Diagsheet

First generation (Gamma II)

2015 Chevrolet Sonic

  • 114owner complaints
  • 3recalls
  • 15involved a crash
  • 39,000median miles at failure

Newest report May 23, 2026 · checked Sep 9, 2026

miles

2015 Chevrolet Sonic
Photo: Cosmic Console, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0

When each problem shows up

Each bar covers the middle half of the mileages owners reported for that problem. A quarter saw it earlier, a quarter later. The tick is the median. Most reported: airbag warning light or recall, 27 complaints.

0k25k50k75k100k125k150kyou

middle half of reports, median tick. Darker bars have 75 or more reports.

Behind you

    Around your mileage

      Ahead of you

        How this compares

        2015 Chevrolet Sonic114
        Median 2015 model here (104 vehicles)274
        Median 2015 hatchback here (8)150

        114 complaints is 2.4 times fewer than the median 2015 model on this site and 1.3 times fewer than the median 2015 hatchback. Among the 2 Sonic model years here it ranks 2nd for complaints. Counts follow sales volume as much as reliability, so a truck that sells 700,000 a year draws more reports than a sedan that sells 200,000.

        Complaints filed by year

        915
        1716
        1217
        1218
        1619
        1120
        821
        1222
        623
        724
        325
        126

        17 complaints came in 2016, 1.9 times the year before. Owners file in waves when a problem gets press or an investigation, so a spike measures attention as much as failures.

        Recalls that include the 2015 Chevrolet Sonic

        Whether your car is included depends on its VIN. Check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

        16V-422Jun 10, 2016
        Electrical System:Software

        General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 Chevrolet Sonic and Trax, and 2013-2015 Spark vehicles equipped with a Bring Your Own Media radio. The affected radios may fail to provide an audible warning chime when the driver fails to fasten their seatbelt or if the driver leaves the key in the ignition. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) numbers 208 "Occupant Crash Protection" and 114 "Theft Protection."

        Risk and remedy
        Risk: Without audible indicators, the driver may not fasten their seatbelt, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.
        Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will update the radio software, free of charge. The recall began on July 22, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 45340.
        16V-257Apr 28, 2016
        Equipment:Electrical:Radio/Tape Deck/Cd Etc.

        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."

        Risk and remedy
        Risk: Without audible indicators, the driver may leave the key in the ignition, increasing the risk of theft.
        Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will update the radio software, free of charge. The manufacturer has not yet provided a notification schedule. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 17130.
        15V-416Jun 30, 2015
        Equipment:Electrical:Radio/Tape Deck/Cd Etc.

        General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 Chevrolet Spark vehicles manufactured April 30, 2014, to May 20, 2015, and 2015 Chevrolet Sonic vehicles manufactured June 18, 2014, to June 10, 2015. In the affected vehicles, equipped with the base radio and OnStar, the radio may lock up due to a software issue, causing the display to go blank and all audio functions to cease. Because of this, there may be no warning chimes such as the reminder to buckle the seat belt and the key being left in ignition when the driver goes to exit the vehicle. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 208 "Occupant Crash Protection", and 114 "Theft Protection."

        Risk and remedy
        Risk: Without audible indicators, the driver may leave the key in the ignition, increasing the risk of theft. If a driver or front passenger does not buckle their seat belt, there would be no chime to remind them to fasten their seat belts. If a driver or passenger does not buckle their seat belt there is an increased risk that they will be injured in a crash.
        Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will update the radio software, free of charge. The recall began on August 11, 2015. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 15504.

        Other model years