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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

Power Train complaints

20 reports
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66,500 miles · May 6, 2019
Power Train

THE GEAR SHIFT BUTTON IS STICKING, WHICH IS POSING A HAZARD. THE CAR DOES NOT COMPLETE THE SHIFT OR RELEASE THE KEY UNTIL AFTER THE BUTTON UNSTICKS. IT HAPPENED WHEN I TRIED TO PARK AND IT HAPPENS WHEN I'M SHIFTING BETWEEN REVERSE AND DRIVE. ITS NOT A ONE TIME OCCURRENCE.

NHTSA ODI #11205910

88,000 miles · Oct 8, 2018
EnginePower Train

WHEN DRIVING AT 54 MPH THERE IS A JUMPING MOTION OF THE VEHICLE. IT FEELS LIKE I HIT THE BRAKE PEDAL. IT WILL DO THIS SEVERAL TIME WHEN DRIVING ONLY AT 54 MPH FOR MORE THEN 1/4 OF A MILE. THERE ARE NO WARNING LIGHT AND ALL FLUIDS ARE CHECKED AND ARE ADEQUATE.

NHTSA ODI #11139037

88,000 miles · Oct 8, 2018
Power TrainCrash

THE BUTTON ON THE SIFTER HANDLE HAS BROKEN AND GETS STUCK IN ALLOWING THE SHIFT HANDLE TO MOVE FREELY. THIS HAS CAUSED MY VEHICLE TO SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL WHILE DRIVING. IT HAS ALSO ALLOWED MY VEHICLE TO SHIFT INTO REVERSE ON ITS OWN WHILE SITTING IN THE PARKED POSITION. THIS ISSUE HAS BEEN GOING ON IN A LOT OF THE SONIC AND NEEDS …

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THE BUTTON ON THE SIFTER HANDLE HAS BROKEN AND GETS STUCK IN ALLOWING THE SHIFT HANDLE TO MOVE FREELY. THIS HAS CAUSED MY VEHICLE TO SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL WHILE DRIVING. IT HAS ALSO ALLOWED MY VEHICLE TO SHIFT INTO REVERSE ON ITS OWN WHILE SITTING IN THE PARKED POSITION. THIS ISSUE HAS BEEN GOING ON IN A LOT OF THE SONIC AND NEEDS TO BE RECALLED. MY VEHICLE HAS ALSO SHIFTED INTO REVERSE AND HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE PARKED BEHIND ME.

NHTSA ODI #11139035

105,000 miles · Jun 4, 2018
Power Train

I EXPERIENCED THIS ISSUE AFTER I CAME HOME FROM WORK ONE NIGHT. WHEN I PLACED THE CAR IN PARK THE BUTTON WOULD NOT POP OUT ALLOWING ME TO REMOVE THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION. IT ALSO WILL NOT LOCK THE GEAR SHIFTER INTO PLACE AND YOU CAN FREELY MOVE BETWEEN GEARS WITHOUT USING THE BUTTON. IT WILL EVENTUALLY COME OUT, DUE TO THE FORC…

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I EXPERIENCED THIS ISSUE AFTER I CAME HOME FROM WORK ONE NIGHT. WHEN I PLACED THE CAR IN PARK THE BUTTON WOULD NOT POP OUT ALLOWING ME TO REMOVE THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION. IT ALSO WILL NOT LOCK THE GEAR SHIFTER INTO PLACE AND YOU CAN FREELY MOVE BETWEEN GEARS WITHOUT USING THE BUTTON. IT WILL EVENTUALLY COME OUT, DUE TO THE FORCE OF THE LINKAGE PUSHING AGAINST IT. DANGEROUS CONDITION AS YOU MAY ACCIDENTALLY HIT THE SHIFTER WHILE DRIVING. ON AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION VEHICLES, THE BUTTON THAT YOU PRESS IN TO SHIFT WILL BREAK AT THE BASE OF THE BUTTON WHERE IT IS HELD IN BY A SMALL PIN. THE ORIGINAL BUTTON IS A DESIGN DEFECT THAT GENERAL MOTORS KNOWS ABOUT. THEY HAVE RELEASED AN UPDATED VERSION OF THE KNOB THAT IS NO LONGER ONE PIECE AND IT IS SOLD AS A REPAIR KIT. THE REPAIR KIT PART NUMBER IS 4242-3234 AND COSTS ANYWHERE FROM 10-20 USD DEPENDING ON THE DEALERSHIP PURCHASED FROM. A NUMBER OF OWNERS HAVE REPORTED THIS ISSUE ON THEIR CARS WITH VARYING MILEAGE.

NHTSA ODI #11099844

58,500 miles · Feb 12, 2018
Power TrainUnknown Or Other

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 CHEVROLET SONIC. WHILE PARKING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE SHIFTER BECAME STUCK AND WAS NOT ABLE TO GO INTO PARK, WHICH CAUSED THE KEY TO BECOME STUCK. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED (MOUNTAIN VIEW CHEVROLET, 890 RIVERFRONT PKWY, CHATTANOOGA, TN 37402) AND DIAGNOSED THAT THE FAILURE WAS THE SH…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 CHEVROLET SONIC. WHILE PARKING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE SHIFTER BECAME STUCK AND WAS NOT ABLE TO GO INTO PARK, WHICH CAUSED THE KEY TO BECOME STUCK. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED (MOUNTAIN VIEW CHEVROLET, 890 RIVERFRONT PKWY, CHATTANOOGA, TN 37402) AND DIAGNOSED THAT THE FAILURE WAS THE SHIFTER ASSEMBLY, WHICH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS 20,000 MILES OVER THE WARRANTY; THEREFORE, THEY WERE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIRS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 58,500.

