Chevrolet · Sonic · 2020
2020 Chevrolet Sonic
0
Recalls
9
Complaints
5/5
Safety Rating
The 2020 Chevrolet Sonic has no recalls and 9 owner-reported complaints on file with NHTSA. Overall safety rating: 5 out of 5 stars. Most reported issue: electrical system (3 reports).
Source: NHTSA Public Records · Updated Apr 28, 2026
Research Context
The 2020 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 electrical system with 3 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 2020 Chevrolet Sonic currently shows no active NHTSA recalls listed on this page and 9 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 electrical system (3), air bags (1), steering,power train,electrical system (1).
- Vehicle
- 2020 Chevrolet Sonic
- Recalls
- 0
- Complaints
- 9
- 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
9 totalELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Oct 1, 2025
Purchased from Carvana. Nine days after purchase came out to a dead battery took it to the authorized dealer and they said the battery was a bad cell battery. Replace the battery. Six days after they replaced the battery it was dead again. This time they had it in the shop for tw...
Preview excerpt
SEATS
Oct 21, 2024
1. What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? The passenger seat adjustment mechanism has failed, causing the seat to become stuck in the farthest rear position. The malfunction is likely related to either the motor, seat tr...
Preview excerpt
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Jun 26, 2024
Having trouble with leaks and the evap purge system. I repaired it three times. The vehicle will turn off while driving.
POWER TRAIN,ENGINE
Mar 6, 2024
1st occurence at approximately 37k miles on Vehicle has issue based on climate temperature sensor triggers a computer code 84 vehicle goes into limp mode to prevent engine failure however, this happens instantly no time to react and more than one occasion creating a hazardous dri...
Preview excerpt
STEERING,POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Mar 6, 2023
UNKNOWN -- During driving the vehicle the radio and power steering will stop working, locks and key for occasionally have issues, and the car shuts down and has to be re-started. Sometimes will take a minute or two to be able to be re-started. If car stalls at high speeds could...
Preview excerpt
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Jan 24, 2023
There was an instance a couple months ago where I was driving and my ignition stopped. To my luck, I was in a safe area to stop but it is dangerous for this to be happening with my car while I am driving.
AIR BAGS
Jun 24, 2021
The contact owns a 2020 Chevrolet Sonic. The contact stated that while her granddaughter was driving approximately 40 mph, the front driver’s and passenger’s side air bags erroneously deployed causing the driver to lose control of the steering wheel and the vehicle drove off the ...
Preview excerpt
POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Sep 24, 2020
MANUFACTURERS OWNERS MANUAL INSTRUCTIONS MAY LEAD TO TRANSMISSION / ELECTRICAL FAILURES WHICH MAY CAUSE AN ACCIDENT WHEN TRAVELING. THE RECREATIONAL TOWING INSTRUCTIONS REQUIRE THAT FUSES BE REMOVED (STEP 5) BEFORE NEXT STEPS INCLUDING SHIFTING VEHICLE INTO PARK AND TURNING IG...
Preview excerpt
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Feb 11, 2020
2020 CHEVROLET SONIC. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO DEFECTIVE KEYLESS IGNITION. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE IT WAS POSSIBLE TO TURN OFF THE KEYLESS ENTRY WITHOUT FIRST PUTTING THE VEHICLE IN PARK. IT IS ALSO POSSIBLE TO SHIFT OUT OF PARK BEFORE STARTING THE IGNITION. *JS
Showing 9 recent complaints from 9 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 2020 Chevrolet models. That sequence helps separate one-off year spikes from broader make-wide patterns.
More Chevrolet Sonic Years
2019 Chevrolet SonicCompare this year against 2020 for complaint and recall shifts.8c2018 Chevrolet SonicCompare this year against 2020 for complaint and recall shifts.1r14c2017 Chevrolet SonicCompare this year against 2020 for complaint and recall shifts.37c2016 Chevrolet SonicCompare this year against 2020 for complaint and recall shifts.2r48c2015 Chevrolet SonicCompare this year against 2020 for complaint and recall shifts.3r113c2014 Chevrolet SonicCompare this year against 2020 for complaint and recall shifts.4r148c
More 2020 Chevrolet Models
2020 Chevrolet SilveradoAnother 2020 Chevrolet option for same-year comparison.12r644c2020 Chevrolet EquinoxAnother 2020 Chevrolet option for same-year comparison.4r269c2020 Chevrolet TraverseAnother 2020 Chevrolet option for same-year comparison.8r202c2020 Chevrolet BlazerAnother 2020 Chevrolet option for same-year comparison.3r186c2020 Chevrolet MalibuAnother 2020 Chevrolet option for same-year comparison.1r183c2020 Chevrolet Bolt EVAnother 2020 Chevrolet option for same-year comparison.8r164c
Frequently Asked Questions
How many recalls does the 2020 Chevrolet Sonic have?
The 2020 Chevrolet Sonic has 0 recalls recorded by NHTSA.
How many complaints have been filed for the 2020 Chevrolet Sonic?
NHTSA has received 9 owner-reported complaints for the 2020 Chevrolet Sonic.
What is the NHTSA safety rating for the 2020 Chevrolet Sonic?
The 2020 Chevrolet Sonic received an overall safety rating of 5 out of 5 stars from NHTSA.
What are the most common problems with the 2020 Chevrolet Sonic?
The most commonly reported complaint categories for the 2020 Chevrolet Sonic are electrical system (3 reports), air bags (1 reports), steering,power train,electrical system (1 reports).
Does the 2020 Chevrolet Sonic have any recalls?
NHTSA does not currently list any recalls on record for the 2020 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.