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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
Compare all Sonic years →

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

Electrical System complaints

49 reports
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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

55,000 miles · Oct 9, 2018
Electrical SystemEngineExterior Lighting

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 CHEVROLET SONIC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED NUMEROUS TIMES WITHOUT WARNING. THE DEALER (VAN CHEVROLET, 8585 E FRANK LLOYD WRIGHT BLVD, SCOTTSDALE, AZ 85260, 1-480-696-5884) PERFORMED SEVERAL DIAGNOSTIC TESTS THAT INCLUDED THE WATER PUMP, A GASKET BOOT IN THE ENGINE, AND THE BATTERY LI…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 CHEVROLET SONIC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED NUMEROUS TIMES WITHOUT WARNING. THE DEALER (VAN CHEVROLET, 8585 E FRANK LLOYD WRIGHT BLVD, SCOTTSDALE, AZ 85260, 1-480-696-5884) PERFORMED SEVERAL DIAGNOSTIC TESTS THAT INCLUDED THE WATER PUMP, A GASKET BOOT IN THE ENGINE, AND THE BATTERY LINES. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE HEADLAMP ASSEMBLY WIRING KEPT BURNING OUT, BUT THE DEALER HAD NOT PROVIDED A REMEDY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,000.

NHTSA ODI #11139235

130,000 miles · Sep 22, 2018
Electrical SystemEngine

VEHICLE OFF AND PARKED. KEY IN IGNITION. OFF POSITION. VEHICLE STARTED ON ITS OWN WITH NO OTHER MANUAL INPUT. PREVIOUSLY HAD RECALL 17130 KEY REMINDER CHIME C/W ON 4/27/2016.

NHTSA ODI #11130734

Mileage unknown · Sep 17, 2018
Electrical SystemSeatsUnknown Or Other

I HAVE A CONCERN THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESS. MY PASSENGER SEAT LIGHT COMES ON AND GOES OFF ON ITS OWN. I HAD MY CAR LOOKED SOMETIME AGO AT A DEALERSHIP ALONG WITH PROBLEMS WITH THE WINDOW ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE. NOW THE BACK PASSENGER RIGHT SIDE WINDOW JUST WENT OUT WITHOUT A WARNING. I AM NOW STUCK WITH A WINDOW. THAT I CANN…

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I HAVE A CONCERN THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESS. MY PASSENGER SEAT LIGHT COMES ON AND GOES OFF ON ITS OWN. I HAD MY CAR LOOKED SOMETIME AGO AT A DEALERSHIP ALONG WITH PROBLEMS WITH THE WINDOW ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE. NOW THE BACK PASSENGER RIGHT SIDE WINDOW JUST WENT OUT WITHOUT A WARNING. I AM NOW STUCK WITH A WINDOW. THAT I CANNOT ROLL UP OR EVEN MANUALLY. I AM STARTING TO BELIEVE MY CAR I PURCHASED BRAND NEW WITH 9 MILES ON IT. HAVE ELECTRICAL ISSUE, THAT HAVE NOT BEEN ADDRESS. THIS CAR IS NOT OLD ENOUGH TO HAVE THIS TYPES OF PROBLEMS. I AM JUST BAFFLED OF HOWEVER EVERYTHING IS OUT OF POCKET. LAST YEAR I SPENT OVER $200 GETTING MY CAR FIXED SOMETHING ABOUT FUEL LINE OR SOMETHING WAS CLOGGED. I AM LIKE HOW IS THAT POSSIBLE WHEN I TAKE MY CAR IN FOR OIL CHANGES ON THE REGULAR. THIS IS NOT A 7 YEAR OLD OR PLUS CAR. I SHOULDN'T BE HAVING THESE PROBLEMS ALREADY IN MY 1ST YEAR - 4TH YEAR. I HAD TO CHANGE BATTERIES TWICES AS WELL. CAN YOU PLEASE ASSIST. MULTIPLE CAR PROBLEMS FOR A 2014 I BROUGHT NEW ARE CAUSING ME A HARDSHIP.

