2014 Chevrolet Sonic Owner Complaints

Complaint Summary
The 2014 Chevrolet Sonic has 222 reported complaints.
- Top issues involve electrical system and engine.
Reliability Score
Reliability Score
Based on 222 complaints
Most Frequent Issues
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
46 20.7%
ENGINE
35 15.8%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
33 14.9%
AIR BAGS
23 10.4%
POWER TRAIN
20 9%
Quick Insights
The top category is ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, accounting for 20.7% of all complaints.
Owners have reported issues across 24 distinct vehicle systems.
Note: Complaint data reflects owner reports and may not always indicate a verified defect. Compare with Recalls and TSBs for a complete picture.
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What owners keep reporting on the 2014 Chevrolet Sonic
The 2014 Chevrolet Sonic has 222 owner complaints in this dataset. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM is the most common complaint category, representing about 21% of the reports shown here.
Most common complaint categories
The top complaint groups for the 2014 Chevrolet Sonic are ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (46), ENGINE (35), UNKNOWN OR OTHER (33).
Are these complaints a serious red flag?
Potentially. 140 complaint reports involve higher-attention systems like brakes, steering, engine, powertrain, fuel, suspension, airbags, or electrical components, which is enough to justify a focused inspection.
What should buyers inspect on a used 2014 Chevrolet Sonic?
Start with the top complaint systems, compare them against the recall report, then inspect service records for evidence that those same areas were already repaired or monitored.
Detailed Complaint Log
Showing 24 of 24 systems
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
46 Reports21% of totalPreviewing the first 2 complaint summaries.
DRIVING IN 70MPH TRAFFIC, MY WIFE JOSTLED THE KEY IN THE IGNITION WHILE REACHING UP TO ADJUST WINDSHIELD WIPERS. THE CAR STALLED. A TRUCK WAS BARRELING DOWN ON US. FORTUNATELY WE WERE ABLE TO GET TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD IN TIME. THE VEHICLE RESTARTED WITH NO TROUBLE. THIS WAS A RENTED CAR. *TR
6/24/2014
THE IGNITION KEY GETS HOT AFTER DRIVING THE CAR FOR MORE THAN 5 MILES. THERE IS A STRANGE WHIRRING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT OF CAR WHEN DRIVING. IT STARTED ON THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT AND IS NOW ON BOTH SIDES. IT ONLY HAPPENS WHILE CAR IS IN MOTION. *TR
7/26/2014
ENGINE
35 Reports16% of totalPreviewing the first 2 complaint summaries.
I WAS DRIVING DOWN A LONG, STEEP BRIDGE AT A CAUTIOUS SPEED AND REACHED OVER TO ADJUST THE RADIO VOLUME. WHEN I PLACED MY RIGHT HAND BACK ON THE STEERING WHEEL SOMETHING DIDN'T FEEL RIGHT SO I QUICKLY VERIFIED THAT I HAD BRAKES AND LIGHTS, BUT NO ENGINE POWER. I SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL AND RESTARTED THE ENGINE. THE ONLY REASON FOR THE ENGINE FAILURE THAT I COULD FIGURE OUT AT THE TIME WAS THAT I HAD JARRED THE KEY CHAIN WITH MY COAT SLEEVE, INADVERTENTLY TURNING OFF THE ENGINE. THIS WAS A RENTAL CAR AND THE TWO SETS OF KEYS HAD BEEN PERMANENTLY CRIMPED TOGETHER BY A CABLE. I HAD CALLED THE RENTAL COMPANY A FEW HOURS AFTER PICKING UP THE CAR AT THE AIRPORT TO FIND OUT HOW TO SEPARATE THE KEYS AND WAS TOLD THIS WAS INTENTIONALLY DONE TO KEEP THE SETS TOGETHER IN CASE THE CAR WAS DROPPED OFF AT A DIFFERENT LOCATION. A MONTH OR SO LATER I LEARNED OF THE GOVERNMENT INVESTIGATION OF THE DEFECTIVE IGNITION SWITCH IN GM VEHICLES THAT COULD TURN OFF THE CAR IF JOSTLED OR WEIGHED DOWN BY A HEAVY KEY RING. THE CAR WAS A 2014 CHEVROLET SONIC. FORTUNATELY IT DIDN'T LEAD TO AN ACCIDENT, BUT IT WAS A CLOSE CALL AND WAS MADE EVEN MORE FRIGHTENING DUE TO THE POSITION ON THE BRIDGE. FROM NOW ON I WILL NOT RENT ANY GM CARS AND WILL INSIST THAT THE KEY CHAINS BE SEPARATED. *TR
4/7/2014
I HAD TAKEN THE KEY OUT OF THE IGNITION AND IT WAS VERY HOT ABOUT THE END OF JULY. ON FRIDAY AUGUST 11, I NOTICED A PAUSE IN THE CAR STARTING THE A SOUND OF A KNOCK LEAVING WORK. I ARRIVED HOME AROUND 6:00 P.M. PARKED IN MY DRIVE WAY FOR THE DAY. I WAS AWAKEN SATURDAY MORNING BY MY NEIGHBOR BE MADE MY CAR WAS ON FIRE. THIS WAS DETERMINED BY LAWRENCE FIRE DEPARTMENT OF AN ENGINE FIRE.
10/24/2015
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
33 Reports15% of totalPreviewing the first 2 complaint summaries.
THE DRIVER BACKED OUT ONTO THE RESIDENTIAL STREET. THE DRIVE ALIGNED THE WHEELS TO POINT STRAIGHT DOWN THE STREET. THE DRIVER SHIFTED INTO DRIVE AND PRESSED PRESSED THE ACCELERATOR. THE CAR RAPIDLY ACCELERATED AND SWERVED TO THE LEFT. IT GRAZED THE BUMPER OF A PACKED CAR AND CAME TO REST ON A TREE. UPON LEAVING THE FRONT LEFT TIRE WAS DEFLATED. THE REPAIR SHOP REPORTED LEFT SUSPENSION DAMAGE. *TR
4/4/2014
TRADED IN MY ORIGINAL RECALL CHEVY COLBALT 2005 IN APRIL 2014. I WAS GIVEN A TRADE IN AMOUNT WHICH I USED TO PUT DOWN ON A NEW CAR, CHEVROLET SONIC 2014. I HAD IT ALL OF A WEEK WHEN SUDDENLY I WAS DRIVING AND STEPPING ON THE GAS PEDDLE IT BEGAN TO SLOW DOWN TO NOT MOVING REGARDLESS TO HOW MUCH I STEPPED ON THE GAS. NATURALLY, I WAS VERY UPSET. I CALLED FOR HELP.THEY TRANSFERRED ME INTO A DIFFERENT 2014 SONIC. FROM DAY 1 I NOTICE PROBLEMS NOT CONCERNED ONLY BECAUSE THE ISSUE LASTED 10-15 MINUTES AND THEN IT WAS FINE. THE PROBLEM BEGAN WITH NOT BEING ABLE TO OPEN TRUNK,DOORS LOCK OF STEERING WHEEL WHEN EXITING THE CAR AND THE BEEPING SOUND AS IF SOMETHING WAS LEFT ON IN THE CAR. AS TIME PASSED IT WAS HAPPENING MORE FREQUENT. FINALLY IN APRIL 2015 THE BEEPING AND STEERING WHEEL AND ALL THE ABOVE NOW WOULDNT STOP. I RAN IT TO SERVICE. THEY DID A TOTAL GLOBAL DIAGNOSTIC SAID ALL WAS NOW FINE. I LEFT WITH EASE, WITHIN 3 WEEKS ON MAY 9TH MY DAUGHTER AND I WERE COMING HOME AND JUST PARKED. I COULDNT OPEN ANY LOCKS REMOTE DIDN'T WORK MANUAL LOCKS DIDN'T WORK THE CAR WAS IN TOTAL SHUT DOWN. I DIDN'T HAVE MY CELL PHONE, I BELONG TO ONSTAR AND CALLED THEM FOR HELP. TO MY SURPRISE THEY REFUSED ME ROADSIDE ASST SAYING ITS AN ELECTRICAL ISSUE THEY DON'T GET INVOLVED . THAT'S ANOTHER ISSUE. BEING IN FLA STUCK IN A HOT CAR FOR OVER AN HOUR OF FEAR IN A STATE OF PANIC, I TRIED PUSHING EVERY BUTTON POSSIBLE OUT OF FEAR, AND CRAZY AS IT SOUNDS I TURN THE BUTTON HEADLIGHTS FROM AUTO TO OFF { TAKE NOTE THE LIGHTS WERE NOT ON } AND SUDDENLY THE LOCKS OPENED. STRANGE.TOWED CAR TO SERVICE AGAIN, HELD IT FOR A WEEK AND CANT FIND ANY ISSUES. NOT SATISFIED DUE TO THE ISSUES IN THE PAST AND MOST RECENT. I KNOW SOMETHING IS SERIOUSLY WRONG. SPOKE TO CORPORATE AND NO ONE WANTS TO DO ANYTHING .THEY ARE ONLY OFFERING ME 11,000 AND I HAVE AN OUTSTANDING LOAN FOR 13,200. SO I WILL BE WITHOUT A CAR.
5/19/2015
AIR BAGS
23 Reports10% of totalPreviewing the first 2 complaint summaries.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 CHEVROLET SONIC. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE ALTERNATOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN MULTIPLE TIMES TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE OR REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THREE MONTHS LATER, WHILE DRIVING AT 20 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AND THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. AS A RESULT, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED BACK INJURIES, BUT DID NOT REQUIRE MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE REAR DRIVER SIDE PASSENGER DID NOT SUSTAIN ANY INJURIES, BUT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200.
4/1/2015
TAKATA RECALL: I CALLED CHEVROLET TODAY (JAN. 21, 2016 )TO ASK IF MY 2014 CHEVROLET SONIC IS EQUIPPED (OEM) WITH TAKATA AIRBAGS. I WAS TOLD THAT THE INFORMATION IS NOT AVAILABLE AND IS PROPRIETARY. I ASKED IF OTHER OEM INFORMATION IS AVAILABLE SUCH AS TIRE OEM INFORMATION , AND WAS TOLD THAT, YES, TIRE OEM PROVIDER INFORMATION IS AVAILABLE, JUST NOT AIRBAG OEM INFORMATION. I LIVE IN A SEA COAST ENVIRONMENT AND AM CONCERNED THAT, AS THE YEARS WEAR ON, MY AIR BAGS WILL BE AT RISK FOR CORROSIVE DAMAGE DUE TO SALT AIR.
1/21/2016
POWER TRAIN
20 Reports9% of totalPreviewing the first 2 complaint summaries.
I JUST PURCHASED MY 2014 CHEVY SONIC LT HATCHBACK A MONTH AGO. FIRST THE DAY I BOUGHT IT I FOUND OUT I HAD A REVERSE LIGHT OUT. THE DEALER SAID THEY WOULD FIX IT WHEN THE LICENSE PLANT COVER BRACKET COMES IN. THE SAME DAY I GOT THE CAR I SMELLED SOMETHING BURNING. I TOLD THEM ABOUT IT AN THEY SAID IF IT KEEPS DOING IT TO LET THEM KNOW AN MY PASSENGER SIDE BRAKES FELL LIKE THEY ARE DRAGGING. THEY SAID IT SHOULD COME OUT OF IT DO TO SITTING FOR AWHILE. WELL I'M STILL EXPERIENCING IT. MY OIL PERCENTAGE DROPS FAR DOWN WHEN DRIVING FOR 2 HRS ON THE HIGHWAY. THE BURNING SMELL COMES IN THREW THE VENTS AN OUTSIDE EVEN WHEN THE AC OR HEATER IS ON. SOMETHING IS NOT RIGHT. I ONLY HAVE 39,000 MILES WHEN I BOUGHT IT A MOTH AGO WITH 32,000 MILES. THE DEALER SAID IT WENT THROUGH AN EXPECTATION AN EVERYTHING CAME BACK OK WHEN I PURCHASED THE CAR THAT DAY. HOW CAN THAT BE WITH BURNING SMELL,LIGHTS OUT AN ONLY ONE SIDE OF WHEEL THAT I'M GETTING A DRAGGING, GRINDING NOISES. THEY WELL BE LOOKING AT IT IN THE NEXT 2WEEK. WHEN I'M DRIVING MY TRANSMISSION FEELS LIKE ITS SKIPPING. THE ACCELERATION IS SO OFF.
11/11/2015
BUTTON ON GEAR SHIFT SELECTOR WILL DEPRESS, BUT WILL NOT RELEASE, MAKING IT VERY EASY TO ACCIDENTALLY BUMP THE KNOB AND PUT THE CAR INTO ANOTHER GEAR WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION.
7/21/2017
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
13 Reports6% of totalPreviewing the first 2 complaint summaries.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 CHEVROLET SONIC. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE STARTING THE IGNITION, A STRONG ODOR OF FUEL EMITTED INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. IN ADDITION, THE ENTIRE FUEL LEAKED OUT OF THE FUEL TANK ONTO THE GROUND. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. THERE WAS A RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 13V464000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE VEHICLE WAS CURRENTLY BEING DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,080.
7/8/2014
GAS STARTED LEAKING FROM BOTTOM OF GAS TANK. *JS
7/8/2014
STEERING
12 Reports5% of totalPreviewing the first 2 complaint summaries.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 CHEVROLET SONIC. WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS IN INCLEMENT WEATHER, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED BUT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO AVOID A CRASH. IN ADDITION, THE WHILE VEERING TO THE RIGHT, THE VEHICLE UNINTENTIONALLY VEERED TO THE LEFT WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 300. UPDATED 03/24/15*LJ UPDATED 12/09/15.*JB UPDATED 9/20/2017*CN
2/5/2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 CHEVROLET SONIC. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE ALTERNATOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN MULTIPLE TIMES TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE OR REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THREE MONTHS LATER, WHILE DRIVING AT 20 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AND THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. AS A RESULT, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED BACK INJURIES, BUT DID NOT REQUIRE MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE REAR DRIVER SIDE PASSENGER DID NOT SUSTAIN ANY INJURIES, BUT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200.
