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).
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). …
The button on the sifter handle has broken and gets stuck in allowing the shift handle to move freely. This has caused my vehicle to shift into neutral while driving. It has also allowed my vehicle to shift into reverse on its own while sitting in the parked position. This issue has been going on in a lot of the Sonic and needs to be recalled. My vehicle has also shifted into reverse and hit another vehicle parked behind me.
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. …
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. …
I experienced this issue after I came home from work one night. When I placed the car in park the button would not pop out allowing me to remove the key from the ignition. It also will not lock the gear shifter into place and you can freely move between gears without using the button. It will eventually come out, due to the force of the linkage pushing against it. Dangerous condition as you May accidentally hit the shifter while driving. On automatic transmission vehicles, the button that you press in to shift will break at the base of the button where it is held in by a small pin. The original button is a design defect that general motors knows about. They have released an updated version of the knob that is no longer one piece and it is sold as a repair kit. The repair kit part number is 4242-3234 and costs anywhere from 10-20 usd depending on the dealership purchased from. …
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
Transmission has always had problems hard shift/no shift slipping at 60K had to be fixed but still acts up. Engine coolant pump had to be replaced within a year of purchase and it was not covered by warranty and 3 thermostat housings have been put on. Upon placing the vehicle in park the engine will rev to about 5K rpms. The key gets increadibly hot while driving and it actually burned my daughter. If the key is left in the ignition after parking the vehicle will continually try to crank it's self. If there is any kind of wind the vehicle will sway and becomes difficult to control.
My wife and I have encountered a problem with our 2014 Chevy Sonic. It was getting hot took it to the dealer to diagnose the problem. They said that the radiator had a crack on the seam. Myself, I am a welder knows that in order for a seam to crack after welded, 3 main and easy issues had to happen such as, a. Weld got too hot when welded b. When weld was ground down it was taken too close to the root of the weld c. The weld didnt have enough penetration. I personally believe this is a manufactured part defect. Expecially only being 65000 miles
Tl* the contact owns a 2014 Chevrolet Sonic. While parking the vehicle, the contact noticed that the shifter became stuck and was not able to go into park, which caused the key to become stuck. The dealer was contacted (mountain view Chevrolet, 890 riverfront pkwy, chattanooga, tn 37402) and diagnosed that the failure was the shifter assembly, which needed to be replaced. The manufacturer stated that the vehicle was 20,000 miles over the warranty; therefore, they were not responsible for the repairs. The failure mileage was 58,500.
Tl* the contact owns a 2014 Chevrolet Sonic. When the accelerator pedal was depressed, the vehicle failed to accelerate and an abnormal noise was heard. On a different occasion, it took the contact three attempts to start the vehicle. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer for diagnostic testing or repairs. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the transmission was flushed, but the failure persisted. The manufacturer was made aware of the failures and provided a case number. The failure mileage was 93,000.
Transmission complaints in other Sonic years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2014 Chevrolet Sonic?
NHTSA has 20 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2014 Chevrolet Sonic, 13% of the model year's 150 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2014 Chevrolet Sonic transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain 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 transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 69,000 miles, and 6% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 0 fires and 0 injuries to transmission & drivetrain 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.