35
Complaints Reported

Complaints by Component

ENGINE
10 complaints
I have replaced the same part now 4 times. I have multiple receipts. Cause the car the shut off or slow down while on the highway.
Mar 05, 2025
The contact owns a 2017 Chevrolet Sonic. The contact stated that when the vehicle was started, the entire vehicle was shaking. The contact stated that after the vehicle was left idling, the shaking and vibration diminished; however, when the vehicle was shifted into drive(D) and the accelerator pedal was depressed, the vehicle was slow to respond. The contact stated that the vehicle was slow to gain forward momentum while attempting to merge into traffic or ascend a grade in the road. The contact drove the vehicle to an independent mechanic who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the turbo needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 108,000.
Apr 26, 2024
Vehicle has 53k miles. I have had the error code p0011 (camshaft, vvt bank 1 too advanced) for most of the time I've had this car. Spend thousands at a certified dealership to get this issue fixed, only for it to pop up again. I was told the solution for this code is a new engine. This was after I spend thousands and my power train warranty expired. Oil changes and Routine maintenance were all done in timely manner. This engine was built to fail.
Jul 15, 2023
The heating and cooling system has failed numerous times. The water outlet has been defective causing the engine to overheat along with the thermostat housing. The water outlet failed within a month of buying the car. It wasn't even 3 years old and only had 60 000 miles on it. Last month it failed. Just last week the thermostat housing failed. Now today the water outlet failed again. This car really needs investigated and have parts recalled. It's not fair to have a car for this short of time to have these issues. Each time it's been repaired by a certified mechanic.
Jun 28, 2023
TL* THE CONTACT'S DAUGHTER OWNED A 2017 CHEVROLET SONIC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HER DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING AT 25 MPH, A FELLOW MOTORIST HAD HONKED AT HER AS SHE NOTICED FLAMES FORMING FROM UNDERNEATH THE RADIO INSIDE HER VEHICLE. THE CONTACT'S DAUGHTER INITIALLY ATTEMPTED TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE WITH A CUP OF WATER BUT TO NO AVAIL. SHE WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER AND EXIT THE VEHICLE AND THEN CALLED THE AUTHORITIES WHO ARRIVED ON THE SCENE AND EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. A FIRE REPORT WAS FILED AND NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AS A RESULT OF THE FIRE AND WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT TOW YARD. PRIOR TO THE FAILURE, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAD ILLUMINATED ON THE DASHBOARD. HER DAUGHTER HAD TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND ALAN WEBB CHEVROLET( 3712 NE 66TH AVE, VANCOUVER, WA 98661) TO HAVE THE VEHICLE SERVICED FOR A DEFECTIVE PURGE VALVE. THE MANUFACTURER HAD YET TO BE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 54,136.
Jan 04, 2021
Fire: 1
+ 5 more complaints for this component
AIR BAGS
2 complaints
The contact owns a 2017 Chevrolet Sonic. The contact stated that, while driving at 40 MPH, another vehicle failed to yield at a stop sign. As a result, the contact was unable to stop in time and collided with the driver's side B Pillar center region of the other vehicle. The air bags did deploy, which the contact held responsible for the injuries she sustained. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. A police report was filed, and injuries were reported. The contact reported sustaining injuries to her head and face, which she characterized as a bubble on her forehead, as well as bruising to the torso, but refused medical treatment. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V349000 (Air Bags), but the VIN was not included. The contact also stated that this was the second of two collisions where the air bags failed to deploy. The failure mileage was unknown.
Nov 04, 2025
Crash: 1
Injuries: 1
The contact owns a 2017 Chevrolet Sonic. The contact stated that while the vehicle was being driven at approximately 30 mph, the driver crashed into a parked vehicle. During the crash, the front end of the vehicle was severely damaged but the air bags did not deploy. The driver sustained a head laceration and right and left knee injuries which required medical treatment. A police report was taken at the scene. The cause of the failure was not determined. The local dealer and manufacturer were not yet notified. The failure mileage was 120,000.
