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2014 Chevrolet Sonic

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Sonic years

Owner complaints for the 2014 Chevrolet Sonic are substantially higher than the model-year median of 42.5.

About this comparison →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
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Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

All reported categories

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

112 reports with mileage · 38 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Electrical System. Review the 49 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 38 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Air Bags. Review the 24 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

11 crash reports4 fire reports5 injury reports

What owners actually said

150 reports
36,183 miles · Feb 16, 2019
EngineUnknown Or Other

THERMOSTAT DAMAGE AND AIR CONDITIONER NOT START CORRECTLY ONLY START FAN

NHTSA ODI #11180548

90,000 miles · Feb 8, 2019
Air Bags

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 CHEVROLET SONIC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO GARY RUSS CHEVROLET (1420 BYPASS 72 NE, GREENWOOD, SC 29649, (864) 229-2521) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CONNECTOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED.…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 CHEVROLET SONIC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO GARY RUSS CHEVROLET (1420 BYPASS 72 NE, GREENWOOD, SC 29649, (864) 229-2521) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CONNECTOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO THE LOCAL DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.

NHTSA ODI #11175209

Mileage unknown · Feb 7, 2019
Electrical SystemEngine

ISSUE STARTED WITH CAR NOT RESPONDING TO FOB SPORADICALLY. NOW CAR WONT EVEN HAVE POWER UNLESS KEY IS IN IGNITION AND ALL THE DOORS ARE CLOSED. ESCALATED TO NO POWER AT ALL UNTIL I SLAMMED THE CAR HOOD DOWN, THEN THE CAR MIRACULOUSLY REGAINED POWER. NOT A BATTERY ISSUE, DEFINITELY ELECTRICAL. CAR ALSO COMPLETELY SHUTS OFF WHILE …

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ISSUE STARTED WITH CAR NOT RESPONDING TO FOB SPORADICALLY. NOW CAR WONT EVEN HAVE POWER UNLESS KEY IS IN IGNITION AND ALL THE DOORS ARE CLOSED. ESCALATED TO NO POWER AT ALL UNTIL I SLAMMED THE CAR HOOD DOWN, THEN THE CAR MIRACULOUSLY REGAINED POWER. NOT A BATTERY ISSUE, DEFINITELY ELECTRICAL. CAR ALSO COMPLETELY SHUTS OFF WHILE DRIVING. POWER STEERING GOES OUT, RADIO TURNS OFF, DASH TURNS OFF. MUST THROW THE CAR IN NEUTRAL AND RESTART WHILE COASTING ON THE FREEWAY. HEADLIGHTS AND DASH LIGHTS WILL DIM DURING ACCELERATION AND RADIO GOES BLACK. CAR WILL SOMETIMES SHUT OFF WHEN THROWN IN REVERSE. I FEEL LIKE MY LIFE IS IN DANGER.

NHTSA ODI #11174918

63,000 miles · Dec 25, 2018
Unknown Or Other

THE SHIFTER KNOB ON THE CAR HAS STARTED TO STICK, WHICH MEANS IT DOESN'T LOCK THE CAR INTO WHATEVER GEAR THE SHIFTER HAS BEEN MOVED TO. THE SHIFTER CAN EASILY BE MOVED FROM DRIVE TO NEUTRAL OR MORE DANGEROUSLY OUT OF PARK. ADDITIONALLY, WHEN THE BUTTON IS STUCK, YOU CAN'T REMOVE THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION.

NHTSA ODI #11163360

Mileage unknown · Dec 6, 2018
Air Bags

THE PASSENGER "AIRBAG OFF" REMAINS ILLUMINATED IF YOU HAVE A 100LB OR 250LB PERSON IN THE SEAT. EVERY SO OFTEN, WHEN A 200+LB PERSON SIT IN THE PASSENGER SEAT, THE LIGHT WILL EXTINGUISH INDICATING THAT THE AIRBAG IS ACTIVATED. THEN IF THAT 200+LB PERSON ADJUST POSITION WHILE IN THE SEAT , THE "AIRBAG OFF" LIGHT WILL ILLUMINATE A…

