Recall 16V257 covers 317,572 2013-2016 Chevrolet Sonic, Trax, and Spark vehicles for missing key-in-ignition chimes. Radio software update is free at any franchised Chevrolet dealer.
Chevrolet is recalling 317,572 2013-2016 Trax, Spark, and Sonic vehicles with Bring Your Own Media radios because a radio defect leaves the door chime silent after the ignition is off and the key stays in the cylinder for 10 minutes or longer. Without that audible warning, a driver can leave the key behind, increasing theft risk; Chevrolet dealers will complete the repair free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The Bring Your Own Media radio in the 2013-2016 Chevrolet Trax, Spark, and Sonic does more than play audio. It also helps run the key-in reminder chime, the sound that tells the driver the key is still in the ignition after the vehicle is shut off and the driver door opens. That chime is part of the theft-protection system because it helps prevent a key from being left in the cylinder.
On affected vehicles, the radio software does not wake the amplifier power process soon enough after the radio has gone into sleep mode. When that happens, the radio misses the command for the key reminder chime. The result is a missing or shortened chime after the ignition is off and the key remains in the cylinder.
What you notice is the chime problem itself. The vehicle can fail to sound the warning after the door is opened more than 10 minutes after shutdown, or after the door is reopened more than 20 seconds later.
Who's affected?
Spans Trax, Spark, and Sonic across the 2013-2016 model years; electrical system software and radio equipment are both listed for the recall.
| 2013 Chevrolet Trax | electrical system software |
|---|---|
| 2013 Chevrolet Trax | Radio/tape deck/cd etc. |
| 2015 Chevrolet Spark | electrical system software |
| 2015 Chevrolet Spark | Radio/tape deck/cd etc. |
| 2014 Chevrolet Trax | electrical system software |
| 2014 Chevrolet Trax | Radio/tape deck/cd etc. |
| 2014 Chevrolet Spark | electrical system software |
| 2014 Chevrolet Spark | Radio/tape deck/cd etc. |
| 2013 Chevrolet Sonic | electrical system software |
| 2013 Chevrolet Sonic | Radio/tape deck/cd etc. |
| 2013 Chevrolet Spark | electrical system software |
| 2013 Chevrolet Spark | Radio/tape deck/cd etc. |
| 2014 Chevrolet Sonic | electrical system software |
| 2014 Chevrolet Sonic | Radio/tape deck/cd etc. |
| 2015 Chevrolet Sonic | electrical system software |
| 2015 Chevrolet Sonic | Radio/tape deck/cd etc. |
| 2015 Chevrolet Trax | electrical system software |
| 2015 Chevrolet Trax | Radio/tape deck/cd etc. |
| 2016 Chevrolet Sonic | electrical system software |
| 2016 Chevrolet Sonic | Radio/tape deck/cd etc. |
| 2016 Chevrolet Trax | electrical system software |
| 2016 Chevrolet Trax | Radio/tape deck/cd etc. |
| Units affected | 317,572 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged no field incidents to date. |
A matching year and model does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific vehicle is included.
What's the safety risk?
The door chime can be missing or too short after you leave the key in the ignition and reopen the door. That makes it easier to walk away with the key still inside, increasing theft risk. Check the ignition before leaving the vehicle. Repair is free at any franchised Chevrolet dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2013-2016 Chevrolet Trax, Spark, or Sonic is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Chevrolet dealer to schedule the free radio software update that restores the key-in-ignition warning chime.
- Bring the owner notice if you have it. If not, reference recall number 16V257 when you call.
- Remove the key every time you park until the software update is complete.
- Call Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 with questions about recall number 16V257 or Chevrolet recall 17130.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Chevrolet technician updates the Bring Your Own Media radio software so the warning chime works as required when the key is left in the ignition after shutdown. The software update is free under the recall, with parts and labor covered. If you already paid for a related radio software or warning chime repair before the recall notice, GM's standard reimbursement plan covers documented expenses. Bring receipts or repair paperwork to the Chevrolet service desk and ask how to submit the claim.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| April 27, 2016 | Dealer notification began |
|---|---|
| April 27, 2016 | Dealer notification ended |
| April 28, 2016 | NHTSA published the recall |
| May 26, 2016 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 16V257?
Recall 16V257 covers 317,572 Chevrolet Sonic, Trax, and Spark vehicles with a Bring Your Own Media radio software issue. After the ignition is off and the key stays in the cylinder for 10 minutes or longer, the radio can fail to sound the warning chime required by FMVSS 114.
What should I do if my 2013-2016 Chevrolet Sonic or Trax, or 2013-2015 Chevrolet Spark, is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific vehicle is included in recall 16V257. If it is, call a franchised Chevrolet dealer and ask for the radio software update under recall 17130. The dealer repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost, and Chevrolet dealers will update the affected radio software free of charge. Reference recall 16V257 or Chevrolet recall number 17130 when you contact the service desk.
What is the safety risk in recall 16V257?
The risk is theft, not a listed crash defect. Without the audible key reminder, the driver can leave the key in the ignition after turning off the vehicle. That condition increases theft risk and fails to meet FMVSS 114 theft-protection requirements.
What if I bought my Chevrolet Sonic, Trax, or Spark used?
The free recall repair still applies. Recall eligibility follows the VIN, not the current owner or where the vehicle was purchased. Check your VIN, then call a franchised Chevrolet dealer with recall 16V257 if your vehicle is included.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/16V257000 |
|---|---|
| Chevrolet customer service | 1-800-222-1020 |
| NHTSA recall # | 16V257 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 16V257000 |
Source documents
-
Download Misc. Document (PDF) - Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 31, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →