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2014 Chevrolet Sonic Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 150 complaints with NHTSA about the 2014 Chevrolet Sonic, most often about the electrical (33% of complaints, typically around 50,000 miles). It is the 3rd most complained-about Sonic model year since 2000 and has 4 recalls.
Most common 2014 Chevrolet Sonic problems
Electrical
49 complaints · 33%Half of these problems showed up before 50,000 miles. Parts named most often: wiring, 12v/24v/48v battery.
Took my car in to dealership for recall 17130. After receiving car back, back up camera inoperable and volume controls on steering wheel for phone and radio do not work.
Transmission has always had problems hard shift/no shift slipping at 60k had to be fixed but still acts up. Engine coolant pump had to be replaced within a year of purchase and it was not covered by warranty and 3 thermostat housings have been put on. Upon placing the vehicle in park the engine will rev to about 5k…
Engine
38 complaints · 25%Half of these problems showed up before 37,000 miles.
The contact owns a 2014 Chevrolet Sonic. The contact stated that while driving 35 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact stated he continued to drive the vehicle to his destination. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and the contact was informed that the valve cover, intake manifold…
This is a 1.4 turbo engine. It has a noise due to the front crank seal with a vacuum leak as per a gm service bulletin p11297b. I "think" this has already been on a recall for the same engine in the cruze model. If so why is the Sonic model included? This is an expensive repair for a retired person. Also this car…
Other or unspecified
34 complaints · 23%Half of these problems showed up before 50,000 miles.
Sifter button sticks and breaks. Key will not release. Vehicle can shift from park to drive without stepping on the brake. Button is plastic and breaks causing same issues.
The road I was driving on is 55 MPH on bear in. As I began to break nothing happened. A 90 corner was in front of me. 55th ave. I pushed as hard as I could on the breaks. It was smooth.. Traction control was on. No breaking unit went into affect. It was smooth all the way into a tree head on. Zero skid marks! I was…
Air bags
24 complaints · 16%Half of these problems showed up before 60,000 miles. Parts named most often: sensor.
Went to pass an eighteen wheeler on an interstate and as I accellerated, the vehicle began to fishtail, when I ran over a bumpy part in the road due to a bridge that fell , I lost all stability control and control over the vehicle. We slammed into the cab of the rite entrance wheeler on the front passenger side in the…
The contact owns a 2014 Chevrolet Sonic. While driving 50 MPH, the contact struck a van due to weather conditions. The air bags did not deploy. The police department was called to the scene and a police report was filed. The ambulance was not called and the contact was able to drive the vehicle to the contact's…
Transmission
20 complaints · 13%Half of these problems showed up before 68,500 miles.
The contact owns a 2014 Chevrolet Sonic. While driving approximately 70 MPH, the vehicle independently accelerated. The check engine and traction warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an unknown dealer where it was diagnosed that the transmission control module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was…
The gear shift button is sticking, which is posing a hazard. The car does not complete the shift or release the key until after the button unsticks. It happened when I tried to park and it happens when I'm shifting between reverse and drive. Its not a one time occurrence.
Fuel system
16 complaints · 11%Half of these problems showed up before 50,000 miles. Parts named most often: fuel injection system.
A few years ago my power steering went on. It was still under warranty and I took it to the dealership to get replaced right after the warranty expired the power steering went out again. Currently my AC is broken and I've spent a good bit of money trying to fix it; yet it still doesn't work. Now my car won't start.…
On 03/12/2018 my check engine light came on while driving on the access road, while at a stop light my car started "buckling", when light turned green hesistation and major loss of power occured. Finally got going and when I got back to work and park it wouldn't start after I went in and came back out. Got it jumped…
Steering
13 complaints · 9%Half of these problems showed up before 50,000 miles.
A few years ago my power steering went on. It was still under warranty and I took it to the dealership to get replaced right after the warranty expired the power steering went out again. Currently my AC is broken and I've spent a good bit of money trying to fix it; yet it still doesn't work. Now my car won't start.…
Went to pass an eighteen wheeler on an interstate and as I accellerated, the vehicle began to fishtail, when I ran over a bumpy part in the road due to a bridge that fell , I lost all stability control and control over the vehicle. We slammed into the cab of the rite entrance wheeler on the front passenger side in the…
Stability control
8 complaints · 5%Half of these problems showed up before 22,500 miles.
It started earlier when I went into the store. Before I could make it back to the car to turn the car on or even unlock the doors with my keys the car was playing music and the lights where flashing on and off. I actually knew what to do because this has happened before and the car returned back to normal. Late on…
Engine light on. Rpms going up and down in idle. Car stalls when first started in the morning. Rpms go very high after being driven when shifted into park. Gear shifter button sticks and must be manually popped out. Stabilitrak light coming on.
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2014 Chevrolet Sonic recalls
Electrical: software
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.
Full defect summary
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."
Air bags
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.
Full defect summary
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.
Equipment: electrical
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.
Full defect summary
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.
Fuel system: mounting
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.
Full defect summary
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.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
Questions about the 2014 Chevrolet Sonic
- What are the most common problems with the 2014 Chevrolet Sonic?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: electrical (49 complaints, typically around 50,000 miles); engine (38 complaints, typically around 37,000 miles); other or unspecified (34 complaints, typically around 50,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2014 Chevrolet Sonic have?
- 4 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from April 28, 2016 (electrical). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2014 a bad year for the Chevrolet Sonic?
- It is the 3rd most complained-about Sonic model year since 2000, with 150 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.