2014 Chevrolet SONIC: complaints, problems and recalls

THE DRIVER BACKED OUT ONTO THE RESIDENTIAL STREET. THE DRIVE ALIGNED THE WHEELS TO POINT STRAIGHT DOWN THE STREET. THE DRIVER SHIFTED INTO DRIVE AND PRESSED PRESSED THE ACCELERATOR. THE CAR RAPIDLY ACCELERATED AND SWERVED TO THE LEFT. IT GRAZED THE BUMPER OF A PACKED CAR AND CAME TO REST ON A TREE. UPON LEAVING THE FRONT LEFT TIRE WAS DEFLATED. THE REPAIR SHOP REPORTED LEFT SUSPENSION DAMAGE. *TR

Owner-reported narrative. 4,400 miles reported. Look up ODI 10577515 at NHTSA ↗

I WAS DRIVING DOWN A LONG, STEEP BRIDGE AT A CAUTIOUS SPEED AND REACHED OVER TO ADJUST THE RADIO VOLUME. WHEN I PLACED MY RIGHT HAND BACK ON THE STEERING WHEEL SOMETHING DIDN'T FEEL RIGHT SO I QUICKLY VERIFIED THAT I HAD BRAKES AND LIGHTS, BUT NO ENGINE POWER. I SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL AND RESTARTED THE ENGINE. THE ONLY REASON FOR THE ENGINE FAILURE THAT I COULD FIGURE OUT AT THE TIME WAS THAT I HAD JARRED THE KEY CHAIN WITH MY COAT SLEEVE, INADVERTENTLY TURNING OFF THE ENGINE. THIS WAS A RENTAL CAR AND THE TWO SETS OF KEYS HAD BEEN PERMANENTL…

Owner-reported narrative. 8,480 miles reported. Look up ODI 10578024 at NHTSA ↗

NEW HANKOOK OPTIMO H428 TIRE ON MY 2014 SONIC DEVELOPED A BULGE ON THE FRONT DRIVER TIRE. DEALER CLAIMS IT WAS DUE TO ROAD HAZARD. RESEARCH SHOWING THAT THIS IS A COMMON COMPLAINT FOR THIS COMPANY'S TIRE. NO KNOW HAZARD WAS HIT TO CAUSE THIS. TIRE WILL HAVE TO BE REPLACED BEFORE A BLOW-OUT OCCURS, POSSIBLY CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. *JS

Owner-reported narrative. 2,800 miles reported. Look up ODI 10585419 at NHTSA ↗

DRIVING IN 70MPH TRAFFIC, MY WIFE JOSTLED THE KEY IN THE IGNITION WHILE REACHING UP TO ADJUST WINDSHIELD WIPERS. THE CAR STALLED. A TRUCK WAS BARRELING DOWN ON US. FORTUNATELY WE WERE ABLE TO GET TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD IN TIME. THE VEHICLE RESTARTED WITH NO TROUBLE. THIS WAS A RENTED CAR. *TR

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10605510 at NHTSA ↗

GAS STARTED LEAKING FROM BOTTOM OF GAS TANK. *JS

Owner-reported narrative. 3,480 miles reported. Look up ODI 10608887 at NHTSA ↗

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 CHEVROLET SONIC. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE STARTING THE IGNITION, A STRONG ODOR OF FUEL EMITTED INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. IN ADDITION, THE ENTIRE FUEL LEAKED OUT OF THE FUEL TANK ONTO THE GROUND. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. THERE WAS A RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 13V464000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE VEHICLE WAS CURRENTLY BEING DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,080.

Owner-reported narrative. 3,080 miles reported. Look up ODI 10608902 at NHTSA ↗

THIS VEHICLE IS GETTING BETWEEN 19-21 MPG AT THE MOST, INCLUDING HIGHWAY, WHICH IS EXTREMELY LOW COMPARED TO OTHER SIMILAR SONIC VEHICLE MODELS AND THE ESTIMATED 25/35 MPG FOR THIS VEHICLE.I AM WONDERING IF IT IS LEAKING FUEL. I HAVE NEVER OWNED A CHEVY REQUIRING THIS MUCH GAS. I AM CONCERNED THAT IT MIGHT BE AFFECTED BY THE FUEL RECALL BUT MY VIN IS NOT INCLUDED. GM AND THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP HAVE DISREGARDED MY CONCERNS, TELLING ME MY VEHICLE IS OPERATING NORMALLY. I WOULD LIKE MY VEHICLE INSPECTED FOR SAFETY. *TR

Owner-reported narrative. 100 miles reported. Look up ODI 10614778 at NHTSA ↗

THE IGNITION KEY GETS HOT AFTER DRIVING THE CAR FOR MORE THAN 5 MILES. THERE IS A STRANGE WHIRRING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT OF CAR WHEN DRIVING. IT STARTED ON THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT AND IS NOW ON BOTH SIDES. IT ONLY HAPPENS WHILE CAR IS IN MOTION. *TR

Owner-reported narrative. 915 miles reported. Look up ODI 10616472 at NHTSA ↗

Reported: 2013-09-26 (September 26, 2013)

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.

Reported: 2014-07-02 (July 2, 2014)

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.

Reported: 2014-09-09 (September 9, 2014)

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.

Reported: 2016-04-28 (April 28, 2016)

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.