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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.

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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

Electrical System complaints

49 reports
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63,000 miles · Mar 22, 2018
Electrical SystemEngine

THERMOSTAT HOUSING AND WATER INTAKE PROBLEM. THE FACTORY WATER INTAKE IS PLASTIC AND DOES NOT STAND UP TO HEAT SO IT WARPS AND STARTS LEAKING. IT LEAKS MORE WHEN THE VEHICLE IS RUNNING AND UNDER PRESSURE BUT STILL DRIPS WHEN THE VEHICLE IS PARKED THIS CAUSES THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TO COME ON. WENT TO THE DEALER THEY WANTED $503 …

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THERMOSTAT HOUSING AND WATER INTAKE PROBLEM. THE FACTORY WATER INTAKE IS PLASTIC AND DOES NOT STAND UP TO HEAT SO IT WARPS AND STARTS LEAKING. IT LEAKS MORE WHEN THE VEHICLE IS RUNNING AND UNDER PRESSURE BUT STILL DRIPS WHEN THE VEHICLE IS PARKED THIS CAUSES THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TO COME ON. WENT TO THE DEALER THEY WANTED $503 TO PUT 2 GASKETS IN AND WOULD NOT GUARENTEE WHAT THEY SAID IT WAS WOULD FIX THE PROBLEM. I WENT ON YOUR WEB SITE AND SAW 18% OF THE SONICS SOLD HAVE THIS PROBLEM. THAT IS ONLY THE ONES WHO HAVE COMPLAINED. I REPLACED THE FACTORY WATER INTAKE WITH A METAL ONE AND IT WAS GOOD UNTIL THE PLUG (WHICH WAS INSTALLED BY THE MANUFACTURER) ON THE UNDERSIDE STARTED LEAKING.

NHTSA ODI #11080796

50,000 miles · Feb 4, 2018
Electrical SystemPower Train

TRANSMISSION HAS ALWAYS HAD PROBLEMS HARD SHIFT/NO SHIFT SLIPPING AT 60K HAD TO BE FIXED BUT STILL ACTS UP. ENGINE COOLANT PUMP HAD TO BE REPLACED WITHIN A YEAR OF PURCHASE AND IT WAS NOT COVERED BY WARRANTY AND 3 THERMOSTAT HOUSINGS HAVE BEEN PUT ON. UPON PLACING THE VEHICLE IN PARK THE ENGINE WILL REV TO ABOUT 5K RPMS. THE KEY…

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TRANSMISSION HAS ALWAYS HAD PROBLEMS HARD SHIFT/NO SHIFT SLIPPING AT 60K HAD TO BE FIXED BUT STILL ACTS UP. ENGINE COOLANT PUMP HAD TO BE REPLACED WITHIN A YEAR OF PURCHASE AND IT WAS NOT COVERED BY WARRANTY AND 3 THERMOSTAT HOUSINGS HAVE BEEN PUT ON. UPON PLACING THE VEHICLE IN PARK THE ENGINE WILL REV TO ABOUT 5K RPMS. THE KEY GETS INCREADIBLY HOT WHILE DRIVING AND IT ACTUALLY BURNED MY DAUGHTER. IF THE KEY IS LEFT IN THE IGNITION AFTER PARKING THE VEHICLE WILL CONTINUALLY TRY TO CRANK IT'S SELF. IF THERE IS ANY KIND OF WIND THE VEHICLE WILL SWAY AND BECOMES DIFFICULT TO CONTROL.

NHTSA ODI #11066842

58,000 miles · Nov 7, 2017
Electrical System

MY CAR STALLED GOING OVER A SPEED BUMP WHERE ALL THE LIGHTS ON THE DASH WENT OFF THEN BACK ON. AFTER COASTING TO THE SIDEWALK, TURNED VEHICLE OFF AND THEN BACK ON. VEH SURGED FORWARD AFTER MAKING A LEFT HAND TURN, IT'S ALSO DONE THAT ON A RIGHT HAND TURN. ALSO TIRE ON DRIVERS SIDE LOCKED UP. FINAL TIME OCCURRED WITH VEH SURGING …

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MY CAR STALLED GOING OVER A SPEED BUMP WHERE ALL THE LIGHTS ON THE DASH WENT OFF THEN BACK ON. AFTER COASTING TO THE SIDEWALK, TURNED VEHICLE OFF AND THEN BACK ON. VEH SURGED FORWARD AFTER MAKING A LEFT HAND TURN, IT'S ALSO DONE THAT ON A RIGHT HAND TURN. ALSO TIRE ON DRIVERS SIDE LOCKED UP. FINAL TIME OCCURRED WITH VEH SURGING WAS RECENTLY AS IT SURGED AND ALL THE LOCKS WERE GOING UP AND DOWN. HA E HAD CONCERNS WHILE BACKING OUT AND LOOSING POWER TO STEERING.

NHTSA ODI #11044020

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

45 miles · Nov 29, 2016
Electrical SystemEngineUnknown Or Other

DURING LAST TWO MONTHS WE HAD GO TO THE DEALER FOUR TIME AND THREE OF THESE DUE TO THE ENGINE NOISE AND OVERHEATING. LAST WEEK SMELLED LIKE FIRE AND DUE TO THE GAS INSIDE THE CAR WE HAD TO PARKING. WHEN REVIEW THE ENGINE, THERE WAS NOT COLANT IN IT. THE NOISE NEVER STOPPED AND SOME SENSOR WERE ON DURING SOME DAYS. THIS CAR …

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DURING LAST TWO MONTHS WE HAD GO TO THE DEALER FOUR TIME AND THREE OF THESE DUE TO THE ENGINE NOISE AND OVERHEATING. LAST WEEK SMELLED LIKE FIRE AND DUE TO THE GAS INSIDE THE CAR WE HAD TO PARKING. WHEN REVIEW THE ENGINE, THERE WAS NOT COLANT IN IT. THE NOISE NEVER STOPPED AND SOME SENSOR WERE ON DURING SOME DAYS. THIS CAR IS USED FOR A PREGNAN WOMAN AND GIRLS AND ARE NOT SAFETY FOR US FOR THIS REASON WE WENT TO THE DEALER TO SEE THE POSIBILITY TO CHANGE THE CAR. SO FAR, WE WAITING FOR THE SOLUTION.

