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 his spouse was driving approximately 35 MPH she noticed smoke being emitted from under the hood. The contact stated his spouse saw no warning light being illuminated. The spouse pulled off to the side of the road and exited the vehicle safely when a fire began to burn from under the hood. The fire department was called and extinguished the flames with water. The police were also on the scene and wrote an incident report. The contact had the vehicle towed to his residence. The contact was advised by his insurance provider that the vehicle would be listed as a total loss. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000.
Car has no temperature gauge. Car had oil change. Then went to put gas. When I started in the highway. The temperature sensor turned on. This was terrifying as it was night time and I was on a highway on my way to visit family. The car could of caught on fire. Pulled over called a tow truck. Water pump was replaced and cylinder heads and gaskets. This was done through the warranty company. Car was returned to me on 14 December 2021 and was in a repair shop the following day because of the check engine light was on. Car now needs new motor as coolant was going inside the motor. Sensors had never gone off before that day. Currently car is in the chevy dealer for over a month trying to figure out who will pay for the repairs as I also had an extended warranty. Car had 57000 miles when it failed. Chevy repairs will be of about $7000.
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
Overall and to the best of my knowledge, the malfunctioning and failures on my vehicle were the suspension and engine. They are the culprits and it's honestly very scary and traumatizing to have them completely fail, especially since no one is ever prepared for accidents and/or potential death to happen. Otherwise it wouldn't be called an accident. With the suspension overall, it's just awful. CV Axel, control arms, everything with the suspension just failed. With driving over the tiniest bump on the road you feel your is about to literally fall apart at any minute because of the clunking and metal in metal noises it produces. The engine is faulty as well and I am pretty sure the faulty engine happens due to the faulty suspension. When I look under my car there's something leaking. …
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). …
Around April of 2025, I noticed loud engine noises and cold start loud noises coming from the engine. My car has been in the shop multiple times since then and I opened a case with GM about multiple repair issues with my 2014 Chevy Sonic LT even though I take excellent care of the vehicle and perform all maintenance on the vehicle, and now this loud engine noise issue and leaking oil. I was driving home from a relative's home Saturday night Dec 27th late evening on the expressway when I noticed my car driving very sluggish and jerking and make extremely loud engine noises and continued burning oil smell in the cabin of the vehicle. No check engine light or oil light, now I had stopped by the service department earlier in the week when and oil pressure light came on, and they stated no issues. I made it home without incident, but the car was not running right. …
I had taken the key out of the ignition and it was very hot about the end of July. On Friday August 11, I noticed a pause in the car starting the a sound of a knock leaving work. I arrived home around 6:00 p.m. Parked in my drive way for the day. I was awaken Saturday morning by my neighbor be made my car was on fire. This was determined by lawrence fire department of an engine fire.
Twice in one month the car engine shut off while I was driving. Power steering was also lost. Mileage approx. 31,000. I was able to restart the car after putting it in park. The first time, I was turning, pulling into a parking lot, so I was able to drift into a parking spot safely. Second time I was in small town bumper to bumper traffic. Took my foot off the brake and stepped on the gas and nothing happened, so I put it in park and restarted it and it seemed fine after that. Took it to dealer where I bought it, they did nothing as the car was not throwing any codes and no warning lights were on. Second garage I went to also could not find an issue so they did nothing. Took it to another dealership and the car stalled on them as they were parking it, right after I had dropped it off. They kept it for almost a week and drove it 61 miles and could not recreate the stalling. …
I just purchased my 2014 Chevy Sonic lt hatchback a month ago. First the day I bought it I found out I had a reverse light out. The dealer said they would fix it when the license plant cover bracket comes in. The same day I got the car I smelled something burning. I told them about it an they said if it keeps doing it to let them know an my passenger side brakes fell like they are dragging. They said it should come out of it do to sitting for awhile. Well I'm still experiencing it. My oil percentage drops far down when driving for 2 hrs on the highway. The burning smell comes in threw the vents an outside even when the ac or heater is on. Something is not right. I only have 39,000 miles when I bought it a moth ago with 32,000 miles. The dealer said it went through an expectation an everything came back OK when I purchased the car that day. …
Tl* 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, [phone]) 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.
Engine complaints in other Sonic years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2014 Chevrolet Sonic?
NHTSA has 38 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2014 Chevrolet Sonic, 25% of the model year's 150 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2014 Chevrolet Sonic engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling recall for the 2014 Chevrolet Sonic, though it has 4 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2014 Chevrolet Sonic engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 37,000 miles, and 26% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 2 fires and 0 injuries to engine & cooling 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.