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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

Air Bags complaints

24 reports
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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

88,000 miles · Oct 8, 2018
Air Bags

THE PASSENGER AIRBAG WILL NOT TURN ON WHEN THERE IS A PASSENGER IN THE SEAT. THIS IS A SPORADIC PROBLEM AND DOES NOT ALWAYS HAPPEN. IT WILL ALSO ILLUMINATE BOTH THE ON AND OFF LIGHTS AT THE SAME TIME. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE IF IN AN ACCIDENT THE PASSENGER AIRBAG MAY NOT DEPLOY IF THE SENSOR IS NOT WORKING TO DETECT A PAS…

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THE PASSENGER AIRBAG WILL NOT TURN ON WHEN THERE IS A PASSENGER IN THE SEAT. THIS IS A SPORADIC PROBLEM AND DOES NOT ALWAYS HAPPEN. IT WILL ALSO ILLUMINATE BOTH THE ON AND OFF LIGHTS AT THE SAME TIME. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE IF IN AN ACCIDENT THE PASSENGER AIRBAG MAY NOT DEPLOY IF THE SENSOR IS NOT WORKING TO DETECT A PASSENGER.

NHTSA ODI #11139033

49,700 miles · Aug 28, 2018
Air BagsCrash

TAKATA RECALL I WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT WHERE I HIT A STATIONARY SUV FROM THE BACK, I WAS TRAVELING 30-35 MPH PER THE POLICE REPORT THROUGH A LARGE CITY INTERSECTION. MY SONIC WAS HIT HARD ON THE WHOLE FRONT LEFT (DRIVER SIDE) THE CAR WAS TOTALED AND WAS REPORTED TO HAVE A LOT OF LEFT FRAME DAMAGE. DURING THIS ACCIDENT MY…

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TAKATA RECALL I WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT WHERE I HIT A STATIONARY SUV FROM THE BACK, I WAS TRAVELING 30-35 MPH PER THE POLICE REPORT THROUGH A LARGE CITY INTERSECTION. MY SONIC WAS HIT HARD ON THE WHOLE FRONT LEFT (DRIVER SIDE) THE CAR WAS TOTALED AND WAS REPORTED TO HAVE A LOT OF LEFT FRAME DAMAGE. DURING THIS ACCIDENT MY AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. NO AMBULANCE WAS CALLED BUT I WAS TAKEN TO THE VA TO RECEIVE TREATMENT FOR MY BACK PAIN FROM THE ACCIDENT. I HAVE BEEN INFORMED THAT BASED ON THE HARD HIT AND THE AMAZING OF DAMAGE MY AIR BAGS SHOULD HAVE DEPLOYED FOR MY SAFETY. THE REASON THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY IS UNKNOWN TO ME.

NHTSA ODI #11123103

55,000 miles · Mar 21, 2018
Air BagsElectronic Stability Control (esc)SteeringCrash

WENT TO PASS AN EIGHTEEN WHEELER ON AN INTERSTATE AND AS I ACCELLERATED, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO FISHTAIL, WHEN I RAN OVER A BUMPY PART IN THE ROAD DUE TO A BRIDGE THAT FELL , I LOST ALL STABILITY CONTROL AND CONTROL OVER THE VEHICLE. WE SLAMMED INTO THE CAB OF THE RITE ENTRANCE WHEELER ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE IN THE FRONT. N…

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WENT TO PASS AN EIGHTEEN WHEELER ON AN INTERSTATE AND AS I ACCELLERATED, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO FISHTAIL, WHEN I RAN OVER A BUMPY PART IN THE ROAD DUE TO A BRIDGE THAT FELL , I LOST ALL STABILITY CONTROL AND CONTROL OVER THE VEHICLE. WE SLAMMED INTO THE CAB OF THE RITE ENTRANCE WHEELER ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE IN THE FRONT. NO AIR BAGS WERE RELEASED. WHEN WE HIT THE EITEEN WHEELER IT PUSHED OUR CAR TOWARDS THE CONSTRUCTION ZONE WIRE RAILING, THE BACK OF OUR VEHICLE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE HIT THE TRAILER. NO AIR BAGS RELEASED. WE THEN GRINNED ACROSS THE WIRE RAILING AND RAN OVER A FEW CONES ON THE DRIVERS SIDE. ON ALL THREE IMPACTS, NO AIR BAGS WERE RELEASED.

NHTSA ODI #11080642

64,913 miles · Feb 16, 2018
Air BagsCrashInjury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 CHEVROLET SONIC. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE CONTACT STRUCK A VAN DUE TO WEATHER CONDITIONS. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE POLICE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED TO THE SCENE AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE AMBULANCE WAS NOT CALLED AND THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. TH…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 CHEVROLET SONIC. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE CONTACT STRUCK A VAN DUE TO WEATHER CONDITIONS. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE POLICE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED TO THE SCENE AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE AMBULANCE WAS NOT CALLED AND THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A FRACTURED NECK AND A CONCUSSION AND HER SPOUSE SUSTAINED A SPRAINED NECK AND BACK. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS RECEIVED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 64,913.

