10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
3 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
24,614 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.

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problem #18

Jul 132023

Spark

  • miles
Passenger front spring broken.

- Berrien Springs, MI, USA

problem #17

Oct 012022

Spark 4-cyl

  • miles
The secondary hood latch lever problem was discovered in August 2022. I received a letter at the beginning of October 2022. I called to have my vehicle repaired but was advised that the parts were not available. I called again in late February 2023 and the parts were still not available. The recall was issued because the secondary latch striker may become stuck out of position and fail to properly engage. If the striker becomes stuck out of position and both the primary and secondary hood latch fail to engage, the vehicle-??s hood may open unexpectedly, increasing the risk of a crash. The last sentence is an understatement to say the least. My daughter drives the Chevy Spark from our home in Beaver Falls, Pa to college in Edinboro, Pa. Approximately a 2 hour drive on Route 79, a major highway for semi trucks from Pa to NY. If the hood opens unexpectedly, there Will be a crash not the risk will be increased. When I asked Chevy about a loaner, I was advised that I could not get 1. I asked if I-??m supposed to keep driving since I have no other options, I was advised that I could not get a loaner. I asked for a supervisor to call me back. I was advised that a supervisor would call me back within 24-48 hours. She gave me Case # 9-9494938162. 2 days later, the same women called me back and advised me that I could not get a loaner. I asked why supervisor did not call me back. Said he was not available. I am filing a complaint because it has been 5 months (October 2022) since I received the recall letter and it-??s been 7 months since the problem has been known (August 2022). The contact stated his daughter was in an accident because the part was not available from August 2022 to at least the date of his daughter-??s accident on 6/2/23. The hood opened while she was driving 65 mph on the Pa turnpike. It has now been almost 2 months since the accident and Chevy reached out to his wife and advised her the claim would be turned down because of 2 prior accidents that the vehicle was involved in prior to owning the vehicle.

- Beaver Falls, PA, USA

problem #16

Aug 102021

Spark

  • miles
The key is a problem. Personally mine has broken 4 times. The fob & base of the key is too big for the key itself. I know other Chevrolet models have had key recalls for the same reason, so I am not sure why they have not recalled the Chevy Spark keys because they are the same format as other models. It would be convenient if they separated the fob and the key. Currently my key is super glued because the dealership has this key on back order. I just replaced this key two years ago and it just keeps breaking.

- El Monte , CA, USA

problem #15

Sep 122019

Spark

  • miles
"takata recall" 2013 Spark Chevrolet needing coolant with normal driving. Refilled 3 times. Air condition tends to deminish when coolant low and at times quits blowing cool air completely. Mileage very low at 33,000 miles. Warning light does not indicate when coolant is low until coolant reservoir/tank is completely empty of fluid. Problem stared when vehicle had 25,000 or less miles. Also vehicle has no automatic door locks.

- Brenham, TX, USA

problem #14

Jun 272019

Spark

  • 113,743 miles
Vehicle is in motion and it just dies randomly

- Haleyville, AL, USA

problem #13

May 212018

Spark

  • 63,108 miles
After setting the "child protection" on both rear doors because of my new grandbaby I no longer needed it since he was no longer a baby I decided to take "child protection" off. Doors still would not open from inside. Left door outside handle broke as well so it could not open at all. Having extended warranty I took it to dealership which was time for oil change and needing other problems repaired as well. Left door repairs were"handle separated"and "replaced outside handle" which warranty covered. Right door was declined coverage because it was "the clip for inside cable to handle had separated". couldn't understand what the difference was" clip vs handle?? service consultant was puzzled as well" needless to say door still only opens from outside. Having manual locks figured I wouldn't have any problems in future. Never figured a "manual child protector" would cause any problems. Due to lack of funds door still is unrepaired. I know that in some incidents it only takes one split second between life and death. God forbid someone looses there life because of a split second too late. Maybe you could explain the difference and if others are having any problems as well.

- Burleson, TX, USA

problem #12

Jun 222016

Spark

  • miles
Air conditioning system not fixable by Chevrolet

- Bronx, NY, USA

problem #11

Jul 102017

Spark

  • miles
The left front speaker in my 2013 Chevrolet Spark started to sporadically go out and has now gone out completely. This means I have no warning chimes. It doesn't matter if I have the car stationary or moving.

- Prattville, AL, USA

problem #10

Feb 072018

Spark

  • 36,800 miles
Car lost power and will not go over 5 miles per hour while in drive. I was on a city street when this occured.

- Arlington, WA, USA

problem #9

Apr 222017

Spark

  • miles
My 2013 Chevrolet Spark ls ac started to have very insufficient ac last summer in 2016. Then the ac started to stop working now in April 2017 (when vehicle is stationary and in motion). It's going to be intolerable in the summer time without ac. I have seen many other complaints on the 2013 Chevy Spark. The GM company does not want to help me get it fixed after me contacting them several times about this issue.

