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2016 Chevrolet Sonic

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2016 Sonic.

Body PASSENGER CAR

The 2016 Chevrolet Sonic enters the record as a passenger car with 48 owner-reported complaints and two recalls, placing it well below the model's peak complaint year of 2012 — which saw 353 reports — but notably above the 2011 low of just one. Its leading complaint category is listed as "Unknown Or Other," a designation that reflects uncategorized or emerging issues rather than a defined systemic fault. Across the 2011–2020 span, the Sonic's complaint trajectory shows sharp early volatility before settling into a more moderate range, positioning the 2016 model year as a comparatively quiet point in the nameplate's history. For a researcher, this means the 2016 warrants attention primarily for its two recalls and the breadth of its uncategorized complaints rather than any dominant failure pattern.

Model year2020 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 47 · 525 CCA battery, OE oil filter 55593191. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 47 · 525 CCAOEM · verified

Tire sizeP195/65R15OEM · verified

Wheel / rim6.0 inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter	55593191 alt 25195777
Engine air filter	96950990
Spark plug	12681656 alt 12681655
Battery	88866291 alt 88866115
Front wiper blades	95228810 alt 42495284
Serpentine belt	55595700 alt 55578115
Thermostat	55565619 alt 25189205
Cabin air filter	13503677 alt 13271190

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length	173.2 in
Overall width	68.5 in
Overall height	59.8 in
Wheelbase	99.6 in
Curb weight	2745 lb
Track (front / rear)	59.4 / 59.4 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)	62/38

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the Sonic of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

7.8–8.7 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 7.80 sec — 2012 LTZ Turbo 5-door Hatchback

Year	Trim / engine	0–60	¼ mile	HP	Drivetrain
2014	RS Turbo Sedan 1.4L Turbo I-4	8.20 sec	16.40 sec	138 hp	FWD
2014	RS Turbo Sedan 1.4L Turbo I-4	8.70 sec	16.70 sec	138 hp	FWD
2013	RS Turbo 5-door Hatchback 1.4L Turbo I-4	8.10 sec	16.30 sec	138 hp	FWD
2013	RS Turbo 5-door Hatchback 1.4L Turbo I-4	8.10 sec	16.40 sec	138 hp	FWD
2019	LT RS 5-door Hatchback 1.4L Turbo I-4	8.50 sec	16.60 sec	138 hp	FWD
2012	LTZ Turbo 5-door Hatchback 1.4L Turbo I-4	7.80 sec	16.20 sec	138 hp	FWD
2012	LTZ Turbo 5-door Hatchback 1.4L Turbo I-4	8.10 sec	16.10 sec	138 hp	FWD
2012	LTZ Turbo 5-door Hatchback 1.4L Turbo I-4	8.10 sec	16.40 sec	138 hp	FWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque the oil drain plug to 18.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-3-4-2. Note the cylinder-head bolts finish on a torque angle (torque-to-yield) — they stretch permanently and should be replaced, not reused, during any head service.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission Fluid	DEXRON(R)-VI GM P/N 89020661
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity	4.5-6.5
Brake Fluid	DOT 3
Clutch Fluid	DOT 3
Engine Coolant	Dex Cool
Engine Coolant Capacity	6.9 qt
Engine Coolant	Dex Cool
Engine Coolant Capacity	6.3 qt

Engine torques

Engine Flywheel Bolts	61.0 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts	15
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts	15
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts	15
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug	11.0 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug	18.0 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug	18.0 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs	71.0 inch lbs. ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order	1-3-4-2
Spark Plug Manufacturer	Ac Delco
Spark Plug Gap	.028 in
Spark Plug Torque	18 ft-lbs
Spark Plug Manufacturer	AC Delco
Spark Plug Gap	.024 - .028 in
Spark Plug Torque	18 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

Refrigerant	R134a
Refrigerant Capacity	1.10 lbs
Oil Group	PAG
Oil Type	46
Oil Capacity	3.70 oz
Standard BCI Group Number	47
Standard BCI Cranking Performance	525 cca
Standard BCI Group Number	47

Service checks

Pressure Test	15, Pressure should not exceed 20 psi.
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief	15 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature	194-221 °F
Key ON Engine OFF (KOEO)	40-50
Key ON Engine OFF (KOEO)	50-94
Residual Pressure	43-58 inidle psi
Engine Compression	300(2) psi-/ Max Variation 14.5 psi
Engine Compression	TURBO / 174-203 PSI / Max Variation14.5 psi

Brakes

Brake Caliper Bolt to Carrier Torque	Front: 21; Rear: 21 /
Brake Caliper Carrier to Hub Bolt Torque	Front: 74; Rear: 74 /
ABS Sensor Torque	6.6 / NS
Minimum Pad Thickness	0.079 in
Minimum Shoe Thickness	0.055 in
Vented Rotor Minimum Thickness for Replacement	Front: .905; Rear: .393
Vented Rotor Minimum Thickness after Refinish	Front: .945; Rear: .402
Variation from Parallelism Thickness Variation	.0008

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Steering Track (Rod End) Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages

128

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages

18.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 45

18 ft. lbs

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages

26.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 45 degrees, Step 3: 45

26 ft. lbs

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 2 stages

Prep Do not reuse old bolts.

