2014 Chevrolet Sonic: fire, smoke or burning smell

Filed Sep 10, 2026 · Electrical · TX · fire

A new EverStart Maxx lead-acid battery (Group Size H5/47, 12V, 650 CCA) was bought at Walmart on 07/14/2026 and installed the same day in a 2014 Chevrolet Sonic. It was installed correctly: correct polarity, both terminals tight and free of corrosion, hold-down secured. The car ran normally for about eight weeks, with no warning lights or electrical symptoms. On 09/10/2026 at about 12:00 p.m., the car caught fire while parked. It had not been driven or started since about 5:00 p.m. the day before (about 19 hours), so the engine and charging system were off. The fire appears to have started at the battery. It stayed in the engine compartment but melted the underhood fuse box and the engine wiring harness. The local volunteer fire department responded, and a police report was filed. No one was hurt, but a battery fire in a parked, unattended car could easily spread to a home, garage, or other vehicles. The car had an earlier front-end repair after hitting a deer. It had been driven for more than a year since that repair with no electrical problems. The vehicle and the battery remains have been left in place and are available for inspection. The retailer and manufacturer have not inspected them yet.

Filed Jun 8, 2022 · Engine · 60,000 miles · TX · fire

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.

Filed Feb 5, 2022 · Engine · NC

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.

Filed May 11, 2018 · Brakes · 56,000 miles · OR · crash · fire · 1 injury

The road I was driving on is 55 MPH on bear in. As I began to break nothing happened. A 90 corner was in front of me. 55th ave. I pushed as hard as I could on the breaks. It was smooth.. Traction control was on. No breaking unit went into affect. It was smooth all the way into a tree head on. Zero skid marks! I was conscious the entire time closed on eyes right before impact. Air bags did work. The engine started on fire 3x. They had to use the jaws of life to remove the vehicle from the tree. I pushed so hard on the break that it broke my ankle, split my knee open and sprained my knee. I was taken to the hospital. Mileage on the vehicle was about 56k. This should have killed me. The breaks had worked fine before this.. No squealing, shaking etc. In good working order. Conditions were dark, dry roads, no wind. I do have reports but can not scan them. I loaded 5 images! Please look into this matter immediately. Lives are at stake.

Filed Nov 11, 2015 · Engine, Transmission · 32,000 miles · IA

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. How can that be with burning smell,lights out an only one side of wheel that I'm getting a dragging, grinding noises. They well be looking at it in the next 2week. When I'm driving my transmission feels like its skipping. The acceleration is so off.

Filed Oct 24, 2015 · Electrical, Engine · 13,800 miles · IN · fire

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.