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THE PASSENGER "AIRBAG OFF" REMAINS ILLUMINATED IF YOU HAVE A 100LB OR 250LB PERSON IN THE SEAT. EVERY SO OFTEN, WHEN A 200+LB PERSON SIT IN THE PASSENGER SEAT, THE LIGHT WILL EXTINGUISH INDICATING THAT THE AIRBAG IS ACTIVATED. THEN IF THAT 200+LB PERSON ADJUST POSITION WHILE IN THE SEAT , THE "AIRBAG OFF" LIGHT WILL ILLUMINATE AGAIN. I READ MANY SONIC OWNER COMPLAINTS FROM 2012-2016 MODEL YEARS WITH THE SAME ISSUE. I CALLED 2 LOCAL CHEVY DEALERS AND THE SERVICE ADVISORS SAID THEY WERE NOT AWARE OF ANY "AIRBAG OFF" LIGHT ISSUES AT ALL BUT I COULD STOP BY SO THEY DIAGNOSE A KNOWN PROBLEM FOR $140. FROM ALL THE FORUMS I'VE READ, NOT ONE, I REPEAT NOT ONE OF THESE AIRBAG LIGHT OFF ISSUES HAS BEEN RESOLVED EVEN AFTER TAKING THE CAR TO THE DEALER. AN ATTORNEY WEBSITE DEDICATED TO SONIC AIRBAG ISSUES HAS MANY TESTIMONIALS FROM OWNERS AND STATISTICS SHOWING AT LEAST 10 INJURIES AND 1 DEATH RESULTING FROM THESE AIRBAG ISSUES. THESE ARE NOT TAKATA AIRBAGS BY THE WAY. I SINCERELY HOPE THAT NHTSA LOOKS INTO THIS ISSUE BEFORE THERE ARE ANY MORE INJURIES OR DEATHS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #11156580

83,431 miles · Dec 1, 2018
Electrical System

IT HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR 3 MONTHS NOW. I WILL BE DRIVING AND THE DOORS WILL LOCK, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND RADIO WILL GO BLANK AND THE CAR WILL REV LIKE ITS OUT OF GEAR. WE HAVE CHANGED BATTERY, ALTERNATOR CHECKED AND DIAGNOSTICS TEST FOUND NOTHING. TODAY I WENT TO TOWN AND GOT TO MY DESTINATION FINE. I GOT BACK IN MY CAR TO LEA…

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IT HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR 3 MONTHS NOW. I WILL BE DRIVING AND THE DOORS WILL LOCK, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND RADIO WILL GO BLANK AND THE CAR WILL REV LIKE ITS OUT OF GEAR. WE HAVE CHANGED BATTERY, ALTERNATOR CHECKED AND DIAGNOSTICS TEST FOUND NOTHING. TODAY I WENT TO TOWN AND GOT TO MY DESTINATION FINE. I GOT BACK IN MY CAR TO LEAVE AND NO POWER AT ALL! I WAS SITTING THERE AND CAR NOT RUNNING BECAUSE BATTERY DRAINED BUT THE RPM GAUGE WAS MOVING BACK AND FORTH ON 0. HOW WITH NO POWER? I WENT ONLINE AND WAS OUTRAGED TO FINE HOW MANY PEOPLE HAVE THE SAME COMPLAINT AND NO DEALERSHIP CAN'T FIND OUT WHAT IS WRONG. YOU CAN BE DRIVING AND IT CUT OFF AS YOU DRIVING ON FREEWAY!! DANGEROUS!!! IT HAPPENS WHEN DRIVING. WHEN STOPPED IT REALLY DOESN'T MATTER. PLEASE HELP!!

