Reliable Auto DB

2013 Chevrolet Sonic reliability

Is it reliable?

NHTSA's file on the 2013 Chevrolet Sonic holds 217 complaints after 14 years, a rate of 22 per year. That is more complaints per year than most Sonic years here — over the median of the other years, which is 5. NHTSA has 6 recalls on file, including Inflator, Radio, and Electrical.

2012 Chevrolet Sonic
Photo by Cosmic Console, resized from the original. Wikimedia Commons CC BY 4.0
Complaints

217

Per year

22

Recalls

6

Years on the road

14

What owners report

The complaints owners file most often name Electrical system (56 of 217), then Engine (55) and Powertrain (38). Those filings include 24 that report a crash, 4 that report a fire, and 15 that report an injury.

Next to 2012 and 2014

The 2012 Sonic has 354 complaints, 35 per year, and the 2014 has 150 complaints, 14 per year. The 2013 has fewer complaints per year than the 2012. The 2013 has more complaints per year than the 2014.

The complaint rate is complaints filed in this year’s first 3 years on the road, divided by however many of those years have passed. Recalls are a separate count. The numbers are for the US-market 2013 Chevrolet Sonic. How we count. Data as of .

Recalls (6)

Recall air bags, frontal, driver side, inflator 2023-07-27 · NHTSA campaign 23V516000
Summary General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2013 Buick Verano, Chevrolet Camero, Sonic, and Volt vehicles. The driver-side air bag inflator may explode during deployment due to a manufacturing defect.
Remedy Dealers will replace the driver-side air bag module, free of charge. On some 2013 Volt vehicles, the steering wheel will be replaced as well, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 23, 2023. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300 and Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N232413120.
Recall equipment, electrical, radio 2016-04-28 · NHTSA campaign 16V257000
Summary 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."
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.
Recall equipment, electrical 2014-07-02 · NHTSA campaign 14V417000
Summary General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Buick Encore all-wheel-drive vehicles manufactured August 23, 2012, to September 9, 2013; Verano vehicles manufactured August 8, 2012, to June 20, 2013; Chevrolet Cruze vehicles manufactured August 7, 2012, to August 16, 2013, and 2012-2014 Chevrolet Sonic vehicles manufactured May 10, 2011, to August 16, 2012 equipped with a Calix oil pan/block heater. In cold temperatures, the insulation on the engine block heater cord can become damaged, allowing the wires to be exposed.
Remedy GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the engine oil pan/block heater cord with a new cord that is rated for temperatures of minus 40 degree Celsius. The recall began in August 2014. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 14257.
Recall gasoline fuel system, storage, tank, mounting 2013-09-26 · NHTSA campaign 13V464000
Summary General Motors (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013 and 2014 Chevrolet Sonic vehicles manufactured August 2, 2013, through August 12, 2013. Due to insufficient welds, the front fuel tank strap bracket may separate from the vehicle.
Remedy GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the front fuel tank strap bracket, and repair it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on November 7, 2013. Owners may contact GM at 1-800-521-7300. GM's recall campaign number is 13296.
Recall Electrical system 2013-05-24 · NHTSA campaign 13V220000
Summary General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013 Cadillac ATS and model year 2013 Cadillac XTS; model year 2014 Chevrolet Impala; and 2013 Chevrolet Sonic vehicles. Originally, in May 2013, GM recalled 1,627 model year 2013 Cadillac ATS and model year 2013 Cadillac XTS; and model year 2014 Chevrolet Impala vehicles. In October 2013, GM informed the agency that it was adding model year 2013 Chevrolet Sonic vehicles to this campaign , representing an additional 8,050 units. The total number of vehicles being recalled is now 9,677. On the affected vehicles, the brake lamps may intermittently flash without the brakes being applied and the cruise control may disengage. Thus, these vehicles fail to conform to the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 108, "Lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment."
Remedy GM will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the body control module. The recall began on June 13, 2013. Owner's may contact Chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438 or Cadillac at 1-866-982-2339. GM's recall number is 13158.
Recall Electrical system 2012-09-17 · NHTSA campaign 12V454000
Summary General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013 Chevrolet Sonic vehicles manufactured from May 29, 2012, through August 29, 2012. When a turn signal lamp fails to operate, the Body Control Module (BCM) in these vehicles does not detect this condition and will not indicate the condition to the driver. Thus, These vehicles fail to conform to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
Remedy GM will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the BCM and the vehicle's key fobs, free of charge. The safety recall began on October 3, 2012. Owners may contact the Chevrolet owner center at 1-866-694-6546.

Complaints by component (217 total)

Electrical system
56
Engine
55
Powertrain
38
Air bags
25
Fuel and propulsion system
13
Steering
13
Electronic stability control (ESC)
12
Service brakes
11
Structure
8
Suspension
8
Visibility and wipers
8
Speed control
7
Engine and engine cooling
6
Exterior lighting
3
Seat belts
3
Latches, locks, and linkages
2
Seats
2
Tires
2
Wheels
2
Fuel system, gasoline
1
Visibility
1
Show 13 more Show less
Crash-flagged

