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10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
35,361 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2014 Chevrolet Sonic electrical problems

electrical problem

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2014 Chevrolet Sonic Owner Comments (Page 1 of 3)

problem #45

Jun 142024

Sonic

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The car is completely shutting off all power while driving. The doors will start locking and unlocking and the no power at all. I have taken it to multiple mechanic and it reads no codes. It has done this to me on the Highway. car was completely stopped and i was very lucky a car did not hit me. it usually will start again after shutting down

- Austin, TX, USA

problem #44

Mar 152023

Sonic

  • miles
My auto started out with a Check Engine Light. I noticed the engine smelled of overheated radiator and coolant smell. Parts were replaced for fix (Hose)...but check engine light continued as well as the overheated coolant smell. The auto was placed for checking on machine for codes for check engine light, but none of codes made sense to Mechanic. Told to bring back for further testing/looks. Brought back several times. No idea what was wrong but last time I was told I needed to leave for extended testing and test driving as gears were not shifting in D struggled engine for me, no acceleration and RPMs raced at times. (Dangerous and unpredictable on highway and in town). Now I turned in for testing to Chev Mechanic, and now am facing a part that was replaced in control of electrical (over $500) and after they repaired that and tested I am told that I have a TOTAL TRANSMISSION REPAIR over $5200 - for a 2014 auto!!! It was in with dealership mechanics a total of 6-7 times. I was informed the electrical controls were confusing the engine reactions. Auto a dealers for $5200 + $500 repairs now 20230702 and problems seen & looked at since March for smell of overheating radiator, fix if hose (wonder if really needed), continued check engine light, refill of radiator fluid, codes checked and did not give correct evaluation. Eventually the transmission needs replaced out, at time that there is RPM revs, no acceleration while driving and gears heard to struggle in engine. Mileage now over 97000. Estimate on mileage, i do not have all documentation before me. Extended Powertrain warranty from dealership started at year 2015!!! Anything older not allowed, so I am told I have to pay the entire bill.

- Prince George, VA, USA

problem #43

Jun 012023

Sonic

  • miles
Car has problems starting after gas is put in it u have to step on gas peddle several times to get it to start car does not have working backup camera in it or even a working radio in it car has a check engine light on I took it to were I ought it twice they cleared codes out of car but codes come back on all the time I would like to exchange this vehicle if possible can u help me Manns Performance Vidalia Ga 30474 is were it was purchased 6/01/2023 this has been a issue since I got from dealership crack in window after having it two weeks even with windows cracked sitting in the yard

- Guyton , GA, USA

problem #42

Jun 092021

Sonic

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

This car just dies on me randomly while driving at high or low speeds and is very dangerous, the dash lights go out sound stops working and you have to stop put it in park and turn car off and restart to get it started again. I have had it to service department and there are no codes generated, this started back in 6/2021 and continues to be a problem

- Mcdermott, OH, USA

problem #41

Sep 052020

Sonic

  • 15,000 miles
Button on floor-mounted gear shift sticks in. Can't get key fob out of ignition. Sticks all the time. Second incident this year. Can't turn car off. Problem so common there are you-tube videos on repair techniques. Car is usually stationary, but shifter won't work because of stuck button.

