VehicleVerdict

2013 Chevrolet Sonic airbags problems

The 2013 Chevrolet Sonic has 25 airbags complaints filed with NHTSA — 8% of the year's total, and down from the prior model year.

25

Airbags complaints

8%

Share of year

17

Crash-involved

1

Related recalls

Airbags complaints by year

Sonic airbags complaints by model year34 complaints2012: 34 complaints2013: 25 complaints2014: 24 complaints2015: 27 complaints2016: 8 complaints2017: 6 complaints2018: 1 complaints2020: 1 complaints
Sonic airbags complaints by model year. Red bars are years to avoid.

Related recalls

23V516000AirbagsJuly 27, 2023 · 767 units

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.

Consequence

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.

What owners report

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET SONIC. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A HEAD ON COLLISION. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THERE WAS ONE INJURY REPORTED THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · September 15, 2014 · crash

Common questions

How many airbags complaints does the 2013 Chevrolet Sonic have?

NHTSA has 25 complaints about the 2013 Chevrolet Sonic airbags — 8% of all complaints filed for that model year.

Are there recalls for the 2013 Chevrolet Sonic airbags?

Yes — 1 NHTSA recall campaign for this model year is tied to the airbags: 23V516000.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.