2018 Chevrolet Sonic Problems, Complaints & Recalls
- Compared with other Sonic years
- Far fewer complaints than other years 7th of 10 for complaints
- Safety recalls
- 1 recall: check your VIN
- NHTSA crash rating
- 5 out of 5 stars
Owners have filed 14 complaints with NHTSA about the 2018 Chevrolet Sonic. That ranks 7th out of 10 Sonic model years for complaints. The most reported problem area is electrical system (5 complaints, 36%), typically at around 26,950 miles. There is 1 safety recall covering this model year.

- 14owner complaints
- 1safety recalls
- 0NHTSA investigations
- 0complaints mentioning a crash
Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.
Most common 2018 Chevrolet Sonic problems
Complaints grouped by the part of the car owners reported, with the median mileage when the problem happened.
| Problem area | Complaints | Share | Median miles | Owners mention most | Typical repair cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical System | 5 | 36% | 26,950 | — | — |
| Engine | 4 | 29% | 56,500 | — | — |
| Seats | 2 | 14% | 21,500 | — | — |
| Unknown or Other | 2 | 14% | — | — | — |
| Wheels | 2 | 14% | 96,000 | — | — |
| Air Bags | 1 | 7% | 15,000 | — | — |
| Exterior Lighting | 1 | 7% | — | — | — |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 1 | 7% | — | — | — |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 1 | 7% | 85,000 | — | — |
| Parking Brake | 1 | 7% | 28,000 | — | — |
| Seat Belts | 1 | 7% | 39,000 | — | — |
| Steering | 1 | 7% | — | — | — |
| Visibility/wiper | 1 | 7% | — | — | — |
One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.
Complaints by year received
2018 Chevrolet Sonic recalls (1)
Tap a recall to see the problem, the risk and the fix.
Seats
Problem: 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.
Risk: In the event of a rear-impact crash, the seat-back may fail, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix: 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 18178.
To see whether a specific car still has an open recall, enter its VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup. You can also decode a VIN here.
Recent owner reports
Short excerpts of the latest complaints filed with NHTSA, with personal details removed. Full reports can be searched on NHTSA.gov.
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" and that no further help would be offered - despite my vehicle exhibiting a recurring…
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 illuminated. Additionally, the contact stated that the vehicle was consuming an excessive amount of fuel…
My car has had CAM shaft issues upon buying the car. I have taken the car to Chevrolet in Dallas and in Forney, TX and the car still has the same issue. My car engine check light has remained on and consulting a personal mechanic, they informed me that this could be a recall issue and that I should…
The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Sonic. The contact stated that while a 95-pound passenger was seated in the front passengerâs seat, the air bag system was deactivated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who was unable to determine a failure and indicated no failure was found. The…
The has as well as mileage is not accurate and it constantly changes even while not driving which is adding more miles to car than actually is and you will never know how much gas you have in car truly which is safety concern especially if you are driving on interstate and canât tell how much gas…
Other Chevrolet Sonic years
| Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 Sonic | 10 | 0 |
| 2019 Sonic | 8 | 0 |
| 2018 | 14 | 1 |
| 2017 Sonic | 37 | 0 |
| 2016 Sonic | 48 | 2 |
| 2015 Sonic | 114 | 3 |
| 2014 Sonic | 150 | 4 |
| 2013 Sonic | 217 | 6 |
| 2012 Sonic | 354 | 7 |
| 2011 Sonic | 1 | 0 |
See all Chevrolet Sonic problems by year, every Chevrolet model, or the Chevrolet VIN decoder.
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Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 2018 Chevrolet Sonic?
Owners most often report electrical system, engine, seats problems. The top one, electrical system, accounts for 5 complaints.
Was there a recall on the 2018 Chevrolet Sonic?
Yes, 1 safety recall. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.
Was the 2018 Chevrolet Sonic a good year?
Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other Sonic model years, the 2018 has far fewer complaints than most years, and NHTSA rates it 5 out of 5 stars overall in crash tests. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.