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⚑ NHTSA Official DataUpdated: May 2026Methodology

Chevrolet Spark Reliability by Year
Best & Worst Years, Problems & Recalls β€” NHTSA Data

Comparing used Chevrolet Spark options? We analyzed 10 model years (2017–2026) using real NHTSA complaint and recall data so you can spot stronger years, avoid riskier ones, and know what to inspect before buying.

πŸ“‹
75
Total Complaints
NHTSA filed
πŸ””
2
Safety Recalls
federal campaigns
πŸ’₯
18
Crash-Related
crash complaints
πŸ”₯
2
Fire-Related
fire complaints
πŸ₯
23
Injuries Reported
across all years
πŸ“ˆ
Average
Reliability Signal
overall trend

Model-year trends show patterns. Run a VIN check for the exact Chevrolet Spark you plan to buy.

Quick Answer

Based on NHTSA complaint data, the Chevrolet Spark has 75 owner complaints and 2 safety recalls across model years 2017–2026. The most reported issue area is AIR BAGS. 2017 drew the most complaints; 2022 drew the fewest.

Chevrolet Spark β€” key reliability facts
Make
Chevrolet
Model
Spark
Model years analyzed
2017–2026 (10 years)
Total NHTSA complaints
75
Safety recall campaigns
2
Crash-related complaints
18
Fire-related complaints
2
Worst model year (by complaints)
2017 (27 complaints)
Best model year (fewest complaints)
2022 (3 complaints)
Top reported issue area
AIR BAGS
Reliability signal
Average
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) Β· Data last refreshed May 27, 2026
This Spark has 2 open recall campaigns on record. Check whether yours is affected.Check my VIN free β†’

Chevrolet Spark: Which Years to Avoid & Which to Buy

Based on total NHTSA owner complaints per model year. Higher complaint counts indicate a riskier year to buy used β€” lower counts suggest a cleaner reliability record.

⚠ Years to Avoid
2017 Chevrolet Spark27 complaints2020 Chevrolet Spark19 complaints2019 Chevrolet Spark12 complaints

These years have the most owner complaints. Inspect carefully and always run a VIN check.

βœ“ Best Years to Buy
2022 Chevrolet Spark3 complaints2021 Chevrolet Spark6 complaints2018 Chevrolet Spark8 complaints

These years have the fewest owner complaints on record β€” lower risk starting points.

⭐ NHTSA NCAP Crash Test Ratings

New Car Assessment Program

NCAP crash tests measure how well a vehicle protects occupants in controlled frontal crash, side crash, and rollover scenarios. Stars are awarded per category (5 = safest). These laboratory results are independent of owner complaints and are performed by NHTSA engineers on new production vehicles.

NCAP crash test ratings for this model are not yet loaded or this vehicle was not tested in the years analyzed. NHTSA tests a subset of new vehicles each year. Check nhtsa.gov/ratings directly for the latest results.

What the Complaint Data Suggests

Average
Editorial interpretation of NHTSA public complaint data. Source: nhtsa.gov. Complaints are owner-submitted and do not confirm a defect. Methodology

The CHEVROLET SPARK has 75 NHTSA complaints and 2 recalls on record. 18 complaints involve crash-related incidents. This data reflects owner-reported issues submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Key Findings
  • 75 total complaints filed with NHTSA
  • 2 federal recall campaigns
  • 18 crash-related complaints on record
Top Concerns
  • Review NHTSA complaint history for the most-reported components
  • Check recall completion status at nhtsa.gov/recalls
  • Verify service records for frequently complained components
⚠️ Worst Years

Consult the by-year breakdown to identify model years with elevated complaint rates.

βœ… Best Years

Consult the by-year breakdown to identify model years with fewer reported issues.

What to Check Before Buying Used
  • Run a VIN check on the specific vehicle you are considering
  • Verify all open recalls are completed at nhtsa.gov/recalls
  • Request service records for the most-reported complaint components
  • Have a certified mechanic inspect the vehicle before purchase
Data note: NHTSA complaints are consumer-submitted and do not confirm a manufacturing defect Complaint volume is influenced by sales volume β€” popular models naturally accumulate more complaints

πŸ“… Problems by Model Year (Best vs. Worst Years)

2017
27
2018
8
2019
12
2020
19
2021
6
2022
3
Source: NHTSA public complaints database. Updated: May 2026

πŸ”” NHTSA Safety Recalls

2 recalls found

Safety recalls are mandatory repair campaigns ordered by NHTSA when a vehicle defect poses an unreasonable risk to safety. Manufacturers are required to fix recalled vehicles free of charge. Always verify open recalls before buying a used car.

