The problem
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013-2016 Chevrolet Sonic and Trax vehicles and 2013-2015 Chevrolet Spark vehicles equipped with a Bring Your Own Media radio. 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. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 114 "Theft Protection."
The risk
Without audible indicators, the driver may leave the key in the ignition, increasing the risk of theft.
The fix
GM will notify owners, and dealers will update the radio software, free of charge. The manufacturer has not yet provided a notification schedule. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 17130.
Recall details
| NHTSA campaign | 16V-257 (16V257000) |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer number | 17130 |
| Manufacturer | General Motors, LLC |
| Component | Electrical system › Software |
| Report date | April 28, 2016 |
| Owners notified | May 26, 2016 |
| Vehicles affected | 317,572 |
| Initiated by | Manufacturer |
Vehicles covered
- 2013 Chevrolet Sonic
- 2014 Chevrolet Sonic
- 2015 Chevrolet Sonic
- 2016 Chevrolet Sonic
- 2013 Chevrolet Spark
- 2014 Chevrolet Spark
- 2015 Chevrolet Spark
- 2014 Chevrolet Trax
- 2015 Chevrolet Trax
- 2016 Chevrolet Trax
Plus 1 other model/year combinations not covered on this site.
Owner complaints about the electrical system
- 2013 Chevrolet Sonic electrical problems 56
- 2014 Chevrolet Sonic electrical problems 49
- 2015 Chevrolet Sonic electrical problems 34
- 2016 Chevrolet Sonic electrical problems 11
- 2013 Chevrolet Spark electrical problems 34
- 2014 Chevrolet Spark electrical problems 39
- 2015 Chevrolet Spark electrical problems 9
- 2015 Chevrolet Trax electrical problems 23
- 2016 Chevrolet Trax electrical problems 24
Frequently asked questions
Is the recall 16V-257 repair free?
Yes. Chevrolet dealers will fix the problem at no cost: GM will notify owners, and dealers will update the radio software, free of charge. The manufacturer has not yet provided a notification schedule. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 17130.
How do I know if my car is included?
Not every vehicle of the listed model years is affected — the recall covers 317,572 vehicles built in a certain window. Check your 17-character VIN with our VIN recall check or at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
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.