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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

Power Train complaints

20 reports
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Mileage unknown · Jul 2, 2023
Electrical SystemEnginePower Train

My auto started out with a Check Engine Light. I noticed the engine smelled of overheated radiator and coolant smell. Parts were replaced for fix (Hose)...but check engine light continued as well as the overheated coolant smell. The auto was placed for checking on machine for codes for check engine light, but none of codes made …

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My auto started out with a Check Engine Light. I noticed the engine smelled of overheated radiator and coolant smell. Parts were replaced for fix (Hose)...but check engine light continued as well as the overheated coolant smell. The auto was placed for checking on machine for codes for check engine light, but none of codes made sense to Mechanic. Told to bring back for further testing/looks. Brought back several times. No idea what was wrong but last time I was told I needed to leave for extended testing and test driving as gears were not shifting in D struggled engine for me, no acceleration and RPMs raced at times. (Dangerous and unpredictable on highway and in town). Now I turned in for testing to Chev Mechanic, and now am facing a part that was replaced in control of electrical (over $500) and after they repaired that and tested I am told that I have a TOTAL TRANSMISSION REPAIR over $5200 - for a 2014 auto!!! It was in with dealership mechanics a total of 6-7 times. I was informed the electrical controls were confusing the engine reactions. Auto a dealers for $5200 + $500 repairs now 20230702 and problems seen & looked at since March for smell of overheating radiator, fix if hose (wonder if really needed), continued check engine light, refill of radiator fluid, codes checked and did not give correct evaluation. Eventually the transmission needs replaced out, at time that there is RPM revs, no acceleration while driving and gears heard to struggle in engine. Mileage now over 97000. Estimate on mileage, i do not have all documentation before me. Extended Powertrain warranty from dealership started at year 2015!!! Anything older not allowed, so I am told I have to pay the entire bill.

NHTSA ODI #11530002

Mileage unknown · Jul 25, 2021
Power Train

Traction contorl light and check engine light comes on and its throwing my car into limp mode. we have changed out the throttle body and the pedal sensor and still having the same problem.

NHTSA ODI #11426349

15,000 miles · Sep 6, 2020
Electrical SystemPower Train

BUTTON ON FLOOR-MOUNTED GEAR SHIFT STICKS IN. CAN'T GET KEY FOB OUT OF IGNITION. STICKS ALL THE TIME. SECOND INCIDENT THIS YEAR. CAN'T TURN CAR OFF. PROBLEM SO COMMON THERE ARE YOU-TUBE VIDEOS ON REPAIR TECHNIQUES. CAR IS USUALLY STATIONARY, BUT SHIFTER WON'T WORK BECAUSE OF STUCK BUTTON.

NHTSA ODI #11353382

72,060 miles · Dec 23, 2019
Electrical SystemExterior LightingPower Train

TEMP 45-50 DEGREES, DRIVING IN MODERATE RAIN FOR 20-25 MINUTES, CRUISE CONTROL ON. ACTIVATE HIGH BEAMS, CAR SHIFTS TO 1ST GEAR AT 65 MPH, RPMS JUMP ABOVE 6000, TURN OFF HIGH BEAMS RETURNS TO NORMAL OPERATION. REPEATED 2 MORE TIMES IN NEXT 4 MILES, EVEN AT 25 MPH. WHEN END OF TRIP, SHUT OFF CAR AND COMPLETELY DEAD, NO LIGHTS, NO…

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TEMP 45-50 DEGREES, DRIVING IN MODERATE RAIN FOR 20-25 MINUTES, CRUISE CONTROL ON. ACTIVATE HIGH BEAMS, CAR SHIFTS TO 1ST GEAR AT 65 MPH, RPMS JUMP ABOVE 6000, TURN OFF HIGH BEAMS RETURNS TO NORMAL OPERATION. REPEATED 2 MORE TIMES IN NEXT 4 MILES, EVEN AT 25 MPH. WHEN END OF TRIP, SHUT OFF CAR AND COMPLETELY DEAD, NO LIGHTS, NO CRANKING. FOLLOWING MORNING (TODAY) CAR STARTS NORMALLY. WILL REPORT ANY FURTHER FROM MY COMMUTE TODAY, IF WARRANTED

NHTSA ODI #11290822

90,000 miles · Dec 9, 2019
Electrical SystemEnginePower Train

UPON ACCELERATING MY SONIC HAS LACK OF POWER AND GEARS DON'T ENGAGE OR THEY ARE DELAYED WHICH CAUSES ME TO BE VERY UNSAFE FROM ONCOMING TRAFFIC WHEN MY CAR DECIDES TO ENGAGE I CAN THEN CONTINUE DRIVING. I ALSO HAVE A ISSUE WITH THE CAR ELECTRICAL SYSTEM REFUSING TO CHIME WHEN KEYS ARE LEFT IN IGNITION AS A WARNING SOMETIMES I …

