This bulletin advises the dealers to maintain the vehicle stock on hand by doing a full inspection on the vehicles before being sold (prepping) to the customer.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2013 Chevrolet Sonic brakes problems
moderate 5 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $450 · see brakes across all vehicles →
Complaints
5
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$450
When does it fail?
Of the 5 brakes complaints filed for the 2013 Chevrolet Sonic, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 0-25,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
No new NHTSA brakes complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 12 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 brakes 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 bulletin advises the dealers to maintain the vehicle stock on hand by doing a full inspection on the vehicles before being sold (prepping) to the customer.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This Preliminary information communicates that when removing the fuel line jumper hose care should be taken to be sure the line is reinstalled correctly to avoid a no/low fuel pressure situation.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that had the Brake Pressure Modulator Valve now Diagnostic Trouble Code C0131 is set current. Technician should remove Brake Pressure Modulator Valve assembly and inspect the brake pressure sensor assembly to ensure all shipping material has been removed before installation.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This service bulletin provides technicians with updated information to help identify the differences between what is considered a fluid leak, and what is considered fluid seepage.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
What owners are reporting 2 most recent
Tl* the contact owns a 2013 Chevrolet sonic. The contact stated that while driving approximately 32 MPH and attempting to apply the brakes, a grinding noise was heard as the brakes malfunctioned. The dealer was notified of the defect but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 8000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2013 Chevrolet sonic. The contact stated that while driving 40 MPH, the brake pedal abnormally traveled to the floorboard without warning. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the technician diagnosed that the master brake cylinder was defective and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and…
Had brakes 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 brakes problem on the 2013 Chevrolet Sonic?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 5 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $450 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the brakes typically fail?
Based on the 5 complaints filed, brakes issues most often appear around 27,430 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $450 for brakes 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 brakes?
No active recalls currently cover brakes 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.