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What 149 owners told NHTSA about the 2014 Chevrolet Sonic

These are the actual owner complaints behind this car’s reliability verdict, filed with the federal government, unedited. They’re unverified reports, not confirmed defects: read them as leads for your pre-purchase inspection, not a diagnosis.

All (149)Crash / fire / injury (13)Electrical system (48)Engine (38)Airbags (24)Transmission & drivetrain (20)Fuel system (16)Steering (13)Electronic Stability Control (esc) (8)Brakes (6)Lights (5)Body & structure (3)

Newest first · 149 complaints · page 3 of 6

Mar 26, 2019Airbags

THE PASSENGER AIR BAG WILL NOT INDICATE WHEN THERE IS A PASSENGER IN THE VEHICLE. THIS IS SPORADIC AND ONLY WORKS WHEN IT WANTS TO. IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT THE AIRBAG MAY NOT DEPLOY IF THERE IS A PASSENGER IN THE SEAT.

NHTSA ODI 11191634

Mar 26, 2019Engine

THE VEHICLE OVER HEATED AND WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIR. ONE OF THE ENGINE COOLANT OUTLETS WAS MADE OF PLASTIC AND CRUMBLED INTO PIECES WHERE THE HOSE CONNECTS TO IT. THE BOLTS WERE ALSO BROKEN OFF INTO THE SIDE OF THE ENGINE. THIS REPAIR COST $1,200 AND WAS DONE TWICE WITHIN 2 MONTHS TIME.

NHTSA ODI 11191642

Mar 26, 2019Electrical systemEngineAirbags

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 CHEVROLET SONIC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE MADE AN ABNORMAL NOISE AND THE ENGINE OVERHEATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED TWICE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DYER CHEVROLET (4200 US-1, FORT, FLORIDA 34982, (772) 242-3116) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE COOLING SYSTEM RETURN UNIT FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE RADIO SOFTWARE SYSTEM FAILED AND DID NOT ALERT HIM WHEN THE TIRES WERE LOW. THE CONTACT ALSO NOTICED THAT THE FRONT OCCUPANT DETECTION SENSOR ALSO FAILED TO ACTIVATE WHEN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT WAS OCCUPIED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS EXCLUDED FROM NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V257000 (EQUIPMENT, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.

NHTSA ODI 11191645

Mar 26, 2019Fuel system

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 CHEVROLET SONIC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS LEAKING FUEL, WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO SPUTTER AND SMELL LIKE FUEL. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 96,000.

NHTSA ODI 11191730

Mar 8, 2019AirbagsEngine

AIR BAGS ON &OFF (DRIVING) THERMOSTAT NOT WORKING CAUSING ENGINE LIGHT ON

NHTSA ODI 11185061

Mar 3, 2019Airbags

TAKATA RECALL THE AIR BAG LIGHT COMES ON AND OFF. WHEN THE LIGHT IS ON I CALL ON STAR AND THEY SAY ITS A DEFECT IN DEPLOY DIAGNOSTIC CODE B0081 AND WHEN I TAKE IT IN THE LIGHT IS OFF. I DONT WANT TO GET IN AN ACCIDENT AND THEN THE AIR BAG NOT DEPLOY

NHTSA ODI 11183797

Mar 1, 2019Airbags

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 CHEVROLET SONIC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR INTERMITTENTLY ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT THE AIR BAG MIGHT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO FELIX CHEVROLET (LOCATED AT 3330 S FIGUEROA ST, LOS ANGELES, CA 90007, (213) 290-1925) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG INTERNAL SENSOR HAD A SHORTAGE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: 9-5085721017. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 37,365.

NHTSA ODI 11183559

Feb 27, 2019Engine

I RECENTLY PURCHASED A 2014 CHEVY SONIC WITH 70,000 MILES. SHORTLY AFTER RECEIVING THE VEHICLE, IT BEGAN DROPPING COOLANT WHILE STATIONARY OVERNIGHT AFTER BEING DRIVEN DURING THE DAY. THE DEALER REPLACED THE WATER PUMP. AFTER THE REPAIR, IT STARTED TO LEAK AGAIN. THIS TIME, THE DEALER'S REPAIR SHOP COULD NOT FIND THE SOURCE OF A LEAK, DESPITE MY SHOWING EVIDENCE OF A LEAK (PHOTOS AND COLLECTED COOLANT). SEVERAL INTERNET POSTINGS FROM DIFFERENT SOURCES INDICATED POSSIBLE PROBLEMS CAUSED BY DEXCOOL COOLANT SPECIFIED BY GENERAL MOTORS. MY OWN MECHANIC RECOMMENDED REPLACING THIS COOLANT BECAUSE OF PROBLEMS WITH THE COOLING SYSTEM.