NHTSA ODI #11155366

41,500 miles · Nov 11, 2018
Air BagsElectrical SystemEngine

ALMOST A YEAR SINCE ENGINE LAST STALLED WITHOUT WARNING (HAPPENED 3 TIMES IN ABOUT 3 MONTHS). WHEN PULLING INTO TRAFFIC FROM A STOP, HEARD 3 CHIMES AND SEVERAL WARNING LIGHTS LIT UP (TRACTION CONTROL, ENGINE POWER DOWN, CHECK ENGINE, SERVICE CAR ASAP). ENGINE AT LOW POWER, WAS ABLE TO DRIFT INTO PARKING LOT. RESTARTED CAR AFTER …

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ALMOST A YEAR SINCE ENGINE LAST STALLED WITHOUT WARNING (HAPPENED 3 TIMES IN ABOUT 3 MONTHS). WHEN PULLING INTO TRAFFIC FROM A STOP, HEARD 3 CHIMES AND SEVERAL WARNING LIGHTS LIT UP (TRACTION CONTROL, ENGINE POWER DOWN, CHECK ENGINE, SERVICE CAR ASAP). ENGINE AT LOW POWER, WAS ABLE TO DRIFT INTO PARKING LOT. RESTARTED CAR AFTER SEVERAL MINUTES, ALL LIGHTS EXCEPT CHECK ENGINE WENT OFF. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WENT OFF AFTER I PUT GAS IN THE CAR THE NEXT DAY. I DO NOT FEEL SAFE IN THIS CAR. LONG STORY SHORT THE DEALER WAS GOING TO WORK WITH ME TO TAKE THE CAR BACK, BUT BANK WOULD NOT RELEASE TITLE (LOAN IS VERY UPSIDE DOWN) UNTIL ANOTHER MECHANIC LOOKED AT THE CAR. BANK WANTED ME TO UTILIZE MY WARRANTY PROGRAM I HAD PURCHASED WITH THE CAR LOAN. MECHANIC FOUND P2138 APP SENSOR CODE. WAS LEANING INTO THE DRIVER SIDE ON THE FLOOR TO LOOK UNDER THE DASH AND HIS ELBOW GOT WET. FOUND DRIVER FOOTWELL COMPLETELY SOAKED: CARPET, LINER, AND CARPET PAD. REST OF THE CAR WAS DRY. DISCOVERED THE SUNROOF HAD BEEN LEAKING DOWN INTO THE CAR AND NOT DRAINING OUT PROPERLY ON DRIVER'S SIDE. COULD NOT CHECK ENTIRE DRAIN SYSTEM WITHOUT REMOVING HEADLINER. FOUND WATER HAD COMPROMISED THE SIDE AIR BAG AND WIRE HARNESS; SEVERAL CONNECTORS CORRODED. SPRAYED WATER ON WIRES AND WAS ABLE TO REPLICATE ENGINE POWER LOSS. CONFIRMED THAT WATER WAS LEAKING INTO THE VEHICLE ONTO THE WIRE HARNESS. TEMPORARILY FIXED THE ISSUE WITH DIELECTRIC GREASE TO PREVENT CONNECTORS FROM GETTING WET. MECHANIC LEFT THE PANELS OFF SO I CAN MONITOR THE SUNROOF LEAKING. I DO NOT FEEL SAFE IN THE CAR BECAUSE OF THE AIR BAG BEING WET AND MAY NOT DEPLOY PROPERLY, THE WET CARPET PAD WHICH COULD CAUSE RUST AND MOLD, AND THE CORRODED WIRE TERMINALS. WILL CONTACT DEALER AND BANK TOMORROW. I AM HOPING THEY WILL TAKE THE CAR OFF MY HANDS AS IT WILL BE A FEW YEARS TIL I CAN PAY IT OFF AND I DON'T WANT AN ACCIDENT BEFORE THEN.

NHTSA ODI #11150872

66 miles · Oct 31, 2018
Electrical SystemEngineUnknown Or Other

I HAVE BEEN COMPLAINING TO GM HEADQUARTERS AS WELL AS SEVERAL OF THE CHEVY DEALERSHIPS IN MY LOCAL AREA! I HAVE BEEN TO ALMOST EVERY CHEVY DEALERSHIP IN TOWN FOR SERVICE AND NO ONE CAN FIND THE PROBLEM, OR TELL ME WHAT IS CAUSING ME THE ISSUES I HAVE BEEN HAVING WITH MY CAR SINCE NOVEMBER 2015!! I RECENTLY HAD A NEW BATTERY PUT…

