2018 Chevrolet Sonic Owner Complaints

Complaint Summary
The 2018 Chevrolet Sonic has 23 reported complaints.
- Top issues involve electrical system and engine.
Reliability Score
Reliability Score
Based on 23 complaints
Most Frequent Issues
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
5 21.7%
ENGINE
4 17.4%
SEATS
2 8.7%
WHEELS
2 8.7%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
2 8.7%
Quick Insights
The top category is ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, accounting for 21.7% of all complaints.
Owners have reported issues across 13 distinct vehicle systems.
Note: Complaint data reflects owner reports and may not always indicate a verified defect. Compare with Recalls and TSBs for a complete picture.
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What owners keep reporting on the 2018 Chevrolet Sonic
The 2018 Chevrolet Sonic has 23 owner complaints in this dataset. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM is the most common complaint category, representing about 22% of the reports shown here.
Most common complaint categories
The top complaint groups for the 2018 Chevrolet Sonic are ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (5), ENGINE (4), SEATS (2).
Are these complaints a serious red flag?
Potentially. 14 complaint reports involve higher-attention systems like brakes, steering, engine, powertrain, fuel, suspension, airbags, or electrical components, which is enough to justify a focused inspection.
What should buyers inspect on a used 2018 Chevrolet Sonic?
Start with the top complaint systems, compare them against the recall report, then inspect service records for evidence that those same areas were already repaired or monitored.
Detailed Complaint Log
Showing 13 of 13 systems
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
5 Reports22% of totalPreviewing the first 2 complaint summaries.
MY 2018 CHEVROLET SONIC RADIO SCREEN WENT BLACK WITHOUT WARNING WHILE I WAS DRIVING. I LOST ALL FUNCTIONS THROUGH THE RADIO SCREEN. THIS HAPPENED A SECOND TIME IN ROUTE TO WORK WITHIN A FEW DAYS. I'M CONCERNED THAT THE RADIO MAY GO BLACK DURING AN EMERGENCY WHEN I NEED TO USE ON STAR.
9/16/2019
HAVING AN ISSUE WITH THE RADIO ITSELF, ITS WENT BLACK A FEW TIMES ON ME AS I WAS DRIVING. AND ALSO WHEN I WAS PARKED. NO RESPONSE ON IT AT ALL. IM AFRAID IF SOMETHING HAPPENS LIKE WHEN IM IN A WRECK AND WHEN I TRY TO CALL ONSTAR WHILE ITS NOT WORKING IM AFRAID OF IT NOT CONNECTING, AND ALSO IVE HAD ISSUES WITH THE WINDOW SWITCHES NOT ROLLING UP OR DOWN THE WINDOWS NO CLICKING NOISES WHEN I PUSH ON THE SWITCH ALL FOUR HAVE DONE IT, ACTING LIKE ITS NOT GETTING A ELECTRIC SIGNAL TO THE SWITCHES, WHAT I USUALLY DO WHEN THAT HAPPENS IS PULL THE CAR OVER TURN OFF THE IGINITION AND LET THE CAR SIT FOR 30 SECONDS THEN START THE CAR AND IT USUALLY WORKS. IVE ALSO CHECKED TO MAKE SURE THE SAFETY SWITCH AINT ON AND IT ISNT.
12/26/2019
ENGINE
4 Reports17% of totalPreviewing the first 2 complaint summaries.
TODAY I'M WRITING IN BEHALF OF CARITE OF OAKLAND PARK I HAD A EMAIL CHAT WITH BRIAN MCCOY THE BRANCH OWNER OF THE COMPANY, I WAS TOLD BY HIM THAT THE CAR WAS PUT IN AS REPO STATUS, DUE TO ME GIVING THE CAR BACK. I FEEL MY LIFE WAS PUT IN DANGER NUMEROUS OF TIMES AND DUE TO THE NEGLIGENCE OF THE COMPANY I WAS NOT GIVEN A RELIABLE VEHICLE NOR WAS I TREATED AS A VALUED CUSTOMER... GOOD DAY, I'VE MADE ALL ATTEMPTS REGARDING THIS SITUATION WITH CARITE I'M THE TIME ALLOWED.. I'M REQUESTING A FULL REFUND OF MY MONEY I'VE MADE IT CLEAR AND I DON'T WANT NOTHING ELSE FROM THESE PEOPLE AT THIS COMPANY. I'VE TOLD THE OWNER NOT TO HAVE THE CAR DELIVERED ON TODAY 2/8/20 HE STILL INSIST THE DRIVER GREG TO DO SO, I'VE REJECTED TO RECEIVE THE VEHICLE INSTEAD OF HONORING MY REQUEST I'M GETTING PHONE CALLS FROM OTHER PARTIES AT CARITE I GUESS TO RECONSIDER! NO, I WANT MY MONEY MY LIFE WILL NOT BE IN DANGER DUE TO THEY'RE NEGLIGENCE.. THANK YOU,THE ITEMS SUBMITTED ARE RECEIPTS OF PAYMENTS ALSO, THE DAY OF 1/20/20 I DROVE TO FORT LAUDERDALE ON THE ACCEPT ION OF GETTING THE AC REPAIRED AND THE WINDSHIELD. NOTHING TOOK PLACE FOR BEING THERE FOR 6 HOURS ONLY TO HEAD BACK HOME EXHAUSTED�� AND TO FINALLY GET 50 MILES HOME THE CAR STARTED TO BLOW WHITE EXHAUST FROM THE VENTS, I IMMEDIATELY CALLED CARITE AND SPOKE WITH KIM, WHO'S IN RESPONSIBLE FOR REPAIR AND MAINTENANCE. I TOLD HER WHAT WAS GOING ON AND THAT I'VE HAD ENOUGH. I GET HOME, WAKE UP THE NEXT DAY TO GO TO A DR APPOINTMENT ONLY FOR THE CAR TO NOT STAR! I LIFT THE HOOD SO MY NEIGHBOR COULD GIVE ME A JUMP AND THIS IS WHAT I FIND UNDER THE HOOD.. ( THE PLIERS NEXT TO THE BATTERY THAT WAS LEFT THERE AND I DROVE HOME WITH IT ON THE CAR THAT'S ALONE IT'S ENOUGH PUTS MY LIFE IN DANGER...
