2014 Chevrolet Sonic Problems

Above Average Complaints

Real NHTSA owner complaints for the 2014 Chevrolet Sonic.

20132015
Complaints
229
Crashes
18
Fires
5
Injuries
12
Fatalities
Recalls
4

Worst 2014 Chevrolet Sonic Problems

Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.

#147 complaints

Electrical Faults

Avg mileage:48,219 mi
Fires:1
#238 complaints

Engine Problems

Avg mileage:48,674 mi
Fires:2
#323 complaints

Airbags

Avg mileage:48,239 mi
Crash-related:7
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All Problems by Category

Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2014 Chevrolet Sonic.

Electrical Faults
47
complaints
Crashes
Fires
1
Avg Miles
48,219
Engine Problems
38
complaints
Crashes
Fires
2
Avg Miles
48,674
Airbags
23
complaints
Crashes
7
Fires
Avg Miles
48,239
Transmission / Drivetrain
20
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
72,076
Fuel System
15
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
37,816
Steering Defects
12
complaints
Crashes
3
Fires
Avg Miles
46,307
Electronic Stability Control
8
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
33,704
Brakes
6
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
1
Avg Miles
20,707
Headlight/Taillight Failures
5
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
47,187
Unintended Acceleration
3
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Seat Belt Issues
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Seat-Related Issues
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Body Structure
2
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
Suspension Failures
2
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
Wheel Issues
2
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
Air Bags:Sensor:Occupant Classification
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Electrical System:Wiring
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Other Equipment
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Equipment:Appliance:Air Conditioner
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Fuel System, Gasoline:Fuel Injection System:Injectors
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Structural Problems
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Tire Defects
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Visibility:Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System:Fan/Motor
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles

Search Owner Complaints

Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2014 Chevrolet Sonic. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.

Recalls for 2014 Chevrolet Sonic

4 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting ~322,424 vehicles.

16V257000Electrical System:software · Equipment:electrical:radio/tape Deck/cd Etc.
~317,572 affected

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."

14V543000Airbags
~304 affected

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.

14V417000Equipment:electrical
~2,990 affected

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.

13V464000Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly:mounting
~1,558 affected

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.

Other Chevrolet Sonic Years

2014 Chevrolet Sonic — FAQ

Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.

Is the 2014 Chevrolet Sonic reliable?
Verdict: Above Average Complaints. The 2014 Chevrolet Sonic has 229 NHTSA complaints, 18 crash-related, and 4 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Electrical Faults with 47 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 2014 Chevrolet Sonic?
Top reported problems: Electrical Faults (47 complaints, avg 48,219 mi); Engine Problems (38 complaints, avg 48,674 mi); Airbags (23 complaints, avg 48,239 mi). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
At what mileage do problems start on the 2014 Chevrolet Sonic?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 48,389 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
How safe is the 2014 Chevrolet Sonic?
NHTSA complaints for the 2014 Chevrolet Sonic include 18 crash-related reports, 5 fire reports, 12 injuries, and 0 fatalities. These are owner-reported incidents, not official crash-test ratings — a complaint being filed doesn't confirm a defect, but clusters around specific components are worth investigating.
Does the 2014 Chevrolet Sonic have any recalls?
Yes — 4 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 322,424 vehicles. Recalls are free to fix at the dealer. Always verify by VIN whether the specific car you're looking at has had its recalls addressed.
Should I buy a 2014 Chevrolet Sonic?
Slightly worse than average. Most owners are fine; problem clusters are concentrated around specific components. Check the issues table below and match against the specific car's mileage.

Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.

Wider context: See the full Chevrolet Sonic reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.

Check Your Specific 2014 Chevrolet Sonic

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