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I HAVE BEEN COMPLAINING TO GM HEADQUARTERS AS WELL AS SEVERAL OF THE CHEVY DEALERSHIPS IN MY LOCAL AREA! I HAVE BEEN TO ALMOST EVERY CHEVY DEALERSHIP IN TOWN FOR SERVICE AND NO ONE CAN FIND THE PROBLEM, OR TELL ME WHAT IS CAUSING ME THE ISSUES I HAVE BEEN HAVING WITH MY CAR SINCE NOVEMBER 2015!! I RECENTLY HAD A NEW BATTERY PUT IN (THE 5TH BATTERY ON THE CAR, THE 2ND ONE THIS MONTH!!) BUT THE BATTERIES KEEP DYING! OF COURSE I AM BEING HIT WITH COSTS WHEN THIS HAPPENS OR THE "SEARCH" FOR THE ISSUE IS INITIATED. I HAVE FOUND ONLY 1 DEALERSHIP THAT ACTUALLY CARES ENOUGH ABOUT ME AND THIS CAR TO EITHER WAIVE OR MODIFY THESE COSTS. EITHER WAY, THIS IS UNFAIR TO ME IN THAT YOU ARE NOT RECALLING THE VEHICLE, BUT I STILL HAVE TO PAY FOR IT. I FEEL THAT YOU KNEW WHEN YOU ROLLED THE PIECE OF JUNK OFF THE ASSEMBLY LINE THAT IT WAS NOT GOING TO BE WOTH ANYTHING AFTER THAT FIRST YEAR! THOUGH MY VIN DOES NOT RENDER ANY RESULTS IN THE RECAL SEARCH PORTAL, IT SHOULD! I HAVE HAD SO MUCH MAJOR WORK DONE ON THIS CAR AND IT HAS NOT EVEN BEEN 10 YEARS YET! I NEED GUIDANCE IN FILING A CLASS ACTION AGAINST CHEVROLET BECAUSE YOU KNOW THERE ARE MAJOR ISSUES WITH THE CRAFTSMANSHIP OF THE VEHICLE, YET YOU WON'T ISSUE A RECALL. I HAVE READ SIMILAR COMPLAINTS FOR THIS VEHICLE AND THAT IS ENOUGH TO HAVE A RECALL ISSUED. I CAN'T STOP FOR GAS, ERRANDS ETC WITHOUT HAVING TO WORRY IF THE CAR WILL CRANK BACK UP OR RESTART! IT IS SO UNRELIABLE AND IT IS DEFINATELY NOT SAFE! I HAVE CALLED ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE AT LEAST 6 TIMES FOR A JUMP HELP IN THE LAST MONTH! I HAD TO CALL TWICE IN ONE DAY MOST RECENTLY!! THE DEALERSHIP GAVE ME A REPLACEMENT BATTERY OCT 4TH AND BY OCT 12TH IT HAD 5% VOLTAGE! THE CAR WAS SITTING IN MY SON'S DRIVEWAY THAT DAY--THEN THIS HAPPENED AGAIN LATER THAT MORNING AS I WAS LEAVING A DR APPT--I WAS PLANNING TO TAKE IT TO THE DEALER FOR SERVICE!

NHTSA ODI #11144530

51,000 miles · Oct 28, 2018
Electrical System

CAR WON'T START IT ONLY CLICKS REALLY FAST. HAD BATTERY CHECKED AND IT'S FULLY CHARGED ONCE I JUMP IT THE CAR WILL DRIVE UNTIL I SHUT IT OFF. IT WILL START BACK UP RIGHT AWAY BUT IF I LET IT SIT IT WILL NOT

NHTSA ODI #11143540

82,000 miles · Oct 11, 2018
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 CHEVROLET SONIC. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS ENGAGED IN THE PARK POSITION, THE KEY FAILED TO RELEASE FROM THE IGNITION SWITCH AND THE ENGINE CONTINUED TO RUN. ADDITIONALLY, AN ABNORMAL CLICKING NOISE WAS HEARD. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 CHEVROLET SONIC. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS ENGAGED IN THE PARK POSITION, THE KEY FAILED TO RELEASE FROM THE IGNITION SWITCH AND THE ENGINE CONTINUED TO RUN. ADDITIONALLY, AN ABNORMAL CLICKING NOISE WAS HEARD. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO NHTSA. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 82,000.