Campaign #18V774000January 11, 2018

Safety Recall

Component: AIR BAGS
Campaign #17V307000September 5, 2017

Safety Recall

Component: AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

Source: NHTSA Recalls Database. Data covers model years 2017–2026. Always run a VIN-specific check below for the most up-to-date open recall status.

πŸ”§ Most-Reported Problem Areas

Based on component keywords extracted from all 75 NHTSA complaints.

1
AIR BAGS
22 complaints
2
ENGINE
13 complaints
3
POWER TRAIN
13 complaints
4
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
13 complaints
5
SERVICE BRAKES
12 complaints
6
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
10 complaints
7
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
6 complaints
8
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
5 complaints

πŸ“‹ NHTSA Complaint Reports

75 total

These are consumer-submitted safety complaints filed directly with NHTSA. Each complaint describes a real owner's experience. Complaints flagged as crash-related or fire-related are highlighted.

πŸ’₯ CrashπŸ₯ 1 InjuryAIR BAGSDec 2025

The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Spark. The contact stated that while driving through a bend in the road at 40 mph in the snow, the vehicle began to slide as they lost control. The contact ran over a road sign, which caused her to land in a ditch as the vehicle flipped onto its passenger side. The air bags did not deploy upon impact. The contact did not seek medical attention but did suffer from two hematomas on her chest. The contact also suffered bruising to her right shoulder and pain on the right side of her body. A police report was not filed. The contact damaged a road sign as a result of the accident. The fellow motorist with a heavy-duty vehicle managed to extract the vehicle from the ditch, and the contact managed to drive the vehicle home. The dealer was notified of the failure, and the contact was informed that there were no recalls on the vehicle. The manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000. The VIN was invalid,

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEMApr 2025

I lease a car through carvana, and they informed me that the car was safe and properly inspected. In the first 2 weeks, I took the chevrolet to a certified dealership for a routine inspection. I was informed that the vehicle has severe mechanical and electrical issues. The enginee needs to be completed replace they found shred metal pieces in the engine oil. The car also needs a completely new steering and alignment system. It also needs a new heating system. The total cost is 7500, which is close to the current value of the car. I have informed carvan and silver rock third party insurance. They failed to inspect the vehicle and follow DOT safety requirements. This car shouldn't be available or purchased. This car requires several weeks of repair and puts me at risk for driving. I could have easily ended in deadly accident because of the condition of the vehicle. This company has committed gross deglience and promotes a car that is unsafe with false advertising and promises. Carvana is liability however they refuse to follow proper safety guidelines and take responsibility for the issue they created. I am paid for a vehicle I can't legally drive. There gross deglience put all customers at risk; if they were honest about there inspection this issue would never occur. Please help me expose this corrupt company. We the people deserve better. This company needs to be held accountable with an FCC and DOT audit.

STEERING,POWER TRAIN,ENGINEApr 2025

I lease a car through Carvana, and they informed me that the car was safe and properly inspected. In the first 2 weeks, I took the Chevrolet to a certified dealership for a routine inspection. I was informed that the vehicle has severe mechanical and electrical issues. The engine needs to be replaced entirely because they found shredded metal pieces in the engine oil. The car also requires an entirely new steering and alignment system. It also needs a new heating system. The total cost is 7700, which is close to the current value of the car. I have informed the caravan and Silver Rock third-party insurance. They failed to inspect the vehicle and follow DOT safety requirements. This car should not be available for purchase. This car requires several weeks of repair, which puts me at risk of driving. I could have easily ended up in a deadly accident because of the condition of the vehicle. This company has committed gross negligence while falsely promoting a car as safe. During this initial review of the car, Carvan informed us that it has never been in an accident, has not been resold with parts, and does not show wear and tear on the vehicle. I have documentation outlining the extended warranty coverage, purchase agreement, and diagnosis and analysis done by the Chevrolet dealership. This company is committing consumer fraud and putting its customers at risk. This company is still charging monthly for a car that is legally unsafe to drive.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEMJun 2024