NHTSA ODI 11182727

Feb 16, 2019Engine

THERMOSTAT DAMAGE AND AIR CONDITIONER NOT START CORRECTLY ONLY START FAN

NHTSA ODI 11180548

Feb 16, 2019Electronic Stability Control (esc)EngineFuel system

ENGINE LIGHT STAYS ON. ENGINE RANDOMS SHUTS OFF. CAR WONT START AFTER FILLING CAR UP. T/C COMES ON RANDOMLY AND CAR STARTS SHAKING. LIGHTS OF CAR DIM WHEN YOU ACCELERATE.

NHTSA ODI 11180554

Feb 8, 2019Airbags

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 CHEVROLET SONIC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO GARY RUSS CHEVROLET (1420 BYPASS 72 NE, GREENWOOD, SC 29649, (864) 229-2521) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CONNECTOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO THE LOCAL DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.

NHTSA ODI 11175209

Feb 7, 2019Electrical systemEngine

ISSUE STARTED WITH CAR NOT RESPONDING TO FOB SPORADICALLY. NOW CAR WONT EVEN HAVE POWER UNLESS KEY IS IN IGNITION AND ALL THE DOORS ARE CLOSED. ESCALATED TO NO POWER AT ALL UNTIL I SLAMMED THE CAR HOOD DOWN, THEN THE CAR MIRACULOUSLY REGAINED POWER. NOT A BATTERY ISSUE, DEFINITELY ELECTRICAL. CAR ALSO COMPLETELY SHUTS OFF WHILE DRIVING. POWER STEERING GOES OUT, RADIO TURNS OFF, DASH TURNS OFF. MUST THROW THE CAR IN NEUTRAL AND RESTART WHILE COASTING ON THE FREEWAY. HEADLIGHTS AND DASH LIGHTS WILL DIM DURING ACCELERATION AND RADIO GOES BLACK. CAR WILL SOMETIMES SHUT OFF WHEN THROWN IN REVERSE. I FEEL LIKE MY LIFE IS IN DANGER.

NHTSA ODI 11174918

Dec 25, 2018

THE SHIFTER KNOB ON THE CAR HAS STARTED TO STICK, WHICH MEANS IT DOESN'T LOCK THE CAR INTO WHATEVER GEAR THE SHIFTER HAS BEEN MOVED TO. THE SHIFTER CAN EASILY BE MOVED FROM DRIVE TO NEUTRAL OR MORE DANGEROUSLY OUT OF PARK. ADDITIONALLY, WHEN THE BUTTON IS STUCK, YOU CAN'T REMOVE THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION.

NHTSA ODI 11163360

Dec 6, 2018Airbags

THE PASSENGER "AIRBAG OFF" REMAINS ILLUMINATED IF YOU HAVE A 100LB OR 250LB PERSON IN THE SEAT. EVERY SO OFTEN, WHEN A 200+LB PERSON SIT IN THE PASSENGER SEAT, THE LIGHT WILL EXTINGUISH INDICATING THAT THE AIRBAG IS ACTIVATED. THEN IF THAT 200+LB PERSON ADJUST POSITION WHILE IN THE SEAT , THE "AIRBAG OFF" LIGHT WILL ILLUMINATE AGAIN. I READ MANY SONIC OWNER COMPLAINTS FROM 2012-2016 MODEL YEARS WITH THE SAME ISSUE. I CALLED 2 LOCAL CHEVY DEALERS AND THE SERVICE ADVISORS SAID THEY WERE NOT AWARE OF ANY "AIRBAG OFF" LIGHT ISSUES AT ALL BUT I COULD STOP BY SO THEY DIAGNOSE A KNOWN PROBLEM FOR $140. FROM ALL THE FORUMS I'VE READ, NOT ONE, I REPEAT NOT ONE OF THESE AIRBAG LIGHT OFF ISSUES HAS BEEN RESOLVED EVEN AFTER TAKING THE CAR TO THE DEALER. AN ATTORNEY WEBSITE DEDICATED TO SONIC AIRBAG ISSUES HAS MANY TESTIMONIALS FROM OWNERS AND STATISTICS SHOWING AT LEAST 10 INJURIES AND 1 DEATH RESULTING FROM THESE AIRBAG ISSUES. THESE ARE NOT TAKATA AIRBAGS BY THE WAY. I SINCERELY HOPE THAT NHTSA LOOKS INTO THIS ISSUE BEFORE THERE ARE ANY MORE INJURIES OR DEATHS. *TR

