2016 Chevrolet Sonic problems
The Chevrolet Aveo (/əˈveɪ.oʊ/ ə-VAY-oh) is a five-passenger, front-drive subcompact car (B-segment) marketed by General Motors (GM) since 2002 over two generations. Originally developed by South Korean manufacturer Daewoo Motors and marketed as the Daewoo Kalos, the takeover of Daewoo by GM to form GM Daewoo Auto & Technology (GMDAT) resulted in the car's marketing in 120 countries under seven brands (Chevrolet, Daewoo, ZAZ, Holden, Pontiac, Ravon and Suzuki) — prominently as the Aveo.
The second-generation Aveo, developed by GM Korea (formerly GMDAT), was introduced in 2011 and was also marketed as the Chevrolet Sonic in markets including the Americas, Japan, Middle East, South Africa and several Southeast Asian markets. Production of the second-generation model ended in October 2020.
Since 2017, GM marketed the Chinese market Chevrolet Sail sedan in Mexico and other Central American countries as the Aveo. Developed by GM PATAC in China and produced by joint venture SAIC-GM, it was positioned below the more advanced Sonic. In 2023, GM imported a new version to Mexico in a sedan and hatchback form, developed and manufactured by another Chinese joint venture, SAIC-GM-Wuling.
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Common 2016 Chevrolet Sonic problems
Based on complaints from owners of the 2016 Chevrolet Sonic, common problems with this car include issues with the cooling system, electrical system, engine troubles, and brake problems.
- Cooling System Problems:
- Owners reported coolant consumption without visible leaks, leading to engine hesitation, flashing engine lights, and traction light issues. Some experienced repeated visits to the garage for the same problem, with no resolution in sight.
- Electrical System Problems:
- Complaints included issues with the heat not working, air conditioning failures, turn signal indicators not making sounds, malfunctioning rear camera systems, steering wheel control problems, and Bluetooth connectivity issues.
- Engine Troubles:
- Owners faced issues like loss of motive power while driving, stalling without warning, difficulty starting after refueling, sputtering, high idling, and the need to rev the motor to stabilize it.
- Brake Problems:
- Reports highlighted brake failures leading to accidents, airbag malfunctions, unintended acceleration, and injuries. Some owners experienced brake pedal issues causing acceleration instead of braking, resulting in accidents and injuries.
These problems with the 2016 Chevrolet Sonic have caused significant inconvenience and safety concerns for owners, indicating potential reliability issues that may require attention from both the manufacturer and qualified mechanics.
What is the most common problem with the Chevy Sonic?
Radiator Leaking
Chevy Sonic radiator leaks can result from a bad water pump, thermostat, hoses, or coolant. If the radiator is leaking, your engine will run hot or overheat. Overheating can result in severe long-term damage, including a cracked head or bad head gasket.
How many miles can a 2016 Chevy Sonic last?
Typically, you will find that Chevy Sonics last around 150,000-200,000 miles. Maintenance and repairs are critical to provide your vehicle with the best shot at living a long life. Not every Sonic will make it that far - much of its life depends on what you do to keep it safe.
Are there any recalls on a 2016 Chevy Sonic?
GM's number for this recall is 17130. 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.
Are Chevy Sonics expensive to repair?
The average total annual cost for repairs and maintenance on a Chevrolet Sonic is $536, compared to an average of $456 for subcompact cars and $652 for all vehicle models.
What is the most common problem with the Chevy Sonic?
Radiator Leaking
Chevy Sonic radiator leaks can result from a bad water pump, thermostat, hoses, or coolant. If the radiator is leaking, your engine will run hot or overheat. Overheating can result in severe long-term damage, including a cracked head or bad head gasket.
Are Chevrolet Sonics reliable?
According to repairpal.com, the Chevrolet Sonic has an average reliability rating of four out of five. Compared to 21 subcompact cars, it is ranked 14th overall. It's about the middle of the pack in terms of overall reliability. According to withclutch.com, the Chevrolet Sonic has a reliability rating of about 45.3.
How many miles can a 2016 Chevy Sonic last?
