The Lemon Index

All cars · Chevrolet Sonic · 2014

2014 Chevrolet Sonic. Advanced data.

The raw numbers: engines, recall campaign numbers, failure mileage and manufacturer communications.

Lemon Index53100 = average car
Complaints54NHTSA, first 3 years
Sold93,518U.S. model year
Per 100K sold58complaints
Year rank#4 of 7#1 = fewest complaints

Engines and drivetrains 4

EngineTransmissionDriveCity / hwy / combinedFuelFuel cost/yr
1.4L 4-cyl turboManual 6-spdFWD28 / 38 / 32Regular$1,950
1.4L 4-cyl turboAuto (S6)FWD27 / 36 / 30Regular$2,100
1.8L 4-cylManual 5-spdFWD26 / 34 / 29Regular$2,150
1.8L 4-cylAuto (S6)FWD24 / 34 / 28Regular$2,200

EPA test versions for this model year. Fuel cost is the EPA's current estimate, not the price in that year.

Failure mileage by system

Half of owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 13,900 and 72,800 miles. Median 50,700, from 112 complaints with a mileage.

SystemMedianMiddle halfComplaints
Electrical50,20013,600–72,30034
Engine37,20019,000–75,00027
Airbags60,00035,600–78,20020
Transmission & drivetrain68,50054,200–91,50017
Fuel or ev drive system30,0003,400–68,50010

Mileage owners typed into their NHTSA complaint, all complaints for this model year. People report some problems late, so read it as a range.

Complaints by system

SystemShare of complaints
Electrical31%
Engine17%
Airbags15%
Fuel or ev drive system9%
Brakes9%

One complaint can name more than one system, so shares can add to more than 100%.

Severity, all complaints

TotalCrashesFiresInjuriesDeathsTows
150114507

As reported by owners to NHTSA. Not verified.

Recall campaigns 4

  • 16V257000 Apr 2016 Equipment / Electrical / Radio/Tape Deck/Cd Etc.

    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."

    Risk. 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.

  • 14V543000 Sep 2014 Air Bags

    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.

    Risk. 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.

  • 14V417000 Jul 2014 Equipment / Electrical

    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.

    Risk. 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.

  • 13V464000 Sep 2013 Fuel System, Gasoline / Storage / Tank Assembly / Mounting

    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.

    Risk. 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.

Manufacturer communications 1507

Chevy filed 1507 service communications for this car with NHTSA.

  • Gmc/chevrolet/buick: transmission pump needs inspecting due to engine cranking but fails to…
  • Buick/chevrolet: due to loss of wastegate preload, the malfunction indicator lamp is illuminated
  • Buick/chevrolet: vehicle powers up, whether key in ignition or left in ignition, with cranking…

Crash ratings by version

VersionOverallFrontSideRollover
Chevrolet Sonic 5 DR FWD★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★☆
Chevrolet Sonic 4 DR FWD★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★☆

Safety equipment

Electronic stabilityForward collision warningLane departure warning
StandardNoNo

Nearby model years

YearLemon IndexComplaintsSoldTop system
201215316697,025Transmission & drivetrain
20139210285,646Electrical
2014535493,518Electrical
2015685064,775Airbags
2016432555,255Airbags
2017492030,290Engine

Sources: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer communications; EPA fuel economy data; YouTube video titles. Complaints are owner reports, not proof of a defect.

Updated

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