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UPON ACCELERATING MY SONIC HAS LACK OF POWER AND GEARS DON'T ENGAGE OR THEY ARE DELAYED WHICH CAUSES ME TO BE VERY UNSAFE FROM ONCOMING TRAFFIC WHEN MY CAR DECIDES TO ENGAGE I CAN THEN CONTINUE DRIVING. I ALSO HAVE A ISSUE WITH THE CAR ELECTRICAL SYSTEM REFUSING TO CHIME WHEN KEYS ARE LEFT IN IGNITION AS A WARNING SOMETIMES I PUT MY HIGH BEAMS ON AND ALL THE LOCKS LOCK AND MY CAR DOES THE REFUSAL TO ENGAGE IN GEAR THING AGAIN AND MY LIGHTS FLICKER MY WHOLE COMPUTER SYSTEM WENT DEAD AND NO ONE CAN FIGURE OUT WHY I ONLY BOUGHT THE CAR 6 MONTHS AGO FOR 12,000 SO I COULD HAVE RELIABILITY AND I SHOULDN'T HAVE TO DEAL WITH THIS OR ANYTHING FOR QUITE SO TIME MY OLD CAR IS SAFER THAN THIS NEW ONE

NHTSA ODI #11287984

93,000 miles · Dec 6, 2019
Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 CHEVROLET SONIC. WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE AND AN ABNORMAL NOISE WAS HEARD. ON A DIFFERENT OCCASION, IT TOOK THE CONTACT THREE ATTEMPTS TO START THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 CHEVROLET SONIC. WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE AND AN ABNORMAL NOISE WAS HEARD. ON A DIFFERENT OCCASION, IT TOOK THE CONTACT THREE ATTEMPTS TO START THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE TRANSMISSION WAS FLUSHED, BUT THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES AND PROVIDED A CASE NUMBER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 93,000.

NHTSA ODI #11287570

123,718 miles · Sep 8, 2019
Power Train

SHIFTER BUTTON HAS CRACKED AND CAUSES THE BUTTON STUCK. THIS ALLOWS THE SHIFTER TO BE MOVED WITHOUT PRESSING THE BUTTON AND ALSO PREVENTS THE KEY FROM BEING REMOVED. THE CAR COULD EASILY ROLL AWAY IF BUMPED DUE TO IMPROPER SHIFT LOCKING. THIS CAN HAPPEN WHEN YOU'RE ALREADY IN PARK OR EVEN IN DRIVE. TONS OF COMPLAINS ONLINE T…

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SHIFTER BUTTON HAS CRACKED AND CAUSES THE BUTTON STUCK. THIS ALLOWS THE SHIFTER TO BE MOVED WITHOUT PRESSING THE BUTTON AND ALSO PREVENTS THE KEY FROM BEING REMOVED. THE CAR COULD EASILY ROLL AWAY IF BUMPED DUE TO IMPROPER SHIFT LOCKING. THIS CAN HAPPEN WHEN YOU'RE ALREADY IN PARK OR EVEN IN DRIVE. TONS OF COMPLAINS ONLINE THROUGH FORUMS AND VIDEOS ON YOUTUBE HOW TO REPLACE BUT COST SHOULDN'T BE UP TO OWNERS. FIX THIS CHEVY!

NHTSA ODI #11254011

Mileage unknown · Jul 28, 2019
Electrical SystemPower TrainWheels

DEALER SOLD ME CAR WITH BALD TIRES LESS THAN 2/32. DEALER SOLD CAR WITH FILTHY RUSTY AND LOOSE PARTS ON MANIFOLD. VALVES. STRUTS. AND TRANS MOUNT. SUSPENSION PIECES WERE BROKEN AND OLD. THE THERMOSTAT WAS PUT IN WRONG AND CAUSED DIVID IN MANIFOLD. BATTERY AND ELECTRICAL SYSTEM ALSO HAD ISSUES. ALL ISSUES WERE FROM MILE 1 TO 200 …

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DEALER SOLD ME CAR WITH BALD TIRES LESS THAN 2/32. DEALER SOLD CAR WITH FILTHY RUSTY AND LOOSE PARTS ON MANIFOLD. VALVES. STRUTS. AND TRANS MOUNT. SUSPENSION PIECES WERE BROKEN AND OLD. THE THERMOSTAT WAS PUT IN WRONG AND CAUSED DIVID IN MANIFOLD. BATTERY AND ELECTRICAL SYSTEM ALSO HAD ISSUES. ALL ISSUES WERE FROM MILE 1 TO 200 OF OWNING CAR.