4/1/2015
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)
8 Reports4% of totalPreviewing the first 2 complaint summaries.
HAS HAPPENED OFF & ON SINCE I BOUGHT CAR OCTOBER 2014. WHILE AT A COMPLETE STOP CAR WILL ROCK BACK AND FORTH AS IF THE BRAKE PEDAL ISN'T PUSHED DOWN ALL THE WAY & THE CAR ISN'T SURE IF IT IS TO BE DRIVING FORWARD SLIGHTLY OR STOPPED. EVEN WITH ME PUSHING THE BRAKE PEDAL ALL THE WAY DOWN TO FLOOR, CAR STILL ROCKS BACK & FORTH. IF AT STOP LIGHT WHILE DOING THIS ISSUE & LIGHT TURNS GREEN FOR ME TO DRIVE AHEAD CAR WILL NOT MOVE TILL DONE HAVING ITS ROCKING BACK & FORTH FIT. IT ONLY LASTS 15-20 SECONDS BUT CAN NOT DRIVE FORWARD WHILE CAR IS HAVING FIT. IS THIS THE COMPUTER/STABILITITRACK NOT COMMUNICATING PROPERLY? *TR
3/17/2015
TRADED IN MY ORIGINAL RECALL CHEVY COLBALT 2005 IN APRIL 2014. I WAS GIVEN A TRADE IN AMOUNT WHICH I USED TO PUT DOWN ON A NEW CAR, CHEVROLET SONIC 2014. I HAD IT ALL OF A WEEK WHEN SUDDENLY I WAS DRIVING AND STEPPING ON THE GAS PEDDLE IT BEGAN TO SLOW DOWN TO NOT MOVING REGARDLESS TO HOW MUCH I STEPPED ON THE GAS. NATURALLY, I WAS VERY UPSET. I CALLED FOR HELP.THEY TRANSFERRED ME INTO A DIFFERENT 2014 SONIC. FROM DAY 1 I NOTICE PROBLEMS NOT CONCERNED ONLY BECAUSE THE ISSUE LASTED 10-15 MINUTES AND THEN IT WAS FINE. THE PROBLEM BEGAN WITH NOT BEING ABLE TO OPEN TRUNK,DOORS LOCK OF STEERING WHEEL WHEN EXITING THE CAR AND THE BEEPING SOUND AS IF SOMETHING WAS LEFT ON IN THE CAR. AS TIME PASSED IT WAS HAPPENING MORE FREQUENT. FINALLY IN APRIL 2015 THE BEEPING AND STEERING WHEEL AND ALL THE ABOVE NOW WOULDNT STOP. I RAN IT TO SERVICE. THEY DID A TOTAL GLOBAL DIAGNOSTIC SAID ALL WAS NOW FINE. I LEFT WITH EASE, WITHIN 3 WEEKS ON MAY 9TH MY DAUGHTER AND I WERE COMING HOME AND JUST PARKED. I COULDNT OPEN ANY LOCKS REMOTE DIDN'T WORK MANUAL LOCKS DIDN'T WORK THE CAR WAS IN TOTAL SHUT DOWN. I DIDN'T HAVE MY CELL PHONE, I BELONG TO ONSTAR AND CALLED THEM FOR HELP. TO MY SURPRISE THEY REFUSED ME ROADSIDE ASST SAYING ITS AN ELECTRICAL ISSUE THEY DON'T GET INVOLVED . THAT'S ANOTHER ISSUE. BEING IN FLA STUCK IN A HOT CAR FOR OVER AN HOUR OF FEAR IN A STATE OF PANIC, I TRIED PUSHING EVERY BUTTON POSSIBLE OUT OF FEAR, AND CRAZY AS IT SOUNDS I TURN THE BUTTON HEADLIGHTS FROM AUTO TO OFF { TAKE NOTE THE LIGHTS WERE NOT ON } AND SUDDENLY THE LOCKS OPENED. STRANGE.TOWED CAR TO SERVICE AGAIN, HELD IT FOR A WEEK AND CANT FIND ANY ISSUES. NOT SATISFIED DUE TO THE ISSUES IN THE PAST AND MOST RECENT. I KNOW SOMETHING IS SERIOUSLY WRONG. SPOKE TO CORPORATE AND NO ONE WANTS TO DO ANYTHING .THEY ARE ONLY OFFERING ME 11,000 AND I HAVE AN OUTSTANDING LOAN FOR 13,200. SO I WILL BE WITHOUT A CAR.
