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2015 Chevrolet Sonic Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 114 complaints with NHTSA about the 2015 Chevrolet Sonic, most often about the electrical (30% of complaints, typically around 50,000 miles). It is 4th of 10 Sonic model years by number of complaints and has 3 recalls.
Most common 2015 Chevrolet Sonic problems
Electrical
34 complaints · 30%Half of these problems showed up before 50,000 miles. Parts named most often: instrument cluster/panel, instrument panel.
Hazzard lights button would not deactivate. Had just replaced all front headlights and 3 weeks later they both went out. Side mirrors switch is not working.
There is a problem with the passenger presence module according to our mechanic. When an adult is seated in the passenger seat with the car turned on and stationary, sometimes, the airbag system does not turn on as if it does not recognize a person there. If the car is then put into drive, the airbag system still…
Air bags
27 complaints · 24%Half of these problems showed up before 28,500 miles.
The contact owns a 2015 Chevrolet Sonic. While driving 65 MPH, the vehicle was involved in a crash and the air bags failed to deploy. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic and repaired. The contact sustained injuries to the neck and lower back, which required medical attention.…
Yesterday 9-9-2018, I started car, drove it one block and airbag light came on. Car has 30k miles, never been in an accident, and never had any safety problem. Dealer says it went out of warranty 5-26-2018........
Engine
26 complaints · 23%Half of these problems showed up before 53,500 miles. Parts named most often: exhaust system.
My chevy Sonic stalls while driving it. The engine shuts down, door locks cycle, lights go on and off, power steering and brakes go out, rpms drop, and until today, it turns back on, the rpms jump sky high, and the motor revs back to life and it goes fine again for awhile. But today it stalled sitting in mcdonalds…
The contact owns a 2015 Chevrolet Sonic. The contact stated that the air conditioner was inoperable. The contact stated she noticed that there was a consistence of white snow underneath the hood of the vehicle. The check engine warning light was illuminated. Additionally, while driving, the steering wheel was…
Other or unspecified
22 complaints · 19%Half of these problems showed up before 30,000 miles.
1st at 20k miles (2019) my car wouldn't start, stuck late night. Called aaa, battery had dead cell so I purchased one for $200. Months later found out it was covered under the warranty. I started smelling coolant (2019). Dealer said it was the water pump. It was covered under warranty. Started smelling coolant again…
Stationary. 2015 chevy Sonic. The gear shift button/knob was sticking and finally broke. I've had to fiddle with it (for the last seven months or so) to get the car in and out of gear using a screwdriver. When the button was stuck in the in position, the gear shift did not lock in place and when in park I could not…
Fuel system
12 complaints · 11%2015 Chevrolet Sonic hatchback ltz- fuel filler tube leaking at tank connection, causing gas to spill out on ground. Could be a potential a fire/explosion hazzard. Discovered when check engine light was activated. Ran an odbii code check indicating a p0442 error "emission system leak-small". Observed gas flowing to…
June 2015 the dealer switched cars when we refused the options at the closing of the deal to a base/standard car. A week or so after purchasing the car a tire popped as we drove down the street. It is very loud in the morning. A high pitched squeaking sound. Next we have been smelling gas,oil/fluid leaking from the…
Transmission
12 complaints · 11%Half of these problems showed up before 39,000 miles.
We own a chevy Sonic at roung 28000 miles the button on the gear shift would get stuck and not pop out; one leaving the car in gear, two not allowing you to remove the key after you have "parked" and turn off the engine. Because the button does not pop out the car stays in gear and thus even after parking and turning…
The contact owns a 2015 Chevrolet Sonic. While attempting to park the vehicle, the shift interlock button seized. The contact was unable to place the vehicle in park, turn the key in the ignition, or release the brake pedal without the vehicle rolling forward. The vehicle was taken to grand prize Chevrolet buick gmc…
Steering
6 complaints · 5%Half of these problems showed up before 37,500 miles.
The contact owns a 2015 Chevrolet Sonic. While driving 20 MPH, the steering wheel locked and the vehicle crashed into a ditch. The air bags failed to deploy. The contact stated that the power steering indicator illuminated before the crash occurred. A police report was not filed and there were no injuries. The vehicle…
The contact owns a 2015 Chevrolet Sonic. The contact stated that the air conditioner was inoperable. The contact stated she noticed that there was a consistence of white snow underneath the hood of the vehicle. The check engine warning light was illuminated. Additionally, while driving, the steering wheel was…
Brakes
5 complaints · 4%Parts named most often: foundation components.
The brakes on this vehicle is defective. The ABS brakes do not work correctly and the brake peddle also has issues. The brakes has caused two accidents thus far. The dealership has tried to remedy the situation several times with repairs at no avail. The vehicle brakes failed to work and caused two rear end accidents.
The contact owned a 2015 Chevrolet Sonic. While driving at an unknown speed, the contact fell asleep and crashed into an embankment. The contact stated that the side air bags deployed, but the front air bags did not deploy. The driver sustained minor injuries that required medical attention. A police report was filed.…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2015 Chevrolet Sonic recalls
Electrical: software
Risk: Without audible indicators, the driver may not fasten their seatbelt, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.
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.
Full defect summary
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."
Electrical: software
Risk: Without audible indicators, the driver may leave the key in the ignition, increasing the risk of theft.
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.
Full defect summary
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."
Equipment: radio/tape deck/cd etc.
Risk: Without audible indicators, the driver may leave the key in the ignition, increasing the risk of theft. If a driver or front passenger does not buckle their seat belt, there would be no chime to remind them to fasten their seat belts. If a driver or passenger does not buckle their seat belt there is an increased risk that they will be injured in a crash.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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."
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
Questions about the 2015 Chevrolet Sonic
- What are the most common problems with the 2015 Chevrolet Sonic?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: electrical (34 complaints, typically around 50,000 miles); air bags (27 complaints, typically around 28,500 miles); engine (26 complaints, typically around 53,500 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2015 Chevrolet Sonic have?
- 3 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from June 10, 2016 (electrical). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2015 a bad year for the Chevrolet Sonic?
- It is 4th of 10 Sonic model years by number of complaints, with 114 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.