NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Power Train complaints
34 reportsClear category filter25 miles · Jul 11, 2016
Power Train
CAR WOULD NOT ACCELERATE BEYOND 30 MPH IN A 50 MPH ZONE.... I HAD TO TURN MY HAZARDS ON AND WAS SCARED TO DRIVE IT ANY FURTHER. THERE WAS NO WARNING SIGNS OR INDICATIONS OF ANY ISSUES PRIOR. COMPLETELY OUT OF THE BLUE! GOOGLED RECALLS AND THERE IS ONE ON DEFECTIVE TRANSMISSION FOR THIS MAKE MODEL YEAR BUT NOT ON MY VIN......…
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CAR WOULD NOT ACCELERATE BEYOND 30 MPH IN A 50 MPH ZONE.... I HAD TO TURN MY HAZARDS ON AND WAS SCARED TO DRIVE IT ANY FURTHER. THERE WAS NO WARNING SIGNS OR INDICATIONS OF ANY ISSUES PRIOR. COMPLETELY OUT OF THE BLUE! GOOGLED RECALLS AND THERE IS ONE ON DEFECTIVE TRANSMISSION FOR THIS MAKE MODEL YEAR BUT NOT ON MY VIN...... DID THEY MISS ME?
NHTSA ODI #10884007
21,500 miles · Apr 25, 2016
Power Train
ON TWO OCCASIONS THERE HAS BEEN A SUDDEN LOSS OF ACCELERATION. THIS HAPPENED AFTER MAKING A STOP AT A STOP SIGN/TRAFFIC LIGHT AT A MAIN HIGHWAY INTERSECTION. THE RPM'S WENT UP BUT THERE WAS NO ACCELERATION AT ALL (I WAS JUST BARELY COASTING MAYBE 3 MPH)! ONCE I WAS AT A SAFE PLACE TO PULL OFF THE ROAD, I PUT THE CAR IN PARK…
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ON TWO OCCASIONS THERE HAS BEEN A SUDDEN LOSS OF ACCELERATION. THIS HAPPENED AFTER MAKING A STOP AT A STOP SIGN/TRAFFIC LIGHT AT A MAIN HIGHWAY INTERSECTION. THE RPM'S WENT UP BUT THERE WAS NO ACCELERATION AT ALL (I WAS JUST BARELY COASTING MAYBE 3 MPH)! ONCE I WAS AT A SAFE PLACE TO PULL OFF THE ROAD, I PUT THE CAR IN PARK, TURNED THE CAR OFF AND BACK ON AND THE ACCELERATION WAS FINE. THIS ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT EACH TIME. THE DEALERSHIP SAID, BECAUSE THERE WERE NO CODES GIVEN WHEN THEY CHECKED THE VEHICLE AND NO SERVICE BULLETINS POSTED, THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS MALFUNCTION AND I HOPE THAT SOMEONE TAKES THE INITIATIVE TO INVESTIGATE THE ISSUE BEFORE A SERIOUS ACCIDENT HAPPENS!
NHTSA ODI #10861373
36,000 miles · Mar 21, 2016
Power Train
UNDER EMERGENCY BRAKING FROM 45MPH THE GEAR SHIFTER SLIT FORWARD TO NEUTRAL WITHOUT OPERATOR INPUT.
NHTSA ODI #10850916
36,000 miles · Mar 21, 2016
EnginePower TrainVehicle Speed Control
AFTER ACCELERATING FROM A LIGHT AT 5MPH THE GEAR INDICATOR DISAPPEARED AND THE TRANSMISSION STUCK IN 2ND GEAR VERIFIED BY REVS VS. VEHICLE SPEED. RESULTED IN VERY SLOW ACCELERATION AND HIGH REVS. CYCLING THE GEAR SHIFTER DID NOT RESOLVE ISSUE. WOULD NOT EVEN SHIFT TO NEUTRAL. ISSUE NOT RESOLVED UNTIL CYCLING IGNITION. NO CHECK E…
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AFTER ACCELERATING FROM A LIGHT AT 5MPH THE GEAR INDICATOR DISAPPEARED AND THE TRANSMISSION STUCK IN 2ND GEAR VERIFIED BY REVS VS. VEHICLE SPEED. RESULTED IN VERY SLOW ACCELERATION AND HIGH REVS. CYCLING THE GEAR SHIFTER DID NOT RESOLVE ISSUE. WOULD NOT EVEN SHIFT TO NEUTRAL. ISSUE NOT RESOLVED UNTIL CYCLING IGNITION. NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, NO INDICATOR LAMPS. NO GEAR SELECTION INDICATOR ON DISPLAY.
