2014 Chevrolet Sonic: problems, recalls and reliability
4 recalls and 149 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is electrical system (22% of complaints); the 2016 model year looks more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Apr 2016
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 149 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Power steering light came on while Driving and lost power steering assist control. Almost crashed while turning down the street.”Owner report · Steering · Apr 2026
“The car is completely shutting off all power while driving. The doors will start locking and unlocking and the no power at all. I have taken it to multiple mechanic and it reads no codes. It has done this to me on the Highway. car was completely stopped and i was very lucky a car did not hit me. it usually will start again after shutting down”Owner report · Electrical System · Jun 2024
“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. They've had it for 3 weeks and 2 days total. Still an issue.”Owner report · Electrical System · May 2024
Show 7 more owner reports
“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.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Apr 2024
“Car has problems starting after gas is put in it u have to step on gas peddle several times to get it to start car does not have working backup camera in it or even a working radio in it car has a check engine light on I took it to were I ought it twice they cleared codes out of car but codes come back on all the time I would like to exchange this vehicle if possible can u help me Manns Performance Vidalia Ga 30474 is were it was purchased 6/01/2023 this has been a issue since I got from dealership crack in window after having it two weeks even with windows cracked sitting in the yard”Owner report · Electrical System · Jun 2023
“Passenger airbag not active even though an average sized (160 pound) adult is sitting there.This is very very dangerous.Apparently a pressure sensitive monitor in the passenger seat is not working correctly.I have read many many complaints about this on the Chevrolet Sonic on this website.This started out as a sporadic problem,but now is constant.”Owner report · Air Bags · Feb 2023
“The contact owns a 2014 Chevrolet Sonic. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel seized and the vehicle then stalled. The contact pulled over at a gas station and parked the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 67,000.”Owner report · Steering · May 2022
“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.”Owner report · Steering · Apr 2022
“"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.”Owner report · Air Bags · Jan 2022
“This car just dies on me randomly while driving at high or low speeds and is very dangerous, the dash lights go out sound stops working and you have to stop put it in park and turn car off and restart to get it started again. I have had it to service department and there are no codes generated, this started back in 6/2021 and continues to be a problem”Owner report · Electrical System · Jun 2021
When filing, owners marked a crash in 11 of these complaints and injuries in 9 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 4 campaigns
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.
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 (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.
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.
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.
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 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."
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.
Trouble codes owners mention
OBD-II codes that appear in NHTSA complaints about this car.
How other years compare
Check your exact Sonic by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2014 Chevrolet Sonic reliable?
NHTSA has 149 owner complaints and 4 recall campaigns on record for the 2014 Chevrolet Sonic. The most complained-about area is electrical system (22% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2014 Chevrolet Sonic problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 58,000 miles or less.
Does the 2014 Chevrolet Sonic have open recalls?
4 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning air bags. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.