MYRModel Year Report

2013 Chevrolet Sonic

◆ Worse than typical
2013 Chevrolet Sonic
BUILT 2026-10-10

This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

Complaints
217
Recalls
6

Campaigns on file for 2013

Investigations
1

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Electrical system

26% of complaints

Complaints per year

2011: 1 complaint 2011 2012: 354 complaints 2013: 217 complaints 2013 217 2014: 150 complaints 2015: 114 complaints 2015 2016: 48 complaints 2017: 37 complaints 2017 2018: 14 complaints 2019: 8 complaints 2019 2020: 10 complaints
2011: 1 complaint 2011 2012: 354 complaints 2012 2013: 217 complaints 2013 217 2014: 150 complaints 2014 2015: 114 complaints 2015 2016: 48 complaints 2016 2017: 37 complaints 2017 2018: 14 complaints 2018 2019: 8 complaints 2019 2020: 10 complaints 2020
2011: 1 complaint 2011 2012: 354 complaints 2012 2013: 217 complaints 2013 217 2014: 150 complaints 2014 2015: 114 complaints 2015 2016: 48 complaints 2016 2017: 37 complaints 2017 2018: 14 complaints 2018 2019: 8 complaints 2019 2020: 10 complaints 2020

2013: 217 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
20111
2012354
2013217
2014150
2015114
201648
201737
201814
20198
202010

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Electrical system

26% · 57 reports

Most commonly citing wiring and ignition.

CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

Things started after my vehicle was repaired after a car hit me and took off.

NHTSA ODI report, 2017-12-18

Also filed under Engine and electronic stability control (esc)

Engine

25% · 55 reports
CRASHFIREINJURY

Power train

18% · 38 reports
CRASHINJURY

Air bags

12% · 25 reports
CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

The Sonic rear ended a stationary vehicle going close to 50mph. No airbags deployed.

NHTSA ODI report, 2024-12-23

Car accident November 3, 2023. A dear ran in front car while traveling 55mps. As the impact took place causing front and of the car to be smashed Air bags in the car did not deployed. Causing head to hit steering wheel.

NHTSA ODI report, 2023-11-05

Tl* the contact owns a 2013 Chevrolet Sonic. The contact stated that while driving 35 MPH, a tractor trailer crashed into the contact's vehicle from the front driver's side door. The front driver, roof and side air bags failed to deploy.

NHTSA ODI report, 2013-05-08

Steering

6% · 13 reports
CRASHINJURY

Safety timeline

6 recalls · 1 investigation · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. R
    2012-10-02Electrical system, exterior lighting12V454000 General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013 Chevrolet Sonic vehicles manufactured from May 29, 2012, through August 29, 2012. When a turn signal lamp fails to operate, the Body…

    Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the BCM and the vehicle's key fobs, free of charge. The safety recall began on October 3, 2012. Owners may contact the Chevrolet owner center at…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  2. ▮
    2013Complaint volume 217 complaints filed for this model year.
  3. R
    2013-06-13Electrical system, exterior lighting13V220000 General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013 Cadillac ATS and model year 2013 Cadillac XTS; model year 2014 Chevrolet Impala; and 2013 Chevrolet Sonic vehicles. Originally, in May…

    Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the body control module. The recall began on June 13, 2013. Owner's may contact Chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438 or Cadillac at 1-866-982-2339. GM's…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  4. R
    2013-11-07Fuel system, gasoline13V464000 General Motors (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013 and 2014 Chevrolet Sonic vehicles manufactured August 2, 2013, through August 12, 2013. Due to insufficient welds, the front fuel tank strap…

    Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the front fuel tank strap bracket, and repair it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on November 7, 2013. Owners may contact GM at…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  5. R
    2014-08-29Equipment14V417000 General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Buick Encore all-wheel-drive vehicles manufactured August 23, 2012, to September 9, 2013; Verano vehicles manufactured August 8, 2012, to June 20, 2013; Chevrolet Cruze vehicles...

    Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the engine oil pan/block heater cord with a new cord that is rated for temperatures of minus 40 degree Celsius. The recall began in August 2014.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  6. R
    2016-05-26Electrical system, equipment16V257000 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.

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  7. I
    2021-09-17Engineering analysisOpen Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
  8. R
    2023-10-23Air bags23V516000 General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2013 Buick Verano, Chevrolet Camero, Sonic, and Volt vehicles. The driver-side air bag inflator may explode during deployment due to a manufacturing defect.

    Remedy: Dealers will replace the driver-side air bag module, free of charge. On some 2013 Volt vehicles, the steering wheel will be replaced as well, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 23, 2023.

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

2013 Chevrolet Sonic — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Electrical system: 57 reports on file for this year.
  • Engine: 55 reports on file for this year.
  • Power train: 38 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 12V454000 · Electrical system, exterior lighting
  • Recall 13V220000 · Electrical system, exterior lighting
  • Recall 13V464000 · Fuel system, gasoline
  • Recall 14V417000 · Equipment
  • Recall 16V257000 · Electrical system, equipment
  • Recall 23V516000 · Air bags
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years2 years

Worst years2 years

FAQ

Is the 2013 Chevrolet Sonic reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2013 Chevrolet Sonic is rated "worse than typical".
What are the most common problems with the 2013 Chevrolet Sonic?
The most-reported component is electrical system, accounting for 26% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2013 Chevrolet Sonic have?
6 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-10-09 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.