Owners have filed 14 complaints with NHTSA about the 2018 Chevrolet Sonic over 9 years — 2 per year. That is fewer complaints per year than most Sonic years here — under the median of the other years, which is 9. NHTSA has 1 recall on file, including Seats.
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9
The complaints owners file most often name Electrical system (5 of 14), then Engine (4) and Seats (2).
The 2017 Sonic has 37 complaints, 4 per year, and the 2019 has 8 complaints, 0 per year. The 2018 has fewer complaints per year than the 2017. The 2018 has more complaints per year than the 2019.
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 2018 Chevrolet Sonic. How we count. Data as of .
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0
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"Dear GM Executive Office, I am writing in frustration and disappointment after being told today by Chevrolet Customer Assistance that the case I opened (Case # [XXX]) was simply a "dealer complaint" and that no further…"
"The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Sonic. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the engine was idling roughly. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated.…"
"My car has had CAM shaft issues upon buying the car. I have taken the car to Chevrolet in Dallas and in Forney, TX and the car still has the same issue. My car engine check light has remained on and consulting a…"
"The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Sonic. The contact stated that while a 95-pound passenger was seated in the front passenger’s seat, the air bag system was deactivated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who was…"
"The has as well as mileage is not accurate and it constantly changes even while not driving which is adding more miles to car than actually is and you will never know how much gas you have in car truly which is safety…"
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 Chevrolet Sonic 4 DR FWD | 5 stars | 5 stars | 5 stars | 4 stars |
| 2018 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.
| Trim | Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Combined | Annual fuel cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sonic | 1.4L, 4-cyl | Automatic (6-speed) | Front-wheel drive | 27 | 35 | 30 MPG | $2150 |
| Sonic | 1.8L, 4-cyl | Automatic (6-speed) | Front-wheel drive | 25 | 34 | 28 MPG | $2300 |
| Sonic | 1.8L, 4-cyl | Manual 5-speed | Front-wheel drive | 26 | 35 | 29 MPG | $2250 |
| Sonic | 1.4L, 4-cyl | Manual 6-speed | Front-wheel drive | 28 | 37 | 32 MPG | $2050 |
| Sonic 5 | 1.4L, 4-cyl | Automatic (6-speed) | Front-wheel drive | 27 | 35 | 30 MPG | $2150 |
| Sonic 5 | 1.8L, 4-cyl | Automatic (6-speed) | Front-wheel drive | 25 | 34 | 28 MPG | $2300 |
| Sonic 5 | 1.8L, 4-cyl | Manual 5-speed | Front-wheel drive | 26 | 35 | 29 MPG | $2250 |
| Sonic 5 | 1.4L, 4-cyl | Manual 6-speed | Front-wheel drive | 28 | 37 | 32 MPG | $2050 |
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.
Owners have filed 14 complaints with NHTSA about the 2018 Chevrolet Sonic over 9 years — 2 per year. That is fewer complaints per year than most Sonic years here — under the median of the other years, which is 9. NHTSA has 1 recall on file, including Seats.
The complaints owners file most often name Electrical system (5 of 14), then Engine (4) and Seats (2).
The 2017 Sonic has 37 complaints, 4 per year, and the 2019 has 8 complaints, 0 per year. The 2018 has fewer complaints per year than the 2017. The 2018 has more complaints per year than the 2019.
The 2018 Chevrolet Sonic has 1 recall on file with NHTSA. See the recalls table on this page for dates, components, and remedies.
Owners have filed 14 complaints about the 2018 Chevrolet Sonic with NHTSA.
EPA-rated combined fuel economy for the 2018 Chevrolet Sonic is 29.8 MPG. See the fuel economy table on this page for city and highway figures by engine and transmission.
1st generation (2012-2020) for the US years this site tracks.
US notes list 5W-30 for all temperatures, with 0W-30 as an alternative below -29°C.
Common US sizes include 195/65R15, 205/55R16, and 205/50R17 depending on trim.
