NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Engine complaints
35 reportsClear category filter15,000 miles · Feb 12, 2015
EnginePower Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET SPARK. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH AND SHIFTING INTO FIRST GEAR, THE VEHICLE STARTED TO SHUTTER AND ATTEMPTED TO STALL. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE M…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET SPARK. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH AND SHIFTING INTO FIRST GEAR, THE VEHICLE STARTED TO SHUTTER AND ATTEMPTED TO STALL. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 15,000.
NHTSA ODI #10682918
42,000 miles · Feb 4, 2015
Engine
MY WIFE AND I BOUGHT THIS AS A CERTIFIED PRE OWNED VEHICLE FOR HER TO DRIVE FROM A LOCAL CHEVY DEALER ON 1/24/15. WE FELT OKAY ABOUT THE HIGH MILES WITH THE VEHICLE BEING CPO AND HAVING GMS 12 MONTH / 12,000 MILE WARRANTY AND 5 YR / 100,000 POWER TRAIN WARRANTY. WE ONLY EXPECTED TO BE PUTTING 12,000 MILES A YEAR ON THE VEHICLE S…
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MY WIFE AND I BOUGHT THIS AS A CERTIFIED PRE OWNED VEHICLE FOR HER TO DRIVE FROM A LOCAL CHEVY DEALER ON 1/24/15. WE FELT OKAY ABOUT THE HIGH MILES WITH THE VEHICLE BEING CPO AND HAVING GMS 12 MONTH / 12,000 MILE WARRANTY AND 5 YR / 100,000 POWER TRAIN WARRANTY. WE ONLY EXPECTED TO BE PUTTING 12,000 MILES A YEAR ON THE VEHICLE SO WE THOUGHT WE'D HAVE A LONG TROUBLE FREE OWNERSHIP EXPERIENCE WITH IT. THAT ALL CHANGED 6 DAYS LATER. WE'D ONLY DRIVEN IT PROBABLY 100 MILES SINCE IT WAS PURCHASED AND ON 1/30/15 WE WERE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN ALL OF THE SUDDEN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND TRACTION CONTROL LIGHTS LIT UP AND WE LOST ALL POWER. LUCKILY WE WERE ABLE TO PULL OVER SAFELY. WE CALLED A TOW TRUCK AND HAD IT TOWED TO THE NEAREST DEALER (NOT THE ONE WE PURCHASED IT FROM). THE NEXT MORNING WE WENT TO THE DEALER TO DISCUSS THE PROBLEM AND PICK UP A LOANER. THE SERVICE REP AT THE DEALER EXPLAINED THAT THE PROBLEM WAS PROBABLY RELATED TO THE PCV RECALL AND HIS BEST GUESS WAS THAT THERE WAS DAMAGE DONE TO THE VEHICLE PRIOR TO THE RECALL WORK BEING DONE. I WONDER IF THIS COULD HAVE BEEN / SHOULD HAVE BEEN SOMETHING TESTED AS PART OF THEIR CPO PROCESS. WE GOT A CALL ON 2/3 FROM THE SERVICE GUY TELLING US THEY ORDERED A NEW ENGINE AND HE HOPPED IT WOULD BE IN BY 2/5 AND THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD BE AVAILABLE FOR US TO PICK UP SHORTLY AFTER THAT. I'M PRETTY NERVOUS AFTER READING ALL THE ISSUES THAT OTHERS HAVE HAD THAT THIS COULD BE AN ONGOING PROBLEM AND EVEN WITH A NEW ENGINE WE MAY HAVE THE SAME OR A SIMILAR PROBLEM. TIME WILL TELL I GUESS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10681188
28,000 miles · Dec 23, 2014
EnginePower Train
THE CAR HAS BEEN HAVING CLUTCH ISSUES. SHIFTING INTO FIRST GEAR FROM A STOP CAUSES THE WHOLE CAR TO SHAKE. THIS HAPPENS AFTER MAINLY LONG DRIVES. DRIVING BACK FROM BOSTON MA, THERE WAS VERY HEAVY TRAFFIC WHICH REQUIRED ME TO STOP AND START FREQUENTLY ON THE HIGHWAY. EACH TIME I HAD TO START, THE CAR SHOOK VIOLENTLY AND FELT AS I…
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THE CAR HAS BEEN HAVING CLUTCH ISSUES. SHIFTING INTO FIRST GEAR FROM A STOP CAUSES THE WHOLE CAR TO SHAKE. THIS HAPPENS AFTER MAINLY LONG DRIVES. DRIVING BACK FROM BOSTON MA, THERE WAS VERY HEAVY TRAFFIC WHICH REQUIRED ME TO STOP AND START FREQUENTLY ON THE HIGHWAY. EACH TIME I HAD TO START, THE CAR SHOOK VIOLENTLY AND FELT AS IT WERE GOING TO STALL. THIS MAKES IT IMPOSSIBLE TO DRIVE SAFELY, AS IT DOES THIS WHEN PULLING OUT INTO TRAFFIC AS WELL. DEALER SAID THIS WOULD MOST LIKELY NOT BE COVERED UNDER THE BUMPER TO BUMPER WARRANTY. THE CAR IS NEW AND THIS SHOULD NOT BE AN ISSUE. THIS ISSUE IS DOCUMENTED IN MANY ONLINE FORMS AS "INTERMITTENT CLUTCH SHUDDER" . *TR
NHTSA ODI #10667954
40,000 miles · Dec 23, 2014
Air BagsEngineStructureCrashFire
I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY GOING APPROXIMATELY 55-60 MPH AND A SUV RUNS A STOP SIGN AND PULLS OUT IN FRONT OF ME ON THE HIGHWAY. I HIT THE SUV. THE SUV FLEES THE ACCIDENT. MY CAR CATCHES ON FIRE ON IMPACT AND MY AIRBAGS FAIL TO DEPLOY. IT WAS A FRONTAL IMPACT AND I WAS GOING ABOUT 55 MPH AT IMPACT. MY CAR WAS DEEMED TOTALED…
