Chevrolet Spark Best and Worst Years by Owner Complaints
We rank Chevrolet Spark model years by the number of owner complaints filed with NHTSA, from fewest to most. Complaint counts aren't failure rates: years that sold more cars, or that are older, can show more reports. We rank only model years at least five years old, because newer ones are still collecting reports. Among settled years shown, the 2021 drew the fewest (6) and the 2014 the most (172).
Complaints filed by model year
Every year compared
| Most-reported component | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 3 | 0 | Air bags | — | 32–33 |
| 2021 Among the fewest complaints |
6 | 0 | Air bags | — | 32–33 |
| 2018 Among the fewest complaints |
9 | 0 | Engine | — | 32–33 |
| 2019 Among the fewest complaints |
14 | 1 | Air bags | — | 32–33 |
| 2020 | 19 | 0 | Air bags | — | 32–33 |
| 2016 | 28 | 1 | Service brakes | — | 33–119 |
| 2017 | 29 | 1 | Power train | — | 32–33 |
| 2015 Among the most complaints |
76 | 5 | Power train | 4★ | 33–119 |
| 2013 Among the most complaints |
146 | 5 | Engine | — | 31–34 |
| 2014 Among the most complaints |
172 | 6 | Engine | 4★ | 33–119 |
Sources: NHTSA ODI complaints, NHTSA recalls, NHTSA NCAP, EPA; retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
What owners reported in the Chevrolet Spark years with the most complaints
These settled model years drew the most owner complaints to NHTSA. The share in brackets is the part of that year’s complaints that names each component; one complaint can name several.
2014 Chevrolet Spark: 172 complaints
Most-reported: Engine 51 (30%); Power train 47 (27%); Electrical system 39 (23%).
Reports mention 13 crashes, 8 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 47,000 miles. 6 recall campaigns listed.
2013 Chevrolet Spark: 146 complaints
Most-reported: Engine 35 (24%); Electrical system 34 (23%); Power train 34 (23%).
Reports mention 10 crashes, 1 fire, 4 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 28,500 miles. 5 recall campaigns listed.
2015 Chevrolet Spark: 76 complaints
Most-reported: Power train 25 (33%); Engine 11 (14%); Electrical system 9 (12%).
Reports mention 4 crashes, 1 fire, 8 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 35,582 miles. 5 recall campaigns listed.
The Chevrolet Spark years with the fewest complaints
2021 Chevrolet Spark: 6 complaints
Most-reported: Air bags 2 (33%); Engine 2 (33%); Fuel/propulsion system 2 (33%).
Reports mention 2 crashes, 3 injuries. 0 recall campaigns listed.
2018 Chevrolet Spark: 9 complaints
Most-reported: Engine 3 (33%); Service brakes 3 (33%); Vehicle speed control 3 (33%).
0 recall campaigns listed.
2019 Chevrolet Spark: 14 complaints
Most-reported: Air bags 7 (50%); Power train 2 (14%); Service brakes 2 (14%).
Reports mention 4 crashes, 3 injuries. 1 recall campaign listed.
Crashes, fires and injuries in Chevrolet Spark owner reports
| Model year | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Deaths | Typical miles at filing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — |
| 2021 | 6 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 0 | — |
| 2020 | 19 | 6 | 2 | 10 | 0 | 24,718 |
| 2019 | 14 | 4 | 0 | 3 | 0 | — |
| 2018 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2017 | 29 | 5 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 13,000 |
| 2016 | 28 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 42,000 |
| 2015 | 76 | 4 | 1 | 8 | 0 | 35,582 |
| 2014 | 172 | 13 | 0 | 8 | 0 | 47,000 |
| 2013 | 146 | 10 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 28,500 |
Owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA. “Typical miles” is the median odometer reading in complaints that gave one (shown when at least 10 did). Source: NHTSA ODI complaints, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Largest Chevrolet Spark recalls
- No 'Key Left in Ignition' Warning Chime/FMVSS 114 (2013–2015 model years; 317,572 vehicles across all models; filed Apr 2016; 16V257000)
- Secondary Hood Latch Corrosion (2013–2015 model years; 120,688 vehicles across all models; filed Aug 2022; 22V640000)
- Secondary Hood Latch Corrosion (2013–2015 model years; 89,294 vehicles across all models; filed Sep 2014; 14V593000)
- Air Bag Deployment may Injure Neck/FMVSS 208 (2016–2017 model years; 55,068 vehicles across all models; filed May 2017; 17V307000)
- Radio Software Lock Up/FMVSS 208, 114 (2014–2015 model years; 45,785 vehicles across all models; filed Jun 2015; 15V416000)
All 9 Chevrolet Spark recall campaigns · Chevrolet Spark problems, recalls and mpg by year · Used car inspection checklist
What the numbers can't tell you
- Sales volume. NHTSA publishes no sales figures with complaints, so a popular year draws more reports even if each car is no worse.
- Recent years are under-counted. Owners file reports for years after purchase; the newest model years will keep growing.
- The individual car. Maintenance, mileage and repairs matter more for one used car than any model-year average. Get a pre-purchase inspection and check open recalls by VIN.
Chevrolet Spark years FAQ
Which Chevrolet Spark year has the fewest complaints?
Among the model years shown whose counts have settled, the 2021 has the fewest owner complaints filed with NHTSA (6). That is a count of reports, not a measure of reliability.
Does fewer complaints mean a more reliable car?
Not necessarily. Complaint counts depend on how many cars were sold, how old they are and how many owners file reports. Use them to spot patterns worth asking about, alongside recalls, crash tests and a pre-purchase inspection.
Are there Chevrolet Spark years to avoid?
No model year is officially one to avoid. By owner complaints to NHTSA, the settled years with the most reports are the 2014, 2013 and 2015 models, and across all years the most-reported problem area is the power train. Compare those years with the ones that drew the fewest reports, then check any specific car for open recalls by VIN and get a pre-purchase inspection.
What is the most common Chevrolet Spark problem?
Across the model years shown, owners most often report problems with the power train (124 of 502 complaints list it). Each model-year report breaks the complaints down by component.
How many recalls does the Chevrolet Spark have?
NHTSA lists 9 recall campaigns covering the Chevrolet Spark. See every one, with official wording and repair rates, on the Chevrolet Spark recall page.
Why are newer years left out of fewest and most?
Owners keep filing complaints for years after a car is sold. We mark the two newest model years as still collecting reports, and we only rank years that are at least five years old.
How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes
Data sources
- NHTSA recalls by vehicle
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - US DOT recall completion rates (data.transportation.gov)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA ODI owner complaints
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA NCAP 5-Star Safety Ratings
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EPA fuel economy data (licence confirmation pending)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EIA weekly retail gasoline prices
Weekly, all taxes included
Processing
- Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
- Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.
Limitations
- Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
- Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
- Recent model years are still collecting reports.
Review
Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.
Changelog
- 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.