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Chevrolet · NHTSA safety record

2014 Chevrolet Sonic

Every safety complaint, recall and defect investigation the US government holds on this vehicle.

Owners have filed 150 safety complaints about the 2014 Chevrolet Sonic with the US government. Of those, 11 describe a crash, 4 mention a fire, 9 people were injured and no death is recorded. 4 recall campaigns are open against it.

The most complained-about system is the electrical system, named in 49 complaints, 33% of the total. The typical failure was reported at 50,665 miles, the median across the 112 complaints that gave an odometer reading.

Compiled from NHTSA's complaint, recall and investigation files · Covers April 2014 to September 2026 · How this is counted

What is on file

150 complaints on file

150

Complaints

11

Describe a crash

4

Mention fire

9

People injured

0

Deaths

A complaint is an unverified account by the person who filed it, not a finding of fault. One complaint is one ODI number, which is how NHTSA counts them.

A recall is the manufacturer conceding a defect, and the repair is free. Whether one covers your particular car is a question only its VIN can answer, because a campaign covers a production range rather than a model year.

Which system owners named

Complaints naming each system
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 49 · 33%
ENGINE 38 · 25%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 34 · 23%
AIR BAGS 24 · 16%
POWER TRAIN 20 · 13%
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 15 · 10%
STEERING 13 · 9%
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) 8 · 5%
SERVICE BRAKES 6 · 4%
EXTERIOR LIGHTING 5 · 3%
STRUCTURE 3 · 2%
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 3 · 2%
0 23 46

Red marks a system with a recall campaign against it. One complaint can name several systems, so these add up to more than 150.

When the complaints arrived

By the year NHTSA received them

By the year NHTSA received them, which is not the year the failures happened. They peaked in 2018 at 33.

36 27 18 9
14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26

This is the year the complaint was filed, not the year the failure happened. The range runs from 2014 to 2026, the last of them a part year, which is why its column is drawn faint.

Crash test ratings

NHTSA New Car Assessment Program

NHTSA crashes a car into a barrier and a pole and measures what happens to the dummies inside. This is what it awarded the 2014 Chevrolet SONIC, and it is a separate question from what owners report going wrong later.

Test 4 DR FWD 5 DR FWD
Overall
Frontal crash
Frontal, driver
Frontal, passenger
Side crash
Side barrier
Side pole
Rollover
Chance of rollover 12.6% 12.6%
Stability control standard Forward collision warning standard Lane departure warning standard

A rating belongs to a tested body style and drivetrain, not to the model as a whole, which is why more than one is listed. A dash means NHTSA did not rate that test for this vehicle.

Recall campaigns

4 on file

EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.

16V257000 · April 28, 2016

The 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 "Theft Protection."
The risk
Without audible indicators, the driver may leave the key in the ignition, increasing the risk of theft.
The 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.

General Motors LLC · up to 317,572 vehicles across all model years covered

AIR BAGS

14V543000 · September 9, 2014

The 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.
The 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.
The 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 LLC · up to 304 vehicles across all model years covered

EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL

14V417000 · July 2, 2014

The 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 become damaged, allowing the wires to be exposed.
The risk
Exposed wires increase the risk of electrical shock and personal injury if the cord is handled while it is plugged in.
The 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 · up to 2,990 vehicles across all model years covered

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:MOUNTING

13V464000 · September 26, 2013

The 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.
The 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.
The 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 · up to 1,558 vehicles across all model years covered

In owners’ own words

Quoted from the complaint file

Quoted from NHTSA's complaint file. These are unverified accounts by the people who filed them, not findings of fault.

AIR BAGS

3 injured · crash · towed · 88,000 miles

The contact owned a 2014 Chevrolet Sonic. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds approaching a parking lot and slowing down to turn, the vehicle behind was speeding and crashed into the rear of the vehicle. The vehicle then flew forward and crashed into a pole. No airbags deployed. The passenger in the driver's side rear seat sustained whiplash to the neck. The contact and her daughter sustained minor injuries to the right hip, right knee, and right shoulder. A police report was filed. The passenger in the driver's side rear seat was treated via ambulance and the contact and her daughter received medical attention from a chiropractor. The police towed the vehicle to a lot

NHTSA complaint 11425666, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

STEERING

2 injured · crash · 200 miles

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

NHTSA complaint 10703066, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

AIR BAGS

2 injured · crash · 64,913 miles

TL* 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 RESIDENCE. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A FRACTURED NECK AND A CONCUSSION AND HER SPOUSE SUSTAINED A SPRAINED NECK AND BACK. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS RECEIVED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 64,913.

NHTSA complaint 11073247. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

SERVICE BRAKES

1 injured · fire · crash · towed · 56,000 miles

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 CONSCIOUS THE ENTIRE TIME CLOSED ON EYES RIGHT BEFORE IMPACT. AIR BAGS DID WORK. THE ENGINE STARTED ON FIRE 3X. THEY HAD TO USE THE JAWS OF LIFE TO REMOVE THE VEHICLE FROM THE TREE. I PUSHED SO HARD ON THE BREAK THAT IT BROKE MY ANKLE, SPLIT MY KNEE OPEN AND SPRAINED MY KNEE. I WAS TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL. MILEAGE ON THE VEHICLE WAS ABOUT 56K. THIS SHOULD HAVE KILLED ME. THE BREAKS

NHTSA complaint 11093407, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

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 electrical symptoms. On 09/10/2026 at about 12:00 p.m., the car caught fire while parked. It had not been driven or started since about 5:00 p.m. the day before (about 19 hours), so the engine and charging system were off. The fire appears to have started at the battery. It stayed in the engine compartment but melted the underhood fuse box and the engine

NHTSA complaint 11763464, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

STEERING
Power steering light came on while Driving and lost power steering assist control. Almost crashed while turning down the street.

NHTSA complaint 11734965. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Electric My coolant And leaking issues My car door look when keys are inside ignition

NHTSA complaint 11721600. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ENGINE
It gets hot fast when idle Radiator leaks , leaks coolant burns oil

NHTSA complaint 11719576. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

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 loud engine noise issue and leaking oil. I was driving home from a relative's home Saturday night Dec 27th late evening on the expressway when I noticed my car driving very sluggish and jerking and make extremely loud engine noises and continued burning oil smell in the cabin of the vehicle. No check engine light or oil light, now I had stopped by

NHTSA complaint 11708125, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

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 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

NHTSA complaint 11665346, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

Compare

Other years of the Chevrolet Sonic

Model year Complaints Recalls Deaths
2018 14 1 —
2017 37 0 —
2016 48 2 —
2015 114 3 1
2013 217 6 —
2012 354 7 1

Other 2014 Chevrolet models

Silverado 1500 1,436 Cruze 702 Impala 636 Equinox 548 Traverse 547 Malibu 351 Camaro 188 Spark 172

Complaints on file, same model year.

Every Chevrolet on this site — 304 vehicles.

If this is your car and a dealer keeps failing to fix it, your state's lemon law may require the manufacturer to replace it or buy it back. How many repair attempts it takes, and how long you have to file, is set by the state you bought in and by nothing on this page.

Where these numbers come from

A complaint is one owner's account and has not been verified by NHTSA or by us. A vehicle with more complaints is not necessarily worse: models that sold in larger numbers collect more of them. How this is counted.

Compiled and maintained by
Independent developer and analyst