Recall 16V422 affects 18,780 2013-2016 Chevrolet Spark, Sonic, and Trax vehicles for missing seatbelt and key warning chimes. Free repair at any franchised Chevrolet dealer.
Chevrolet is recalling 18,780 2013-2016 Spark, Sonic, and Trax vehicles equipped with Bring Your Own Media radios because the radios can fail to provide audible warning chimes for an unfastened seatbelt or a key left in the ignition. Without that warning, a driver can miss the seatbelt reminder, increasing injury risk in a crash; Chevrolet dealers will complete the recall repair free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The BYOM1 radio in these 2013-2016 Chevrolet Spark, Sonic, and Trax vehicles does more than play audio from a phone or media device. It also supplies audible reminder chimes, including the seatbelt chime and the key-in-ignition chime when the driver door opens. Those sounds are part of the vehicle's warning system, not just radio features.
The problem is software timing inside the radio. If the headlamps or hazard flashers are on when the vehicle is shut off, and the driver restarts it while the radio is still moving through its sleep sequence, the radio can lock up. When it locks up, the radio does not function and the required warning chimes are silent. In certain cases, the locked radio remains active after shutdown and drains the battery.
The warning sign is the radio intermittently locking up. You can also notice that the seatbelt chime or key-in-ignition chime does not sound when it should.
Who's affected?
Spans Spark, Sonic, and Trax across the 2013-2016 model years; both electrical system software and radio equipment are listed for each model-year pairing.
| 2014 Chevrolet Spark | electrical system software |
|---|---|
| 2014 Chevrolet Spark | Radio/tape deck/cd etc. |
| 2015 Chevrolet Spark | electrical system software |
| 2015 Chevrolet Spark | Radio/tape deck/cd etc. |
| 2013 Chevrolet Spark | electrical system software |
| 2013 Chevrolet Spark | 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 | 18,780 |
| 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 this recall applies to your specific vehicle.
What's the safety risk?
If the radio locks up, the seatbelt chime or key-in-ignition warning can fail. Without that audible reminder, a driver can leave the seatbelt unfastened, increasing injury risk during a crash. Buckle up before moving the vehicle and schedule the software update soon. Repair is free at any franchised Chevrolet dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2013-2016 Chevrolet Spark, Sonic, or Trax is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Chevrolet dealer to schedule the free radio software update that restores the seatbelt and key-in-ignition warning chimes.
- Bring the recall notice if Chevrolet mailed one. If not, reference recall number 16V422 when you call.
- Confirm the seatbelt warning chime and key-in-ignition chime work after the update before leaving the dealer.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Chevrolet technician updates the Bring Your Own Media radio software so the radio provides the required audible warning chimes for an unfastened driver seat belt or a key left in the ignition. The software update is free under the recall. If you already paid out of pocket for a related radio software repair, Chevrolet has a reimbursement plan for covered repairs. Contact Chevrolet customer service with your repair documentation and ask how the plan submitted on May 20, 2015 applies to your claim.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| June 8, 2016 | Dealer notification began |
|---|---|
| June 8, 2016 | Dealer notification ended |
| June 10, 2016 | NHTSA published the recall |
| July 22, 2016 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 16V422?
Recall 16V422 covers 18,780 2013-2016 Chevrolet Spark, Sonic, and Trax vehicles equipped with a Bring Your Own Media radio. The radio software can fail to provide audible warning chimes for an unfastened driver seatbelt or a key left in the ignition.
What should I do if my 2013-2016 Chevrolet Spark, Sonic, or Trax is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific vehicle is included in recall 16V422. If it is, contact a franchised Chevrolet dealer to schedule the radio software update. Reference recall number 16V422 and GM recall number 45340 when you call. The 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 radio software free of charge. The recall began on July 22, 2016, so the dealer remedy is available now.
What is the safety risk in recall 16V422?
The safety risk is a missing audible seatbelt warning. NHTSA campaign 16V422 says that without the chime, the driver can leave the seatbelt unfastened, increasing the risk of injury during a crash. The dealer software update restores the required warning function.
What if I bought my Chevrolet Spark, Sonic, or Trax used?
The free recall repair still applies. Federal recall law requires manufacturers to honor safety recalls regardless of ownership history. If you never received a letter, check your VIN, then call a franchised Chevrolet dealer with recall number 16V422 and GM recall number 45340.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/16V422000 |
|---|---|
| Chevrolet customer service | 1-800-222-1020 |
| NHTSA recall # | 16V422 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 16V422000 |
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 →