Recalls (1)
NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for the 2018 Chevrolet Sonic. Check whether yours was repaired with NHTSA's free VIN lookup ↗
Only NHTSA and your automaker know whether your specific car was repaired. PlainVIN shows every recall campaign listed for a model year, with the official text and how many cars have been fixed so far.
Check on NHTSA ↗Seat Back Frame Joint Improperly Welded
- Summary
- General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018 Chevrolet Sonic vehicles. A joint in the driver's seat-back frame may not be properly welded, reducing the strength of the seat-back frame.
- Consequence
- In the event of a rear-impact crash, the seat-back may fail, increasing the risk of injury.
- Remedy
- GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's seat-back, free of charge. The recall began June 28, 2018. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 18178.
PlainVIN shows public government records for education. It isn't a vehicle inspection or legal advice. Check your own VIN with NHTSA or your dealer.
Owner complaints (14)
14 complaints filed with NHTSA (owner reports, not verified findings). The electrical system is mentioned most often.
As reported by owners in their complaints. These are reports, not NHTSA findings.
Most-reported components
| Component | Complaints | % of 14 |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 5 | 35.7% |
| Engine | 4 | 28.6% |
| Seats | 2 | 14.3% |
| Unknown or other | 2 | 14.3% |
| Wheels | 2 | 14.3% |
| Air bags | 1 | 7.1% |
| Exterior lighting | 1 | 7.1% |
| Fuel system | 1 | 7.1% |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 1 | 7.1% |
| Parking brake | 1 | 7.1% |
How 2018 compares with other Sonic years
Best and worst Sonic years →| Model year | Complaints | Recall campaigns |
|---|---|---|
| 2011 | 1 | 0 |
| 2012 | 354 | 7 |
| 2013 | 217 | 6 |
| 2014 | 150 | 4 |
| 2015 | 114 | 3 |
| 2016 | 48 | 2 |
| 2017 | 37 | 0 |
| 2018 | 14 | 1 |
| 2019 | 8 | 0 |
| 2020 | 10 | 0 |
Counts are owner reports, not failure rates. Higher sales years tend to draw more reports. Owners are still filing reports for recent model years, so these counts will grow. Source: NHTSA ODI, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Crash tests: 5 stars overall
Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (NCAP), 2018 Chevrolet Sonic 4 dr fwd, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Fuel economy: up to 32 mpg combined
- EPA annual fuel cost
- $2,100
- CO₂ tailpipe
- 280 g/mi
- EPA class
- Compact Cars
What it costs you to run
Miles ÷ 32 mpg × $4.354 (EIA US average regular, week of Oct 5, 2026, all taxes included). Source: EPA · EIA.
EPA label estimates from lab tests; your mileage will vary.
Specs by configuration
| Engine · transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | EPA $/yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.4 L 4-cyl · 6-speed manual | Front-Wheel Drive | 28 / 37 / 32 | $2,100 | 280 |
| 1.4 L 4-cyl · 6-speed manual | Front-Wheel Drive | 28 / 37 / 32 | $2,100 | 280 |
| 1.4 L 4-cyl · 6-speed automatic | Front-Wheel Drive | 27 / 35 / 30 | $2,250 | 296 |
| 1.4 L 4-cyl · 6-speed automatic | Front-Wheel Drive | 27 / 35 / 30 | $2,250 | 296 |
| 1.8 L 4-cyl · 5-speed manual | Front-Wheel Drive | 26 / 35 / 29 | $2,300 | 306 |
| 1.8 L 4-cyl · 5-speed manual | Front-Wheel Drive | 26 / 35 / 29 | $2,300 | 306 |
| 1.8 L 4-cyl · 6-speed automatic | Front-Wheel Drive | 25 / 34 / 28 | $2,400 | 311 |
| 1.8 L 4-cyl · 6-speed automatic | Front-Wheel Drive | 25 / 34 / 28 | $2,400 | 311 |
Source: EPA fuel economy data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026. Configurations are listed when EPA and NHTSA records match.
Looking at a 2018 Sonic for sale?
Print a one-page buyer's checklist: each recall campaign with a box to tick when the seller shows proof of repair, the top complaint areas to inspect, crash stars, MPG, and a link back to this page.
Where to next
2018 Chevrolet Sonic FAQ
How many recalls does the 2018 Chevrolet Sonic have?
NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign: 18V342000 (seat). Use NHTSA's VIN lookup to see whether a specific car was repaired.
What are the most common 2018 Chevrolet Sonic problems?
Owners filed 14 complaints with NHTSA. Electrical system (5), Engine (4), Seats (2) are mentioned most. These are owner reports, not verified findings.
What mpg does the 2018 Chevrolet Sonic get?
EPA rates the 1.4 L 4-cyl · 6-speed manual version at 28 city, 37 highway and 32 combined mpg. Other configurations are listed in the fuel economy section.
What safety rating did the 2018 Chevrolet Sonic get?
NHTSA rated the 2018 Chevrolet Sonic 4 dr fwd 5 stars overall, with 5 stars frontal, 5 stars side and 4 stars rollover (12.6% rollover risk).
How does the 2018 Sonic compare with other years?
Among the 2011–2020 Chevrolet Sonic model years at least five years old, the 2011 drew the fewest complaints (1) and the 2012 the most (354). The 2018 drew 14. Counts are owner reports, not failure rates.
How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes
Data sources
- NHTSA recalls by vehicle
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - US DOT recall completion rates (data.transportation.gov)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA ODI owner complaints
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA NCAP 5-Star Safety Ratings
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EPA fuel economy data (licence confirmation pending)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EIA weekly retail gasoline prices
Weekly, all taxes included
Processing
- Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
- Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.
Limitations
- Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
- Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
- Recent model years are still collecting reports.
Review
Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.
Changelog
- 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.