Purchased car new, Dec 2021. Drive infrequently because my work under 5 miles away and I go into the office x2/week. Car has approx 14500 on it. Last week the car would not start. Smelled like gasoline. Called Chevy and they towed it under the bumper to bumper warranty to nearest Chevy dealership, 7 miles away. Dealership called and said fuel line is corroded. We have had no snow in DC and the military base (where I live) does not use salt on road so this makes NO sense. Then I learned the car was actually manufactured in Dec 2020 because they do not want to honor the warranty....so they are selling cars with defective fuel lines to the public. This car must have sat somewhere in snow or near water until they brought it to DC to sell to me. If they did this to me, I am sure they are doing it as a matter of practice and should be stopped. When my car was towed, there was a big wet spot under it where all the fuel leaked. I tried to reach out to corporate and now they are ignoring me. Please help me.

πŸ’₯ CrashπŸ₯ 2 InjuriesAIR BAGS,SEAT BELTSAug 2021

The contact owns a 2021Chevrolet Spark M2. The contact stated while stopped at a red light when the contact was struck from behind launching the vehicle off the ground and moving forward 30ft into the rear driver side of a third vehicle in the middle of the intersection. This resulted in none of the airbags deploying and the seatbelt came unlocked and the contact was released from the restraints. 2 people were injured and sought medical treatments. The contact sustained multiple contusions, neck and back pain, a brain cyst, and bruising all over the body. A police report was taken and the vehicle was towed to a police lot then towed again to the contacts insurance lot where it was awaiting diagnosis. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 2,000.

STRUCTURE,UNKNOWN OR OTHERFeb 2021

NO WAY TO OPEN TRUNK WITHOUT A KEY. NO WAY TO OPEN TRUNK FROM INSIDE THE THE CAR.

STRUCTUREFeb 2026

The hood came up while driving

πŸ’₯ CrashπŸ₯ 1 InjuryAIR BAGSMay 2025

On 5-3-2025 I rolled my vehicle end over end at least 6 times at a high speed. One of my vehicle safty options was "Advanced SRS airbags" During the crash my vehicles side airbags deployed but my drivers steering wheel air bag did not. As a result of them not deploying I smashed my face into the steering wheel and windshield. I suffered a shattered nose, broken jaw, broken hand and a concussion. It was my fault I crashed my car but if my airbags had gone off I feel like my injuries would be far less severe if not non existent. I would have less medical bills and would still be able to work. My vehicle had no warning lights or indicators that the airbags needed service. My insurance company did make not of the airbags failure to deploy and are doing a thorough investigation of them

EXTERIOR LIGHTING,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,VISIBILITY/WIPERDec 2022

Windshield wipers and stability control and other electrical problems occurred while driving thru the rain.

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,ENGINE,LANE DEPARTUREApr 2026

Okay, I can press the gas and try to go one speed.And my car will go either way, too slow for that gear or way too fast.For that gear , I have almost been several wrecks , because it's either going too slow , went when i'm supposed to be going to certain speed or it's going to fast one supposed to be going to certain speed

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULICApr 2023

The contact's husband owns a 2018 Chevrolet Spark. The contact stated that the brake booster failed while driving at various speeds on several occasions. The vehicle was taken to the dealer yearly for the brake booster repair since the initial failure; however, the most recent failure occurred within six months. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of failure but offered no assistance. The failure mileage was unknown.

SERVICE BRAKESSep 2022

This is the third time while driving that my brakes have simply just gone out. It’s usually on the freeway while at high speeds and I’m nearly not able to stop. This is the third time in three years. No lights come on on the dashboard and no warnings happened at all the brakes just simply stopped working. It takes extreme pressure to try to stop and I’m usually told that it’s some part of the vacuum.

