This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have an intermittent no crank, no start, or start stall concern with the security light coming on. Technician may find Diagnostic Trouble Codes B3055, B3060, and/or B3935. Technician should not replace any parts for this concern. If unable to duplicate the concern ask if the customer uses any Radio Frequency Identification Devices when the concern is present. Dealer should also direct their customers to the appropriate section in the Owner manuals that references that the device complies.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2013 Chevrolet Sonic airbags problems
severe 22 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $1,100 · see airbags across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
22
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$1,100
14crashes
11injuries
What stands out
Among the 6 model years of Chevrolet Sonic in our records for airbags problems, this one ranks #3 by owner-complaint volume.
No new NHTSA airbags complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 10 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering airbags on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
This informational bulletin provides information on Passenger Presence System (PPS) May Command Seat Belt Reminder Chime and Passenger Airbag Indicator On or Set DTC B101D When Electronic Devices or Conductive Objects are Placed on Front Passenger Seat
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This informational bulletin provides Information on Passenger Presence Sensing System (PPS or PSS) Concerns with Custom Upholstery, Accessory Seat Heaters or Other Comfort Enhancing Devices
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗The informational bulletin explains how items on the passenger seat may cause the PPS to chime or the passenger airbag light turns on if electronic devices or conductive objects are placed on the seat.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗The informational bulletin explains how items on the passenger seat may cause the PPS to chime or the passenger airbag light turns on if electronic devices or conductive objects are placed on the seat.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The 2013 Sonic has two dominant airbag problems. First, the passenger seat occupant sensor chronically fails to detect adult passengers and keeps the airbag off. Owners report the system appears set to roughly a 95 lb threshold; women at 85 lbs and 130+ lbs both went undetected. Dealers blamed seat covers, then blamed passenger weight. GM bulletins contradict themselves—one says the system detects weight, another says it detects capacitance. When owners pushed for repair, dealers said the vehicle was operating as designed. One owner was told the sensor part is now discontinued by GM and unavailable.
Second, the front and side airbags outright fail to deploy in real crashes. Owners describe head-on collisions, T-bone impacts, pole strikes, and deer hits at speeds from 25 to 55 mph—all resulting in zero airbag deployment. Vehicles were total losses; owners sustained head, neck, rib, and back injuries. Dealers performed diagnostics with no results. GM claimed one impact wasn't severe enough, despite the vehicle being destroyed.
One Sonic had the steering wheel airbag module detach and fall into the driver's lap while moving. Airbag indicator displays are also unreliable, showing OFF when passengers are seated or displaying ON and OFF simultaneously, leaving occupants unable to verify readiness.
No systematic repair path exists. Parts are discontinued, and GM Consumer Relations refuses to mandate dealer action.
Same Chevrolet Sonic airbags reports on nearby years: 2012 · 2014 · 2015
Failure modes owners describe
Passenger Airbag Sensor Misdetection—Weight Threshold Issues
The passenger seat occupant detection system fails to recognize adult passengers, particularly those under approximately 95 lbs, causing the passenger airbag to remain off. Narratives indicate the sensor operates on a weight threshold around 95 lbs, though GM bulletin #12-09-41-002B claims the system detects capacitance, not weight. Multiple owners report the airbag indicator staying off when adult passengers (ranging from 85 lbs to 130+ lbs) occupy the seat; some experience intermittent on/off behavior.
When: Present from early miles; narratives cite failures as low as 25 miles and throughout ownership
Symptoms owners cite: Passenger airbag indicator remains OFF when adult passenger occupies seat; Airbag light cycling on and off unpredictably; Sensor not recognizing seated passenger; owner reports wife at 85 lbs and 130+ lbs both failed detection; Aftermarket seat covers initially blamed; issue persists after removal
Repairs/costs cited: Owners report dealer claiming vehicle operates as designed; one owner told sensor was discontinued by GM and unavailable for replacement. GM Consumer Relations declined to mandate dealership repair and offered no alternative solution.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: GM Bulletin #06-08-50-009H (seat cover interference); GM Bulletin #12-09-41-002B (Passenger Presence System). Dealers consistently stated vehicle operating as designed; GM Consumer Relations refused to force repair; one owner informed sensor part discontinued.
Complete Airbag Non-Deployment in Frontal/Side Impact Crashes
Front, driver-side, roof, and side airbags fail to deploy in significant impact events including frontal collisions, T-bone crashes, vehicle-into-pole impacts, and deer strikes. Owners experienced injuries requiring medical attention; vehicles sustained total-loss damage. No diagnostic findings or manufacturer explanations provided in most cases.
When: Across ownership; failures reported at mileage ranging 2,000 to 62,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: No airbag deployment in head-on collision at 25 mph; No airbag deployment in 40 mph frontal crash; owner struck telephone pole; No airbag deployment in 35 mph truck side impact (driver-side door); No airbag deployment in 55 mph pole impact after being run off road; No airbag deployment in deer strike at 55 mph; No airbag deployment in T-bone collision with F-150; No airbag deployment in ~50 mph rear-end collision; No airbag deployment during unintended acceleration crash into pole at low speed
Repairs/costs cited: One owner took vehicle to independent mechanic; technician reported hood and bumper damage but could not explain airbag failure. No repairs completed. Dealer diagnostic testing results unknown in other cases.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: GM stated impact was insufficient in one case; owner disputes given damage. No recalls mentioned by manufacturer in narratives; one owner noted 2023 GM recall on 2013 Sonic models but VIN not included despite subsequent impact event.
Airbag Compartment/Horn Pad Detachment
The airbag module and horn pad assembly on the steering wheel separated and fell into the driver's lap while the vehicle was in motion, creating an immediate collision hazard.
When: During normal driving operation
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel airbag compartment with horn suddenly became unattached; Assembly fell into driver's lap; Nearly caused loss of vehicle control
Repairs/costs cited: No repair information provided.
Passenger Airbag Indicator Display Malfunction
Dashboard airbag and seatbelt status indicators fail to correctly display occupancy status. Indicators show OFF when passenger is present, simultaneously display both ON and OFF, or fail to recognize whether seatbelt is latched, making it impossible for occupants to verify airbag readiness.
When: Chronic condition during ownership
Symptoms owners cite: Airbag indicator displays OFF when passenger seated; Both ON and OFF displayed simultaneously on screen; Seatbelt latch status not recognized by indicator; Indicator behavior inconsistent and unreliable
Airbag Deployment Causing Injury
One owner reported that an airbag deployment during a collision caused the occupant to sustain brain damage.
When: <UNKNOWN>
Symptoms owners cite: Airbag deployed and caused brain injury to occupant
Synthesized from 22 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 2 most recent
When a passenger is present, the air bag and seatbelt indicator does not indicate that they are active like they are supposed to.
The Sonic rear ended a stationary vehicle going close to 50mph. No airbags deployed.
Had airbags trouble with your 2013 Chevrolet Sonic?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the airbags problem on the 2013 Chevrolet Sonic?
It's a meaningful issue. 22 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $1,100.
At what mileage does the airbags typically fail?
Across the 14 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most airbags failures cluster between 20,546 and 62,000 miles, with the median around 40,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 20,546; a quarter make it past 62,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $1,100 for airbags repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to airbags?
No active recalls currently cover airbags issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2013/Chevrolet/Sonic.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.