2014 Chevrolet Sonic Air Bags & Restraints Problems

The pretensioner cable that secures the end of the seatbelt to the seat frame had severed. I am told the pretensioner has a small explosive inside its barrel that I assume releases some sort of spring internally upon impact of a collision. The release of this spring is supposed to pull the pretensioner cable downwards and by extension pull the seatbelt end tighter. This in conjunction with the seatbelt retractor would then keep the driver or passenger tight to the seat in the event of an accident. I notice the cable for the driver side pretensioner over the last few months had strands of steel breaking until it had finally completely severed. I have kept both halves of the severed cable if inspection is requested. This is an extremely unsafe situation to occur. Had I gotten into an accident with the cable partially or completely broken it would have rendered the seatbelt essentially useless. There were no warning lights or associated codes ever displayed from the vehicle’s computer. There were no inspections done by insurance, police, manufacturer, dealership or any others. I ended up ordering the part online to fix myself. I used all manufacturers torque specs and procedures to replace. I fixed it myself because it was my daily driver vehicle and I needed to have it working safely as soon as possible. When I noticed the cable had completely broken I drove my vehicle home and did not drive it again until I had the new part and it was replaced which was about two weeks later. I had asked the dealer and searched for recalls for my vehicle and neither the dealer nor the nhtsa recall search showed anything regarding issues with the pretensioner cable. I did end up seeing GM had issued a recall for a similar pretensioner cable (about 2500 vehicles) for a few of their full sized trucks and SUVs. The claim was based on where the cable was in the vehicle it had abnormal amounts of metal fatigue from drivers exiting and entering. I believe the same issue happened to me.

Passenger airbag not active even though an average sized (160 pound) adult is sitting there.This is very very dangerous.Apparently a pressure sensitive monitor in the passenger seat is not working correctly.I have read many many complaints about this on the Chevrolet Sonic on this website.This started out as a sporadic problem,but now is constant.

"off" remains illuminated on my passenger airbag light whether or not someone is sitting in the passenger seat. It's actually somewhat rare to see "on" illuminated. There was a recall on this model for airbag issues but my vehicle specifically was not recalled. My vehicle was recalled for catalytic converter but I'm still getting codes. Most of the problems the Sonic has been recalled for, my vehicle has symptoms of but I get cannot afford to pay repair cost up front and I cannot find a mechanic who would be willing to take the steps to report my vehicle should've been apart of the recall.

The contact owned a 2014 Chevrolet Sonic. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds approaching a parking lot and slowing down to turn, the vehicle behind was speeding and crashed into the rear of the vehicle. The vehicle then flew forward and crashed into a pole. No airbags deployed. The passenger in the driver's side rear seat sustained whiplash to the neck. The contact and her daughter sustained minor injuries to the right hip, right knee, and right shoulder. A police report was filed. The passenger in the driver's side rear seat was treated via ambulance and the contact and her daughter received medical attention from a chiropractor. The police towed the vehicle to a lot where it was deemed a total loss. The dealer was contacted and informed the contact that no recalls were under the VIN. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and started an investigation. The failure mileage was approximate 88,000

AIR BAGS ON &OFF (DRIVING) THERMOSTAT NOT WORKING CAUSING ENGINE LIGHT ON

THE PASSENGER AIR BAG WILL NOT INDICATE WHEN THERE IS A PASSENGER IN THE VEHICLE. THIS IS SPORADIC AND ONLY WORKS WHEN IT WANTS TO. IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT THE AIRBAG MAY NOT DEPLOY IF THERE IS A PASSENGER IN THE SEAT.

TAKATA RECALL THE AIR BAG LIGHT COMES ON AND OFF. WHEN THE LIGHT IS ON I CALL ON STAR AND THEY SAY ITS A DEFECT IN DEPLOY DIAGNOSTIC CODE B0081 AND WHEN I TAKE IT IN THE LIGHT IS OFF. I DONT WANT TO GET IN AN ACCIDENT AND THEN THE AIR BAG NOT DEPLOY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 CHEVROLET SONIC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR INTERMITTENTLY ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT THE AIR BAG MIGHT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO FELIX CHEVROLET (LOCATED AT 3330 S FIGUEROA ST, LOS ANGELES, CA 90007, (213) 290-1925) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG INTERNAL SENSOR HAD A SHORTAGE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: 9-5085721017. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 37,365.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 CHEVROLET SONIC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO GARY RUSS CHEVROLET (1420 BYPASS 72 NE, GREENWOOD, SC 29649, (864) 229-2521) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CONNECTOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO THE LOCAL DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.

THE PASSENGER "AIRBAG OFF" REMAINS ILLUMINATED IF YOU HAVE A 100LB OR 250LB PERSON IN THE SEAT. EVERY SO OFTEN, WHEN A 200+LB PERSON SIT IN THE PASSENGER SEAT, THE LIGHT WILL EXTINGUISH INDICATING THAT THE AIRBAG IS ACTIVATED. THEN IF THAT 200+LB PERSON ADJUST POSITION WHILE IN THE SEAT , THE "AIRBAG OFF" LIGHT WILL ILLUMINATE AGAIN. I READ MANY SONIC OWNER COMPLAINTS FROM 2012-2016 MODEL YEARS WITH THE SAME ISSUE. I CALLED 2 LOCAL CHEVY DEALERS AND THE SERVICE ADVISORS SAID THEY WERE NOT AWARE OF ANY "AIRBAG OFF" LIGHT ISSUES AT ALL BUT I COULD STOP BY SO THEY DIAGNOSE A KNOWN PROBLEM FOR $140. FROM ALL THE FORUMS I'VE READ, NOT ONE, I REPEAT NOT ONE OF THESE AIRBAG LIGHT OFF ISSUES HAS BEEN RESOLVED EVEN AFTER TAKING THE CAR TO THE DEALER. AN ATTORNEY WEBSITE DEDICATED TO SONIC AIRBAG ISSUES HAS MANY TESTIMONIALS FROM OWNERS AND STATISTICS SHOWING AT LEAST 10 INJURIES AND 1 DEATH RESULTING FROM THESE AIRBAG ISSUES. THESE ARE NOT TAKATA AIRBAGS BY THE WAY. I SINCERELY HOPE THAT NHTSA LOOKS INTO THIS ISSUE BEFORE THERE ARE ANY MORE INJURIES OR DEATHS. *TR

