Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2013 Chevrolet Sonic owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Car accident November 3, 2023. A dear ran in front car while traveling 55mps. As the impact took place causing front and of the car to be smashed Air bags in the car did not deployed. Causing head to hit steering wheel.
On 7-27-2023 General Motors issued a recall on 2013 models of Sonic, my VIN was not included in this recall. However on 4-16-2025 my sonic was involved in a impact incident in which the air bags should have deployed, and did not. It is my opinion that Chevy, knowing of the issues with the model of car, should have issued a recall for my vehicle as well, but did not. As a result I suffered additional strain and injury during my impact as no airbags deployed.
Tl* the contact owns a 2013 Chevrolet Sonic. While pulling out of a parking lot onto the road to get in a turning lane, another vehicle crashed into the front driver's side of the contact's vehicle. The front driver's side wheel fractured and the key was unable to be removed from the ignition. The driver sustained whiplash and minor bruising. The front passenger flew into the front windshield. The gear shifter fractured when the front passenger was impacted by the force of the crash. An adult passenger in the rear of the vehicle and two children passengers sustained whiplash. Medical attention was received. The air bags failed to deploy. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a yard. The manufacturer investigated the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 57,700. The vehicle was totaled. Updated 11/16/16.
Tl* the contact owned a 2013 Chevrolet Sonic. The contact stated that when the ignition was turned to the on position, the engine revved continuously. The following day, the contact stated that while driving at approximately 25 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed but the vehicle failed to stop. The contact crashed into the rear of another vehicle. The air bags did not deploy. The contact sustained injuries to her head and neck that required medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to an unknown location. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 48,000. The VIN was unavailable.
Tl* the contact owns a 2013 Chevrolet Sonic. While driving at approximately 40 MPH, a deer jumped in front of the vehicle. The brake pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle crashed into the deer. The air bags did not deploy. A police report was filed. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the hood and bumper needed to be replaced. The technician was unaware why the air bags did not deploy. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 62,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2013 Chevrolet Sonic. While driving 40 MPH, another vehicle crashed into the front driver side of the contact's vehicle. The contact lost control of the vehicle and crashed into a telephone pole. The air bags failed to deploy. A police report was filed. The contact sustained a bruised collar bone and soft tissue bruising, which required medical attention. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing, but the results were unknown. The manufacturer was not notified. The approximate failure mileage was 40,000.
The vehicle was moving and I had a strong frontal clash against a retaining wall, the impact damaged all across the front of the car and the air bags did not work. The insurance company declared it a total loss and the agency where we bought the vehicle is not claimed responsibility for this serious lack in the safety equipment which is worrying for the car lot where it came from my car and the safeguard of the drivers of this type of brand of defective vehicles.
The Sonic rear ended a stationary vehicle going close to 50mph. No airbags deployed.
When my wife rides front passenger seat air bag indicator shows air bag off. Returned vehicle to dealer. Was informed aftermarket seat covers will effect sensor and giver GM bulletin #06-08-50-009h. Subsequently removed seat covers but sensor still not working. Returned to dealership. Was informed sensor was working as designed and problem was my wife's weight (85 lbs). That the sensor was set at industry standard of 95lbs. Contacted GM consumer relations and subsequently informed to return to dealership for repair. Returned to dealership and again informed that the sensor was working as designed and given GM bulletin #12-09-41-002b passenger presence system. Again advised it as a weight issue even though the bulletin stated "the system works by detecting the capacitance of the object on the seat, not the weight". …
I have had my car into the dealer 3 times now within 5 months and they have yet to fix my passenger airbag issue. I took it in on 11/27/2015, 02/26/2016 and again on 03/28/2016. The first 2 times I was told that they would have to order the sensor for it and the last time they told me that they had the sensor but when they called me they told me that the sensor they ordered was wrong and that the sensor I needed was marked as discontinued from GM. The airbag light would stay off even with my fiance sitting in the seat whom weights a little over 200lbs and then it would deside to come on and off as it wanted. …
Related recalls
Air bags › Frontal › Driver side › Inflator module
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.
Remedy: 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.
NHTSA investigations
Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited.
Airbag complaints in other Sonic years
Frequently asked questions
How common are airbag problems on the 2013 Chevrolet Sonic?
NHTSA has 25 complaints about the air bags of the 2013 Chevrolet Sonic, 12% of the model year's 217 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2013 Chevrolet Sonic airbag problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 23V-516 (inflator module, Jul 27, 2023). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2013 Chevrolet Sonic airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 40,000 miles, and 44% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 17 crashes, 0 fires and 17 injuries to air bags problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.