IllustrationRANDOMLY WHILE PARKED ON INCLINE, START THE CAR, PUT IN REVERSE, AND START BACKING DOWN THE DRIVE WAY THE BRAKES WOULD TOTALLY FAIL AND NO AMOUNT OF PRESSING ON THE BRAKES WOULD STOP THE CAR. THE CAR GAVE NO BRAKE FAILURE WARNINGS.
2015 Chevrolet Spark
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Similar to other model years
Owner complaints for the 2015 Chevrolet Spark do not stand out strongly from 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
150–25K
1025–50K
750–75K
175–100K
6100–150K
0150K+
39 reports with mileage · 37 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.
- Power Train. Review the 25 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Engine. Review the 11 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Electrical System. Review the 9 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
4 crash reports1 fire reports5 injury reports
What owners actually said
76 reportsCOOLANT RESERVOIR HAS A LEAK AT THE RETURN HOSE, THE TANK ITSELF SEEMS TO HAVE A WEAK SPOT ON THE INLET, I HAVE DONE SOME RESEARCH AND THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM THAT HAS NOT BEEN ADDRESSED BY CHEVY. NOTICE COOLANT GETTING LOW, ADDED COOLANT NEXT DAY IT WAS STILL LOW THEN NOTICED A LEAK WHILE RUNNING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 CHEVROLET SPARK M300. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PARKED IN A PARKING SPACE, THE VEHICLE WAS SHIFTED INTO REVERSE AND SPONTANEOUSLY ACCELERATED AT APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH INTO TRAFFIC COLLIDING WITH A VEHICLE. THE CONTACTED STATED THAT THE FRONTAL AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. T…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 CHEVROLET SPARK M300. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PARKED IN A PARKING SPACE, THE VEHICLE WAS SHIFTED INTO REVERSE AND SPONTANEOUSLY ACCELERATED AT APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH INTO TRAFFIC COLLIDING WITH A VEHICLE. THE CONTACTED STATED THAT THE FRONTAL AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HER FRONT SEAT PASSENGER WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL BY AMBULANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. . THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000.
AS I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY MY CAR LOST ALL POWER IN THE TRANSMISSION, I STEPPED ON THE GAS AND NOTHING HAPPENED BUT THE CAR STILL REVVED. IT'S AS IF IT SLIPPED OUT OF GEAR WHILE GOING 65MPH AND WOULD NOT KICK BACK INTO GEAR. I WAS AFRAID OF GETTING INTO AN ACCIDENT DUE TO THE SUDDEN LOSS IN SPEED. I'VE READ THAT 2013-2015 S…
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AS I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY MY CAR LOST ALL POWER IN THE TRANSMISSION, I STEPPED ON THE GAS AND NOTHING HAPPENED BUT THE CAR STILL REVVED. IT'S AS IF IT SLIPPED OUT OF GEAR WHILE GOING 65MPH AND WOULD NOT KICK BACK INTO GEAR. I WAS AFRAID OF GETTING INTO AN ACCIDENT DUE TO THE SUDDEN LOSS IN SPEED. I'VE READ THAT 2013-2015 SPARKS ARE KNOWN FOR HAVING BAD TRANSMISSIONS AND I BELIEVE MY PROBLEM WAS CAUSED BY A FAULTY TCM.
MANUAL TRANSMISSION REPEATED FAILURES. THE TRANSMISSION HAS GONE OUT 5 TIMES, BEEN IN SHOP FOR GRAND TOTAL OF 6 MONTHS. 3RD AND 4TH GEAR SYNCHROS HAVE GONE OUT. CABLES ARE POPPING OFF AND NOT ALLOWING TO SHIFT. MAJORITY OF FAILURES HAVE HAPPENED AT HIGHWAY SPEED, POSING A DANGEROUS SITUATION WHERE A UNPOWERED VEHICLE IS TRYI…
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MANUAL TRANSMISSION REPEATED FAILURES. THE TRANSMISSION HAS GONE OUT 5 TIMES, BEEN IN SHOP FOR GRAND TOTAL OF 6 MONTHS. 3RD AND 4TH GEAR SYNCHROS HAVE GONE OUT. CABLES ARE POPPING OFF AND NOT ALLOWING TO SHIFT. MAJORITY OF FAILURES HAVE HAPPENED AT HIGHWAY SPEED, POSING A DANGEROUS SITUATION WHERE A UNPOWERED VEHICLE IS TRYING TO EXIT MOVING TRAFFIC.
MY CAR HAS BEEN SQUEALING AND LURCHING AT SPEEDS OVER 30MPH FOR ABOUT A WEEK AND TODAY THE TRANSMISSION LOST POWER ON THE HIGHWAY.
