- The problem
- 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."
- The risk
- Without audible indicators, the driver may not fasten their seatbelt, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.
- The fix
- 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.
Vehicle safety record
2016 Chevrolet Sonic Problems, complaints & recalls
No owner complaints about the 2016 Chevrolet Sonic have been filed with NHTSA. It is covered by 2 recalls, the latest in June 2016 for the software.
NHTSA data checked
BFewer problems than a typical Sonic year, for its age
- Complaints
- 0
- Recalls
- 2
- Crashes
- 0
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- Deaths
- 0
2016 Chevrolet Sonic recalls 2
Recall repairs are free. Your dealer fixes them whether or not you bought the car there - check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if yours is done. What to do
- The problem
- 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."
- The risk
- Without audible indicators, the driver may leave the key in the ignition, increasing the risk of theft.
- The fix
- 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.
What owners say
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No complaints about the 2016 Chevrolet Sonic yet
No owner has filed a complaint about this vehicle with NHTSA. If yours has a problem, share it here and report it to NHTSA.
Chevrolet Sonic: every year compared
All Sonic years2016 Chevrolet Sonic vs rivals
| Vehicle | Complaints | Recalls | Grade | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 Chevrolet Sonic | 0 | 2 | B | |
| 2016 Hyundai Accent | 103 | 0 | C | Compare |
| 2016 Kia Rio | 80 | 2 | D | Compare |
| 2016 Mitsubishi Mirage | 1 | 1 | A | Compare |
| 2016 Mini Cooper | 0 | 4 | A | Compare |
| 2016 Toyota Yaris | 0 | 2 | B | Compare |
| 2016 Chevrolet Colorado | 716 | 4 | F | Compare |
| 2016 Chevrolet Equinox | 400 | 1 | F | Compare |
| 2016 Chevrolet Cruze | 250 | 4 | F | Compare |
More sales usually means more complaints, so compare similar vehicles of the same year. The grade compares each vehicle with its own model's other years.
Questions about the 2016 Chevrolet Sonic
Does the 2016 Chevrolet Sonic have any recalls?
Yes - NHTSA lists 2 recalls for the 2016 Chevrolet Sonic: software (June 2016); radio / tape deck / cd etc. (April 2016). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether yours has been fixed.
How many complaints has the 2016 Chevrolet Sonic had?
None have been filed with NHTSA so far.
Is the 2016 Chevrolet Sonic a reliable vehicle?
Its Safety Index is 74 out of 100 (grade B: fewer problems than a typical Chevrolet Sonic year, for its age). The index weighs complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and recalls against how long the vehicle has been on the road, compared with the same model's other years. It is not a measure of every repair - read the complaints and owner experiences, and have any used vehicle inspected before you buy.
What should I do if my 2016 Chevrolet Sonic has a problem?
If it is a safety problem, stop driving it if it is unsafe and contact your dealer. Report it to NHTSA at nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem - enough reports start investigations and recalls - and share your experience here so other owners know what to look for.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked . Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data