Typically, you will find that Chevy Sonics last around 150,000-200,000 miles. Maintenance and repairs are critical to provide your vehicle with the best shot at living a long life. Not every Sonic will make it that far - much of its life depends on what you do to keep it safe.
Are Chevy Sonics expensive to repair?
The average total annual cost for repairs and maintenance on a Chevrolet Sonic is $536, compared to an average of $456 for subcompact cars and $652 for all vehicle models.
2016 Chevrolet Sonic car problems categorized by type of issue
After analyzing all complaints sent to the NHTSA and researching popular Chevrolet Sonic problems, we found that the most common problems with these 2023 model year vehicles are:
- Engine problems
- Electrical system problems
- Air bags problems
- Unknown or other problems
- Fuel/propulsion system problems
The graph below shows statistics for all 2016 Chevrolet Sonic vehicle components and the number of complaints received.
Latest 25 complaints 2016 Chevrolet Sonic
The NHTSA has received 45 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 2016 Chevrolet Sonic. Below are the 25 most recent complaints reported for 2016 Chevrolet Sonic vehicles.
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC),ENGINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-06-19
- VIN: 1G1JH6SB4G4
- Components: ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC),ENGINE
- Summary: The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Sonic. The contact stated while driving approximately 45 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power. The ESC and oil pressure warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the residence. The vehicle was then taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the Intake Plenum Gasket and other unknown parts needed to be sealed. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 36,299.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2023-08-09
- VIN: 1G1JC5SH2G4
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: My car lock and unlocks when I did not hit any buttons. The remote start does not work sometimes. The battery loses connection from time to time with a brand new battery.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2023-08-28
- VIN: 1G1JC5SH1G4
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: My car lock and unlocks when I did not hit any buttons. The remote start does not work sometimes. The battery loses connection from time to time with a brand new battery. I own 2 of these cars and the same exact thing is happening. There needs to be a recall on this
POWER TRAIN,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2022-10-01
- VIN: 1G1JC6SG7G4
- Components: POWER TRAIN,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
- Summary: The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Sonic. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle would not properly accelerate while depressing the accelerator pedal. The contact indicated that the RPMs increased but the vehicle would not accelerate as needed. Additionally, while operating the vehicle, the cruise control would erroneously activate. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer and local dealer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 80,000.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,ENGINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2018-07-15
- VIN: 1G1JE6SB2G4
- Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,ENGINE
- Summary: The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Sonic. The contact stated while driving 25 MPH, the vehicle began to stall inadvertently. The engine overheating warning light illuminated. The contact stated that she veered to the side of the road and turned off the vehicle. The contact's friend came on the scene and provided her with engine coolant, and she added the coolant to the vehicle. The contact continued to drive the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the thermostat housing had melted and needed to be replaced. The contact stated that the vehicle was repaired; however, the failure reoccurred while driving. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic several times and the thermostat housing was replaced three times due to its plastic-based material. The contact stated that she was unable to drive the vehicle for more than an hour and a half without a reoccurrence of the failure. The vehicle was taken back to the independent mechanic who diagnosed that the head gasket had melted. The independent mechanic advised the contact to purchase a new vehicle like the engine compartment of the vehicle was poorly made. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and offered to assist the contact with scheduling an appointment with the dealer for diagnosis. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle's approximate failure mileage was 38,000.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2021-10-30
- Crash: 1
- VIN: 1G1JC5SG1G4
- Components: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
- Summary: My vehicle malfunctioned Driving on my way to work entering a large parking area connected stores. I saw a available parking spot in between 2 cars I drove in the spot lined up car and put my car in park completely stopped.I looked to my right then to my left to be sure I wasn't to close to the other two vehicles then I opened my drivers door to check if I was within the line.I was just on the line.As soon as I shut the door the doors locked the engine roared so loud I thought it was going to explode then the safety belt latched on so tight pulled me back at same time the car plummeted forward extreme acceleration into a brick building. Instantly the bags deployed as I halted forward I put up my arms up panic knowing I was going into the bldg once impacted hit bldg I heard a loud screech sound.once hit the car instantly reversed backwards at this same extreme speed I then was going backwards. I managed to step my foot on the break it stopped the car. I was about 65 feet when it completely stopped in reverse. I opened the door and fled got got my belt off.The impact with bags was pain was excruciating did save my life. I don't know how I survived this accident. My car was in park gear ignition still on. This car completely malfunctioned.Previous engine light on for 3 to 4 day. I need this investigated with the box It will show reading I was in park .The insurance company will not provide this box data to me and Dealership is unreachable.
