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10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
2 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
35,303 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2014 Chevrolet Sonic miscellaneous problems

miscellaneous problem

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2014 Chevrolet Sonic Owner Comments (Page 1 of 2)

problem #32

Jan 032022

Sonic

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

"off" remains illuminated on my passenger airbag light whether or not someone is sitting in the passenger seat. It's actually somewhat rare to see "on" illuminated. There was a recall on this model for airbag issues but my vehicle specifically was not recalled. My vehicle was recalled for catalytic converter but I'm still getting codes. Most of the problems the Sonic has been recalled for, my vehicle has symptoms of but I get cannot afford to pay repair cost up front and I cannot find a mechanic who would be willing to take the steps to report my vehicle should've been apart of the recall.

- Salinas, CA, USA

problem #31

Apr 072024

Sonic

  • miles
When turning the vehicle off, the key refused to come out. Saw online that many other people were also having this issue and I believe it should be a recall. I also discovered my head gasket has water in it, and it's a common issue that many vehicles like mine are having.

- Middletown, OH, USA

problem #30

Apr 182023

Sonic 4-cyl

  • miles
2014 CHEVROLET SONIC. CONSUMER IS SEEKING REIMBRSEMENT FOR REPAIRS MADE TO VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER STATED AN ADDITIONAL $1,468.61 IN EXTRA REPAIRS (REPLACING FRONT STRUTS, SHOCKS, SWAY LINK BAR AND PIA EVAPORATOR PURGE VALVE). THESE REPAIRS WERE DONE BEFORE 90,000MILES. THE FOLLOWING YEAR THE CONSUMER SPENT $1,930.75 ON EXTRA REPAIRS WHICH INCLUDED REPLACING THE WATER OUTLET, THERMOSTAT HOUSING, A/C COMPRESSOR AND CLUTCH AND ALL DONE AT 101,00MILES. AND THIS YEAR CURRENTLY $4501.50. HERE IS A LIST OF THOSE REPAIRS: 1)BOTH OXYGEN SENSORS ON 1/3/2023 - $232.97 2) THE FRONT CV SHAFT ON 1/7/2023 - $1,082.02 3) THE VALVE COVER, COVER GASKET, AND PCV VALVE HOSE ON 3/ 10/2023 - $840.96. 4)THE RADIATOR, COOLANT HOSES, HOSE CLAMPS, AND WATER PUMP ON 3/l 8/2023-3/ 19/2023 -$2,345.55

- Durham, NC, USA

problem #29

Apr 112022

Sonic

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

THE RELEASE BUTTON FOR THE GEAR SELECTOR FOR PARK THRU REVERSE ON THE CENTER CONSOLE BROKE APART INCLUDING A SPRING THAT IS A PART OF THE DESIGN UNDER NORMAL USE. THIS RENDERS THE CAR TO FAIL IN NUMEROUS UNPREDICTABLE/UNSAFE WAYS e.g. KEY IS STUCK AND CAN'T BE REMOVED/UNABLE TO MOVE GEAR SELECTOR/STUCK IN A CERTAIN GEAR INCLUDING NEUTRAL (POSSIBLE ROLL AWAY). ON THE INTERNET THIS IS REPORTED AS A PREVALENT DEFECT WITH THIS CHEVY CAR AND A $300 DEALER REPAIR. LOOKS AS IF YOU CHECKED WITH OWNERS OF THIS CAR THEY WOULD ALL REPORT THIS FAILURE.

- Ocean, NJ, USA

problem #28

Jan 042021

Sonic

  • miles
Since January I-??ve consistently had issues with my 2014 Chevy Sonic Hatchback, in particular, Codes 84, P2138, check engine light and traction control lights. (my job has us all working from home since March of 2020, so I only do local shopping, no long distance). Due to the codes mentioned above, my car was -??repaired-?? at dealership on January 4, 2012. In the end of March I was constantly getting the same codes over a period of two days. I called GM (1 800 462 8782) on March 29, spoke with a woman by the name of Michelle and I explained what has been happening with the vehicle codes, along with other issues over the past year. She opened a case file # 9-6627321866 and she called the dealership to discuss my issue. I was told to drop the car off and it will be repair at no cost to me. The car was brought to dealership on April 7, 2021 and when the diagnostic was preformed, it showed no codes in the history. They did no repair at that time and gave me back the car. While running local errand on April 17, all the same codes appeared and once again I had reduced engine power. I was near the dealership and dropped off the vehicle, even though the service department was closed at that time. Once again, a new pedal and sensor was installed. I told them to please keep the vehicle for a few days, test drive it once in a while to ensure it is truly repaired. They test drove it several times during the 4 days they had it and since there were no issues, I picked the vehicle up on April 22, 2021.On June 5, while driving to a store a nearby store, I was stopped at a light to make a left turn and all the codes suddenly came on. I had very little acceleration making the left turn. The vehicle approaching me which was a block and a half away was now very closely approaching me and luckily realized I had an issue and stopped. I immediately headed back home. AutoZone ran a diagnostic and it's the same issue.

- Piscataway, NJ, USA

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problem #27

Mar 292021

Sonic

  • 70,000 miles
Bought used in August from a Toyota dealer.car was making a chirping noise and the ac did not work. Dealer. Fixed ac and sent to Chevy to repair chirping noise.. then the heat stopped working and there was no coolant.. they fixed some bracket or other.. now the gear shift button gets stuck pushed in, , and you cannot disengage to put the car in park to remove the key.. I googled this issue and found a lot of complaints about it. The dealer has already told my 19 year old they will not cover any more repairs. But this car is a piece of junk and they should not be on the road anymore. I should never have let her finance it. Now I don't know what to do.

