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2016 Chevrolet Sonic

Gas
Compact Cars
12 EPA-rated configurations
Data refreshed 2026-10-26
A
Safety Signal
91 / 100 from the NHTSA recall record
RecallsNHTSA campaigns 2
Complaints8 crash · 1 fire · 6 injured reported 48
Crash ratingNHTSA overall 5★
Fuel economybest combined, EPA 32 mpg
20202019201820172016

The 2016 Chevrolet Sonic is sold in the U.S. as a gas compact sedan with 12 EPA-rated configurations. The most efficient version, the Sonic, is EPA-rated at 32 mpg combined. NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for this model year, which gives it a Safety Signal grade of A. Owners have filed 48 complaints, most often about the engine. NHTSA crash-tested it at 5 stars overall.

2016 Chevrolet Sonic

Specs & fuel economy

Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov
ConfigurationPowertrainDriveEngine / motorCityHwyCombAnnual fuel*
SonicGasFWD1.4L 4-cyl turbo283832$2,100
Sonic 5GasFWD1.4L 4-cyl turbo283832$2,100
SonicGasFWD1.4L 4-cyl turbo273630$2,250
Sonic 5GasFWD1.4L 4-cyl turbo273630$2,250
SonicGasFWD1.8L 4-cyl263429$2,300
Sonic 5GasFWD1.8L 4-cyl263429$2,300
Sonic 5 RSGasFWD1.4L 4-cyl turbo263329$2,300
Sonic RSGasFWD1.4L 4-cyl turbo263329$2,300
SonicGasFWD1.8L 4-cyl243428$2,400
Sonic 5GasFWD1.8L 4-cyl243428$2,400
Sonic 5 RSGasFWD1.4L 4-cyl turbo253328$2,400
Sonic RSGasFWD1.4L 4-cyl turbo253328$2,400

*EPA estimate at 15,000 miles/year at EPA reference fuel and electricity prices. fueleconomy.gov record ids: 36447, 36482, 36449, 36483, 36452, 36485, 36463, 36448, 36451, 36484.

Emissions & certification

Source: EPA emission certificates
ConfigurationSmog ratingEmission standardWhere it can be sold newSmartWay
Sonic, Sonic 5, Sonic 5 RS, Sonic RS6 / 10Bin 4All 50 states (federal, all altitudes); California and states following California standardsSmartWay
Sonic, Sonic 56–8 / 10Bin 4 / Federal Tier 3 Transitional Bin 85 / LEV-III SULEV30All 50 states (federal, all altitudes); California and states following California standardsSmartWay

Certified for all fifty states, so it can be registered new anywhere in the U.S.

The smog rating scores tailpipe pollutants other than greenhouse gases, 1 (worst) to 10 (best), and is comparable only within a model year. The standard is the federal bin or California tier the configuration was certified to. Both come from the EPA certificate behind the window sticker.

Specifications filed with NHTSA

Source: NHTSA vPIC

Dimensions Exterior

Body styleSedan/Saloon
Doors4
GVWR classClass 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less)

Engine Basics

Cylinders4
Displacement1.8 L
Engine configurationIn-Line

Fuel Economy

FuelGasoline

Transmission

TransmissionAutomatic

Filed by the manufacturer with NHTSA under the federal vehicle-identification rule and decoded from the VIN pattern — not a manufacturer press kit, so it describes the configurations we could identify rather than every trim (seen: LS, LT, LTZ). Figures for the trim you are looking at may differ.

Dimensions & weight

Source: Transport Canada
Length159.1–173.2 in
Width (body, without mirrors)68.5 in
Height59.8 in
Wheelbase99.6 in
Track, front59.4 in
Track, rear59.4 in
Curb weight2,712–2,745 lb
Weight distribution, front/rear62/38

Measured by Transport Canada for its Canadian Vehicle Specifications database, which covers the North American versions of each model — here 2 configurations: 4-door Sedan Ls/Lt/Ltz/Rs, 5-door Hatchback Ls/Lt/Ltz/Rs. Where a range is shown, those versions differ. Width is the body without mirrors, which is why it can read narrower than a brochure figure. Before we used it we checked it against the US manufacturer press kits we hold (27 Sep 2026): wheelbase agreed within 1% on every vehicle we could compare, length on 98%, and the curb weight fell inside the manufacturer's range on 96%. Source dataset. Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada. Licence.