AIR BAGS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2021-08-18
- Crash: 1
- VIN: 1G1JA6SH2G4
- Components: AIR BAGS
- Summary: Hello, I need you guys help. I got into a car wrecked which wasn’t my fault. The airbags they deployed and my child car seat was damage. I got a police report stating that the car accident wasn’t my fault and it’s the fault of a 16 year old. He merge straight into my Car and I have all these expeensives that I cannot pay for.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2021-02-04
- VIN: 1G1JC5SH0G4
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE
- Summary: THE HEAT DOESNT WORK. KEEPS BLOWING OUT COOL AIR. THIS PAST SUMMER THE AC WOULDN'T WORK. WHEN I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP THEY SAID IT WAS AN ELECTRICAL ISSUE BUT THEY FIXED IT. I BELIEVE THE TWO ISSUES ARE RELATED.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2020-06-27
- VIN: 1G1JC6SH6G4
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: TURN SIGNAL INDICATORS DO NOT MAKE SOUND WHEN ACTIVE
SEATS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2020-09-01
- VIN: 1G1JE6SB3G4
- Components: SEATS
- Summary: MY DRIVERS SIDE SEAT HEATER STOPPED WORKING. I CLICK THE BUTTON, THE LIGHT COMES ON, AND THEN SHUTS RIGHT BACK OFF. I'VE TRIED TURNING THE CAR ON AND BACK OFF AND IT STILL DOES THE SAME THING.
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2020-05-01
- VIN: 1G1JG6SB8G4
- Components: FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
- Summary: THE CAR STARTED SPUTTERING EVERY TIME I HAD TO PUT GAS IN IT THEN IT WOULDN'T CRANK AT ALL AND WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO DETREMINE THAT THIS FUEL SYSTEM ISSUE HAS CREATED AN INABILITY TO KEEP THE CAR RUNNING AND EVERY TIME WE GET IT RUNNING IT REPEATEDLY CUTS OFF TILL WE REV IT UP MULTIPLE TIMES AND THEN IT TRIES TO CUT OFF EVERY TIME WE STOP AT A LIGHT.
AIR BAGS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2020-08-13
- Number Of Injuries: 1
- Crash: 1
- VIN: 1G1JC6SH2G4
- Components: AIR BAGS
- Summary: THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT KEEPS GOING ON AND OFF. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR APPROX 2 MONTHS.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,SEAT BELTS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2020-08-04
- VIN: 1G1JC5SB9G4
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,SEAT BELTS
- Summary: I BOUGHT A 2016 CHEVY SONIC LT IN JANUARY OF 2020. IT HAS ONLY HAS 30,000 MILES ON IT AND HAS BEEN WELL MAINTAINED. INITIALLY, I BELIEVED THAT THE COMPUTER WAS JUST SLOW. IN MARCH, 2020 I NOTICED THAT WHEN I WOULD TURN THE CAR ON THE RADIO/COMPUTER WOULD SOMETIMES TAKE SEVERAL MINUTES TO BOOT UP. THEN ONCE BOOTED, THE BACK-UP CAMERA LINES WOULD NOT SHOW UP. ONLY OCCASIONALLY WOULD THE GUIDING LINES APPEAR ON THE SCREEN. THEN, A PROBLEM DEVELOPED WHERE AFTER I TURNED THE CAR OFF AND LOCKED THE DOORS, THE RADIO WOULD CONTINUE PLAYING UNTIL THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED OR THE BATTERY WAS DISCONNECTED. THIS FIRST OCCURRED IN MAY 2020 AND WOULD OCCUR PERIODICALLY OVER THE NEXT SEVERAL