2018 Chevrolet Sonic
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Electrical
Electrical leads by volume: 5 of 14 complaints (36%) mention it.
Complaints filed fell from 37 in 2017 to 14 in 2018.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | vs. 2018 Compact Cars |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 1,950–2,250 | 1,950–2,250 | 1,950–2,250 | 2,000–2,150 | 2,150 | |
| Combined MPG | 28–32 | 28–32 | 28–32 | 29–31 | 29 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 24–28 / 33–38 | 24–28 / 33–38 | 25–28 / 34–37 | 26–27 / 34–38 | 26 / 34 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 276–321 | 281–317 | 280–311 | 285–308 | 308 | |
| Complaints filed | 48 | 37 | 14 | 8 | 10 | |
| Recalls issued | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 8 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Injuries reported | 6 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 6 | 4 | 4 | 2 | 1 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 2018 Chevrolet Sonic have?
1 NHTSA recall campaign as of Sep 16, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What is the most common complaint about the 2018 Chevrolet Sonic?
Electrical: 5 of 14 NHTSA complaints (36%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 2018 Chevrolet Sonic get?
EPA rates it 28–32 MPG combined.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2018 Chevrolet Sonic?
EPA estimates $1,950–$2,250 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
EPA-Rated Configurations (8)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Automatic (S6) | 4 | 1.4L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Compact Cars | 27 mpg | 35 mpg | 30 mpg | $2,100 | 296 g/mi |
| Configuration 2 | Manual 6-spd | 4 | 1.4L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Compact Cars | 28 mpg (high) | 37 mpg (high) | 32 mpg (high) | $1,950 (low) | 280 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 3 | Automatic (S6) | 4 | 1.4L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Station Wagons | 27 mpg | 35 mpg | 30 mpg | $2,100 | 296 g/mi |
| Configuration 4 | Manual 6-spd | 4 | 1.4L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Station Wagons | 28 mpg (high) | 37 mpg (high) | 32 mpg (high) | $1,950 (low) | 280 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 5 | Automatic (S6) | 4 | 1.8L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Compact Cars | 25 mpg (low) | 34 mpg (low) | 28 mpg (low) | $2,250 (high) | 311 g/mi (high) |
| Configuration 6 | Manual 5-spd | 4 | 1.8L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Compact Cars | 26 mpg | 35 mpg | 29 mpg | $2,150 | 306 g/mi |
| Configuration 7 | Automatic (S6) | 4 | 1.8L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Station Wagons | 25 mpg (low) | 34 mpg (low) | 28 mpg (low) | $2,250 (high) | 311 g/mi (high) |
| Configuration 8 | Manual 5-spd | 4 | 1.8L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Station Wagons | 26 mpg | 35 mpg | 29 mpg | $2,150 | 306 g/mi |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Brakes | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.
Recalls (1)
SEATS · Campaign 18V342000 · May 29, 2018
Defect: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018 Chevrolet Sonic vehicles. A joint in the driver's seat-back frame may not be properly welded, reducing the strength of the seat-back frame.
Consequence: In the event of a rear-impact crash, the seat-back may fail, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's seat-back, free of charge. The recall began June 28, 2018. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 18178.