Complaints by model year
Each bar is one model year. Highlighted: 2013. The most recent years are still collecting complaints.
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026
New York safety inspections
Share of first inspections failed on safety, by model year. Older cars fail more as miles build up, so compare each year with the average car of the same year. Best against its own year: 2013.
NY DMV Vehicle Inspections, initial inspections since Aug 2021 · how we count
Year by year
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 Spark | 3 | 0 |
| 2021 Spark | 6 | 0 |
| 2020 Spark | 19 | 0 |
| 2019 Spark | 14 | 1 |
| 2018 Spark | 9 | 0 |
| 2017 Spark | 29 | 1 |
| 2016 Spark | 28 | 1 |
| 2015 Spark | 77 | 5 |
| 2014 SparkMost complaints | 172 | 6 |
| 2013 SparkMost complaints | 146 | 5 |
A model year gets its own page when it has enough data for at least three sections
Most common problems
- Power train125
- Engine112
- Electrical system100
- Unknown or other57
- Air bags56
- Vehicle speed control51
- Service brakes45
- Fuel/propulsion system41
NHTSA ODI complaints, all model years
Fatal crashes in the US
From 2020 to 2023, 200 Spark vehicles were involved in crashes on US public roads in which someone died, and 167 people died inside them. These are counts, not crash rates: a model with more cars on the road shows up more often, and people killed outside the vehicle are not counted here.
| Model year | Vehicles in fatal crashes | Deaths in the vehicle |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 3 | 2 |
| 2021 | 25 | 22 |
| 2020 | 40 | 30 |
| 2019 | 22 | 19 |
| 2018 | 14 | 13 |
| 2017 | 28 | 22 |
| 2016 | 16 | 8 |
| 2015 | 14 | 21 |
| 2014 | 19 | 16 |
| 2013 | 19 | 14 |
NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), crash years 2020–2023 (public domain) · how we count
Crash-test ratings by year
NHTSA 5-star results for 10 model-year variants; 0 of 2 rated variants score five stars overall. Rollover risk is the estimated chance of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.
| Year | Variant | Overall | Rollover risk |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 2022 Chevrolet Spark 5 HB FWD | — | 0.0 % |
| 2021 | 2021 Chevrolet Spark 5 HB FWD | — | 0.0 % |
| 2020 | 2020 Chevrolet Spark 5 HB FWD | — | 0.0 % |
| 2019 | 2019 Chevrolet Spark 5 HB FWD | — | 0.0 % |
| 2018 | 2018 Chevrolet Spark 5 HB FWD | — | 0.0 % |
| 2017 | 2017 Chevrolet Spark 5 HB FWD | — | 0.0 % |
| 2016 | 2016 Chevrolet Spark 5 HB FWD | — | 0.0 % |
| 2015 | 2015 Chevrolet Spark 5 HB FWD | ★★★★☆ | 17.9 % |
| 2014 | 2014 Chevrolet Spark 5 HB FWD | ★★★★☆ | 17.9 % |
| 2013 | 2013 Chevrolet Spark 5 DR FWD | — | 0.0 % |
NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), api.nhtsa.gov · US federal work, public domain
Fuel consumption by year
Official Canadian test results for 10 model years, best variant per year. Combined consumption ranges from 6.7–7.1 L/100 km.
| Year | Variant | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Spark · Subcompact · Regular gasoline | 7.7 | 6.2 | 7.0 |
| 2021 | Spark · Subcompact · Regular gasoline | 7.7 | 6.2 | 7.0 |
| 2020 | Spark · Subcompact · Regular gasoline | 7.9 | 6.2 | 7.1 |
| 2019 | Spark · Subcompact · Regular gasoline | 7.9 | 6.2 | 7.1 |
| 2018 | Spark · Subcompact · Regular gasoline | 7.8 | 6.2 | 7.1 |
| 2017 | Spark · Subcompact · Regular gasoline | 7.8 | 6.2 | 7.1 |
| 2016 | Spark · Subcompact · Regular gasoline | 7.6 | 5.7 | 6.7 |
| 2015 | Spark · Subcompact · Regular gasoline | 7.5 | 6.0 | 6.8 |
| 2014 | Spark · Subcompact · Regular gasoline | 7.7 | 6.0 | 6.9 |
| 2013 | Spark · Subcompact · Regular gasoline | 7.5 | 6.2 | 6.9 |
Litres per 100 km. Natural Resources Canada, Fuel consumption ratings (open.canada.ca) · Open Government Licence – Canada
