Model year record

2014 Chevrolet Sonic

4 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 241 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 16V257000

Electrical system: software

Component
Electrical system: software
Manufacturer
General Motors LLC
Vehicles affected
317,572
Reported to NHTSA
2016-04-28
Owners notified
2016-05-26

Defect description

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."

Safety risk

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

Manufacturer 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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 14V543000

Air bags

Component
Air bags
Manufacturer
General Motors LLC
Vehicles affected
304
Reported to NHTSA
2014-09-09
Owners notified
2014-10-21

Defect description

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.

Safety 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.

Manufacturer 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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 14V417000

Equipment: electrical

Component
Equipment: electrical
Manufacturer
General Motors LLC
Vehicles affected
2,990
Reported to NHTSA
2014-07-02
Owners notified
2014-08-29

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

Exposed wires increase the risk of electrical shock and personal injury if the cord is handled while it is plugged in.

Manufacturer 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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 13V464000

Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly: mounting

Component
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly: mounting
Manufacturer
General Motors LLC
Vehicles affected
1,558
Reported to NHTSA
2013-09-26
Owners notified
2013-11-07

Defect description

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.

Safety 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.

Manufacturer 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.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Electrical system4850,300 mi
Engine4137,200 mi
Unknown or other3550,000 mi
Air bags2349,700 mi
Power train2068,516 mi
Fuel/propulsion system1710,000 mi
Steering1450,000 mi
Electronic stability control (ESC)814,326 mi
Service brakes64,200 mi
Exterior lighting555,000 mi
Vehicle speed control3608 mi
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery2
Equipment2
Seat belts2122,003 mi
Seats24,429 mi
Structure: body267,842 mi
Suspension24,400 mi
Wheels24,400 mi
Air bags: sensor: occupant classification180,000 mi
Electrical system: wiring19,205 mi
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner19,205 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system: injectors1120,000 mi
Structure1
Tires12,800 mi
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: fan/motor118,900 mi

The 2013 model has about half as many complaints as this one. The 2015 model has about 1.5 times as many complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.