2014 Chevrolet Sonic: check engine light

Filed Dec 31, 2025 · Engine · IL

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. The car was brought to the dealership service department Monday Dec 29th, and they informed me they found broken plastic pieces of guard rails that secure the timing chains in the engine which may have caused serious damage to the engine. The dealership wanted 4k dollars to repair it after they could not properly diagnose a known online issue that I found out a lot of these Chevy drivers have found out about and having me repair other items on the car instead of fixing the leaking oil problem and whatever was going on in the engine. The manufacturer has not inspected this issue now only the service department at the local Chevy dealership has, however I had a case open with GM before this final incident occurred on Nov 1st after my last repair and complaint to the dealership about loud engine noises. GM would not take my concerns seriously and stated we are sorry, but your car is out of warranty even though this is a known issue of this plastic guard rail failing and other serious engine issues with Chevy. I would like the federal safety agency to be involved in this matter and investigate this matter if possible.

Filed Oct 15, 2024 · Electrical · MA

Vehicle keeps throwing error code P2138 there is a current known issue that GM is aware of see notice 070604019F. Water gets in the electrical connections of sensors and is an issue as it causes check engine light and can decrease power of the acceleration of the vehicle which is a safety hazard. My vehicle has been with the dealer now for a third time for same issue. They’ve had it for 3 weeks and 2 days total. Still an issue.

Filed Jul 2, 2023 · Electrical, Engine · VA

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). Now I turned in for testing to Chev Mechanic, and now am facing a part that was replaced in control of electrical (over $500) and after they repaired that and tested I am told that I have a TOTAL TRANSMISSION REPAIR over $5200 - for a 2014 auto!!! It was in with dealership mechanics a total of 6-7 times. I was informed the electrical controls were confusing the engine reactions. Auto a dealers for $5200 + $500 repairs now 20230702 and problems seen & looked at since March for smell of overheating radiator, fix if hose (wonder if really needed), continued check engine light, refill of radiator fluid, codes checked and did not give correct evaluation. Eventually the transmission needs replaced out, at time that there is RPM revs, no acceleration while driving and gears heard to struggle in engine. Mileage now over 97000. Estimate on mileage, i do not have all documentation before me. Extended Powertrain warranty from dealership started at year 2015!!! Anything older not allowed, so I am told I have to pay the entire bill.

Filed Jun 23, 2023 · Electrical, Engine · GA

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

Filed Dec 22, 2022 · Engine, Fuel system · AR

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. I don’t know what it is, but it’s poses a safety risk not only for the driver and the passengers, but also to the rest of the world. I know that there was a recall early on about fuel tank breakage or something that could lead to fire ignition. But my vehicle according to my VIN wasn’t on this recall. I have contacted the dealership and a certified service center to inspect these issues. It’s been roughly 4 weeks now and they have been extremely negligent and apathetic. With these issues, everyone’s safety is at risk. My suspension went out and could’ve caused a more catastrophic accident. A fire could’ve broken out with other vehicles surrounding me cause major injuries and death. I’ve seen and read many posts and testimonials and threads online from various independent resources that state very very closely the same issues. Almost verbatim. I’ve been trying to get these issues inspected by the dealership, but they all give me the runaround and don’t want to fix not find a solution. The check engine light has always been on since I’ve Owen the vehicle and the dealership where I purchased this vehicle said having the check engine light on is okay. I need help getting repairs done!

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 Jul 25, 2021 · Transmission · TN

Traction contorl light and check engine light comes on and its throwing my car into limp mode. we have changed out the throttle body and the pedal sensor and still having the same problem.

Filed Jun 6, 2021 · Acceleration · NJ

Since January I’ve consistently had issues with my 2014 Chevy Sonic Hatchback, in particular, Codes 84, P2138, check engine light and traction control lights. (my job has us all working from home since March of 2020, so I only do local shopping, no long distance). Due to the codes mentioned above, my car was “repaired” at dealership on January 4, 2012. In the end of March I was constantly getting the same codes over a period of two days. I called GM (1 800 462 8782) on March 29, spoke with a woman by the name of Michelle and I explained what has been happening with the vehicle codes, along with other issues over the past year. She opened a case file # 9-6627321866 and she called the dealership to discuss my issue. I was told to drop the car off and it will be repair at no cost to me. The car was brought to dealership on April 7, 2021 and when the diagnostic was preformed, it showed no codes in the history. They did no repair at that time and gave me back the car. While running local errand on April 17, all the same codes appeared and once again I had reduced engine power. I was near the dealership and dropped off the vehicle, even though the service department was closed at that time. Once again, a new pedal and sensor was installed. I told them to please keep the vehicle for a few days, test drive it once in a while to ensure it is truly repaired. They test drove it several times during the 4 days they had it and since there were no issues, I picked the vehicle up on April 22, 2021.On June 5, while driving to a store a nearby store, I was stopped at a light to make a left turn and all the codes suddenly came on. I had very little acceleration making the left turn. The vehicle approaching me which was a block and a half away was now very closely approaching me and luckily realized I had an issue and stopped. I immediately headed back home. AutoZone ran a diagnostic and it's the same issue.

Filed Feb 19, 2021 · Fuel system · 85,000 miles · VA

Check engine light came on, code is coming up emission fuel leak. Tried replacing gas cap, did not work. When getting gas, the car will not turn back on, you have to pump the gas pedal to get it to come back on. Idles high and jumps after turning back on

Filed Jul 29, 2020 · Engine · 37,200 miles · NH

Tl* the contact owns a 2014 chevrolet sonic. The contact stated that while driving 35 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact stated he continued to drive the vehicle to his destination. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and the contact was informed that the valve cover, intake manifold and mass air flow sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact called banks chevrolet cadillac buick gmc located at 137 manchester st, concord, nh 03301 (844) 511-2874, to notify the dealer of the failure. The manufacturer was informed of failure. The failure mileage was 37,200.

Filed Jan 30, 2020 · 35,000 miles · AE

Problem #1 got the car in 2016, after about a year the shifting sticks button got stuck and broke. Prevented me from changing gears or getting out of park. Had to call for it to be towed and buy a new stuck from dealership. Problem #2 began getting a check engine light about a few months after purchasing car in 2016 due to engine misfire, found out in 2020 this was due to the air vent tube under the hood being cracked. Both these issues are common with many consumers I have read

Filed Jul 2, 2019 · Engine · CA

I had a recall on a component of my catalytic converter that was causing it to move at a low efficiency. I took it in to moss brothers chevrolet to be repaired. It seemed fine until 1-2 days later when the check engine light came back on. I called moss brothers to inform them of this situation, however, they told me that if I wanted to get it diagnosed and the problem is not covered under warranty, I would have to pay the diagnostic fees. However, I did not have any other issues with my car before taking it to them. It wasn't until afterwards. So if something other than the recall is wrong, I would be willing to bet that it was due to negligence on their part. I took it into autozone to run a diagnostics and it said 'catalyst system low efficiency' whatever they did, did not fix my car but only made it worse. I called gmc to see if there was a way around the fee should it be a different cause(if it is, I believe it was caused by moss brothers) and they were not helpful to me at all.