MONTHS. IN JUNE 2020, THE RADIO WOULD RANDOMLY NOT BOOT WHEN STARTED OR BOOT EVEN MORE SLOWLY THAN USUAL. SOMETIMES I COULD DRIVE TEN OR TWENTY MINUTES BEFORE THE COMPUTER WOULD FINALLY TURN ON. OTHER TIMES THE COMPUTER WOULD NEVER TURN ON. YET AGAIN, THE ONLY SOLUTION WAS TO RESTART THE CAR OR DISCONNECT THE BATTERY. ON AUGUST 1, 2020, THE RADIO WILL NOT TURN ON AT ALL, EVEN AFTER RESTARTING THE CAR OR RECONNECTING THE BATTERY. NOW THAT THE RADIO IS COMPLETELY NONOPERATIONAL, OTHER SYSTEMS HAVE BEEN EFFECTED, TOO. FOR EXAMPLE, THE BLINKERS DO NOT SIGNAL PROPERLY. ALTHOUGH THEY BLINK, I DO NOT RECEIVE A NOTIFICATION THAT THEY ARE ENGAGED (NO BLINKING SOUND). THE SEAT BELT, DOOR AJAR, AND KEY IN IGNITION WARNING DO NOT SOUND ANYMORE EITHER. ADDITIONALLY, THE COLLISION NOTIFICATION AND LANE RECOGNITION NO LONGER PRODUCE AN AUDIBLE WARNING. IT DOES NOT MATTER WHETHER THE CAR IS STATIONARY OR IN MOTION, THE RADIO AND ALL RELATED SOUND COMPONENTS DO NOT WORK AT ALL. I HAVE NOT FOUND ANY SOLUTION YET. THERE HAVE BEEN RECALLS FOR PROBLEMS SUCH AS THESE FOR THIS VEHICLE, BUT NONE OF THEM ARE CURRENTLY OPEN.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2020-07-27
- VIN: 1G1JC6S8XG4
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE
- Summary: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 CHEVROLET SONIC. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOSS MOTIVE POWER AND STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SEVERAL ATTEMPTS WERE NEEDED TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2020-02-16
- Number Of Injuries: 1
- VIN: 1G1JC5SH2G4
- Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
- Summary: RAZOR SHARP PEELING CHROME FROM INTERIOR DOOR HANDLES CUTS FINGERS AND HANDS, SAFETY HAZARD TO A DRIVER AWAY FROM HOME OR NOT NEAR BANDAGES. COMMON GM PROBLEM FROM SONIC, CRUZE, MALIBU, TRAVERSE, EQUINOX, SILVERADOS. ALL GM MODELS
UNKNOWN OR OTHER PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2020-07-15
- VIN: 1G1JC5SH4G4
- Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
- Summary: CAR SHUTS OFF RANDOMLY DURING STOP LIGHTS. I'VE RESEARCHED IT AND HAVE FOUND IT'S A KNOWN ISSUE WITH MY MODEL. WHEN IDLING IT WILL RANDOMLY SHUT OFF COMPLETELY AND WON'T TURN BACK ON FOR A FEW SECONDS TO MINUTES. IT WILL DO IT AT STOP SIGNS STOP LIGHTS. EVEN IN IM JUST PARKED.
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2019-10-13
- VIN: 1G1JA5SH1G4
- Components: FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
- Summary: EMISSIONS (EVAP) CODE. LOSING POWER, FEELS AS IF ENGINE IS SLIPPING/DRAGGING WHEN ACCELERATING. ENGINE LIGHT BLINKS & TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT ONLY WHEN REACHING HIGH RPMS. *TR
ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2020-01-07
- VIN: 1G1JC5SH2G4
- Components: ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
- Summary: CAR HESITATED TO START AFTER GETTING GAS. WHEN IT DOES FINALLY START IT SPUTTERS AND HAVE TO REV MOTOR SOME TO MAKE IT STOP. IDLES HIGH. AFTER GET STARTED AND START TO DRIVE IT IT'S OK, BUT WHEN STOPPED AT A LIGHT IT IDLES HIGHER. I HAVE HAD THE PURGE VALVE REPLACED, BUT IT'S STILL DOING IT.
ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2019-07-01
- VIN: 1G1JG6SB8G4
- Components: ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
- Summary: VEHICLE BEGAN HAVING TROUBLE WITH ACCELERATION AND JERKING WHEN STOPPED IN JULY 2019. TOOK VEHICLE TO A SHOP WHERE IT WAS SUGGESTED I REPLACE THE BATTERY AND THE OXYGEN SENSORS. BOTH WERE REPLACED. VEHICLE STILL CONTINUES TO JERK AND NOT PROPERLY ACCELERATE. VEHICLE DRIVES SMOOTH SO LONG AS THEIR IS A FULL TANK OF GAS AND ITS GOING A STEADY AT LEAST 40 MPH. WHEN THE GAS GETS BELOW HALF TANK, THE VEHICLE WILL CONTINUE WITH THE JERKING AND ACCELERATING ISSUE. VEHICLE ALSO HAS TO BE RESTARTED NUMEROUS TIMES AFTER GAS IS PUT IN.
POWER TRAIN,ENGINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2020-01-20
- VIN: 1G1JC6SH1G4
- Components: POWER TRAIN,ENGINE
- Summary: PURCHASED MY CAR IN OCTOBER OF 2018. IN JULY OF 2019, MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, FOLLOWED SHORTLY AFTERWARD BY THE TEMPERATURE OVERHEAT GAUGE. TOOK MY CAR IN AND WAS TOLD THAT MY THERMOSTAT NEEDED REPLACED AND THAT THIS IS COMMON WITH MY MAKE/MODEL. REPLACED THE THERMOSTAT. IN JANUARY 2020, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN, WITH A PO599 CODE. TOOK IT TO LOCAL AUTO SHOP TO HAVE IT DIAGNOSED; THEY SAID THAT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON WHEN STARTING THE CAR, SO LIKELY WASN'T AN OVERHEATING ISSUE. THEY THOUGHT IT WAS THE SENSORS/CIRCUITS. AFTER RUNNING DIAGNOSTIC CHECK, AGAIN SUGGESTED REPLACING THE THERMOSTAT. THIS IS NOW THE SECOND TIME THE THERMOSTAT HAS NEEDED REPLACED IN THE YEAR AND THREE MONTHS THAT I HAVE OWNED THE VEHICLE. WHEN AT JIFFY LUBE, I WAS TOLD THAT THEY HAD SEEN AT LEAST FOUR OTHER SONICS COME IN WITH THE SAME CHECK ENGINE CODE.
ENGINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2019-06-01
- VIN: 1G1JE5SB4G4
- Components: ENGINE
- Summary: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 CHEVROLET SONIC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VALVE COVER GASKET BECAME DEFECTIVE, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR PERSISTENTLY ILLUMINATED, AND THE TURBO ENGINE'S FINS WERE BENT. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO TWO INDEPENDENT MECHANICS TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 50,000.
AIR BAGS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2019-10-31
- Number Of Injuries: 1
- Crash: 1
- VIN: 1G1JC6SH0G4
- Components: AIR BAGS
- Summary: TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2016 CHEVROLET SONIC. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO TURN ONTO A NEIGHBORHOOD STREET IN THE RAIN, THE VEHICLE HYDROPLANED AND BEGAN TO SLIDE. THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO THE FRONT END OF ANOTHER VEHICLE THAT WAS IDLING AT A STOP SIGN. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE HOOD AND FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE VEHICLE WERE DAMAGED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A COLLISION SHOP BY THE CONTACT'S INSURANCE COMPANY. THE OTHER DRIVER SUSTAINED SMALL CUTS THAT DID NOT REQUIRE MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 97,131.
