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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 →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

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

What owners actually said

172 reports
116,000 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

77,388 miles · Sep 21, 2020
Electrical System

VEHICLE ALERT SYSTEM SHOWS WATER TEMPERATURE ALERT THEN STOPPED THEM THE TRACTION ALERT CAME ON THEN WENT OFF AND THE TRANSMISSION LIGHT STAYS ON ALL THE TIME. DRIVES FINE BUT JOLTS IF ON AN INCLINE AND YOU PUT IT IN GEAR. THE OTHERS CAME ON WHILE DRIVING

NHTSA ODI #11360256

81,405 miles · Aug 6, 2020
Unknown Or Other

MY DAUGHTER PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE USED IN DECEMBER 2019. TWO WEEKS AFTER SHE PURCHASED IT, THE HEATING SYSTEM HAD TO BE COMPLETELY REBUILT. NOW LESS THAN A WEEK AGO THE A,/C SYSTEM STOPPED BLOWING COLD. SHE HAD TO HAVE THE COMPRESSOR REPLACED. THEN TWO DAYS LATER, THE A/C STOPPED BLOWING COLD AGAIN. THAI TIME IT WAS THE PRESSUR…

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MY DAUGHTER PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE USED IN DECEMBER 2019. TWO WEEKS AFTER SHE PURCHASED IT, THE HEATING SYSTEM HAD TO BE COMPLETELY REBUILT. NOW LESS THAN A WEEK AGO THE A,/C SYSTEM STOPPED BLOWING COLD. SHE HAD TO HAVE THE COMPRESSOR REPLACED. THEN TWO DAYS LATER, THE A/C STOPPED BLOWING COLD AGAIN. THAI TIME IT WAS THE PRESSURE SWITCH ON THE LOW SIDE. HER MECHANIC DID SOME RESEARCH AND FOUND THAT AT SOME POINT GM ISSUED A "RECALL" NOT EXACTLY A RECALL, BUT A VOLUNTARY FIX FOR A/C ISSUES INVOLVING 2013 AND 2014 CHEVY SPARKS. APPARENTLY IF THE REPAIR HAD NOT BEEN MADE BY 2016, THEN ONLY APPLICABLE WARRANTIES WOULD APPLY. WELL, WE DIDN'T BUY THIS VEHICLE UNTIL 2019, BUT THE HVAC SYSTEM HAS BEEN NOTHING BUT TROUBLE FROM THE START. GM KNOWS THERE WAS AN ISSUE WITH THE HVAC SYSTEMS BACK IN 2014. HOW CAN THEY ONLY REPAIR FAULTY EQUIPMENT FOR 2 YEARS? A QUICK GOOGLE SEARCH OF "CHEVY SPARK AC ISSUES" WILL LEAD TO NUMEROUS REPORTS OF SIMILAR ISSUES. GM NEEDS TO STEP UP AND TAKE CARE OF THIS ISSUE FOR GOOD!

NHTSA ODI #11343669

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

89,125 miles · Jul 4, 2020
SuspensionVehicle Speed Control

WHEN YOU START ON THE GAS THE VEHICLE HESITATES FOREVER BEFORE GOING. I'VE NEARLY BEEN HIT SEVERAL TIMES DUE TO THIS. IT ALSO TAKES FOREVER TO GET OVER 60MPH. THE SUSPENSION WAS BAD AS WELL AND HAD TO REPLACE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #11337478

42,500 miles · Jun 23, 2020
Air BagsElectronic Stability Control (esc)Suspension

STATIONERY *TR

NHTSA ODI #11330312

62,000 miles · Jun 8, 2020
EngineFuel/propulsion SystemVehicle Speed Control

WHEN ACCELERATING (BETWEEN 5-30MPH), THE VEHICLE STUTTERS TO GAIN POWER/SPEED-IT ALMOST FEELS LIKE THERE'S A DELAY IN THE EXECUTION WHEN TRYING TO ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE WILL THEN LUNGE FORWARD, THEN SULK BACK AS IF THE ENGINE HAS TEMPORARILY LOST POWER. THE LUNGE, SULK BACK AND STUTTER ARE PROGRESSIVELY WORSENING, TO THE POINT…

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WHEN ACCELERATING (BETWEEN 5-30MPH), THE VEHICLE STUTTERS TO GAIN POWER/SPEED-IT ALMOST FEELS LIKE THERE'S A DELAY IN THE EXECUTION WHEN TRYING TO ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE WILL THEN LUNGE FORWARD, THEN SULK BACK AS IF THE ENGINE HAS TEMPORARILY LOST POWER. THE LUNGE, SULK BACK AND STUTTER ARE PROGRESSIVELY WORSENING, TO THE POINT THAT THE PLUNGE AND SULK ARE OCCURRING AT MORE VARYING SPEED CHANGES MORE AND MORE FREQUENTLY (ACCELERATING OR LIFTING OFF THE GAS PEDDLE TO SLOW DOWN). *TR

NHTSA ODI #11327891

101,000 miles · Apr 25, 2020
Fuel/propulsion SystemVehicle Speed Control

DURING REGULAR CONSTANT DRIVING AT SPEED 20-50MPH ACCELERATION LURGES FORWARD AND FELS LIKE A CRUISE CONTROL IS ENGAGING, THIS IS NOT A FEATURE IN THIS MODEL. THIS HAS OCCURRED NOW MORE THAN 3 TIMES. SENDING IN VEHICLE FIR REVIEW.

NHTSA ODI #11322240

81,500 miles · Mar 2, 2020
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 CHEVROLET SPARK. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE INTERMITTENTLY LOST MOTIVE POWER WITH A KNOCKING SOUND DETECTED IN THE ENGINE. THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED PISTON …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 CHEVROLET SPARK. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE INTERMITTENTLY LOST MOTIVE POWER WITH A KNOCKING SOUND DETECTED IN THE ENGINE. THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED PISTON FAILURE. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 81,500.

NHTSA ODI #11315689

47,539 miles · Feb 27, 2020
Structure

THE VEHICLE IS STATIONARY AS I WAS TRYING TO CHECK THE ENGINE OIL AND I PULLED THE HOOD LATCH INSIDE THE CAR AND THE HOOD NEVER POPPED OR RELEASED AND I WAS NOT ABLE TO GET THE HOOD OPEN TO CHECK ON THE ENGINE OIL

NHTSA ODI #11311859

Official recalls

6

22V640000 · 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

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.