Diagsheet

2015 Chevrolet Sonic · symptom sheet

Airbag warning light or recall

  • 27owner reports
  • 36,000median miles
  • 10involved a crash

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

27 of the 114 complaints on this car describe airbag, which makes it the most reported problem on the 2015 Sonic.

Tick what matches of 27 reports

11
11
10
2

What got replaced

Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the occupant sensor (12 reports) and the module (4 reports).

Recalls and investigations

No recall on the airbags covers the 2015 model year as of Sep 9, 2026.

NHTSA investigations into the airbags on the Sonic

EA21-002opened Sep 17, 2021
Airbags · model years 2012 to 2013

Desiccated air bag inflator rupture. Open.

NHTSA summary
From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 Blomquist Report at www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.Consequently, all frontal inflators using propellant 2004 that do not contain a "desiccant" (a substance that traps and holds moisture) in US vehicles are under recall. These "non-desiccated" inflators either have been or are required to be replaced.In some cases, the remedy part for these recalled inflators was, or will be, an inflator using either propellant 2004 or 2004L that does contain a desiccant. None of these "desiccated" remedy parts (which were installed in older model year vehicles) are currently under recall for a degradation concern. Certain subsets of desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004 for use as original equipment, however, have been recalled for a degradation concern. All Takata inflators produced with propellant 2004L contain desiccant, and none of these desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L are under recall for a degradation concern. There have been n
RQ13-002opened May 31, 2013
Airbags · model years 2012

Air bag non-deployment. Closed jul 9, 2014, led to recall 13V-023.

NHTSA summary
General Motors (GM) has initiated a safety recall of 31,520 model year (MY) 2012 Buick Verano and Chevrolet Camaro, Cruze and Sonic vehicles to address a defect condition that could result in the primary or secondary stage air bag not deploying.These vehicles are a small percentage of all MY 2012 vehicles and were built on several specific production dates broadly ranging from December 1, 2011 to August 2, 2012 (see NHTSA recall 14V-300 for more information).Also, see attached additional report for more information.This investigation was opened to evaluate the scope of two uninfluenced safety recalls (NHTSA recalls 12V-522 and 13V-023) of certain MY 2012 Verano, Camaro, Cruze and Sonic vehicles.These recalls involved the same defect issue as the new recall mentioned above.Accordingly, this investigation is closed based on the recall actions GM is undertaking.

None of these investigations covers the 2015 model year.

When it happens

The middle half of failures fell between 13,000 and 49,000 miles, from the 16 reports that gave a mileage.

515
616
317
218
419
220
121
223
124
126

What owners wrote

“Passenger seat airbag shows that it is still off even when there is someone in the Passenger seat”

Filed May 23, 2026

“The air bags deployed while the vehicle was in motion. No Collision or impact occurred.”

Filed Jul 3, 2024

“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.”

Filed Jun 25, 2023

“Passenger side front airbags did not deploy during a front end vehicle crash. All other airbags in vehicle did deploy. Injury did occur due to this.”

Filed Apr 27, 2023

Should you keep driving it?

This page can't tell you that. 10 of 27 reports involved a crash and 13 people were hurt. Owners who file are the ones who had a bad experience, and nobody checks their reports. If the problem affects steering, braking, power or a fire risk, treat it as a safety fault and have it inspected before a long or high-speed drive.

File your own report with NHTSA. Complaint counts are how a problem gets an investigation.