NHTSA ODI #11235337

117,000 miles · Jun 27, 2019
Electrical SystemPower Train

I BOUGHT THIS CAR USED BACK IN OCTOBER 2017, I'VE HAD OVERHEATING PROBLEMS, THE DEALERSHIP FIXED TWICE UNDER AN EXTENDED WARRANTY THE THIRD TIME I HAD TO FIX MYSELF (THEY SAID MY EXTENDED WARRANTY EXPIRED). I NOTICED MY KEY WOULD GET STUCK IN THE IGNITION AFTER PUTTING THE GEAR IN PARK, I DISCOVERED THE BUTTON ON MY GEAR SHIFT I…

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I BOUGHT THIS CAR USED BACK IN OCTOBER 2017, I'VE HAD OVERHEATING PROBLEMS, THE DEALERSHIP FIXED TWICE UNDER AN EXTENDED WARRANTY THE THIRD TIME I HAD TO FIX MYSELF (THEY SAID MY EXTENDED WARRANTY EXPIRED). I NOTICED MY KEY WOULD GET STUCK IN THE IGNITION AFTER PUTTING THE GEAR IN PARK, I DISCOVERED THE BUTTON ON MY GEAR SHIFT IS CRACKED AND I HAVE TO PULL IT ALL THE WAY PUT TO REMOVE THE KEY. THE LATEST ADVENTURE IS I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY IN THE FAST LANE AT ABOUT 75 MPH WHEN MY CAR MADE A POP NOISE THEN SLIGHTLY JERKED THEN STARTED TO SLOW DOWN. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ALONG WITH THE TRACTION LIGHT, I WAS ABLE TO SAFELY GET OVER TO THE SHOULDER I PARKED AND CUT THE CAR OFF. AFTER A FEW MINUTES I WAS ABLE TO START MY CAR BACK UP AND GET IT TO AN AUTO STORE TO FIND OUT WHY THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON. THE CODES THAT CAME BACK STATED COMMUNICATION WAS LOST WITH THE TCM AND THE TCM INTERNAL TEMPERATURE WAS TOO HIGH. I WAS TOLD THE MOST LIKELY SOLUTION IS FAULTY WIRING AT THE TCM. THIS IS BECOMING A HEADACHE I'M STILL PAYING ON THIS CAR AND DOING MORE REPAIRING THAN SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE

NHTSA ODI #11222996

63,000 miles · Jun 5, 2019
Electrical SystemFuel/propulsion SystemPower Train

I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE USED IN 2016 FROM A CAR DEALERSHIP. A COUPLE OF MONTHS AGO MY KEY WOULD NOT COME OUT OF THE IGNITION AND I HAD TO WAIT A FEW MINS THEN TRY AGAIN. NEXT TIME IT DID THAT IT TOOK 30 MINS TO REMOVE THE KEY UNTIL FINALLY THE LAST TIME IT WOULD NOT COME OUT PERIOD AND I HAD NO CHOICE BUT TO LEAVE THE VEHICLE A…

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I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE USED IN 2016 FROM A CAR DEALERSHIP. A COUPLE OF MONTHS AGO MY KEY WOULD NOT COME OUT OF THE IGNITION AND I HAD TO WAIT A FEW MINS THEN TRY AGAIN. NEXT TIME IT DID THAT IT TOOK 30 MINS TO REMOVE THE KEY UNTIL FINALLY THE LAST TIME IT WOULD NOT COME OUT PERIOD AND I HAD NO CHOICE BUT TO LEAVE THE VEHICLE AND HAVE IT TOWED TO THE SHOP. I HAD TO REPLACE A PART OF THE SHIFTER. THERE WAS A METAL PIECE RIGHT UNDER THE SHIFTER KNOB THAT FAILED. I HAD AUL INSURANCE VINTAGE NOW AND HAD TO PAY 500,000 DOLLARS FOR THIS REPAIR BECAUSE HE STATED THAT IT WAS NOT COVERED. PERSONALLY I DON'T BELIEVE THAT BUT I HAD NO CHOICE AND PAID TO HAVE IT FIXED. I TOOK THE VEHICLE PRIOR TO THE SHIFTER VISIT TO THE DEALERSHIL TWICE WITH A COMPLAINT OF NOT GETTING ENOUGH POWER WHEN I EXCELERATE AND IT MOVES SLOWLY AND IS AT 10-25 MPH BEFORE IT MOVES TO THE HIGHWAY SPEED OF 55MPH. THEY AGAIN SAID THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING. AGAIN TODAY I EXPERIENCE THE SLOW EXCELERATION AGAIN, SO I AM MAKING A COMPLAINT THIS TIME. THERE IS A ELECTRICAL PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE I 'VE HAD A COUPLE OF ELECTRICAL ISSUES AS WELL AS A REPLACED WATER PUMP. I GOT THIS IN 2016 IT SHOULD NOT HAVE THESE MANY PROBLEMS WITH THIS VEHICLE. I AM ALWAYS STOPPED AT A LIGHT IN THE TURNING LEFT LANE GETTING ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN THIS HAPPEN AND OTHER CARS HAVE ALMOST HIT ME SEVERAL TIMES. I WANTIT TO BE INVESTIGATED AND KNOWN BEFORE I GO BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP AGAIN AND TO BE TOLD THATTHERE S NOTHING WRONG. I SEE THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS DIM QUITE A LOT WHILE I AM DRIVING. AND WHEN IT STALL LIKE THIS THE POWER LIGHTS GET REALLY DIM BUT YOU CAN STILL SEE YOUR MPH ETC. PLEASE HELP ME SOMETHING IS WRONG WITH THIS VEHICLE AND I DON'T WANT TO DIE IN IT.

NHTSA ODI #11218195

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.