CSR

Chevrolet · NHTSA safety record

2014 Chevrolet Spark

Every safety complaint, recall and defect investigation the US government holds on this vehicle.

172

Complaints

13

Crashes

0

Fires

8

Injuries

0

Deaths

Owners of the 2014 Chevrolet Spark have filed 172 safety complaints with NHTSA between March 2014 and August 2026. The most complained-about system is the engine, named in 51 of them (30%). The typical failure was reported at 46,000 miles, the median across the 122 complaints that gave an odometer reading.

NHTSA has issued 6 recalls covering this vehicle.

Recalls (6)

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH

22V640000 · August 25, 2022

The defect
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.
The risk
A hood latch failure can result in the vehicle's hood opening unexpectedly, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy
Dealers will replace the hood striker assembly and hood latch assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 12, 2023. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is A222359300. This recall supersedes and expands NHTSA recall number 14V-593. Vehicles previously repaired under 14V-593 will need to have the new remedy performed.

General Motors, LLC · up to 120,688 vehicles across all model years covered

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE

16V422000 · June 10, 2016

The defect
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."
The risk
Without audible indicators, the driver may not fasten their seatbelt, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.
The remedy
GM will notify owners, and dealers will update the radio software, free of charge. The recall began on July 22, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 45340.

General Motors LLC · up to 18,780 vehicles across all model years covered

EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.

16V257000 · April 28, 2016

The defect
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."
The risk
Without audible indicators, the driver may leave the key in the ignition, increasing the risk of theft.
The remedy
GM will notify owners, and dealers will update the radio software, free of charge. The manufacturer has not yet provided a notification schedule. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 17130.

General Motors LLC · up to 317,572 vehicles across all model years covered

EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.

15V416000 · June 30, 2015

The defect
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."
The risk
Without audible indicators, the driver may leave the key in the ignition, increasing the risk of theft. If a driver or front passenger does not buckle their seat belt, there would be no chime to remind them to fasten their seat belts. If a driver or passenger does not buckle their seat belt there is an increased risk that they will be injured in a crash.
The remedy
GM will notify owners, and dealers will update the radio software, free of charge. The recall began on August 11, 2015. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 15504.

General Motors LLC · up to 45,785 vehicles across all model years covered

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH

14V593000 · September 24, 2014

The defect
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.
The risk
If the secondary hood latch corrodes causing the latch to be stuck out of position, and the primary hood latch is not engaged, the hood could unexpectedly open while driving, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
The remedy
GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the striker with a new part which has superior corrosion protection, free of charge. The recall began on January 7, 2015. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 14456.

General Motors LLC · up to 89,294 vehicles across all model years covered

SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER ARM

14V440000 · July 21, 2014

Do not drive until repaired

The defect
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.
The risk
If the lower control arm bolts are not tightened properly, the lower control arm may separate from the steering knuckle while driving, causing a loss of steering, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy
Owners are instructed NOT to drive their vehicles until the recall remedy has been completed. Owners should call a Chevrolet dealer immediately to arrange for their vehicle to be transported free of charge for servicing. GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the left and right lower control arm attaching bolts to make sure that they are tightened to the proper specification, free of charge. The recall began on August 1, 2014. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 14453. Note: Owners are advised not to drive the vehicle until the repairs have been completed.

General Motors LLC · up to 1,919 vehicles across all model years covered

What owners report

Complaints naming each system. One complaint can name several, so these add up to more than 172.

ENGINE 51 30%
POWER TRAIN 47 27%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 39 23%
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 25 15%
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 16 9%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 16 9%
AIR BAGS 13 8%
SERVICE BRAKES 10 6%
STRUCTURE 10 6%
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) 8 5%
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES 8 5%
STEERING 7 4%

When the complaints arrived

By the year NHTSA received them, which is not the year the failures happened. They peaked in 2014 at 24.

2014 2026
2014 to 2026, the last of them a part year

In owners' own words

Quoted from NHTSA's complaint file. These are unverified accounts by the people who filed them, not findings of fault.

