Recalls (4)
NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for the 2014 Chevrolet Sonic. Check whether yours was repaired with NHTSA's free VIN lookup ↗
Only NHTSA and your automaker know whether your specific car was repaired. PlainVIN shows every recall campaign listed for a model year, with the official text and how many cars have been fixed so far.
Check on NHTSA ↗No 'Key Left in Ignition' Warning Chime/FMVSS 114
- Summary
- 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."
- Consequence
- 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.
Driver's Frontal Air Bag may not Deploy Properly
- Summary
- 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.
- Consequence
- 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.
Engine Block Heater Power Cord Damage
- Summary
- 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.
- Consequence
- 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.
Fuel Tank may Separate from Car
- Summary
- 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.
- Consequence
- 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.
PlainVIN shows public government records for education. It isn't a vehicle inspection or legal advice. Check your own VIN with NHTSA or your dealer.
Owner complaints (150)
150 complaints filed with NHTSA (owner reports, not verified findings). The electrical system is mentioned most often.
As reported by owners in their complaints. These are reports, not NHTSA findings.
Most-reported components
| Component | Complaints | % of 150 |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 49 | 32.7% |
| Engine | 38 | 25.3% |
| Unknown or other | 34 | 22.7% |
| Air bags | 24 | 16% |
| Power train | 20 | 13.3% |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 15 | 10% |
| Steering | 13 | 8.7% |
| Electronic stability control | 8 | 5.3% |
| Service brakes | 6 | 4% |
| Exterior lighting | 5 | 3.3% |
How 2014 compares with other Sonic years
Best and worst Sonic years →| Model year | Complaints | Recall campaigns |
|---|---|---|
| 2011 | 1 | 0 |
| 2012 | 354 | 7 |
| 2013 | 217 | 6 |
| 2014 | 150 | 4 |
| 2015 | 114 | 3 |
| 2016 | 48 | 2 |
| 2017 | 37 | 0 |
| 2018 | 14 | 1 |
| 2019 | 8 | 0 |
| 2020 | 10 | 0 |
Counts are owner reports, not failure rates. Higher sales years tend to draw more reports. Owners are still filing reports for recent model years, so these counts will grow. Source: NHTSA ODI, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Crash tests: 5 stars overall
Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (NCAP), 2014 Chevrolet Sonic 4 dr fwd, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Fuel economy: up to 32 mpg combined
- EPA annual fuel cost
- $2,100
- CO₂ tailpipe
- 276 g/mi
- EPA class
- Compact Cars
What it costs you to run
Miles ÷ 32 mpg × $4.354 (EIA US average regular, week of Oct 5, 2026, all taxes included). Source: EPA · EIA.
EPA label estimates from lab tests; your mileage will vary.
Specs by configuration
| Engine · transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | EPA $/yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.4 L 4-cyl · 6-speed manual | Front-Wheel Drive | 28 / 38 / 32 | $2,100 | 276 |
| 1.4 L 4-cyl · 6-speed manual | Front-Wheel Drive | 28 / 38 / 32 | $2,100 | 276 |
| 1.4 L 4-cyl · 6-speed automatic | Front-Wheel Drive | 27 / 36 / 30 | $2,250 | 295 |
| 1.4 L 4-cyl · 6-speed automatic | Front-Wheel Drive | 27 / 36 / 30 | $2,250 | 295 |
| 1.8 L 4-cyl · 5-speed manual | Front-Wheel Drive | 26 / 34 / 29 | $2,300 | 305 |
| 1.8 L 4-cyl · 5-speed manual | Front-Wheel Drive | 26 / 34 / 29 | $2,300 | 305 |
| 1.4 L 4-cyl · 6-speed manual | Front-Wheel Drive | 26 / 33 / 29 | $2,300 | 306 |
| 1.4 L 4-cyl · 6-speed manual | Front-Wheel Drive | 26 / 33 / 29 | $2,300 | 306 |
| 1.8 L 4-cyl · 6-speed automatic | Front-Wheel Drive | 24 / 34 / 28 | $2,400 | 317 |
| 1.8 L 4-cyl · 6-speed automatic | Front-Wheel Drive | 24 / 34 / 28 | $2,400 | 317 |
| 1.4 L 4-cyl · 6-speed automatic | Front-Wheel Drive | 25 / 33 / 28 | $2,400 | 318 |
| 1.4 L 4-cyl · 6-speed automatic | Front-Wheel Drive | 25 / 33 / 28 | $2,400 | 318 |
Source: EPA fuel economy data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026. Configurations are listed when EPA and NHTSA records match.
Looking at a 2014 Sonic for sale?
Print a one-page buyer's checklist: each recall campaign with a box to tick when the seller shows proof of repair, the top complaint areas to inspect, crash stars, MPG, and a link back to this page.
Where to next
2014 Chevrolet Sonic FAQ
How many recalls does the 2014 Chevrolet Sonic have?
NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns: 16V257000 (electrical), 14V543000 (air bag), 14V417000 (electrical), 13V464000 (fuel system). Use NHTSA's VIN lookup to see whether a specific car was repaired.
What are the most common 2014 Chevrolet Sonic problems?
Owners filed 150 complaints with NHTSA. Electrical system (49), Engine (38), Unknown or other (34) are mentioned most. These are owner reports, not verified findings.
What mpg does the 2014 Chevrolet Sonic get?
EPA rates the 1.4 L 4-cyl · 6-speed manual version at 28 city, 38 highway and 32 combined mpg. Other configurations are listed in the fuel economy section.
What safety rating did the 2014 Chevrolet Sonic get?
NHTSA rated the 2014 Chevrolet Sonic 4 dr fwd 5 stars overall, with 5 stars frontal, 5 stars side and 4 stars rollover (12.6% rollover risk).
How does the 2014 Sonic compare with other years?
Among the 2011–2020 Chevrolet Sonic model years at least five years old, the 2011 drew the fewest complaints (1) and the 2012 the most (354). The 2014 drew 150. Counts are owner reports, not failure rates.
How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes
Data sources
- NHTSA recalls by vehicle
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - US DOT recall completion rates (data.transportation.gov)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA ODI owner complaints
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA NCAP 5-Star Safety Ratings
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EPA fuel economy data (licence confirmation pending)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EIA weekly retail gasoline prices
Weekly, all taxes included
Processing
- Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
- Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.
Limitations
- Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
- Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
- Recent model years are still collecting reports.
Review
Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.
Changelog
- 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.