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Chevrolet Spark
Hatchback · Gas · 6 versions · owner report
Ranked #1 of 7 used subcompact cars on owner data, price and fuel economy
Every generation
Power
Combined, EPA 2022
What owners say
Our take, from owner reports
Sentiment is sharply divided, with a clear distinction between positive experiences with well-maintained examples and severe criticism focused on catastrophic transmission failures.
2 problems reported (2 recurrent) · medium confidence
Problems owners report
- RecurrentCVT transmission failure
Complete failure requiring replacement, reported around 120,000-140,000 miles; some instances of replacement units failing again shortly thereafter.
- RecurrentGeneral reliability concerns
Broader perception of unreliability and frequent breakdowns beyond just the transmission, leading to consistent repair costs.
The version owners recommend
Insufficient owner data available to identify a consensus "best" trim or model year. One owner specifically recommended purchasing a brand-new example to ensure full warranty coverage and avoid used-car reliability risks. The manual transmission (MT) variant received one isolated mention as being preferable to the problematic CVT.
Competitors to consider
Owners compare it most often with the Kia Soul, Honda Fit, Mitsubishi Mirage, Toyota Corolla and Mazda 3.
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Overall sentiment
Sentiment is sharply divided, with a clear distinction between positive experiences with well-maintained examples and severe criticism focused on catastrophic transmission failures. A cohort of owners praises the Spark as a practical, fuel-efficient, and surprisingly well-equipped city car that is easy to drive and park, with some reporting trouble-free ownership beyond 30,000 miles. However, a very strong and specific criticism centers on the reliability of the continuously variable transmission (CVT), with multiple reports of complete failure, sometimes repeatedly, around the 120,000-140,000 mile mark, leading to stranded vehicles and significant repair costs. This creates a high-risk perception for higher-mileage used examples, overshadowing the vehicle's affordability and practicality.
Positioning vs competitors
Positioned as an ultra-affordable, basic transportation city car. Compared favorably to the Kia Soul for lower purchase price and better fuel economy, but noted as less versatile and spacious. The Honda Fit is frequently cited as a superior, more reliable, and more engaging alternative in the subcompact segment, albeit at a higher cost. The Mitsubishi Mirage is seen as a direct competitor in the "cheapest new car" category, with similar critiques about basic nature and performance.
Recommended configurations
Manual transmission is suggested over the CVT due to reliability concerns. For CVT-equipped models, strict adherence to a 30,000-mile drain-and-refill service for the transmission fluid is strongly recommended by an owner. The base LS trim is noted as being well-equipped with a 7-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a rearview camera.
General recommendations
Suitable as a brand-new purchase for budget-focused buyers seeking the lowest possible entry price, basic modern features, and excellent urban maneuverability. NOT recommended as a high-mileage used purchase without a comprehensive pre-purchase inspection and verification of complete transmission service history. Essential to verify the status of any remaining powertrain warranty, particularly for the transmission which has a noted 120,000-mile coverage period from Chevrolet. For used models, prioritize examples with a manual transmission or be prepared for potential costly CVT repairs. Owners of higher-mileage examples emphasize the necessity of vigilant maintenance.
Remarks
The provided data indicates a critical reliability fault with the CVT transmission that appears to be a known issue, supported by a manufacturer warranty covering it up to 120,000 miles. This creates a significant financial risk for buyers of used Sparks near or beyond this mileage threshold without warranty protection. Positive owner experiences are almost exclusively associated with lower-mileage, newer, or meticulously maintained vehicles. The analysis is based on a limited number of substantive owner discussions, which heavily feature transmission failure narratives.
Generation by generation
Owner insights per generation and US complaint/recall records (NHTSA).
Complaints and recalls by model yearWorst year: 2014. Years to avoid: 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013Source: NHTSA (US)Show table
Each year graded against the model's other years: Year Score. See all Chevrolet Spark years to avoid
| Year | Complaints | Recalls | Most-reported area |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 3 | 0 | structure |
| 2021 | 6 | 0 | air bags |
| 2020 | 19 | 0 | air bags |
| 2019 | 14 | 1 | air bags |
| 2018 | 9 | 0 | vehicle speed control |
| 2017 | 29 | 1 | power train |
| 2016 | 83 | 3 | service brakes |
| 2015 | 159 | 7 | power train |
| 2014 | 344 | 8 | engine |
| 2013 | 146 | 5 | engine |
Complaint counts come from owner reports filed with the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Higher-selling years naturally accumulate more complaints.