5/19/2015
SERVICE BRAKES
6 Reports3% of totalPreviewing the first 2 complaint summaries.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 CHEVROLET SONIC. WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS IN INCLEMENT WEATHER, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED BUT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO AVOID A CRASH. IN ADDITION, THE WHILE VEERING TO THE RIGHT, THE VEHICLE UNINTENTIONALLY VEERED TO THE LEFT WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 300. UPDATED 03/24/15*LJ UPDATED 12/09/15.*JB UPDATED 9/20/2017*CN
2/5/2015
HAS HAPPENED OFF & ON SINCE I BOUGHT CAR OCTOBER 2014. WHILE AT A COMPLETE STOP CAR WILL ROCK BACK AND FORTH AS IF THE BRAKE PEDAL ISN'T PUSHED DOWN ALL THE WAY & THE CAR ISN'T SURE IF IT IS TO BE DRIVING FORWARD SLIGHTLY OR STOPPED. EVEN WITH ME PUSHING THE BRAKE PEDAL ALL THE WAY DOWN TO FLOOR, CAR STILL ROCKS BACK & FORTH. IF AT STOP LIGHT WHILE DOING THIS ISSUE & LIGHT TURNS GREEN FOR ME TO DRIVE AHEAD CAR WILL NOT MOVE TILL DONE HAVING ITS ROCKING BACK & FORTH FIT. IT ONLY LASTS 15-20 SECONDS BUT CAN NOT DRIVE FORWARD WHILE CAR IS HAVING FIT. IS THIS THE COMPUTER/STABILITITRACK NOT COMMUNICATING PROPERLY? *TR
3/17/2015
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
5 Reports2% of totalPreviewing the first 2 complaint summaries.
WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY, GOING APPROXIMATELY 65MPH, THE DASH LIGHTS INCLUDING SPEEDOMETER TURN OFF AND RESET. THEY STAY OFF FROM 10-20 SECONDS THEN RESET BACK ON. THIS HAS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES IN THE LAST 3 MONTHS. HAS ONLY HAPPENED IN 6TH GEAR AND IS VERY DANGEROUS KNOWING THE REPAIR DEALERSHIP CAN NOT FIGURE OUT WHAT TRIGGERS IT. *TR
12/10/2014
I OWN A 2014 CHEVROLET SONIC. THE RADIO NO LONGER WORKS AND I HAVE NO AUDIBLE WARNING CHIMES FOR KEYS IN IGNITION, DOOR OPEN, TURN SIGNAL, SEATBELT. ALSO NO DASH LIGHTS. I SEE THERE IS A RECALL 17130. I HAVE SPOKE WITH THE DEALERSHIP IN MY AREA, THEY REFUSE TO DO THE REPAIRS BECAUSE I DO NOT HAVE A RECALL LETTER. WHEN CHECKING MY VIN, THERE ARE NO REPORTED RECALLS. I NEED A RECALL LETTER SO I MAY HAVE THIS REPAIRED. THANK YOU
10/1/2016
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
3 Reports1% of totalPreviewing the first 2 complaint summaries.
AT A STOP LIGHT/SIGN WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE THE CAR WILL START TO SHAKE/LUNGE FORWARD LIKE THE CAR IS TRYING TO GO BUT CANT BECAUSE MY FOOT IS ON THE BRAKE. IT WILL HAPPEN WITHIN A MILE AFTER STARTING AND DRIVING MY CAR AND WHEN IT STARTS TO SHAKE IT WILL LAST MAYBE 5 SECONDS. IT HAPPENS 2 OR 3 TIMES A WEEK ESPECIALLY WHEN ITS COLD OUTSIDE. *TR
4/17/2015
TWICE IN ONE MONTH THE CAR ENGINE SHUT OFF WHILE I WAS DRIVING. POWER STEERING WAS ALSO LOST. MILEAGE APPROX. 31,000. I WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE CAR AFTER PUTTING IT IN PARK. THE FIRST TIME, I WAS TURNING, PULLING INTO A PARKING LOT, SO I WAS ABLE TO DRIFT INTO A PARKING SPOT SAFELY. SECOND TIME I WAS IN SMALL TOWN BUMPER TO BUMPER TRAFFIC. TOOK MY FOOT OFF THE BRAKE AND STEPPED ON THE GAS AND NOTHING HAPPENED, SO I PUT IT IN PARK AND RESTARTED IT AND IT SEEMED FINE AFTER THAT. TOOK IT TO DEALER WHERE I BOUGHT IT, THEY DID NOTHING AS THE CAR WAS NOT THROWING ANY CODES AND NO WARNING LIGHTS WERE ON. SECOND GARAGE I WENT TO ALSO COULD NOT FIND AN ISSUE SO THEY DID NOTHING. TOOK IT TO ANOTHER DEALERSHIP AND THE CAR STALLED ON THEM AS THEY WERE PARKING IT, RIGHT AFTER I HAD DROPPED IT OFF. THEY KEPT IT FOR ALMOST A WEEK AND DROVE IT 61 MILES AND COULD NOT RECREATE THE STALLING. THEY CHECKED THE CAR THOROUGHLY AND NOTHING APPEARED TO BE WRONG WITH IT. THEY CHECKED ALL RECALLS AND BULLETINS, NOTHING MENTIONED IN THOSE. THE CAR WOULD ALSO "BOUNCE" UP AND DOWN WHEN I WAS STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT. THAT WAS HAPPENING MORE FREQUENTLY ONCE THE ENGINE TROUBLES STARTED. I GOT MY CAR BACK LAST NIGHT FROM THE OTHER DEALER AND DIDN'T NOTICE ANY "BOUNCING" SO MAYBE THEY FIXED SOMETHING WHEN THEY WERE CHECKING THE CAR, HOWEVER THE INVOICE STATED ALL THEY DID WAS A 27-POINT INSPECTION AND ALIGNMENT CHECK. NO CHARGE TO ME AS CAR IS STILL UNDER WARRANTY BUT WARRANTY RUNS OUT IN 5 MONTHS.
