Model year record

2014 Chevrolet Sonic recalls & problems

The 2014 Chevrolet Sonic has 4 safety recalls and 150 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is electrical system (49 complaints).

Recalls4safety recalls

Complaints150filed by owners

Crashes · fires11 · 4reported in complaints

NHTSA overall5 ★crash-test stars

2014 Chevrolet Sonic in an NHTSA crash test — NHTSA crash test

Safety recalls

Electrical systemApr 28, 2016

Software

Recall 16V257000317,572 vehicles

Problem: 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."
Risk: Without audible indicators, the driver may leave the key in the ignition, increasing the risk of theft.
Fix: 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.

Components: Electrical system › Software; Equipment › Electrical › Radio/tape deck/cd etc.

Air bagsSep 9, 2014

Air bags

Recall 14V543000304 vehicles

Problem: 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.
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.

EquipmentJul 2, 2014

Electrical

Recall 14V4170002,990 vehicles

Problem: 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.
Risk: Exposed wires increase the risk of electrical shock and personal injury if the cord is handled while it is plugged in.
Fix: 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.

Fuel system, gasolineSep 26, 2013

Storage › Tank assembly › Mounting

Recall 13V4640001,558 vehicles

Problem: 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.
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.

Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

Crash test ratings

2014 Chevrolet Sonic 5 DR FWD

Overall★★★★★

Frontal crash	★★★★★
Side crash	★★★★★
Rollover	★★★★★
Rollover risk	12.6%

2014 Chevrolet Sonic 4 DR FWD

Overall★★★★★

Frontal crash	★★★★★
Side crash	★★★★★
Rollover	★★★★★
Rollover risk	12.6%

2014 Chevrolet Sonic NHTSA side crash test — NHTSA side barrier crash test

2014 Chevrolet Sonic NHTSA side pole crash test — NHTSA side pole crash test

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.

Fuel economy

Sonic

32mpg combined

City / highway	28 / 38 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

1.4 L · 4 cyl · Manual 6-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,100/year to fuel

Sonic 5

32mpg combined

City / highway	28 / 38 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

1.4 L · 4 cyl · Manual 6-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,100/year to fuel

Sonic

30mpg combined

City / highway	27 / 36 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

1.4 L · 4 cyl · Automatic (S6) · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,250/year to fuel

Sonic 5

30mpg combined

City / highway	27 / 36 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

1.4 L · 4 cyl · Automatic (S6) · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,250/year to fuel

Sonic

29mpg combined

City / highway	26 / 34 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

1.8 L · 4 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,300/year to fuel

Sonic 5

29mpg combined

City / highway	26 / 34 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

1.8 L · 4 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,300/year to fuel

Sonic RS

29mpg combined

City / highway	26 / 33 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

1.4 L · 4 cyl · Manual 6-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,300/year to fuel

Sonic 5 RS

29mpg combined

City / highway	26 / 33 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

1.4 L · 4 cyl · Manual 6-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,300/year to fuel

Sonic

28mpg combined

City / highway	24 / 34 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

1.8 L · 4 cyl · Automatic (S6) · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,400/year to fuel

Sonic 5

28mpg combined

City / highway	24 / 34 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

1.8 L · 4 cyl · Automatic (S6) · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,400/year to fuel

Sonic RS

28mpg combined

City / highway	25 / 33 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

1.4 L · 4 cyl · Automatic (S6) · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,400/year to fuel

Sonic 5 RS

28mpg combined

City / highway	25 / 33 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

1.4 L · 4 cyl · Automatic (S6) · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,400/year to fuel

EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.

What owners report

Problem area	Complaints	Crashes	Fires	Injuries	Typical mileage*
Electrical systemWiring; 12v/24v/48v battery	49	0	2	0	50,150 mi
Engine	38	0	2	0	37,200 mi
Unknown or other	34	2	1	1	50,164 mi
Air bagsSensor › Occupant classification	24	7	0	8	59,956 mi
Power train	20	1	0	0	68,516 mi
Fuel/propulsion system	15	0	0	0	30,000 mi
Steering	13	3	0	2	50,000 mi
Electronic stability control (esc)	8	1	0	0	22,663 mi
Service brakes	6	1	1	1	8,950 mi
Exterior lighting	5	0	0	0	55,000 mi
StructureBody	3	1	0	0	—
Vehicle speed control	3	0	0	0	—

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Electrical system › 12v/24v/48v batteryFire
A new EverStart Maxx lead-acid battery (Group Size H5/47, 12V, 650 CCA) was bought at Walmart on 07/14/2026 and installed the same day in a 2014 Chevrolet Sonic. It was installed correctly: correct polarity, both terminals tight and free of corrosion, hold-down secured. The car ran normally for about eight weeks, with no warning lights or electrical symptoms. On 09/10/2026 at about 12:00 p.m., the car caught fire while parked. It had not been driven or started since about 5:00 p.m. the day before (about 19 hours), so the engine and charging system were off. The fire appears to have started at the battery. It stayed in the engine compartment but melted the underhood fuse box and the engine…
Sep 10, 2026
Steering
Power steering light came on while Driving and lost power steering assist control. Almost crashed while turning down the street.
Apr 19, 2026
Electrical system
Electric My coolant And leaking issues My car door look when keys are inside ignition
Mar 1, 2025
Engine
It gets hot fast when idle Radiator leaks , leaks coolant burns oil
Dec 31, 1969
Engine
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…
Dec 27, 2025
Equipment
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…
Jun 6, 2022
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 doesnât do anything. Also, you canât control it from the steering wheel either. I already removed the battery cables for 30 minutes and that didnât correct the issue. Itâs 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.
Jan 1, 2018
Electrical system
Vehicle keeps throwing error code P2138 there is a current known issue that GM is aware of see notice 070604019F. Water gets in the electrical connections of sensors and is an issue as it causes check engine light and can decrease power of the acceleration of the vehicle which is a safety hazard. My vehicle has been with the dealer now for a third time for same issue. Theyâve had it for 3 weeks and 2 days total. Still an issue.
May 21, 2024

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.