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2018 Chevrolet Sonic

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2018 Sonic.

Body PASSENGER CAR

The 2018 Chevrolet Sonic is a passenger car that uses a powerplant requiring 4.2 qt of oil and specifying a 5W‑30/0W‑30 viscosity. It records only 14 total owner complaints, with the primary complaint area being the electrical system, and carries a single recall. In the model’s complaint history from 2011 to 2020, the 2018 figure sits near the low end, reflecting a decline from the 353 complaints of 2012 to just one in 2011.

Model year202020192018201720162015201420132012

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity4.2 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-30 / 0W-30OEM · verified
Lug nut torque103 ft-lbsOEM · verified

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; Optional: 6.0, NA inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter55593191 alt 25195777
Engine air filter96950990
Spark plug12681655 alt 12681656
Battery88866115 alt 88866291
Front wiper blades42495284 alt 95228810
Serpentine belt55578115 alt 55595700
Thermostat55565619 alt 25189205
Cabin air filter13503677

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length174 in
Overall width68.5 in
Overall height59.8 in
Wheelbase99.2 in
Curb weight2848 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
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2019LT RS 5-door Hatchback 1.4L Turbo I-48.50 sec16.60 sec138 hpFWD
2014RS Turbo Sedan 1.4L Turbo I-48.20 sec16.40 sec138 hpFWD
2014RS Turbo Sedan 1.4L Turbo I-48.70 sec16.70 sec138 hpFWD
2013RS Turbo 5-door Hatchback 1.4L Turbo I-48.10 sec16.30 sec138 hpFWD
2013RS Turbo 5-door Hatchback 1.4L Turbo I-48.10 sec16.40 sec138 hpFWD
2012LTZ Turbo 5-door Hatchback 1.4L Turbo I-47.80 sec16.20 sec138 hpFWD
2012LTZ Turbo 5-door Hatchback 1.4L Turbo I-48.10 sec16.10 sec138 hpFWD
2012LTZ Turbo 5-door Hatchback 1.4L Turbo I-48.10 sec16.40 sec138 hpFWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

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

This engine holds 4.2 qt of 5W-30 / 0W-30 engine oil, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 103 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 FluidUse DEXRON(R)-VI GM P/N 89020661
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity4.2-6.3
Brake FluidDOT 3
Clutch FluidDOT 3
Engine Coolant Capacity6.9
Engine Oil5W-30 · 0W-30
Engine Oil Capacity4.2 qt
Engine Oil5W-30 · 0W-30

Engine torques

Crankshaft Position (CKP) Sensor Bolt(s)7.1 ft-lbs
Crankshaft Position (CKP) Sensor Bolt(s)3.6 ft-lbs
Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs71.0 inch lbs. ft-lbs
Oxygen (O2S) Sensor Bolt(s)31.0 ft-lbs
Knock Sense (KS) Bolt(s)15.0 ft-lbs
Oxygen (O2S) Sensor Bolt(s)31.0 ft-lbs
Knock Sense (KS) Bolt(s)15.0 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts17 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts103 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-4-2
Cylinder Firing Order1-2-3-4-5-6
Cylinder Firing Order1-8-7-2-6-5-4-3
Cylinder Firing Order1-3-4-2

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.10-1.20 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Oil Capacity3.70 oz
Standard BCI Group Number47
Standard BCI Cranking Performance525 cca
Standard BCI Group Number47

Service checks

RPM43.0-58.0 @ Idle rpm
RPM43.0-58.0 @ Idle rpm
Key ON Engine OFF (KOEO)50.0-94.0
RPM43.0-58.0 @ Idle rpm
Key ON Engine OFF (KOEO)50.0-94.0
RPM43.0-58.0 @ Idle rpm
Engine Compression149

Brakes

Brake Caliper Bolt to Carrier Torque30
Brake Caliper Carrier to Hub Bolt TorqueUse New Bolts: 74 ft-lbs
Vented Rotor Minimum Thickness for ReplacementFront: .905; Rear: .393
Vented Rotor Minimum Thickness after RefinishFront: .945; Rear: .402
Variation from Parallelism Thickness Variation.0008
Maximum Rotor Runout.002
Maximum Drum DiameterRear: 9.094