4/26/2017
WHEELS
2 Reports1% of totalPreviewing the first 2 complaint summaries.
THE DRIVER BACKED OUT ONTO THE RESIDENTIAL STREET. THE DRIVE ALIGNED THE WHEELS TO POINT STRAIGHT DOWN THE STREET. THE DRIVER SHIFTED INTO DRIVE AND PRESSED PRESSED THE ACCELERATOR. THE CAR RAPIDLY ACCELERATED AND SWERVED TO THE LEFT. IT GRAZED THE BUMPER OF A PACKED CAR AND CAME TO REST ON A TREE. UPON LEAVING THE FRONT LEFT TIRE WAS DEFLATED. THE REPAIR SHOP REPORTED LEFT SUSPENSION DAMAGE. *TR
4/4/2014
DEALER SOLD ME CAR WITH BALD TIRES LESS THAN 2/32. DEALER SOLD CAR WITH FILTHY RUSTY AND LOOSE PARTS ON MANIFOLD. VALVES. STRUTS. AND TRANS MOUNT. SUSPENSION PIECES WERE BROKEN AND OLD. THE THERMOSTAT WAS PUT IN WRONG AND CAUSED DIVID IN MANIFOLD. BATTERY AND ELECTRICAL SYSTEM ALSO HAD ISSUES. ALL ISSUES WERE FROM MILE 1 TO 200 OF OWNING CAR.
7/28/2019
SUSPENSION
2 Reports1% of totalPreviewing the first 2 complaint summaries.
THE DRIVER BACKED OUT ONTO THE RESIDENTIAL STREET. THE DRIVE ALIGNED THE WHEELS TO POINT STRAIGHT DOWN THE STREET. THE DRIVER SHIFTED INTO DRIVE AND PRESSED PRESSED THE ACCELERATOR. THE CAR RAPIDLY ACCELERATED AND SWERVED TO THE LEFT. IT GRAZED THE BUMPER OF A PACKED CAR AND CAME TO REST ON A TREE. UPON LEAVING THE FRONT LEFT TIRE WAS DEFLATED. THE REPAIR SHOP REPORTED LEFT SUSPENSION DAMAGE. *TR
4/4/2014
Overall and to the best of my knowledge, the malfunctioning and failures on my vehicle were the suspension and engine. They are the culprits and itâs honestly very scary and traumatizing to have them completely fail, especially since no one is ever prepared for accidents and/or potential death to happen. Otherwise it wouldnât be called an accident. With the suspension overall, itâs just awful. CV Axel, control arms, everything with the suspension just failed. With driving over the tiniest bump on the road you feel your is about to literally fall apart at any minute because of the clunking and metal in metal noises it produces. The engine is faulty as well and I am pretty sure the faulty engine happens due to the faulty suspension. When I look under my car thereâs something leaking. I donât know what it is, but itâs poses a safety risk not only for the driver and the passengers, but also to the rest of the world. I know that there was a recall early on about fuel tank breakage or something that could lead to fire ignition. But my vehicle according to my VIN wasnât on this recall. I have contacted the dealership and a certified service center to inspect these issues. Itâs been roughly 4 weeks now and they have been extremely negligent and apathetic. With these issues, everyoneâs safety is at risk. My suspension went out and couldâve caused a more catastrophic accident. A fire couldâve broken out with other vehicles surrounding me cause major injuries and death. Iâve seen and read many posts and testimonials and threads online from various independent resources that state very very closely the same issues. Almost verbatim. Iâve been trying to get these issues inspected by the dealership, but they all give me the runaround and donât want to fix not find a solution. The check engine light has always been on since Iâve Owen the vehicle and the dealership where I purchased this vehicle said having the check engine light on is okay. I need help getting repairs done!