POWER TRAINNov 2020

AT A COMPLETE STOP.. IT SEEMS LIKE IT DOESN'T WANT ACCELERATE

POWER TRAIN,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,ENGINEFeb 2020

WHEN I TRY TO ACCELERATE FROM A STOP, THE CAR CAN'T DECIDE IF IT WANTS TO MOVE OR NOT AND IT WILL JUST SIT AND REV AND HAS ALMOST CAUSED SEVERAL ACCIDENTS AS I AM PULLING OUT INTO TRAFFIC

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEMFeb 2019

MY CHEVROLET SPARK CANNOT DECIDE WHAT GEAR IT WANTS TO BE IN, CAUSING DELAYS THAT ARE DANGEROUS WHEN PULLING OUT IN TRAFFIC OR TURNING ACROSS LINES OF TRAFFIC. FOR INSTANCE, I SLOW DOWN TO GET INTO THE CENTER TURNING LANE OF A 5-LANE STREET AND THEN WHEN CLEAR, I ACCELERATE TO MAKE THE TURN. THE CAR FEELS LIKE IT MAKES A SHORT STALL AS IT CAN'T DECIDE IF IT NEEDS TO GET INTO A HIGHER OR LOWER GEAR. IT CLEARLY TAKES A LONG TIME AND GOES UP AND DOWN WHICH PLACES ME UNCOMFORTABLY TOO CLOSE TO ONCOMING TRAFFIC. OTHER TIMES WHEN I PULL OUT IN TRAFFIC, THE SAME SCENARIO REPEATS. I WONDER IF IT SHIFTS INTO A TOO HIGH A GEAR TOO SOON THEN DOWN SHIFTS ONE GEAR AND THEN UPSHIFTS AS THE CAR STARTS TO ACCELERATE. SEVERAL TIMES A DAY WHEN I SLOW TO ADJUST TO TRAFFIC CONDITIONS AND THEN ACCELERATE AFTER SLOWING, THE CAR LAG/STALL HAPPENS AS THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTS UP AND DOWN THROUGH THE GEARS. THE CAR JUST CAN'T DECIDE WHAT IS THE BEST GEAR TO BE IN. I FEEL THAT THIS IS DANGEROUS. IT CERTAINLY MAKES ONE VERY UNEASY WHEN YOU PULL OUT IN TRAFFIC AND THEN THE CAR BARELY MOVES FOR A VERY CRITICAL SECOND OR TWO.

SERVICE BRAKESFeb 2019

FROM TIME TO TIME WHEN BRAKING, A THUMPING SOUND IS HEARD IN THE REAR DRUM BRAKES OF MY BRAND NEW CHEVY SPARK. I CANNOT DECIDE WHICH ONE THE NOISE IS COMING FROM, OR BOTH. IT WILL GO AWAY AFTER A WHILE. IT OCCURS MORE FREQUENTLY WHEN I NEED TO BRAKE HARD, BUT NOT ALWAYS. AND IT DOES NOT HAPPEN EVERY DAY. THE CAR IS NEW. WHEN I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER FOR THE VERY FIRST OIL CHANGE, I ASKED THEM TO LOOK INTO IT. THEY KEPT THE CAR 3 DAYS. THEY SAID THEY DROVE IT BUT DID NOT NOTICE ANY NOISE. TO MY SURPRISE, DURING THOSE THREE DAYS, THE DEALERSHIP DID NOT PULL THE WHEEL AND LOOK INSIDE THE DRUM FOR A BROKEN SPRING, WARPING, DELAMINATION OR SOME OTHER COMPONENT DEFECT OR SYSTEM FAILURE. I'VE NEVER HAD A CAR WITH DRUM BRAKES MAKING THIS SOUND.

ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEMSep 2018

THIS IS A PERIODIC OCCURANCE WHEN GOING STARTING AT 0MPH AT ANY POINT DURING A TRIP. NORMALLY THE ENGINE WILL REV SMOOTHLY BUT THERE ARE TIMES WHEN GOING FROM A COMPLETE STOP TO GETTING TO AT LEAST 30MPH IT FEELS AS IF THE ENGINE IS JUST TAKING IN AIR AND IT JUST REVS UP AND THE CAR STARTS TO ROLL BUT DOESNT ACTUALLY ACCELLERATE PROPERLY AND THIS CAN RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT IF YOU HAVE TO MOVE SUDDENLY TO AVOID BEING HIT. I HAVE THE LT1 MODEL SPECIFICALLY.