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Factory warranty running out?

The 2016 Chevrolet Sonic is in the years where transmission, electronics and drivetrain repairs land on the owner. What an extended plan does and does not cover is worth reading before a dealer quotes you one.

What to check before you buy →

Affiliate disclosure: some links on this page are affiliate links. If you request a quote or buy through them we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Nothing on this page changes because of it.

Recalls (2)

Source: NHTSA recall database
●moderate

Equipment

45340
18,780 vehicles 97% reported repaired built May 12, 2014 – Apr 27, 2016
Problem General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 Chevrolet Sonic and Trax, and 2013-2015 Spark vehicles equipped with a Bring Your Own Media radio. The affected radios may fail to provide an audible warning chime when the driver fails to fasten their seatbelt or if the driver leaves the key in the ignition. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) numbers 208 "Occupant Crash Protection" and 114 "Theft Protection." Risk Without audible indicators, the driver may not fasten their seatbelt, increasing the risk of injury during a crash. Fix GM will notify owners, and dealers will update the radio software, free of charge. The recall began on July 22, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 45340.
NHTSA campaign 16V422000 reported Jun 10, 2016 General Motors LLC the full filing, and every vehicle covered →
○minor

Equipment

17130
317,572 vehicles 81% reported repaired built May 29, 2012 – Apr 13, 2016
Problem General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013-2016 Chevrolet Sonic and Trax vehicles and 2013-2015 Chevrolet Spark vehicles equipped with a Bring Your Own Media radio. The affected radios may fail to provide an audible warning chime when the driver, after turning off the ignition and leaving the key in the cylinder, waits 10 minutes or longer to open the door. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 114 "Theft Protection." Risk Without audible indicators, the driver may leave the key in the ignition, increasing the risk of theft. Fix GM will notify owners, and dealers will update the radio software, free of charge. The manufacturer has not yet provided a notification schedule. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 17130.
Filed with NHTSAOwner letter PDF
NHTSA campaign 16V257000 reported Apr 28, 2016 General Motors LLC the full filing, and every vehicle covered →

These are vehicle campaigns — the ones the automaker filed against this model. NHTSA also records equipment recalls, filed by a parts maker against a component (a tyre, a child seat, an aftermarket part), and those are not listed here or counted above. nhtsa.gov/recalls shows both for a VIN.

Whether any of this applies to one specific Sonic

A campaign covers a build range, not a model year, so two identical-looking cars from 2016 can differ. Both of these check a VIN against the manufacturer’s own list, free, in about ten seconds. Chevrolet publishes its own lookup because federal rule 49 CFR 573.15 requires it to, and to keep it current to within seven days.

Hear about a recall before the letter does

The manufacturer’s letter is the last step of a recall: it has up to 60 days after filing to mail owners, at the address on the registration. We email you the day NHTSA posts a recall on the 2016 Chevrolet Sonic, with what to do next. Nothing else, ever — no newsletter, no marketing, one-click unsubscribe in every message.

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Parts & accessories for the 2016 Chevrolet Sonic

Search by fitment on eBay Motors — OEM take-offs, aftermarket, and the trim pieces dealers no longer stock. The listing and the price are the seller's.

Find parts for this Sonic →

Owner complaints

Source: NHTSA complaint database
48complaints filed

8 involved a crash · 1 a fire · 6 injuries · 0 deaths reported

Filed per year: 2016: 2 · 2017: 6 · 2018: 8 · 2019: 9 · 2020: 12 · 2021: 4 · 2022: 1 · 2023: 2 · 2024: 1 · 2025: 1 · 2026: 2

Most-cited components

Engine 15
Electrical System 11
Unspecified 8
Air Bags 8
Fuel/Propulsion System 5
Suspension 3

In owners' own words

Filed with NHTSA by the people who own these cars, one per problem area. Quoted as written, with anything identifying removed.