12/22/2022
SEATS
2 Reports1% of totalPreviewing the first 2 complaint summaries.
I UNDERSTAND THAT NHTSA HAS MANDATED FORWARD-LEANING HEAD RESTRAINTS ON ALL LATE-MODEL VEHICLES. THE HEAD RESTRAINT IN MY 2014 SONIC IS TERRIBLE; IT SHOVES MY HEAD FORWARD, FORCING ME TO EITHER STARE AT THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER OR RAISE MY EYES IN A KUBRICK STARE TO SEE THE ROAD. IT WASN'T IMMEDIATELY APPARENT DURING THE TEST DRIVE, BUT AFTER 200+ MILES OF DRIVING IN LESS THAN A WEEK, MY NECK IS STIFF AND SHOULDERS FEEL LIKE ROCKS. ALL THIS PAIN AGAINST THE STATISTICALLY UNLIKELY OCCURRENCE OF BEING REAR-ENDED (TWICE IN 30 YEARS OF DRIVING)? FAIL. ABSOLUTE, 100%, TOTAL FAIL. MY 2012 CRUZE HAD STRAIGHT HEAD RESTRAINTS THAT DIDN'T CAUSE ME PAIN AND WERE STILL AVAILABLE WHEN I NEEDED TO BRACE (SEEING SOMEONE RACING UP BEHIND ME, FOR INSTANCE). PLEASE, FOR THE LOVE OF G-D, RECONSIDER THIS IDIOTIC AND OVERBEARING REGULATION. *TR
10/4/2014
I HAVE A CONCERN THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESS. MY PASSENGER SEAT LIGHT COMES ON AND GOES OFF ON ITS OWN. I HAD MY CAR LOOKED SOMETIME AGO AT A DEALERSHIP ALONG WITH PROBLEMS WITH THE WINDOW ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE. NOW THE BACK PASSENGER RIGHT SIDE WINDOW JUST WENT OUT WITHOUT A WARNING. I AM NOW STUCK WITH A WINDOW. THAT I CANNOT ROLL UP OR EVEN MANUALLY. I AM STARTING TO BELIEVE MY CAR I PURCHASED BRAND NEW WITH 9 MILES ON IT. HAVE ELECTRICAL ISSUE, THAT HAVE NOT BEEN ADDRESS. THIS CAR IS NOT OLD ENOUGH TO HAVE THIS TYPES OF PROBLEMS. I AM JUST BAFFLED OF HOWEVER EVERYTHING IS OUT OF POCKET. LAST YEAR I SPENT OVER $200 GETTING MY CAR FIXED SOMETHING ABOUT FUEL LINE OR SOMETHING WAS CLOGGED. I AM LIKE HOW IS THAT POSSIBLE WHEN I TAKE MY CAR IN FOR OIL CHANGES ON THE REGULAR. THIS IS NOT A 7 YEAR OLD OR PLUS CAR. I SHOULDN'T BE HAVING THESE PROBLEMS ALREADY IN MY 1ST YEAR - 4TH YEAR. I HAD TO CHANGE BATTERIES TWICES AS WELL. CAN YOU PLEASE ASSIST. MULTIPLE CAR PROBLEMS FOR A 2014 I BROUGHT NEW ARE CAUSING ME A HARDSHIP.
9/17/2018
SEAT BELTS
2 Reports1% of totalPreviewing the first 2 complaint summaries.
DRIVERS SIDE SEAT BELT TENSIONER CABLE SNAPPED WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY.
7/26/2018
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 seatbelt end tighter. This in conjunction with the seatbelt retractor would then keep the driver or passenger tight to the seat in the event of an accident. I notice the cable for the driver side pretensioner over the last few months had strands of steel breaking until it had finally completely severed. I have kept both halves of the severed cable if inspection is requested. This is an extremely unsafe situation to occur. Had I gotten into an accident with the cable partially or completely broken it would have rendered the seatbelt essentially useless. There were no warning lights or associated codes ever displayed from the vehicleâs computer. There were no inspections done by insurance, police, manufacturer, dealership or any others. I ended up ordering the part online to fix myself. I used all manufacturers torque specs and procedures to replace. I fixed it myself because it was my daily driver vehicle and I needed to have it working safely as soon as possible. When I noticed the cable had completely broken I drove my vehicle home and did not drive it again until I had the new part and it was replaced which was about two weeks later. I had asked the dealer and searched for recalls for my vehicle and neither the dealer nor the nhtsa recall search showed anything regarding issues with the pretensioner cable. I did end up seeing GM had issued a recall for a similar pretensioner cable (about 2500 vehicles) for a few of their full sized trucks and SUVs. The claim was based on where the cable was in the vehicle it had abnormal amounts of metal fatigue from drivers exiting and entering. I believe the same issue happened to me.
