IllustrationTHE CAR WILL POWER DOWN WHILE DRIVING, DESPITE HAVING ADEQUATE CHARGE. THE MESSAGE "PRESS POWER BUTTON AGAIN TO SHUT OFF" APPEARS EVEN THOUGH THE POWER BUTTON HAS NOT BEEN PRESSED. THEN THE CAR SHUTS DOWN AND COASTS TO A STOP.
2014 Chevrolet Spark
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
More warning signs than most Spark years
Owner complaints for the 2014 Chevrolet Spark are substantially higher than the model-year median of 23.5.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Spark years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
410–25K
2625–50K
2450–75K
1775–100K
13100–150K
1150K+
122 reports with mileage · 50 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Engine. Review the 51 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Power Train. Review the 47 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Electrical System. Review the 39 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
13 crash reports0 fire reports7 injury reports
Electrical System complaints
39 reportsI WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND THE ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON. THE CAR STARTS TO STALL. I WENT AND GOT THE CODES READ. EVERYTHING CAME BACK THAT ITS THE TRANSMISSION. CHEVY CLAIMS THEY'RE NOT SURE IF THE WARRANTY WILL COVER ALL THE COST. THE PLACE I GOT THE CAR FROM DIDN'T EVEN PROVIDE ME WITH ANY CARFAXS. I CALLED THEM AND THEY DI…
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I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND THE ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON. THE CAR STARTS TO STALL. I WENT AND GOT THE CODES READ. EVERYTHING CAME BACK THAT ITS THE TRANSMISSION. CHEVY CLAIMS THEY'RE NOT SURE IF THE WARRANTY WILL COVER ALL THE COST. THE PLACE I GOT THE CAR FROM DIDN'T EVEN PROVIDE ME WITH ANY CARFAXS. I CALLED THEM AND THEY DIDN'T GIVE ANY SOLUTION. I AM DISAPPOINTED.
AFTER 38000 MILES AND 38 MONTHS (ON A 3 YEAR, 36000 MILE WARRANTY), THE BATTERY AND ALTERNATOR ON MY 2014 CHEVY SPARK WERE BOTH BAD AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. UPON SEARCHING AT 2 DIFFERENT PARTS STORES, THE 2ND STORE ADVISED THERE WAS NOT A PART IN ANY WAREHOUSE NATIONWIDE. THIS LEADS ME TO BELIEVE THAT THERE IS A FACTORY DE…
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AFTER 38000 MILES AND 38 MONTHS (ON A 3 YEAR, 36000 MILE WARRANTY), THE BATTERY AND ALTERNATOR ON MY 2014 CHEVY SPARK WERE BOTH BAD AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. UPON SEARCHING AT 2 DIFFERENT PARTS STORES, THE 2ND STORE ADVISED THERE WAS NOT A PART IN ANY WAREHOUSE NATIONWIDE. THIS LEADS ME TO BELIEVE THAT THERE IS A FACTORY DEFECT CAUSING THE ALTERNATOR TO FAIL, AND THEN THE BATTERY.
WHILE DRIVING THE RADIO WILL TURN OFF AND ALSO TURN OFF SEATBELT CHIME AND ONSTAR WILL DISABLE AND KEY CHIME WILL NOT WORK.
SINCE THE DAY I HAVE BOUGHT THIS CAR 2 1/2 YEARS AGO IT WILL DIE, EVEN WHILE DRIVING AT 50 MPH. RECENTLY IT HASN'T BEEN STARTING EVERY TIME. CHEVY SAYS THE BATTERY IS BAD. HAD THE BATTERY CHECKED AT 8 OTHER PLACES, THEY ALL SAID BATTERY WAS FINE. HE HAD TESTED THE BATTERY RIGHT AFTER I TRIED TO START IT FOR TWO HOURS. WHEN YOU P…
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SINCE THE DAY I HAVE BOUGHT THIS CAR 2 1/2 YEARS AGO IT WILL DIE, EVEN WHILE DRIVING AT 50 MPH. RECENTLY IT HASN'T BEEN STARTING EVERY TIME. CHEVY SAYS THE BATTERY IS BAD. HAD THE BATTERY CHECKED AT 8 OTHER PLACES, THEY ALL SAID BATTERY WAS FINE. HE HAD TESTED THE BATTERY RIGHT AFTER I TRIED TO START IT FOR TWO HOURS. WHEN YOU PULL THE NEGATIVE CABLE OFF THE BATTERY, THERE IS STILL 2 AMPS BRING DRAWN OFF THE BATTERY. WITH NOTHING ON, NO DIME LIGHT, NO RADIO, NO AIR. AND I'VE TOLD THEM FOREVER THAT MY SEATBELT WARNING SIGNS DON'T WORK PROPERLY. BUT THEY CAN'T SEEM TO REPRODUCE ANY PROBLEMS.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 CHEVROLET SPARK. WHEN THE CONTACT ACTIVATED THE DEFROSTER, THE SEAT BELT CHIME SOUNDED AND THE TURN SIGNAL LIGHTS STOPPED OPERATING. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURES WAS NOT DIAGNOSED THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 47,000. UPDATED 06/02/1…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 CHEVROLET SPARK. WHEN THE CONTACT ACTIVATED THE DEFROSTER, THE SEAT BELT CHIME SOUNDED AND THE TURN SIGNAL LIGHTS STOPPED OPERATING. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURES WAS NOT DIAGNOSED THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 47,000. UPDATED 06/02/17*LJ *CN
THE ALTERNATOR FOR MY CHEVROLET, SPARK 1LT 2014 DOES NOT WORK ALL THE TIME CAUSING ME TO BE STRANDED WHEN I TRY TO RESTART MY CAR. AUTO ZONE CHECKED MY BATTERY FOR FREE AND TOLD ME THAT THE BATTERY WAS GOOD AND THEN A CAR MECHANIC TOLD ME THAT THE ALTERNATOR FOR THE CAR NEEDS TO BE CHANGED. I CURRENTLY HAVE A BATTERY JUMP START…
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THE ALTERNATOR FOR MY CHEVROLET, SPARK 1LT 2014 DOES NOT WORK ALL THE TIME CAUSING ME TO BE STRANDED WHEN I TRY TO RESTART MY CAR. AUTO ZONE CHECKED MY BATTERY FOR FREE AND TOLD ME THAT THE BATTERY WAS GOOD AND THEN A CAR MECHANIC TOLD ME THAT THE ALTERNATOR FOR THE CAR NEEDS TO BE CHANGED. I CURRENTLY HAVE A BATTERY JUMP STARTER THAT I USE WHEN THE CAR DOESN'T TURN ON. I'M DISAPPOINTED THAT MY WELL MAINTAINED CAR HAS ELECTRICAL ISSUES THAT CAUSE ME TO BE STRANDED UNTIL I JUMP MY CAR.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 CHEVROLET SPARK. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE RADIO SHUT OFF AND THE VEHICLE LOST POWER. THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE RESTARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,632.