Car hesitated to start after getting gas. When it does finally start it sputters and have to rev motor some to make it stop. Idles high. After get started and start to drive it it's ok, but when stopped at a light it idles higher. I have had the purge valve replaced, but it's still doing it
Engine at 100,000 miles Jun 14, 2020 NHTSA owner report · ODI 11328726
The contact owned a 2016 Chevrolet Sonic. While attempting to turn onto a neighborhood street in the rain, the vehicle hydroplaned and began to slide. The contact crashed into the front end of another vehicle that was idling at a stop sign. The air bags did not deploy. There were no injuries. A police report was filed.
Air Bags at 97,131 miles Nov 6, 2019 NHTSA owner report · ODI 11278369
My car was bought in oct of 2015. It did not come with a rear camera back up system, however the center display (radio & controls panel) started displaying an error message about this back up system. At the same time the phone & radio controls located on the steering wheel also stopped working.
Electrical System at 65,000 miles Jun 9, 2019 NHTSA owner report · ODI 11218782
The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Sonic. While pulling into a parking spot, the contact depressed the brake pedal and the vehicle accelerated. The vehicle drove over a concrete median and through bushes before coming to a complete stop. The contact sustained a thumb injury that required medical attention. A police report was filed.
Service Brakes at 32,847 miles Dec 1, 2017 NHTSA owner report · ODI 11051689
These issues happen while the vehicle is both in motion and still. The right indicator light malfunctions quite excessively. The malfunction causes the rear indicator to turn off and the people driving behind you cannot see you using a turn signal. Also the suspension does not brace impact or adjust to different terrain
Electronic Stability Control Nov 10, 2017 NHTSA owner report · ODI 11045076
When backing up and going forward up to 25 MPH the front suspension was very noisy. Front sway links replaced by dealer under warranty
Suspension at 9,248 miles Aug 10, 2017 NHTSA owner report · ODI 11014248

Complaint counts are raw owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects, and scale with how many were sold. Use them to spot patterns, not to rank.

Reported by Chevrolet itself: 34 death-or-injury claims on this model year in its quarterly Early Warning reports to NHTSA (49 CFR 579.21): 2 killed, 42 injured, as claimed, not verified. Every Sonic model year, by year and system → Dated and by system, they are exhibit F of the defect dossier.

When owners reported it

Reported at 48k

miles, typically

Half the 29 owner reports with an odometer reading on file fall between 33,000 and 72,000 miles. That is when problems get reported, which is not the same as when they start — and not a failure rate, because nobody knows how many of these cars never had a problem at all.

Too few readings for a curve — the 29 on file: 2 under 10k, 4 10k–20k, 6 30k–40k, 3 40k–50k, 4 50k–60k, 2 60k–70k, 3 70k–80k, 2 80k–90k, 1 90k–100k, 2 100k–150k.

Odometer readings as filed by owners with NHTSA. Readings under 100 or over 400,000 miles are dropped as data entry rather than history, and a component needs at least 12 readings before a median is shown for it.

Crash ratings

Source: NHTSA NCAP
ConfigurationOverallFrontalSideRolloverRollover risk
4 DR FWD★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★☆13%
5 HB FWD★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★☆13%

NHTSA New Car Assessment Program.

Service bulletins & campaigns

Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications
Communicationsfiled with NHTSA 1,078
Most recentmanufacturer date 2026-09-26
Kindsas classified by NHTSA 1076 service bulletins, 1 service campaign, 1 other

Most often about: Equipment, Engine, Electrical System, Power Train, Equipment Adaptive/Mobility.