NHTSA ODI #11139854

Official recalls

4

16V257000 · Electrical System:software; Equipment:electrical:radio/tape Deck/cd Etc.

Apr 28, 2016

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013-2016 Chevrolet Sonic and Trax vehicles and 2013-2015 Chevrolet Spark vehicles equipped with a Bring Your Own Media radio. The affected radios may fail to provide an audible warning chime when the driver, after turning off the ignition and leaving the key in the cylinder, waits 10 minutes or longer to open the door. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 114 "Theft Protection."

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: Without audible indicators, the driver may leave the key in the ignition, increasing the risk of theft.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will update the radio software, free of charge. The manufacturer has not yet provided a notification schedule. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 17130.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Electrical System:software

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013-2016 Chevrolet Sonic and Trax vehicles and 2013-2015 Chevrolet Spark vehicles equipped with a Bring Your Own Media radio. The affected radios may fail to provide an audible warning chime when the driver, after turning off the ignition and leaving the key in the cylinder, waits 10 minutes or longer to open the door. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 114 "Theft Protection."

Consequence: Without audible indicators, the driver may leave the key in the ignition, increasing the risk of theft.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will update the radio software, free of charge. The manufacturer has not yet provided a notification schedule. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 17130.

Equipment:electrical:radio/tape Deck/cd Etc.

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013-2016 Chevrolet Sonic and Trax vehicles and 2013-2015 Chevrolet Spark vehicles equipped with a Bring Your Own Media radio. The affected radios may fail to provide an audible warning chime when the driver, after turning off the ignition and leaving the key in the cylinder, waits 10 minutes or longer to open the door. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 114 "Theft Protection."

Consequence: Without audible indicators, the driver may leave the key in the ignition, increasing the risk of theft.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will update the radio software, free of charge. The manufacturer has not yet provided a notification schedule. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 17130.

14V543000 · Air Bags

Sep 9, 2014

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2014 Chevrolet Sonic vehicles manufactured July 28, 2014, to August 1, 2014. Due to a loss of electrical connection in the steering column, in the event of a severe crash, the driver's frontal air bag deployment may be limited to the first-stage deployment only instead of the intended first-stage and second-stage deployments.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If only the first-stage of the driver's frontal air bag deploys without the additional second-stage, the driver has an increased risk of injury during a crash.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will test the terminals in the IP harness clock spring coil connector and replace any loose terminals, free of charge. The recall began in October 2014. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 14537.

14V417000 · Equipment:electrical

Jul 2, 2014

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Buick Encore all-wheel-drive vehicles manufactured August 23, 2012, to September 9, 2013; Verano vehicles manufactured August 8, 2012, to June 20, 2013; Chevrolet Cruze vehicles manufactured August 7, 2012, to August 16, 2013, and 2012-2014 Chevrolet Sonic vehicles manufactured May 10, 2011, to August 16, 2012 equipped with a Calix oil pan/block heater. In cold temperatures, the insulation on the engine block heater cord can become damaged, allowing the wires to be exposed.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: Exposed wires increase the risk of electrical shock and personal injury if the cord is handled while it is plugged in.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the engine oil pan/block heater cord with a new cord that is rated for temperatures of minus 40 degree Celsius. The recall began in August 2014. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 14257.

13V464000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly:mounting

Sep 26, 2013

General Motors (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013 and 2014 Chevrolet Sonic vehicles manufactured August 2, 2013, through August 12, 2013. Due to insufficient welds, the front fuel tank strap bracket may separate from the vehicle.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If the front fuel tank strap bracket separates, the increased load may lead to the failure of the other tank support. As a result, the fuel tank may come loose from the vehicle causing a fuel leak. A fuel leak, in the presence of an ignition source, may result in a fire.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the front fuel tank strap bracket, and repair it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on November 7, 2013. Owners may contact GM at 1-800-521-7300. GM's recall campaign number is 13296.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.