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC),ENGINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2019-09-12
- VIN: 1G1JC5SH0G4
- Components: ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC),ENGINE
- Summary: I PURCHASED MY CAR ON MARCH 9,2019. IN MAY I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP [XXX] IN MOULTRIE, GEORGIA WHERE I PURCHASED THE CAR FROM AND NO ONE LOOKED AT IT, IT JUST SAT OUT THERE. WHEN I'M AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT TOO LONG MY CAR WILL CUT OFF OCCASIONALLY AND ALWAYS HESITATE WHEN ACCELERATING EVEN SOMETIMES WHEN I?M IN REVERSE. I GOT MY TRANSMISSION LOOKED AT AND NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH IT. ONE DAY AFTER I STOPPED AT THE STOP SIGN AND ACCELERATED MY CAR CUT OFF WHILE I WAS ALREADY IN DRIVE AND I ALMOST GOT HIT. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I GOT IT FROM AND TOLD THEM THAT IT WAS CUTTING WHILE IN TRAFFIC AND HE SAID ALL HE COULD TELL ME WAS TO KEEP DRIVING IT AND HE DON'T REMEMBER SELLING ME NO CAR, WHEN I TOLD HIM HE DID AND HIS NAME IS EVEN ON MY PAPERWORK LISTED [XXX]. TOOK IT TO A LOCAL AUTO MECHANIC SHOP AND A FRIEND OF THE FAMILY MECHANIC SHOP AND NEITHER SHOPS COULD FIGURE OUT WHAT WAS WRONG. IN SEPTEMBER I CALLED THE CHEVROLET MANUFACTURING OFFICE AND THEY TOLD ME TO TAKE IT TO THE NEAREST CHEVROLET PLACE. THEY LOOKED AT AND COULDN?T FIND ANYTHING AND MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WASN'T COMING ON BUT THEY TEST DROVE IT AND SEEN EXACTLY WHAT I WAS TALKING ABOUT. THEY TRIED DOING AN INDUSTRIAL FLUSH AND IT DIDN'T WORK. THEY SUGGESTED MY ALTERNATOR BE REPLACED CAUSE IT WAS READING A 15, SERPENTINE BELT AND BELT TENSIONER BE REPLACED, I DID THAT AND TOOK IT TO AN AUTO MECHANIC SHOP SINCE I DIDN'T HAVE A WARRANTY. THE PROBLEM ISN'T FIXED AND IT STILL JERKS AND CUTS OFF TO THIS DAY. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
UNKNOWN OR OTHER PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2019-10-21
- VIN: 1G1JC5SG1G4
- Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
- Summary: CAR SHUTS OFF AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON, WHEN IT IS BEING DRIVEN. ALWAYS WHEN WE HAVE HAD RAIN. WE HAVE TAKEN CAR TO DEALER AND THEY CANNOT FIND THE PROBLEM. ONCE WE PUT HEAT IN THE GAS TANK IT STARTS TO DRIVE UNTIL ANOTHER RAIN HITS.
POWER TRAIN,ENGINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2019-06-01
- VIN: 1G1JC5SH0G4
- Components: POWER TRAIN,ENGINE
- Summary: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 CHEVROLET SONIC. WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF WITHOUT WARNING WHILE AT A COMPLETE STOP. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THEY DIAGNOSED THE VEHICLE AND REPLACED THE OXYGEN SENSOR; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS AND HAD THE THERMOSTAT AND INTAKE MAIN GASKET SET REPLACED, AND AN ENGINE TUNE -UP; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 78,456.
2016 Chevrolet Sonic recalls
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 2 recalls for different components of the 2016 Chevrolet Sonic.
- Manufacturer: General Motors LLC
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE
- 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."
- Consequence: Without audible indicators, the driver may not fasten their seatbelt, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.
- 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.
- Manufacturer: General Motors LLC
- Components: EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.
- 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."
- Consequence: Without audible indicators, the driver may leave the key in the ignition, increasing the risk of theft.
- 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 number for this recall is 17130.