πŸ’₯ CrashπŸ₯ 1 InjuryAIR BAGSApr 2025

The contact owned a 2019 Chevrolet Spark. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 50 MPH, the contact had lost consciousness. The contact stated that an emergency services vehicle was behind her and had observed her go through an intersection, crash through and guardrail, and roll down an embankment. The contact was removed from the vehicle, still unconscious, and transported to the hospital by ambulance. The contact stated that she had bruising on her sternum, ribs, and arms. The contact stated she was not advised about why she had lost consciousness. The contact stated that the vehicle had been towed to an impound lot and her insurance provider had written the vehicle off as a total loss. The contact had been advised by a police officer that her driver's side air bags had not deployed. The contact was not sure that a police report had been issued. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.

UNKNOWN OR OTHERFeb 2025

Car is hesitating alot from a stop and has locked up. Engine light came on. Had it diagnosed and the codes came up Transmission control module (Tcm). Cant find the part and the ine i did find was 800. It's only 6 years old and should not have Transmission problems and be locking up on me.

POWER TRAINSep 2024

I have a 2019 Chevy Spark after doing research it appears that the Spark has a high transmission failure

Showing 20 of 75 total NHTSA complaints. Source: NHTSA Complaints Database

Before You Buy, Check the Exact Chevrolet Spark

These pages show model-year patterns across 10years. Enter a VIN to verify the exact vehicle's accident history, title brands, odometer records, and open recall status before purchase.

πŸ“– Understanding This Data

πŸ“‹

What is an NHTSA Complaint?

An NHTSA safety complaint is a report filed directly by a vehicle owner or driver describing a safety-related issue. Anyone can submit a complaint at NHTSA.gov. The number of complaints is a signal of how common a problem is β€” but complaints per model-year matter more than raw totals, since popular vehicles naturally receive more reports. The Chevrolet Spark has 75 complaints on record across 10 model years.

πŸ””

What is a Safety Recall?

A safety recall is a mandatory campaign issued by NHTSA when a vehicle component poses an unreasonable risk to safety or does not comply with federal motor vehicle safety standards. Unlike complaints (which are owner-reported), recalls are formally investigated and confirmed by regulators. Manufacturers must fix recalled vehicles free of charge. The Chevrolet Spark has 2 recall campaigns in the NHTSA database.

πŸ’₯

What Are Crash Complaints?

Crash complaints are NHTSA filings where the owner indicates a crash occurred as part of the incident. 18 of the Chevrolet Spark's 75 complaints involved a crash. This metric is particularly important because it indicates how often defects resulted in actual collisions β€” a key safety signal beyond general reliability.

🧭

How Is the Reliability Verdict Calculated?

The reliability verdict (Average) is generated by analyzing the vehicle's total complaints, recall history, crash complaint ratio, fire complaint ratio, and top component failures relative to class averages. This verdict gives buyers a quick interpretation before they review year-level details and VIN-level history. It should be treated as one decision input, not a substitute for a VIN-specific report.

πŸ“Š

Why Do Newer Years Have Fewer Complaints?

Newer model years appear to have fewer complaints because there has been less time for owners to file them. Complaints accumulate over years of ownership. A 2020 model year vehicle will typically show fewer complaints than a 2015 model year even if it is less reliable β€” simply because fewer owners have had time to report issues. Focus on complaints per year of market presence when comparing across model years.

πŸ”

Fleet Data vs. Individual VIN

Everything on this page reflects aggregated data across all Chevrolet Spark vehicles on the road β€” not any specific car. Two Chevrolet Spark vehicles of the same year can have very different histories: one may have been in three accidents and have an open recall; another may be clean. A VIN check gives you the individual car's history: accidents, title brands, odometer records, service history, and real-time recall status.

πŸ”Ž

What Are NHTSA Investigations?

When NHTSA receives a pattern of related safety complaints, it opens a formal investigation. A Preliminary Evaluation (PE) is the first stage β€” NHTSA determines if a safety defect may exist. If evidence is strong, it escalates to an Engineering Analysis (EA), which can result in a mandatory recall. The Chevrolet Spark has 0 investigations on record (0 active). Investigations listed above may have already led to the recalls shown on this page.

Buyers Also Compare

How does the Chevrolet Spark stack up? Compare complaint history with similar vehicles.

Toyota Camry reliability β†’Ford F 150 reliability β†’Chevrolet Silverado reliability β†’
Chevrolet Spark vs Toyota CamryChevrolet Spark vs Ford F 150Chevrolet Spark vs Chevrolet Silverado

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