THE PASSENGER AIRBAG WILL NOT TURN ON WHEN THERE IS A PASSENGER IN THE SEAT. THIS IS A SPORADIC PROBLEM AND DOES NOT ALWAYS HAPPEN. IT WILL ALSO ILLUMINATE BOTH THE ON AND OFF LIGHTS AT THE SAME TIME. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE IF IN AN ACCIDENT THE PASSENGER AIRBAG MAY NOT DEPLOY IF THE SENSOR IS NOT WORKING TO DETECT A PASSENGER.

TAKATA RECALL I WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT WHERE I HIT A STATIONARY SUV FROM THE BACK, I WAS TRAVELING 30-35 MPH PER THE POLICE REPORT THROUGH A LARGE CITY INTERSECTION. MY SONIC WAS HIT HARD ON THE WHOLE FRONT LEFT (DRIVER SIDE) THE CAR WAS TOTALED AND WAS REPORTED TO HAVE A LOT OF LEFT FRAME DAMAGE. DURING THIS ACCIDENT MY AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. NO AMBULANCE WAS CALLED BUT I WAS TAKEN TO THE VA TO RECEIVE TREATMENT FOR MY BACK PAIN FROM THE ACCIDENT. I HAVE BEEN INFORMED THAT BASED ON THE HARD HIT AND THE AMAZING OF DAMAGE MY AIR BAGS SHOULD HAVE DEPLOYED FOR MY SAFETY. THE REASON THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY IS UNKNOWN TO ME.

DRIVERS SIDE SEAT BELT TENSIONER CABLE SNAPPED WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY.

PASSENGER AIRBAG ON/OFF LIGHT IS ALMOST ALWAYS OFF WITH THE PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPIED WHETHER ITS SOMEONE THAT WEIGHS 100LBS UP TO 225LBS. THIS HAPPENS WHILE STATIONARY AND WHILE DRIVING. RARELY, WITH A HEAVIER OCCUPANT OF 200LBS OR MORE, THE AIRBAG ON/OFF LIGHT WILL SAY ON. BUT MOST OF THE TIME, WITH ANY OCCUPANT, THE AIRBAG ON/OFF REMAINS OFF.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 CHEVROLET SONIC. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE CONTACT STRUCK A VAN DUE TO WEATHER CONDITIONS. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE POLICE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED TO THE SCENE AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE AMBULANCE WAS NOT CALLED AND THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A FRACTURED NECK AND A CONCUSSION AND HER SPOUSE SUSTAINED A SPRAINED NECK AND BACK. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS RECEIVED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 64,913.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 CHEVROLET SONIC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL DEALER (JOHN BOWMAN CHEVROLET INC, 6750 DIXIE HIGHWAY, CLARKSTON, MICHIGAN 48346) DIAGNOSED THAT THE CLOCK SPRING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE AND OPENED CASE NUMBER: # [XXX]. THE CONTACT WAS REFERRED TO NHTSA. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 67,000. *BF INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

MY PASSENGER AIR BAG DOES NOT WORK.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 CHEVROLET SONIC. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE SUDDENLY STOPPED AND CAUSED THE CONTACT TO CRASH INTO THE PRECEDING VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE DRIVER OF THE OCCUPANT OF THE OTHER VEHICLE SUSTAINED A BACK INJURY THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 35,000.

THE AIR BAG LIGHT GOES OFF AND ON WHILE DRIVING, ALL DIFFERENT TIMES AT ALL DIFFERENT SPEEDS INTERMITANTLY. BROUGHT CAR TO DEALER THE CAR HAS 40,500 MILES ON IT, DEALER SAID IT CAME UP WITH A COUPLE OF CODES SAID NOTHING IS WRONG. DROVE CAR TO WORK THE NEXT MORNING LIGHT BACK ON AND OFF. CALLED 800 CHEVROLET NUMBER THEY TELL ME IT IS NOT A RECAL. IT HAS BEEN COMING ON MORE FREQUENT BY THE DAY CAN YOU GUIDE ME THROUGH WHAT TO DO.

TAKATA RECALL: I CALLED CHEVROLET TODAY (JAN. 21, 2016 )TO ASK IF MY 2014 CHEVROLET SONIC IS EQUIPPED (OEM) WITH TAKATA AIRBAGS. I WAS TOLD THAT THE INFORMATION IS NOT AVAILABLE AND IS PROPRIETARY. I ASKED IF OTHER OEM INFORMATION IS AVAILABLE SUCH AS TIRE OEM INFORMATION , AND WAS TOLD THAT, YES, TIRE OEM PROVIDER INFORMATION IS AVAILABLE, JUST NOT AIRBAG OEM INFORMATION. I LIVE IN A SEA COAST ENVIRONMENT AND AM CONCERNED THAT, AS THE YEARS WEAR ON, MY AIR BAGS WILL BE AT RISK FOR CORROSIVE DAMAGE DUE TO SALT AIR.