NHTSA ODI #11072410

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

65,000 miles · Nov 6, 2017
Power Train

MY WIFE AND I HAVE ENCOUNTERED A PROBLEM WITH OUR 2014 CHEVY SONIC. IT WAS GETTING HOT TOOK IT TO THE DEALER TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. THEY SAID THAT THE RADIATOR HAD A CRACK ON THE SEAM. MYSELF, I AM A WELDER KNOWS THAT IN ORDER FOR A SEAM TO CRACK AFTER WELDED, 3 MAIN AND EASY ISSUES HAD TO HAPPEN SUCH AS, A. WELD GOT TOO HOT W…

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MY WIFE AND I HAVE ENCOUNTERED A PROBLEM WITH OUR 2014 CHEVY SONIC. IT WAS GETTING HOT TOOK IT TO THE DEALER TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. THEY SAID THAT THE RADIATOR HAD A CRACK ON THE SEAM. MYSELF, I AM A WELDER KNOWS THAT IN ORDER FOR A SEAM TO CRACK AFTER WELDED, 3 MAIN AND EASY ISSUES HAD TO HAPPEN SUCH AS, A. WELD GOT TOO HOT WHEN WELDED B. WHEN WELD WAS GROUND DOWN IT WAS TAKEN TOO CLOSE TO THE ROOT OF THE WELD C. THE WELD DIDNT HAVE ENOUGH PENETRATION. I PERSONALLY BELIEVE THIS IS A MANUFACTURED PART DEFECT. EXPECIALLY ONLY BEING 65000 MILES

NHTSA ODI #11044011

68,516 miles · Aug 30, 2017
Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 CHEVROLET SONIC. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY ACCELERATED. THE CHECK ENGINE AND TRACTION WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN UNKNOWN DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIR…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 CHEVROLET SONIC. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY ACCELERATED. THE CHECK ENGINE AND TRACTION WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN UNKNOWN DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 68,516.

NHTSA ODI #11020544

30,000 miles · Jul 21, 2017
Power Train

BUTTON ON GEAR SHIFT SELECTOR WILL DEPRESS, BUT WILL NOT RELEASE, MAKING IT VERY EASY TO ACCIDENTALLY BUMP THE KNOB AND PUT THE CAR INTO ANOTHER GEAR WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION.

NHTSA ODI #11006715

32,000 miles · Nov 11, 2015
EnginePower Train

I JUST PURCHASED MY 2014 CHEVY SONIC LT HATCHBACK A MONTH AGO. FIRST THE DAY I BOUGHT IT I FOUND OUT I HAD A REVERSE LIGHT OUT. THE DEALER SAID THEY WOULD FIX IT WHEN THE LICENSE PLANT COVER BRACKET COMES IN. THE SAME DAY I GOT THE CAR I SMELLED SOMETHING BURNING. I TOLD THEM ABOUT IT AN THEY SAID IF IT KEEPS DOING IT TO LET THE…

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I JUST PURCHASED MY 2014 CHEVY SONIC LT HATCHBACK A MONTH AGO. FIRST THE DAY I BOUGHT IT I FOUND OUT I HAD A REVERSE LIGHT OUT. THE DEALER SAID THEY WOULD FIX IT WHEN THE LICENSE PLANT COVER BRACKET COMES IN. THE SAME DAY I GOT THE CAR I SMELLED SOMETHING BURNING. I TOLD THEM ABOUT IT AN THEY SAID IF IT KEEPS DOING IT TO LET THEM KNOW AN MY PASSENGER SIDE BRAKES FELL LIKE THEY ARE DRAGGING. THEY SAID IT SHOULD COME OUT OF IT DO TO SITTING FOR AWHILE. WELL I'M STILL EXPERIENCING IT. MY OIL PERCENTAGE DROPS FAR DOWN WHEN DRIVING FOR 2 HRS ON THE HIGHWAY. THE BURNING SMELL COMES IN THREW THE VENTS AN OUTSIDE EVEN WHEN THE AC OR HEATER IS ON. SOMETHING IS NOT RIGHT. I ONLY HAVE 39,000 MILES WHEN I BOUGHT IT A MOTH AGO WITH 32,000 MILES. THE DEALER SAID IT WENT THROUGH AN EXPECTATION AN EVERYTHING CAME BACK OK WHEN I PURCHASED THE CAR THAT DAY. HOW CAN THAT BE WITH BURNING SMELL,LIGHTS OUT AN ONLY ONE SIDE OF WHEEL THAT I'M GETTING A DRAGGING, GRINDING NOISES. THEY WELL BE LOOKING AT IT IN THE NEXT 2WEEK. WHEN I'M DRIVING MY TRANSMISSION FEELS LIKE ITS SKIPPING. THE ACCELERATION IS SO OFF.

NHTSA ODI #10789720

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.