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Camshaft Sprocket and/or Gear Bolt(s) — tightening sequence 1 stages
137.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 6037 ft. lbs
Camshaft Sprocket and/or Gear Bolt(s) — tightening sequence 1 stages
137.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 15037 ft. lbs
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 2 stages
118.0 ft. lbs.18 ft. lbs
245.0
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 3 stages
126.0 ft. lbs.26 ft. lbs
245.0 degrees45 degrees
315.0
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
1111.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 45 ft. lbs., Step 3: +/-60 degrees. Use new bolt.111 ft. lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
170.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 45 degrees, Step 3: 1570 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 2 stages

Prep Do not re-use old bolts.

126.0 ft. lbs.26 ft. lbs
2180 degrees180 degrees
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 5 stages

Prep Do not re-use old bolts.

118.0 ft. lbs.18 ft. lbs
290 degrees90 degrees
390 degrees90 degrees
490 degrees90 degrees
545 degrees45 degrees
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 5 stages

Prep Do not re-use old bolts.

118.0 ft. lbs.18 ft. lbs
290 degrees90 degrees
390 degrees90 degrees
490 degrees90 degrees
545 degrees45 degrees
Engine Flywheel Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
144.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 45.0 degrees, Step 3: 1544 ft. lbs
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 3 stages
137.0 ft. lbs.37 ft. lbs
245.0 degrees45 degrees
315.0

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 miAccelerator 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 miCabin Air Filter (replace)
Every 45,000 miEngine Air Filter Element (replace) · Fuel Evaporative Emission Control System (inspect)
Every 60,000 miSpark Plug Wires (inspect) · Spark Plugs (replace)
Every 97,500 miTiming Belt (replace) · Timing Belt Idler Pulley (replace) · Timing Belt Tensioner (replace)
At 150,000 miAccessory 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.

In the 2018 model year, the Chevrolet Sonic saw a sharp decline in complaints—only 14 reported, down from 48 in 2016 and 37 in 2017—while recalls fell to a single event, a trend that mirrors the overall downward trajectory from the peak of 353 complaints and 7 recalls in 2012. The year‑by‑year data shows a steady erosion of safety‑related reports after 2013, with the 2018 figure ranking near the bottom of the decade. Top complaint areas for 2018 were limited to four categories, each with two or fewer complaints, indicating no widespread defect. With no crash or fire complaints recorded for 2018, the Sonic’s safety profile appears robust for that model year. Overall, the 2018 Sonic represents a comparatively low‑risk purchase within its generation, making it a solid candidate for a used‑vehicle buyer.

1
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
818
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
14
Owner complaints
0 involved a crash · 0 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 14 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Electrical System2
Engine1
Fuel System, Gasoline,Engine1
Unknown Or Other1
Air Bags1
Electrical System,Fuel/Propulsion System1
Parking Brake,Seats,Engine1
Electrical System,Wheels1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 1 of 1 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

18V342000SeatsReported 27/05/2018

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018 Chevrolet Sonic vehicles. A joint in the driver's seat-back frame may not be properly welded, reducing the strength of the seat-back frame. Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's seat-back, free of charge. The recall began June 28, 2018. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 818 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
PIT3271Q2026-04-01Unknown Or OtherThis preliminary information communicates information about how to determine if a wheel…
PIP61042026-03-09Unknown Or OtherThis Preliminary information communicates the steps on how to save a GDS2 Session Log and…
PIP4902V2026-03-09Unknown Or OtherThis preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into…
PIP4902U2026-01-08Unknown Or OtherThis preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into…
PIT5214G2025-11-20Unknown Or OtherThis 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 batteryVehicles taking 4.2 qtEngine oil filter 55593191Engine air filter 96950990Spark plug 12681655Battery 88866115

Reference guides

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

Vehicle recalls & TSBsOBD-II trouble codesTorque specificationsMaintenance schedulesFluid capacities & specs

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2018 Sonic take?

4.2 qt of 5W-30 Use GM Dexos 1 Oil or equivalent. Where temperature falls below -20 degreesF Use 0W-30, per the factory manual.

Does the 2018 Sonic have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.