The Recall Desk
HighNHTSA·15V416000·Announced 2015-06-30

GM Recalls 2014-2015 Chevrolet Sonic and Spark for Radio Software Defect

General Motors is recalling 2014-2015 Chevrolet Sonic and Spark vehicles because a radio software issue may disable safety warning chimes, increasing the risk of theft and injury.

What this means for you

Real risk of harm even if no illness or injury has been reported yet. Stop using the product and follow the agency's guidance.

Our severity reasoning: The recall involves a risk-of-harm product where the defect disables safety warning chimes, increasing the risk of injury in a crash and vehicle theft, but no specific injuries or fatalities are reported in the source text.

Plain-English summary

General Motors LLC is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 Chevrolet Spark vehicles manufactured between April 30, 2014, and May 20, 2015, and 2015 Chevrolet Sonic vehicles manufactured between June 18, 2014, and June 10, 2015. The recall affects approximately 45,785 vehicles equipped with the base radio and OnStar. In these vehicles, a software issue may cause the radio to lock up, resulting in a blank display and the cessation of all audio functions.

This defect causes the vehicles to fail to comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards No. 208 and 114. Specifically, the loss of audio functions means that warning chimes, such as reminders to buckle seat belts or alerts for a key left in the ignition, may not sound. Without these audible indicators, drivers may leave the key in the ignition, increasing the risk of vehicle theft. Additionally, if a driver or front passenger does not buckle their seat belt, the lack of a chime increases the risk of injury in a crash.

The recall began on August 11, 2015. General Motors will notify owners, and dealers will update the radio software free of charge. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or the NHTSA Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 for more information.

The recalled product

Product
CHEVROLET SONIC, SPARK
Brand
CHEVROLET
Manufacturer
General Motors LLC
Affected units
45,785

Is your product affected?

Check your packaging against the codes below. If any of them match, the product is part of this recall.

Model numbers (2)

  • SONIC
  • SPARK

Distribution

Distributed nationwide across the United States.