First generation (Gamma II)
2015 Chevrolet Sonic
The most reported problem on the 2015 Chevrolet Sonic is airbag, with 27 complaints, usually around 36,000 miles.
- 114owner complaints
- 3recalls
- 15involved a crash
- 39,000median miles at failure
Newest report May 23, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
What is your Sonic doing?
Each one opens a sheet built from the owner reports of that problem on the 2015 model year.
Is the 2015 Chevrolet Sonic reliable?
The 2015 Chevrolet Sonic has 114 owner complaints on file with NHTSA, below the median of 151 for 2015 hatchbacks on this site. Of the 6 Sonic model years since 2014, it has the 2nd most complaints. Complaint counts rise with sales as well as faults, so read what owners report below before deciding.
At a glance
- Next to other model years
- Complaints filed before 2015 aren't in the files this site reads, so the 2015 count runs short and isn't compared with the model years next to it.
- Top problem
- Airbag leads with 27 of the 114 complaints (24%), ahead of stalling at 14. A quarter of the 16 owners who gave a mileage for airbag saw it by about 13,000 miles, and half by about 36,000.
- Crash, fire and injury reports
- 19 of the 114 complaints (17%) report a crash, a fire or an injury. The typical vehicle on this site sits at 6%, so this one runs well above it. Counted separately (one report can carry more than one), 15 reports mention a crash, 3 mention a fire and 19 people were hurt. The reports record 1 death. The most crash reports, 10 of 15, fall under airbag.
- Recalls behind the top problems
- No recall on file is on the same system as airbag. For those, the complaints are all there is.
- When owners filed
- Filings peaked in 2016 at 17 (full calendar years only). In 2025 there were 3. So far in 2026, 1 more has come in. Filings on record start in 2015.
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.
middle half of reports, median tick. The heavier grey bars have 75 or more reports.
Behind you
Around your mileage
Ahead of you
How this compares
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.
Service bulletins for the 2015 Chevrolet Sonic
Chevrolet filed 1,330 bulletins and other notices with NHTSA that list the 2015 Chevrolet Sonic. 80 of them deal with a problem owners have reported on this car. Newest first.
Federal rules make a manufacturer send NHTSA a copy of any notice about a defect that goes to more than one dealer or owner. Most of these are service bulletins, the repair instructions manufacturers send to dealers. NHTSA generally leaves safety recall bulletins out of this file, and recalls are listed separately.
Engine stalls or loses power while driving 3 bulletins · 14 complaints
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have an intermittent no crank, no start, or start stall concern with the security light coming on.
This preliminary informational bulletin provides diagnostic tips that may be helpful in correcting a customer concern about a whistle noise heard from the engine area after the vehicle has warmed up, or for up to 10 seconds after the engine is shut off.
1 more on this problem
This Preliminary information communicatesIn ambient temperatures 100F (37.7 C)degrees or higher, DTCs P2635 and/or P018B may set.The vehicle may also exhibit a hesitation or stalling condition.Excessively Hot and sustained ambient temperatures over 100F (37.7 ...
Infotainment, screen or backup camera fails 32 bulletins · 11 complaints
This Preliminary Information communicates reason forAC Inoperative and/or Ambient Temperature Display Missing from the Radio. Dealer to isolate and repair open circuit to the ambient temperature sensor.
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that may have an issue when using Bluetooth voice recognition with an iPhone.
30 more on this problem
This informational bulletin provides information for the technicians on multi-media infotainment tester (MIT), does not function properly when diagnosing infotainment complaints, which may lead to mis-diagnosis.
This technical bulletin provides a procedure to clear the codes and re-evaluate the XM radio channels to correct a condition of audio muting when listening to some Sirius XM channels but if they change channels they will find others that experience normal ...
This preliminary information bulletin provides a procedure on how to check for the customer concern of a blank radio with/without audio, by checking the the wiring harness, ECU and reprograming the HMI software update, if the wiring or ECU are not the cause.
This technical bulletin provides repair information for repairing the IP to body harness connector to correct a customer concern for intermittent Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) illuminated with Reduced Engine Power displayed and DTC P2138 set.
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have a Diagnostic Trouble Code B101D-37 history in the Vehicle Communication Interface Module or telematics communication interface control module.
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about customers that may complain of various concerns when using Bluetooth components.
This preliminary information bulletin provides information to the customer that the rear vision camera only shows 3/4 of the radio display screen and is a normal characteristic in which no parts are to be replaced for this condition.
This informational bulletin provides information on On rare occasions, a security code input message with SPS error code E5659, M5304, and/or M5530 may be displayed in TIS2web when the technician is programming any module.
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician on how to diagnose and repair vehicles that may have an OnStar Turn-By-Turn Navigation the system that is inoperative.
This technical bulletin provides a procedure to reprogram the radio to correct a condition of Right Hand Steering Wheel Controls Inoperative, Outside Ambient Temperature Reading on Radio Display Inoperative, and/or Rear Vision Camera Gridlines Inoperative ...
Plus 20 older ones not listed here.
Check engine light or misfire 24 bulletins · 9 complaints
This service bulletin advises of a new fuel injection cleaner kit used for decarbonizing the intake valves to correct conditions of rough idle, Crank no start, extended crank or misfire, MIL with DTCs, and explains how Top Tier fuels should be used to reduce ...
This technical bulletin advises of a new fuel injection cleaner kit used for decarbonizing the intake valves to correct conditions of rough idle, Crank no start, extended crank or misfire, MIL with DTCs, and explains how Top Tier fuels should be used to ...
22 more on this problem
This Preliminary information communicates information that will need to be provided to TAC to aid in diagnosing if a vehicle comes in with misfire and DTC Codes P0300 - P0308 and/or P050D
This service bulletin provides diagnostic tips/steps on testing for possible EVAP leaks in the system to correct a customer concern of an MIL Illuminated with DTCs P0442 and/or P0455 Set.
