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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

Unknown Or Other complaints

34 reports
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Mileage unknown · Feb 21, 2026
EngineFuel/propulsion SystemUnknown Or Other

It gets hot fast when idle Radiator leaks , leaks coolant burns oil

NHTSA ODI #11719576

Mileage unknown · Nov 25, 2024
Unknown Or Other

Factory Radio. It will turn on and there is sound, but the screen is frozen. You can see everything on the screen, but if you press something on there it doesn’t do anything. Also, you can’t control it from the steering wheel either. I already removed the battery cables for 30 minutes and that didn’t correct the issue. It’s my …

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Factory Radio. It will turn on and there is sound, but the screen is frozen. You can see everything on the screen, but if you press something on there it doesn’t do anything. Also, you can’t control it from the steering wheel either. I already removed the battery cables for 30 minutes and that didn’t correct the issue. It’s my opinion that the radio needs a software update. I have seen where other Chevy Sonic models and different years have had this exact issue with the radio, because you recalled and fixed them. This issue needs to be corrected.

NHTSA ODI #11627237

Mileage unknown · Jun 24, 2024
Air BagsUnknown Or Other

"off" remains illuminated on my passenger airbag light whether or not someone is sitting in the passenger seat. It's actually somewhat rare to see "on" illuminated. There was a recall on this model for airbag issues but my vehicle specifically was not recalled. My vehicle was recalled for catalytic converter but I'm still getti…

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"off" remains illuminated on my passenger airbag light whether or not someone is sitting in the passenger seat. It's actually somewhat rare to see "on" illuminated. There was a recall on this model for airbag issues but my vehicle specifically was not recalled. My vehicle was recalled for catalytic converter but I'm still getting codes. Most of the problems the Sonic has been recalled for, my vehicle has symptoms of but I get cannot afford to pay repair cost up front and I cannot find a mechanic who would be willing to take the steps to report my vehicle should've been apart of the recall.

NHTSA ODI #11596073

Mileage unknown · Apr 8, 2024
Unknown Or Other

When turning the vehicle off, the key refused to come out. Saw online that many other people were also having this issue and I believe it should be a recall. I also discovered my head gasket has water in it, and it's a common issue that many vehicles like mine are having.

NHTSA ODI #11581685

Mileage unknown · Apr 18, 2023
Unknown Or Other

2014 CHEVROLET SONIC. CONSUMER IS SEEKING REIMBRSEMENT FOR REPAIRS MADE TO VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER STATED AN ADDITIONAL $1,468.61 IN EXTRA REPAIRS (REPLACING FRONT STRUTS, SHOCKS, SWAY LINK BAR AND PIA EVAPORATOR PURGE VALVE). THESE REPAIRS WERE DONE BEFORE 90,000MILES. THE FOLLOWING YEAR THE CONSUMER SPENT $1,930.75 ON EXTRA REPA…

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2014 CHEVROLET SONIC. CONSUMER IS SEEKING REIMBRSEMENT FOR REPAIRS MADE TO VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER STATED AN ADDITIONAL $1,468.61 IN EXTRA REPAIRS (REPLACING FRONT STRUTS, SHOCKS, SWAY LINK BAR AND PIA EVAPORATOR PURGE VALVE). THESE REPAIRS WERE DONE BEFORE 90,000MILES. THE FOLLOWING YEAR THE CONSUMER SPENT $1,930.75 ON EXTRA REPAIRS WHICH INCLUDED REPLACING THE WATER OUTLET, THERMOSTAT HOUSING, A/C COMPRESSOR AND CLUTCH AND ALL DONE AT 101,00MILES. AND THIS YEAR CURRENTLY $4501.50. HERE IS A LIST OF THOSE REPAIRS: 1)BOTH OXYGEN SENSORS ON 1/3/2023 - $232.97 2) THE FRONT CV SHAFT ON 1/7/2023 - $1,082.02 3) THE VALVE COVER, COVER GASKET, AND PCV VALVE HOSE ON 3/ 10/2023 - $840.96. 4)THE RADIATOR, COOLANT HOSES, HOSE CLAMPS, AND WATER PUMP ON 3/l 8/2023-3/ 19/2023 -$2,345.55

NHTSA ODI #11517609

Mileage unknown · Apr 17, 2022
SteeringUnknown Or Other

THE RELEASE BUTTON FOR THE GEAR SELECTOR FOR PARK THRU REVERSE ON THE CENTER CONSOLE BROKE APART INCLUDING A SPRING THAT IS A PART OF THE DESIGN UNDER NORMAL USE. THIS RENDERS THE CAR TO FAIL IN NUMEROUS UNPREDICTABLE/UNSAFE WAYS e.g. KEY IS STUCK AND CAN'T BE REMOVED/UNABLE TO MOVE GEAR SELECTOR/STUCK IN A CERTAIN GEAR INCLUDIN…

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THE RELEASE BUTTON FOR THE GEAR SELECTOR FOR PARK THRU REVERSE ON THE CENTER CONSOLE BROKE APART INCLUDING A SPRING THAT IS A PART OF THE DESIGN UNDER NORMAL USE. THIS RENDERS THE CAR TO FAIL IN NUMEROUS UNPREDICTABLE/UNSAFE WAYS e.g. KEY IS STUCK AND CAN'T BE REMOVED/UNABLE TO MOVE GEAR SELECTOR/STUCK IN A CERTAIN GEAR INCLUDING NEUTRAL (POSSIBLE ROLL AWAY). ON THE INTERNET THIS IS REPORTED AS A PREVALENT DEFECT WITH THIS CHEVY CAR AND A $300 DEALER REPAIR. LOOKS AS IF YOU CHECKED WITH OWNERS OF THIS CAR THEY WOULD ALL REPORT THIS FAILURE.

