RECALLS — CHEVROLET SONIC
Chevrolet Sonic recalls
Chevrolet Sonic model years 2012–2018 covered by at least one recall campaign. Pick a year to see the Canadian and U.S. campaigns side by side.
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U.S. NHTSA campaigns are listed on each year page, where they are queried live by model year. The Canadian list below covers every year together.
Transport Canada recalls
17- Airbag#2023412
101 units affected
Issue: On certain vehicles, the driver-front airbag inflator could rupture when the airbag deploys in a crash. If this happens, the airbag may not properly inflate and fragments could be propelled toward vehicle occupants. Safety Risk: An airbag inflator that ruptures can create a risk of injury or death. Corrective Actions: General Motors will notify owners by mail and advise you to take your vehicle to a dealership to replace the driver-front airbag module.
- Seats And Restraints#2018278
11 units affected
On certain vehicles, the driver’s seat frame may not have been properly welded during the manufacturing process, reducing the strength of the seat back. In the event of a rear-impact crash, the seat back may fail, creating an increased risk of injury. Correction: Dealers will replace the driver’s seat back.
- Lights And Instruments#2017051
30,330 units affected
Certain vehicles may fail to comply with the requirements of Canada Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 108 - Lighting System and Retroreflective Devices. The headlamp high-beam lens is not marked with the bulb type, contrary to the requirements of the standard. Correction: An manufacturing change has been undertaken to prevent this non-compliance condition from continuing. No corrective recall action is required as the non-compliance condition is deemed to be non-safety related.
- Electrical#2016292
1,882 units affected
Certain vehicles equipped with a "Bring Your Own Media" (BYOM) radio may fail to conform to Canada Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (CMVSS) 114 - Theft Protection and Rollaway Protection and CMVSS 208 - Occupant Protection in Frontal Impacts. The radio software may fail to provide an audible warning/reminder chime that meets the requirements of the standard when the key is left in the ignition and the driver door is opened, or when the driver fails to fasten their seatbelt. This can sometimes occur when the driver turns the ignition off with the headlamp or hazard warning flashers on and then restarts the vehicle while the radio is going through the “sleep” sequence. The loss of an audible warning when a key is left in the ignition may increase the risk of vehicle theft, and may fail to alert the driver that he or she is unbelted, increasing the risk of injury to the driver in a crash. Correction: Dealers will reprogram the radio with corrected operating software. Note: This recall involves vehicles that were previously repaired under recall 2016-191 that now require re-inspection and repair.
- Electrical#2016191
29,849 units affected
Certain vehicles equipped with a "Bring Your Own Media" (BYOM) radio may fail to conform to Canada Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (CMVSS) 114 - Theft Protection and Rollaway Protection. The radio software may fail to provide an audible warning/reminder chime that meets the requirements of the standard if the ignition key is left in the off position and the driver delays opening the driver’s door for more than 10 minutes, or opens and closes the door several times. The loss of an audible warning when a key is left in the ignition may increase the risk of vehicle theft. Correction: Dealers will reprogram the radio with corrected operating software.
- Electrical#2015279
4,592 units affected
Certain vehicles may fail to conform to Canada Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (CMVSS) 114 - Theft Protection and Rollaway Protection, and CMVSS 208 - Occupant Crash Protection. The radio may become inoperative, causing a no-chime condition and disabling the audible warning if the key is in the ignition and the driver’s door is opened, or if a front outboard seat belt is not buckled. A loss of the seat belt audible warning may increase the likelihood of a front outboard occupant being unbelted, increasing the risk of injury in a crash. Similarly, the loss of an audible warning when a key is left in the ignition may increase the risk of vehicle theft. Correction: Dealers are to program the radio with updated software.
- Airbag#2014382
31 units affected
On certain vehicles, a loss of electrical connection in the steering column may prevent the second stage of the driver’s front airbag from deploying in crash events where second stage deployment is warranted. This could increase the risk of injury to the driver. Correction: Dealers will test the terminals in the clock spring connector, and any loose terminals found will be replaced.