  • PIT5698F Service bulletin
    2026-09-26 · Unknown Or Other
  • This PI provides Diagnostics tips on how the LIN bus works and how to diagnosis it.
  • PIP4902W Service bulletin
    2026-09-04 · Unknown Or Other
  • This preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into Technical Assistance.
  • PIT5099J Service bulletin
    2026-07-21 · Unknown Or Other
  • PI to help diagnose A/C concern
  • PIT3271Q Service bulletin
    2026-04-01 · Unknown Or Other
  • This preliminary information communicates information about how to determine if a wheel and tires size change is available.
  • PIP6104 Service bulletin
    2026-03-09 · Unknown Or Other
  • This Preliminary information communicates the steps on how to save a GDS2 Session Log and upload to a Technical Assistance Case in CX Connect.
  • PIP4902V Service bulletin
    2026-03-09 · Unknown Or Other
  • This preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into Technical Assistance.
  • PIP4902U Service bulletin
    2026-01-08 · Unknown Or Other
  • This preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into Technical Assistance.
  • PIT5214G Service bulletin
    2025-11-20 · Unknown Or Other
  • This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have had multiple repair attempts that are being performed on customer’s vehicles that exhibit vibration conditions without utilizing the support of General Motors Technical Assistance Center. If valid vibration frequency or Road Force Variation data has been collected and a repair attempt does no

A service bulletin is the manufacturer telling its dealers how to diagnose or repair a known condition. It is not a recall, not a finding that the vehicle is defective, and the work is not automatically free — though a bulletin is often what a dealer works from when you describe a symptom, so quoting the document number can save a diagnosis. The count is every communication filed; the list shows the most recent, one entry per campaign, because a single campaign is usually filed as several documents on the same day. The summaries are NHTSA's; the full documents come from the manufacturer.

Diagnostic trouble codes on file

Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications and complaints

Codes documented against this model year in the federal record. A code appearing here does not mean this vehicle will set it — it means the code is part of this nameplate-year's documented history.

CodeWhat it meansMost often filed underWhere it appears
P0299
P0299 on Chevrolet →
The turbocharger or supercharger is not making the boost the computer asked for.Engine16 bulletins
P0300
P0300 on Chevrolet →
Misfire detected, but not isolated to one cylinder.Engine · Ignition coils →14 bulletins
P0234
P0234 on Chevrolet →
The turbocharger or supercharger is making more boost than the computer asked for.Engine13 bulletins
B3055
B3055 on Chevrolet →
Manufacturer-defined — the meaning is set by the automaker, not the standard.Electrical System · Battery →10 bulletins
B3060
B3060 on Chevrolet →
Manufacturer-defined — the meaning is set by the automaker, not the standard.Electrical System · Battery →10 bulletins
B3935
B3935 on Chevrolet →
Manufacturer-defined — the meaning is set by the automaker, not the standard.Electrical System · Battery →10 bulletins
P0308
P0308 on Chevrolet →
Cylinder 8 is misfiring.Engine · Ignition coils →7 bulletins
P050D
P050D on Chevrolet →
Manufacturer-defined — the meaning is set by the automaker, not the standard.Engine7 bulletins
B101D
B101D on Chevrolet →
Manufacturer-defined — the meaning is set by the automaker, not the standard.Electrical System · Battery →4 bulletins
C0131
C0131 on Chevrolet →
Manufacturer-defined — the meaning is set by the automaker, not the standard.Service Brakes · Brake pads →4 bulletins
P0341
P0341 on Chevrolet →
The camshaft position signal is present but implausible.Engine · Camshaft position sensor →4 bulletins
P0366
P0366 on Chevrolet →
Manufacturer-defined — the meaning is set by the automaker, not the standard.Engine4 bulletins

Generic codes (the second character is 0 or 2) mean the same thing on every vehicle sold in the United States. Manufacturer-specific codes (1 or 3) mean whatever the automaker assigned, and no honest source can define them for you — which is why the ones here carry the evidence instead of a definition. A code is a link when enough separate federal documents name it across the catalogue to be worth a page of its own; the rest are listed here, where the vehicle is the context that makes them mean something.

Affiliate disclosure: some links on this page are affiliate links. If you request a quote or buy through them we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Nothing on this page changes because of it.

