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2014 Chevrolet Sonic

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2014 Sonic.

Body PASSENGER CAR

The 2014 Chevrolet Sonic is a passenger car built on GM's global small car platform, powered by a four-cylinder engine that requires 4.8 quarts of 5W-30 oil for service fills. This model year accumulated 149 owner complaints over its lifespan, with the electrical system emerging as the most frequent concern alongside four total recalls issued during the model's production run. Compared to the model's complaint history spanning 2011 to 2020, where complaints peaked at 353 in 2012 and reached a low of just 1 in 2011, the 2014 model falls toward the middle of the spectrum—indicating moderate but not insignificant reliability concerns relative to the Sonic's overall track record.

Model year2020 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity4.8 qtOEM · verified

Engine oil type5W-30OEM · verified

Lug nut torque100 ft-lbsOEM · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 47 · 525 CCA battery, OE oil filter 55593191. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 47 · 525 CCAOEM · verified

Tire sizeP195/65R16OEM · verified

Wheel / rim6 inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter	55593191 alt 25199750
Engine air filter	96950990
Spark plug	12681655 alt 12681656
Front wiper blades	42495284 alt 95228810
Serpentine belt	55578115 alt 55595700
Thermostat	55565619 alt 25189205
Cabin air filter	13271190 alt 13503677

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length	173.2 in
Overall width	68.5 in
Overall height	59.8 in
Wheelbase	99.6 in
Curb weight	2745 lb
Track (front / rear)	59.4 / 59.4 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)	62/38

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the Sonic of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

8.2–8.7 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 8.20 sec — 2014 RS Turbo Sedan

Year	Trim / engine	0–60	¼ mile	HP	Drivetrain
2014	RS Turbo Sedan 1.4L Turbo I-4	8.20 sec	16.40 sec	138 hp	FWD
2014	RS Turbo Sedan 1.4L Turbo I-4	8.70 sec	16.70 sec	138 hp	FWD
2013	RS Turbo 5-door Hatchback 1.4L Turbo I-4	8.10 sec	16.30 sec	138 hp	FWD
2013	RS Turbo 5-door Hatchback 1.4L Turbo I-4	8.10 sec	16.40 sec	138 hp	FWD
2012	LTZ Turbo 5-door Hatchback 1.4L Turbo I-4	7.80 sec	16.20 sec	138 hp	FWD
2012	LTZ Turbo 5-door Hatchback 1.4L Turbo I-4	8.10 sec	16.10 sec	138 hp	FWD
2012	LTZ Turbo 5-door Hatchback 1.4L Turbo I-4	8.10 sec	16.40 sec	138 hp	FWD
2012	LTZ Turbo 5-door Hatchback 1.4L Turbo I-4	8.20 sec	16.50 sec	138 hp	FWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 4.8 qt of 5W-30 engine oil, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 100 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-3-4-2. Note the cylinder-head bolts finish on a torque angle (torque-to-yield) — they stretch permanently and should be replaced, not reused, during any head service.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission Fluid	ATF
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity	4.7-5.8
Brake Fluid	DOT 3
Engine Oil	5W-30
Engine Oil Capacity	4.8 qt
Engine Oil	5W-30
Engine Oil Capacity	4.3 qt
Manual Transmission Fluid	GM part number 19259104

Engine torques

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs	71 inch lbs. ft-lbs
Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs	71 inch lbs. ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts	15 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts	5.9 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts	15 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts	15 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts	15 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts	15 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts

100 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order	1-3-4-2
Spark Plug Manufacturer	AC Delco
Spark Plug Gap	0.028 in
Spark Plug Torque	18.0 ft-lbs
Spark Plug Manufacturer	AC Delco
Spark Plug Gap	0.028 in
Spark Plug Torque	18.0 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

Refrigerant	R134a
Refrigerant Capacity	1.1 lbs
Oil Capacity	3.7 oz
Standard BCI Group Number	47
Standard BCI Cranking Performance	525 cca
Standard BCI Group Number	47
Standard BCI Cranking Performance	525 cca

Service checks

Pressure Test	20 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief	20 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature	188-206 °F
Pressure Test	15, Pressure should not exceed 20 psi.
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief	15 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature	194-221 °F
Key ON Engine OFF (KOEO)	50-94
RPM	43-58 @ Idle rpm

Brakes

Brake Application	WITH RPO J93, J94 / WITH RPO JPW, J97
Torque Caliper to Bracket	21 ft-lbs / 20 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle	74 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad Thickness	0.079 in
Minimum Shoe Thickness	0.055 in
Brake Application	WITH RPO J93, J94 / WITH RPO JPW, J97
Rotor Max Parallel Variation	0.0008 in
Rotor Runout Limit	0.002 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages

70 ft. lbs., step 2: 45 degrees, step 3: 15

70 ft. lbs

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 2 stages

Prep Do not reuse old bolts.