24

Fire-flagged

4

Injury reports

15

Death reports

0

Complaints filed per year

92013282014302015352016172017252018262019222020420218202232023520244202512026
Excerpts from recent NHTSA complaint filings
  • "The contact owned a 2013 Chevrolet Sonic. The contact stated that the vehicle had previously sustained undercarriage damage while driving at 20 MPH and hitting a pothole. The undercarriage was repaired. Additionally,…"
    Engine and engine cooling · filed 2026-01-08
  • "Vehicle enters into catalyst monitor too early. Monitor Fales indicating that the catalyst is below efficiency threshold. A vehicle is run for a significant amount of time before being allowed to enter the driving…"
    Engine · filed 2025-06-10
  • "On 7-27-2023 General Motors issued a recall on 2013 models of Sonic, my VIN was not included in this recall. However on 4-16-2025 my sonic was involved in a impact incident in which the air bags should have deployed,…"
    Air bags · filed 2025-04-17
  • "The contact owns a 2013 Chevrolet Sonic. The contact stated that upon turning off the vehicle, the ignition key remained stuck in the ignition switch. Additionally, the contact noticed that the gear shift indicator was…"
    Powertrain · filed 2025-03-27
  • "UNKNOWN. Our car caught fire but I'm not sure what actually caused it, it was in perfect working condition before. I saw articles online saying there was a voluntary recall due to faulty welding in the fuel tank so it…"
    Unknown or other · filed 2025-02-02

NHTSA crash ratings

Version Overall Front Side Rollover
2013 Chevrolet Sonic 4 DR FWD 5 stars 5 stars 5 stars 4 stars
2013 Chevrolet Sonic 5 DR FWD 5 stars 5 stars 5 stars 4 stars

Stars are how this vehicle did in NHTSA crash tests. They are a safety result, separate from the complaint record. Not rated means that test was not run for this version.

Fuel economy

Trim Engine Transmission Drive City Hwy Combined Annual fuel cost
Sonic 1.4L, 4-cyl Automatic (6-speed) Front-wheel drive 27 36 30 MPG $2150
Sonic 1.8L, 4-cyl Automatic (6-speed) Front-wheel drive 24 34 28 MPG $2300
Sonic 1.8L, 4-cyl Manual 5-speed Front-wheel drive 26 34 29 MPG $2250
Sonic 1.4L, 4-cyl Manual 6-speed Front-wheel drive 28 38 32 MPG $2050
Sonic 5 1.4L, 4-cyl Automatic (6-speed) Front-wheel drive 27 36 30 MPG $2150
Sonic 5 1.8L, 4-cyl Automatic (6-speed) Front-wheel drive 24 34 28 MPG $2300
Sonic 5 1.8L, 4-cyl Manual 5-speed Front-wheel drive 26 34 29 MPG $2250
Sonic 5 1.4L, 4-cyl Manual 6-speed Front-wheel drive 28 38 32 MPG $2050
Sonic RS 1.4L, 4-cyl Automatic (6-speed) Front-wheel drive 25 33 28 MPG $2300
Sonic RS 1.4L, 4-cyl Manual 6-speed Front-wheel drive 27 33 29 MPG $2250

Specs and fitment

1st generation, 2012–2020
Body styles Sedan, Hatchback
Oil 5W-30 (all temps); 0W-30 below -29°C , 4.2 qt capacity
Tire size 195/65R15, 205/55R16, 205/50R17 (trim dependent)

Known issues for this generation

Recall 16V-257 covers certain 2013-2016 Sonic vehicles (and Trax/Spark models named in the campaign) with Bring Your Own Media radios: the radio may fail to sound the key-in-ignition warning chime. Dealers update radio software. Recall 16V-422 covers certain 2015-2016 Sonic vehicles with the same radio type: the radio may fail to chime for an unfastened seat belt; dealers update software. Recall 18V-342 covers certain 2018 Sonic vehicles: a joint in the driver seat-back frame may not be properly welded; dealers replace the seat-back.

Compare

Previous year 2012 Chevrolet Sonic Next year 2014 Chevrolet Sonic See every Chevrolet Sonic model year →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2013 Chevrolet Sonic reliable?

NHTSA's file on the 2013 Chevrolet Sonic holds 217 complaints after 14 years, a rate of 22 per year. That is more complaints per year than most Sonic years here — over the median of the other years, which is 5. NHTSA has 6 recalls on file, including Inflator, Radio, and Electrical.

What are common problems with a 2013 Chevrolet Sonic?

The complaints owners file most often name Electrical system (56 of 217), then Engine (55) and Powertrain (38). Those filings include 24 that report a crash, 4 that report a fire, and 15 that report an injury.

Is the 2013 Chevrolet Sonic more reliable than the years next to it?

The 2012 Sonic has 354 complaints, 35 per year, and the 2014 has 150 complaints, 14 per year. The 2013 has fewer complaints per year than the 2012. The 2013 has more complaints per year than the 2014.

Has the 2013 Chevrolet Sonic been recalled?

The 2013 Chevrolet Sonic has 6 recalls on file with NHTSA. See the recalls table on this page for dates, components, and remedies.

How many complaints have owners filed about the 2013 Chevrolet Sonic?

Owners have filed 217 complaints about the 2013 Chevrolet Sonic with NHTSA.

What mpg does a 2013 Chevrolet Sonic get?

EPA-rated combined fuel economy for the 2013 Chevrolet Sonic is 29.5 MPG. See the fuel economy table on this page for city and highway figures by engine and transmission.

What generation is the 2016 Chevrolet Sonic?

1st generation (2012-2020) for the US years this site tracks.

What oil does a Chevrolet Sonic take?

US notes list 5W-30 for all temperatures, with 0W-30 as an alternative below -29°C.

What tire sizes does a Chevrolet Sonic use?

Common US sizes include 195/65R15, 205/55R16, and 205/50R17 depending on trim.