"off" remains illuminated on my passenger airbag light whether or not someone is sitting in the passenger seat. It's actually somewhat rare to see "on" illuminated. There was a recall on this model for airbag issues but my vehicle specifically was not recalled. My vehicle was recalled for catalytic converter but I'm still getti…
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"off" remains illuminated on my passenger airbag light whether or not someone is sitting in the passenger seat. It's actually somewhat rare to see "on" illuminated. There was a recall on this model for airbag issues but my vehicle specifically was not recalled. My vehicle was recalled for catalytic converter but I'm still getting codes. Most of the problems the Sonic has been recalled for, my vehicle has symptoms of but I get cannot afford to pay repair cost up front and I cannot find a mechanic who would be willing to take the steps to report my vehicle should've been apart of the recall.
NHTSA ODI #11596073
Mileage unknown · Feb 28, 2023
Air Bags
Passenger airbag not active even though an average sized (160 pound) adult is sitting there.This is very very dangerous.Apparently a pressure sensitive monitor in the passenger seat is not working correctly.I have read many many complaints about this on the Chevrolet Sonic on this website.This started out as a sporadic problem…
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Passenger airbag not active even though an average sized (160 pound) adult is sitting there.This is very very dangerous.Apparently a pressure sensitive monitor in the passenger seat is not working correctly.I have read many many complaints about this on the Chevrolet Sonic on this website.This started out as a sporadic problem,but now is constant.
NHTSA ODI #11509427
88,000 miles · Jul 20, 2021
Air BagsCrashInjury
The contact owned a 2014 Chevrolet Sonic. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds approaching a parking lot and slowing down to turn, the vehicle behind was speeding and crashed into the rear of the vehicle. The vehicle then flew forward and crashed into a pole. No airbags deployed. The passenger in the driver's …
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The contact owned a 2014 Chevrolet Sonic. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds approaching a parking lot and slowing down to turn, the vehicle behind was speeding and crashed into the rear of the vehicle. The vehicle then flew forward and crashed into a pole. No airbags deployed. The passenger in the driver's side rear seat sustained whiplash to the neck. The contact and her daughter sustained minor injuries to the right hip, right knee, and right shoulder. A police report was filed. The passenger in the driver's side rear seat was treated via ambulance and the contact and her daughter received medical attention from a chiropractor. The police towed the vehicle to a lot where it was deemed a total loss. The dealer was contacted and informed the contact that no recalls were under the VIN. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and started an investigation. The failure mileage was approximate 88,000
NHTSA ODI #11425666
80,000 miles · Mar 26, 2019
Air BagsElectrical SystemEngine
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 CHEVROLET SONIC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE MADE AN ABNORMAL NOISE AND THE ENGINE OVERHEATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED TWICE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DYER CHEVROLET (4200 US-1, FORT, FLORIDA 34982, (772) 242-3116) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE COOLING SYSTEM RETUR…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 CHEVROLET SONIC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE MADE AN ABNORMAL NOISE AND THE ENGINE OVERHEATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED TWICE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DYER CHEVROLET (4200 US-1, FORT, FLORIDA 34982, (772) 242-3116) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE COOLING SYSTEM RETURN UNIT FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE RADIO SOFTWARE SYSTEM FAILED AND DID NOT ALERT HIM WHEN THE TIRES WERE LOW. THE CONTACT ALSO NOTICED THAT THE FRONT OCCUPANT DETECTION SENSOR ALSO FAILED TO ACTIVATE WHEN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT WAS OCCUPIED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS EXCLUDED FROM NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V257000 (EQUIPMENT, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.
NHTSA ODI #11191645
80,000 miles · Mar 26, 2019
Air Bags
THE PASSENGER AIR BAG WILL NOT INDICATE WHEN THERE IS A PASSENGER IN THE VEHICLE. THIS IS SPORADIC AND ONLY WORKS WHEN IT WANTS TO. IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT THE AIRBAG MAY NOT DEPLOY IF THERE IS A PASSENGER IN THE SEAT.
NHTSA ODI #11191634
10 miles · Mar 8, 2019
Air BagsEngine
AIR BAGS ON &OFF (DRIVING) THERMOSTAT NOT WORKING CAUSING ENGINE LIGHT ON
NHTSA ODI #11185061
69,084 miles · Mar 3, 2019
Air Bags
TAKATA RECALL THE AIR BAG LIGHT COMES ON AND OFF. WHEN THE LIGHT IS ON I CALL ON STAR AND THEY SAY ITS A DEFECT IN DEPLOY DIAGNOSTIC CODE B0081 AND WHEN I TAKE IT IN THE LIGHT IS OFF. I DONT WANT TO GET IN AN ACCIDENT AND THEN THE AIR BAG NOT DEPLOY
NHTSA ODI #11183797
37,365 miles · Mar 1, 2019
Air Bags
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 CHEVROLET SONIC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR INTERMITTENTLY ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT THE AIR BAG MIGHT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO FELIX CHEVROLET (LOCATED AT 3330 S FIGUEROA ST, LOS ANGELES, CA 90007, (213) 290-1925) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 CHEVROLET SONIC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR INTERMITTENTLY ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT THE AIR BAG MIGHT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO FELIX CHEVROLET (LOCATED AT 3330 S FIGUEROA ST, LOS ANGELES, CA 90007, (213) 290-1925) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG INTERNAL SENSOR HAD A SHORTAGE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: 9-5085721017. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 37,365.
NHTSA ODI #11183559
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 · 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
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.
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.
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.
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.
2014 Chevrolet Sonic Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year