- Cincinnati, OH, USA

problem #26

Nov 142020

Sonic

  • 138,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The vehicle has previously had the coolant reservoir and water outlet changed not very long ago. Not I am having the same issue with both of the parts again. Reservoir is cracked making coolant leak out and the water outlet is braking apart because it is plastic.

- Fort Pierce, FL, USA

problem #25

Feb 112020

Sonic

  • 70,000 miles
A piece of the button on the gear shift had broken off and gotten jammed in the shift. Causing the vehicle to be unable to shift out of drive. This is a seriously dangerous issue, and if I was not in the car with another person who was able to jimmy the shift forward for me while I held down the break, I would have rolled forward off the road or into the building in front of me. If you look up this issue many Sonic drivers have experienced this same issue.

- Marietta, GA, USA

problem #24

Oct 042016

Sonic

  • 35,000 miles
Problem #1 got the car in 2016, after about a year the shifting sticks button got stuck and broke. Prevented me from changing gears or getting out of park. Had to call for it to be towed and buy a new stuck from dealership. Problem #2 began getting a check engine light about a few months after purchasing car in 2016 due to engine misfire, found out in 2020 this was due to the air vent tube under the hood being cracked. Both these issues are common with many consumers I have read

- Apo/Ae, AE, USA

problem #23

Jan 012019

Sonic

  • miles
Cannot take the key out when car is in park.

- Cincinnati, OH, USA

problem #22

Feb 162019

Sonic

  • 36,183 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Thermostat damage and air conditioner not start correctly only start fan

- Caguas, PR, USA

problem #21

Dec 012018

Sonic

  • 63,000 miles
The shifter knob on the car has started to stick, which means it doesn't lock the car into whatever gear the shifter has been moved to. The shifter can easily be moved from drive to neutral or more dangerously out of park. Additionally, when the button is stuck, you can't remove the key from the ignition.

- Redlands, CA, USA

problem #20

Oct 222018

Sonic

  • 66 miles
I have been complaining to GM headquarters as well as several of the Chevy dealerships in my local area! I have been to almost every Chevy dealership in town for service and no one can find the problem, or tell me what is causing me the issues I have been having with my car since November 2015!! I recently had a new battery put in (the 5th battery on the car, the 2nd one this month!!) but the batteries keep dying! of course I am being hit with costs when this happens or the "search" for the issue is initiated. I have found only 1 dealership that actually cares enough about me and this car to either waive or modify these costs. Either way, this is unfair to me in that you are not recalling the vehicle, but I still have to pay for it. I feel that you knew when you rolled the piece of junk off the assembly line that it was not going to be woth anything after that first year! though my VIN does not render any results in the recal search portal, it should! I have had so much major work done on this car and it has not even been 10 years yet! I need guidance in filing a class action against Chevrolet because you know there are major issues with the craftsmanship of the vehicle, yet you won't issue a recall. I have read similar complaints for this vehicle and that is enough to have a recall issued. I can't stop for gas, errands etc without having to worry if the car will crank back up or restart! it is so unreliable and it is definately not safe! I have called roadside assistance at least 6 times for a jump help in the last month! I had to call twice in one day most recently!! the dealership gave me a replacement battery Oct 4th and by Oct 12th it had 5% voltage! the car was sitting in my son's driveway that day--then this happened again later that morning as I was leaving a dr appt--I was planning to take it to the dealer for service!

- Orlando, FL, USA

problem #19

Oct 012018

Sonic

  • 85,000 miles
The warning chime that is supposed to sound is not working properly. There is a recall for this issue but the dealer said my vehicle is not included in the recall by the date it was made. The warning chime will not sound for certain warnings. My vehicle overheated and no warning sound was made. My vehicle tire went flat a while driving and no warning sound was made. If the turn signal is on the other warning sounds do not work I.e. seatbelt warning chime. This is a major issue since I have had two warnings with no sound to alert me.

- Fort Pierce, FL, USA

problem #18

Sep 152018

Sonic

  • miles
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.

- Decatur, GA, USA

problem #17

Aug 062018

Sonic

  • 31,000 miles
Engine light on. Rpms going up and down in idle. Car stalls when first started in the morning. Rpms go very high after being driven when shifted into park. Gear shifter button sticks and must be manually popped out. Stabilitrak light coming on.

- Blackwood, NJ, USA

problem #16

Jul 282018

Sonic

  • 105,041 miles
Shifter button sticks and can't pull key out of ignition....just bought this smh

- Port Huron, MI, USA

problem #15

Jul 172018

Sonic

  • 10 miles
If I'm yielding at a stop or sitting idle in traffic, the minute I move or turn the car shuts off completely. Sometimes in the thick of traffic like an intersection. It's not safe and could cause an accident.

- Bluffton, SC, USA

problem #14

Oct 132017

Sonic

  • 100,000 miles
I was driving on the highway when my steeling wheel control buttons just stop working as well as truck and off road button in middle stop working. After stopping to check, a reverse camera comes on now but no camera is on this model. Never seen the camera before. And temperature is not displayed on screen any more.

- Rowlett, TX, USA

problem #13

Apr 172018

Sonic

  • 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 had worked fine before this.. no squealing, shaking etc. In good working order. Conditions were dark, dry roads, no wind. I do have reports but can not scan them. I loaded 5 images! please look into this matter immediately. Lives are at stake.

- Jefferson, OR, USA

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