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.
Passenger airbag not active even though an average sized (160 pound) adult is sitting there.This is very very dangerous.Apparently a pressure sensitive monitor in the passenger seat is not working correctly.I have read many many complaints about this on the Chevrolet Sonic on this website.This started out as a sporadic problem, but now is constant.
The contact owned a 2014 Chevrolet Sonic. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds approaching a parking lot and slowing down to turn, the vehicle behind was speeding and crashed into the rear of the vehicle. The vehicle then flew forward and crashed into a pole. No airbags deployed. The passenger in the driver's side rear seat sustained whiplash to the neck. The contact and her daughter sustained minor injuries to the right hip, right knee, and right shoulder. A police report was filed. The passenger in the driver's side rear seat was treated via ambulance and the contact and her daughter received medical attention from a chiropractor. The police towed the vehicle to a lot where it was deemed a total loss. The dealer was contacted and informed the contact that no recalls were under the VIN. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and started an investigation. The failure mileage was approximate 88,000
The passenger air bag will not indicate when there is a passenger in the vehicle. This is sporadic and only works when it wants to. In the event of an accident the airbag may not deploy if there is a passenger in the seat.
Takata recall the air bag light comes on and off. When the light is on I call on star and they say its a defect in deploy diagnostic code B0081 and when I take it in the light is off. I dont want to get in an accident and then the air bag not deploy
- Fairfield, CA, USA
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The contact owns a 2014 Chevrolet Sonic. The contact stated that the air bag warning indicator intermittently illuminated. The contact was concerned that the air bag might deploy. The contact took the vehicle to felix Chevrolet (located at 3330 S figueroa St, los angeles, ca 90007, (213) 290-1925) where it was diagnosed that the passenger side air bag internal sensor had a shortage and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and provided case number: 9-5085721017. The approximate failure mileage was 37,365.
The contact owns a 2014 Chevrolet Sonic. The contact stated that the air bag warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to gary russ Chevrolet (1420 bypass 72 ne, greenwood, SC 29649, (864) 229-2521) where it was diagnosed that the connector needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was notified and referred the contact to the local dealer. The failure mileage was 90,000.
The passenger "airbag off" remains illuminated if you have a 100lb or 250lb person in the seat. Every so often, when a 200+lb person sit in the passenger seat, the light will extinguish indicating that the airbag is activated. Then if that 200+lb person adjust position while in the seat, the "airbag off" light will illuminate again. I read many Sonic owner complaints from 2012-2016 model years with the same issue. I called 2 local Chevy dealers and the service advisors said they were not aware of any "airbag off" light issues at all but I could stop by so they diagnose a known problem for $140. From all the forums I've read, not one, I repeat not one of these airbag light off issues has been resolved even after taking the car to the dealer. An attorney website dedicated to Sonic airbag issues has many testimonials from owners and statistics showing at least 10 injuries and 1 death resulting from these airbag issues. These are not takata airbags by the way. I sincerely hope that NHTSA looks into this issue before there are any more injuries or deaths.
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.
The passenger airbag will not turn on when there is a passenger in the seat. This is a sporadic problem and does not always happen. It will also illuminate both the on and off lights at the same time. This is a safety issue because if in an accident the passenger airbag may not deploy if the sensor is not working to detect a passenger.
Takata recall I was involved in an accident where I hit a stationary SUV from the back, I was traveling 30-35 mph per the police report through a large city intersection. My Sonic was hit hard on the whole front left (driver side) the car was totaled and was reported to have a lot of left frame damage. During this accident my airbags did not deploy. No ambulance was called but I was taken to the va to receive treatment for my back pain from the accident. I have been informed that based on the hard hit and the amazing of damage my air bags should have deployed for my safety. The reason the airbags did not deploy is unknown to me.
Went to pass an eighteen wheeler on an interstate and as I accellerated, the vehicle began to fishtail, when I ran over a bumpy part in the road due to a bridge that fell, I lost all stability control and control over the vehicle. We slammed into the cab of the rite entrance wheeler on the front passenger side in the front. No air bags were released. When we hit the eiteen wheeler it pushed our car towards the construction zone wire railing, the back of our vehicle on the passenger side hit the trailer. No air bags released. We then grinned across the wire railing and ran over a few cones on the drivers side. On all three impacts, no air bags were released.
The contact owns a 2014 Chevrolet Sonic. While driving 50 mph, the contact struck a van due to weather conditions. The air bags did not deploy. The police department was called to the scene and a police report was filed. The ambulance was not called and the contact was able to drive the vehicle to the contact's residence. The contact sustained a fractured neck and a concussion and her spouse sustained a sprained neck and back. Medical attention was received. The dealer and manufacturer were not contacted. The failure mileage was 64,913.
Passenger airbag on/off light is almost always off with the passenger seat occupied whether its someone that weighs 100lbs up to 225lbs. This happens while stationary and while driving. Rarely, with a heavier occupant of 200lbs or more, the airbag on/off light will say on. But most of the time, with any occupant, the airbag on/off remains off.
The contact owns a 2014 Chevrolet Sonic. The contact stated that the air bag indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer (john bowman Chevrolet Inc, 6750 dixie highway, clarkston, Michigan 48346) diagnosed that the clock spring needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the issue and opened case number: # [xxx]. the contact was referred to NHTSA. The failure mileage was 67,000. Information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
Approximately 2 weeks ago, my airbag warning light came on. The manual said to take it to the dealership immediately as the airbag could fail to deploy in an accident or could deploy for no reason causing severe injury. I noticed there had been a recall issued for this vehicle in 2014 for this issue. Actions: 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. For detailed information & supporting documents, see the official NHTSA page concerning recall #14V543000. I called the number at Chevy customer service, and they were no help-said my VIN number wasn't listed in the recall. I am very concerned about this as it seems a coincidence that I have the exact vehicle and the exact problem.......the dealership in provo, Utah, did a diagnosis and said since the light wasn't on at the exact time of the diagnosis that they couldn't tell. I can't predict when it will come on, and when it does come on it is usually off by the time I find a dealership. I am concerned that I could be severely injured due to this problem and feel it could be taken care of if I could find someone that gave a hoot. It comes on when I am driving.
Another car ran a red light & my son, in the Sonic ran into the side of the other car. His Sonic was totaled & despite this fact that the other car's side airbags deployed upon impact, his Sonic airbags did not. My son was accelerating from stop light on a city street when the other car ran the red light. The impact was severe enough to bend 2 of the 4 frame rails. The engine compartment buckled down as they should have, but the concerning thing is airbags didn't deploy with a significant impact. My son now has a replacement Sonic but concerned due to the recent recall of several million cars/trucks with defect in airbag deployment mechanism of GM products.
The contact owns a 2014 Chevrolet Sonic. While driving approximately 30 mph, another vehicle suddenly stopped and caused the contact to crash into the preceding vehicle. The air bags failed to deploy. A police report was filed. The driver of the occupant of the other vehicle sustained a back injury that required medical attention. The vehicle was towed, but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 35,000.
The air bag light goes off and on while driving, all different times at all different speeds intermitantly. Brought car to dealer the car has 40,500 miles on it, dealer said it came up with a couple of codes said nothing is wrong. Drove car to work the next morning light back on and off. Called 800 Chevrolet number they tell me it is not a recal. It has been coming on more frequent by the day can you guide me through what to do.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Worcester, MA, USA