NHTSA ODI #11129845

41,000 miles · Aug 27, 2018
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 CHEVROLET SONIC. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF AND WITH THE KEY INSIDE THE IGNITION SWITCH FOR MORE THAN TEN MINUTES, THE WARNING CHIME DID NOT ACTIVATE WHEN THE DOOR WAS AJAR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED O…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 CHEVROLET SONIC. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF AND WITH THE KEY INSIDE THE IGNITION SWITCH FOR MORE THAN TEN MINUTES, THE WARNING CHIME DID NOT ACTIVATE WHEN THE DOOR WAS AJAR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 41,000.

NHTSA ODI #11122796

100,000 miles · Jun 24, 2018
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Unknown Or Other

I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN MY STEELING WHEEL CONTROL BUTTONS JUST STOP WORKING AS WELL AS TRUCK AND OFF ROAD BUTTON IN MIDDLE STOP WORKING. AFTER STOPPING TO CHECK, A REVERSE CAMERA COMES ON NOW BUT NO CAMERA IS ON THIS MODEL. NEVER SEEN THE CAMERA BEFORE. AND TEMPERATURE IS NOT DISPLAYED ON SCREEN ANY MORE.

NHTSA ODI #11103650

40,000 miles · Jun 21, 2018
Electrical System

THE CAR WILL STALL INTERMITTENTLY WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD FOR JUST 1-3 SECONDS AND SEEMS TO NOT BE RUNNING AND THEN IT WILL TURN ITSELF BACK ON.. THE STEREO AND DASH LIGHTS WILL GO COMPLETELY DARK AT RANDOM TIMES WHILE IN MOTION AND THEN COME BACK ON RANDOMLY OR WHEN RESTARTED. AFTER EXITING THE VEHICLE AND REMOVIN…

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THE CAR WILL STALL INTERMITTENTLY WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD FOR JUST 1-3 SECONDS AND SEEMS TO NOT BE RUNNING AND THEN IT WILL TURN ITSELF BACK ON.. THE STEREO AND DASH LIGHTS WILL GO COMPLETELY DARK AT RANDOM TIMES WHILE IN MOTION AND THEN COME BACK ON RANDOMLY OR WHEN RESTARTED. AFTER EXITING THE VEHICLE AND REMOVING THE KEY THE STEREO WILL TURN ITSELF BACK ON SOMETIMES AND YOU WILL RETURN TO THE CAR TO HEAR THE STEREO ON. HAVE HAD THE REMOTE CONTROL KEY STOP WORKING TO LOCK OR UNLOCK THE CAR. IT WILL HAPPEN FOR 1 OR 2 TIMES AND THEN GO BACK TO NORMAL. ALL OF THESE ITEMS HAVE BEEN OCCURRING FOR ABOUT THE PAST 1-1 1/2 YEARS.

NHTSA ODI #11102962

Mileage unknown · Mar 28, 2018
Electrical SystemSteering

STEERING ISSUES: WHEN I BOUGHT THE CAR THEY HAD TO DO SOMETHING WITH THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM BECAUSE CAR WOULDN'T DO ANYTHING THE DAY AFTER I BROUGHT IT HOME FROM THE DEALER. THIS PROBLEM IS WITH MY STEERING. WHICH HAPPENED AFTER THEY SERVICE MY CARS AIRBAG IN MY STEERING WHEEL. IT WAS FIXED TWICE, AND NOW IT'S A PROBLEM AGAIN. I …

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STEERING ISSUES: WHEN I BOUGHT THE CAR THEY HAD TO DO SOMETHING WITH THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM BECAUSE CAR WOULDN'T DO ANYTHING THE DAY AFTER I BROUGHT IT HOME FROM THE DEALER. THIS PROBLEM IS WITH MY STEERING. WHICH HAPPENED AFTER THEY SERVICE MY CARS AIRBAG IN MY STEERING WHEEL. IT WAS FIXED TWICE, AND NOW IT'S A PROBLEM AGAIN. I SHOULDN'T BE ON THE HOOK FOR PAYING FOR THIS.

NHTSA ODI #11081794

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.