This preliminary informational (PI) bulletin provides information to dealership personnel that may be helpful when addressing underbody component corrosion with customers.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2014 Chevrolet Sonic steering problems
severe 13 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $700 · see steering across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
13
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$700
3crashes
2injuries
When does it fail?
Of the 13 steering complaints filed for the 2014 Chevrolet Sonic, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 75,000-100,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Among the 5 model years of Chevrolet Sonic in our records for steering problems, this one ranks #2 by owner-complaint volume.
No new NHTSA steering complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 5 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering steering on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
This service bulletin provides a procedure inspecting for excess grease or Sealant on the Exterior of the steering gear due to seeing grease or sealant on certain locations on the gear.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This informational bulletin explains Unscheduled Supplemental Services and the importance of GM Simplified Maintenance Schedules.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This service bulletin provides a vibration analysis worksheet the technician can use in conjunction with the appropriate Vibration Analysis-Road testing procedure when diagnosing vibration concerns.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This service bulletin provides technicians with updated information to help identify the differences between what is considered a fluid leak, and what is considered fluid seepage.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners describe steering wheel seizure or sudden loss of power steering assist at speeds ranging from 20 mph to highway speeds, some cases occurring as early as 200 miles. The steering wheel locks completely and becomes immovable; in several incidents, the engine stalls simultaneously. No diagnostic codes are present, and dealers have struggled to identify or replicate the problem even after multiple visits and extended test drives. One owner was rear-ended after steering seizure at 20 mph, and another lost control on an interstate while passing, resulting in a multi-impact collision with an 18-wheeler—airbags failed to deploy in both cases.
A separate but common failure involves the gear selector release button on the center console breaking under normal use, trapping the vehicle in gear and preventing key removal. Owners report this as a widespread defect costing roughly $300 to repair at dealerships.
Ignition keys stick and refuse to turn or come out, sometimes for weeks, requiring repeated manipulation. Electrical gremlins—radios playing with the key off, interior lights flashing—suggest deeper electrical issues. One owner reports the engine stalled twice at ~31,000 miles with simultaneous power steering loss, and a dealer-repaired alternator failure has recurred. Battery replacements have been necessary, indicating chronic electrical drain.
None of these failures have triggered recall action or technical service bulletins according to owners' accounts.
Same Chevrolet Sonic steering reports on nearby years: 2012 · 2013
Failure modes owners describe
Steering wheel seizure / loss of power steering
Steering wheel locks up or power steering assist is lost without warning while driving at low to highway speeds. In some cases accompanied by engine stall. Owner allegations vary from brief lockups to sustained seizures requiring vehicle restart or towing.
When: As early as 200 miles; throughout vehicle ownership up to 67,000+ miles
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel becomes immovable or extremely difficult to turn; Power steering assist suddenly unavailable; Engine stalls during or shortly after steering loss; Steering column will not move/key will not turn in ignition; Loss of vehicle stability and directional control at highway speeds; Power steering warning light illuminates
Repairs/costs cited: One dealer diagnosed alternator replacement as cause; however, failure recurred after repair. Multiple dealer visits yielded no diagnosis or repair in several cases. One dealership performed 27-point inspection and alignment check with no documented repairs.
Gear selector/shift release button failure
Release button on center console gear selector breaks or becomes stuck under normal use, preventing gear selection or key removal. Spring component fractures as part of design failure. Owner reports indicate this is widespread on this model year.
When: Timing not specified; reported as prevalent defect on 2014 Sonic model
Symptoms owners cite: Gear selector button stuck and will not release; Unable to move gear selector from one position to another; Key cannot be removed from ignition; Vehicle may become stuck in neutral or other gear, creating rollaway risk
Repairs/costs cited: Owner reports dealer repair cost approximately $300
Steering column lock / key stuck in ignition
Ignition key becomes stuck and cannot be turned or removed after shutting off engine. Steering column locks and will not move. May occur while parked on hills or in normal conditions.
When: Timing varies; one complaint ongoing for over one month
Symptoms owners cite: Key will not turn in ignition or turn only with difficulty; Steering column immobile or locked; Requires repeated manipulation to remove key; Cannot unlock/lock doors or start vehicle normally
Repairs/costs cited: No repairs documented. Lubricant application (car lube) did not resolve issue.
Electrical system glitches / battery drain
Vehicle experiences unexplained electrical events including radio playing without ignition on, lights flashing on and off, and battery draining requiring replacement. Some events occur while vehicle is parked and unattended.
When: Throughout ownership; battery replaced couple years after purchase
Symptoms owners cite: Radio plays without ignition key in or turned; Interior lights flash on and off intermittently; Battery drains even when vehicle is off and parked; Multiple episodes of same behavior suggest pattern rather than one-time event
Repairs/costs cited: Battery replaced by owner; electrical root cause not identified or repaired by dealer
Engine stalling with loss of power steering
Engine shuts off while driving, and power steering assist is lost simultaneously. Vehicle can be restarted but failure has recurred in same vehicle.
When: Approximately 31,000 miles; occurred twice within one month
Symptoms owners cite: Engine cuts off while turning or under light acceleration; Complete loss of power steering during stall event; No diagnostic trouble codes present; No warning lights illuminated before failure; Vehicle can be restarted in park position; Vehicle may bounce up and down when stopped at traffic lights (possibly related)
Repairs/costs cited: Multiple dealer inspections and one independent garage found no fault; dealership performed alignment check and 27-point inspection with no repairs documented
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No recalls or technical service bulletins cited in dealer communications
Synthesized from 13 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 1 most recent
The button on my gear shifter was stuck for a few months and then it broke resulting in me crashing into a parked car because I lost control.
Had steering trouble with your 2014 Chevrolet Sonic?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the steering problem on the 2014 Chevrolet Sonic?
It's a meaningful issue. 13 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $700.
At what mileage does the steering typically fail?
Across the 8 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most steering failures cluster between 31,000 and 90,000 miles, with the median around 55,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 31,000; a quarter make it past 90,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $700 for steering repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to steering?
No active recalls currently cover steering issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2014/Chevrolet/Sonic.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.