NHTSA ODI #10850913
35,450 miles · Jan 13, 2016
EngineFuel/propulsion SystemPower Train
WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY MY CAR SUDDENLY LOST ALL ACCELERATION POWER. IT RAN 5K RPMS TO GO 55 MPH AND THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT WAS ON AND THE ENGINE MALFUNCTION LIGHT WAS BLINKING. THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGOING PROBLEM FOR A WEEK AND THE DEALERSHIP CANNOT FIGURE OUT HOW TO FIX IT. SOMETIMES THE LIGHTS STAY ON AND SOMETIMES THEY…
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WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY MY CAR SUDDENLY LOST ALL ACCELERATION POWER. IT RAN 5K RPMS TO GO 55 MPH AND THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT WAS ON AND THE ENGINE MALFUNCTION LIGHT WAS BLINKING. THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGOING PROBLEM FOR A WEEK AND THE DEALERSHIP CANNOT FIGURE OUT HOW TO FIX IT. SOMETIMES THE LIGHTS STAY ON AND SOMETIMES THEY GO OFF EVEN THOUGH I CONTINUE TO HAVE LOSS OF ACCELERATION AND RIDICULOUSLY HIGH RPMS TO TRAVEL 35-55MPH.
NHTSA ODI #10819881
21,000 miles · May 29, 2015
Fuel/propulsion SystemPower Train
STARTED CAR, DROVE TO WORK AT VARYING SPEEDS. ENGINE REVVED HIGH DURING ENTIRE 30 MINUTE DRIVE. PARKED, ENGINE OFF FOR 8 HOURS. WHEN I CAME OUT TO GO HOME, CAR WAS RUNNING FINE. I HAVEN'T HAD ANOTHER EPISODE SINCE.
NHTSA ODI #10722122
10,000 miles · Apr 25, 2015
EnginePower TrainVehicle Speed Control
VEHICLE WON'T SHIFT OUT OF FIRST GEAR. NOT ONLY IS THIS VERY DANGEROUS, BUT IT IS RUINING THE ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION OF THE VEHICLE. THIS OCCURS ABOUT ONCE A MONTH AT RANDOM TIMES, AND COULD VERY EASILY CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. THE DEALER WON'T DO ANYTHING TO FIX THE PROBLEM, AND HAS BEEN VERY RUDE TO MY WIFE. I HAVE BEEN A LIFELON…
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VEHICLE WON'T SHIFT OUT OF FIRST GEAR. NOT ONLY IS THIS VERY DANGEROUS, BUT IT IS RUINING THE ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION OF THE VEHICLE. THIS OCCURS ABOUT ONCE A MONTH AT RANDOM TIMES, AND COULD VERY EASILY CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. THE DEALER WON'T DO ANYTHING TO FIX THE PROBLEM, AND HAS BEEN VERY RUDE TO MY WIFE. I HAVE BEEN A LIFELONG CHEVY GUY, BUT I THINK I'M FINALLY DONE. A TOYOTA OR HONDA IS SOUNDING REALLY GOOD RIGHT NOW! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10712804
11,500 miles · Mar 14, 2015
EnginePower TrainVehicle Speed Control
MAY HAVE BEEN HAPPENING BEFORE ABOVE DATE BUT DID NOT REALIZE IT....ON DASHBOARD THERE IS NO INDICATION OF WHICH GEAR I AM IN(IE P D N R) AND CAR HAS NO PICKUP EVEN WHEN PEDDLE TO FLOOR...WHEN IT DOES START MOVING IT IS VERY, VERY, VERY SLOW....NOTICED THIS SEVERAL TIMES AND WHEN IT WENT IN FOR HOOD LATCH RECALL ASKED THEM TO CH…