At the New York inspection station

Source: New York State DMV

In New York’s inspection lanes over the 12 months to Oct 10, 2026, the 2016 Chevrolet Sonic failed the emissions check on 11.4% of first inspections — higher than the 4.2% for every 2016 model-year vehicle inspected; and the safety inspection on 2.9% (every 2016 vehicle: 2.2%).

New York inspections 11.4%

failed emissions

519 initial inspections of 494 vehicles.

MeasureThe 2016 SonicEvery 2016 vehicleBehind it
Failed the emissions check11.4%4.2%519
Failed the safety inspection2.9%2.2%519
Air-bag warning lamp stayed lit0%0.27%519
Miles driven a year8,80810,028odometer at inspection
Average odometer90,957103,109odometer at inspection

New York’s emissions test on these model years is an on-board diagnostics check: it fails a car whose check-engine light is on or whose self-tests have not finished. First inspections only, so a car that failed and came back is counted once; private and special plates, not taxis, livery or commercial plates. A rate appears only where at least 200 inspections stand behind it. “Every 2016 vehicle” is every 2016 model-year car, SUV and pickup inspected in the same window, all makes. This is the state’s record of test results, not a reliability score by itself. Source: New York State Department of Motor Vehicles, Vehicle Inspections (data.ny.gov, Open NY terms).

Common questions about the 2016 Sonic

Source: EPA, NHTSA and manufacturer press kits

Does the 2016 Chevrolet Sonic have any recalls?

NHTSA has posted 2 recall campaigns for the 2016 Chevrolet Sonic. The most serious on file is 16V422000, covering Equipment. Check your own VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls; a recall applies to specific build ranges, not every car.

How safe is the 2016 Chevrolet Sonic?

NHTSA gave the 2016 Chevrolet Sonic 5 stars overall in its New Car Assessment Program tests — 5-star frontal crash, 5-star side crash, 4-star rollover. WhichTrim also grades it A (91/100) on its recall record, which is a different question from crash protection.

What is the fuel economy of the 2016 Chevrolet Sonic?

Across the 12 EPA-rated configurations of the 2016 Chevrolet Sonic, the best EPA combined figure is 32 mpg. Figures are the EPA's own, per configuration, and every one is listed above.

What are the dimensions of the 2016 Chevrolet Sonic?

Transport Canada measured it at 159.1–173.2 in long, 68.5 in wide (body, without mirrors), 59.8 in tall, on a 99.6 in wheelbase. Curb weight: 2,712–2,745 lb depending on configuration. Those are its measurements of the North American versions; every figure is in the table above.

What do owners complain about on the 2016 Chevrolet Sonic?

Owners have filed 48 complaints with NHTSA about the 2016 Chevrolet Sonic, most often about engine, electrical system, unspecified. Of those, 8 involved a crash, 1 a fire, 6 reported injuries. Complaints are unverified owner reports, so treat the pattern as a signal and the individual report as an anecdote.

How clean is the 2016 Chevrolet Sonic?

The EPA smog rating for the 2016 Chevrolet Sonic runs 6 to 8 out of 10 across its configurations. That score covers tailpipe pollutants other than greenhouse gases, and it only compares vehicles within the same model year. It is certified for all fifty states, so it can be registered new anywhere in the U.S. Its configurations were certified to different standards — Bin 4, Federal Tier 3 Transitional Bin 85, LEV-III SULEV30 — which the table above lists per configuration.

Are there service bulletins for the 2016 Chevrolet Sonic?

The manufacturer has filed 1078 service bulletins and related communications with NHTSA for the 2016 Chevrolet Sonic, most often covering equipment, engine, electrical system. The most recent is dated 2026-09-26. A bulletin is not a recall: it is the repair procedure a manufacturer sends its dealers for a condition it knows about, and the work is not automatically paid for. It is still worth knowing — if the symptom matches, quoting the bulletin number at the service desk can save a diagnosis. The document numbers and summaries are listed above.