7/18/2024
STRUCTURE:BODY
2 Reports1% of totalPreviewing the first 2 complaint summaries.
THE GEAR BUTTON BROKE AND STICKS/IS STUCK
9/22/2020
THE BUTTON ON MY GEAR SHIFTER WAS STUCK FOR A FEW MONTHS AND THEN IT BROKE RESULTING IN ME CRASHING INTO A PARKED CAR BECAUSE I LOST CONTROL.
12/8/2020
TIRES
1 Report0% of totalPreviewing the first 1 complaint summaries.
NEW HANKOOK OPTIMO H428 TIRE ON MY 2014 SONIC DEVELOPED A BULGE ON THE FRONT DRIVER TIRE. DEALER CLAIMS IT WAS DUE TO ROAD HAZARD. RESEARCH SHOWING THAT THIS IS A COMMON COMPLAINT FOR THIS COMPANY'S TIRE. NO KNOW HAZARD WAS HIT TO CAUSE THIS. TIRE WILL HAVE TO BE REPLACED BEFORE A BLOW-OUT OCCURS, POSSIBLY CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. *JS
4/29/2014
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:FAN/MOTOR
1 Report0% of totalPreviewing the first 1 complaint summaries.
I WENT TO ADJUST THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE TO DEFOG MY FRONT WINDOWS AND I COULDN'T MOVE THE KNOB. I ALSO TESTED THE VENTS TO FIND OUT WHERE THE AIR WAS COMING OUT OF AND THERE WAS PRACTICALLY NOTHING COMING OUT OF THE VENTS. IT TOOK A WHILE FOR MY WINDOWS TO GET CLEAR WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. *TR
12/28/2014
STRUCTURE
1 Report0% of totalPreviewing the first 1 complaint summaries.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 CHEVROLET SONIC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A GLARE ON THE DASHBOARD IN SUNNY WEATHER THAT CREATED POOR VISIBILITY. THE DASHBOARD HAD A VENT ACROSS IT THAT PREVENTED THE CONTACT FROM MAKING ADJUSTMENTS TO BLOCK THE GLARE. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. UPDATED 04/06/15*LJ
2/19/2015
EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER
1 Report0% of totalPreviewing the first 1 complaint summaries.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 CHEVROLET SONIC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WIRING UNDER THE HOOD HAD A SOY BASED COATING ON IT, WHICH ATTRACTED ANIMALS TO CHEW THREW THE WIRING. AS A RESULT, ALL THE LIGHTS AND GAUGES ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE WIRES AND CORDS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 9,205. MA 10/8 UPDATED 3/22/16*JS UPDATED 10/18/2017*CN
6/3/2015
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
1 Report0% of totalPreviewing the first 1 complaint summaries.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 CHEVROLET SONIC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WIRING UNDER THE HOOD HAD A SOY BASED COATING ON IT, WHICH ATTRACTED ANIMALS TO CHEW THREW THE WIRING. AS A RESULT, ALL THE LIGHTS AND GAUGES ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE WIRES AND CORDS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 9,205. MA 10/8 UPDATED 3/22/16*JS UPDATED 10/18/2017*CN
6/3/2015
AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION
1 Report0% of totalPreviewing the first 1 complaint summaries.
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.
3/26/2019
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM:INJECTORS
1 Report0% of totalPreviewing the first 1 complaint summaries.
The contact owns a 2014 Chevrolet Sonic. The contact stated that after refueling the vehicle, while attempting to start up the vehicle, the vehicle would not start immediately. The vehicle was making an abnormal knocking sound. The vehicle would jerk before starting. The contact took the vehicle to an independent mechanic who inspected the vehicle and diagnosed the failure as an issue with the fuel. The mechanic attempted to change the fuel injector to fix the failure however, the fuel continued to flow. The mechanic recommended that the contact reach out to the local dealer to have the vehicle inspected and repaired. The contact reached out to the local dealer to have the vehicle inspected but the dealer informed the contact that they would need to call back in two weeks to schedule an appointment which the contact attempted several times but was never able to schedule the appointment. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000.
8/23/2021
EQUIPMENT
1 Report0% of totalPreviewing the first 1 complaint summaries.
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 unknown. The VIN was not available.
6/6/2025
Data and Methodology
Scores are derived from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints, normalized by vehicle segment averages.
What are the most common owner complaints for the 2014 Chevrolet Sonic?
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Complaint list entries are sourced from owner-submitted NHTSA ODI records.
Chevrolet Sonic: How should complaint data influence buying decisions?
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- Complaint entries
- 222
- Top-topic view
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- NHTSA ODI owner complaint records
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