Avoid: 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013 (lowest Year Scores on complaints per year on the road, crash reports and recalls)
Best: 2018
10 model years of NHTSA owner complaints and recalls · How we grade
Across 9 model years, the Chevrolet Spark has 809 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 25 recalls on record. The most-reported areas are power train and engine. 2014 drew the most complaints (344), 2021 the fewest (6).
Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for Chevrolet Spark vehicles (US, public record). Typical used asking price $9,194–$13,354.
Complaint volume by model year. Raw NHTSA totals, not adjusted for sales volume or time on the road, so older and higher-selling years accumulate more. Every year links to its full breakdown.
Highest: 2014 (344 complaints). Lowest: 2021 (6).
Sentiment is sharply divided, with a clear distinction between positive experiences with well-maintained examples and severe criticism focused on catastrophic transmission failures.
Complete failure requiring replacement, reported around 120,000-140,000 miles; some instances of replacement units failing again shortly thereafter.
Broader perception of unreliability and frequent breakdowns beyond just the transmission, leading to consistent repair costs.
Owner insights cover all generations of the Spark. Individual model years are broken down above.
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