Problems · NHTSA complaints

2016 Chevrolet Sonic problems

Owners filed 48 complaints about the 2016 Chevrolet Sonic with NHTSA between May 2016 and Feb 2026. The most-cited component is engine (13).

Complaints
48
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
8
Reported by owners
Fires
1
Reported by owners
Injuries
6
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Engine13
  2. Electrical system11
  3. Air bags8
  4. Fuel/propulsion system5
  5. Electronic stability control (esc)3
  6. Power train3
  7. Suspension3
  8. Steering2
  9. Vehicle speed control2
  10. Engine and engine cooling2
  11. Seats2
  12. Service brakes2
  13. Structure2
  14. Latches/locks/linkages1

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
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
20162
20176
20188
20199
202012
20214
20221
20232
20241
20251
20262

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

Engine

13 reports
“This car overheated and a head gasket blew. I am on a Facebook forum, and it seems like all of these cars have these problems. The Chevy Sonic ltz turbo 1.4 2016 is known for coolant issues and head gasket failures. My car only had 104,000 miles on it. It should last a lot longer than that, but this is a common issue. For some reason there was a recall but they stopped fixing cars with 1.4 engines that came out after 2014. There cars don't have temperature gauges and when they overheat they don't tell you until a light comes on the dash and by then it's too late and your engine is blown. This should be illegal. Chevrolet needs to fix this.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 18, 2026EngineODI 11718737

Electrical system

11 reports1 related recall
“My car lock and unlocks when I did not hit any buttons. The remote start does not work sometimes. The battery loses connection from time to time with a brand new battery.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 28, 2023Electrical systemODI 11541260

Air bags

8 reports5 crashes
“Hello, I need you guys help. I got into a car wrecked which wasn’t my fault. The airbags they deployed and my child car seat was damage. I got a police report stating that the car accident wasn’t my fault and it’s the fault of a 16 year old. He merge straight into my Car and I have all these expeensives that I cannot pay for.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 30, 2021Air bagsCrash reportedODI 11438724

Fuel/propulsion system

5 reports1 crash
“THE CAR STARTED SPUTTERING EVERY TIME I HAD TO PUT GAS IN IT THEN IT WOULDN'T CRANK AT ALL AND WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO DETREMINE THAT THIS FUEL SYSTEM ISSUE HAS CREATED AN INABILITY TO KEEP THE CAR RUNNING AND EVERY TIME WE GET IT RUNNING IT REPEATEDLY CUTS OFF TILL WE REV IT UP MULTIPLE TIMES AND THEN IT TRIES TO CUT OFF EVERY TIME WE STOP AT A LIGHT.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 18, 2020Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11365051

Electronic stability control (esc)

3 reports
“The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Sonic. The contact stated while driving approximately 45 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power. The ESC and oil pressure warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the residence. The vehicle was then taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the Intake Plenum Gasket and other unknown parts needed to be sealed. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 36,299.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 20, 2024Electronic stability control (esc), EngineODI 11595505

Power train

3 reports
“The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Sonic. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle would not properly accelerate while depressing the accelerator pedal. The contact indicated that the RPMs increased but the vehicle would not accelerate as needed. Additionally, while operating the vehicle, the cruise control would erroneously activate. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer and local dealer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 80,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 8, 2022Power train, Vehicle speed controlODI 11492766
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.