NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Electronic Stability Control (esc) complaints
8 reportsClear category filter116,000 miles · Oct 10, 2020
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Fuel/propulsion System
IN AUGUST 2019, AS I WAS DRIVING ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY MY VEHICLE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT BECAME ILLUMINATED AND MY BRAKE, GAS, STEERING COLUMN, AND VEHICLE LOSS COMPLETE FUNCTION. THIS INCIDENT ALMOST COST ME MY LIFE. THANK GOODNESS I WAS ABLE TO EXIT THE HIGHWAY IN TIME. AFTER WEEKS AND MONTHS OF FAILED REPAIR ATTEMPTS, I CONTACTED GM…
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IN AUGUST 2019, AS I WAS DRIVING ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY MY VEHICLE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT BECAME ILLUMINATED AND MY BRAKE, GAS, STEERING COLUMN, AND VEHICLE LOSS COMPLETE FUNCTION. THIS INCIDENT ALMOST COST ME MY LIFE. THANK GOODNESS I WAS ABLE TO EXIT THE HIGHWAY IN TIME. AFTER WEEKS AND MONTHS OF FAILED REPAIR ATTEMPTS, I CONTACTED GM HOPING TO GAIN SOME RESOLUTION. AFTER FILING A COMPLAINT IN DECEMBER 2019 THERE WAS NO RESPONSE UNTIL LAST WEEK. I RECEIVED A LETTER IN THE MAIL FROM ,MRS. NEELIE O'CONNOR-GLOBAL EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE OPERATIONS, STATING THAT MY MECHANICAL ISSUES MAY INDEED BE AT THE FAULT OF GM. THEY WOULD PAY FOR DAMAGES ,ONLY IF MY CAR WAS UNDER 120,000 MILES ,AND THEIR MECHANIC CONFIRMS THE DAMAGES.
NHTSA ODI #11363693
Mileage unknown · Aug 1, 2020
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)
BOUGHT A 2014 IN JULY 2016,NOT EVEN HAD THE VEHICLE 6 MONTHS THE RADIO,ONSTAR,SEATBELT CHIMES ALL WENT OUT.IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN ON THE RECALL LIST DATED 6/2016.NOW HAVING ISSUES WITH THE IGNITION,WONT START.SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE WITH THIS. GOD FORBID IF THE VEHICLE LOCKED UP WHILE I AM DRIVING. THANK YOU.
NHTSA ODI #11342646
42,500 miles · Jun 23, 2020
Air BagsElectronic Stability Control (esc)Suspension
STATIONERY *TR
NHTSA ODI #11330312
49,000 miles · Dec 15, 2019
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)
I RECENTLY PURCHASED A 2014 CHEVY SPARK WITH 49,000 MILES. WITHIN A WEEK OF USING THE VEHICLE THE RADIO, CHIMES AND WARNINGS STOPPED WORKING. I WAS DRIVING AND TOUCHED THE REAR WINDOW DEFROSTER. THE RADIO WENT OFF AND WOULD NOT TURN BACK ON. I THOUGHT MAYBE A FUSE HAD BLOWN SO I CHECKED ALL RELATED FUSES. THEN I DID SOME RESEARC…
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I RECENTLY PURCHASED A 2014 CHEVY SPARK WITH 49,000 MILES. WITHIN A WEEK OF USING THE VEHICLE THE RADIO, CHIMES AND WARNINGS STOPPED WORKING. I WAS DRIVING AND TOUCHED THE REAR WINDOW DEFROSTER. THE RADIO WENT OFF AND WOULD NOT TURN BACK ON. I THOUGHT MAYBE A FUSE HAD BLOWN SO I CHECKED ALL RELATED FUSES. THEN I DID SOME RESEARCH ON LINE. I FOUND NUMEROUS ARTICLES AND RECALLS FOR THIS VERY SAME ISSUE. I AM THE THIRD OWNER OF THIS SPARK. THE FIRST OWNER HAD A RECALL SERVICE PERFORMED ON THE SPARK THAT WAS RELATED TO THE RADIO. JUST A WEEK BEFORE I PURCHASE THE SPARK THE SECOND OWNER HAD THE RADIO "REPAIRED" AT A CHEVY DEALERSHIP. CHEVROLET AT THIS POINT DOES NOT RECOGNIZE THAT THE PROBLEM IS RECALL RELATED BECAUSE THE RECALL SERVICE WAS PERFORMED ONCE.
