Model year guide

2015 Chevrolet Sonic

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 2015 Chevrolet Sonic is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 109 on record.

2015 Chevrolet Sonic — representative photo
Representative photo · via Wikimedia Commons

2015 Chevrolet Sonic at a glance

Safety recalls3
Owner complaints114
Combined30 mpg
Typical price$10,614

Free: specs, open recalls for that exact car, build sheet and fair price.

2015 Chevrolet Sonic recalls 3

Electrical System:software NHTSA Campaign #16V422000 · 10/06/2016

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 Chevrolet Sonic and Trax, and 2013-2015 Spark vehicles equipped with a Bring Your Own Media radio. The affected radios may fail to provide an audible warning chime when the driver fails to fasten their seatbelt or if the driver leaves the key in the ignition. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safet…

Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will update the radio software, free of charge. The recall began on July 22, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 45340.

Equipment:electrical:radio/tape Deck/cd Etc. NHTSA Campaign #15V416000 · 30/06/2015

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 Chevrolet Spark vehicles manufactured April 30, 2014, to May 20, 2015, and 2015 Chevrolet Sonic vehicles manufactured June 18, 2014, to June 10, 2015. In the affected vehicles, equipped with the base radio and OnStar, the radio may lock up due to a software issue, causing the display to go blank and all audio functions to cease. Because of this, the…

Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will update the radio software, free of charge. The recall began on August 11, 2015. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 15504.

Equipment:electrical:radio/tape Deck/cd Etc. NHTSA Campaign #16V257000 · 28/04/2016

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 …

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.

Source: U.S. NHTSA. A recall applies to a model year, but only a VIN check shows whether a specific car has had the repair done.

2015 Chevrolet Sonic common problems

The most-reported problem areas from 114 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.

Electrical System
Test every electrical feature: windows, locks, infotainment, charging and all lights. Watch for flickering, dead accessories or warning lights.
Air Bags
Confirm the airbag light turns on then off at startup — if it stays lit there's a fault (costly, and a safety risk). Check for signs of prior deployment.
Fuel/propulsion System
Check for fuel or battery warnings, hard starts and stalling. On a hybrid/EV, confirm charging and range behave normally.
Engine
Listen for knocks or ticking, check for leaks and blue/white exhaust smoke, and make sure it doesn't overheat. No check-engine light should be on.
Power Train
Drive through every gear: watch for slipping, hard or delayed shifts, and shudder. Check for transmission/driveline leaks and noises.
Wheels
Inspect wheels for bends, cracks and curb rash, and feel for vibration at highway speed.

2015 Chevrolet Sonic MPG & running costs

Combined30 mpg
City26 mpg
Highway36 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$2,063

Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov, averaged across trims.

What's a 2015 Chevrolet Sonic worth?

Low
$6,470
Typical price
$10,614
High
$13,500

From 102 comparable 2015 Chevrolet Sonic listings.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 2015 Chevrolet Sonic costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$10,315
Depreciation (5 yrs)$5,650
Total$15,965
Per mile$0.21

How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. Depreciation compares today's typical asking price for this model year ($10,614) with the same model 3 model-years older ($7,239), from CarLogs listing data. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.

2015 Chevrolet Sonic trims & engines on record

Trims
LT · LTZ · LS
Engines
1.8L 4-cyl · 1.4L 4-cyl

2015 Chevrolet Sonic vehicles on record

Other Chevrolet Sonic model years

2015 Chevrolet Sonic — frequently asked questions

Does the 2015 Chevrolet Sonic have any safety recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 safety recalls for the 2015 Chevrolet Sonic. Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Whether a specific car still has one open depends on its VIN.

What are the most common problems with the 2015 Chevrolet Sonic?

Based on 114 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are electrical system, air bags, fuel/propulsion system.

What gas mileage does the 2015 Chevrolet Sonic get?

The U.S. EPA rates the 2015 Chevrolet Sonic at about 30 mpg combined (26 city / 36 highway).

How much is a 2015 Chevrolet Sonic worth?

Comparable 2015 Chevrolet Sonic listings run roughly $6,470–$13,500, typically around $10,614 (from 102 vehicles).

Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.