2016 Chevrolet Sonic Recalls, Complaints & Specs
2 safety recalls list the 2016 Chevrolet Sonic, and owners have filed 48 complaints with NHTSA. Check your own VIN below.
2 safety recalls for the 2016 Chevrolet Sonic
Most recent first. Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. Click a recall for the full defect, consequence and remedy text.
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Software (electrical system) and radio/tape deck/cd etc. (equipment)
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,…
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.
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Radio/tape deck/cd etc. (equipment) and software (electrical system)
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…
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…
48 owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Owners of the 2016 Chevrolet Sonic have filed 48 complaints with NHTSA; 8 describe a crash and 1 describe a fire. Reports cite 6 injuries and 0 deaths. The average mileage at failure in those reports is 48,763 miles. Complaints peaked in 2020 with 12 filed that year.
Most-reported components
What owners are reporting
“This car overheated and a head gasket blew. I am on a Facebook forum, and it seems like all of these cars have these problems. The Chevy Sonic ltz turbo 1.4 2016 is known for coolant issues and head g”
Owner complaint to NHTSA, February 18, 2026 · Engine
“Radio malfunctions. Channels automatically change and touch screen doesn't work all the time. I believe 2015 Sonic has a recall for this issue , but not 2016. It appears to be the same issue.”
Owner complaint to NHTSA, January 26, 2026 · Unknown or other
Fuel economy and specs
EPA ratings for the 2016 Chevrolet Sonic (Sonic 5, Sonic 5 RS, Sonic RS). Ranges cover every tested configuration.
| Combined | 28–32 mpg |
|---|---|
| City / Highway | 24–28 / 33–38 |
| Fuel | Regular |
| EPA class | Compact Cars, Midsize Cars, Small Station Wagons |
| Engine | 4 cyl, 1.4/1.8 L |
| Transmission | Automatic (S6); Manual 5-spd; Manual 6-spd |
Compare Chevrolet Sonic model years
Recall and complaint counts for every Chevrolet Sonic model year in NHTSA's database.
| Model year | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|
| 2011 Chevrolet Sonic | 0 | 1 |
| 2012 Chevrolet Sonic | 7 | 354 |
| 2013 Chevrolet Sonic | 6 | 217 |
| 2014 Chevrolet Sonic | 4 | 150 |
| 2015 Chevrolet Sonic | 3 | 114 |
| 2016 Chevrolet Sonic | 2 | 48 |
| 2017 Chevrolet Sonic | 0 | 37 |
| 2018 Chevrolet Sonic | 1 | 14 |
| 2019 Chevrolet Sonic | 0 | 8 |
| 2020 Chevrolet Sonic | 0 | 10 |
Checking a specific 2016 Chevrolet Sonic
How do I know if my 2016 Chevrolet Sonic has an open recall?
Enter your 17-character VIN above. The VIN is on the driver's side dashboard (visible through the windshield), the driver's door jamb sticker, and your registration or insurance card. The check runs against NHTSA's live database and tells you which campaigns list your vehicle. 2 campaigns currently list the 2016 Chevrolet Sonic; your car may already have been repaired under some of them.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Under federal law, manufacturers must fix safety recalls at no charge for vehicles up to 15 years old from the date of sale to the first owner. Contact any authorised Chevrolet dealer with your VIN and the NHTSA campaign number (for example 16V257000).
What is the difference between a recall and a complaint?
A recall is a safety campaign filed by the manufacturer or ordered by NHTSA, with a defined defect and remedy. A complaint is a report an owner sent to NHTSA; it is not verified, but patterns of complaints are what trigger NHTSA investigations and, eventually, recalls.
Other Chevrolet models
- Malibu19,364 complaints
- Silverado 150018,029 complaints
- Impala10,434 complaints
- Tahoe10,032 complaints
- Equinox9,161 complaints
- Silverado8,799 complaints
- Blazer8,192 complaints
- Suburban8,164 complaints
Source: NHTSA recall and complaint databases and EPA fuel economy data, October 2026. Complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. Recall counts are safety campaigns that list this model year; whether a particular car was already repaired depends on its VIN. How this data is compiled.