- Rehoboth Beach, DE, USA

problem #40

May 202016

Sonic

  • miles
Thisnvehicle was purchase on the year 2016 of April. So happy at first but in a couple of weeks have problem with lights and one of tthe cover of the front mirrors are missing. Called and went back to the dealer (Toyota of North hollywood ) and said bring it to the Chevy branch where they canncheck and fix it. It was stressing and depressing cause evryweek passed you'll experienced another problem such as airdcondition and heater not working. I've been back and forth to Chevy in van nuys, California but they are saying that there's no warranty on the vehicle. I tried to return the vehicle to that dealer but they said that my credit score still low of course it will show that cause I just bought it and my credit hasn't been smestablish yet, when I bought it they asked a large amount $3500 of down payment due to having low score. It doesn't make sense cause I will use a vehicle that has electrical disfunctional. I haven't even use the heater and the aircon on this car ever since I bought it cause it's not working. You can ask the dealer how many times I went there and tried to beg to give me a different car but no luck instead I found out the sales person sold the car to me wasn't working there anymore. And I walked out without any help from them. You can even ask Chevy in van nuys how many time I've been there to ask help cause the dealer always pointing me back to them. It's hard to use a finance car paying $396 something a month and the car is not functioning right. They have added a gap insurance on my contract and even that company wasn't helping me at all. So I end up using this car without access on aircondition and heater. Suffer 4 years without these benefits. I couldn't afford fixing that ever since cause it's too expensive. You can see that I haven't put a lot of mileage on this car cause I don't really use it that much. Still paying this.

- Panorama, CA, USA

problem #39

Dec 222019

Sonic

  • 72,060 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Temp 45-50 degrees, driving in moderate rain for 20-25 minutes, cruise control on. Activate high beams, car shifts to 1st gear at 65 mph, rpms jump above 6000, turn off high beams returns to normal operation. Repeated 2 more times in next 4 miles, even at 25 mph. When end of trip, shut off car and completely dead, no lights, no cranking. Following morning (today) car starts normally. Will report any further from my commute today, if warranted

- Youngstown, FL, USA

problem #38

Oct 012019

Sonic

  • 90,000 miles
Upon accelerating my Sonic has lack of power and gears don't engage or they are delayed which causes me to be very unsafe from oncoming traffic when my car decides to engage I can then continue driving. I also have a issue with the car electrical system refusing to chime when keys are left in ignition as a warning sometimes I put my high beams on and all the locks lock and my car does the refusal to engage in gear thing again and my lights flicker my whole computer system went dead and no one can figure out why I only bought the car 6 months ago for 12,000 so I could have reliability and I shouldn't have to deal with this or anything for quite so time my old car is safer than this new one

- Clearlake, CA, USA

problem #37

Jun 042019

Sonic

  • miles
Dealer sold me car with bald tires less than 2/32. Dealer sold car with filthy rusty and loose parts on manifold. Valves. Struts. And trans mount. Suspension pieces were broken and old. The thermostat was put in wrong and caused divid in manifold. Battery and electrical system also had issues. All issues were from mile 1 to 200 of owning car.

- Houston, TX, USA

problem #36

Jan 012019

Sonic

  • miles
Cannot take the key out when car is in park.

- Cincinnati, OH, USA

problem #35

Jun 232019

Sonic

  • 117,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I bought this car used back in October 2017, I've had overheating problems, the dealership fixed twice under an extended warranty the third time I had to fix myself (they said my extended warranty expired). I noticed my key would get stuck in the ignition after putting the gear in park, I discovered the button on my gear shift is cracked and I have to pull it all the way put to remove the key. The latest adventure is I was driving on the highway in the fast lane at about 75 mph when my car made a pop noise then slightly jerked then started to slow down. The check engine light came along with the traction light, I was able to safely get over to the shoulder I parked and cut the car off. After a few minutes I was able to start my car back up and get it to an auto store to find out why the check engine light was on. The codes that came back stated communication was lost with the tcm and the tcm internal temperature was too high. I was told the most likely solution is faulty wiring at the tcm. This is becoming a headache I'm still paying on this car and doing more repairing than scheduled maintenance