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I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY GOING APPROXIMATELY 55-60 MPH AND A SUV RUNS A STOP SIGN AND PULLS OUT IN FRONT OF ME ON THE HIGHWAY. I HIT THE SUV. THE SUV FLEES THE ACCIDENT. MY CAR CATCHES ON FIRE ON IMPACT AND MY AIRBAGS FAIL TO DEPLOY. IT WAS A FRONTAL IMPACT AND I WAS GOING ABOUT 55 MPH AT IMPACT. MY CAR WAS DEEMED TOTALED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10667858
7,000 miles · Nov 25, 2014
Engine
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET SPARK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 7,000.
NHTSA ODI #10660913
20,000 miles · Nov 11, 2014
Engine
OUR DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING HOME ON THE INTERSTATE FOR A VISIT FROM COLLEGE. WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON AND THE CAR BEGAN TO SHAKE SO SHE PULLED OVER JUST AS THE CAR'S ENGINE TURNED ITSELF OFF. SHE TRIED TO RE-START THE CAR AND AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS IT STARTED BUT WAS SHAKY AND ALL LIGHTS WERE FLASHING. WE HAD CAR TOWED TO NEAREST DE…
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OUR DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING HOME ON THE INTERSTATE FOR A VISIT FROM COLLEGE. WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON AND THE CAR BEGAN TO SHAKE SO SHE PULLED OVER JUST AS THE CAR'S ENGINE TURNED ITSELF OFF. SHE TRIED TO RE-START THE CAR AND AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS IT STARTED BUT WAS SHAKY AND ALL LIGHTS WERE FLASHING. WE HAD CAR TOWED TO NEAREST DEALER, THEY TOLD US THE ENGINE FAILED AND IT WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. SHE WAS GIVEN A RENTAL, AFTER APROX. TWO WEEKS SHE PICKED HER CAR UP AGAIN WITH THE NEW ENGINE. DROVE LESS THEN 10 MILES ON THE NEW ENGINE AND ONCE AGAIN SHE WAS ON THE INTERSTATE FOR ANOTHER TRIP HOME WHEN THE ENGINE FAILED AGAIN. IT IS CURRENTLY AT THE DEALERSHIP NEAR HER SCHOOL. THE PEOPLE AT BROWN & BROWN WERE/ARE BEING VERY HELPFUL HOWEVER I AM NOW VERY CONCERNED FOR MY DAUGHTER'S SAFETY IN THIS VEHICLE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10654114
2,100 miles · Nov 3, 2014
Electrical SystemEnginePower Train
CAR STALLS WILL PUT THE PEDAL TO THE METAL AND WILL NOT ADVANCE. IT WILL START TO MOVE SLOW AFTER A WHILE NOT REACHING FULL SPEED. TRANSMISSION GEAR DISPLAY WILL BE BLANK IN DASH CONSOLE. CAR MOVES AT A VERY HIGH RPM READING. TRANSMISSION WILL KICK IF SET ON NEUTRAL AND THEN SHIF TO DRIVE. THIS HAS HAPPEN TWICE IN THE SHORT AMOU…
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CAR STALLS WILL PUT THE PEDAL TO THE METAL AND WILL NOT ADVANCE. IT WILL START TO MOVE SLOW AFTER A WHILE NOT REACHING FULL SPEED. TRANSMISSION GEAR DISPLAY WILL BE BLANK IN DASH CONSOLE. CAR MOVES AT A VERY HIGH RPM READING. TRANSMISSION WILL KICK IF SET ON NEUTRAL AND THEN SHIF TO DRIVE. THIS HAS HAPPEN TWICE IN THE SHORT AMOUNT OF TIME THAT WE OWE THE CAR. THE PROBLEM IS THAT WE HAVE TAKEN THE CAR TWICE TO THE DEALER BUT IS WORKING FINE AT SUCH TIME SO THEY CAN NOT DETECT THE PROBLEM. FIRST TIME IT HAPPEN MY WIFE WAS AT A STOP LIGHT AND WHEN IT HAPPEN TO ME I HAD JUST STARTED THE CAR. THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS AND HAZARDOUS SITUATION. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10652102
4,000 miles · Oct 2, 2014
Electrical SystemEngine
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET SPARK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS SLOW TO START AND HESITATED UPON CHANGING GEARS. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VENTILATION CONTROLS FAILED TO ACTIVATE THE HEATING AND AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET SPARK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS SLOW TO START AND HESITATED UPON CHANGING GEARS. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VENTILATION CONTROLS FAILED TO ACTIVATE THE HEATING AND AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER OVER FIVE TIMES AND THE FAILURES WERE UNABLE TO BE REPLICATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 4,000.
