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Model Year Problem Record

Chevrolet Sonic 2013 - Problems, Recalls, and Investigations

The complete public record for the 2013 Chevrolet Sonic: what owners reported, which systems drew recalls, and where complaints exist that no recall has ever covered.

217Distinct owner complaintsSource: NHTSA Complaints
6Recall campaignsSource: NHTSA Recalls
2Defect investigationsSource: NHTSA Investigations
43Complaints reporting a crash or fireOwner Reports, Unverified

Complaints by System

Distinct complaints naming each system, most reported first. Select a system for its own page.

Did a Recall Cover It?

The join between complaints and recalls for this model year, system by system. A gap does not prove a defect - it means owners reported the problem and no recall campaign covers that system on this model year.

Engine61 complaints

61 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Electrical System57 complaints

57 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 16V257000.

Unknown Or Other45 complaints

45 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Power Train38 complaints

38 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Air Bags25 complaints

25 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 23V516000.

Fuel and Propulsion System14 complaints

14 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 13V464000.

Steering13 complaints

13 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Driver Assistance and Stability Systems12 complaints

12 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Brakes11 complaints

11 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Visibility9 complaints

9 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Suspension8 complaints

8 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Vehicle Structure8 complaints

8 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Vehicle Speed Control7 complaints

7 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Lighting3 complaints

3 complaints; 2 recall campaigns cover this system. Campaigns: 12V454000, 13V220000.

Seat Belts3 complaints

3 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Latches, Locks and Linkages2 complaints

2 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Wheels2 complaints

2 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Seats2 complaints

2 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Tires2 complaints

2 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Recall Campaigns

Every campaign covering this model year, in our own words. The campaign number is the official reference.

12V454000Reported September 17, 2012 - 4,716 vehicles potentially affected

Lighting. Recall covering the lighting system, reported to NHTSA on September 17, 2012. The campaign covers an estimated 4,716 vehicles across all affected models.

13V220000Reported May 24, 2013 - 10,210 vehicles potentially affected

Lighting. Recall covering the lighting system, reported to NHTSA on May 24, 2013. The campaign covers an estimated 10,210 vehicles across all affected models.

13V464000Reported September 26, 2013 - 1,558 vehicles potentially affected

Fuel and Propulsion System. Recall covering the fuel and propulsion system system, reported to NHTSA on September 26, 2013. The campaign covers an estimated 1,558 vehicles across all affected models.

14V417000Reported July 2, 2014 - 2,990 vehicles potentially affected

Equipment. Recall covering the equipment system, reported to NHTSA on July 2, 2014. The campaign covers an estimated 2,990 vehicles across all affected models.

16V257000Reported April 28, 2016 - 317,572 vehicles potentially affected

Electrical System. Recall covering the electrical system system, reported to NHTSA on April 28, 2016. The campaign covers an estimated 317,572 vehicles across all affected models.

23V516000Reported July 27, 2023 - 767 vehicles potentially affected

Air Bags. Recall covering the air bags system, reported to NHTSA on July 27, 2023. The campaign covers an estimated 767 vehicles across all affected models.

Defect Investigations

NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation opened these investigations touching this model year.

EA21002Opened September 17, 2021 - Open

Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.

EA21002Opened September 17, 2021 - Open

Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.

Complaints by Year Received

When this model year's complaints reached NHTSA - whether its problems surfaced early or late in its life.

20139
201428
201530
201635
201717
201825
201926
202022
20214
20228
20233
20245
20254
20261
How to Read These Counts: complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not failure rates. Older and higher-volume vehicles accumulate more reports, and counts are not adjusted for vehicles sold - no per-sales rate or reliability ranking is shown, because the public data does not support one.

Data as of October 30, 2026. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaints, recalls, and investigations files (U.S. Government public domain). DefectRecord is not affiliated with NHTSA or any manufacturer. For your specific vehicle, use NHTSA's VIN lookup. Report an error.