1	26.0 ft. lbs.	26 ft. lbs
2	180 degrees	180 degrees

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 5 stages

Prep Do not reuse old bolts. Use new bolts coated with clean engine oil. Tighten all bolts to finger tight then continue on with the following procedure.

1	18.0 ft. lbs.	18 ft. lbs
2	90 degrees	90 degrees
3	90 degrees	90 degrees
4	90 degrees	90 degrees
5	45 degrees	45 degrees

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 7,500 mi; spark plugs every 60,000 mi.

Every 7,500 mi	Accelerator Pedal (inspect) · Body Latches, Locks & Hinges (lubricate) · Brake Shift Interlock Solenoid (inspect) · Brake System (inspect) · Engine Coolant System (inspect fluid level) · Engine Oil (inspect fluid level)
Every 22,500 mi	Cabin Air Filter (replace)
Every 45,000 mi	Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Fuel Evaporative Emission Control System (inspect)
Every 60,000 mi	Spark Plug Wires (inspect) · Spark Plugs (replace)
Every 97,500 mi	Timing Belt (replace) · Timing Belt Idler Pulley (replace) · Timing Belt Tensioner (replace) · Transmission Assembly (drain & refill)
At 150,000 mi	Accessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Brake Hydraulic System (drain, refill & bleed) · Clutch Hydraulic System (drain & refill)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2014 Chevrolet Sonic sits on the downward slope of this generation's federal-record arc. After the 2012 peak of 353 complaints, 7 recalls, and 2 investigations, and a still-elevated 2013 with 217 complaints, 6 recalls, and a generation-high 1,725 TSBs, 2014 shows measurable improvement at 149 complaints, 4 recalls, 0 investigations, and 1,506 TSBs. Complaints and recalls trend downward from 2012 onward, while TSBs peak in 2013 and then decline, placing 2014 roughly in the middle—past the worst years but not yet as quiet as 2016-2020. Within 2014 itself, the leading complaint categories are closely grouped: Electrical System (17), Air Bags (16), Unknown or Other (15), and Engine (14), with 11 crash-related and 3 fire-related complaints reported, though the data does not specify root causes. That pattern places 2014 after the worst years but before the quieter later years. For a used Sonic, 2014 is a reasonably good year to buy—clearly better than the 2012-2013 peak and supported by a continuing downward trend in complaints and recalls afterward, though a 2016 or later model would show even lower federal-record activity.

Open recalls

NHTSA campaigns

1506

Service bulletins

Manufacturer communications

ODI investigations

Office of Defects Investigation

149

Owner complaints

11 involved a crash · 3 a fire

NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars

Overall★★★★★

Frontal★★★★★

Side★★★★★

Rollover★★★★★

Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

’11 ’12 ’13’14’15 ’16 ’17 ’18 ’19 ’20

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 149 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Electrical System17

Air Bags16

Unknown Or Other15

Engine14

Power Train9

Fuel/Propulsion System7

Electrical System,Engine4

Steering3

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 4 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

14V417000Equipment:ElectricalReported 02/07/2014

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Buick Encore all-wheel-drive vehicles manufactured August 23, 2012, to September 9, 2013; Verano vehicles manufactured August 8, 2012, to June 20, 2013… Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the engine oil pan/block heater cord with a new cord that is rated for temperatures of minus 40 degree Celsius. The recall began in…

14V543000Air BagsReported 09/09/2014

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… 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…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 1506 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

Bulletin	Date	Component	Summary
PIT3271Q	2026-04-01	Unknown Or Other	This preliminary information communicates information about how to determine if a wheel…
PIP6104	2026-03-09	Unknown Or Other	This Preliminary information communicates the steps on how to save a GDS2 Session Log and…
PIP4902V	2026-03-09	Unknown Or Other	This preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into…
PIP4902U	2026-01-08	Unknown Or Other	This preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into…
PIT5214G	2025-11-20	Unknown Or Other	This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420

Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1

P0300

Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected

P0171

System too lean — Bank 1

P0455

Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak

P0128

Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature

P0442

Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN

Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Sonic. OEM

Build data

Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.

Recalls

Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Group 47 battery Vehicles taking 4.8 qt Engine oil filter 55593191 Engine air filter 96950990 Spark plug 12681655 Front wiper blades 42495284

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Vehicle recalls & TSBs OBD-II trouble codes Torque specifications Maintenance schedules Fluid capacities & specs

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2014 Sonic take?

4.8 qt of 5W-30 ONLY USE ENGINE OIL MEETING GM DEXOS 1 SPECIFICATION., per the factory manual.

Does the 2014 Sonic have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 4 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.