Chevrolet · Sonic · 2017
2017 Chevrolet Sonic
0
Recalls
37
Complaints
5/5
Safety Rating
The 2017 Chevrolet Sonic has no recalls and 37 owner-reported complaints on file with NHTSA. Overall safety rating: 5 out of 5 stars. Most reported issue: engine (10 reports).
Source: NHTSA Public Records · Updated Apr 28, 2026
Research Context
The 2017 Chevrolet Sonic page works best as a research starting point. Complaint totals show how much owner-reported activity exists, while recalls and investigations help show whether any of that activity turned into formal safety action.
Because this is a newer-era vehicle page, it usually helps to compare this year against nearby model years before deciding whether a complaint pattern looks isolated or persistent. On this page, the most prominent complaint area is engine with 10 reported complaints.
Best Research Moves
- Use the complaint log to understand what owners were actually reporting instead of relying only on the raw complaint total.
- Review the recall section even if the total is smaller, because a limited number of recalls can still point to meaningful safety actions.
- This page is primarily a complaints-and-recalls research surface, so compare nearby model years before treating the complaint total as a standalone verdict.
Key Takeaways
- The 2017 Chevrolet Sonic currently shows no active NHTSA recalls listed on this page and 37 owner-reported complaints.
- This page currently shows no linked NHTSA investigations.
- This page reflects complaint volume, recall history, and NHTSA test data, but it does not diagnose causes or rank reliability by itself.
- Safety data currently shows 5/5 overall NHTSA safety rating.
- The most frequently reported complaint categories on this page are engine (10), service brakes (2), unknown or other (2).
- Vehicle
- 2017 Chevrolet Sonic
- Recalls
- 0
- Complaints
- 37
- Safety Rating
- 5/5
How to Interpret This Page
This page combines three types of NHTSA data: recall campaigns (official manufacturer or government actions), owner complaints (unverified consumer reports), and crash test ratings (where available). A vehicle with many complaints is not necessarily less reliable — complaint volume correlates with sales volume and vehicle age. Recalls indicate identified defects, not overall quality. To compare this model year with others, use the year navigation in the sidebar or return to the model overview page.
If you are researching a used vehicle, start with the complaint categories, compare them against the recall list, and then check nearby model years to see whether the same issue profile repeats. That usually produces a better buying or research signal than treating the raw complaint total as a standalone safety ranking.
NHTSA Crash Test Performance
Frontal Crash Test
Side Crash Test
Overall Frontal Rating
Driver and Passenger Assessment
Driver Side
Passenger Side
Overall Side Rating
Side Barrier and Side Pole Tests
Driver Side
Passenger Side
Rollover Resistance
12.6% rollover risk in single-vehicle crash
Safety Features
ESC: StandardForward Collision Warning: OptionalLane Departure Warning: Optional
Owner Complaints
37 totalSTRUCTURE,ENGINE
Mar 2, 2026
Oil cooling system has been replaced. Major leak in AC line needs replacement. Purge solenoid stop functioning and was replaced, now there is an additional major coolant leak
AIR BAGS
CRASH1 injuryNov 4, 2025
The contact owns a 2017 Chevrolet Sonic. The contact stated that, while driving at 40 MPH, another vehicle failed to yield at a stop sign. As a result, the contact was unable to stop in time and collided with the driver's side B Pillar center region of the other vehicle. The air ...
Preview excerpt
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE
Aug 17, 2025
Multiple attempts to fix camshaft/ camshaft position sensor. Causes car to decelerate at high speeds. Shaking while at high speeds
ENGINE
Mar 5, 2025
I have replaced the same part now 4 times. I have multiple receipts. Cause the car the shut off or slow down while on the highway.
ENGINE
Apr 15, 2024
The contact owns a 2017 Chevrolet Sonic. The contact stated that when the vehicle was started, the entire vehicle was shaking. The contact stated that after the vehicle was left idling, the shaking and vibration diminished; however, when the vehicle was shifted into drive(D) and ...
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UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Jan 25, 2024
Roof molding is coming unglued on both sides of the vehicle, possible that it may fly off while traveling on highway or streets .My Dads Santa Cruz was recalled for what is happening to my Sonic. I noticed this after going through a car wash and the dryer made it flop around.
STEERING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE
Sep 23, 2023
steering wheel will lock up when you turn on car, we took it to Paradise Chevrolet, and they found power steering module has update available however need 12 Volt battery to be a higher CCA to reprogram p/s volt battery testing at 356 CCA recommend replacing battery and reprogram...
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STEERING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Jun 28, 2023
In June of 2023 I was driving my vehicle and suddenly the Traction Control, power steering and check engine light came on. I was able to get the vehicle safely home without the use of the power steering. Once I shut the vehicle off, it would not start again. I got the vehicle to ...
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ENGINE
Jun 27, 2023
The heating and cooling system has failed numerous times. The water outlet has been defective causing the engine to overheat along with the thermostat housing. The water outlet failed within a month of buying the car. It wasn't even 3 years old and only had 60 000 miles on it. ...
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ENGINE
Jun 26, 2023
Vehicle has 53k miles. I have had the error code p0011 (camshaft, vvt bank 1 too advanced) for most of the time I've had this car. Spend thousands at a certified dealership to get this issue fixed, only for it to pop up again. I was told the solution for this code is a new engine...
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Showing 10 recent complaints from 37 total
View Full Complaint LogCompare Related Vehicles
Why Compare These Pages
The strongest comparison flow is usually: exact vehicle-year page, then nearby years of the same model, then other 2017 Chevrolet models. That sequence helps separate one-off year spikes from broader make-wide patterns.
More Chevrolet Sonic Years
2018 Chevrolet SonicCompare this year against 2017 for complaint and recall shifts.1r14c2016 Chevrolet SonicCompare this year against 2017 for complaint and recall shifts.2r48c2019 Chevrolet SonicCompare this year against 2017 for complaint and recall shifts.8c2015 Chevrolet SonicCompare this year against 2017 for complaint and recall shifts.3r113c2020 Chevrolet SonicCompare this year against 2017 for complaint and recall shifts.9c2014 Chevrolet SonicCompare this year against 2017 for complaint and recall shifts.4r148c
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many recalls does the 2017 Chevrolet Sonic have?
The 2017 Chevrolet Sonic has 0 recalls recorded by NHTSA.
How many complaints have been filed for the 2017 Chevrolet Sonic?
NHTSA has received 37 owner-reported complaints for the 2017 Chevrolet Sonic.
What is the NHTSA safety rating for the 2017 Chevrolet Sonic?
The 2017 Chevrolet Sonic received an overall safety rating of 5 out of 5 stars from NHTSA.
What are the most common problems with the 2017 Chevrolet Sonic?
The most commonly reported complaint categories for the 2017 Chevrolet Sonic are engine (10 reports), service brakes (2 reports), unknown or other (2 reports).
Does the 2017 Chevrolet Sonic have any recalls?
NHTSA does not currently list any recalls on record for the 2017 Chevrolet Sonic. To verify the status of your specific vehicle, check nhtsa.gov/recalls with your VIN.
Check Another Vehicle
Look up recalls and complaints for any year, make, and model.
This page summarizes publicly available data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaint counts reflect reports submitted to NHTSA by vehicle owners and do not by themselves prove defect severity or vehicle safety. Safety ratings may not be available for all vehicle-years. This site is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. For official information, visit the official NHTSA page for this vehicle.