Worst 2013 Chevrolet Sonic Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
Electrical Faults
Engine Problems
Transmission / Drivetrain
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All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2013 Chevrolet Sonic.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical Faults | 55 | 4 | — | 60,428 mi | |
| Engine Problems | 55 | 3 | 2 | 67,260 mi | |
| Transmission / Drivetrain | 38 | 2 | — | 52,170 mi | |
| Airbags | 25 | 17 | — | 41,973 mi | |
| Fuel System | 13 | — | — | 54,351 mi | |
| Steering Defects | 13 | 2 | — | 50,438 mi | |
| Electronic Stability Control | 12 | 1 | — | 52,593 mi | |
| Brakes | 11 | 2 | — | 25,600 mi | |
| Suspension Failures | 8 | 1 | — | 43,400 mi | |
| Wipers & Visibility | 8 | — | — | 37,753 mi | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 7 | 2 | — | 29,984 mi | |
| Engine & Cooling | 5 | — | 1 | 43,100 mi | |
| Body Structure | 5 | 2 | — | 46,420 mi | |
| Headlight/Taillight Failures | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Seat Belt Issues | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Latches / Locks | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Seat-Related Issues | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Structural Problems | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Wheel Issues | 2 | 1 | — | — | |
| Electrical System:Ignition | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical System:Wiring | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control:Catalytic Convertor | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Gasoline Fuel System | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Structure:Body:Door | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Tire Defects | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Tires:Sidewall | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Visibility:Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System | 1 | — | — | — |
Search Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2013 Chevrolet Sonic. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Recalls for 2013 Chevrolet Sonic
6 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting ~337,813 vehicles.
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.
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."
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.
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.
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."
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."
Other Chevrolet Sonic Years
2013 Chevrolet Sonic — FAQ
Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.
Is the 2013 Chevrolet Sonic reliable?
What are common problems with the 2013 Chevrolet Sonic?
At what mileage do problems start on the 2013 Chevrolet Sonic?
How safe is the 2013 Chevrolet Sonic?
Does the 2013 Chevrolet Sonic have any recalls?
Should I buy a 2013 Chevrolet Sonic?
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.
Wider context: See the full Chevrolet Sonic reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.
Check Your Specific 2013 Chevrolet Sonic
Real owner complaints tell you about the model. The VIN tells you about your specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud.
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