Jul 05, 2022
Crash: 1
Injuries: 1
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
2 complaints
Roof molding is coming unglued on both sides of the vehicle, possible that it may fly off while traveling on highway or streets .My Dads Santa Cruz was recalled for what is happening to my Sonic. I noticed this after going through a car wash and the dryer made it flop around.
Feb 12, 2024
The thermostat has gone out in this vehicle 4 times in the past 14 months. Luckily for me I had the vehicle repaired at a shop that offers a warranty on the thermostat. But I still have to pay out of pocket every single time for a rental car in order for this vehicle to get repaired. I now have to put it back into the shop for the 5th time in 14 months for the thermostat to be replaced yet again because it went out. I am not happy with this as I live in Alaska and it keeps going out in the winter months.
Mar 22, 2022
SERVICE BRAKES
2 complaints
MASTER CYLINDER AND POWER BREAK BOOSTER NEED TO BE REPLACED AT 42800 MILES.
Aug 12, 2018
MY 2017 CHEVY SONIC HAS A BRAKE PROBLEM . BRAKES SOMETIMES FAIL TO STOP WHEN APPLIED. THIS HAPPENS WHEN MOVING AND COMING TO STOP AT RED LIGHT OR STOP SIGN. THE CAR IS CURRENTLY AT THE DEALERSHIP. THEY SAIDED THEY ARE WAITING TO HEAR FROM GM.
Dec 29, 2017
VISIBILITY/WIPER
2 complaints
PASSENGER SIDE WIPER HAS GAP BETWEEN DRIVER SIDE WATER RUNS DOWN WINDSHIELD IN A STREAM ON ALL WIPER SPEEDS. DISTRACTS VISIBILTY. REPORTED TO DEALER AND CHEVROLET.
May 16, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 CHEVROLET SONIC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE AND WITH THE WINDOW DEFROSTER ON THE FRONT WINDSHIELD ACTIVATED, IT WOULD REMAIN FOGGED AND WOULD NOT DEFROST. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30.
Oct 07, 2016
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE
1 complaint
Multiple attempts to fix camshaft/ camshaft position sensor. Causes car to decelerate at high speeds. Shaking while at high speeds
Aug 17, 2025
STEERING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
1 complaint
In June of 2023 I was driving my vehicle and suddenly the Traction Control, power steering and check engine light came on. I was able to get the vehicle safely home without the use of the power steering. Once I shut the vehicle off, it would not start again. I got the vehicle to my local dealership and they diagnosed it as one of the main wire harnesses was rubbing against a bolt near the battery, which is a known issue, and caused an electrical short in the system. It caused the ECU and electronic power steering to short out. They replaced the ECU, but have not been able to replace the eletronic power steering because it's no longer being manufactured. The vehicle at the time of incident was only 6 years old. I feel like this is a violation of the Magnuson-Moss Act. There are no third party vendors that make this part. It has only ever been available through GM directly.
Jul 18, 2024
STEERING,ENGINE
1 complaint
Steering Colom locks up, 4 different times. Engine shuts off. NO power to turn vehicle. Vehicle at Paradise Chevrolet since 3\18\24. Only Steering Colom, - service power steering ASAP.
Apr 02, 2024
STEERING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE
1 complaint
steering wheel will lock up when you turn on car, we took it to Paradise Chevrolet, and they found power steering module has update available however need 12 Volt battery to be a higher CCA to reprogram p/s volt battery testing at 356 CCA recommend replacing battery and reprogramming P/S module. Of course, this was not covered under our Protection Plan and should be covered, I had to pay. $578.37 My car is only six years, and this should not be happing. 11/27/23 vehicle shuts off while driving this has happened three time to us. we cannot drive the car it is not safe. 12/19/23 had it tow to Paradise Chevrolet. This car is not safe to drive. We have a protection Plan its useless.
Dec 19, 2023
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,ENGINE
1 complaint
Throttle Housing cracked. Lessing the power in the engine.
Feb 16, 2023
ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
1 complaint
