Problems · by component

2013 Chevrolet Sonic air bags problems

25 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2013 Chevrolet Sonic cite air bags, 12% of all 217 complaints for this model year. NHTSA also lists 1 recall on this component.

Complaints
25
12% of all complaints
Crashes
17
Reported by owners
Fires
0
Reported by owners
Injuries
17
Reported by owners
01 —Owner reports

What owners say about the air bags

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“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
“Car accident November 3, 2023. A dear ran in front car while traveling 55mps. As the impact took place causing front and of the car to be smashed Air bags in the car did not deployed. Causing head to hit steering wheel.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 5, 2023Air bagsCrash reportedODI 11553681
“WHILE SOMEONE IS SITTING IN THE PASSENGER SEAT, IT DOES NOT ALWAYS SHOW "ON" ON THE DISPLAY FOR THE AIRBAG. AT LEAST ONCE IT HAS DISPLAYED BOTH "ON" AND "OFF" AT THE SAME TIME AND DID NOT RECOGNIZE IF THE SEATBELTS WAS LATCHED OR NOT.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 27, 2019Air bags, Unknown or otherODI 11223041
“2013 CHEVROLET SONIC. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARD TO AN ACCIDENT THAT CAUSED DEPLOYMENT OF AIRBAGS WHICH CAUSED THE CONSUMER TO OBTAIN BRAIN DAMAGE. *AS *JS *JS *TT VIN INVALID *JB”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 25, 2018Air bagsCrash reportedODI 11143110
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2013 CHEVROLET SONIC. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS RUN OFF THE ROAD BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A POLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE NECK AND A FRACTURED RIGHT RIB, WHICH NEEDED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED TO A JUNKYARD. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE UNKNOWN.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 10, 2018Air bagsCrash reportedODI 11128474
“WHILE I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. THE WHOLE AIRBAG COMPARTMENT ON THE STEERING WITH THE HORN BECAME UNATTACHED AND FELL INTO MY LAP CAUSING ME TO ALMOST WRECK.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 6, 2018Air bagsODI 11118029

Showing 6 of 25 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 12, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Related recalls

1 recall on this component

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.

Air bagsReported Jul 27, 2023NHTSA 23V516000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 12, 2026

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