NHTSA ODI 11156580

Dec 1, 2018Electrical system

IT HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR 3 MONTHS NOW. I WILL BE DRIVING AND THE DOORS WILL LOCK, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND RADIO WILL GO BLANK AND THE CAR WILL REV LIKE ITS OUT OF GEAR. WE HAVE CHANGED BATTERY, ALTERNATOR CHECKED AND DIAGNOSTICS TEST FOUND NOTHING. TODAY I WENT TO TOWN AND GOT TO MY DESTINATION FINE. I GOT BACK IN MY CAR TO LEAVE AND NO POWER AT ALL! I WAS SITTING THERE AND CAR NOT RUNNING BECAUSE BATTERY DRAINED BUT THE RPM GAUGE WAS MOVING BACK AND FORTH ON 0. HOW WITH NO POWER? I WENT ONLINE AND WAS OUTRAGED TO FINE HOW MANY PEOPLE HAVE THE SAME COMPLAINT AND NO DEALERSHIP CAN'T FIND OUT WHAT IS WRONG. YOU CAN BE DRIVING AND IT CUT OFF AS YOU DRIVING ON FREEWAY!! DANGEROUS!!! IT HAPPENS WHEN DRIVING. WHEN STOPPED IT REALLY DOESN'T MATTER. PLEASE HELP!!

NHTSA ODI 11155366

Nov 11, 2018Electrical systemAirbagsEngine

ALMOST A YEAR SINCE ENGINE LAST STALLED WITHOUT WARNING (HAPPENED 3 TIMES IN ABOUT 3 MONTHS). WHEN PULLING INTO TRAFFIC FROM A STOP, HEARD 3 CHIMES AND SEVERAL WARNING LIGHTS LIT UP (TRACTION CONTROL, ENGINE POWER DOWN, CHECK ENGINE, SERVICE CAR ASAP). ENGINE AT LOW POWER, WAS ABLE TO DRIFT INTO PARKING LOT. RESTARTED CAR AFTER SEVERAL MINUTES, ALL LIGHTS EXCEPT CHECK ENGINE WENT OFF. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WENT OFF AFTER I PUT GAS IN THE CAR THE NEXT DAY. I DO NOT FEEL SAFE IN THIS CAR. LONG STORY SHORT THE DEALER WAS GOING TO WORK WITH ME TO TAKE THE CAR BACK, BUT BANK WOULD NOT RELEASE TITLE (LOAN IS VERY UPSIDE DOWN) UNTIL ANOTHER MECHANIC LOOKED AT THE CAR. BANK WANTED ME TO UTILIZE MY WARRANTY PROGRAM I HAD PURCHASED WITH THE CAR LOAN. MECHANIC FOUND P2138 APP SENSOR CODE. WAS LEANING INTO THE DRIVER SIDE ON THE FLOOR TO LOOK UNDER THE DASH AND HIS ELBOW GOT WET. FOUND DRIVER FOOTWELL COMPLETELY SOAKED: CARPET, LINER, AND CARPET PAD. REST OF THE CAR WAS DRY. DISCOVERED THE SUNROOF HAD BEEN LEAKING DOWN INTO THE CAR AND NOT DRAINING OUT PROPERLY ON DRIVER'S SIDE. COULD NOT CHECK ENTIRE DRAIN SYSTEM WITHOUT REMOVING HEADLINER. FOUND WATER HAD COMPROMISED THE SIDE AIR BAG AND WIRE HARNESS; SEVERAL CONNECTORS CORRODED. SPRAYED WATER ON WIRES AND WAS ABLE TO REPLICATE ENGINE POWER LOSS. CONFIRMED THAT WATER WAS LEAKING INTO THE VEHICLE ONTO THE WIRE HARNESS. TEMPORARILY FIXED THE ISSUE WITH DIELECTRIC GREASE TO PREVENT CONNECTORS FROM GETTING WET. MECHANIC LEFT THE PANELS OFF SO I CAN MONITOR THE SUNROOF LEAKING. I DO NOT FEEL SAFE IN THE CAR BECAUSE OF THE AIR BAG BEING WET AND MAY NOT DEPLOY PROPERLY, THE WET CARPET PAD WHICH COULD CAUSE RUST AND MOLD, AND THE CORRODED WIRE TERMINALS. WILL CONTACT DEALER AND BANK TOMORROW. I AM HOPING THEY WILL TAKE THE CAR OFF MY HANDS AS IT WILL BE A FEW YEARS TIL I CAN PAY IT OFF AND I DON'T WANT AN ACCIDENT BEFORE THEN.

