2014 CHEVROLET SONIC — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data

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5/5

★★★★★

Safety Rating

226

Owner Complaints

18 Crashes 5 Fires

4

Recalls

ACTIVE RECALL

61

Service Bulletins

0

Investigations

Overview of the 2014 CHEVROLET SONIC

The 2014 CHEVROLET SONIC has received a total of 226 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). It earned an overall safety rating of 5 out of 5 stars in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program crash tests. There have been 5 recall campaigns affecting this vehicle, covering issues with ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE, EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC., AIR BAGS. 61 technical service bulletins have been issued by General Motors, LLC for this model year. The most commonly reported problems involve the Electrical System (46 complaints), Engine (37 complaints), and Unknown Or Other (34 complaints).

Recalls for the 2014 CHEVROLET SONIC

NHTSA has recorded 5 recalls for the 2014 CHEVROLET SONIC, potentially affecting up to 639,996 vehicles.

Recall 16V257000 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE

| 317,572 vehicles affected

Defect: 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...

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.

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Recall 16V257000 — EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.

| 317,572 vehicles affected

Defect: 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...

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.

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Recall 14V543000 — AIR BAGS

| 304 vehicles affected

Defect: 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...

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....

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Recall 14V417000 — EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL

| 2,990 vehicles affected

Defect: 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...

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...

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Recall 13V464000 — FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:MOUNTING

| 1,558 vehicles affected

Defect: 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: 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...

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Owner Complaints for the 2014 CHEVROLET SONIC

226 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2014 CHEVROLET SONIC. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.

Most Recent Complaints

#11719576 | ENGINE | | N/A miles
It gets hot fast when idle Radiator leaks , leaks coolant burns oil
#11719576 | FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | | N/A miles
It gets hot fast when idle Radiator leaks , leaks coolant burns oil
#11719576 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | | N/A miles
It gets hot fast when idle Radiator leaks , leaks coolant burns oil
#11708125 | ENGINE | | N/A miles
Around April of 2025, I noticed loud engine noises and cold start loud noises coming from the engine. My car has been in the shop multiple times since then and I opened a case with GM about multiple repair issues with my 2014 Chevy Sonic LT even though I take excellent care of the vehicle and perform all maintenance on the vehicle, and now this loud engine noise issue and leaking oil. I was driving home from a relative's home Saturday night Dec 27th late evening on the expressway when I noticed my car driving very sluggish and jerking and make extremely loud engine noises and continued burning oil smell in the cabin of the vehicle. No check engine light or oil light, now I had stopped by the service department earlier in the week when and oil pressure light came on, and they stated no issues. I made it home without incident, but the car was not running right. The car was brought to the dealership service department Monday Dec 29th, and they informed me they found broken plastic pieces of guard rails that secure the timing chains in the engine which may have caused serious damage to the engine. The dealership wanted 4k dollars to repair it after they could not properly diagnose a known online issue that I found out a lot of these Chevy drivers have found out about and having me repair other items on the car instead of fixing the leaking oil problem and whatever was going on in the engine. The manufacturer has not inspected this issue now only the service department at the local Chevy dealership has, however I had a case open with GM before this final incident occurred on Nov 1st after my last repair and complaint to the dealership about loud engine noises. GM would not take my concerns seriously and stated we are sorry, but your car is out of warranty even though this is a known issue of this plastic guard rail failing and other serious engine issues with Chevy. I would like the NHTSA to be involved in this matter and investigate this matter if possible.
#11665346 | EQUIPMENT | | N/A miles
The contact owns a 2014 Chevrolet Sonic. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the A/C failed to function as intended. The contact stated that there was hot air blowing from the vents at all time. In addition, the contact stated there was an abnormal sound coming from the engine, with an abnormal fuel burning odor on the interior and exterior of the vehicle. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic; however, no cause for the failure was found. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V417000 (EQUIPMENT). The failure mileage was unknown. The VIN was not available.

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Safety Rating for the 2014 CHEVROLET SONIC

The 2014 CHEVROLET SONIC received an overall safety rating of 5 out of 5 stars from NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program (NCAP).

Test Category Rating
Overall Rating ★★★★★ (5/5)
Frontal Crash ★★★★★ (5/5)
Side Crash ★★★★★ (5/5)
Rollover ★★★★ (4/5)

Safety ratings are based on controlled crash tests conducted by NHTSA. A 5-star rating indicates the highest level of occupant protection.

Technical Service Bulletins for the 2014 CHEVROLET SONIC

General Motors, LLC has issued 61 technical service bulletins (TSBs) for the 2014 CHEVROLET SONIC. TSBs are notices sent by manufacturers to their dealers describing a known issue and the recommended repair procedure.

080730026F — POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

This informational bulletin provides information on Some vehicles may rock or move slightly forward or rearward while in Park at start up after cold soak. This condition may be accompanied by a clunk noise. This is a slight movement that is more often seen visually, rather than felt, when viewed...

15NA015 — STEERING

This technical bulletin provides diagnostic and repair information to correct a customer concern of a steering drift or pull condition where the vehicle may appear to pull or drift in the direction of a road crown.

16-NA-118 — ENGINE

This technical bulletin provides a procedure to complete a wire to wire repair on the engine wire harness to correct a condition of no start, Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) ON, and possible loss of steering assist.

GCUS-3-917 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE

16186 - Emission Recall. General Motors has decided to conduct a Voluntary Emission Recall on certain vehicles equipped with a 1.8L engine. On some vehicles, cracking of ceramic components internal to the catalytic converter may occur as a result of higher than anticipated exhaust temperatures. If this occurs, the catalytic...

GCUS-3-658 — FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL

53941 01 - Customer Satisfaction. Revised to update Customer Notification section. Vehicles involved in this recall were placed on stop delivery June 22, 2016 under GM Reference # 53940. Once the procedure contained in the bulletin has been performed on the vehicle, the vehicle is released from stop delivery and...

PI1237B — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM

THIIS INFORMATION BULLETIN PROVIDES INFORMATION ON HOW THE EXHAUST AND INTAKE CAMSHAFT POSITION EXCITER WHEEL MUST BE INSTALLED PROPERLY TO PREVENT A CUSTOMER CONCERN ON AN INTERMITTENT CRANK/NO START.

53940 — EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS

53940 - STOP DELIVERY ORDER. GM DISCOVERED AN ERROR WHICH AFFECTED THE FUEL ECONOMY INFORMATION ON THE FUEL ECONOMY LABELS ON CERTAIN VEHICLES. THE ERROR CAUSED THE EPA ESTIMATED FUEL ECONOMY TO BE LISTED ON THE WINDOW LABEL AS 1 MPG HIGHER (1L/100 KM LOWER) THAN IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN....

PIC5778B — EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.

This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that only play Bluetooth audio music from the left speaker. When using a Bluetooth device for phone calls, audio will only come out of the left speaker. This is normal operation. If the concern is present with music streaming...

PI1086A — VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

Shifter handle knob cracked and/or will not operate while shifting out of park

PI1086A — POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION:COLUMN SHIFT ASSEMBLY

Shifter Handle Knob Cracked and/or Will Not Operate While Shifting Out of Park Some customers may comment on the shifter handle knob being cracked and/or will not operate while shifting out of Park. This condition may occur if the chrome knob on the shifter handle cracks, not allowing the shifter...

Showing 10 of 61 technical service bulletins.

NHTSA Investigations for the 2014 CHEVROLET SONIC

There are no NHTSA defect investigations on record for this vehicle.

Other Model Years of the CHEVROLET SONIC

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Other CHEVROLET Models

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