Negative 2016 Chevrolet Sonic car reviews
Positive 2016 Chevrolet Sonic car reviews
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I purchased this car back in October 2015 as a replacement for my 2005 Ford Escape, which was in dire need of repairs. My main criteria was to find the most affordable Chevrolet that was manufactured in the United States. I ended up with the base LS Sedan 5 speed, with the only factory option being a cargo net. I must say, I had no idea how much I would enjoy driving this car! It has quickly become my favorite car to drive, even more so than our family's 2015 Jeep Cherokee Latitude and my daughter's 2011 Chevy Cruise. The Sonic Sedan sits high, providing great sight lines, and is very easy to get in and out of, even for passengers over 6 feet tall. The trunk is incredibly spacious, and with both back seats folded down, you can fit an impressive amount of stuff in this car. The seats are comfortable, and there is more than enough room for four average-sized passengers. The real joy of this little car is how smoothly it drives. Equipped with the base 1.8-liter engine and a 5-speed transmission, the gear spacing is perfect, and the car can easily reach 75-80 mph without the driver feeling uncomfortable. The suspension is also noteworthy, providing a comfortable ride over any road surface while still maintaining control around curves. It's amazing to think that this car has a beam rear axle, but Chevrolet's suspension team for the Corvette set the spring rates and shock damping for the rear suspension. I consistently get 34.5 mpg, and if I reset the mpg display before a highway trip, I can even get up to 40 mpg. That's the truth, and it may be due to the manual transmission. Overall, these are all the things I love about this car!What I don't like about the car is the quirky LED instrument panel. The only analog gauge is the tachometer; everything else is digital. My biggest complaint is that there is no temperature display, which can be inconvenient in the winter. However, I must say that I have had absolutely ZERO problems with this car, from a maintenance or build quality perspective. It is very tight, and very quiet - surprisingly so. In summary, I really like this car a lot! I bought it as basic transportation, but it has turned out to be way more than that. Finally, on a recent business trip, I had the chance to rent a 2014 Sonic LT sedan with 42,000 miles. That car had all the features I like about my car, but with power windows, an automatic transmission, and a decent factory sound system, and with 42K on the click it was still tight and quiet. These are great little cars that live a lot bigger than they actually are.
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I am selling because I no longer need two vehicles.
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This car is a blast to drive and surprisingly spacious on the inside. While it's not the best in the snow and has limited cargo space, I still enjoy zipping through traffic in it. The stereo system is impressive for an economy car, although I do wish it had a CD player. While I haven't achieved the 38 MPG promised by the dealer, I'm still satisfied with its performance. Although my next car will likely be larger with a V8, I still love this car.
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Hey there! Have you checked out prices from different dealers? They can vary quite a bit!
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I bought the car mainly for its spacious interior and well-designed dashboard. It felt cozy and comfortable, especially with the heated seats and convenient cup holders. Although the center cup holders may be more suitable for rear passengers than front ones. During my frequent drives from San Antonio to Baton Rouge and back, I noticed that the car's handling is not as good as some of the more expensive models in the GM lineup, possibly due to the suspension and weight distribution. The stability control can be a bit of a nuisance and affect acceleration when making turns after stopping at intersections. However, it performs well in wet weather to prevent the rear end from spinning. Using octane 93 or above does make a difference in performance, but it requires this level of octane before the stock computer will even consider upping the performance. Unfortunately, there are no temperature gauges for the oil/water, which would be crucial in detecting potential engine damage. If you're interested in monitoring the health of your ride, I recommend swapping out the stock entertainment for the latest Double Din with better navigation and rear camera support, and adding a few gauges. I took great care of the car before I moved to a different country and had to sell it. I changed the oil (full synthetic Mobil 1) and filter every 3k-5k and never had any issues with it.
Additional sources
More sources of information about 2016 Chevrolet Sonic problems:
2016 Chevrolet Sonic Problems | Kelley Blue Book
How reliable is the 2016 Chevrolet Sonic? See the most common repairs performed and learn if your vehicle is at risk for major repairs in the next 12 ...
Common Problems with the 2016 Chevrolet Sonic — Valero Law ...
Common Problems with the 2016 Chevrolet Sonic · Cooling System Problems: “Cooling is still being ate up. Took to a different dealer for second opinion.
Roll Up - The Sonic and Common Issues | Sonic Owners Forum
Feb 6, 2018 ... -Timing Belt: The 1.8l has a TIMING BELT. It must be regularly replaced at the specified interval or risk complete engine failure. -Intake ...
2016 Chevrolet Sonic - anybody else having problems ...
Jul 8, 2019 ... 2016 chevy sonic. check engine light came on. Car alert says issue with emissions system has been detected. Dealer claims not covered and I ...
Chevy Sonic reliability? : r/Chevy
Apr 21, 2019 ... It's painfully slow and the radio/Bluetooth are not the greatest. The car has had issues since we bought it a year and a half ago. There is an ...
Other years of Chevrolet Sonic
Are you having problems with your 2016 Chevrolet Sonic?