NHTSA ODI 11150872

Oct 31, 2018Electrical systemEngine

I HAVE BEEN COMPLAINING TO GM HEADQUARTERS AS WELL AS SEVERAL OF THE CHEVY DEALERSHIPS IN MY LOCAL AREA! I HAVE BEEN TO ALMOST EVERY CHEVY DEALERSHIP IN TOWN FOR SERVICE AND NO ONE CAN FIND THE PROBLEM, OR TELL ME WHAT IS CAUSING ME THE ISSUES I HAVE BEEN HAVING WITH MY CAR SINCE NOVEMBER 2015!! I RECENTLY HAD A NEW BATTERY PUT IN (THE 5TH BATTERY ON THE CAR, THE 2ND ONE THIS MONTH!!) BUT THE BATTERIES KEEP DYING! OF COURSE I AM BEING HIT WITH COSTS WHEN THIS HAPPENS OR THE "SEARCH" FOR THE ISSUE IS INITIATED. I HAVE FOUND ONLY 1 DEALERSHIP THAT ACTUALLY CARES ENOUGH ABOUT ME AND THIS CAR TO EITHER WAIVE OR MODIFY THESE COSTS. EITHER WAY, THIS IS UNFAIR TO ME IN THAT YOU ARE NOT RECALLING THE VEHICLE, BUT I STILL HAVE TO PAY FOR IT. I FEEL THAT YOU KNEW WHEN YOU ROLLED THE PIECE OF JUNK OFF THE ASSEMBLY LINE THAT IT WAS NOT GOING TO BE WOTH ANYTHING AFTER THAT FIRST YEAR! THOUGH MY VIN DOES NOT RENDER ANY RESULTS IN THE RECAL SEARCH PORTAL, IT SHOULD! I HAVE HAD SO MUCH MAJOR WORK DONE ON THIS CAR AND IT HAS NOT EVEN BEEN 10 YEARS YET! I NEED GUIDANCE IN FILING A CLASS ACTION AGAINST CHEVROLET BECAUSE YOU KNOW THERE ARE MAJOR ISSUES WITH THE CRAFTSMANSHIP OF THE VEHICLE, YET YOU WON'T ISSUE A RECALL. I HAVE READ SIMILAR COMPLAINTS FOR THIS VEHICLE AND THAT IS ENOUGH TO HAVE A RECALL ISSUED. I CAN'T STOP FOR GAS, ERRANDS ETC WITHOUT HAVING TO WORRY IF THE CAR WILL CRANK BACK UP OR RESTART! IT IS SO UNRELIABLE AND IT IS DEFINATELY NOT SAFE! I HAVE CALLED ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE AT LEAST 6 TIMES FOR A JUMP HELP IN THE LAST MONTH! I HAD TO CALL TWICE IN ONE DAY MOST RECENTLY!! THE DEALERSHIP GAVE ME A REPLACEMENT BATTERY OCT 4TH AND BY OCT 12TH IT HAD 5% VOLTAGE! THE CAR WAS SITTING IN MY SON'S DRIVEWAY THAT DAY--THEN THIS HAPPENED AGAIN LATER THAT MORNING AS I WAS LEAVING A DR APPT--I WAS PLANNING TO TAKE IT TO THE DEALER FOR SERVICE!

NHTSA ODI 11144530

Oct 28, 2018Electrical system

CAR WON'T START IT ONLY CLICKS REALLY FAST. HAD BATTERY CHECKED AND IT'S FULLY CHARGED ONCE I JUMP IT THE CAR WILL DRIVE UNTIL I SHUT IT OFF. IT WILL START BACK UP RIGHT AWAY BUT IF I LET IT SIT IT WILL NOT

NHTSA ODI 11143540

Oct 11, 2018Electrical system

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 CHEVROLET SONIC. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS ENGAGED IN THE PARK POSITION, THE KEY FAILED TO RELEASE FROM THE IGNITION SWITCH AND THE ENGINE CONTINUED TO RUN. ADDITIONALLY, AN ABNORMAL CLICKING NOISE WAS HEARD. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO NHTSA. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 82,000.