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about engine block of possible cylinder bore damage, scoring or out of round as the possible cause of engine oil consumption, misfire, cylinder leakage or blow by.
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that may have a Malfunction Indicator Lamp on. The technician may find Diagnostic Trouble Codes P0299 or P0234 set.
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that may have a rough idle or misfire. Technician may find Diagnostic Trouble Code P0300 set in the Engine Control Module.
This informational bulletin advises of a new fuel injection cleaner kit used for decarbonizing the intake valves to correct conditions of rough idle, Crank no start, extended crank or misfire, MIL with DTCs, and explains how Top Tier fuels should be used to ...
This informational bulletin provides information to the tech to test the PCV for proper performance before replacing the camshaft cover to correct a MIL On w/DTC P0171.
This engineering information PI ends the need for information from the field on reduced engine power, DTC P0299 set.
This engineering informational bulletin is requesting information from the field on reduced engine power, DTC P0299 set.
This technical bulletin provides a procedure to replace the evap canister for vehicles with the condition of Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) Illuminated with DTC P0446 or P0455 Set due to spiders laying a nest within the canister.
Plus 12 older ones not listed here.
Battery dies or the car will not start 9 bulletins · 6 complaints
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about a no start or another concern after swapping an Engine Control Module or other modules from one vehicle to another.
This technical bulletin provides a procedure to complete a wire to wire repair on the engine wire harness to correct a condition of no start, Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) ON, and possible loss of steering assist.
7 more on this problem
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to help the dealership technicians perform a parasitic drain test for the OnStar module.
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician with a diagnostic tip for the OnStar back-up battery failure. Technician may find Diagnostic Trouble Code B1446 or B1447 and the OnStar LED is red.
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have a no start or multiple messages on the Driver Information Center during cold weather.
This informational bulletin provides information that may be useful in diagnosing/testing batteries that have set for a long period of time and/or set in cold weather climates to correct a customer concern of symptoms that include, but not limited to, a slow ...
BUICK/CADILLAC/ GMC/ CHEVROLET: SEE DOCUMENT SEARCH BUTTON FOR OWNER LETTER. BATTERY IS DEAD DUE TO ONSTAR MODULE AND IF VEHICLE FAILS TO START AFTER 4 DAYS AND OCCURS EVEN IF ONSTAR SYSTEM IS NOT ACTIVE. *PE UPDATED 11/6/15. *PE
14395 - CUSTOMER SATISFACTION. ON SOME VEHICLES, A PERFORMANCE ISSUE WITH THE ONSTAR® MODULE MIGHT IMPACT THE VEHICLE'S BATTERY LIFE. THIS CAN CAUSE A DEAD BATTERY IF THE VEHICLE IS NOT STARTED FOR APPROXIMATELY 4 DAYS.
This technical bulletin provides a procedure to disconnect the battery if the repairs were done to the vehicle and the technician was unable to clear the codes.
A/C blows warm or the compressor fails 9 bulletins · 5 complaints
PI to help diagnose A/C concern
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that the Heater-Vent-Air Conditioning blows warm air.
7 more on this problem
This technical bulletin provides a procedure to replace the condensor to correct a customer concern that the air conditioning is not getting cold enough, or is blowing warm air due to a block off plate that was mis-positioned during their manufacturing ...
THIS PRELIMINARY INFORMATION COMMUNICATION PROVIDES INFORMATION TO THE TECHNICIAN ABOUT VEHICLES THAT AIR CONDITION INOPERATIVE AND/OR AMBIENT TEMPERATURE DISPLAY MISSING.
THIS TECHNICAL BULLETIN ADDS A MEXICO BUILT VIN DESIGNATION TO A DIAGNOSTIC AND REPAIR PROCEDURE TO CORRECT A CUSTOMER CONCERN THAT THE A/C IS NOT GETTING COLD ENOUGH, OR IS BLOWING WARM AIR.
This technical bulletin provides a procedure to replace the air conditioning condenser and perform an a/c system analysis on vehicles that have the condition of Air Conditioning Not Getting Cold Enough or Blows Warm Air
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have heated seats inoperative. Technician may find Diagnostic Trouble Code U0209 in the Heater-Vent-Air Conditioning.
A/C Blows Warm Or Poor Performance.
This technical bulletin provides a procedure to correct the customers concern of odor coming from the Air conditioning.
Brakes grind, pulse or wear early 3 bulletins · 5 complaints
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that had the Brake Pressure Modulator Valve now Diagnostic Trouble Code C0131 is set current.
This service bulletin provides information for tire pressure monitoring (TPM) system concerns.
1 more on this problem
This informational bulletin provides information on installing the correct tires for vehicles with the condition of under hard acceleration at higher speeds, the traction control light will flash.
Complaints filed by year
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.
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
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.
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
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.
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
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.
All 3 recalls on the 2015 Chevrolet Sonic, with the owner complaints on each recalled system
Guide Buying one used? How to research one car’s history before you pay
Questions
What is the most common problem on the 2015 Chevrolet Sonic?
Airbag, with 27 of the 114 complaints. Owners who gave a mileage for it put the median at about 36,000 miles.
At what mileage do 2015 Chevrolet Sonic problems start?
Of the 76 complaints that give a mileage, a quarter came by about 22,000 miles and half by about 39,000.
How many 2015 Chevrolet Sonic complaints involve a crash, fire or injury?
19 of them (17%). The typical vehicle on this site is at 6%.
Is there a recall for airbag on the 2015 Chevrolet Sonic?
No recall on file for the 2015 Chevrolet Sonic is on the same system as airbag. Another recall may still cover your car, so check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.