Is the 2013 Chevrolet Sonic a bad year?
217 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine complaints: 59, 3.1× a quiet Sonic year.
Keep it, but watch the engine
The engine draws 3.1× the complaints of a quiet Sonic year, spread over 26k–95k miles, so there's no single mileage to plan around.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2013 Sonic owners report, by mileage
Each system owners named in five or more complaints, with the mileage range where the middle half of those complaints were filed. Read at 72,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| EngineSTANDS OUT | 59 (27%) | 26k–95k miles · around this mileage | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| Electrical systemSTANDS OUT | 56 (26%) | 38k–88k miles · around this mileage | 12-volt battery replacement $100–$400 · Starter motor replacement $350–$1,200 |
| Transmission and drivetrain | 38 (18%) | 29k–77k miles · around this mileage | CV axle / CV joint replacement (one side) $300–$1,500 · Automatic transmission replacement $2,500–$7,000 |
| Air bags | 25 (12%) | 25k–73k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Fuel system | 14 (6%) | 10k–75k miles · around this mileage | Fuel pump replacement $220–$1,500 · Fuel injector replacement (one injector) $300–$1,200 |
| Stability control | 12 (6%) | 20k–74k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Steering | 13 (6%) | 11k–70k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Brakes | 11 (5%) | 9k–48k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Visibility and wipers | 9 (4%) | 12k–45k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Suspension | 8 (4%) | 4k–37k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Speed control | 7 (3%) | 22k–66k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Body structure | 8 (4%) | too few with a mileage | — |
Bills are typical US ranges from the sources named in the tool (J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, CarParts.com and others), printed only for systems that stand out or sit at or ahead of 72,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 217 complaints: 24 mention a crash · 4 mention a fire · 15 report an injury · 13 say the car was towed.
1 complaint was filed in the last 12 months, the newest in Jan 2026.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
In owners' own words
Air intake system. Not long after we bought the car the check engine light came on reading a code PH171.
Takata recall - the engine has been misfiring this has also happen to someone else I know who has had the same vehicle.
I have had to replace the thermostat 3 times and it has gone out again.
Unedited excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, chosen by mileage (nearest 72,000 miles), not by content. Unverified.
Recalls for the 2013 Chevrolet Sonic: 6
The driver-side air bag inflator may explode during deployment due to a manufacturing defect. An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
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. Without audible indicators, the driver may leave the key in the ignition, increasing the risk of theft.
In cold temperatures, the insulation on the engine block heater cord can become damaged, allowing the wires to be exposed. Exposed wires increase the risk of electrical shock and personal injury if the cord is handled while it is plugged in.
Due to insufficient welds, the front fuel tank strap bracket may separate from the vehicle. 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.
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. On the affected vehicles, the brake lamps may intermittently flash without the brakes being applied and the cruise control may disengage. 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.
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. 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.
A recall may cover only some cars of a model year; the campaign size counts every model and year it lists. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls: dealers fix open recalls free.
Service bulletins from Chevrolet: 533
Repair instructions Chevrolet sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2013 Chevrolet Sonic. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
Normal transmission shift condition and the delay in throttle response when the throttle plate is opened rapidly and advises the customer that it is normal…
Guidelines to replace Oil Cooler, Oil Cooler Lines and Oil Tank if the engine was replaced where large amounts of debris has flowed throughout the oiling system
Internal Engine Noise or Damage After Oil Filter Replacement
Possible oil consumption and//or leaks
NHTSA defect investigations: 1
Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
Neighbouring years
2012 Sonic: 354 complaints, consider selling · 2014 Sonic: 150 complaints, keep it.
Every Chevrolet Sonic year
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Questions
Is the 2013 Chevrolet Sonic a bad year?
217 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine complaints: 59, 3.1× a quiet Sonic year. At 72,000 miles the tool says: Keep it, but watch the engine. The engine draws 3.1× the complaints of a quiet Sonic year, spread over 26k–95k miles, so there's no single mileage to plan around.
What are the most common problems with the 2013 Chevrolet Sonic?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: engine (59), electrical system (56), transmission and drivetrain (38), air bags (25), fuel system (14). Half of the engine complaints were filed between 26k–95k miles.
How many recalls does the 2013 Chevrolet Sonic have?
6 recall campaigns list this model year: Air bags (NHTSA 23V-516), Equipment (NHTSA 16V-257), Equipment (NHTSA 14V-417), Fuel system (NHTSA 13V-464) and more. A recall may cover only some cars; check by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Method: counts of unverified owner complaints filed with NHTSA, compared only with other years of the same model (sales volumes are unknown, so no failure rate is computed). A system stands out at 40+ complaints and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share across every vehicle of that model year. The mileage range is the 25th to 75th percentile of the mileages owners reported. Data received by NHTSA through November 5, 2026. Repair prices are typical US ranges from named sources, not quotes. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Check this car at your own mileage.