- Cincinnati, OH, USA

problem #34

May 052019

Sonic

  • 63,000 miles
I purchased this vehicle used in 2016 from a car dealership. A couple of months ago my key would not come out of the ignition and I had to wait a few mins then try again. Next time it did that it took 30 mins to remove the key until finally the last time it would not come out period and I had no choice but to leave the vehicle and have it towed to the shop. I had to replace a part of the shifter. There was a metal piece right under the shifter knob that failed. I had aul insurance vintage now and had to pay 500,000 dollars for this repair because he stated that it was not covered. Personally I don't believe that but I had no choice and paid to have it fixed. I took the vehicle prior to the shifter visit to the dealershil twice with a complaint of not getting enough power when I excelerate and it moves slowly and is at 10-25 mph before it moves to the highway speed of 55mph. They again said they could not find anything. Again today I experience the slow exceleration again, so I am making a complaint this time. There is a electrical problem with this vehicle I 've had a couple of electrical issues as well as a replaced water pump. I got this in 2016 it should not have these many problems with this vehicle. I am always stopped at a light in the turning left lane getting on the highway when this happen and other cars have almost hit me several times. I wantit to be investigated and known before I go back to the dealership again and to be told thatthere S nothing wrong. I see the dashboard lights dim quite a lot while I am driving. And when it stall like this the power lights get really dim but you can still see your mph etc. Please help me something is wrong with this vehicle and I don't want to die in it.

- Monona, WI, USA

problem #33

Mar 202015

Sonic

  • 50,000 miles
A few years ago my power steering went on. It was still under warranty and I took it to the dealership to get replaced right after the warranty expired the power steering went out again. Currently my ac is broken and I've spent a good bit of money trying to fix it; yet it still doesn't work. Now my car won't start. I've relpalced the battery a couple years ago because my car kept dying. I bought this car bran new and it had caused me nothing but financial issues. I tried contacting Chevy about his car a few years ago when the power steering went out. Explaining that these are major components of my car it's not like I'm complaining about changing my tires or new brakes you now normal wear and tear. I shouldn't have to deal with these issues with a new car. I know it's 5 yeas old now but this is getting ridiculous I still owe $3800 on my car and have dealt with dumping money into a vehicle that shouldn't of had any of these problems in the first place. This has caused unessasacry stress in my life. Also two of my windows don't work. So my ac is broke and I can't even roll down two windows it's a death sentence. I've had a heat stroke in my car because of it. Legitimately scared me.

- Victoria, TX, USA

problem #32

Jan 012018

Sonic

  • 80,000 miles
The contact owns a 2014 Chevrolet Sonic. The contact stated that the engine made an abnormal noise and the engine overheated. The contact stated that the failure occurred twice. The vehicle was taken to dyer Chevrolet (4200 us-1, fort, Florida 34982, (772) 242-3116) where it was diagnosed that the engine cooling system return unit failed. The vehicle was repaired. The contact also stated that the radio software system failed and did not alert him when the tires were low. The contact also noticed that the front occupant detection sensor also failed to activate when the front passenger seat was occupied. The dealer stated that the vehicle was excluded from NHTSA campaign number: 16V257000 (equipment, electrical system). The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 80,000.

- Fort Pierce, FL, USA

problem #31

Feb 062019

Sonic

  • miles
Issue started with car not responding to fob sporadically. Now car wont even have power unless key is in ignition and all the doors are closed. Escalated to no power at all until I slammed the car hood down, then the car miraculously regained power. Not a battery issue, definitely electrical. Car also completely shuts off while driving. Power steering goes out, radio turns off, dash turns off. Must throw the car in neutral and restart while coasting on the freeway. Headlights and dash lights will dim during acceleration and radio goes black. Car will sometimes shut off when thrown in reverse. I feel like my life is in danger.

- Houston, TX, USA

problem #30

Dec 012018

Sonic

  • 83,431 miles
It has been going on for 3 months now. I will be driving and the doors will lock, the instrument panel and radio will go blank and the car will rev like its out of gear. We have changed battery, alternator checked and diagnostics test found nothing. Today I went to town and got to my destination fine. I got back in my car to leave and no power at all! I was sitting there and car not running because battery drained but the RPM gauge was moving back and forth on 0. how with no power? I went online and was outraged to fine how many people have the same complaint and no dealership can't find out what is wrong. You can be driving and it cut off as you driving on freeway!! dangerous!!! it happens when driving. When stopped it really doesn't matter. Please help!!

