I WAS DRIVING TO WORK AND WAS COMING UP TO AN INTERSECTION I HAD TO TURN AT. I PUSHED THE BREAK PEDAL, BUT IT WAS REALLY STIFF AND DIDN'T DO MUCH. MY CAR SLID ACROSS THE ROAD INTO A WOODEN ELECTRIC POLE BECAUSE IT WOULD NOT STOP. MY CAR IS TOTALED AND NOW I HAVE TO FIGURE OUT…

12/31/2019 · NHTSA ODI #11292281.0

2013 Sonic · engine

AIR INTAKE SYSTEM. NOT LONG AFTER WE BOUGHT THE CAR THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON READING A CODE PH171. WE WERE TOLD IT WAS A KNOCK SENSOR WHICH WE REPLACED AND IT DIDN'T FIX THE PROBLEM, AFTER WE WERE TOLD IT WAS THE AIR INTAKE HOSE, CHECKED IT AND IT LOOKS LIKE IT'S A NEW…

12/31/2018 · NHTSA ODI #11164285.0

2013 Sonic · powertrain

The contact owns a 2013 Chevrolet Sonic. The contact stated that the button on the gear shifter would not release while shifting between gears. Due to the failure, the key would remain stuck in the ignition due to the defective gear shifter button. The dealer was notified of the…

12/28/2021 · NHTSA ODI #11445304.0

2013 Sonic · electrical Injury

The contact owns a 2013 Chevrolet Sonic. The contact stated while driving approximately 15 MPH, the rear windshield suddenly imploded, causing glass shards to be propelled inside the cabin of the vehicle. The contact stated that it sounded as if a shotgun had been fired. As a…

12/27/2022 · NHTSA ODI #11498949.0

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Active recalls showing 1 of 1

severe NHTSA 12V454000 17/09/2012

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013 Chevrolet Sonic vehicles manufactured from May 29, 2012, through August 29, 2012

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.

Fix: 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.

Common questions

Is the 2013 Chevrolet Sonic reliable?

Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 7.2 out of 10 based on 217 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2013 Chevrolet Sonic is generally a sound vehicle. The areas to watch are listed in the top problem section above — most are budget items, not deal-breakers.

What's the most common problem on the 2013 Chevrolet Sonic?

Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is electrical, with 44 complaints filed. Average repair cost runs about $850 at an independent shop.

What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?

The electrical is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $850 at an independent shop. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.

How do I check if my Chevrolet Sonic has open recalls?

Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.

Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2013 Chevrolet Sonic?

Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 217 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $850, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans aren't always better value.

Related vehicles

Recall and complaint data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) public records database, last synced 11 hours ago. Editorial commentary written by ProblemsByVin contributors and reviewed by ASE-certified mechanics. We are not affiliated with chevrolet. Some links on this page are affiliate links and we may earn a commission if you complete a quote or purchase.