2014 Chevrolet Sonic problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Engine (21) · Power Train (18) · Electrical System (18)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Chevrolet Sonic model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
112 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (4)
Electrical System:software 2016-04-28 · campaign 16V257000 · 317,572 vehicles
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 open the door. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 114
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.
Air Bags 2014-09-09 · campaign 14V543000 · 304 vehicles
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 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.
Equipment:electrical 2014-07-02 · campaign 14V417000 · 2,990 vehicles
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 oil pan/block heater. In cold temperatures, the insulation on the engine block heater cord can beco
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, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly:mounting 2013-09-26 · campaign 13V464000 · 1,558 vehicles
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.
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.
Service bulletins (1,507)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Unknown Or Other 2026-09-26 · PIT5698F · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this pi provides diagnostics tips on how the lin bus works and how to diagnosis it.
Unknown Or Other 2026-09-04 · PIP4902W · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email gds2 session logs into technical assistance.
Unknown Or Other 2026-04-01 · PIT3271Q · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this preliminary information communicates information about how to determine if a wheel and tires size change is available.
Unknown Or Other 2026-03-09 · PIP6104 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this preliminary information communicates the steps on how to save a gds2 session log and upload to a technical assistance case in cx connect.
Unknown Or Other 2026-03-09 · PIP4902V · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email gds2 session logs into technical assistance.
Unknown Or Other 2026-01-08 · PIP4902U · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email gds2 session logs into technical assistance.
Showing the 6 most recent of 1,507 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-09-10 · Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery · 🔥 fire“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 electrica…”
2026-04-30 · Steering“power steering light came on while driving and lost power steering assist control. almost crashed while turning down the street. …”
2026-03-02 · Fuel/Propulsion System“electric my coolant and leaking issues my car door look when keys are inside ignition…”
2026-02-21 · Unknown Or Other“it gets hot fast when idle radiator leaks , leaks coolant burns oil …”
2025-12-31 · 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 lou…”
2025-06-06 · 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…”
2024-11-25 · 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 opinion that the rad…”
2024-10-15 · 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 thir…”
2024-07-18 · Seat Belts“the pretensioner cable that secures the end of the seatbelt to the seat frame had severed. i am told the pretensioner has a small explosive inside its barrel that i assume releases some sort of spring internally upon impact of a collision. the release of this spring is supposed to pull the pretensioner cable downwards and by extension pull the seat…”
2024-06-24 · Unknown 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 getting codes. most of th…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.