The electrical complaints break into distinct clusters. The most severe is infotainment system failure: one owner's head unit stopped booting at 30,000 miles, took 20+ minutes to start, then died completely by 75,200 miles. Once dead, it took out backup camera display, turn signal chimes, seat belt alerts, door ajar warnings, and lane-recognition sounds—all bus-dependent on that module. Another owner got an error message for a backup camera the car never had, which knocked out steering wheel controls and Bluetooth simultaneously.
Power delivery failures also appear: one owner lost motive power and stalled at 45 mph, couldn't restart easily. Another's engine jerked at 20 mph with check engine light on (ignition coil diagnosed but not replaced). A third had the dashboard click out mid-drive.
Smaller electrical gremlins pepper the rest: doors locking and unlocking by themselves, remote start working intermittently, new batteries losing connection, airbag light flashing for days then stopping, seat heater dead, heat blowing cool air after prior AC electrical repairs. Two owners each own multiple 2016 Sonics experiencing identical lock/battery issues, suggesting a systemic pattern rather than one-off failures.
Failure modes owners describe
Infotainment System Malfunction
Head unit experiences prolonged or complete boot failures, intermittent operation, backup camera display failures, and eventual total shutdown. Radio continues playing after vehicle is turned off. Associated systems dependent on the infotainment bus (warning sounds, seat belt alert, door ajar alert, lane recognition) stop functioning once head unit fails completely.
When: 30,000–75,200 miles; reported onset March 2020 through August 2020 in narrative #1
Symptoms owners cite: Radio takes several minutes to boot up or fails to boot entirely; Backup camera guiding lines don't display or display intermittently; Radio continues playing after car is turned off until battery is disconnected; Head unit eventually becomes completely nonoperational; Associated audible warnings (turn signal, seat belt, door ajar, lane recognition, collision notification) cease functioning
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Owner notes that recalls exist for similar problems but none are currently open
Backup Camera Error Message with Secondary Electrical Failures
Center display shows error message for backup camera system (vehicle not originally equipped with one). Coincident failure of steering wheel controls and Bluetooth connectivity.
When: Unspecified mileage; error occurring for many months at time of complaint
Symptoms owners cite: Error message displayed on center display for backup camera system; Steering wheel radio and phone controls become inoperative; Bluetooth disconnects frequently and fails to fully connect
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Owner notes warranty coverage no longer applies
Airbag Warning Light Illumination
Airbag indicator light illuminates intermittently for several days, then self-resolves without repair intervention.
When: Unspecified mileage; illuminated for approximately three days then ceased for at least two weeks
Symptoms owners cite: Airbag warning light illuminates immediately upon vehicle startup; Light persists for three days then spontaneously stops illuminating
Ignition Coil Failure
Ignition coil requires replacement; vehicle jerks and loses power during operation with check engine light illumination.
When: 75,200 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle jerks while driving at 20 mph; Loss of power during operation; Check engine indicator illuminates
Repairs/costs cited: Ignition coil replacement diagnosed at Barber Chevrolet but not performed
Dashboard Clicking/Power Loss
Dashboard cuts out briefly during city street driving. Reported alongside seat heater failure and blurred rear camera.
When: Unspecified mileage
Symptoms owners cite: Dashboard clicks out (cuts power) briefly while driving on city street
Loss of Motive Power and Stalling
Vehicle loses power and stalls without warning during normal driving. Multiple restart attempts required.
When: Mileage unknown
Symptoms owners cite: Loss of motive power while driving at 45 mph; Vehicle stalls without warning; Multiple restart attempts necessary before vehicle starts
Door Lock/Unlock Malfunction
Doors lock and unlock spontaneously without user input. Remote start operates intermittently.
When: Unspecified mileage; reported in two separate 2016 Sonics
Symptoms owners cite: Doors lock and unlock without button activation; Remote start functions intermittently
Battery Disconnection Issue
Battery loses electrical connection intermittently despite being new. Reported in multiple vehicles.
When: Unspecified mileage; occurring in two separate 2016 Sonics
Symptoms owners cite: Battery loses connection intermittently; Issue occurs even with brand new battery installed
Climate Control Malfunction
Heat system blows cool air instead of warm. AC also had prior electrical issues. Dealership attributed one problem to electrical fault.
When: Unspecified mileage; heat issue current, AC issue from prior summer season
Symptoms owners cite: Heat system blows cool air instead of warm air; AC did not function during prior summer season
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership repaired AC as electrical issue
Seat Heater Failure
Driver seat heating element does not function.
When: Unspecified mileage
Symptoms owners cite: Driver seat heater does not operate
Synthesized from 11 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer
allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.