- Randleman, NC, USA

problem #29

Nov 062018

Sonic

  • 41,500 miles
Almost a year since engine last stalled without warning (happened 3 times in about 3 months). When pulling into traffic from a stop, heard 3 chimes and several warning lights lit up (traction control, engine power down, check engine, service car asap). Engine at low power, was able to drift into parking lot. Restarted car after several minutes, all lights except check engine went off. Check engine light went off after I put gas in the car the next day. I do not feel safe in this car. Long story short the dealer was going to work with me to take the car back, but bank would not release title (loan is very upside down) until another mechanic looked at the car. Bank wanted me to utilize my warranty program I had purchased with the car loan. Mechanic found P2138 app sensor code. Was leaning into the driver side on the floor to look under the dash and his elbow got wet. Found driver footwell completely soaked: Carpet, liner, and carpet pad. Rest of the car was dry. Discovered the sunroof had been leaking down into the car and not draining out properly on driver's side. Could not check entire drain system without removing headliner. Found water had compromised the side air bag and wire harness; several connectors corroded. Sprayed water on wires and was able to replicate engine power loss. Confirmed that water was leaking into the vehicle onto the wire harness. Temporarily fixed the issue with dielectric grease to prevent connectors from getting wet. Mechanic left the panels off so I can monitor the sunroof leaking. I do not feel safe in the car because of the air bag being wet and may not deploy properly, the wet carpet pad which could cause rust and mold, and the corroded wire terminals. Will contact dealer and bank tomorrow. I am hoping they will take the car off my hands as it will be a few years til I can pay it off and I don't want an accident before then.

- Mechanicsburg, PA, USA

problem #28

Oct 222018

Sonic

  • 66 miles
I have been complaining to GM headquarters as well as several of the Chevy dealerships in my local area! I have been to almost every Chevy dealership in town for service and no one can find the problem, or tell me what is causing me the issues I have been having with my car since November 2015!! I recently had a new battery put in (the 5th battery on the car, the 2nd one this month!!) but the batteries keep dying! of course I am being hit with costs when this happens or the "search" for the issue is initiated. I have found only 1 dealership that actually cares enough about me and this car to either waive or modify these costs. Either way, this is unfair to me in that you are not recalling the vehicle, but I still have to pay for it. I feel that you knew when you rolled the piece of junk off the assembly line that it was not going to be woth anything after that first year! though my VIN does not render any results in the recal search portal, it should! I have had so much major work done on this car and it has not even been 10 years yet! I need guidance in filing a class action against Chevrolet because you know there are major issues with the craftsmanship of the vehicle, yet you won't issue a recall. I have read similar complaints for this vehicle and that is enough to have a recall issued. I can't stop for gas, errands etc without having to worry if the car will crank back up or restart! it is so unreliable and it is definately not safe! I have called roadside assistance at least 6 times for a jump help in the last month! I had to call twice in one day most recently!! the dealership gave me a replacement battery Oct 4th and by Oct 12th it had 5% voltage! the car was sitting in my son's driveway that day--then this happened again later that morning as I was leaving a dr appt--I was planning to take it to the dealer for service!

- Orlando, FL, USA

problem #27

Oct 282018

Sonic

  • 51,000 miles
Car won't start it only clicks really fast. Had battery checked and it's fully charged once I jump it the car will drive until I shut it off. It will start back up right away but if I let it sit it will not

- Kansas City, MO, USA

problem #26

Oct 072018

Sonic

  • 82,000 miles
The contact owns a 2014 Chevrolet Sonic. While the vehicle was engaged in the park position, the key failed to release from the ignition switch and the engine continued to run. Additionally, an abnormal clicking noise was heard. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and referred the contact to NHTSA. The failure mileage was 82,000.

- Stevenson, WA, USA

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