Problems · NHTSA complaints

2013 Chevrolet Sonic problems

Owners filed 217 complaints about the 2013 Chevrolet Sonic with NHTSA between Feb 2013 and Jan 2026. The most-cited component is electrical system (56).

Complaints
217
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
24
Reported by owners
Fires
4
Reported by owners
Injuries
20
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Electrical system56
  2. Engine55
  3. Power train38
  4. Air bags25
  5. Fuel/propulsion system13
  6. Steering13
  7. Electronic stability control (esc)12
  8. Service brakes11
  9. Structure8
  10. Suspension8
  11. Visibility/wiper8
  12. Vehicle speed control7
  13. Engine and engine cooling6
  14. Exterior lighting3

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, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Trend

When complaints were filed

Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
View as table
Model yearComplaints filed per calendar year
20139
201428
201530
201635
201717
201825
201926
202022
20214
20228
20233
20245
20254
20261

Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.

03 —Owner reports

Top problems in owners’ words

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first

Electrical system

56 reports4 crashes2 related recalls
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 22, 2024Electrical system, Engine, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11603878

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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 10, 2025EngineODI 11666137

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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 27, 2025Power trainODI 11651135

Air bags

25 reports17 crashes1 related recall
“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 car, should have issued a recall for my vehicle as well, but did not. As a result I suffered additional strain and injury during my impact as no airbags deployed.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 17, 2025Air bagsCrash reportedODI 11655253

Fuel/propulsion system

13 reports
“2013 Chevrolet Sonic 1.8 L , fuel system lean ,mass airflow sensor, in limp mode preventing acceleration, gas tank when added gas....shuts down after start up-fuel system/gasoline; may cause possible fuel leak and could combust, alarm system and locks don't properly function - electric system equipment, insufficient welds...around fuel tank and front of vehicle on bottom by driver's side could also cause combustion, bcm codes that came up were communication, electrical, fuel, windows, and airbags! AutoZone codes were po171 and co561-77,I looked up recalls , several came up for my make and model but weren't specific to my vin# however my vehicle is doing everything pertaining to them! And I looked up if there was any special coverage on it and said there is...before 120k miles or ten years time. And I was never notified of it & never received anything in the mail ...”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 9, 2023Power train, Engine, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11549029

Steering

13 reports2 crashes
“Last week when I was driving my car on the street, and wanted to make a left the steering wheel was very hard to turn. And the next day It happened again , steering hard to turn and it’s been intermittent but not driving my car right now, thanks for your attention”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 27, 2024SteeringODI 11585587
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 29, 2026

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.