3/5/2020
The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Sonic. The contact stated that operating the vehicle, the front driver side seat would erroneously slide forward causing the driver's knees to make contact with the dash panel. In addition, while driving at various speeds the vehicle had suddenly stalled. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who diagnosed that the electronic control unit hardware was faulty. Also, the emergency brake cable was hanging low to the ground under the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The local dealer was notified of the failures. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 28,000.
10/12/2021
SEATS
2 Reports9% of totalPreviewing the first 2 complaint summaries.
MY DRIVER SEAT DROPS A LEVEL WHILE I DRIVE . VERY DANGEROUS AND HAZARDOUS.
11/14/2018
The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Sonic. The contact stated that operating the vehicle, the front driver side seat would erroneously slide forward causing the driver's knees to make contact with the dash panel. In addition, while driving at various speeds the vehicle had suddenly stalled. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who diagnosed that the electronic control unit hardware was faulty. Also, the emergency brake cable was hanging low to the ground under the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The local dealer was notified of the failures. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 28,000.
10/12/2021
WHEELS
2 Reports9% of totalPreviewing the first 2 complaint summaries.
THE 2018 SONIC IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE IN THE SNOW. IT HAS NO TRACTION TO START FROM A STOPPED POSITION, NO TRACTION TO STOP AND NO ABILITY TO CONTROL STEERING OR TURNING.
2/19/2019
MY RADIO TURNS OFF AND ON, ON ITS OWN. ALSO WHEN I HAVE MY BLUETOOTH TURNED ON FOR MY PHONE, IT GETS STUCK AFTER I HANG UP THE PHONE AFTER A CALL. I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK ON A STATE ROAD. MY RIGHT WHEEL BEARING WENT OUT AND I HAD TO REPLACE IT LAST YEAR.
3/3/2021
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
2 Reports9% of totalPreviewing the first 2 complaint summaries.
THE 2018 SONIC IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE IN THE SNOW. IT HAS NO TRACTION TO START FROM A STOPPED POSITION, NO TRACTION TO STOP AND NO ABILITY TO CONTROL STEERING OR TURNING.
2/19/2019
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 report it.
11/6/2022
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
1 Report4% of totalPreviewing the first 1 complaint summaries.
DURING NIGHT OPERATION, THE BACKLIGHT OF THE CENTER SCREEN IS SO BRIGHT IT CAUSES DIFFICULTY SEEING THE ROAD. THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER IS AT AN ACCEPTABLE LEVEL (AS ADJUSTED BY THE SWITCH TO THE LEFT OF THE STEERING WHEEL), BUT THE CENTER SCREEN IS STILL TOO BRIGHT. A SIMPLE FLOATING SOFTWARE BUTTON ALLOWING A DISPLAY OFF FUNCTION WOULD ADDRESS ISSUE. AS IT IS, THE DISPLAY OFF FUNCTION IS HIDDEN IN A SUBMENU REQUIRING INATTENTION TO THE ROAD TO ACTIVATE. *TR
11/16/2018
STEERING
1 Report4% of totalPreviewing the first 1 complaint summaries.
THE 2018 SONIC IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE IN THE SNOW. IT HAS NO TRACTION TO START FROM A STOPPED POSITION, NO TRACTION TO STOP AND NO ABILITY TO CONTROL STEERING OR TURNING.