Gaylord Sawayn 2025-04-12
I spent months researching fun-to-drive hatchback cars, and while I was initially considering a VW Golf or GTI, I thought I needed a stick shift to truly enjoy the driving experience. However, after reading reviews of the Sonic, I decided to give it a try, and boy am I glad I did! It's an absolute blast to drive. I ended up purchasing a used LTZ with heated seats, remote start, Bluetooth, and plenty of airbags. I particularly love the motorcycle-inspired lamps and touches, and the right armrest is a nice touch. Despite not accelerating quickly, I still get a great driving experience on normal roads, hills, and state highways, averaging 34.1 mpg. My only complaint is the MyLink touchscreen - I prefer an actual volume dial. However, I saved a bundle by purchasing a used 2015 model with less than 15,000 miles, and I don't regret my decision one bit. Even though I've had some issues with the water pump, engine head, and steering wheel controls, the dealership agreed to run tests for free due to the defects. As someone who has owned and still owns Hyundais, I can confidently say that you're better off with a Sonic!
Triston Grant 2025-03-25
Although I initially had trouble with my car, I was able to diagnose and fix the issues with confidence. Despite the low coolant and CEL codes, I was able to identify the problem and replace the thermostat. When the CEL came on again, I quickly replaced both VVT oil solenoids and the car was running smoothly. After discovering that the previous owner had used the wrong oil filter and weight, I changed the oil and the car was back to normal. I then realized that the timing belt needed to be replaced, but I was able to handle the repair with ease. Even when the alternator pulley caused an issue, I was able to diagnose and fix it. Although I had a minor setback with the battery, I was able to quickly resolve the issue and continue driving my car with confidence. Through my research, I discovered that these cars can have some issues, but I am confident in my ability to handle any future problems that may arise.This car has had multiple issues with its engines, cooling system, head gaskets, and transmissions, despite having low mileage. However, after taking it to a mechanic and conducting various tests, including compression and combustibles in the coolant check, no issues were found. Although there was a recent problem with the AC compressor, which was expensive to fix, the car is now running smoothly. Despite the high cost of repairs, it is important to note that the original powertrain is still intact. Overall, this car may have had some issues, but with proper maintenance and care, it can still be a reliable vehicle.
Domenic Nikolaus 2025-03-15
I bought this car as the second car I have ever owned. To be honest, I loved it at first. However, living in Utah, I found that this car is not the best for winter. It is too light to have decent traction in the snow and rain, and it takes forever to defog.
Constantin Schmitt 2025-03-12
I have owned this 2015 Chevrolet Sonic LTZ Turbo since it was new. Unfortunately, I have had some issues with the cooling system over the last three summers. The hoses and pumps needed replacement, and then the thermostat went bad and had to be replaced. Despite having all the work done at the Chevrolet dealership, the car continued to lose coolant over time, and I had to constantly monitor the water level to prevent it from running hot. Last summer, the coolant got so hot that it cracked the reservoir, which had to be replaced. It's a shame that there is no temperature gauge on the dash, but the car does have a digital alarm that sounds when it's running hot. In the end, the car developed a cracked head from blowing a head gasket, and the cost to fix it was quoted at $7500 for motor replacement and installation. I decided to sell it with a bad motor for $1700 and just paid it off in November. Although I loved the interior and the car handled well and was fun to drive, I experienced issues with the touch screen getting stuck on seek and the Bluetooth connection. On the plus side, when gas was cheap, I could fill up the tank for just $16.00 and get from Shreveport to Dallas on half a tank of gas. However, I would not recommend this car to anyone as it turned out to be a money pit. Due to my experience with this car, I have decided not to own another GM vehicle again.
Torrance Lynch 2025-02-28
Chevy's reliability is questionable as my car has been leaking coolant for the past three years. The engine was replaced at 70k miles, and I have seen many of these cars on the side of the road. My friend's 2014 model has the same cooling problems. It is advisable to consider purchasing a Toyota or Honda instead of being distracted by Chevy's fancy commercials. While Chevy offers wifi, butt warmers, and amazing speakers, their cars may not be as reliable. It is important to make an informed decision when purchasing a car.