Recall 14V417 covers 2,990 2012-2014 Chevrolet Sonic, Verano, Cruze, and Encore vehicles with block-heater cords that expose wires. Free dealer repair.
Chevrolet recall 14V417 covers 2,990 2012-2014 Sonic, Cruze, Verano, and Encore vehicles equipped with a Calix oil pan/block heater. In cold temperatures, the heater cord insulation can become damaged and expose wires, raising the risk of electrical shock and personal injury if the cord is handled while plugged in.
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What's wrong?
The Calix oil pan/block heater on the 2012-2014 Chevrolet Sonic, Verano, Cruze, and Encore is an electrical heater used in cold weather. Its cord plugs into an outside power source and carries electricity to the heater mounted at the oil pan or engine block. The heater helps warm the engine area before startup.
On affected vehicles, cold temperatures damage the insulation on the block heater cord. That insulation is the protective covering that keeps the live wires contained and separated from anything around them. Once the covering is damaged, the wires are exposed instead of protected inside the cord.
There is no warning sign before failure. An owner will not have a reliable sound, light, smell, or drivability change that confirms the cord insulation has been damaged.
Who's affected?
Spans Sonic, Verano, Cruze, and Encore across the 2012-2014 model years, all tied to the same electrical equipment component.
| 2012 Chevrolet Sonic | Electrical |
|---|---|
| 2013 Buick Verano | Electrical |
| 2013 Chevrolet Sonic | Electrical |
| 2013 Chevrolet Cruze | Electrical |
| 2013 Buick Encore | Electrical |
| 2014 Chevrolet Sonic | Electrical |
| 2014 Buick Verano | Electrical |
| 2014 Buick Encore | Electrical |
| 2014 Chevrolet Cruze | Electrical |
| Units affected | 2,990 |
The year and model narrow the scope, but the VIN decides. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific vehicle is included.
What's the safety risk?
Exposed wires in the engine block heater cord increase the risk of electrical shock and personal injury if the cord is handled while plugged in. If your VIN is included, unplug the cord before touching it and schedule dealer service. Repair will be free at any franchised Chevrolet dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2012-2014 Chevrolet Sonic, Verano, Cruze, or Encore is included in this recall.
- Review the owner letter if Chevrolet sent one, then contact a franchised Chevrolet dealer for the free engine block heater cord repair.
- Schedule the replacement cord service that fixes the exposed-wire risk in cold temperatures.
- Reference recall number 14V417 when you call the dealer.
- Unplug the engine block heater cord before handling it until the repair is complete.
What happens at the repair
The source describes the dealer remedy but does not show an available repair status here. Once the dealer repair is available, a Chevrolet technician replaces the engine oil pan/block heater cord with a new cord rated for minus 40 degree Celsius. That replacement addresses the cord insulation problem described in recall 14V417. The final dealer repair will be free once it opens, with parts and labor covered under the recall.
Timeline
| July 2, 2014 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| August 29, 2014 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 14V417?
Recall 14V417 covers 2,990 2012-2014 Chevrolet Sonic, Verano, Cruze, and Encore vehicles equipped with a Calix oil pan/block heater. In cold temperatures, the heater cord insulation can become damaged and expose wires. Chevrolet dealers replace the cord for free.
What should I do if my 2012-2014 Chevrolet Sonic, Verano, Cruze, or Encore is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific vehicle is included in recall 14V417. If it is, contact a franchised Chevrolet dealer and ask for the engine oil pan/block heater cord replacement. Reference recall number 14V417 or Chevrolet recall number 14257 when you call.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost. For recall 14V417, Chevrolet dealers replace the engine oil pan/block heater cord with a new cord rated for minus 40 degrees Celsius.
What is the safety risk?
The risk is electrical shock and personal injury if the block heater cord is handled while it is plugged in. The issue comes from damaged cord insulation in cold temperatures, which can expose wires. Unplug the cord before handling it and schedule the free dealer repair if your VIN is included.
What if I bought this vehicle used?
The free recall repair still applies. Recall coverage follows the VIN, not the first owner. Check your VIN to see whether your specific Sonic, Verano, Cruze, or Encore is included, then call a franchised Chevrolet dealer with recall number 14V417.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/14V417000 |
|---|---|
| Chevrolet customer service | 1-800-521-7300 |
| NHTSA recall # | 14V417 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 14V417000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Defect / Noncompliance Notice (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on June 2, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →