Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
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).
The contact owns a 2015 Chevrolet Sonic. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, upon coming to a complete stop, the vehicle inadvertently lost motive power. After restarting the vehicle, the vehicle returned to normal functionality, but the failure became a regular occurrence. The traction control and check engine warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 117,000.
The contact owns a 2015 Chevrolet sonic. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 25 MPH, there was white smoke coming from under the hood of the vehicle. The contact mentioned that once the vehicle was to the side of the road, the contact noticed that there was antifreeze all over the engine. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the rear water outlet needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired however, the failure recurred twice. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 75,000. The VIN was invalid.
The contact owns a 2015 Chevrolet Sonic. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the odor of exhaust fumes was present inside the cabin of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the catalytic converter was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The local dealer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The manufacturer was not yet notified of the failure. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage 86,000.
The contact owns a 2015 Chevrolet Sonic. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the check engine light remained illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local mechanic who diagnosed that the catalytic converter was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The local dealer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 115,000.
My cars coolant is leaking and the source is unknown. My car has overheated twice and my mechanic has been unable to find what needs to be repaired. The coolant has need to to be filled twice within a 6 month period. Now my car is having other issues with the catalyst system that lead me to believe the coolant leak might be affecting these other parts. My catalytic converter was already replaced and the same code has popped up 4 months later.
Once again, my doors unlocked then relocked, my dashboard lights went out and the engine stalled. I was on the KU campus when this happened 3 times within 6 blocks. This is getting very scary, especially when i am in a busy area of town. No codes have ever popped up. This has been happening since May 2022. I will keep reporting, hopefully there will be a recall soon. Very frustrated with this situation!
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.
My Chevy Sonic stalls while driving it. The engine shuts down, door locks cycle, lights go on and off, power steering and brakes go out, rpms drop, and until today, it turns back on, the rpms jump sky high, and the motor revs back to life and it goes fine again for awhile. But today it stalled sitting in mcdonalds parking lot and not only didn't start again, but had to be jumped. I can only imagine what would have happened if my granddaughter and I had her in heavy traffic when that happened! Every other time it's been going down the road. One time I was in traffic and it almost caused an accident. It happens almost every day. Especially if I'm running the air conditioner. It happens at all speeds. I have taken it to 3 mechanics and it doesn't 'throw any codes'. It did show a little issue with the alternator so we replaced it but it didn't charge anything. …
I have had my vehicle in the shop multiple times since I had it. First there was a smell of coolant in the cabin. Although misdiagnosed initially, the meachanic later found that there was truly an issue with the car. But in the last year I have had to have the thermostat replaced, the housing of something was replaced a month later (I do not remember the name of the part). And a third repair was also done. All for thecoolant that continues to find a way toleak out. Now I am being told again, by the dealer, that the coolant is leaking again, this time from the water pump. I have paid a nice chunk of change to and being told I need to spend yet another $400+. I have owned many cars and never had this issue. I was also told by the dealer that many people with sonics are having the issues with the cooling system. I asked about a recall and he told me to make a complaint. …
June 2015 the dealer switched cars when we refused the options at the closing of the deal to a base/standard car. A week or so after purchasing the car a tire popped as we drove down the street. It is very loud in the morning. A high pitched squeaking sound. Next we have been smelling gas,oil/fluid leaking from the car. The driveway is stained from it. The thermostat has been changed 3 times. It has been jerking,stalking, sputtering. The antifreeze reservoir has boiled over several times. It smells like something electrical is burning. The air conditioner doesn't cool well. The windshield wipers tore up in less than a year.thealership doesn't know why these things have happened they want to do maintenancing to see if that fixes it. Over $1000. We got this compact car to save and survive. This has been an expensive cheap car.
Engine complaints in other Sonic years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2015 Chevrolet Sonic?
NHTSA has 26 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2015 Chevrolet Sonic, 23% of the model year's 114 complaints. The component named most often is exhaust system › emission control › catalytic convertor (2 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2015 Chevrolet Sonic engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling 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 engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 53,000 miles, and 24% before 25,000 miles.
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.