Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
330–25K
1725–50K
3550–75K
1775–100K
9100–150K
1150K+
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
What owners actually said
150 reports
240 miles · May 4, 2015
Service Brakes
FIRST NOTICED THIS HAPPENING ABOUT 1 MONTH AFTER THE PURCHASE OF THIS CAR. WHEN STOPPED AT A STOP SIGN OR RED LIGHT, WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE THE CAR FEELS LIKE IT WANTS TO LUNGE FORWARD OR TAKE OFF. OR, WHEN GOING FROM MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE TO THE GAS THE CAR WANTS TO LUNGE FORWARD ONCE I PRESS ON THE GAS JUST A LITTLE BIT. *T…
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FIRST NOTICED THIS HAPPENING ABOUT 1 MONTH AFTER THE PURCHASE OF THIS CAR. WHEN STOPPED AT A STOP SIGN OR RED LIGHT, WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE THE CAR FEELS LIKE IT WANTS TO LUNGE FORWARD OR TAKE OFF. OR, WHEN GOING FROM MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE TO THE GAS THE CAR WANTS TO LUNGE FORWARD ONCE I PRESS ON THE GAS JUST A LITTLE BIT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10714431
608 miles · Apr 17, 2015
Vehicle Speed Control
AT A STOP LIGHT/SIGN WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE THE CAR WILL START TO SHAKE/LUNGE FORWARD LIKE THE CAR IS TRYING TO GO BUT CANT BECAUSE MY FOOT IS ON THE BRAKE. IT WILL HAPPEN WITHIN A MILE AFTER STARTING AND DRIVING MY CAR AND WHEN IT STARTS TO SHAKE IT WILL LAST MAYBE 5 SECONDS. IT HAPPENS 2 OR 3 TIMES A WEEK ESPECIALLY WHEN IT…
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AT A STOP LIGHT/SIGN WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE THE CAR WILL START TO SHAKE/LUNGE FORWARD LIKE THE CAR IS TRYING TO GO BUT CANT BECAUSE MY FOOT IS ON THE BRAKE. IT WILL HAPPEN WITHIN A MILE AFTER STARTING AND DRIVING MY CAR AND WHEN IT STARTS TO SHAKE IT WILL LAST MAYBE 5 SECONDS. IT HAPPENS 2 OR 3 TIMES A WEEK ESPECIALLY WHEN ITS COLD OUTSIDE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10706393
200 miles · Apr 1, 2015
Air BagsSteeringCrashInjury
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 CHEVROLET SONIC. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE ALTERNATOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN MULTIPLE TIMES TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIA…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 CHEVROLET SONIC. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE ALTERNATOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN MULTIPLE TIMES TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE OR REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THREE MONTHS LATER, WHILE DRIVING AT 20 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AND THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. AS A RESULT, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED BACK INJURIES, BUT DID NOT REQUIRE MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE REAR DRIVER SIDE PASSENGER DID NOT SUSTAIN ANY INJURIES, BUT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200.
NHTSA ODI #10703066
100 miles · Mar 17, 2015
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Service Brakes
HAS HAPPENED OFF & ON SINCE I BOUGHT CAR OCTOBER 2014. WHILE AT A COMPLETE STOP CAR WILL ROCK BACK AND FORTH AS IF THE BRAKE PEDAL ISN'T PUSHED DOWN ALL THE WAY & THE CAR ISN'T SURE IF IT IS TO BE DRIVING FORWARD SLIGHTLY OR STOPPED. EVEN WITH ME PUSHING THE BRAKE PEDAL ALL THE WAY DOWN TO FLOOR, CAR STILL ROCKS BACK & FORTH. IF…
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HAS HAPPENED OFF & ON SINCE I BOUGHT CAR OCTOBER 2014. WHILE AT A COMPLETE STOP CAR WILL ROCK BACK AND FORTH AS IF THE BRAKE PEDAL ISN'T PUSHED DOWN ALL THE WAY & THE CAR ISN'T SURE IF IT IS TO BE DRIVING FORWARD SLIGHTLY OR STOPPED. EVEN WITH ME PUSHING THE BRAKE PEDAL ALL THE WAY DOWN TO FLOOR, CAR STILL ROCKS BACK & FORTH. IF AT STOP LIGHT WHILE DOING THIS ISSUE & LIGHT TURNS GREEN FOR ME TO DRIVE AHEAD CAR WILL NOT MOVE TILL DONE HAVING ITS ROCKING BACK & FORTH FIT. IT ONLY LASTS 15-20 SECONDS BUT CAN NOT DRIVE FORWARD WHILE CAR IS HAVING FIT. IS THIS THE COMPUTER/STABILITITRACK NOT COMMUNICATING PROPERLY? *TR
NHTSA ODI #10694942
Mileage unknown · Feb 19, 2015
Structure
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 CHEVROLET SONIC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A GLARE ON THE DASHBOARD IN SUNNY WEATHER THAT CREATED POOR VISIBILITY. THE DASHBOARD HAD A VENT ACROSS IT THAT PREVENTED THE CONTACT FROM MAKING ADJUSTMENTS TO BLOCK THE GLARE. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UN…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 CHEVROLET SONIC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A GLARE ON THE DASHBOARD IN SUNNY WEATHER THAT CREATED POOR VISIBILITY. THE DASHBOARD HAD A VENT ACROSS IT THAT PREVENTED THE CONTACT FROM MAKING ADJUSTMENTS TO BLOCK THE GLARE. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. UPDATED 04/06/15*LJ
