2018 Chevrolet Sonic Recalls, Complaints & Specs
1 safety recall lists the 2018 Chevrolet Sonic, and owners have filed 14 complaints with NHTSA. Check your own VIN below.
1 safety recall for the 2018 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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Seats
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018 Chevrolet Sonic vehicles. A joint in the driver's seat-back frame may not be properly welded, reducing the strength of the seat-back frame.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's seat-back, free of charge. The recall began June 28, 2018. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is…
14 owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Owners of the 2018 Chevrolet Sonic have filed 14 complaints with NHTSA. The average mileage at failure in those reports is 40,869 miles. Complaints peaked in 2019 with 3 filed that year.
Most-reported components
What owners are reporting
“Dear GM Executive Office, I am writing in frustration and disappointment after being told today by Chevrolet Customer Assistance that the case I opened (Case # [XXX]) was simply a "dealer complaint" a”
Owner complaint to NHTSA, July 22, 2025 · Engine
“The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Sonic. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the engine was idling roughly. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illumi”
Owner complaint to NHTSA, May 15, 2025 · Fuel system, gasoline
Fuel economy and specs
EPA ratings for the 2018 Chevrolet Sonic (Sonic 5). Ranges cover every tested configuration.
| Combined | 28–32 mpg |
|---|---|
| City / Highway | 25–28 / 34–37 |
| Fuel | Regular |
| EPA class | Compact 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 2018 Chevrolet Sonic
How do I know if my 2018 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. 1 campaign currently lists the 2018 Chevrolet Sonic; your car may already have been repaired under it.
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 18V342000).
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.