2013 Chevrolet Sonic: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2013 Chevrolet Sonic: 6 recalls, 217 owner complaints and up to 32 mpg combined.
Recalls
6 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Exterior lights, Electrical Vehicle recall #12V454000 · 2012 · 4,716 vehicles
What's wrong: 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."
Why it matters: 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.
The fix: 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.
Exterior lights, Electrical Vehicle recall #13V220000 · 2013 · 10,210 vehicles
What's wrong: 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…
Why it matters: 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.
The fix: 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.
Fuel system Vehicle recall #13V464000 · 2013 · 1,558 vehicles
What's wrong: Due to insufficient welds, the front fuel tank strap bracket May separate from the vehicle.
Why it matters: 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.
The fix: 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.
Equipment Vehicle recall #14V417000 · 2014 · 2,990 vehicles
What's wrong: In cold temperatures, the insulation on the engine block heater cord can become damaged, allowing the wires to be exposed.
Why it matters: Exposed wires increase the risk of electrical shock and personal injury if the cord is handled while it is plugged in.
The fix: 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.
Electrical, Equipment Vehicle recall #16V257000 · 2016 · 317,572 vehicles
What's wrong: 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."
Why it matters: Without audible indicators, the driver May leave the key in the ignition, increasing the risk of theft.
The fix: Gm will notify owners, and dealers will update the radio software, free of charge. The manufacturer has not yet provided a notification schedule.
Airbags Vehicle recall #23V516000 · 2023 · 767 vehicles
What's wrong: The driver-side air bag inflator May explode during deployment due to a manufacturing defect.
Why it matters: An inflator explosion May result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
The fix: 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.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 4 mention a fire, 20 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Electrical (56): the most common themes are door / lock issues (14), electrical failure (14).
- Engine (55): the most common themes are warning light on (15), leaks (11), noise or vibration (8).
- Other / unknown (45): the most common themes are warning light on (6).
- Transmission & drivetrain (38): the most common themes are hard / delayed shifting (21), leaks (9), stalls / loses power (5).
The 2013 Chevrolet Sonic has 217 owner complaints, ranking #2 of 10 Sonic model years for complaints (2.3× the average Sonic year). Complaints peaked in 2016 (35 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 3 years old, at a median of 50,000 miles. Neighboring years: 2012 (354 complaints, 7 recalls), 2014 (150 complaints, 4 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.4 L 4-cyl turbo | Manual 6-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 28 | 38 | 32 | Regular |
| 1.4 L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (S6) | Front-Wheel Drive | 27 | 36 | 30 | Regular |
| 1.8 L 4-cyl | Manual 5-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 26 | 34 | 29 | Regular |
| 1.8 L 4-cyl | Automatic (S6) | Front-Wheel Drive | 24 | 34 | 28 | Regular |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 2013 Chevrolet Sonic.
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FAQ
Does the 2013 Chevrolet Sonic have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 6 vehicle recalls for the 2013 Chevrolet Sonic. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 2013 Chevrolet Sonic problems?
Owners have filed 217 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are electrical (56), engine (55), other / unknown (45).
What gas mileage does the 2013 Chevrolet Sonic get?
EPA ratings run up to 32 mpg combined (1.4 L, Manual 6-spd), across 4 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 2013 Chevrolet Sonic repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.