Problems · NHTSA complaints
2015 Chevrolet Sonic problems
Owners filed 114 complaints about the 2015 Chevrolet Sonic with NHTSA between Mar 2015 and May 2026. The most-cited component is electrical system (34).
Complaints
114
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
15
Reported by owners
Fires
3
Reported by owners
Injuries
19
People reported injured
Deaths
1
Reported to NHTSA
Complaints by component
One complaint can cite several components
- Electrical system34
- Air bags27
- Engine23
- Fuel/propulsion system12
- Power train12
- Steering6
- Equipment4
- Electronic stability control (esc)4
- Wheels3
- Engine and engine cooling3
- Exterior lighting3
- Service brakes3
- Latches/locks/linkages2
- Seat belts2
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 28, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
When complaints were filed
Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
9
17
12
12
16
11
8
12
6
7
3
1
View as table
| Model year | Complaints filed per calendar year |
|---|---|
| 2015 | 9 |
| 2016 | 17 |
| 2017 | 12 |
| 2018 | 12 |
| 2019 | 16 |
| 2020 | 11 |
| 2021 | 8 |
| 2022 | 12 |
| 2023 | 6 |
| 2024 | 7 |
| 2025 | 3 |
| 2026 | 1 |
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.
Top problems in owners’ words
Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
Electrical system
34 reports1 crash1 fire1 related recall
“Odometer Fraud. The contact owns a 2015 Chevrolet Sonic. The contact purchased the vehicle from a dealer in March 2024. The contact stated that when the vehicle was purchased, the odometer at 60,000, and the advertisement stated 60,000. The contact recently acquired the Carfax report, which indicated that in April 2015, the odometer reading was 15,073 miles. The Carfax report indicated that the odometer reading was reported in April 2024 at 60,700 miles. The dealer was made aware of the discrepancy but provided no assistance.”
Air bags
27 reports10 crashes1 fire
“Air bag light on. There are 4 codes in the SDM, due to an internal fault in the sensing diagnostic module. The dealership states that it has to be replaced and will cost close to $1100 to have repaired and to clear all of the codes.”
Engine
23 reports
“The contact owns a 2015 Chevrolet Sonic. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, upon coming to a complete stop, the vehicle inadvertently lost motive power. After restarting the vehicle, the vehicle returned to normal functionality, but the failure became a regular occurrence. The traction control and check engine warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 117,000.”
Fuel/propulsion system
12 reports
“I have had this vehicle for three years now and no matter of the repairs I had done to it by machanics the check engind light continue to turn on and the vehicle has shut down on the road and I can't find out what the solution is. I am afraid to drive it.Also the mylink radio which has all the vehicle settings in it has malfunctioned. I cannot get to reset veichle settings. Vehicle will not turn over on the first key turn. The engine turns over on the third or forth turn and when it dose there is a loud ratteling noise.”
Power train
12 reports
“Code U0101 is set. Unable to communicate with TCM. Troubleshooted and found TCM is bad. Removed necessary components for tcm replacement. Removed the tcm/valve body assembly and replaced. Replaced necessary gaskets and reinstalled necessary components. Set transmission fluid level to specifications per procedure. Dealer advised they stock 3 TCM at all times due to many failures and demands of TCM.”
Steering
6 reports2 crashes1 fire
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 CHEVROLET SONIC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR CONDITIONER WAS INOPERABLE. THE CONTACT STATED SHE NOTICED THAT THERE WAS A CONSISTENCE OF WHITE SNOW UNDERNEATH THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE. THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. ADDITIONALLY, WHILE DRIVING, THE STEERING WHEEL WAS DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DYER CHEVROLET (1000 US-1, VERO BEACH, FL 32960, (772) 617-4793) TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE AIR COMPRESSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE WAS CONCERNED ABOUT DRIVING THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 39,000.”
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 28, 2026
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.