2015 Chevrolet Sonic: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2015 Chevrolet Sonic: 3 recalls, 114 owner complaints and up to 32 mpg combined.
Recalls
3 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Equipment Vehicle recall #15V416000 · 2015 · 45,785 vehicles
What's wrong: In the affected vehicles, equipped with the base radio and onstar, the radio May lock up due to a software issue, causing the display to go blank and all audio functions to cease. Because of this, there May be no warning chimes such as the reminder to buckle the seat belt and the key being left in ignition when the driver goes to exit the vehicle. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of…
Why it matters: Without audible indicators, the driver May leave the key in the ignition, increasing the risk of theft. If a driver or front passenger does not buckle their seat belt, there would be no chime to remind them to fasten their seat belts. If a driver or passenger does not buckle their seat belt there…
The fix: Gm will notify owners, and dealers will update the radio software, free of charge. The recall began on August 11, 2015.
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.
Electrical, Equipment Vehicle recall #16V422000 · 2016 · 18,780 vehicles
What's wrong: The affected radios May fail to provide an audible warning chime when the driver fails to fasten their seatbelt or if the driver leaves the key in the ignition. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (fmvss) numbers 208 "occupant crash protection" and 114 "theft protection."
Why it matters: Without audible indicators, the driver May not fasten their seatbelt, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.
The fix: Gm will notify owners, and dealers will update the radio software, free of charge. The recall began on July 22, 2016.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 3 mention a fire, 19 injuries and 1 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Electrical (34): the most common themes are door / lock issues (14), stalls / loses power (11), electrical failure (9).
- Airbags (27): the most common themes are fails to deploy (10), warning light on (7).
- Engine (23): the most common themes are leaks (6), stalls / loses power (5).
- Other / unknown (22): the most common themes are stalls / loses power (3), warning light on (3).
The 2015 Chevrolet Sonic has 114 owner complaints, ranking #4 of 10 Sonic model years for complaints (about average; the typical year has 95). Complaints peaked in 2016 (17 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 4 years old, at a median of 35,000 miles. Neighboring years: 2014 (150 complaints, 4 recalls), 2016 (48 complaints, 2 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 2015 Chevrolet Sonic.
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FAQ
Does the 2015 Chevrolet Sonic have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 3 vehicle recalls for the 2015 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 2015 Chevrolet Sonic problems?
Owners have filed 114 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are electrical (34), airbags (27), engine (23).
What gas mileage does the 2015 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 2015 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.