Photo: Bull-Doser / Public domain / Wikimedia Commons
2016 Chevrolet Spark: common problems and reliability
One of the worst Spark years.
One of the Chevrolet Spark years to avoid. All Spark years
83 owner complaints, most about service brakes. 3 recalls.
Should I buy a 2016 Spark?The 2016 Chevrolet Spark has 83 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 3 recalls on record. The most-reported areas are service brakes and air bags.
Safety record for the 2016 model year
Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for 2016 Chevrolet Spark vehicles (US, public record).
The Year Score compares this year with other Spark years only. How we score it
Is 2016 a good year for the Spark?
Across the 10 Spark model years we track, complaint volume runs from 3 (2022) to 344 (2014). With 83 complaints, the 2016 Spark sits above the model's median of 29.
These are raw NHTSA complaint totals, not adjusted for how many cars sold or how long each model year has been on the road. Older and higher-selling years accumulate more complaints.
Where owners report problems
Recalls affecting the 2016 Spark
air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module
Campaign 17V307000General 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."
air bags:frontal
Campaign 16V651000General 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.
air bags:frontal
Campaign 17V437000General 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.
What owners say across generations
Sentiment is sharply divided, with a clear distinction between positive experiences with well-maintained examples and severe criticism focused on catastrophic transmission failures.
Owner insights cover all generations of the Spark. See the full Spark owner picture and every model year.
Typical used price
Used Spark listings typically run $9,194–$13,354 across 2014 to 2022 model years.
Other Spark model years
Compare every Spark year side by side to see how 2016 ranks against the rest.
Compare the Spark against its rivals
Looking at a specific car?
We're building a full check by VIN: the exact trim and engine, its known problems and recalls, what to inspect, a fair price, and how it compares with its rivals. Get an email when it's ready.
One email when it launches. Unsubscribe any time. Privacy