Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 07/14/2026
Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint & recall data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.
The most-reported problem — Electrical System (31.5% of complaints) — has no NHTSA recall or open investigation on file.
Electrical System complaints here are 2.9× the median for that category across the 2547 model-years tracked on this site.
2 of the 6 most-reported categories on this page are backed by a recall or open investigation; the other 4 rest on owner reports alone.
| Complaint category | Reports | Official status | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical System | 47 · 31.5% | No official action | — |
| Engine | 38 · 25.5% | No official action | — |
| Air Bags | 23 · 15.4% | Recalled | Recall 14V543000 |
| Power Train | 20 · 13.4% | No official action | — |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 15 · 10.1% | Recalled | Recall 13V464000 |
| Steering | 13 · 8.7% | No official action | — |
Recalled = an NHTSA safety recall covers this category, so a free repair exists. Under investigation = NHTSA has an open probe but no recall yet. Investigation closed = NHTSA examined it and closed the probe — this is not a defect finding; where a closed probe led to a recall we name the campaign. Not available = recall or investigation data could not be confirmed for this vehicle — it is not a “no”. Categories are matched by NHTSA's top-level component. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Percentages are the share of the 149 complaints citing each component; one complaint can cite several components. “Unspecified / other” is NHTSA’s own catch-all category — we show it rather than hide it.
NHTSA campaign 14V417000 · 2014 · reported 07/02/2014
Exposed wires increase the risk of electrical shock and personal injury if the cord is handled while it is plugged in. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 14V543000 · 2014 · reported 09/09/2014
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. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 16V257000 · 2016 · reported 04/28/2016
Without audible indicators, the driver may leave the key in the ignition, increasing the risk of theft. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 13V464000 · 2013 · reported 09/26/2013
If the front fuel tank strap bracket separates, the increased load may lead to the failure of the other tank support. As a result, the fuel tank may come loose from the vehicle causing a fuel leak. A fuel leak, in the presence of an ignition source, may result in a fire. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Park it Park outside Specimen badges — shown on a recall card only when NHTSA sets the flag. None of the campaigns above carries either flag. Always check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
“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…”NHTSA complaint 11222996 — filed 06/27/2019 · ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
“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…”NHTSA complaint 11191645 — filed 03/26/2019 · ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
“ISSUE STARTED WITH CAR NOT RESPONDING TO FOB SPORADICALLY. NOW CAR WONT EVEN HAVE POWER UNLESS KEY IS IN IGNITION AND ALL THE DOORS ARE…”NHTSA complaint 11174918 — filed 02/07/2019 · ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.
Electrical system issues are the most-reported category, cited in 47 of 149 NHTSA complaints (31.5%), followed by engine (38), unspecified/other issues (34), air bags (23). Complaints are unverified owner reports.
149 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/14/2026. Of those, 11 involved a crash, 3 involved a fire, and 9 reported injuries. No deaths were reported.
Yes — 4 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, including campaign 14V417000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
2 of the 6 most-reported complaint categories on this page are backed by an NHTSA safety recall or open investigation; the rest are unverified owner reports. A recall means a free repair is available at authorized dealers.
No. Complaints are reports submitted by consumers to NHTSA. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints, and a complaint is not proof that a defect exists.
