Model year record

2013 Chevrolet Sonic

6 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 327 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 23V516000

Air bags: frontal: driver side: inflator module

Component
Air bags: frontal: driver side: inflator module
Manufacturer
General Motors, LLC
Vehicles affected
767
Reported to NHTSA
2023-07-27
Owners notified
2023-10-23

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.

Manufacturer 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. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300 and Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N232413120.

Recall campaignNHTSA 16V257000

Electrical system: software

Component
Electrical system: software
Manufacturer
General Motors LLC
Vehicles affected
317,572
Reported to NHTSA
2016-04-28
Owners notified
2016-05-26

Defect description

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."

Safety risk

Without audible indicators, the driver may leave the key in the ignition, increasing the risk of theft.

Manufacturer 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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 14V417000

Equipment: electrical

Component
Equipment: electrical
Manufacturer
General Motors LLC
Vehicles affected
2,990
Reported to NHTSA
2014-07-02
Owners notified
2014-08-29

Defect description

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 manufactured August 7, 2012, to August 16, 2013, and 2012-2014 Chevrolet Sonic vehicles manufactured May 10, 2011, to August 16, 2012 equipped with a Calix oil pan/block heater. In cold temperatures, the insulation on the engine block heater cord can become damaged, allowing the wires to be exposed.

Safety risk

Exposed wires increase the risk of electrical shock and personal injury if the cord is handled while it is plugged in.

Manufacturer 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. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 14257.

Recall campaignNHTSA 13V464000

Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly: mounting

Component
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly: mounting
Manufacturer
General Motors LLC
Vehicles affected
1,558
Reported to NHTSA
2013-09-26
Owners notified
2013-11-07

Defect description

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 bracket may separate from the vehicle.

Safety risk

If the front fuel tank strap bracket separates, the increased load may lead to the failure of the other tank support. As a result, the fuel tank may come loose from the vehicle causing a fuel leak. A fuel leak, in the presence of an ignition source, may result in a fire.

Manufacturer 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 1-800-521-7300. GM's recall campaign number is 13296.

Recall campaignNHTSA 13V220000

Exterior lighting: brake lights

Component
Exterior lighting: brake lights
Manufacturer
General Motors LLC
Vehicles affected
10,210
Reported to NHTSA
2013-05-24
Owners notified
2013-06-13

Defect description

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 2013, GM recalled 1,627 model year 2013 Cadillac ATS and model year 2013 Cadillac XTS; and model year 2014 Chevrolet Impala vehicles. In October 2013, GM informed the agency that it was adding model year 2013 Chevrolet Sonic vehicles to this campaign , representing an additional 8,050 units. The total number of vehicles being recalled is now 9,677. On the affected vehicles, the brake lamps may intermittently flash without the brakes being applied and the cruise control may disengage. Thus, these vehicles fail to conform to the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 108, "Lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment."

Safety risk

If the brake lamps flash when the vehicle is not slowing, a following driver may not adjust vehicle speed when the vehicle is in fact braking, and the brake lamps are illuminating as intended, increasing the risk of a crash.

Manufacturer 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 recall number is 13158.

Recall campaignNHTSA 12V454000

Exterior lighting: turn signal

Component
Exterior lighting: turn signal
Manufacturer
General Motors LLC
Vehicles affected
4,716
Reported to NHTSA
2012-09-17
Owners notified
2012-10-02

Defect description

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 Control Module (BCM) in these vehicles does not detect this condition and will not indicate the condition to the driver. Thus, These vehicles fail to conform to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."

Safety risk

If the driver is not aware that the turn signal is not functioning and does not have the light repaired, other drivers may not be alerted that the vehicle is turning, increasing the risk of a crash.

Manufacturer 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 1-866-694-6546.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Engine5674,000 mi
Electrical system5560,000 mi
Unknown or other4663,007 mi
Power train3952,500 mi
Air bags2626,000 mi
Fuel/propulsion system1379,000 mi
Steering1352,000 mi
Electronic stability control (ESC)1265,000 mi
Service brakes1123,000 mi
Suspension833,800 mi
Visibility/wiper838,000 mi
Vehicle speed control722,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling635,000 mi
Structure: body528,700 mi
Exterior lighting321,000 mi
Seat belts36 mi
Latches/locks/linkages2300 mi
Seats292,000 mi
Structure24,100 mi
Wheels222,900 mi
Electrical system: ignition135,000 mi
Electrical system: wiring169,896 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: catalytic convertor196,540 mi
Fuel system, gasoline1200,000 mi
Structure: body: door144,000 mi
Tires156,200 mi
Tires: sidewall111,000 mi
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system1125,000 mi

The 2012 model has about half as many complaints as this one. The 2014 model has about 1.5 times as many complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Open investigations

An investigation is not a recall. It indicates that NHTSA is currently evaluating an alleged defect but has not reached a final determination.

EA21002Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture

Air bags: frontal: driver side: inflator module

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.