Recall notices25 on record · Source: NHTSA (US)Show recalls
2019 · air bagscampaign 18V774000
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2019 Buick Encore, Chevrolet Spark, Traverse, and Trax vehicles. The Sensing Diagnostic Module (SDM) on these vehicle may not have been turned off of "manufacturing mode," preventing the air bags from deploying in the event of a crash.
2017 · air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator modulecampaign 17V307000
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2016-2017 Chevrolet Spark vehicles. In the event of a crash, if a young child is seated improperly and not wearing a seat belt while in the front passenger seat, deployment of the front passenger air bag may injure the occupant's neck. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
2016 · air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator modulecampaign 17V307000
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2016-2017 Chevrolet Spark vehicles. In the event of a crash, if a young child is seated improperly and not wearing a seat belt while in the front passenger seat, deployment of the front passenger air bag may injure the occupant's neck. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
2016 · air bags:frontalcampaign 16V651000
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2015-2017 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD, 3500 HD, Tahoe, Suburban, GMC Sierra 2500 HD and 3500 HD, GMC Yukon, GMC Yukon XL, Cadillac Escalade and Cadillac Escalade ESV vehicles and 2014-2017 Chevrolet Corvette, Silverado 1500, Trax, Caprice Police Pursuit Vehicle, GMC Sierra 1500, Buick Encore, and 2014-2016 Buick Lacrosse, Chevrolet Spark EV and SS vehicles. In the affected vehicles, certain driving conditions may cause the air bag sensing and diagnostic module (SDM) software to activate a diagnostic test. During this test, deployment of the frontal air bags and the seat belt pretensioners would not occur in the event of a crash.
2016 · air bags:frontalcampaign 17V437000
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2014-2016 Buick Lacrosse and Chevrolet Spark EV, Caprice PPV and SS vehicles, 2014-2017 Buick Encore and Chevrolet Corvette, Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles, 2015-2016 Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Tahoe, Trax, Suburban and Silverado 2500 and 3500 and GMC Yukon and Yukon XL vehicles, and 2015-2017 GMC Sierra HD 2500 and 3500 vehicles. While being previously remedied for recall 16V-651, the affected vehicles may not have received the complete software update necessary to remedy the recall condition. Without the update, certain driving conditions may cause the air bag sensing and diagnostic module (SDM) software to activate a diagnostic test. During this test, deployment of the frontal air bags and the seat belt pretensioners would not occur in the event of a crash.
2015 · electrical system:softwarecampaign 16V422000
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."
2015 · equipment:electrical:radio/tape deck/cd etc.campaign 16V257000
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."
2015 · equipment:electrical:radio/tape deck/cd etc.campaign 15V416000
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."
2015 · latches/locks/linkages:hood:latchcampaign 14V593000
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.
2015 · latches/locks/linkages:hood:latchcampaign 22V640000
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.
2015 · air bags:frontalcampaign 16V651000
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2015-2017 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD, 3500 HD, Tahoe, Suburban, GMC Sierra 2500 HD and 3500 HD, GMC Yukon, GMC Yukon XL, Cadillac Escalade and Cadillac Escalade ESV vehicles and 2014-2017 Chevrolet Corvette, Silverado 1500, Trax, Caprice Police Pursuit Vehicle, GMC Sierra 1500, Buick Encore, and 2014-2016 Buick Lacrosse, Chevrolet Spark EV and SS vehicles. In the affected vehicles, certain driving conditions may cause the air bag sensing and diagnostic module (SDM) software to activate a diagnostic test. During this test, deployment of the frontal air bags and the seat belt pretensioners would not occur in the event of a crash.
2015 · air bags:frontalcampaign 17V437000
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2014-2016 Buick Lacrosse and Chevrolet Spark EV, Caprice PPV and SS vehicles, 2014-2017 Buick Encore and Chevrolet Corvette, Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles, 2015-2016 Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Tahoe, Trax, Suburban and Silverado 2500 and 3500 and GMC Yukon and Yukon XL vehicles, and 2015-2017 GMC Sierra HD 2500 and 3500 vehicles. While being previously remedied for recall 16V-651, the affected vehicles may not have received the complete software update necessary to remedy the recall condition. Without the update, certain driving conditions may cause the air bag sensing and diagnostic module (SDM) software to activate a diagnostic test. During this test, deployment of the frontal air bags and the seat belt pretensioners would not occur in the event of a crash.
2014 · electrical system:softwarecampaign 16V422000
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."
2014 · suspension:front:control arm:lower armcampaign 14V440000
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.
2014 · latches/locks/linkages:hood:latchcampaign 14V593000
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.
10 older recalls not shown. Check nhtsa.gov with your VIN for the full history.
Specifications
1.4 ECOTEC
1.4L 4-cylinder · 98 hp · FWD · automatic (CVT)
Built 2018–2022