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What 10 owners told NHTSA about the 2020 Chevrolet Sonic

These are the actual owner complaints behind this car’s reliability verdict, filed with the federal government, unedited. They’re unverified reports, not confirmed defects: read them as leads for your pre-purchase inspection, not a diagnosis.

All (10)Electrical system (6)Transmission & drivetrain (3)Engine (2)Airbags (1)Fuel system (1)Seats (1)Steering (1)

1 of 10 complaints match · Seats · clear filters

Nov 15, 2024Seats

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 track, or the electrical system controlling the adjustment. The seat is available for inspection. 2. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? The stuck seat presents a safety hazard because it is positioned too far back, which can prevent proper seating posture or seatbelt positioning for a passenger. This could increase the risk of injury in the event of a crash, as the passenger may not be secured properly or may be too far from the airbag deployment zone. 3. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? Yes, the issue has been confirmed by both an independent mechanic and two other individuals knowledgeable about cars. The problem has been physically inspected, and the seat remains stuck in the rear position despite attempts to adjust it. 4. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives, or others? No, the vehicle has not been inspected by the manufacturer, police, or insurance representatives yet. However, it has been looked at by independent service providers, who have confirmed the issue with the passenger seat. My car is no longer secure by the bumper-to-bumper warranty despite only having 52K millage. 5. Were there any warning lamps, messages, or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? There were no warning lamps, messages, or other symptoms prior to the failure. The issue with the seat adjustment occurred suddenly, with no prior indication that there was a problem.

NHTSA ODI 11625449

Working with the data? Download all 10 complaints as CSV · fetched from NHTSA July 19, 2026

How to use these: a complaint is one owner’s report, filed voluntarily and published unverified. Patterns matter more than any single story. If several owners describe the same failure at similar mileage, put that system at the top of your pre-purchase inspection list. Back to the full 2020 Chevrolet Sonic verdict →