2020 Chevrolet Sonic problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Power Train (2) · Electrical System (2) · Steering (1)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Chevrolet Sonic model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
Safety recalls (0)
No recalls on record for this model year (campaigns announced since 2010).
Service bulletins (544)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Unknown Or Other 2026-09-26 · PIT5698F · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this pi provides diagnostics tips on how the lin bus works and how to diagnosis it.
Unknown Or Other 2026-09-04 · PIP4902W · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email gds2 session logs into technical assistance.
Unknown Or Other 2026-07-21 · PIT5099J · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
pi to help diagnose a/c concern
Unknown Or Other 2026-04-01 · PIT3271Q · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this preliminary information communicates information about how to determine if a wheel and tires size change is available.
Unknown Or Other 2026-03-09 · PIP6104 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this preliminary information communicates the steps on how to save a gds2 session log and upload to a technical assistance case in cx connect.
Unknown Or Other 2026-03-09 · PIP4902V · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email gds2 session logs into technical assistance.
Showing the 6 most recent of 544 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-06-22 · Engine“engine cooling system (thermostat housing / water outlet) the vehicle suffered a premature structural failure of the factory engine coolant thermostat housing. the component, which is manufactured from a fragile plastic composite, cracked completely open without warning, causing an immediate, rapid loss of engine coolant. this constitutes a severe…”
2025-11-01 · Electrical System“purchased from carvana. nine days after purchase came out to a dead battery took it to the authorized dealer and they said the battery was a bad cell battery. replace the battery. six days after they replaced the battery it was dead again. this time they had it in the shop for two weeks before they found the issue. it had been aftermarket wired wit…”
2024-11-15 · Seats“1. what component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? the passenger seat adjustment mechanism has failed, causing the seat to become stuck in the farthest rear position. the malfunction is likely related to either the motor, seat track, or the electrical system controlling the adjustment. the seat is …”
2024-07-28 · Unknown Or Other“having trouble with leaks and the evap purge system. i repaired it three times. the vehicle will turn off while driving. …”
2024-03-09 · Power Train“1st occurence at approximately 37k miles on vehicle has issue based on climate temperature sensor triggers a computer code 84 vehicle goes into limp mode to prevent engine failure however, this happens instantly no time to react and more than one occasion creating a hazardous driving situation in heavy traffic, vehicle also overheats creating hazar…”
2023-03-23 · Electrical System“there was an instance a couple months ago where i was driving and my ignition stopped. to my luck, i was in a safe area to stop but it is dangerous for this to be happening with my car while i am driving.…”
2023-03-07 · Steering“unknown -- during driving the vehicle the radio and power steering will stop working, locks and key for occasionally have issues, and the car shuts down and has to be re-started. sometimes will take a minute or two to be able to be re-started. if car stalls at high speeds could cause a catastrophic accident, injuring possibly killing driver or ot…”
2021-06-28 · Air Bags · 5,000 mi“the contact owns a 2020 chevrolet sonic. the contact stated that while her granddaughter was driving approximately 40 mph, the front driver’s and passenger’s side air bags erroneously deployed causing the driver to lose control of the steering wheel and the vehicle drove off the roadway. the vehicle was not involved in a crash before the air bags d…”
2020-10-26 · Power Train · 1,800 mi“manufacturers owners manual instructions may lead to transmission / electrical failures which may cause an accident when traveling. the recreational towing instructions require that fuses be removed (step 5) before next steps including shifting vehicle into park and turning ignition to the on position . those steps ( 6-9) can not be executed if…”
2020-02-11 · Electrical System:ignition“2020 chevrolet sonic. consumer writes in regards to defective keyless ignition. *ld the consumer stated the it was possible to turn off the keyless entry without first putting the vehicle in park. it is also possible to shift out of park before starting the ignition. *js…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.