2014 Chevrolet Sonic
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Electrical
Electrical leads by volume: 48 of 149 complaints (32%) mention it. Complaints mentioning Airbags & Restraints include more reported injuries (8) than those mentioning any other identified area.
Complaints filed fell from 217 in 2013 to 149 in 2014.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | vs. 2014 Compact Cars |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 1,950–2,250 | 1,950–2,250 | 1,950–2,250 | 1,950–2,250 | 1,950–2,250 | |
| Combined MPG | 28–32 | 28–32 | 28–32 | 28–32 | 28–32 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 24–28 / 34–38 | 24–28 / 33–38 | 24–28 / 33–38 | 24–28 / 33–38 | 24–28 / 33–38 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 278–317 | 276–321 | 276–318 | 276–321 | 276–321 | |
| Complaints filed | 354 | 217 | 149 | 114 | 48 | |
| Recalls issued | 7 | 6 | 4 | 3 | 2 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 27 | 24 | 11 | 15 | 8 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 5 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 1 | |
| Injuries reported | 18 | 20 | 9 | 19 | 6 | |
| Deaths reported | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 4 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 2014 Chevrolet Sonic have?
4 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Sep 16, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What is the most common complaint about the 2014 Chevrolet Sonic?
Electrical: 48 of 149 NHTSA complaints (32%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 2014 Chevrolet Sonic get?
EPA rates it 28–32 MPG combined.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2014 Chevrolet Sonic?
EPA estimates $1,950–$2,250 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (12)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Automatic (S6) | 4 | 1.8L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Compact Cars | 24 mpg (low) | 34 mpg | 28 mpg (low) | $2,250 (high) | 317 g/mi |
| Configuration 2 | Automatic (S6) | 4 | 1.8L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Midsize Cars | 24 mpg (low) | 34 mpg | 28 mpg (low) | $2,250 (high) | 317 g/mi |
| Configuration 3 | Manual 5-spd | 4 | 1.8L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Compact Cars | 26 mpg | 34 mpg | 29 mpg | $2,150 | 305 g/mi |
| Configuration 4 | Manual 5-spd | 4 | 1.8L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Midsize Cars | 26 mpg | 34 mpg | 29 mpg | $2,150 | 305 g/mi |
| Configuration 5 | Manual 6-spd | 4 | 1.4L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Compact Cars | 28 mpg (high) | 38 mpg (high) | 32 mpg (high) | $1,950 (low) | 276 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 6 | Automatic (S6) | 4 | 1.4L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Compact Cars | 27 mpg | 36 mpg | 30 mpg | $2,100 | 295 g/mi |
| Configuration 7 | Manual 6-spd | 4 | 1.4L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Compact Cars | 26 mpg | 33 mpg (low) | 29 mpg | $2,150 | 306 g/mi |
| Configuration 8 | Automatic (S6) | 4 | 1.4L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Compact Cars | 25 mpg | 33 mpg (low) | 28 mpg (low) | $2,250 (high) | 318 g/mi (high) |
| Configuration 9 | Manual 6-spd | 4 | 1.4L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Midsize Cars | 28 mpg (high) | 38 mpg (high) | 32 mpg (high) | $1,950 (low) | 276 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 10 | Automatic (S6) | 4 | 1.4L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Midsize Cars | 27 mpg | 36 mpg | 30 mpg | $2,100 | 295 g/mi |
| Configuration 11 | Manual 6-spd | 4 | 1.4L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Midsize Cars | 26 mpg | 33 mpg (low) | 29 mpg | $2,150 | 306 g/mi |
| Configuration 12 | Automatic (S6) | 4 | 1.4L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Midsize Cars | 25 mpg | 33 mpg (low) | 28 mpg (low) | $2,250 (high) | 318 g/mi (high) |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 38 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 20 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 16 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 48 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Brakes | 13 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Steering | 13 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 26 | 7 | 0 | 8 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 5 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 36 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.
Recalls (4)
EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE · Campaign 16V257000 · Apr 28, 2016
Defect: 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.
AIR BAGS · Campaign 14V543000 · Sep 9, 2014
Defect: 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.
EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL · Campaign 14V417000 · Jul 10, 2014
Defect: 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 SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:MOUNTING · Campaign 13V464000 · Oct 22, 2013
Defect: 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.