NHTSA ODI #10928576

Mileage unknown · Oct 1, 2016
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

I OWN A 2014 CHEVROLET SONIC. THE RADIO NO LONGER WORKS AND I HAVE NO AUDIBLE WARNING CHIMES FOR KEYS IN IGNITION, DOOR OPEN, TURN SIGNAL, SEATBELT. ALSO NO DASH LIGHTS. I SEE THERE IS A RECALL 17130. I HAVE SPOKE WITH THE DEALERSHIP IN MY AREA, THEY REFUSE TO DO THE REPAIRS BECAUSE I DO NOT HAVE A RECALL LETTER. WHEN CHECKING M…

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I OWN A 2014 CHEVROLET SONIC. THE RADIO NO LONGER WORKS AND I HAVE NO AUDIBLE WARNING CHIMES FOR KEYS IN IGNITION, DOOR OPEN, TURN SIGNAL, SEATBELT. ALSO NO DASH LIGHTS. I SEE THERE IS A RECALL 17130. I HAVE SPOKE WITH THE DEALERSHIP IN MY AREA, THEY REFUSE TO DO THE REPAIRS BECAUSE I DO NOT HAVE A RECALL LETTER. WHEN CHECKING MY VIN, THERE ARE NO REPORTED RECALLS. I NEED A RECALL LETTER SO I MAY HAVE THIS REPAIRED. THANK YOU

NHTSA ODI #10910980

60,259 miles · Sep 28, 2016
Electrical System

I HAD RECALL 17130 INSTALLED IN THE VEHICLE. AFTER INSTALLATION THE FOLLOWING PROBLEMS WERE NOTED: 1) RADIO WILL NOT SHUT OFF IF KEY IS LEFT IN IGNITION. 2) IF KEY IS REMOVED AND REINSERTED WITHOUT EXITING THE VEHICLE THE VEHICLE STILL NOT COMPLY WITH FEDERAL/CANADA MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO 114 AS THE VEHICLE DOES NOT …

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I HAD RECALL 17130 INSTALLED IN THE VEHICLE. AFTER INSTALLATION THE FOLLOWING PROBLEMS WERE NOTED: 1) RADIO WILL NOT SHUT OFF IF KEY IS LEFT IN IGNITION. 2) IF KEY IS REMOVED AND REINSERTED WITHOUT EXITING THE VEHICLE THE VEHICLE STILL NOT COMPLY WITH FEDERAL/CANADA MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO 114 AS THE VEHICLE DOES NOT PROVIDE AN AUDIBLE WARNING/REMINDER CHIME WHEN THE DRIVER, AFTER TURNING OFF THE IGNITION AND LEAVING THE KEY IN THE CYLINDER, EXITS THE VEHICLE.

NHTSA ODI #10910151

60,000 miles · Aug 22, 2016
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 CHEVROLET SONIC. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE RADIO BACK LIGHT TURNED OFF FOLLOWED BY THE ENTIRE INSTRUMENT PANEL. ALSO, THE LOCKS REPEATEDLY UNLOCKED AND LOCKED, AND THE ENGINE STALLED. ONCE THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED, ALL OF THE PANEL LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NO…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 CHEVROLET SONIC. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE RADIO BACK LIGHT TURNED OFF FOLLOWED BY THE ENTIRE INSTRUMENT PANEL. ALSO, THE LOCKS REPEATEDLY UNLOCKED AND LOCKED, AND THE ENGINE STALLED. ONCE THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED, ALL OF THE PANEL LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.

NHTSA ODI #10897575

50,300 miles · Jul 5, 2016
Electrical System

TOOK MY CAR IN TO DEALERSHIP FOR RECALL 17130. AFTER RECEIVING CAR BACK, BACK UP CAMERA INOPERABLE AND VOLUME CONTROLS ON STEERING WHEEL FOR PHONE AND RADIO DO NOT WORK.

NHTSA ODI #10882664

13,800 miles · Oct 24, 2015
Electrical SystemEngineFire

I HAD TAKEN THE KEY OUT OF THE IGNITION AND IT WAS VERY HOT ABOUT THE END OF JULY. ON FRIDAY AUGUST 11, I NOTICED A PAUSE IN THE CAR STARTING THE A SOUND OF A KNOCK LEAVING WORK. I ARRIVED HOME AROUND 6:00 P.M. PARKED IN MY DRIVE WAY FOR THE DAY. I WAS AWAKEN SATURDAY MORNING BY MY NEIGHBOR BE MADE MY CAR WAS ON FIRE. THIS WAS D…

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I HAD TAKEN THE KEY OUT OF THE IGNITION AND IT WAS VERY HOT ABOUT THE END OF JULY. ON FRIDAY AUGUST 11, I NOTICED A PAUSE IN THE CAR STARTING THE A SOUND OF A KNOCK LEAVING WORK. I ARRIVED HOME AROUND 6:00 P.M. PARKED IN MY DRIVE WAY FOR THE DAY. I WAS AWAKEN SATURDAY MORNING BY MY NEIGHBOR BE MADE MY CAR WAS ON FIRE. THIS WAS DETERMINED BY LAWRENCE FIRE DEPARTMENT OF AN ENGINE FIRE.

NHTSA ODI #10785823

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.