THE CODE 95 APPEARED OUT OF NOWHERE AND WILL NOT CLEAR. NO THERE IS NO CRUISE CONTROL AND ALL THE BUTTONS ON THE STEERING WHEEL DO NOT WORK NOT EVEN THE LIGHT THIS CAR WE BOUGHT A YEAR AGO HAVE HAD MULTIPLE RECALLS AND PROBLEMS WITH INCLUDING SOMETHING MAJOR IN THE ENGINE TO THE POINT IT COULD NOT BE DRIVEN SAFELY.
WENT TO STORE A COUPLE MILES FROM HOME, CAME OUT OF STORE AND CAR WOULD NOT START. THINKING MAYBE THE BATTERY WAS AT FAULT I TRIED JUMPING THE BATTERY AND STILL NOTHING SO TURNED THE IGNITION OFF AND TOOK KEYS AND GOT RIDE HOME. THEN UPON RETURNING TO STORE TO PICK UP ITEMS PURCHASED THE CAR WAS RUNNING WITHOUT THE KEYS AND THE …
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WENT TO STORE A COUPLE MILES FROM HOME, CAME OUT OF STORE AND CAR WOULD NOT START. THINKING MAYBE THE BATTERY WAS AT FAULT I TRIED JUMPING THE BATTERY AND STILL NOTHING SO TURNED THE IGNITION OFF AND TOOK KEYS AND GOT RIDE HOME. THEN UPON RETURNING TO STORE TO PICK UP ITEMS PURCHASED THE CAR WAS RUNNING WITHOUT THE KEYS AND THE IGNITION WAS IN THE OFF POSITION. I HAD THE WOMAN COME OUT OF THE STORE TO SEE THIS. AND IT ALSO FREAKED ME OUT ON HOW THIS COULD HAPPEN. THEN I CALLED VIC KOENIG IN CARBONDALE, ILLINOIS WHERE I PURCHASED THE CAR, AND AT FIRST THEY SAID IT WASN`T COVERED UNDER WARRANTY BECAUSE IT HAD 39,000 AND WARRANTY RAN OUT AT 36,000 AND THAT THEY NEVER HEARD OF THAT WHERE A CAR JUST STARTS UP WITHOUT THE IGNITION TURNED ON. THEY WANTED ME TO BRING IT IN, I WAS AFRAID TO EVEN DRIVE IT SO I CALLED NAPA DOWN THE ROAD AND A COUPLE OF THERE MECHANICS COME OVER TO SEE THAT IT HAD STARTED WITH THE IGNITION TURNED OFF. SO THEN THEY GAVE ME A RIDE HOME AND THE OTHER ONE TOOK THE CAR BACK TO NAPA GARAGE TO DISCONNECT THE BATTERY CABLE AND SEE IF THAT WOULD SHUT IT OFF, FOR I DID NOT EVEN WANT TO STEP FOOT IN THE CAR.
Official recalls
622V640000 · Latches/locks/linkages:hood:latch
Aug 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.
16V422000 · Electrical System:software; Equipment:electrical:radio/tape Deck/cd Etc.
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.
16V257000 · Electrical System:software; Equipment:electrical:radio/tape Deck/cd Etc.
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.
15V416000 · Equipment:electrical:radio/tape Deck/cd Etc.
Jun 30, 2015
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."
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: Without audible indicators, the driver may leave the key in the ignition, increasing the risk of theft. If a driver or front passenger does not buckle their seat belt, there would be no chime to remind them to fasten their seat belts. If a driver or passenger does not buckle their seat belt there is an increased risk that they will be injured in a crash.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will update the radio software, free of charge. The recall began on August 11, 2015. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 15504.
14V593000 · Latches/locks/linkages:hood:latch
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.
14V440000 · Suspension:front:control Arm:lower Arm
Jul 21, 2014
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the lower control arm bolts are not tightened properly, the lower control arm may separate from the steering knuckle while driving, causing a loss of steering, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Owners are instructed NOT to drive their vehicles until the recall remedy has been completed. Owners should call a Chevrolet dealer immediately to arrange for their vehicle to be transported free of charge for servicing. GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the left and right lower control arm attaching bolts to make sure that they are tightened to the proper specification, free of charge. The recall began on August 1, 2014. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 14453. Note: Owners are advised not to drive the vehicle until the repairs have been completed.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.