NHTSA ODI #10684335
4,200 miles · Feb 5, 2015
Service BrakesSteering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 CHEVROLET SONIC. WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS IN INCLEMENT WEATHER, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED BUT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO AVOID A CRASH. IN ADDITION, THE WHILE VEERING TO THE RIGHT, THE VEHICLE UNINTENTIONALLY VEERED TO THE LEFT WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGN…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 CHEVROLET SONIC. WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS IN INCLEMENT WEATHER, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED BUT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO AVOID A CRASH. IN ADDITION, THE WHILE VEERING TO THE RIGHT, THE VEHICLE UNINTENTIONALLY VEERED TO THE LEFT WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 300. UPDATED 03/24/15*LJ UPDATED 12/09/15.*JB UPDATED 9/20/2017*CN
NHTSA ODI #10681399
6,520 miles · Jan 23, 2015
Electrical System
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 CHEVROLET SONIC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL BECAME INOPERABLE INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPL…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 CHEVROLET SONIC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL BECAME INOPERABLE INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 6,520.
NHTSA ODI #10678597
18,900 miles · Dec 28, 2014
Visibility
I WENT TO ADJUST THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE TO DEFOG MY FRONT WINDOWS AND I COULDN'T MOVE THE KNOB. I ALSO TESTED THE VENTS TO FIND OUT WHERE THE AIR WAS COMING OUT OF AND THERE WAS PRACTICALLY NOTHING COMING OUT OF THE VENTS. IT TOOK A WHILE FOR MY WINDOWS TO GET CLEAR WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10668557
14,500 miles · Dec 10, 2014
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting
WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY, GOING APPROXIMATELY 65MPH, THE DASH LIGHTS INCLUDING SPEEDOMETER TURN OFF AND RESET. THEY STAY OFF FROM 10-20 SECONDS THEN RESET BACK ON. THIS HAS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES IN THE LAST 3 MONTHS. HAS ONLY HAPPENED IN 6TH GEAR AND IS VERY DANGEROUS KNOWING THE REPAIR DEALERSHIP CAN NOT FIGURE OUT WHAT…
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WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY, GOING APPROXIMATELY 65MPH, THE DASH LIGHTS INCLUDING SPEEDOMETER TURN OFF AND RESET. THEY STAY OFF FROM 10-20 SECONDS THEN RESET BACK ON. THIS HAS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES IN THE LAST 3 MONTHS. HAS ONLY HAPPENED IN 6TH GEAR AND IS VERY DANGEROUS KNOWING THE REPAIR DEALERSHIP CAN NOT FIGURE OUT WHAT TRIGGERS IT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10663453
850 miles · Nov 24, 2014
Electrical System
MY 2014 SONIC AFTER BEING DRIVEN FOR 40 MIN FAILED TO START, A CHECK OF THE BATTERY INDICATED FULL VOLTAGE. CALLED FOR ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE AFTER THEY TAPPED ON THE STARTER THE CAR WOULD START. THIS HAS BEEN A RECURRING PROBLEM. THE DEALER HAD THE CAR FOR 3 DAYS AND COULD NOT REPEAT THE PROBLEM, WAS TOLD TO BRING IT BACK WHEN I H…
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MY 2014 SONIC AFTER BEING DRIVEN FOR 40 MIN FAILED TO START, A CHECK OF THE BATTERY INDICATED FULL VOLTAGE. CALLED FOR ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE AFTER THEY TAPPED ON THE STARTER THE CAR WOULD START. THIS HAS BEEN A RECURRING PROBLEM. THE DEALER HAD THE CAR FOR 3 DAYS AND COULD NOT REPEAT THE PROBLEM, WAS TOLD TO BRING IT BACK WHEN I HAD THE PROBLEM AGAIN. I HAVE HAD TO TAP ON THE STARTER ONCE BECAUSE I WAS TOO FAR FOR ROAD SIDE ASSISTANCE. AT 1974 MILES I HAD THE PROBLEM AGAIN CALLED ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE, WHEN THE TOW TRUCK DRIVER PUT THE KEY IN THE RUN POSITION AND WIGGLED THE STEERING WHEEL THE CAR STARTED ON ITS OWN. BECAUSE THE CAR WILL NOT START EVEN WITH THE REMOTE STARTER I DON'T THINK IT'S A KEY SWITCH PROBLEM. THE WORST PART OF THE ISSUE IS BEING STUCK IN LESS THAN SAFE PLACES WITH A CAR THAT WON'T START. *TR
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.
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.
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.
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.
2014 Chevrolet Sonic Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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