2016 Chevrolet Sonic recalls

Every recall campaign and owner complaint NHTSA has on file for the 2016 model year. Not every vehicle is affected by every campaign: check a specific car by VIN below.

Recall campaigns: 2
Park-it warnings: 0
Complaints: 48
Latest campaign: Jun 10, 2016

Recall summary by component2

NHTSA Recalls API · cached ≤24 h

Component	Campaigns	Latest	Campaign IDs
Electrical system	1	Jun 10, 2016	16V422000
Equipment	1	Apr 28, 2016	16V257000

Safety recalls2

NHTSA Recalls API · cached ≤24 h

0Park-it warnings

0Fixable over the air

Jun 10, 2016Latest campaign


Jun 10, 201616V422000	Electrical system: software Without audible indicators, the driver may not fasten their seatbelt, increasing the risk of injury during a crash. DetailsHide details for campaign 16V422000 What's wrong General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 Chevrolet Sonic and Trax, and 2013-2015 Spark vehicles equipped with a Bring Your Own Media radio. 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." Risk Without audible indicators, the driver may not fasten their seatbelt, increasing the risk of injury during a crash. Remedy GM will notify owners, and dealers will update the radio software, free of charge. The recall began on July 22, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 45340. Campaign NHTSA 16V422000 · Jun 10, 2016
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

Jun 10, 201616V422000

Electrical system: software

Without audible indicators, the driver may not fasten their seatbelt, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.

DetailsHide details for campaign 16V422000

What's wrong: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 Chevrolet Sonic and Trax, and 2013-2015 Spark vehicles equipped with a Bring Your Own Media radio. 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."
Risk: Without audible indicators, the driver may not fasten their seatbelt, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will update the radio software, free of charge. The recall began on July 22, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 45340.
Campaign: NHTSA 16V422000 · Jun 10, 2016

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

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 2016 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 component48

NHTSA Complaints API · cached ≤24 h

48Complaints filed

8Involving a crash

1Involving a fire

6Injuries reported

Component	Complaints	%	Crashes	Fires	Injuries
Engine	13	27	0	0	0
Electrical system	11	23	0	0	0
Unknown or other	8	17	1	0	1
Air bags	8	17	5	0	4
Fuel/propulsion system	5	10	1	0	0
Electronic stability control (ESC)	3	6	0	0	0
Power train	3	6	0	0	0
Suspension	3	6	1	0	0
Steering	2	4	0	0	0
Vehicle speed control	2	4	1	0	0
Engine and engine cooling	2	4	0	1	0
Seats	2	4	0	0	0
Service brakes	2	4	2	0	1
Structure	2	4	0	1	0
Latches/locks/linkages	1	2	0	0	0

2 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
“This car overheated and a head gasket blew. I am on a Facebook forum, and it seems like all of these cars have these problems. The Chevy Sonic ltz turbo 1.4 2016 is known for coolant issues and head gasket failures.”
Filed 02/18/2026 · ODI 11718737
Unknown or other
“Radio malfunctions. Channels automatically change and touch screen doesn't work all the time. I believe 2015 Sonic has a recall for this issue , but not 2016. It appears to be the same issue.”
Filed 01/26/2026 · ODI 11713403
Steering
“The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Sonic. The contact stated that the driver's side door was stuck, and extra force was needed to open the door. The contact stated that the failure was intermittent.”
Filed 08/26/2025 · ODI 11683159

Other Chevrolet Sonic model years

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2016 Chevrolet Sonic recall questions

How many recalls does the 2016 Chevrolet Sonic have?

NHTSA lists 2 safety recall campaigns for the 2016 Chevrolet Sonic. The most recent, 16V422000 (reported June 10, 2016), concerns electrical system. Not every vehicle is covered by every campaign; check a specific car by VIN.

What is the most common complaint about the 2016 Chevrolet Sonic?

Engine is the most-reported component, named in 13 complaints out of 48 filed with NHTSA (27%). Across all complaints, owners reported 8 crashs and 1 fire. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

How do I check if a recall is open on my 2016 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.

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