How does the 2016 Chevrolet Sonic do at state inspection?

In New York’s inspection lanes over the 12 months to Oct 10, 2026, the 2016 Chevrolet Sonic failed the emissions check on 11.4% of first inspections — higher than the 4.2% for every 2016 model-year vehicle inspected; and the safety inspection on 2.9% (every 2016 vehicle: 2.2%). The figures are New York State DMV’s own inspection records, first inspections only, and the table above sets each one against every vehicle of the same model year.

What we hold, and what an empty row means

Paid vehicle-history reports will not tell you the difference between “nothing happened to this car” and “we never received that record” — both of the big two say as much in their own help pages. Most of what is on this page comes from complete federal registers, so we can tell you which is which, row by row.

DataHeldSourceWhat it covers — or what empty means
Fuel economy & configurations12 configurationsEPA certification recordsEvery configuration the EPA certified for sale, with its own test figures.
Emission certificates12 configurationsEPA emission certificatesSmog rating, standard and the sales area that decides where the car can be sold new.
Recalls2NHTSA recall campaignsA complete federal register: every campaign covering this model year, with severity and advisory flags.
Owner complaints48NHTSA complaint databaseAlso complete, but unverified: these are reports owners filed, not findings. Counts scale with how many were sold.
Crash ratings2 testedNHTSA NCAPOnly the configurations NHTSA chose to crash-test, which is never all of them.
Service bulletins1078NHTSA manufacturer communicationsEverything the manufacturer told its dealers about a defect or malfunction, short of a recall.
InvestigationsnoneNHTSA Office of Defects InvestigationNo defect investigation has been opened.
Driver-assist crash reportsnoneNHTSA Standing General Order 2021-01No report has been filed. Only entities named in the order report, and only crashes they hear of — so this is also what an unequipped car, or a manufacturer without telematics, looks like.
Specifications filed with NHTSA8 fieldsNHTSA vPIC, decoded from VIN patternsWhat the manufacturer filed under the federal VIN rule — a configuration, not the full trim ladder.
Measured dimensions7 fieldsTransport Canada, Canadian Vehicle SpecificationsLength, width, height, wheelbase, track and curb weight, measured on the North American versions.
Trims, pricing & equipmentnoneManufacturer press kitWe have not transcribed a press kit for this model year yet. This is our gap, not the manufacturer's — the one row here where an empty cell means we are behind.

Rebuilt nightly; this page was generated 2026-10-26. Every figure above is traceable to the source named beside it, and the JSON for this page carries the same values with their identifiers.

Sources & method

Safety Signal starts every model-year at 100 and subtracts points per open NHTSA recall campaign by severity: critical 15 (fire risk, park-outside or do-not-drive advisories), high 8 (brakes, steering, airbags, loss of drive power, structure, battery), moderate 6, minor 3 (software, labels, lighting fixed by an update). The most serious recall counts in full and each further one counts 85% of the one before, because a vehicle sold in millions is recalled more often than a rare one without being more dangerous — and because a flat subtraction bottomed the scale out, scoring a vehicle with 22 recalls within a point of one with six. A ≥ 90, B ≥ 80, C ≥ 70, D ≥ 60, otherwise F. Read it as what it counts: recall campaigns on the federal record, weighted by severity. The damping reduces the sales bias by roughly 40% but does not remove it: like our complaint counts, this is not normalized by how many were sold, so a best-seller still scores somewhat worse than an obscure model with the same real risk. NHTSA crash ratings, do-not-drive and park-outside advisories, and the crash, fire, injury and death counts in owner complaints are reported separately on every page and never blended into the letter — a vehicle can hold five stars and a poor letter at once, and where that happens we say so rather than leave you to notice. Because the scale subtracts from a clean sheet, a model year too new to have been recalled, complained about or bulletined scores full marks on an empty record; we label those grades provisional rather than present them as earned.

EPA figures come from fueleconomy.gov vehicle records. Recalls, complaints, investigations and crash ratings come from NHTSA's public flat files, refreshed nightly.

JSON for this page · API