"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.
2014 Chevrolet Sonic airbags problems
24 complaints (16% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 64,913. 7 crashes reported.
- owner complaints
- 24
- of this car's complaints
- 16%
- typical mileage
- 64,913
- crashes
- 7
- recalls
- 1
Which part fails
- Sensor: occupant classification1
At what mileage
Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.
0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+
Chevrolet Sonic airbags problems in other years
Specific symptoms reported on the 2014 Chevrolet Sonic airbags
Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.
Related recalls
Air bags
- What is wrong
- 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 the intended first-stage and second-stage deployments.
- Risk
- If only the first-stage of the driver's frontal air bag deploys without the additional second-stage, the driver has an increased risk of injury during a crash.
- 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. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1‑800‑222‑1020. GM's number for this recall is 14537.
Recall number 14V543000 · Recall details
What 2014 Chevrolet Sonic owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
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
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, (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 the federal safety agency campaign number: 16v257000 (equipment, electrical system). The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 80,000.
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.
Air bags on &off (driving) thermostat not working causing engine light on
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
Tl* 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.
Tl* 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 the federal safety agency looks into this issue before there are any more injuries or deaths.
Questions about the 2014 Chevrolet Sonic airbags
Does the 2014 Chevrolet Sonic have airbags problems?
Owners have filed 24 complaints about the airbags of the 2014 Chevrolet Sonic, 16% of all its complaints.
At what mileage do 2014 Chevrolet Sonic airbags problems start?
The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 64,913 miles.
Was there a recall on the 2014 Chevrolet Sonic airbags?
Yes, 1 recall: 14V543000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.
What year does the Chevrolet Sonic have bad airbags?
The Chevrolet Sonic model years with the most airbags complaints are 2012 (34 complaints), 2015 (27 complaints) and 2013 (25 complaints).
Other 2014 Chevrolet Sonic problems
Electrical 49Engine 38Transmission 20Fuel system 16Steering 13Driver assistance 8Brakes 6Lights 5Acceleration 3Body 3Seat belts 2Seats 2Suspension 2Wheels 2Tires 1Visibility 1
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