Carlexica

2015 Chevrolet Sonic: problems, recalls and reliability

3 recalls and 114 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is air bags (22% of complaints); the 2016 and 2017 model years look more trouble-free.

Data updated weekly · latest recall Jun 2016

3
recalls
114
owner complaints
3
fire reports
38,500
typical failure mileage, mi

All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.

NHTSA crash testOverall ★★★★★Front ★★★★★Side ★★★★★Rollover ★★★★
5-star NHTSA overall safety ratingWeak spot: air bags (22%)3 fire reportsProblems reported early (median 38,500 mi)

Common problems

Computed from 114 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.

Air Bags (airbags and crash sensors)22% · 22 complaints
Electrical System (battery, wiring, electronics)19% · 19 complaints
Engine (engine mechanics)15% · 15 complaints
Power Train (transmission, axles, driveline)8% · 8 complaints
Fuel/Propulsion System (fuel pump, tank, lines)7% · 7 complaints
Electronic Stability Control (Esc)4% · 4 complaints
Code U0101 is set. Unable to communicate with TCM. Troubleshooted and found TCM is bad. Removed necessary components for tcm replacement. Removed the tcm/valve body assembly and replaced. Replaced necessary gaskets and reinstalled necessary components. Set transmission fluid level to specifications per procedure. Dealer advised they stock 3 TCM at all times due to many failures and demands of TCM.Owner report · Power Train · Aug 2024
I have had this vehicle for three years now and no matter of the repairs I had done to it by machanics the check engind light continue to turn on and the vehicle has shut down on the road and I can't find out what the solution is. I am afraid to drive it.Also the mylink radio which has all the vehicle settings in it has malfunctioned. I cannot get to reset veichle settings. Vehicle will not turn over on the first key turn. The engine turns over on the third or forth turn and when it dose there is a loud ratteling noise.Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Aug 2024
Stalls when reduced speed. CEL constant. Codes indicate Emission promlem. Cleared by replacing intake valve. CEL came back on.Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Apr 2024
Show 7 more owner reports
Odometer Fraud. The contact owns a 2015 Chevrolet Sonic. The contact purchased the vehicle from a dealer in March 2024. The contact stated that when the vehicle was purchased, the odometer at 60,000, and the advertisement stated 60,000. The contact recently acquired the Carfax report, which indicated that in April 2015, the odometer reading was 15,073 miles. The Carfax report indicated that the odometer reading was reported in April 2024 at 60,700 miles. The dealer was made aware of the discrepancy but provided no assistance.Owner report · Electrical System · Mar 2024
The contact owns a 2015 Chevrolet Sonic. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the check engine light remained illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local mechanic who diagnosed that the catalytic converter was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The local dealer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 115,000.Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Mar 2024
The contact owns a 2015 Chevrolet Sonic. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, upon coming to a complete stop, the vehicle inadvertently lost motive power. After restarting the vehicle, the vehicle returned to normal functionality, but the failure became a regular occurrence. The traction control and check engine warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 117,000.Owner report · Engine · Dec 2023
The contact owns a 2015 Chevrolet Sonic. The contact stated the audible indicators for the driver's seat belt and the "Key Left in Ignition' was inoperable. The contactor also stated that the radio powered on independently, causing the driver to be startled due to the loud volume. No warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that the failure persisted. The vehicle was diagnosed by the dealer, but not repaired. The vehicle was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V422000 (Electrical System, Equipment), 16V257000 (Equipment, Electrical System) or 15V416000 (Equipment). The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 80,000.Owner report · Electrical System · Oct 2023
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.Owner report · Air Bags · Jun 2023
We have a 2015 Chevrolet Sonic Lt that we bought from car country in Aurora Indiana the transmission has gone the dealer told that the had been serviced but it never was so now we can't drive the car and its just sitting in the our driveway we reported it to car country about the transmission and they totally ignored us about it and refusing to helpOwner report · Power Train · Jun 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.Owner report · Air Bags · Apr 2023

When filing, owners marked a crash in 15 of these complaints and injuries in 19 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.

Recalls - 3 campaigns

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE16V422000 · Jun 2016

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."

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:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.15V416000 · Jun 2015

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 Chevrolet Spark vehicles manufactured April 30, 2014, to May 20, 2015, and 2015 Chevrolet Sonic vehicles manufactured June 18, 2014, to June 10, 2015. In the affected vehicles, equipped with the base radio and OnStar, the radio may lock up due to a software issue, causing the display to go blank and all audio functions to cease. Because of this, there may be no warning chimes such as the reminder to buckle the seat belt and the key being left in ignition when the driver goes to exit the vehicle. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 208 "Occupant Crash Protection", and 114 "Theft Protection."

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will update the radio software, free of charge. The recall began on August 11, 2015. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 15504.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE16V257000 · Apr 2016

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.

Trouble codes owners mention

OBD-II codes that appear in NHTSA complaints about this car.

Specifications

Factory options offered for the 2015 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.

TransmissionAutomatic · Manual/Standard
Body stylesHatchback/Liftback/Notchback · Sedan/Saloon

How other years compare

Check your exact Sonic by VIN

Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.

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Frequently asked questions

Is the 2015 Chevrolet Sonic reliable?

NHTSA has 114 owner complaints and 3 recall campaigns on record for the 2015 Chevrolet Sonic. The most complained-about area is air bags (22% of complaints).

At what mileage do 2015 Chevrolet Sonic problems usually appear?

Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 38,500 miles or less.

Does the 2015 Chevrolet Sonic have open recalls?

3 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning electrical system:software. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.