NHTSA ODI #10640903
15,000 miles · Aug 8, 2014
Engine
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET SPARK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS THE VEHICLE HAD EXPERIENCED A LOSS OF POWER AND LACK OF ACCELERATION. THE CONTACT ALSO INDICATED THAT THE A KNOCKING SOUND WAS PRESENT COMING FROM THE ENGINE AND AN EXCESSIVE LOSS OF MOTOR OIL FROM THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS TA…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET SPARK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS THE VEHICLE HAD EXPERIENCED A LOSS OF POWER AND LACK OF ACCELERATION. THE CONTACT ALSO INDICATED THAT THE A KNOCKING SOUND WAS PRESENT COMING FROM THE ENGINE AND AN EXCESSIVE LOSS OF MOTOR OIL FROM THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO DETERMINED THAT THE ENGINE WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE ENGINE WAS REPLACED BUT THE FAILURE HAD REOCCURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 15,000.
NHTSA ODI #10620860
39,336 miles · Jul 25, 2014
Engine
ENGINE LOST POWER ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN I WAS GOING 65 MILES PER HR , LUCKILY I WAS ON THE RIGHT LANE AND WAS ABLE TO PULL SAFETY ON THE SHOULDER AND DID NOT HAVE ANY ACCIDENT . BUT I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE MY CAR AND THIS CAR IS ONLY 2 YEARS OLD. FIND OUT FROM OTHER OWNERS COMPLAINS THAT ENGINE LOSE POWER IS CAUSE BECAUSE OF EXCESSI…
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ENGINE LOST POWER ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN I WAS GOING 65 MILES PER HR , LUCKILY I WAS ON THE RIGHT LANE AND WAS ABLE TO PULL SAFETY ON THE SHOULDER AND DID NOT HAVE ANY ACCIDENT . BUT I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE MY CAR AND THIS CAR IS ONLY 2 YEARS OLD. FIND OUT FROM OTHER OWNERS COMPLAINS THAT ENGINE LOSE POWER IS CAUSE BECAUSE OF EXCESSIVE OIL USAGE BY THE ENGINE. I HAD THIS PROBLEM SINCE FEBRUARY 2014 BUT I WAS TOLD BY DEALER THAT THERE IS NO VISIBLE OIL LEAKAGE., I DO NOT BELIEVE ENGINE WAS CHECKED FOR THAT PROBLEM. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10616334
Official recalls
5Aug 25, 2022
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A hood latch failure can result in the vehicle's hood opening unexpectedly, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the hood striker assembly and hood latch assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 12, 2023. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is A222359300. This recall supersedes and expands NHTSA recall number 14V-593. Vehicles previously repaired under 14V-593 will need to have the new remedy performed.
Jun 10, 2016
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."
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: Without audible indicators, the driver may not fasten their seatbelt, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will update the radio software, free of charge. The recall began on July 22, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 45340.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Electrical System:software
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."
Consequence: Without audible indicators, the driver may not fasten their seatbelt, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will update the radio software, free of charge. The recall began on July 22, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 45340.
Equipment:electrical:radio/tape Deck/cd Etc.
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."
Consequence: Without audible indicators, the driver may not fasten their seatbelt, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will update the radio software, free of charge. The recall began on July 22, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 45340.
Apr 28, 2016
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."
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: Without audible indicators, the driver may leave the key in the ignition, increasing the risk of theft.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will update the radio software, free of charge. The manufacturer has not yet provided a notification schedule. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 17130.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Electrical System:software
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."
Consequence: Without audible indicators, the driver may leave the key in the ignition, increasing the risk of theft.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will update the radio software, free of charge. The manufacturer has not yet provided a notification schedule. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 17130.
Equipment:electrical:radio/tape Deck/cd Etc.
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."
Consequence: Without audible indicators, the driver may leave the key in the ignition, increasing the risk of theft.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will update the radio software, free of charge. The manufacturer has not yet provided a notification schedule. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 17130.
Sep 24, 2014
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the secondary hood latch corrodes causing the latch to be stuck out of position, and the primary hood latch is not engaged, the hood could unexpectedly open while driving, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the striker with a new part which has superior corrosion protection, free of charge. The recall began on January 7, 2015. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 14456.
Jun 6, 2014
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the air bag does not to deploy in the event of a crash, there is an increased risk of injury to the front passenger.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger side front air bag, free of charge. The recall began on July 30, 2014. Owners may contact General Motors customer service at 1-800-521-7300 (Buick) or 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet). GM's number for this recall is 14211.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