Verdict
2016 Chevrolet Sonic: Complaints, Recalls & Known Issues
What the public record actually says about the 2016 Chevrolet Sonic — every figure below is a NHTSA or EPA number, not an opinion.
The read
Middle-of-the-pack complaint volume for hatchback.
Owners filed 48 NHTSA complaints — more complaints than 56% of 2016 hatchbacks. Electrical System leads the reports (23%). 2 safety recall campaigns on record — check the VIN and remedy terms with a dealer.
Based on NHTSA complaint volume against 2016 hatchbacks, not adjusted for how many were sold. It describes the model year, not the individual car you are looking at.
Complaints filed
48
Reports to NHTSA, 2016
Safety recalls
2
NHTSA campaigns on record
NHTSA crash test
Overall NCAP rating
Combined MPG
29.5
EPA estimate
Complaint volume vs. segment peers
More complaints than 56% of 2016 hatchbacks
The bar is this car's percentile among 2016 hatchbacks by complaint volume — a full bar means the fewest complaints in its class. Not adjusted for sales.
Known issues
Electrical System issues lead owner complaints (23% of 48 reports), followed by air bags (15%).
+ 6 more component categories with fewer reports.
Share of all 48 NHTSA complaints for this model year, grouped by the component owners named. Bars are scaled to the largest category. Examples: ODI 11541260, ODI 11541262, ODI 11394748, ODI 11384973, ODI 11343257.
Recalls(2)
Open a recall to read what NHTSA says is wrong, what can happen, and how it gets fixed. Check the VIN and remedy eligibility with a dealer; federal no-charge requirements have an age limit, though a manufacturer may offer more coverage.
Electrical SystemOct 2016 · 16V422000Details +Close −
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: 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.
Equipment · 16V257000Details +Close −
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: 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.
A campaign can apply to this model year without being incomplete on a specific vehicle. Check the VIN with NHTSA or a dealer to confirm whether a particular car needs repair.
Investigations
0 NHTSA investigations on record
No investigations are on record as of Jul 2026. An empty record is not a clean bill of health.
Crash-test ratings
2016 Chevrolet Sonic 5 DR FWD NHTSA source
- Overall
- Frontal
- Side
- Rollover
2016 Chevrolet Sonic 4 DR FWD NHTSA source
- Overall
- Frontal
- Side
- Rollover
Fuel economy by trim
| Trim | Engine | Drivetrain | Transmission | City | Hwy | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sonic | 1.4L 4-cyl | Front-Wheel Drive | Manual 6-spd | 28 | 38 | 32 |
| Sonic | 1.4L 4-cyl | Front-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S6) | 27 | 36 | 30 |
| Sonic | 1.8L 4-cyl | Front-Wheel Drive | Manual 5-spd | 26 | 34 | 29 |
| Sonic | 1.8L 4-cyl | Front-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S6) | 24 | 34 | 28 |
EPA laboratory estimates by trim and engine. Actual mileage varies with driving, weather, load, and maintenance. EPA source.
Before you buy
Useful next checks
Federal records tell you about patterns. These checks can tell you more about the specific car in front of you.
These are affiliate links. TireKick may earn a fee if you use one.
Compare model years
"Fewest reports" and "most complained" describe raw NHTSA complaint totals, not vehicle reliability. The last few model years are left unlabelled because they have had less road time.
2016 Chevrolet Sonic: frequently asked
What does the complaint record show for the 2016 Chevrolet Sonic?
Owners filed 48 NHTSA complaints about the 2016 Chevrolet Sonic — more complaints than 56% of comparable 2016 hatchbacks, so it sits toward the weaker end of its class. That's a signal, not a guarantee about any single car.
What are the most common problems on the 2016 Chevrolet Sonic?
The most-reported problem areas are Electrical System (23% of complaints) and air bags (15%).
How many recalls does the 2016 Chevrolet Sonic have?
2 recalls have been issued that affect the 2016 Chevrolet Sonic, covering components such as electrical system. Check the VIN with NHTSA and ask a dealer to confirm remedy eligibility; federal no-charge requirements have an age limit, though manufacturers may offer more coverage.
What gas mileage does the 2016 Chevrolet Sonic get?
The EPA rates the 2016 Chevrolet Sonic between 28 and 32 mpg combined, depending on trim and drivetrain.