Purchased this vehicle in February 2022 with 105,000 miles. Oil sticker indicated recent oil change and oil color was light and clear. The day after purchase the check engine light came on. Diagnostic scan indicated bad thermostat assembly and 2 oil sensors needed replacement. Radiator fluid was low. AC didn't cool. Repairs completed almost $900. The check engine light came on again the next day. The check engine and check oil lights/alarms need to be actual gauges. The vehicle overheated 3 times due to low coolant and faulty fan sensor fuse. Where is all the coolant going? A leaky hose was replaced but it didn't fix the coolant leak. Of course the car will easily overheat so I keep coolant with me to avoid being disabled during rush hour traffic on the Interstate in 105 degree temperatures. The engine continues to run hot and the check engine light stays on. The oil light/alarm is something new that started last Monday after driving 20 miles to Yukon, OK. No warning of any problem until I exited onto the service road to wait for a green light. The oil alarm/light turned off upon acceleration but returned again when the idle RPM went below 1000. Repairs were estimated at over $2200 for a new oil pump. I requested an engine flush and oil change instead since an oil pump could NOT be located. The oil filter was found to have collapsed but a new oil filter did not fix the low oil pressure at idle. So many defects with this vehicle!!! What the heck???? Odometer reading today is 107,364. It seems Chevy has manufactured a car that will barely make it past 100,000 miles and repair parts aren't available? Something isn't right with this picture. This car isn't safe to drive. Sincerely, NOT-Okay in OKC, OK.
Jul 09, 2022
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC),ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
1 complaint
LIGHTS COME ON AFTER DRIVING ABOUT 12 MILES, THE ENGINE LOOSES POWER BAD , WHEN YOU LET UP ON GAS FOOT IT TAKES VERY LONG TO GET IT GOING SLOW TO BUILD UP POWER.REGULAR ROADWAY, NO HILLS .LIGHTS GO OUT WHEN PARKED A WHILE THEN COME BACK ON AFTER 12 MILES.
Aug 04, 2020
AIR BAGS,ENGINE
1 complaint
I WAS HIT HEAD ON AND THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY IT COULD HAVE BEEN WAY WORSE THAN IT WAS BUT IT SHOULD HAVE DEPLOYED AND MY ENGINE IS JUNK. HAVING ISSUES WITH IT AND ITS LESS THAN 70000 MILES
Apr 02, 2020
Crash: 1
EXTERIOR LIGHTING,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM,VISIBILITY/WIPER
1 complaint
EVAP PURGE SOLENOID STUCK OPEN CAUSING CAR TO STALL OUT WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY- STREETS. IF STOPPED AT A LIGHT OR HAD TO SLOW DOWN IT WOULD CAUSE THE CAR TO STALL IN MID INTERSECTION AND PUT MYSELF AND FAMILY IN DANGER OF GETTING INTO AN ACCIDENT. WINDSHIELD WASHER UNIT STOPPED WORKING CAUSING MY WINDSHIELD TO IMPAIR MY VISIBILITY NOT ONCE BUT TWICE NOW. DASH LIGHTS KEEP DIMMING SOMETIMES WHEN I START THE CAR AND SOMETIMES WHILE IM DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD CAUSING IT HARD TO TELL THE SPEED AND FUEL LEVEL BUT DOESNT DO IT ALL THE TIME IT COMES AND GOES.
Jan 26, 2020
SUSPENSION
1 complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 CHEVROLET SONIC. WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, THE CONTACT MADE A LEFT TURN AND THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE MADE AN ABNORMAL NOISE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO DAVID STANLEY CHEVROLET (614 W INTERSTATE 240 SERVICE RD, OKLAHOMA CITY, OK 73139) WHERE THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE WAS REPLACED. AFTER THE TIRE WAS REPLACED, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO FUNCTION WHILE TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE WHEEL BEARINGS WERE DEFECTIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10.
Dec 27, 2019
STEERING,ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)
1 complaint
IN MAY OF 2019 WHILE TRYING TO START PUSH BUTTON CAR WOULD NOT START LIGHTS CAME ON IN CAR SAYING SERVICE POWER STEERING AND SERVICE STABILITRAK I GOT IT TO DEALER IT WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY AT THAT TIME THEY HAD ME REPLACE A BATTERY FOR OVER $200 WHICH THEY SAY WAS CAUSE ONLY FOR THIS SAME THING TO HAPPEN IN AUG2019/ WHICH THEY CLAIM THEY REPAIRED BOTH TIMES WHILE DRIVING WHEEL TIGHTENS UP AND U CAN'T STEER EVERY TIME THIS HAPPENS THEY CLAIM COULD NOT SERVICE CAR CAUSE THEY HAD TO SEE THE READING ON DASHBOARD THEN AGAIN IN NOVEMBER 2019 THE SAME THING HAPPENED AGAIN AND NOW WARRANTY IS OUT THEY MIRACULOUSLY FOUND OTHER ISSUES WITH THE CAR BUT WOULD NOT REPAIR BECAUSE OF WARRANTY OUT I FEEL