2013 Chevrolet Sonic Transmission & Power Train Problems
NHTSA component category: POWER TRAIN · data through 07/12/2026
Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.
How power train ranks on this vehicle
Share of the 217 complaints citing each category; one complaint can cite several. Full breakdown on the 2013 Chevrolet Sonic overview page.
What owners report
“THE BUTTON ON THE GEAR SHIFT THAT ACTIVATES THE SHIFTER AND ALLOWS IT TO MOVE REGULARLY GETS STUCK ALLOWING THE CAR TO BE PUT INTO…”NHTSA complaint 10993550 — filed 06/06/2017
“THE BUTTON TO SHIFT GEARS SNAPPED PFF WITH NO MISUSE. COULDN'T PUT MY CAR IN PARK BECAUSE OF IT IT HAPPENED AS SOON AS IT…”NHTSA complaint 10985919 — filed 05/16/2017
“AUTOMATIC SHIFTER BUTTON REMAINS IN DEPRESSED POSITION, EVEN WHEN VEHICLE IS IN PARK, 1) PREVENTING REMOVAL OF KEY AND 2) ALLOWING FREE MOVEMENT FROM PARK…”NHTSA complaint 10905760 — filed 09/12/2016
Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.
Power Train complaints by year filed
Frequently asked questions
Does the 2013 Chevrolet Sonic have transmission & power train problems?
Power Train is the #4 most-reported problem area on the 2013 Chevrolet Sonic: 38 of 217 complaints on file (17.5%). Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects.
How many complaints does the 2013 Chevrolet Sonic have in total?
217 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/12/2026. Across all categories, 24 involved a crash, 4 involved a fire, 20 reported injuries, and none reported deaths.
What does NHTSA's power train category include?
NHTSA groups complaints about the transmission (automatic or manual), driveline, axles, transfer case and related parts under a single component category called POWER TRAIN. This page reports that category as NHTSA defines it.