- Airbag#2014306
5,003 units affected
On certain vehicles, the primary stage of the driver’s airbag may not deploy during a crash (where deployment is warranted). Failure of an airbag to deploy correctly could increase the risk of personal injury to the seat occupant. Correction: Dealers will replace the steering wheel airbag coil. Note: This is an expansion of recall 2012368.
- Accessories#2014274
17,144 units affected
On certain vehicles, insulation on the engine block heater power cord may become damaged if the cord is handled during very cold days (temperatures below -25C). This could create an electrical shock hazard, which could result in personal injury. Correction: Dealers will replace the block heater cord.
- Powertrain#2014229
3,337 units affected
On certain vehicles equipped with a 1.8L engine and 6 speed automatic transmission, the transmission turbine shaft may fracture, disabling transmission gears 3 through 6. If this were to occur while the transmission is in 1st or 2nd gear, the transmission would fail to up-shift past 2nd gear, limiting vehicle speed. If this were to occur while the transmission is in 3rd through 6th gear, motive power would be lost and the vehicle would coast until vehicle speed was reduced to allow the transmission to down-shift to 2nd gear. Limited vehicle speed or a loss of motive power could increase the risk of a crash causing injury and/or damage to property. Correction: Dealers will replace the transmission turbine shaft.
- Airbag#2014213
5,003 units affected
On certain vehicles, the primary or secondary stage of the driver’s airbag may not deploy during a crash (where deployment is warranted). Failure of an airbag to deploy correctly could increase the risk of personal injury to the seat occupant. Correction: Dealers will replace the steering wheel airbag coil. Note: This recall is superseded by recall 2014306.
- Lights And Instruments#2013356
1,140 units affected
On certain vehicles, the brake lamps could flash intermittently without the brake pedal being depressed. This would convey a confusing message to following road users who, in turn, may not react in a timely manner when the driver does apply the brakes. As such, this could result in a crash causing property damage and/or personal injury. Correction: Dealers will reprogram the Body Control Module. Note: This recall supersedes 2013-176.
- Fuel System#2013334
96 units affected
On certain vehicles, a fuel tank support strap bracket may have been welded incorrectly and could separate. This could potentially result in damage to the fuel tank and fuel leakage. Fuel leakage, in the presence of an ignition source, could result in a fire causing injury and/or property damage. Correction: Dealers will inspect the bracket and replace if necessary.
- Airbag#2012368
1,011 units affected
On certain vehicles, the primary stage of the driver’s airbag may not deploy during a crash (where deployment is warranted). Failure of an airbag to deploy correctly could increase the risk of personal injury to the seat occupant. Correction: Dealers will replace the steering wheel airbag coil.
- Electrical#2012304
120 units affected
Certain vehicles fail to conform to Canada Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 108 – Lighting System and Retroreflective Devices. When a turn signal lamp fails to operate, the Body Control Module (BCM) in these vehicles does not detect this condition and will not alert the driver. As a result, the driver’s intentions to turn may not be conveyed clearly to other road users, increasing the risk of a crash causing property damage and/or personal injury. Correction: Dealers will reprogram the BCM and the vehicle’s key fobs.
- Visual System#2012283
7,161 units affected
On certain units, the windshield washer hose may separate from the washer fluid reservoir. If this occurs, washer fluid will not be available to clean the windshield. This could impede the driver's visibility, possibly causing a crash resulting in property damage and/or personal injury. Correction: Dealers will secure the windshield washer hose.
- Brakes#2011440
1,215 units affected
On certain vehicles, the front brake inner and/or outer pads may have been omitted during vehicle assembly. This could increase stopping distances, possibly resulting in a crash causing property damage and/or personal injury. Correction: Dealers will inspect the front brakes and, as necessary, install brake pads, and replace the calipers and rotors.
Canadian data updated August 24, 2026
Does this recall apply to my vehicle?
Matched by make, model, and model year. Many recalls affect only specific VIN ranges — confirm with your dealer using your full VIN.
What to do
Recall repairs are free at a franchised dealer in both countries. To confirm a recall applies to your specific vehicle, contact your manufacturer or dealer with your full VIN, or use the official channel:
- NHTSA recall lookup (search by VIN) — U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
- Defects and recalls database — Transport Canada