NHTSA ODI #11461051

Mileage unknown · Jun 6, 2021
Unknown Or OtherVehicle Speed Control

Since January I’ve consistently had issues with my 2014 Chevy Sonic Hatchback, in particular, Codes 84, P2138, check engine light and traction control lights. (my job has us all working from home since March of 2020, so I only do local shopping, no long distance). Due to the codes mentioned above, my car was “repaired” at dealer…

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Since January I’ve consistently had issues with my 2014 Chevy Sonic Hatchback, in particular, Codes 84, P2138, check engine light and traction control lights. (my job has us all working from home since March of 2020, so I only do local shopping, no long distance). Due to the codes mentioned above, my car was “repaired” at dealership on January 4, 2012. In the end of March I was constantly getting the same codes over a period of two days. I called GM (1 800 462 8782) on March 29, spoke with a woman by the name of Michelle and I explained what has been happening with the vehicle codes, along with other issues over the past year. She opened a case file # 9-6627321866 and she called the dealership to discuss my issue. I was told to drop the car off and it will be repair at no cost to me. The car was brought to dealership on April 7, 2021 and when the diagnostic was preformed, it showed no codes in the history. They did no repair at that time and gave me back the car. While running local errand on April 17, all the same codes appeared and once again I had reduced engine power. I was near the dealership and dropped off the vehicle, even though the service department was closed at that time. Once again, a new pedal and sensor was installed. I told them to please keep the vehicle for a few days, test drive it once in a while to ensure it is truly repaired. They test drove it several times during the 4 days they had it and since there were no issues, I picked the vehicle up on April 22, 2021.On June 5, while driving to a store a nearby store, I was stopped at a light to make a left turn and all the codes suddenly came on. I had very little acceleration making the left turn. The vehicle approaching me which was a block and a half away was now very closely approaching me and luckily realized I had an issue and stopped. I immediately headed back home. AutoZone ran a diagnostic and it's the same issue.

NHTSA ODI #11419806

70,000 miles · Mar 29, 2021
Unknown Or Other

BOUGHT USED IN AUGUST FROM A TOYOTA DEALER.CAR WAS MAKING A CHIRPING NOISE AND THE AC DID NOT WORK. DEALER. FIXED AC AND SENT TO CHEVY TO REPAIR CHIRPING NOISE.. THEN THE HEAT STOPPED WORKING AND THERE WAS NO COOLANT.. THEY FIXED SOME BRACKET OR OTHER.. NOW THE GEAR SHIFT BUTTON GETS STUCK PUSHED IN,, AND YOU CANNOT DISENGAGE TO…

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BOUGHT USED IN AUGUST FROM A TOYOTA DEALER.CAR WAS MAKING A CHIRPING NOISE AND THE AC DID NOT WORK. DEALER. FIXED AC AND SENT TO CHEVY TO REPAIR CHIRPING NOISE.. THEN THE HEAT STOPPED WORKING AND THERE WAS NO COOLANT.. THEY FIXED SOME BRACKET OR OTHER.. NOW THE GEAR SHIFT BUTTON GETS STUCK PUSHED IN,, AND YOU CANNOT DISENGAGE TO PUT THE CAR IN PARK TO REMOVE THE KEY.. I GOOGLED THIS ISSUE AND FOUND A LOT OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT IT. THE DEALER HAS ALREADY TOLD MY 19 YEAR OLD THEY WILL NOT COVER ANY MORE REPAIRS. BUT THIS CAR IS A PIECE OF JUNK AND THEY SHOULD NOT BE ON THE ROAD ANYMORE. I SHOULD NEVER HAVE LET HER FINANCE IT. NOW I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO.

NHTSA ODI #11405304

138,000 miles · Nov 15, 2020
Unknown Or Other

THE VEHICLE HAS PREVIOUSLY HAD THE COOLANT RESERVOIR AND WATER OUTLET CHANGED NOT VERY LONG AGO. NOT I AM HAVING THE SAME ISSUE WITH BOTH OF THE PARTS AGAIN. RESERVOIR IS CRACKED MAKING COOLANT LEAK OUT AND THE WATER OUTLET IS BRAKING APART BECAUSE IT IS PLASTIC.

NHTSA ODI #11374762

70,000 miles · Feb 12, 2020
Unknown Or Other

A PIECE OF THE BUTTON ON THE GEAR SHIFT HAD BROKEN OFF AND GOTTEN JAMMED IN THE SHIFT. CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO BE UNABLE TO SHIFT OUT OF DRIVE. THIS IS A SERIOUSLY DANGEROUS ISSUE, AND IF I WAS NOT IN THE CAR WITH ANOTHER PERSON WHO WAS ABLE TO JIMMY THE SHIFT FORWARD FOR ME WHILE I HELD DOWN THE BREAK, I WOULD HAVE ROLLED FORWAR…

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A PIECE OF THE BUTTON ON THE GEAR SHIFT HAD BROKEN OFF AND GOTTEN JAMMED IN THE SHIFT. CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO BE UNABLE TO SHIFT OUT OF DRIVE. THIS IS A SERIOUSLY DANGEROUS ISSUE, AND IF I WAS NOT IN THE CAR WITH ANOTHER PERSON WHO WAS ABLE TO JIMMY THE SHIFT FORWARD FOR ME WHILE I HELD DOWN THE BREAK, I WOULD HAVE ROLLED FORWARD OFF THE ROAD OR INTO THE BUILDING IN FRONT OF ME. IF YOU LOOK UP THIS ISSUE MANY SONIC DRIVERS HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS SAME ISSUE.

NHTSA ODI #11308783

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.