Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2015 Chevrolet Sonic owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
My airbag on the passenger side goes on and off all the time, dealership wouldnt fix it couldnt find why it was doing that. Now while driving it just shuts off with out a warning ,scard to take it to dealership cant afford to keep putting money into it. I have had problems since the car was bought from the dealership. Now do not know how to be able to sell if it is doing this.
Air bag light on. There are 4 codes in the SDM, due to an internal fault in the sensing diagnostic module. The dealership states that it has to be replaced and will cost close to $1100 to have repaired and to clear all of the codes.
My husband and I were traveling straight in a 2015 Chevrolet Sonic lt at approximately 35-40 MPH when the driver of a 2002 Toyota corolla made a left hand turn causing a collision. Simply put we t boned the other vehicle. 2015 Chevy sonics are equipped with weight sensing restraint systems. I was the passenger and weigh approximately 142 lbs. Both driver front air bags deployed, knee and steering wheel. The passenger front air bags did not deployed. Almost all of the damage was to the front end passenger side. Total mileage at time of collision was 3,191. So far insurance has estimated repair costs to be $8,863.10, note this is before tare down. Final cost will rise considering they failed to include front bumper and radiator. I have been advised that we are looking at a possible total loss. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2015 Chevrolet Sonic. While driving 20 MPH, the steering wheel locked and the vehicle crashed into a ditch. The air bags failed to deploy. The contact stated that the power steering indicator illuminated before the crash occurred. A police report was not filed and there were no injuries. The vehicle was previously repaired. In addition, smoke was seen coming from the steering wheel. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 36,000.
Our vehicle was hit while in motion at approximately 30 MPH on a city street on the driver side by another vehicle that didn't yield at a stop intersection. Side airbags did not deploy. Entire driver side of our the vehicle was destroyed. My head bounced off the driver side window causing injury that I didn't seek medical attention for. Child in backseat driver side hit head as well, and did seek medical attention. Our vehicle was inoperable, and had to be towed from the scene.
Tl* the contact owns a 2015 Chevrolet Sonic. The contact's daughter was driving 40 MPH, when she rear ended another vehicle and the air bags failed to deploy. The contact's daughter bumped her head on the windshield, but did not require medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a collision lot. The vehicle was not destroyed. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 13,000. Updated 07/27/16
Tl* the contact owns a 2015 Chevrolet Sonic. While driving 65 MPH, the vehicle was involved in a crash and the air bags failed to deploy. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic and repaired. The contact sustained injuries to the neck and lower back, which required medical attention. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 28,700.
Tl* the contact owned a 2015 Chevrolet Sonic. While merging into the left lane, an oncoming vehicle crashed into the driver side door of the contact's vehicle. The driver side air bag failed to deploy. A police report was filed and there were no injuries. The vehicle was destroyed and towed. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 9,000. ..updated 12/28/16
Tl* the contact owns a 2015 Chevrolet Sonic. While driving at approximately 60 MPH, the contact's vehicle crashed into a deer. The air bags failed to deploy. The contact sustained a head injury that did not require medical attention. The vehicle sustained extensive front end damage. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 2,000.
My wife was driving on a straight road with cruise control set at 60 MPH when she saw a deer in the road - she swerved and braked hitting the deer in the drivers headlight area above drivers front tire and both driver side doors. The air bag did not deploy and the seat belt did not lock in place and hold her in place.
Airbag complaints in other Sonic years
Frequently asked questions
How common are airbag problems on the 2015 Chevrolet Sonic?
NHTSA has 27 complaints about the air bags of the 2015 Chevrolet Sonic, 24% of the model year's 114 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2015 Chevrolet Sonic airbag problems?
No. NHTSA lists no air bags recall for the 2015 Chevrolet Sonic, though it has 3 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2015 Chevrolet Sonic airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 29,000 miles, and 47% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 10 crashes, 1 fire and 13 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.