In New Zealand
4 Spark cars are on the New Zealand register; 100% arrived as used imports.
| Model year | Registered | Sold new in NZ | Used imports |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| 2012 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| 2011 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| 2010 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi, Motor Vehicle Register (March 2026) · CC BY 4.0
In the Netherlands
16,670 Spark cars are on Dutch roads; 16% arrived later as imports, and 8,444 still have a recall open. Open a year for APK defects, odometer checks and colours.
| First registered | On the road | Median list price |
|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 99 | €12,994 |
| 2013 | 487 | €12,804 |
| 2012 | 4,611 | €10,995 |
| 2011 | 6,702 | €10,995 |
| 2010 | 4,771 | €11,261 |
RDW Open Data: registered vehicles (CC0) · list price is the manufacturer's catalogue price when new
In Finland
342 Spark cars were in use in Finland on 30 Jun 2026: 100% petrol, 0% diesel. Mileage is the odometer reading at the last inspection.
| First registered | In use | Average mileage |
|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 8 | 132,000 km |
| 2013 | 34 | 121,000 km |
| 2012 | 52 | 115,000 km |
| 2011 | 150 | 145,000 km |
| 2010 | 98 | 150,000 km |
Traficom (Finnish Transport and Communications Agency), open data on vehicles in use, 30 Jun 2026 · CC BY 4.0
Road collisions in Great Britain
From 2021 to 2025, 240 Spark cars were involved in road collisions in Great Britain that injured someone and were reported to the police. 0 of those collisions were fatal and 61 caused serious injuries. As with any count, models with more cars on British roads appear more often.
| Year | Cars in injury collisions | Fatal | Serious |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 39 | 0 | 8 |
| 2024 | 48 | 0 | 17 |
| 2023 | 44 | 0 | 14 |
| 2022 | 57 | 0 | 12 |
| 2021 | 52 | 0 | 10 |
Department for Transport, STATS19 road safety data 2021–2025 · Open Government Licence v3.0 · how we count
In the United Kingdom
12,680 Spark cars were licensed for the road at the end of 2025, by year of manufacture.
| Built | Licensed | Off the road (SORN) |
|---|---|---|
| 2015 | 6 | 1 |
| 2014 | 784 | 33 |
| 2013 | 3,386 | 212 |
| 2012 | 3,050 | 243 |
| 2011 | 2,948 | 262 |
| 2010 | 2,506 | 254 |
Department for Transport and DVLA, vehicle licensing statistics (table VEH0124) · Open Government Licence v3.0
MOT test results in Great Britain
15,765 Spark cars took their annual MOT test in 2023; 55% passed first time, against 65% for all cars of the same ages. Older cars fail more often, so compare a year with the same year of other cars.
| First registered | Tests | Passed first time |
|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 785 | 59% |
| 2013 | 3,962 | 55% |
| 2012 | 3,786 | 54% |
| 2011 | 3,882 | 55% |
| 2010 | 3,350 | 57% |
Why they fail
Share of all first tests that ended in a fail because of each part of the car (one test can fail on several).
| Area | Spark | All cars, same ages |
|---|---|---|
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 22.4% | 14.8% |
| Brakes | 17.3% | 8.0% |
| Suspension | 13.4% | 12.7% |
| Visibility | 8.5% | 5.2% |
| Tyres | 7.0% | 7.1% |
| Body, chassis, structure | 4.7% | 4.0% |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 2.8% | 3.4% |
| Steering | 1.7% | 2.5% |
DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results, 2023 (Department for Transport) · Open Government Licence v3.0 · first tests of cars only; a fix made at the test station within the hour still counts as a fail
New registrations in Europe
178,130 new Chevrolet Spark cars registered in the EU, Norway and Iceland between 2010 and 2018, from the European Environment Agency's CO₂ monitoring of every new car. In 2018 the largest markets were Slovakia (1).
| Year | New cars | CO₂ g/km |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 1 | 118 (NEDC) |
| 2017 | 2 | 119 (NEDC) |
| 2016 | 83 | — |
| 2015 | 414 | — |
| 2014 | 9,716 | — |
| 2013 | 36,239 | — |
| 2012 | 36,500 | — |
| 2011 | 47,479 | — |
| 2010 | 47,696 | — |
Averages are weighted by registrations; CO₂ is the type-approval value (NEDC until the WLTP switch). European Environment Agency, CO₂ emissions from new passenger cars · re-use permitted with acknowledgement
EU safety alerts
Safety Gate, the European Union's rapid alert system, names the Spark in 6 alerts. European versions can differ from the North American car.
