Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (front, side and curtain air bags, sensors and inflators).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2014 Chevrolet Sonic owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
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. …
"off" remains illuminated on my passenger airbag light whether or not someone is sitting in the passenger seat. It's actually somewhat rare to see "on" illuminated. There was a recall on this model for airbag issues but my vehicle specifically was not recalled. My vehicle was recalled for catalytic converter but I'm still getting codes. Most of the problems the Sonic has been recalled for, my vehicle has symptoms of but I get cannot afford to pay repair cost up front and I cannot find a mechanic who would be willing to take the steps to report my vehicle should've been apart of the recall.
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.
Tl* the contact owns a 2014 Chevrolet Sonic. While driving 20 MPH, the steering wheel seized. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, who diagnosed that the alternator needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. However, the failure recurred and the vehicle was taken multiple times to the dealer. The technician was unable to diagnose or repair the vehicle. Three months later, while driving at 20 MPH, the steering wheel seized and the brake pedal was depressed. As a result, another vehicle crashed into the rear of the contact's vehicle and the air bags failed to deploy. The contact sustained back injuries, but did not require medical attention. The rear driver side passenger did not sustain any injuries, but required medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 200.
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.
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.
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.
Tl* 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.
Tl* 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.
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 [phone]. 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. …
Related recalls
Air bags
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…
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.
Airbag complaints in other Sonic years
Frequently asked questions
How common are airbag problems on the 2014 Chevrolet Sonic?
NHTSA has 24 complaints about the air bags of the 2014 Chevrolet Sonic, 16% of the model year's 150 complaints. The component named most often is sensor › occupant classification (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2014 Chevrolet Sonic airbag problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 14V-543 (air bags, Sep 9, 2014). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2014 Chevrolet Sonic airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 65,000 miles, and 20% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 7 crashes, 0 fires and 8 injuries to air bags problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.