1	26.0 ft. lbs.	26 ft. lbs
2	180 degrees	180 degrees

Engine Flywheel Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages

44.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 45 degrees, Step 3: 15

44 ft. lbs

Engine Flywheel Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages

36.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 90

36 ft. lbs

Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages

37.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 45 degrees, Step 3: 15

37 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 7,500 mi; spark plugs every 60,000 mi.

Every 7,500 mi	Accelerator Pedal (inspect) · Body Latches, Locks & Hinges (lubricate) · Brake Shift Interlock Solenoid (inspect) · Brake System (inspect) · Engine Coolant System (inspect fluid level) · Engine Oil (inspect fluid level)
Every 22,500 mi	Cabin Air Filter (replace)
Every 45,000 mi	Brake Hydraulic System (drain, refill & bleed) · Clutch Hydraulic System (drain & refill) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Fuel Evaporative Emission Control System (inspect)
Every 60,000 mi	Spark Plug Wires (inspect) · Spark Plugs (replace)
Every 97,500 mi	Timing Belt (replace) · Timing Belt Idler Pulley (replace) · Timing Belt Tensioner (replace)
At 150,000 mi	Accessory Drive Belt (inspect)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2016 Chevrolet Sonic falls within a clear downward trend of federal complaints and recalls that peaked early in the generation during 2012. With 48 complaints and 2 recalls, the 2016 model shows a marked improvement over the 114 complaints and 3 recalls recorded for 2015, though it remains slightly higher than the 37 complaints seen in 2017. TSBs for this year also declined to 1,082 from a generation peak of 1,725 in 2013. The top reported issues for 2016 include the electrical system, air bags, and categories labeled as "Unknown Or Other," though the data does not specify the root causes. Given its position in this improving quality arc, 2016 is a good year to buy.

Open recalls

NHTSA campaigns

1082

Service bulletins

Manufacturer communications

ODI investigations

Office of Defects Investigation

Owner complaints

8 involved a crash · 1 a fire

NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars

Overall★★★★★

Frontal★★★★★

Side★★★★★

Rollover★★★★★

Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

’11 ’12 ’13 ’14 ’15’16’17 ’18 ’19 ’20

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 48 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Unknown Or Other6

Electrical System6

Air Bags6

Engine4

Electronic Stability Control (Esc),Engine2

Electrical System,Engine2

Fuel/Propulsion System2

Engine,Fuel/Propulsion System2

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 2 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

16V422000Electrical System:SoftwareReported 10/06/2016

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 Chevrolet Sonic and Trax, and 2013-2015 Spark vehicles equipped with a Bring Your Own Media radio. The affected radios may fail to provide an audible… Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will update the radio software, free of charge. The recall began on July 22, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at…

16V257000Equipment:Electrical:Radio/Tape Deck/Cd Etc.Reported 28/04/2016

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013-2016 Chevrolet Sonic and Trax vehicles and 2013-2015 Chevrolet Spark vehicles equipped with a Bring Your Own Media radio. The affected radios may fail to… Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will update the radio software, free of charge. The manufacturer has not yet provided a notification schedule. Owners may contact Chevrolet…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 1082 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

Bulletin	Date	Component	Summary
PIT3271Q	2026-04-01	Unknown Or Other	This preliminary information communicates information about how to determine if a wheel…
PIP6104	2026-03-09	Unknown Or Other	This Preliminary information communicates the steps on how to save a GDS2 Session Log and…
PIP4902V	2026-03-09	Unknown Or Other	This preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into…
PIP4902U	2026-01-08	Unknown Or Other	This preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into…
PIT5214G	2025-11-20	Unknown Or Other	This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420

Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1

P0300

Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected

P0171

System too lean — Bank 1

P0455

Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak

P0128

Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature

P0442

Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN

Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Sonic. OEM

Build data

Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.

Recalls

Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Group 47 battery Engine oil filter 55593191 Engine air filter 96950990 Spark plug 12681656 Battery 88866291

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Vehicle recalls & TSBs OBD-II trouble codes Torque specifications Maintenance schedules

Frequently asked

Does the 2016 Sonic have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.