2/19/2019
VISIBILITY/WIPER
1 Report4% of totalPreviewing the first 1 complaint summaries.
TODAY I'M WRITING IN BEHALF OF CARITE OF OAKLAND PARK I HAD A EMAIL CHAT WITH BRIAN MCCOY THE BRANCH OWNER OF THE COMPANY, I WAS TOLD BY HIM THAT THE CAR WAS PUT IN AS REPO STATUS, DUE TO ME GIVING THE CAR BACK. I FEEL MY LIFE WAS PUT IN DANGER NUMEROUS OF TIMES AND DUE TO THE NEGLIGENCE OF THE COMPANY I WAS NOT GIVEN A RELIABLE VEHICLE NOR WAS I TREATED AS A VALUED CUSTOMER... GOOD DAY, I'VE MADE ALL ATTEMPTS REGARDING THIS SITUATION WITH CARITE I'M THE TIME ALLOWED.. I'M REQUESTING A FULL REFUND OF MY MONEY I'VE MADE IT CLEAR AND I DON'T WANT NOTHING ELSE FROM THESE PEOPLE AT THIS COMPANY. I'VE TOLD THE OWNER NOT TO HAVE THE CAR DELIVERED ON TODAY 2/8/20 HE STILL INSIST THE DRIVER GREG TO DO SO, I'VE REJECTED TO RECEIVE THE VEHICLE INSTEAD OF HONORING MY REQUEST I'M GETTING PHONE CALLS FROM OTHER PARTIES AT CARITE I GUESS TO RECONSIDER! NO, I WANT MY MONEY MY LIFE WILL NOT BE IN DANGER DUE TO THEY'RE NEGLIGENCE.. THANK YOU,THE ITEMS SUBMITTED ARE RECEIPTS OF PAYMENTS ALSO, THE DAY OF 1/20/20 I DROVE TO FORT LAUDERDALE ON THE ACCEPT ION OF GETTING THE AC REPAIRED AND THE WINDSHIELD. NOTHING TOOK PLACE FOR BEING THERE FOR 6 HOURS ONLY TO HEAD BACK HOME EXHAUSTED�� AND TO FINALLY GET 50 MILES HOME THE CAR STARTED TO BLOW WHITE EXHAUST FROM THE VENTS, I IMMEDIATELY CALLED CARITE AND SPOKE WITH KIM, WHO'S IN RESPONSIBLE FOR REPAIR AND MAINTENANCE. I TOLD HER WHAT WAS GOING ON AND THAT I'VE HAD ENOUGH. I GET HOME, WAKE UP THE NEXT DAY TO GO TO A DR APPOINTMENT ONLY FOR THE CAR TO NOT STAR! I LIFT THE HOOD SO MY NEIGHBOR COULD GIVE ME A JUMP AND THIS IS WHAT I FIND UNDER THE HOOD.. ( THE PLIERS NEXT TO THE BATTERY THAT WAS LEFT THERE AND I DROVE HOME WITH IT ON THE CAR THAT'S ALONE IT'S ENOUGH PUTS MY LIFE IN DANGER...
3/5/2020
SEAT BELTS
1 Report4% of totalPreviewing the first 1 complaint summaries.
THE PASSENGER SEAT BELT DOES NOT CLIP OR WILL COME UNDONE AT ANY GIVEN TIME. I MADE THE DEALERSHIP AWARE OF THE CONCERN WHEN THE VEHICLE HAD APPROXIMATELY 39,000 MILES. THEY STATED THAT SINCE IT WAS OUT OF WARRANTY IT DID NOT QUALIFY FOR PRODUCTION DEFECT. THIS IS A SAFETY CONCERN THAT COULD ENDANGER THE LIFE OF A PERSON IF WEST BELT FAILS DURING A CRASH.
9/1/2020
PARKING BRAKE
1 Report4% of totalPreviewing the first 1 complaint summaries.
The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Sonic. The contact stated that operating the vehicle, the front driver side seat would erroneously slide forward causing the driver's knees to make contact with the dash panel. In addition, while driving at various speeds the vehicle had suddenly stalled. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who diagnosed that the electronic control unit hardware was faulty. Also, the emergency brake cable was hanging low to the ground under the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The local dealer was notified of the failures. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 28,000.
10/12/2021
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
1 Report4% of totalPreviewing the first 1 complaint summaries.
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 you have in car and suddenly run out of gas while other are behind you going 70 mph which can cause a wreck
4/30/2022
AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION:FRONT PASSENGER
1 Report4% of totalPreviewing the first 1 complaint summaries.
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 manufacturer was notified of the issue. The failure mileage was 15,000.
6/28/2022
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
1 Report4% of totalPreviewing the first 1 complaint summaries.
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. The contact stated that the canister purge valve had previously been replaced, but the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who determined that the canister purge valve needed to be replaced a second time. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 85,000.
5/15/2025
Data and Methodology
Scores are derived from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints, normalized by vehicle segment averages.
What are the most common owner complaints for the 2018 Chevrolet Sonic?
Are complaints about the 2018 Chevrolet Sonic a serious warning sign?
How should buyers use complaint data for the 2018 Chevrolet Sonic?
Are complaints about the 2018 Chevrolet Sonic severe?
Complaint list entries are sourced from owner-submitted NHTSA ODI records.
Chevrolet Sonic: How should complaint data influence buying decisions?
Carfocal links complaint data directly to recall and maintenance routes for the same model year.
- Complaint entries
- 23
- Top-topic view
- 5 grouped topics shown
- Primary source
- NHTSA ODI owner complaint records
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