Representative model. Photo: Cutlass, Wikimedia Commons, CC0

Recalls & complaints · NHTSA data

2013 Chevrolet Sonic recalls

Every recall campaign and owner complaint NHTSA has on file for the 2013 model year. Not every vehicle is affected by every campaign: check a specific car by VIN below.

Recall campaigns: 6
Park-it warnings: 0
Complaints: 217
Latest campaign: Jul 27, 2023

Recall summary by component6

NHTSA Recalls API · cached ≤24 h

Component	Campaigns	Latest	Campaign IDs
Equipment	2	Apr 28, 2016	16V257000 14V417000
Electrical system	2	May 24, 2013	13V220000 12V454000
Air bags	1	Jul 27, 2023	23V516000
Fuel system, gasoline	1	Sep 26, 2013	13V464000

Safety recalls6

NHTSA Recalls API · cached ≤24 h

0Park-it warnings

0Fixable over the air

Jul 27, 2023Latest campaign


Jul 27, 202323V516000	Air bags: frontal driver side An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death. DetailsHide details for campaign 23V516000 What's wrong General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2013 Buick Verano, Chevrolet Camero, Sonic, and Volt vehicles. The driver-side air bag inflator may explode during deployment due to a manufacturing defect. Risk An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death. Remedy 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. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300 and Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N232413120. Campaign NHTSA 23V516000 · Jul 27, 2023
Apr 28, 201616V257000	Equipment: electrical radio/tape deck/cd etc. Without audible indicators, the driver may leave the key in the ignition, increasing the risk of theft. DetailsHide details for campaign 16V257000 What's wrong General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013-2016 Chevrolet Sonic and Trax vehicles and 2013-2015 Chevrolet Spark vehicles equipped with a Bring Your Own Media radio. 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." Risk Without audible indicators, the driver may leave the key in the ignition, increasing the risk of theft. Remedy GM will notify owners, and dealers will update the radio software, free of charge. The manufacturer has not yet provided a notification schedule. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 17130. Campaign NHTSA 16V257000 · Apr 28, 2016
Jul 2, 201414V417000	Equipment: electrical Exposed wires increase the risk of electrical shock and personal injury if the cord is handled while it is plugged in. DetailsHide details for campaign 14V417000 What's wrong General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Buick Encore all-wheel-drive vehicles manufactured August 23, 2012, to September 9, 2013; Verano vehicles manufactured August 8, 2012, to June 20, 2013; Chevrolet Cruze vehicles manufactured August 7, 2012, to August 16, 2013, and 2012-2014 Chevrolet Sonic vehicles manufactured May 10, 2011, to August 16, 2012 equipped with a Calix oil pan/block heater. In cold temperatures, the insulation on the engine block heater cord can become damaged, allowing the wires to be exposed. Risk Exposed wires increase the risk of electrical shock and personal injury if the cord is handled while it is plugged in. Remedy 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. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 14257. Campaign NHTSA 14V417000 · Jul 2, 2014
Sep 26, 201313V464000	Fuel system, gasoline: storage tank assembly If the front fuel tank strap bracket separates, the increased load may lead to the failure of the other tank support. DetailsHide details for campaign 13V464000 What's wrong General Motors (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013 and 2014 Chevrolet Sonic vehicles manufactured August 2, 2013, through August 12, 2013. Due to insufficient welds, the front fuel tank strap bracket may separate from the vehicle. Risk 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. Remedy 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. Owners may contact GM at 1-800-521-7300. GM's recall campaign number is 13296. Campaign NHTSA 13V464000 · Sep 26, 2013
May 24, 201313V220000	Electrical system 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… DetailsHide details for campaign 13V220000 What's wrong General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013 Cadillac ATS and model year 2013 Cadillac XTS; model year 2014 Chevrolet Impala; and 2013 Chevrolet Sonic vehicles. 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 intermittently flash without the brakes being applied and the cruise control may disengage. Thus, these vehicles fail to conform to the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 108, "Lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment." Risk 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. Remedy 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. Campaign NHTSA 13V220000 · May 24, 2013
Sep 17, 201212V454000	Electrical system 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,… DetailsHide details for campaign 12V454000 What's wrong General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013 Chevrolet Sonic vehicles manufactured from May 29, 2012, through August 29, 2012. 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." Risk 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. Remedy 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. Owners may contact the Chevrolet owner center at 1-866-694-6546. Campaign NHTSA 12V454000 · Sep 17, 2012

To see whether a recall is still open on your car, enter the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or the Chevrolet recall lookup. Recall repairs are free at a franchised dealer (federal law; see limits).

Buying a used 2013 Chevrolet Sonic? Recalls cover the model; a history report checks one car's title, odometer and accident records. VinAudit history report → Sponsored · disclosure

Owner complaints by component217

NHTSA Complaints API · cached ≤24 h

217Complaints filed

24Involving a crash

4Involving a fire

20Injuries reported

Component	Complaints	%	Crashes	Fires	Injuries
Electrical system	56	26	4	0	7
Engine	55	25	3	2	1
Unknown or other	45	21	2	1	0
Power train	38	18	2	0	1
Air bags	25	12	17	0	17
Fuel/propulsion system	13	6	0	0	0
Steering	13	6	2	0	2
Electronic stability control (ESC)	12	6	1	0	0
Service brakes	11	5	2	0	1
Structure	8	4	2	0	0
Suspension	8	4	1	0	1
Visibility/wiper	8	4	0	0	0
Vehicle speed control	7	3	2	0	1
Engine and engine cooling	6	3	0	1	0
Exterior lighting	3	1	0	0	0

8 more components with fewer complaints not shown. An owner can tag several components, so percentages add up to more than 100. Complaints are unverified owner reports, de-duplicated by NHTSA ODI number.

Latest reports

Engine and engine cooling
“The contact owned a 2013 Chevrolet Sonic. The contact stated that the vehicle had previously sustained undercarriage damage while driving at 20 MPH and hitting a pothole. The undercarriage was repaired.”
Filed 01/08/2026 · ODI 11709620
Engine
“Vehicle enters into catalyst monitor too early. Monitor Fales indicating that the catalyst is below efficiency threshold.”
Filed 06/10/2025 · ODI 11666137
Air bags
“On 7-27-2023 General Motors issued a recall on 2013 models of Sonic, my VIN was not included in this recall.”
Filed 04/17/2025 · ODI 11655253

Other Chevrolet Sonic model years

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2013 Chevrolet Sonic recall questions

How many recalls does the 2013 Chevrolet Sonic have?

NHTSA lists 6 safety recall campaigns for the 2013 Chevrolet Sonic. The most recent, 23V516000 (reported July 27, 2023), concerns air bags. Not every vehicle is covered by every campaign; check a specific car by VIN.

What are the 2013 Chevrolet Sonic recalls for?

The largest group is equipment, with 2 campaigns. Others: electrical system (2), air bags (1), fuel system, gasoline (1). Each campaign below lists the defect, the risk and the free remedy.

What is the most common complaint about the 2013 Chevrolet Sonic?

Electrical system is the most-reported component, named in 56 complaints out of 217 filed with NHTSA (26%). Across all complaints, owners reported 24 crashs and 4 fires. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

How do I check if a recall is open on my 2013 Chevrolet Sonic?

Enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or the Chevrolet recall lookup. That shows campaigns still unrepaired on that exact car. Safety recall repairs are free at a franchised Chevrolet dealer.

Check a specific Chevrolet by VIN

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