2013 Chevrolet Sonic recalls (6)

Every 2013 Chevrolet Sonic recall

Each campaign as NHTSA published it: what is wrong, what can happen, and the fix. Newest first.

• Air Bags · NHTSA 23V516000

  Jul 27, 2023Air Bags:Frontal:Driver Side:Inflator Module

  Problem

  General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2013 Buick Verano, Chevrolet Camero, Sonic, and Volt vehicles. The driver-side air bag inflator may explode during deployment due to a manufacturing defect.

  Risk

  An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.

  Fix

  Dealers will replace the driver-side air bag module, free of charge. On some 2013 Volt vehicles, the steering wheel will be replaced as well, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 23, 2023. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300 and Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N232413120.

  Full recall details for 23V516000 →

• Equipment · NHTSA 16V257000

  Apr 28, 2016Equipment:Electrical:Radio/Tape Deck/Cd Etc.

  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.

  Full recall details for 16V257000 →

• Equipment · NHTSA 14V417000

  Feb 7, 2014Equipment:Electrical

  Problem

  General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Buick Encore all-wheel-drive vehicles manufactured August 23, 2012, to September 9, 2013; Verano vehicles manufactured August 8, 2012, to June 20, 2013; Chevrolet Cruze vehicles manufactured August 7, 2012, to August 16, 2013, and 2012-2014 Chevrolet Sonic vehicles manufactured May 10, 2011, to August 16, 2012 equipped with a Calix oil pan/block heater. In cold temperatures, the insulation on the engine block heater cord can become damaged, allowing the wires to be exposed.

  Risk

  Exposed wires increase the risk of electrical shock and personal injury if the cord is handled while it is plugged in.

  Fix

  GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the engine oil pan/block heater cord with a new cord that is rated for temperatures of minus 40 degree Celsius. The recall began in August 2014. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 14257.

  Full recall details for 14V417000 →

• Fuel System, Gasoline · NHTSA 13V464000

  Sep 26, 2013Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly:Mounting

  Problem

  General Motors (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013 and 2014 Chevrolet Sonic vehicles manufactured August 2, 2013, through August 12, 2013. Due to insufficient welds, the front fuel tank strap bracket may separate from the vehicle.

  Risk

  If the front fuel tank strap bracket separates, the increased load may lead to the failure of the other tank support. As a result, the fuel tank may come loose from the vehicle causing a fuel leak. A fuel leak, in the presence of an ignition source, may result in a fire.

  Fix

  GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the front fuel tank strap bracket, and repair it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on November 7, 2013. Owners may contact GM at 1-800-521-7300. GM's recall campaign number is 13296.

  Full recall details for 13V464000 →

• Electrical System · NHTSA 13V220000

  May 24, 2013Electrical System

  Problem

  General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013 Cadillac ATS and model year 2013 Cadillac XTS; model year 2014 Chevrolet Impala; and 2013 Chevrolet Sonic vehicles. Originally, in May 2013, GM recalled 1,627 model year 2013 Cadillac ATS and model year 2013 Cadillac XTS; and model year 2014 Chevrolet Impala vehicles. In October 2013, GM informed the agency that it was adding model year 2013 Chevrolet Sonic vehicles to this campaign , representing an additional 8,050 units. The total number of vehicles being recalled is now 9,677. On the affected vehicles, the brake lamps may intermittently flash without the brakes being applied and the cruise control may disengage. Thus, these vehicles fail to conform to the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 108, "Lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment."

  Risk

  If the brake lamps flash when the vehicle is not slowing, a following driver may not adjust vehicle speed when the vehicle is in fact braking, and the brake lamps are illuminating as intended, increasing the risk of a crash.

  Fix

  GM will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the body control module. The recall began on June 13, 2013. Owner's may contact Chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438 or Cadillac at 1-866-982-2339. GM's recall number is 13158.

  Full recall details for 13V220000 →

• Electrical System · NHTSA 12V454000

  Sep 17, 2012Electrical System

  Problem

  General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013 Chevrolet Sonic vehicles manufactured from May 29, 2012, through August 29, 2012. When a turn signal lamp fails to operate, the Body Control Module (BCM) in these vehicles does not detect this condition and will not indicate the condition to the driver. Thus, These vehicles fail to conform to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."

  Risk

  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.

  Full recall details for 12V454000 →

2013 Chevrolet Sonic complaints and service bulletins

Owners filed 217 complaints with NHTSA about the 2013 Chevrolet Sonic, reporting 24 crashes, 4 fires, 20 injuries. Chevrolet has issued at least 1,726 technical service bulletins (repair instructions to dealers) for this model year. Complaints are unverified owner reports; a recall is the manufacturer’s admission of a safety defect.

Most-reported components

• Electrical System57
• Engine55
• Unknown Or Other45
• Power Train38
• Air Bags25
• Fuel/Propulsion System13

Service bulletins by component

• Equipment (746)
• Electrical System (371)
• Engine and Engine Cooling (185)
• Engine (152)
• Power Train (146)
• Equipment Adaptive/Mobility (94)

Read Chevrolet Sonic owner complaints and bulletins, every year

NHTSA defect investigations covering the 2013 Chevrolet Sonic

NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation lists this model year in one investigation. An investigation is not a recall; it is how NHTSA decides whether one is needed.

• Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
  EA21002Opened Sep 17, 2021Open

Other Chevrolet Sonic model years

← 2012 Chevrolet Sonic · 2014 Chevrolet Sonic →

• 2018 (1)
• 2016 (2)
• 2015 (3)
• 2014 (4)
• 2013 (6)
• 2012 (7)

All Chevrolet Sonic recalls, every model year