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2020 Chevrolet Sonic

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2020 Sonic.

Transmission Automatic (S6)

The 2020 Chevrolet Sonic is built on Chevrolet’s subcompact platform and is equipped with a four‑cylinder engine that uses 4.25 qt of 0W‑30, 0W‑40 or 5W‑30 oil, paired with an S6 automatic transmission and achieving EPA ratings of 26 mpg city, 34 mpg highway and 29 mpg combined. Its modest fuel consumption and the relatively generous oil capacity are among the more practical attributes of this model year, while the vehicle recorded only ten owner complaints—primarily centered on the electrical system—and no recalls. Spanning a complaint history from 2011 to 2020, the Sonic’s early years saw a single complaint in 2011 and a peak of 353 in 2012; the 2020 data therefore places this iteration toward the lower end of the model’s overall reliability spectrum, indicating a comparatively stable and dependable generation.

Model year202020192018201720162015201420132012

Quick specs

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

Engine oil capacity4.25 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type0W-30 / 0W-40 / 5W-30OEM · verified
Lug nut torque103.0 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy26/34/29 mpgEPA · 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 sizeP195/65R15 89HOEM · verified
Wheel / rim6; Optional: 6.5 inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter55593191 alt 55565385
Engine air filter25199250
Spark plug12681656
Front wiper blades95228810 alt 42495284
Serpentine belt55595700
Thermostat55565619 alt 25200455
Cabin air filter13503677

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic (S6)

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

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined26 / 34 / 29 mpg
DrivetrainFront-Wheel Drive
Passenger volume91 cu ft
Cargo volume12 cu ft
Recommended fuelRegular Gasoline

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 4.25 qt of 0W-30 / 0W-40 / 5W-30 engine oil, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 103.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-3-4-2.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidDEXRON®-VI GM P/N 89020661
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity6T30
Brake FluidDOT 3
Brake Fluid Capacity1.416
Engine CoolantDex-Cool
Engine Coolant Capacity6.9
Engine Oil0W-30 · 0W-40 · 5W-30 · 5W-40
Engine Oil Capacity4.25 qt

Engine torques

Crankshaft Position (CKP) Sensor Bolt(s)6.0 ft-lbs
Camshaft Position (CMP) Sensor Bolt(s)6.0 ft-lbs
Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs6.0 ft-lbs
Oxygen (O2S) Sensor Bolt(s)31.0 ft-lbs
Knock Sense (KS) Bolt(s)18.0 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts15.0 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts6.0 ft-lbs
Oil Pan to Block Bolts7.4 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts103.0 ft-lbs
Automatic Transmission Drain Plug8.8 ft-lbs
Front Wheel HubPress fit ft-lbs
Rear Wheel Hub43.0 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-4-2
Spark Plug ManufacturerAC Delco
Spark Plug Gap0.028 in
Spark Plug Torque18.0 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.0-1.6 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Capacity3.07 oz
Standard BCI Group Number47
Standard BCI Cranking Performance525 cca
Standard BCI Group Number47
Standard BCI Cranking Performance525 cca

Service checks

Key ON Engine OFF (KOEO)50-94
Engine Oil Pressure22.0 at idle psi
Engine Oil Pressure RPM55-94 3000 rpm – 3500 rpm
Intake Valve LashHydraulic in
Exhaust Valve LashHydraulic in

Brakes

Brake Caliper Bolt to Carrier Torque74.0
Brake Caliper Carrier to Hub Bolt Torque30.0
ABS Sensor TorqueFront: 6.0; Rear: 6.0
Minimum Pad Thickness0.079 in
Minimum Shoe Thickness0.197 in
Vented Rotor Minimum Thickness for ReplacementFront: 0.905; Rear: 0.393
Vented Rotor Minimum Thickness after RefinishFront: 0.945; Rear: 0.402
Vented Rotor Maximum Scoring DepthFront: 0.059; Rear: 0.059

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Steering Track (Rod End) Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
1128°
Camshaft Sprocket and/or Gear Bolt(s) — tightening sequence 1 stages
137.0 ft. lbs. Step 2: 60°37 ft. lbs
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
118.0 ft. lbs. Step 2: 45°18 ft. lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
145°-60°
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 1 stages
126.0 ft. lbs. Step 2: 180°26 ft. lbs
Flex or Driveplate Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
126.0 ft. lbs. Step 2: 30° Step 3: 15°26 ft. lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
126.0 ft. lbs. Step 2: 30° Step 3: 15°26 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the 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) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Engine Coolant System (inspect fluid level)
Every 15,000 miWindshield Wiper Blade (replace)
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 75,000 miHood Hinge (inspect)
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.

The 2020 Chevrolet Sonic sits at the tail end of a clear downward trend in federal complaints and recalls across its generation. Complaints peaked sharply at 353 in 2012, then declined steadily to just 8 in 2019, with 2020 recording a nearly identical 10 complaints—a negligible fluctuation that suggests no new systemic problems. Recalls followed a similar arc, dropping from 7 in 2012 to zero in 2020, and the single recall in 2018 is the only blemish in the final three model years. Technical Service Bulletins also fell from a high of 1,588 in 2012 to 542 in 2020, indicating that most design and manufacturing issues were addressed earlier in the generation. With no investigations, no crash or fire complaints, and only minor, scattered reports in areas like the electrical system and engine, the 2020 Sonic represents a mature, sorted-out model. This is a solid year to buy for a used subcompact, as the data shows it largely escaped the early-generation troubles.

0
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
542
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
10
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 10 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Electrical System3
Engine1
Seats1
Electrical System,Unknown Or Other,Fuel/Propulsion System1
Power Train,Engine1
Steering,Power Train,Electrical System1
Air Bags1
Power Train,Electrical System1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

No recall campaigns on record with NHTSA for this vehicle as of the last data refresh.

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 542 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…
PIT6425D2026-03-02Unknown Or OtherThis Preliminary information communicates to the field on how to diagnosis a GPS issue…
PIT6425C2026-01-16Unknown Or OtherThis Preliminary information communicates to the field on how to diagnosis a GPS issue…

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 4.25 qtEngine oil filter 55593191Engine air filter 25199250Spark plug 12681656Front wiper blades 95228810

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 2020 Sonic take?

4.25 qt of GM Dexos2, 0W-30, 0W-40, 5W-30 and 5W-40, per the factory manual.

Does the 2020 Sonic have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 0 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the Sonic get?

EPA figures are 26 city / 34 highway / 29 combined mpg.