NHTSA ODI 11139854

Oct 9, 2018Electrical systemLightsEngine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 CHEVROLET SONIC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED NUMEROUS TIMES WITHOUT WARNING. THE DEALER (VAN CHEVROLET, 8585 E FRANK LLOYD WRIGHT BLVD, SCOTTSDALE, AZ 85260, 1-480-696-5884) PERFORMED SEVERAL DIAGNOSTIC TESTS THAT INCLUDED THE WATER PUMP, A GASKET BOOT IN THE ENGINE, AND THE BATTERY LINES. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE HEADLAMP ASSEMBLY WIRING KEPT BURNING OUT, BUT THE DEALER HAD NOT PROVIDED A REMEDY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,000.

NHTSA ODI 11139235

Oct 8, 2018Airbags

THE PASSENGER AIRBAG WILL NOT TURN ON WHEN THERE IS A PASSENGER IN THE SEAT. THIS IS A SPORADIC PROBLEM AND DOES NOT ALWAYS HAPPEN. IT WILL ALSO ILLUMINATE BOTH THE ON AND OFF LIGHTS AT THE SAME TIME. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE IF IN AN ACCIDENT THE PASSENGER AIRBAG MAY NOT DEPLOY IF THE SENSOR IS NOT WORKING TO DETECT A PASSENGER.

NHTSA ODI 11139033

Oct 8, 2018Transmission & drivetrainCrash

THE BUTTON ON THE SIFTER HANDLE HAS BROKEN AND GETS STUCK IN ALLOWING THE SHIFT HANDLE TO MOVE FREELY. THIS HAS CAUSED MY VEHICLE TO SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL WHILE DRIVING. IT HAS ALSO ALLOWED MY VEHICLE TO SHIFT INTO REVERSE ON ITS OWN WHILE SITTING IN THE PARKED POSITION. THIS ISSUE HAS BEEN GOING ON IN A LOT OF THE SONIC AND NEEDS TO BE RECALLED. MY VEHICLE HAS ALSO SHIFTED INTO REVERSE AND HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE PARKED BEHIND ME.

NHTSA ODI 11139035

Oct 8, 2018Transmission & drivetrainEngine

WHEN DRIVING AT 54 MPH THERE IS A JUMPING MOTION OF THE VEHICLE. IT FEELS LIKE I HIT THE BRAKE PEDAL. IT WILL DO THIS SEVERAL TIME WHEN DRIVING ONLY AT 54 MPH FOR MORE THEN 1/4 OF A MILE. THERE ARE NO WARNING LIGHT AND ALL FLUIDS ARE CHECKED AND ARE ADEQUATE.

NHTSA ODI 11139037

Oct 8, 2018

THE WARNING CHIME THAT IS SUPPOSED TO SOUND IS NOT WORKING PROPERLY. THERE IS A RECALL FOR THIS ISSUE BUT THE DEALER SAID MY VEHICLE IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL BY THE DATE IT WAS MADE. THE WARNING CHIME WILL NOT SOUND FOR CERTAIN WARNINGS. MY VEHICLE OVERHEATED AND NO WARNING SOUND WAS MADE. MY VEHICLE TIRE WENT FLAT A WHILE DRIVING AND NO WARNING SOUND WAS MADE. IF THE TURN SIGNAL IS ON THE OTHER WARNING SOUNDS DO NOT WORK I.E. SEATBELT WARNING CHIME. THIS IS A MAJOR ISSUE SINCE I HAVE HAD TWO WARNINGS WITH NO SOUND TO ALERT ME.

NHTSA ODI 11139046

Sep 22, 2018Electrical systemEngine

VEHICLE OFF AND PARKED. KEY IN IGNITION. OFF POSITION. VEHICLE STARTED ON ITS OWN WITH NO OTHER MANUAL INPUT. PREVIOUSLY HAD RECALL 17130 KEY REMINDER CHIME C/W ON 4/27/2016.

NHTSA ODI 11130734

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Working with the data? Download all 149 complaints as CSV · fetched from NHTSA July 19, 2026

How to use these: a complaint is one owner’s report, filed voluntarily and published unverified. Patterns matter more than any single story. If several owners describe the same failure at similar mileage, put that system at the top of your pre-purchase inspection list. Back to the full 2014 Chevrolet Sonic verdict →