Chevrolet

Sonic

Compact Cars · model years 2012 to 2020

See all 31 Sonic trims All Chevrolet cars

The verdict

Best year: 2019. complaints: 8, below this model's typical 24; recalls: 0, below this model's typical 2.

Worst year: 2012. complaints: 354, about 7.4x this model's typical 48; recalls: 7, about 3.5x this model's typical 2.

Year by year

Year by year summary for the Chevrolet Sonic
Year	Trims	MPG	HP	Fuel cost	Recalls	Complaints	Investigations	TSBs	Top complaints
2012	4Gas	29.5	138	$2,125	7	354	2 (1 open)	1,312	POWER TRAIN 30%, ENGINE 16%, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 11%
complaints: 354, about 7.4x this model's typical 48 recalls: 7, about 3.5x this model's typical 2 deaths reported in NHTSA complaints: 1 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 18 complaints reporting a fire: 5 open NHTSA investigations: 1 Score: 0 of 100, where higher is better. Theft rate: 0.8 per 1,000 produced (federal data, last published for 2014).
2013	4Gas	29.5	138	$2,125	6	217	1 (1 open)	1,409	ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 17%, ENGINE 17%, UNKNOWN OR OTHER 14%
complaints: 217, about 4.5x this model's typical 48 recalls: 6, about 3x this model's typical 2 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 20 complaints reporting a fire: 4 open NHTSA investigations: 1 Score: 0 of 100, where higher is better. Theft rate: 1.5 per 1,000 produced (federal data, last published for 2014).
2014	4Gas	29.5	138	$2,125	4	150	0	1,241	ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 21%, ENGINE 17%, UNKNOWN OR OTHER 15%
complaints: 150, about 3.1x this model's typical 48 recalls: 4, about 2x this model's typical 2 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 9 complaints reporting a fire: 4 Score: 0 of 100, where higher is better. Theft rate: 2.1 per 1,000 produced (federal data, last published for 2014).
2015	4Gas	29.5	138	$2,125	3	114	0	1,103	ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 20%, AIR BAGS 16%, ENGINE 14%
complaints: 114, about 2.4x this model's typical 48 recalls: 3, about 1.5x this model's typical 2 deaths reported in NHTSA complaints: 1 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 19 complaints reporting a fire: 3 Score: 0 of 100, where higher is better.
2016	4Gas	29.5	139	$2,125	2	48	0	902	ENGINE 19%, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 16%, AIR BAGS 12%
complaints: 48, in line with this model's typical 48 recalls: 2, in line with this model's typical 2 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 6 complaints reporting a fire: 1 Score: 59 of 100, where higher is better.
2017	4Gas	29	139	$2,150	0	37	0	794	ENGINE 32%, AIR BAGS 10%, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 9%
complaints: 37, below this model's typical 48 recalls: 0, below this model's typical 2 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 4 complaints reporting a fire: 1 Score: 74 of 100, where higher is better.
2018	4Gas	29.5	138	$2,125	1	14	0	652	ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 22%, ENGINE 17%, SEATS 9%
complaints: 14, below this model's typical 48 recalls: 1, below this model's typical 2 Score: 86 of 100, where higher is better.
2019	2Gas	30	138	$2,075	0	8	0	440	UNKNOWN OR OTHER 30%, ENGINE 20%, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 20%
complaints: 8, below this model's typical 24 recalls: 0, below this model's typical 2 Score: 90 of 100, where higher is better.
2020	1Gas	29	138	$2,150	0	10	0	394	ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 38%, POWER TRAIN 19%, ENGINE 13%
complaints: 10, below this model's typical 12 recalls: 0, below this model's typical 2 Score: 83 of 100, where higher is better.

How the numbers moved

Combined MPG, median2012: 29.5 to 2020: 29

Owner complaints2012: 354 to 2020: 10

How we score each year

We compare each year of the Chevrolet Sonic to the model's own typical numbers, not to other cars. A year reads solid when its recalls, owner complaints, and federal investigations sit at or below what is typical for this model, mixed when some of those numbers run above typical, and avoid when they run far above it. Deaths, reported fires, and an NHTSA advisory to park outside count against a year no matter what this model's baseline looks like.

A year is scored only when NHTSA has both complaint and recall counts for it. Complaint data often lags for the newest years, so a recent year can read not enough data even while its recall count already shows in the table. When the history is too thin, we say not enough data instead of guessing. Service bulletins are routine maintenance guidance from the manufacturer and do not lower a year's score.

Scores run 0 to 100, higher is better. Recall, complaint, and investigation figures come from NHTSA records. Fuel economy, fuel cost, and horsepower figures come from the EPA, shown as the median across the year's trims.

Information is gathered on a best-effort basis from public sources, may be incomplete or out of date, and is not purchasing or financial advice. Verify with the manufacturer or dealer before buying.