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MAY HAVE BEEN HAPPENING BEFORE ABOVE DATE BUT DID NOT REALIZE IT....ON DASHBOARD THERE IS NO INDICATION OF WHICH GEAR I AM IN(IE P D N R) AND CAR HAS NO PICKUP EVEN WHEN PEDDLE TO FLOOR...WHEN IT DOES START MOVING IT IS VERY, VERY, VERY SLOW....NOTICED THIS SEVERAL TIMES AND WHEN IT WENT IN FOR HOOD LATCH RECALL ASKED THEM TO CHECK....OF COURSE THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE(RECALL WAS NOT DONE AS TO LACK OF PARTS) STILL WAS OCCURRING OCCASIONALLY .....WENT BACK AGAIN FOR RECALL LATCH WORK(DONE THIS TIME 3-11-15) WHEN LEAVING CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON...WAS TOLD IT WAS SAFE TO DRIVE, BUT I SHOWED THEM THE DASHBOARD WAS NOT INDICATING GEAR...LEFT IT WITH THEM THEY R&R PARK NEUTRAL SWITCH WHICH THEY STATED WAS FILLED WITH WATER.....THIS WAS VERY DANGEROUS TO ME, AT FIRST I COULD EITHER TURN CAR OFF AND RESTART TO SEE INDICATOR ON DASH OR RUN THRU THE GEARS, BUT RIGHT BEFORE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON I COULD DO NONE OF THIS/HAVE READ ABOUT THIS NUMEROUS TIMES ON A SITE CALL CARCOMPLAINTS.COM.......THANK YOU *TR
NHTSA ODI #10694295
34,500 miles · Mar 4, 2015
Power Train
ON 02-09-15 THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASE WITH THE CURRENT WARRANTY & AN EXTENDED WARRANTY. THE VEHICLE HAD LOW MILEAGE AT PURCHASE DATE. PRIOR TO THE PURCHASE WE REVIEWED THE VEHICLE HISTORY REPORT AND MENTIONED ONLY A HOOD LATCH REPAIR AND DID NOT MENTION 09-04-14 A RECALL REPAIR ON THE PCV VALVE #4 SPARK, REPLACEMENT AND REPROGR…
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ON 02-09-15 THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASE WITH THE CURRENT WARRANTY & AN EXTENDED WARRANTY. THE VEHICLE HAD LOW MILEAGE AT PURCHASE DATE. PRIOR TO THE PURCHASE WE REVIEWED THE VEHICLE HISTORY REPORT AND MENTIONED ONLY A HOOD LATCH REPAIR AND DID NOT MENTION 09-04-14 A RECALL REPAIR ON THE PCV VALVE #4 SPARK, REPLACEMENT AND REPROGRAMMING. AS WE STARTED OFF ON OUR TRIP THE DASH WAS READING 39 MPG, THAT WAS GREAT! FURTHER INTO THE TRIP BEFORE GETTING ON THE HIGHWAY THE TIRE PRESSURE LIGHT CAME ON. WE CHECK THE TIRES THEY WERE FINE. THINKING IT MAY HAVE BEEN THE COLD WEATHER PER THE MANUAL. WE CONTINUED ON TO OUR TRIP. ON THE WAY BACK HOME THE MPG WAS AT 34 AND THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THE CAR WENT IN TO LOW GEAR ON THE HIGHWAY! THE TRACTION CONTROL CAME ON, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND A NUMBER OF OTHER LIGHTS CAME ON. WE HAD TO RIDE THE SHOULDER UNTIL WE GOT TO AN EXIT AND DROVE INTO A GAS STATION. CALLING ROAD SIDE ASSISTANCE FOR A TOW. THE VEHICLE DID NOT HAVE A ENOUGH POWER TO DRIVE ONTO THE TOW TRUCK. IT WAS LATER DISCOVERED AT THE CAR DEALER (NOT THE ONE WE PURCHASED FROM) THE REPAIRS THAT WERE DONE ON THE VEHICLE AND NOT DISCLOSED TO US WHEN PURCHASING THE VEHICLE. THE DEFECT WAS BURNING EXCESSIVE OIL. THE RECALL REPAIR ON THE PCV HAD OTHER MANUFACTURE DEFECTS. IT'S BEEN 10 DAYS AND THE CAR HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. I HAD CONTACTED GM AND ASKED WHAT WAS DONE TO CORRECT THE ISSUE I CURRENTLY HAVE AND THE PREVIOUS OWNER HAD. THEY WERE VERY PROFESSIONAL AND TOLD ME THEY WILL CREATE A SERVICE REQUEST FILE AND TO CALL THEM WHEN A DIAGNOSTICS IS COMPLETED, IN SHORT THEY DID NOT ANSWER MY QUESTION. THEY ALREADY HAD RECORD OF THE FIRST REPAIR ON THE PCV RECALL. THE DEALER WHERE THE CAR IS LOCATED TOLD US THE PISTONS HAVE TO BE REPLACED AND DON'T KNOW WHEN IT WILL BE DONE. A LOANER WAS GIVEN SO WE COULD GET BACK HOME 200+ MILES. OUR FIRST PAYMENT IS DUE & NO CAR. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10692200
15,000 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
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 ↗