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Chevrolet Sonic vs Ford Fiesta: reliability compared

From 2011 to 2019, owners filed an average of 105 complaints per model year about the Chevrolet Sonic and 353 about the Ford Fiesta.

Side by side

Chevrolet SonicFord Fiesta
Model years compared2011-20192011-2019
Owner complaints9443,175
Complaints per model year105353
Recalls1612
Years to avoid20122013201420152011201220132014
Best yearsNone stand outNone stand out
Most common problemEngineTransmission
Crash ratingNo dataNo data
Fuel economy29-31 mpg combined (2019)28-31 mpg combined (2019)

A car that sells more collects more complaints, so the fairest test is the number of years to avoid, which compares each year with a typical year of the same car.

Complaints per model year

2011 Chevrolet Sonic: 12011 Ford Fiesta: 73020112012 Chevrolet Sonic: 3542012 Ford Fiesta: 61720122013 Chevrolet Sonic: 2172013 Ford Fiesta: 66820132014 Chevrolet Sonic: 1502014 Ford Fiesta: 50420142015 Chevrolet Sonic: 1142015 Ford Fiesta: 25920152016 Chevrolet Sonic: 482016 Ford Fiesta: 17920162017 Chevrolet Sonic: 372017 Ford Fiesta: 7520172018 Chevrolet Sonic: 152018 Ford Fiesta: 3520182019 Chevrolet Sonic: 82019 Ford Fiesta: 1082019
Chevrolet SonicFord Fiesta

Problems compared

SonicFiesta
Engine252545
Transmission2281,498
Electrical221340
Airbags125102
Fuel system73159
Steering5373
Body28409
Acceleration32198
Locks6184

Questions about the Chevrolet Sonic vs Ford Fiesta

Which is more reliable, the Chevrolet Sonic or the Ford Fiesta?

Between 2011 and 2019, the Chevrolet Sonic has 4 years to avoid and the Ford Fiesta 4. Both are about equally consistent from year to year. By raw volume, the Chevrolet Sonic drew fewer complaints per model year (105 vs 353), though sales volume affects that number.

Which has more recalls, the Chevrolet Sonic or the Ford Fiesta?

From 2011 to 2019, the Chevrolet Sonic was covered by 16 recalls and the Ford Fiesta by 12.

What years of the Chevrolet Sonic and Ford Fiesta should you avoid?

Chevrolet Sonic: 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2015. Ford Fiesta: 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014.

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