THEY SOLD ME A BAD CAR AND NOW WANT TO CHARGE ME ALL THIS MONEY TO FIX CAR WHEN I DID WHAT I WAS SUPPOSED TO DO IN TAKING CAR IN WHEN IT WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY TO GET IT FIXED AND THEY JUST CLAIM THEY FIXED CAR AND NEVER DID THIS HAS PUT MY FAMILY AND I IN DANGER NUMEROUS TIMES BECAUSE I TRUSTED THAT THEY REPAIRED THE CAR ONLY TO FEEL LIED TO NOW I AM STUCK WITH A CAR NOTE ON A CAR I CAN NOT DRIVE AND ALSO WONDERING HOW I CAN GET IT FIXED BUT HONESTLY BELIEVE THEY WILL NEVER FIX CAR RIGHT AT LONESTAR CHEVROLET BECAUSE THEY DON'T SEEM TO KNOW WHAT THEY ARE DOING OR WHAT'S EVEN WRONG WITH THE CAR I HAVE ALL THE PAPERWORK FROM ALL THE TIMES I TOOK THE CAR IN AND PICTURES OF DASHBOARD READINGS
Nov 29, 2019
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
1 complaint
VEHICLE CHIME CHANGES IN SOUND AFTER CALLING ONSTAR FROM VEHICLE, ALSO SPEAKERS CRACKLE AFTER CALLING ONSTAR FROM VEHICLE. I HAVE TAKEN VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP SEVERAL TIMES WITH NO RESOLVE.
Mar 05, 2019
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
1 complaint
CHEVY SONIC 42,000 MILES 1 1/2 YEARS OLD HAD TO REPLACE EVAP SOLENOID THAT REGULATES AIR AND FUEL. $513 MOSTLY LABOR GM WILL NOT COVER ANY COST AT ALL. DOES NOT STAND BEHIND THEIR VEHICLES. 1ST TIME AND LAST TIME I EVER BUY A CHEVY!!!!!!
Nov 20, 2018
AIR BAGS,UNKNOWN OR OTHER
1 complaint
WAS DRIVING ABOUT 30 MPH , AIR CONDITIONING WAS ON RECIRCULATE I BLACKED OUT AND TOTALED THE CAR . HOSPITAL RAN A CARBON MONOXIDE TEST AND IT WAS HIGH ,WAS THE CAUSE OF BLACKOUT. NOW HAVE MEMORY PROBLEMS AND SEVERE BACK PAIN
Aug 22, 2018
Crash: 1
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,AIR BAGS
1 complaint
WHILE DRIVING TO WORK WITHIN THE CITY LIMITS MY DAUGHTER HAD AN ACCIDENT A FEW DAYS AGO INVOLVING A REAR END COLLISION WITH A FOUR WHEEL DRIVE PICKUP. SHE DIDN'T NOTICE THE CARS IN FRONT HAD STOPPED SUDDENLY AND HIT THE TRUCK IN FRONT OF HER. THE PROBLEM WITH THIS IS THAT HER FRONT PROXIMITY SIGNAL DIDN'T SOUND OFF WARNING SHE WAS TOO CLOSE AND AFTER THE IMPACT HER AIRBAGS NEVER DEPLOYED. VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING AT LEASTT 35 MPH. I AM VERY CONCERNED FOR HER SAFETY WITH THE CAR NOW AND IF IT'S REPAIRABLE WE WILL STILL SELL AS MY CONFIDENCE IN THE VEHICLE'S SAFETY IS GONE
Jul 14, 2018
Crash: 1
Injuries: 1
UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC),VISIBILITY/WIPER
1 complaint
WHEN STARTING OUR 2017 CHEVROLET SONIC THERE IS EXHAUST FUMES THAT ARE VERY STRONG THAT EVEN MAKE IT INTO THE INTERIOR OF THE CAR. THE EXHAUST WHEN IDLING WILL HAVE A LOUD RATTLE AND WILL BOTH ACCOMPANY THE EXHAUST FUMES AND AT TIMES WHEN THERE ISN'T THE STRONG EXHAUST FUMES. WE HAVE ALSO RECENTLY HAD TO START TURNING THE TRACTION CONTROL OFF AND WATCHING TO MAKE SURE IT STAYS OFF BECAUSE IT WILL RANDOMLY ACTIVATE ON DRY PAVEMENT AND WE WILL HAVE TO HOLD TIGHT TO THE STEERING WHEEL OR IT WILL JERK THE VEHICLE IN A DIFFERENT DIRECTION AND HAS ALMOST CAUSED CAR ACCIDENTS ON THREE SEPARATE OCCCASIONS.
Jun 22, 2018
AIR BAGS,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
1 complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2017 CHEVROLET SONIC. WHILE DRIVING OUT OF A PARKING LOT AT APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A POLE WITHOUT WARNING. ALL THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED CHEMICAL BURNS FROM THE AIR BAGS THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY AND DEEMED A TOTAL LOSS. THE DEALER WAS NOT CALLED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 55,000.
Jun 13, 2018
Crash: 1
Injuries: 1
4.7/5.0
74 reviews

Frequently Asked Questions

How many problems does the 2017 CHEVROLET Sonic have?

The 2017 CHEVROLET Sonic currently has 35 owner-reported complaints according to NHTSA database. These complaints are organized by component to help identify common issues.

What are the most common problems with 2017 CHEVROLET Sonic?

The most common problems reported for the 2017 CHEVROLET Sonic are organized by component above. Each component section shows owner-reported issues, crash reports, and fire incidents to help identify patterns and problem areas.

Where does this 2017 CHEVROLET Sonic problem data come from?

All problem and complaint data for the 2017 CHEVROLET Sonic comes directly from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) database. These are real complaints submitted by actual vehicle owners.

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