Air bags: inflator module
Free remedy
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.
Research · Compact Cars
2013 Chevrolet SonicRecalls, problems, MPG & safety
NHTSA lists 6 safety recalls and 217 owner complaints for the 2013 Chevrolet Sonic. Most complaints involve electrical system (56) and engine (55). The EPA rates it 28–32 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 5 stars overall.
Combined MPG
28–32mpg
EPA · 10 versions
NHTSA overall
5of 5 stars
NCAP crash tests
Safety recalls
6campaigns
Latest Jul 2023
Owner complaints
217
Top: electrical system
Fuel cost / yr
$2,000est.
EPA estimate, best version
Safety recalls
6 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN
Equipment: radio
Free remedy
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."
Equipment: electrical
Free remedy
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.
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 29, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
Owner complaints by component
217 complaints filed with NHTSA · Feb 2013 – Jan 2026
- Electrical system56
- Engine55
- Power train38
- Air bags25
- Fuel/propulsion system13
- Steering13
- Electronic stability control (esc)12
- Service brakes11
- Structure8
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 29, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
What owners report most
Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component
Electrical system
56 reports4 crashes
“Was driving in heavy rain when car suddenly cut power and decelerated showed code 84 and the CEL came back with P2138. It is a known issue that rain gets up into the connector and causes a malfunction.”
Engine
55 reports3 crashes2 fires
“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 programming failure, not an actual component failure. Theory has been tested multiple times. Catalyst had also been tested by temperature sensor as well as by taking readings with a gas analyzer before and after the catalyst. Everything indicates the catalyst is well within operating parameters. Theories, test, and confirmations have been conducted by a certified technician and mechanical engineer.”
Power train
38 reports2 crashes
“The contact owns a 2013 Chevrolet Sonic. The contact stated that upon turning off the vehicle, the ignition key remained stuck in the ignition switch. Additionally, the contact noticed that the gear shift indicator was indicating that the transmission was in park(P) and in drive(D) simultaneously. The contact stated that upon moving the gear shifter in and out of park(P) several times, and shifting back to park(P), the contact was able to release the key. The contact stated that the failure had recurred several times. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the gear shifter was replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 126,419.”
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 29, 2026
Engines, transmissions & drive
10 versions rated by the EPA
- EPA class
- Compact Cars, Midsize Cars
- Engines
- 1.4L 4-cyl turbo · 1.8L 4-cyl
- Transmissions
- Manual 6-spd · Automatic (S6) · Manual 5-spd
- Drive
- Front-Wheel Drive
- Fuel
- Regular Gasoline
Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 29, 2026EPA listing
EPA fuel economy by version
City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
| Version | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sonic Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 1.4 L, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive | 28 | 38 | 32 | $2,000 | 276 |
| Sonic 5 Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 1.4 L, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive | 28 | 38 | 32 | $2,000 | 276 |
| Sonic Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 1.4 L, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive | 27 | 36 | 30 | $2,150 | 290 |
| Sonic 5 Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 1.4 L, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive | 27 | 36 | 30 | $2,150 | 290 |
| Sonic Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 1.8 L · Front-Wheel Drive | 26 | 34 | 29 | $2,200 | 305 |
| Sonic 5 Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 1.8 L · Front-Wheel Drive | 26 | 34 | 29 | $2,200 | 305 |
| Sonic RS Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 1.4 L, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive | 27 | 33 | 29 | $2,200 | 301 |
| Sonic Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 1.8 L · Front-Wheel Drive | 24 | 34 | 28 | $2,300 | 317 |
| Sonic 5 Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 1.8 L · Front-Wheel Drive | 24 | 34 | 28 | $2,300 | 317 |
| Sonic RS Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 1.4 L, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive | 25 | 33 | 28 | $2,300 | 321 |
- 32mpg comb.
- 32mpg comb.
- 30mpg comb.
- 30mpg comb.
- 29mpg comb.
- 29mpg comb.
- 29mpg comb.
- 28mpg comb.
- 28mpg comb.
- 28mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 29, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings
2 tested variants
Overall rating
5/ 5
5 of 5Chevrolet Sonic 5 DR FWD
- Frontal crash
- 5 of 5
- Side crash
- 5 of 5
- Side pole
- 5 of 5
- Rollover
- 4 of 5
- Rollover risk
- 12.6%
Overall
5 / 5
Chevrolet Sonic 4 DR FWD
- Frontal crash
- 5 of 5
- Side crash
- 5 of 5
- Side pole
- 5 of 5
- Rollover
- 4 of 5
- Rollover risk
- 12.6%
Maintenance basics
General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
| Item | Miles | Time | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine oil & filter | 5,000–10,000 mi | 6–12 months | Follow the oil-life monitor if fitted |
| Tire rotation | 5,000–7,500 mi | Every oil change | Check pressure monthly |
| Engine air filter | 15,000–30,000 mi | 1–2 years | Sooner in dusty areas |
| Cabin air filter | 15,000–25,000 mi | 1–2 years | |
| Brake fluid | — | 2–3 years | Absorbs moisture over time |
| Coolant | 60,000–100,000 mi | 5–10 years | Long-life coolants last longer |
| Spark plugs | 60,000–100,000 mi | — | Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end |
| 12V battery | — | 3–5 years | Heat shortens battery life |
- Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
6–12 months - Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
Every oil change - Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
1–2 years - Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
1–2 years - Brake fluid—
2–3 years - Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
5–10 years - Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
— - 12V battery—
3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
2013 Sonic questions
How many recalls does the 2013 Chevrolet Sonic have?
6 safety recalls as of Oct 29, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.
What are the most common 2013 Chevrolet Sonic problems?
Owners filed 217 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are electrical system (56), engine (55), power train (38). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
What MPG does the 2013 Chevrolet Sonic get?
The EPA rates the 2013 Chevrolet Sonic at 28–32 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (10 versions rated).
How safe is the 2013 Chevrolet Sonic?
NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2013 Chevrolet Sonic 5 out of 5 stars overall.
Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 29, 2026