Verdict
2017 Chevrolet Sonic: Complaints, Recalls & Known Issues
What the public record actually says about the 2017 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 37 NHTSA complaints — fewer complaints than 50% of 2017 hatchbacks. Engine leads the reports (30%). No safety recalls on record.
Based on NHTSA complaint volume against 2017 hatchbacks, not adjusted for how many were sold. It describes the model year, not the individual car you are looking at.
Complaints filed
37
Reports to NHTSA, 2017
Safety recalls
0
NHTSA campaigns on record
NHTSA crash test
Overall NCAP rating
Combined MPG
29
EPA estimate
Complaint volume vs. segment peers
Fewer complaints than 50% of 2017 hatchbacks
The bar is this car's percentile among 2017 hatchbacks by complaint volume — a full bar means the fewest complaints in its class. Not adjusted for sales.
Known issues
Engine issues lead owner complaints (30% of 37 reports), followed by air bags (14%).
+ 6 more component categories with fewer reports.
Share of all 37 NHTSA complaints for this model year, grouped by the component owners named. Bars are scaled to the largest category. Examples: ODI 11386453, ODI 11646466, ODI 11585433, ODI 11532519, ODI 11529262.
Recalls
0 recalls — none issued for this model year as of Jul 2026. Recall records can change as NHTSA publishes new campaigns.
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
2017 Chevrolet Sonic 4 DR FWD NHTSA source
- Overall
- Frontal
- Side
- Rollover
2017 Chevrolet Sonic 5 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 | 25 | 33 | 28 |
| 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.
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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.
2017 Chevrolet Sonic: frequently asked
What does the complaint record show for the 2017 Chevrolet Sonic?
Owners filed 37 NHTSA complaints about the 2017 Chevrolet Sonic — fewer complaints than 50% of comparable 2017 hatchbacks, so it sits toward the stronger end of its class. That's a signal, not a guarantee about any single car.
What are the most common problems on the 2017 Chevrolet Sonic?
The most-reported problem areas are Engine (30% of complaints) and air bags (14%).
How many recalls does the 2017 Chevrolet Sonic have?
No safety recalls are on record for the 2017 Chevrolet Sonic as of Jul 2026.
What gas mileage does the 2017 Chevrolet Sonic get?
The EPA rates the 2017 Chevrolet Sonic between 28 and 32 mpg combined, depending on trim and drivetrain.