- Riverside, CA, USA

problem #8

Oct 062016

Spark

  • 37,000 miles
I was in a very bad car accident and not one of my air bags deployed. It is squished it was hit in the front very hard which would allow the airbags to poof out and help in these situations. I was headed down an off ramp onto turn pike and a car came to a complete stop swerved to merge and car infant of me did the same and we collided

- Hummelstown, PA, USA

problem #7

Aug 232016

Spark

  • miles
I took my Chevy Spark to the Chevy dealership for the safety recall to the radio. Dealer completed recall and the next day my radio having issues. The buttons on the radio were not responding to touch. The dealer stated they didn't see any issues. Approx 1 month later, I took my car back to dealer and they stated that it was a hardware issue. The manager at dealer stated that they dont have any tests to determine what hardware issue the radio was having but stated it wasnt related to safety recall. The manager also advised that GM would not pay for a new radio and that I would be responsible to replace it. I used a 3rd party extended warranty to pay for repairs and filed complaint with GM risk management. The manager for the customer service team spoke with local dealer and stated that the dealer confirmed that it was a hardware issue and not related to recall. Both GM and local dealer unable to provide me with any documents supporting their conclusion. GM also stated that recall was not a saftey recall and that recall was done for simple software issues. Dealer also advised that they used a foreign object (usb) to complete software update. No issues with radio before recall work. GM wont reimburse me for $100 deductible that was paid directly by me. Extended warranty paid for remainder of radio replacement. GM stated they wont reimburse because car is past bumper to bumper warranty

- San Diego, CA, USA

problem #6

Jun 102016

Spark

  • 16,400 miles
Slowly pulled car into the driveway. Entered the garage with my foot on the brake. Half way into garage, the engine over accelerated and made the car lunge forward. My foot was still on the brake pedal. The brakes went into ABS mode, with pulsating. The car rammed into some storage totes and also my snowblower. The over acceleration of the engine stopped. All of this took about 10 - 15 seconds. No amount of pressure on the brake pedal stopped this car. No, I did not have my foot on the gas pedal. The car went into my local Chevy dealer 2 days later. I was told that they ran some tests, had it up on a lift & even had a mechanic take it out to try to duplicate the problem. Of course, they couldn't find anything wrong. Someone needs to do something about all these over & under acceleration problems before lives are lost! my car has a few minor dents on the hood, from falling totes my snowblower is slightly dented but my nerves are shot. I am really scared to drive this car.

- Depew, NY, USA

problem #5

Apr 052016

Spark

  • 58,000 miles
The traction control light along with the break light constantly come on. I have had my car looked at twice and was told nothing was wrong but these lights come on when I am sitting idle and when I am driving. Scares the hell out of me. Makes me think my car is going to cut off.

- Riverdale, GA, USA

problem #4

Dec 282015

Spark

  • 31,000 miles
Have a 2013 Chevy Spark. It has already had an engine replaced at just over 20,000 miles and continues to have the same problems as before the engine was replaced. It continuously goes back and forth to the dealer, yet "no issues or codes" are ever found. To me this car is a potential death trap every time it's driven. It continuously shows the engine light...blinking away...along with the traction control that frequently is on with it. It then revs extremely high and you can't go over 20 miles an hour because of fear the car will explode. It also shakes during all of this. These are all the same problems that the car has had since before the first engine decided to just blow...on a highway...just over 20,000 miles. Please also note that there have been multiple recalls, for this car as well. Cute car...but it ends there. It's a death trap on wheels!! there should be a major recall and class action lawsuit on these cars!

- Palm Coast, FL, USA

problem #3

Dec 292015

Spark

  • 47,000 miles
Not even 10,000 miles in I had a tire gets a bubble on the sidewall. The dealership would not cover it or swap it out saying it could have been due to hitting a pothole or curb. 15,000 miles in driving down the highway and hear a loud bang and the ac doesn't work. I take it in and the dealership says I could have hit road debris and would not cover any work on the ac, I would have to pay out of pocket. About a week later I get a letter in the mail about the ac recall and find out my compressor exploded on the inside due to faulty parts. 20,000 miles in and the car was eating a quart of oil every 2-3 days and still draining it and ran rough. The dealership said they have no idea what it is and they would not help in what they called "looking for problems that can't be reproduced". then not even a month later I get a letter about the recall and how I need to bring it in as quick as I can because some people 'may' be experiencing excess oil consumption, due to faulty parts. 40,000 miles in I'm getting the tcs light on with the cel flashing at me and the car stutters and looses power all while on the highway. Gives the code of P0324 (knock control system error). Dealership says it could be due to being driven rough and it is my fault. I shouldn't be driving 80 in a Chevy Spark (the highway speeds in Texas). The engine has a loud lifter tick in the heads. Dealership refuses to open them without a fault code that indicates a head issue. 47,000 miles in I have more misfires and error codes. Taking it back to the dealership to see what their excuse is this time.

- Houston, TX, USA

problem #2

May 232015

Spark

  • 40,000 miles
You turn the engine off but the key does not come out of the ignition. I took it to bob bell, they could not get it out either. They order a new one and replaced it on May 28th. I had to pay some kind of deductible(100.00, which I think is ridiculous) and GM was going to pay the rest. June 6, same thing happened twice in the same day. I could not call because at that time the service dept is closed. I will be calling again today. Probably will get some kind of run around.

- Baltimore, MD, USA

problem #1

Apr 162013

Spark

  • miles
I experienced two instances of sudden unintended acceleration in mid April 2013. In the first instance, approx. 04/10/2013, my Spark struck a steel pole used to suspend a bird feeder next to my driveway, when shifting to reverse, and knocked it down, causing minor damage to the rear bumper. In the second instance, on 04/16/2013, my Spark suddenly accelerated and struck and severely damaged the chain link fence bordering my driveway, when shifting to drive, and struck and damaged my garage door when shifting to reverse. This caused approximately $3000 damage to my car. Now I'm afraid to drive this car!

- Wayne, MI, USA