NEED AIR BAG FOR THE DRIVER'S SIDE
THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN VERY SLUGGISH SINCE I BOUGHT IT. IT IS NOW UNSAFE TO DRIVE, ESPECIALLY IN THE HEAT. THERE HAVE BEEN MANY INSTANCES WHEN I'M AT A COMPLETE STOP AND THE CAR WON'T GO WHEN I HAVE THE GAS PEDAL FLOORED. I HAVE HAD 3 CLOSE CALLS AT INTERSECTIONS WHEN MAKING A LEFT HAND TURN, WHEN THERE SHOULD HAVE BEEN AMPLE TIM…
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THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN VERY SLUGGISH SINCE I BOUGHT IT. IT IS NOW UNSAFE TO DRIVE, ESPECIALLY IN THE HEAT. THERE HAVE BEEN MANY INSTANCES WHEN I'M AT A COMPLETE STOP AND THE CAR WON'T GO WHEN I HAVE THE GAS PEDAL FLOORED. I HAVE HAD 3 CLOSE CALLS AT INTERSECTIONS WHEN MAKING A LEFT HAND TURN, WHEN THERE SHOULD HAVE BEEN AMPLE TIME TO GET THROUGH THE INTERSECTION BASED ON THE DISTANCE BETWEEN MY VEHICLE AND ONCOMING TRAFFIC. I HAVE TAKEN MY VEHICLE TO THE CHEVROLET SERVICE DEPARTMENT FOR THIS ISSUE. THEY HAVE DONE DIAGNOSTICS AND SUPPOSEDLY DRIVEN IT, BUT COULD NOT FIND A PROBLEM. THIS IS A REAL SAFETY CONCERN. THIS HAS HAPPENED ON BUSY CITY STREETS, AT ON-RAMPS GETTING ONTO THE FREEWAY, AT BUSY INTERSECTIONS GOING STRAIGHT AND TURNING BOTH DIRECTIONS, AND ON LOW GRADE HILLS, I HAVE TO FLOOR THE GAS PEDAL TWO OR THREE TIMES BEFORE THE CAR WILL MOVE. THE PROPULSION INCREASES AT A VERY SLOW, UNSAFE RATE OF SPEED.
GOT A "SERVICE STABLE TRACK" INDICATION AND BRAKES WOULD LOSE ASSISTED POWER RANDOMLY WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. (WHICH IS NOT VERY SAFE.) BEFORE THIS I HAD A SIMILAR PROBLEM WITH LOOSING ASSISTED BRAKES AFTER STOPPING THAT DEALER REPLACED THE BRAKE BOOSTER JUST AFTER I BOUGHT IT. THIS TIME I TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALER I BOUGH…
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GOT A "SERVICE STABLE TRACK" INDICATION AND BRAKES WOULD LOSE ASSISTED POWER RANDOMLY WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. (WHICH IS NOT VERY SAFE.) BEFORE THIS I HAD A SIMILAR PROBLEM WITH LOOSING ASSISTED BRAKES AFTER STOPPING THAT DEALER REPLACED THE BRAKE BOOSTER JUST AFTER I BOUGHT IT. THIS TIME I TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALER I BOUGHT IT FROM AND THE COMPUTER WAS THROWING LOTS OF WEIRD CODES. SO THEY TOOK IT TO THE CHEVY DEALER AND THEY DETERMINED THAT THE BOLTS THAT MOUNT THE EBCM TO THE BPMV WERE LOOSE. THEY DECIDED THAT THE BOLTS WEREN'T TIGHTENED ENOUGH FROM A WARRANTY REPAIR ON THE BPMV THAT I DIDN'T REALIZE WAS DONE LESS THAN TWO YEARS AGO SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR USED. TECHNICALLY I FEEL LIKE WE DON'T REALLY KNOW FOR SURE IF THE BOLTS WERE TIGHTENED TO THE CORRECT TORQUE IN THE FIRST PLACE OR NOT. I HAVE SEEN A NUMBER OF BRAKE PROBLEMS REPORTED ON THIS MODEL. IT SOUNDS LIKE THE ISSUE COULD CAUSE FALSE CODES TO BE REPORTED BECAUSE THE EBCM IS NOT GROUNDED WELL AND ALSO CAUSES AIR GETTING INTO THE BRAKE SYSTEM. MY CONCERN IS THIS MIGHT NOT BE AN ISOLATED INCIDENT, BUT I DON'T KNOW FOR SURE.
ON 8/6/2019 AROUND FIVE IN THE MORNING AS I WAS LEAVING WORK ON A CITY STREET, MY RIGHT SIGNAL LIGHT JUST CAME ON AND HASN'T CUT OFF YET, NO MATTER WHAT I DO IT WON'T CUT OFF. I CHECKED ALL FUSES AND CHECKED THE WHOLE CAR AND FOUND NOTHING
Official recalls
522V640000 · 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.
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.