning, increasing the risk of a crash.

Manufacturer remedy

GM will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the BCM and the vehicle's key fobs, free of charge. The safety recall began on October 3, 2012. Owners may contact the Chevrolet owner center at 1-866-694-6546.

Notes

GM's campaign number is 12209.Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY: 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Other Chevrolet Sonic model years

Check your 2013 Chevrolet Sonic VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Chevrolet Sonic at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

Check a Chevrolet VIN