NHTSA ODI #11073247

69,000 miles · Feb 16, 2018
Air Bags

PASSENGER AIRBAG ON/OFF LIGHT IS ALMOST ALWAYS OFF WITH THE PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPIED WHETHER ITS SOMEONE THAT WEIGHS 100LBS UP TO 225LBS. THIS HAPPENS WHILE STATIONARY AND WHILE DRIVING. RARELY, WITH A HEAVIER OCCUPANT OF 200LBS OR MORE, THE AIRBAG ON/OFF LIGHT WILL SAY ON. BUT MOST OF THE TIME, WITH ANY OCCUPANT, THE AIRBAG ON/…

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PASSENGER AIRBAG ON/OFF LIGHT IS ALMOST ALWAYS OFF WITH THE PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPIED WHETHER ITS SOMEONE THAT WEIGHS 100LBS UP TO 225LBS. THIS HAPPENS WHILE STATIONARY AND WHILE DRIVING. RARELY, WITH A HEAVIER OCCUPANT OF 200LBS OR MORE, THE AIRBAG ON/OFF LIGHT WILL SAY ON. BUT MOST OF THE TIME, WITH ANY OCCUPANT, THE AIRBAG ON/OFF REMAINS OFF.

NHTSA ODI #11073218

67,000 miles · Dec 28, 2017
Air Bags

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 CHEVROLET SONIC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL DEALER (JOHN BOWMAN CHEVROLET INC, 6750 DIXIE HIGHWAY, CLARKSTON, MICHIGAN 48346) DIAGNOSED THAT THE CLOCK SPRING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIF…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 CHEVROLET SONIC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL DEALER (JOHN BOWMAN CHEVROLET INC, 6750 DIXIE HIGHWAY, CLARKSTON, MICHIGAN 48346) DIAGNOSED THAT THE CLOCK SPRING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE AND OPENED CASE NUMBER: # [XXX]. THE CONTACT WAS REFERRED TO NHTSA. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 67,000. *BF INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ODI #11057205

Mileage unknown · Apr 27, 2017
Air Bags

MY PASSENGER AIR BAG DOES NOT WORK.

NHTSA ODI #10981145

73,000 miles · Feb 1, 2017
Air BagsElectrical System

APPROXIMATELY 2 WEEKS AGO, MY AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT CAME ON. THE MANUAL SAID TO TAKE IT TO THE DEALERSHIP IMMEDIATELY AS THE AIRBAG COULD FAIL TO DEPLOY IN AN ACCIDENT OR COULD DEPLOY FOR NO REASON CAUSING SEVERE INJURY. I NOTICED THERE HAD BEEN A RECALL ISSUED FOR THIS VEHICLE IN 2014 FOR THIS ISSUE. ACTIONS: GM WILL NOTIFY OWNE…

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APPROXIMATELY 2 WEEKS AGO, MY AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT CAME ON. THE MANUAL SAID TO TAKE IT TO THE DEALERSHIP IMMEDIATELY AS THE AIRBAG COULD FAIL TO DEPLOY IN AN ACCIDENT OR COULD DEPLOY FOR NO REASON CAUSING SEVERE INJURY. I NOTICED THERE HAD BEEN A RECALL ISSUED FOR THIS VEHICLE IN 2014 FOR THIS ISSUE. ACTIONS: 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. FOR DETAILED INFORMATION & SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS, SEE THE OFFICIAL NHTSA PAGE CONCERNING RECALL #14V543000 . I CALLED THE NUMBER AT CHEVY CUSTOMER SERVICE, AND THEY WERE NO HELP-SAID MY VIN NUMBER WASN'T LISTED IN THE RECALL. I AM VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THIS AS IT SEEMS A COINCIDENCE THAT I HAVE THE EXACT VEHICLE AND THE EXACT PROBLEM.......THE DEALERSHIP IN PROVO, UTAH, DID A DIAGNOSIS AND SAID SINCE THE LIGHT WASN'T ON AT THE EXACT TIME OF THE DIAGNOSIS THAT THEY COULDN'T TELL. I CAN'T PREDICT WHEN IT WILL COME ON, AND WHEN IT DOES COME ON IT IS USUALLY OFF BY THE TIME I FIND A DEALERSHIP. I AM CONCERNED THAT I COULD BE SEVERELY INJURED DUE TO THIS PROBLEM AND FEEL IT COULD BE TAKEN CARE OF IF I COULD FIND SOMEONE THAT GAVE A HOOT. IT COMES ON WHEN I AM DRIVING. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10948901

7,800 miles · Sep 14, 2016
Air BagsCrash

ANOTHER CAR RAN A RED LIGHT & MY SON, IN THE SONIC RAN INTO THE SIDE OF THE OTHER CAR. HIS SONIC WAS TOTALED & DESPITE THIS FACT THAT THE OTHER CAR'S SIDE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED UPON IMPACT, HIS SONIC AIRBAGS DID NOT. MY SON WAS ACCELERATING FROM STOP LIGHT ON A CITY STREET WHEN THE OTHER CAR RAN THE RED LIGHT. THE IMPACT WAS SEVERE E…

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ANOTHER CAR RAN A RED LIGHT & MY SON, IN THE SONIC RAN INTO THE SIDE OF THE OTHER CAR. HIS SONIC WAS TOTALED & DESPITE THIS FACT THAT THE OTHER CAR'S SIDE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED UPON IMPACT, HIS SONIC AIRBAGS DID NOT. MY SON WAS ACCELERATING FROM STOP LIGHT ON A CITY STREET WHEN THE OTHER CAR RAN THE RED LIGHT. THE IMPACT WAS SEVERE ENOUGH TO BEND 2 OF THE 4 FRAME RAILS. THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT BUCKLED DOWN AS THEY SHOULD HAVE, BUT THE CONCERNING THING IS AIRBAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY WITH A SIGNIFICANT IMPACT. MY SON NOW HAS A REPLACEMENT SONIC BUT CONCERNED DUE TO THE RECENT RECALL OF SEVERAL MILLION CARS/TRUCKS WITH DEFECT IN AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT MECHANISM OF GM PRODUCTS.

NHTSA ODI #10906325

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.