Diagsheet

First generation (Gamma II)

2014 Chevrolet Sonic

  • 136owner complaints
  • 4recalls
  • 10involved a crash
  • 60,259median miles at failure

Newest report Apr 30, 2026 · checked Sep 9, 2026

miles

2014 Chevrolet Sonic
Photo: Cosmic Console, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0

When each problem shows up

Each bar covers the middle half of the mileages owners reported for that problem. A quarter saw it earlier, a quarter later. The tick is the median. Most reported: airbag warning light or recall, 24 complaints.

0k25k50k75k100k125k150kyou
Engine stalls or loses power while driving17 reports
Check engine light or misfire15 reports
Airbag warning light or recall24 reports

middle half of reports, median tick. Darker bars have 75 or more reports.

Behind you

    Around your mileage

      Ahead of you

        How this compares

        2014 Chevrolet Sonic136
        Median 2014 model here (95 vehicles)304
        Median 2014 hatchback here (7)148

        136 complaints is 2.2 times fewer than the median 2014 model on this site and about the median for a 2014 hatchback. Among the 2 Sonic model years here it ranks 1st for complaints. Counts follow sales volume as much as reliability, so a truck that sells 700,000 a year draws more reports than a sedan that sells 200,000.

        Complaints filed by year

        1415
        1416
        1317
        3318
        2419
        920
        821
        622
        423
        624
        225
        326

        33 complaints came in 2018, 2.5 times the year before. Owners file in waves when a problem gets press or an investigation, so a spike measures attention as much as failures.

        Recalls that include the 2014 Chevrolet Sonic

        Whether your car is included depends on its VIN. Check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

        16V-257Apr 28, 2016
        Equipment:Electrical:Radio/Tape Deck/Cd Etc.

        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."

        Risk and remedy
        Risk: Without audible indicators, the driver may leave the key in the ignition, increasing the risk of theft.
        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.
        14V-543Sep 9, 2014
        Air Bags

        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.

        Risk and remedy
        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.
        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.
        14V-417Jul 2, 2014
        Equipment:Electrical

        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.

        Risk and remedy
        Risk: Exposed wires increase the risk of electrical shock and personal injury if the cord is handled while it is plugged in.
        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.
        13V-464Sep 26, 2013
        Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly:Mounting

        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.

        Risk and remedy
        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.
        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.

        Other model years