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RECALLROADTHE CAMPAIGN RECORD

MODEL-YEAR RECALL REPORT

2013 Chevrolet Sonic recalls

NHTSA's September 21, 2026 snapshot lists 6 safety recall campaigns for the 2013 Chevrolet Sonic, spanning 5 component groups. A model match does not confirm that a specific VIN is included.

Official source: NHTSA recall campaign file · Snapshot September 21, 2026

Distinct campaigns6not VIN-specific
Component groups5distinct top-level categories
Latest recordJuly 27, 2023report received
VIN resultNot checkeduse official lookup

01 / OFFICIAL CAMPAIGNS

2013 Chevrolet Sonic recall campaigns

The 2013 Chevrolet Sonic report contains 6 distinct NHTSA campaigns; the most recently received record is campaign 23V516000 dated July 27, 2023.
CAMPAIGN

NHTSA 23V516000

Component
AIR BAGS
Report received
July 27, 2023
Potential units
767campaign-wide
Defect and consequence

Defect: 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.

Why it matters: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.

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. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300 and Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N232413120.

Owner notification: October 23, 2023 · Filing manufacturer: General Motors, LLC

CAMPAIGN

NHTSA 16V257000

Component
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EQUIPMENT
Report received
April 28, 2016
Potential units
317,572campaign-wide
Defect and consequence

Defect: 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.".

Why it matters: Without audible indicators, the driver may leave the key in the ignition, increasing the risk of theft.

Remedy

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.

Owner notification: May 26, 2016 · Filing manufacturer: General Motors LLC

CAMPAIGN

NHTSA 14V417000

Component
EQUIPMENT
Report received
July 2, 2014
Potential units
2,990campaign-wide
Defect and consequence

Defect: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Buick Encore all-wheel-drive vehicles manufactured August 23, 2012, to September 9, 2013; Verano vehicles manufactured August 8, 2012, to June 20, 2013; Chevrolet Cruze vehicles manufactured August 7, 2012, to August 16, 2013, and 2012-2014 Chevrolet Sonic vehicles manufactured May 10, 2011, to August 16, 2012 equipped with a Calix oil pan/block heater. In cold temperatures, the insulation on the engine block heater cord can become damaged, allowing the wires to be exposed.

Why it matters: Exposed wires increase the risk of electrical shock and personal injury if the cord is handled while it is plugged in.

Remedy

GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the engine oil pan/block heater cord with a new cord that is rated for temperatures of minus 40 degree Celsius. The recall began in August 2014. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 14257.

Owner notification: August 29, 2014 · Filing manufacturer: General Motors LLC

CAMPAIGN

NHTSA 13V464000

Component
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
Report received
September 26, 2013
Potential units
1,558campaign-wide
Defect and consequence

Defect: General Motors (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013 and 2014 Chevrolet Sonic vehicles manufactured August 2, 2013, through August 12, 2013. Due to insufficient welds, the front fuel tank strap bracket may separate from the vehicle.

Why it matters: 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. A fuel leak, in the presence of an ignition source, may result in a fire.

Remedy

GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the front fuel tank strap bracket, and repair it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on November 7, 2013. Owners may contact GM at 1-800-521-7300. GM's recall campaign number is 13296.

Owner notification: November 7, 2013 · Filing manufacturer: General Motors LLC

CAMPAIGN

NHTSA 13V220000

Component
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Report received
May 24, 2013
Potential units
10,210campaign-wide
Defect and consequence

Defect: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013 Cadillac ATS and model year 2013 Cadillac XTS; model year 2014 Chevrolet Impala; and 2013 Chevrolet Sonic vehicles. Originally, in May 2013, GM recalled 1,627 model year 2013 Cadillac ATS and model year 2013 Cadillac XTS; and model year 2014 Chevrolet Impala vehicles. 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. The total number of vehicles being recalled is now 9,677. On the affected vehicles, the brake lamps may intermittently flash without the brakes being applied and the cruise control may disengage. Thus, these vehicles fail to conform to the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 108, "Lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment.".

Why it matters: 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.

Remedy

GM will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the body control module. The recall began on June 13, 2013. Owner's may contact Chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438 or Cadillac at 1-866-982-2339. GM's recall number is 13158.

Owner notification: June 13, 2013 · Filing manufacturer: General Motors LLC

CAMPAIGN

NHTSA 12V454000

Component
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Report received
September 17, 2012
Potential units
4,716campaign-wide
Defect and consequence

Defect: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013 Chevrolet Sonic vehicles manufactured from May 29, 2012, through August 29, 2012. 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. Thus, These vehicles fail to conform to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment.".

Why it matters: 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.

Remedy

GM will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the BCM and the vehicle's key fobs, free of charge. The safety recall began on October 3, 2012. Owners may contact the Chevrolet owner center at 1-866-694-6546.

Owner notification: October 2, 2012 · Filing manufacturer: General Motors LLC

02 / COMPONENT BREADTH

What defects are listed for the 2013 Chevrolet Sonic?

The most frequent component groups in 2013 Chevrolet Sonic campaign records are Electrical System (3), Exterior Lighting (2), Equipment (2), Fuel System, Gasoline (1), Air Bags (1); these counts describe filed campaigns rather than observed failure rates.
Electrical System3
Exterior Lighting2
Equipment2
Fuel System, Gasoline1
Air Bags1

03 / MODEL-YEAR CONTEXT

How the 2013 Chevrolet Sonic compares across model years

RecallRoad publishes 4 model-year reports for the Chevrolet Sonic, spanning 2012–2015; each year keeps its NHTSA campaign count separate.
Open the complete Chevrolet Sonic model history →