NHTSA ODI #11289142
50,000 miles · Nov 3, 2019
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)
CAR WAS WORKING FINE AND SHUT OFF IN PARKING LOT. THEN AN ATTEMPT TO RESTART IT A COUPLE OF MINUTES LATER LEAD TO FAILURE TO TURN OVER (CRANKING WAS HEARD). CONSOLE LIGHTS WERE LIGHTING INTERMITTENTLY AND VARIED, INCLUDING CHECK ENGINE AND SAFETY LOCK. WIPERS STARTED OCCASIONALLY. COULD NOT PUT IN NEUTRAL TO PUSH IT. OVER A…
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CAR WAS WORKING FINE AND SHUT OFF IN PARKING LOT. THEN AN ATTEMPT TO RESTART IT A COUPLE OF MINUTES LATER LEAD TO FAILURE TO TURN OVER (CRANKING WAS HEARD). CONSOLE LIGHTS WERE LIGHTING INTERMITTENTLY AND VARIED, INCLUDING CHECK ENGINE AND SAFETY LOCK. WIPERS STARTED OCCASIONALLY. COULD NOT PUT IN NEUTRAL TO PUSH IT. OVER A FEW HOURS, THE BATTERY WAS COMPLETELY DRAINED.
NHTSA ODI #11277827
78,000 miles · Nov 21, 2018
Electronic Stability Control (esc)EngineVehicle Speed Control
CAR LOST POWER AND TOOK LONGER TO ACCELERATE THAN NORMAL WHILE I WAS DRIVING IT. MY CAR'S DASHBOARD SHOWED THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, REDUCED ENGINE POWER LIGHT AND A LOSS OF TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT. A CAR DIAGNOSTIC RECOMMENDED TO CHANGE THE THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR WHICH I HAVE DONE WITH NO SUCCESS. A DEALERSHIP DIAGNOSTIC SAID…
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CAR LOST POWER AND TOOK LONGER TO ACCELERATE THAN NORMAL WHILE I WAS DRIVING IT. MY CAR'S DASHBOARD SHOWED THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, REDUCED ENGINE POWER LIGHT AND A LOSS OF TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT. A CAR DIAGNOSTIC RECOMMENDED TO CHANGE THE THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR WHICH I HAVE DONE WITH NO SUCCESS. A DEALERSHIP DIAGNOSTIC SAID THERE WAS FAULTY WIRING WHICH WOULD COST $600 TO FIX. I HAVE NOT GONE THROUGH WITH THE REPAIRS AS OF YET. I HAVE MET AT LEAST 2 OTHER PEOPLE THAT HAVE THIS PROBLEM.
NHTSA ODI #11153186
107,000 miles · Apr 13, 2018
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Power Train
107,000 HWY/CITY MILES. CATASTROPHIC FAILURE OF THE 2014 CHEVROLET SPARK'S CVT CONTROL MODULE AND TRANSMISSION. DEALERSHIP INSPECTION REVEALED; PERMANENTLY FROZEN ACTUATORS AND CONTROL VALVES WHICH CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO STALL, WITH ENGINE RUNNING, ON MILD INCLINES, ON RAMPS, OFF RAMPS, IN HEAVY TRAFFIC,AND STOP LIGHTS. VERY LITTL…
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107,000 HWY/CITY MILES. CATASTROPHIC FAILURE OF THE 2014 CHEVROLET SPARK'S CVT CONTROL MODULE AND TRANSMISSION. DEALERSHIP INSPECTION REVEALED; PERMANENTLY FROZEN ACTUATORS AND CONTROL VALVES WHICH CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO STALL, WITH ENGINE RUNNING, ON MILD INCLINES, ON RAMPS, OFF RAMPS, IN HEAVY TRAFFIC,AND STOP LIGHTS. VERY LITTLE TIME BETWEEN THE ONSET OF MECHANICAL - ELECTRICAL MALFUNCTIONS WHICH INCLUDE BUCKING, SLIPPAGE AND LOSS OF MOMENTUM, BEFORE THE AMBER "CHECK ENGINE LIGHT" DEPLOYS. BY THAT TIME, IT'S TOO LATE..AS STATED EARLIER, LOSS OF MOMENTUM ON FAST-PACED INTERSTATES AND HEAVY FLOW TRAFFIC LIGHTS, PLACED MYSELF AND PASSENGERS IN UNWARRANTED DANGER.
NHTSA ODI #11084956
Mileage unknown · May 23, 2017
Electronic Stability Control (esc)EngineVehicle Speed Control
I HAVE HAD TO TAKE THIS CAR IN 4 TIMES BECAUSE THE 4TH CYLINDER KEEPS GOING OUT. THE AIR BARELY WORKS AND I AM JUST SO DISAPPOINTED IN THIS CAR.
NHTSA ODI #10991211
Official recalls
6Aug 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.
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.
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.
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 ↗
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