Chevrolet Spark user complaints and problems
In general, we have seen several Chevrolet vehicles facing serious issues with various aspects such as their powertrains, safety systems, and tires. Some of the problems have been mentioned below:
Engine problems
- Excessive oil consumption: The 2017 Chevy Spark had this issue and a single complaint was registered regarding the same. The report narrated that the owner came to know that the vehicle was consuming 1% of engine oil after covering 20 miles of distance. It also stated that General Motors was aware of the issue but failed to offer any resolution for the same.
- Engine shut down after hitting speed breaker: The 2017 Chevy Spark faced a single complaint regarding the mentioned problem. The report states that under highway driving speeds around 55-60 mph, if the vehicle hit a bump, the entire powertrain along with the electronics of the vehicle would shut down, forcing the driver to lose control of the vehicle.
- Engine refusing to accelerate: Both the 2017 and 2018 models of the Spark had this problem. As per the complaints lodged by the owners, the issues were that while coming to a complete stop, the engine refused to accelerate in most cases. In some instances, the engine would rev up but the transmission couldn’t decide which gear to slot in, resulting in no motive power. All the instances occurred while driving, risking the safety of the affected owners.
Safety problems
- Airbags failing to deploy: This has been a plaguing problem with not only a particular vehicle but almost a majority of modern vehicles today. In the case of the Spark, there were several occasions reported where the airbags failed to deploy even if the crash was a serious one. Even the most recent 2021 Spark faced a single complaint stating that the airbags failed to deploy along with the seatbelts failing, releasing and injuring both the front occupant and the driver.
- Wrong deployment of airbags: Like the non-deployment of the airbags, the wrong deployment of airbags also did some considerable damage to the affected owners. In some instances, the airbags deployed in a standing position while in another one, a wrongly-deployed airbag caused severe injuries to the lower body of the owner.
- Hard airbags: The 2020 Chevrolet Spark had a single complaint regarding this. The complaint stated that after the deployment of the airbags, the impact points of the same sustained unnecessary cuts and bruises which was unacceptable since the airbags are designed to keep the occupants from harm in the event of a crash.
2022 Chevrolet Spark recalls
The complaints list shows that the car had some significant issues with its powertrain as well as its safety systems. There was a recall issued regarding the Chevy Spark transmission problems in 2015 but the problem cropped up in the later models too. However, the particular complaint about the 2017 Spark stating the excessively strong airbags causing injuries was addressed with a recall on the same model year, and the airbag not deploying issue also had a separate recall as well. However, it was surprising to see that the powertrain issues were left unaddressed by the brand and we don’t expect it to carry out further actions since the vehicle is in its last model year.
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Recall Date
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NHTSA Campaign ID
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Component Affected
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Recall Issue
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Explanation
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May 9, 2017
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17V307000
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AIR BAGS
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Air Bag Deployment may Injure Neck/FMVSS 208
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In the event of a crash with frontal airbag deployment, an unbelted child in the front passenger seat has an increased risk of injury.
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November 1, 2018
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18V774000
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AIR BAGS
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may not Deploy Due to Incorrect Setting
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If the airbags do not deploy in the event of a crash, it can increase the risk of injury.
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What model year of the Chevrolet Spark to avoid?
The Chevrolet Spark might look like fun but it isn’t entirely apart from the easy maneuverability bit and the super affordable price tag it comes with. Since the car targets first-time car buyers and people with a tight budget, it was seen that General Motors blatantly ignored to fix some underlying issues with the vehicle such as the recurring powertrain and transmission issue that was present even in the third-gen model. In the used car lot, there will be an abundance of used examples of the Spark that are older than 2015 and we would strongly advise staying away from them.
Should you buy a used Chevrolet Spark?
Given the congestion of the urban jungle, buying a used Chevy Spark makes sense, especially for students who would find it easy to keep owing to the impressive gas mileage of the car as well as the inexpensive maintenance. Moreover, the fourth-generation model of the car offers a plethora of features at a sub-20k price bracket. Hence, if you’re looking for a used Spark, it is better to go for a higher and well-equipped trim to have the best value for your money.