The bonnet striker secondary latch may suffer from a build-up of corrosion. Consequently, it may not return to the correct position when released. In such an event, and especially when the primary locking device is not engaged correctly, there is a possibility…
Vehicles may experience reduction in brake performance due to sticking of the valve within the ABS module (Anti-lock braking system). Brakes may feel spongy and stopping distances may become longer.
Vehicles may in some instances experience transmission mount failure, which may cause the transmission to drop. The torque transfer to the road wheels from the transmission will be lost due to driveshaft disconnection.
Vehicles may experience transmission mount failure which could result in a loss of drive due to disconnection of the driveshaft. This could cause the driver of the vehicle to lose control.
The clutch pedal pivot may fail during normal use of vehicle. If the clutch pedal fails the vehicle will not be capable of changing gear.
The affected vehicles may in some instances experience spongy brakes, increased brake pedal travel and in some cases reduced brake performance, caused by a valve sticking within the ABS module. These conditions may cause an accident, resulting in injuries to t…
Safety Gate (European Commission) · CC0
Recalls
9 campaigns cover the Spark.
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2013-2015 Chevrolet Spark and 2014-2015 Chevrolet Spark EV vehicles. The secondary hood latch may corrode at the latch pivot, preventing the hood latch from properly engaging.
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2019 Buick Encore, Chevrolet Spark, Traverse, and Trax vehicles. The Sensing Diagnostic Module (SDM) on these vehicle may not have been turned off of "manufacturing mode," preventing the air bags from deploying in the event of a crash.
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2016-2017 Chevrolet Spark vehicles. In the event of a crash, if a young child is seated improperly and not wearing a seat belt while in the front passenger seat, deployment of the front passenger air bag may injure the occupant's neck. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 Chevrolet Sonic and Trax, and 2013-2015 Spark vehicles equipped with a Bring Your Own Media radio. The affected radios may fail to provide an audible warning chime when the driver fails to fasten their seatbelt or if the driver leaves the key in the ignition. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) numbers 208 "Occupant Crash Protection" and 114 "Theft Protection."
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013-2016 Chevrolet Sonic and Trax vehicles and 2013-2015 Chevrolet Spark vehicles equipped with a Bring Your Own Media radio. The affected radios may fail to provide an audible warning chime when the driver, after turning off the ignition and leaving the key in the cylinder, waits 10 minutes or longer to open the door. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 114 "Theft Protection."
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 Chevrolet Spark vehicles manufactured April 30, 2014, to May 20, 2015, and 2015 Chevrolet Sonic vehicles manufactured June 18, 2014, to June 10, 2015. In the affected vehicles, equipped with the base radio and OnStar, the radio may lock up due to a software issue, causing the display to go blank and all audio functions to cease. Because of this, there may be no warning chimes such as the reminder to buckle the seat belt and the key being left in ignition when the driver goes to exit the vehicle. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 208 "Occupant Crash Protection", and 114 "Theft Protection."
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013-2015 Chevrolet Spark vehicles manufactured January 17, 2012, to July 29, 2014. The secondary hood latch may prematurely corrode at the latch pivot causing the striker to get stuck out of position, preventing it from properly engaging the hood latch.
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2014 Spark vehicles manufactured from May 7, 2014, to May 26, 2014. In the affected vehicles, the left and right lower control arm attaching bolts in the front suspension may not be tightened to specification.
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013 Buick Encore vehicles manufactured April 10, 2013, to May 8, 2013, and Chevrolet Spark vehicles manufactured December 30, 2012, to March 1, 2013. In the affected vehicles, an improper weld on the passenger side front air bag inflator may result in the air bag not deploying.
NHTSA recalls