2014 Chevrolet Sonic: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2014 Chevrolet Sonic: 4 recalls, 150 owner complaints and up to 32 mpg combined.
Recalls
4 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Fuel system Vehicle recall #13V464000 · 2013 · 1,558 vehicles
What's wrong: Due to insufficient welds, the front fuel tank strap bracket May separate from the vehicle.
Why it matters: 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.
The fix: 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.
Equipment Vehicle recall #14V417000 · 2014 · 2,990 vehicles
What's wrong: In cold temperatures, the insulation on the engine block heater cord can become damaged, allowing the wires to be exposed.
Why it matters: Exposed wires increase the risk of electrical shock and personal injury if the cord is handled while it is plugged in.
The fix: 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.
Airbags Vehicle recall #14V543000 · 2014 · 304 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: 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.
The fix: 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.
Electrical, Equipment Vehicle recall #16V257000 · 2016 · 317,572 vehicles
What's wrong: 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."
Why it matters: Without audible indicators, the driver May leave the key in the ignition, increasing the risk of theft.
The fix: Gm will notify owners, and dealers will update the radio software, free of charge. The manufacturer has not yet provided a notification schedule.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 4 mention a fire, 9 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Electrical (49): the most common themes are electrical failure (21), stalls / loses power (13), door / lock issues (12).
- Engine (38): the most common themes are warning light on (14), noise or vibration (9), leaks (9).
- Other / unknown (34): the most common themes are electrical failure (4), noise or vibration (4).
- Airbags (24): the most common themes are fails to deploy (9), warning light on (8).
The 2014 Chevrolet Sonic has 150 owner complaints, ranking #3 of 10 Sonic model years for complaints (1.6× the average Sonic year). Complaints peaked in 2018 (33 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 4 years old, at a median of 50,664 miles. Neighboring years: 2013 (217 complaints, 6 recalls), 2015 (114 complaints, 3 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.4 L 4-cyl turbo | Manual 6-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 28 | 38 | 32 | Regular |
| 1.4 L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (S6) | Front-Wheel Drive | 27 | 36 | 30 | Regular |
| 1.8 L 4-cyl | Manual 5-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 26 | 34 | 29 | Regular |
| 1.8 L 4-cyl | Automatic (S6) | Front-Wheel Drive | 24 | 34 | 28 | Regular |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 2014 Chevrolet Sonic.
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Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
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FAQ
Does the 2014 Chevrolet Sonic have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 4 vehicle recalls for the 2014 Chevrolet Sonic. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 2014 Chevrolet Sonic problems?
Owners have filed 150 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are electrical (49), engine (38), other / unknown (34).
What gas mileage does the 2014 Chevrolet Sonic get?
EPA ratings run up to 32 mpg combined (1.4 L, Manual 6-spd), across 4 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 2014 Chevrolet Sonic repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.