SERVICE BRAKES

2 injured · crash · towed

I WAS DRIVING ON THE TURNPIKE NEAR WEST PALM BEACH AND I LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE COMPLETELY. THE BRAKES WAS NOT WORKING AND THE STEERING LOCKED ON ME PREVENTING ME TO TURN THE WHEEL RESULTING IN THE VEHICLE CRASHING INTO THE GRASS TO A GUARD RAIL. ALSO THE AIR BAGS IN THE FROM DID NOT DEPLOY. ONLY THE SIDE AIR BAGS. I INJURED MY HEAD AND HAD TO GET STITCHES BECAUSE OF THIS.

NHTSA complaint 10788298. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

AIR BAGS

1 injured · crash · towed · 19,400 miles

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2014 CHEVROLET SPARK. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE DRIVER FELL ASLEEP DUE TO FATIGUE AND CRASHED INTO A MAILBOX AND DITCH. THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY; HOWEVER, THE DRIVER SIDE CURTAIN AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED TWO FRACTURED VERTEBRAE, A FRACTURED STERNUM, AND MULTIPLE BRUISES AND CUTS TO THE HEAD. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS REQUIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V298000 (AIR BAGS). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 19,400.

NHTSA complaint 10873396. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

AIR BAGS

1 injured · crash · towed · 10,050 miles

A DEER RAN OUT IN FRONT OF ME ON I29 - I WAS GOING ABOUT 65MPH STRAIGHT ON THE INTERSTATE AND NOT ONE OF MY AIR BAGS WORKED- NOTHING DEPLOYED. AFTER THE ACCIDENT A CODE 95 WAS DISPLAYED ON THE DASH. I WAS LUCKY I ALWAYS WEAR MY SEAT-BELT AS I COULD HAVE DIED.

NHTSA complaint 10903612. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

AIR BAGS

1 injured · crash · towed · 42,000 miles

I WAS INVOLVED IN A ACCIDENT WHERE I HIT A CONCRETE WALL AND ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY BUT THE CAR DID SUSTAIN ENOUGH DAMAGE THAT THE STEERING WHEEL AND DRIVERS SIDE AIRBAG SHOULD HAVE DEPLOYED. THE CAR DID DISPLAY A ERROR CODE 95 FOR FAILED AIRBAGS. GM HAS BEEN CONTACTED. I SUSTAINED HEAD INJURIES.

NHTSA complaint 10930014. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ENGINE
Vehicle went into “limp mode” while merging onto a busy road, nearly causing a collision with both oncoming traffic and other vehicles attempting to merge onto the road. The vehicle was towed to a mechanic. The mechanic diagnosed the following: “Checked system codes. Found P0324 knock sensor module performance code. Found the attached TSB by GM. Believed to be the issue: engine has piston slap and would need rebuilt or replaced per TSB. Also discovered severe oil leak in front of engine.” Mechanic noted that the brakes were stuck as well. Engine scheduled to be replaced. Mileage: 72,503.

NHTSA complaint 11757548. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH

65,000 miles

The contact owns a 2014 Chevrolet Spark. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the hood independently unlatched and crashed against the front windshield, causing damage to the windshield and bending the hood out of shape. Additionally, the hood became stuck in a locked position following the impact. The vehicle was taken to a glass repair shop, where the windshield was replaced; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or a dealer for the hood failure. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V640000 (Latches/Locks/Linkages). The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was

NHTSA complaint 11748587, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

POWER TRAIN
The date was XXX there was a recall on the transmission for my 2014 Chevrolet Spark I took my car to Ben Mynatt [XXX]. They check my car and told me that my car transmission was effected and that they put an order for a new transmission. They called me the next day to bring the car in which I did, they gave me a loaner. On XXX they called me and told me my car was ready and that I can come and pick it up which I did. In 2021 I took the car back to Ben Mynatt asked them to check the transmission because it didn’t drive right they checked it out again they said it was good. On the 1st transmission I had 84,278 miles, ON 07-01-2026 took it to PARK CHEVROLET to get checked to find out I got to

NHTSA complaint 11748357, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

POWER TRAIN

76,000 miles

The contact owns a a 2014 Chevrolet Spark. The contact stated that while on several occasions at various speeds, the transmission warning light illuminated and the vehicle lost power. The vehicle was steered to the side of the road and turned off for approximately 30 mins and then restarted. The contact stated that after 30 minutes to an hour the failure reoccurred. The vehicle taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the transmission failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was then taken to the residence. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 76,000.

NHTSA complaint 11736246. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ENGINE
The vehicle experiences intermittent loss of power and unstable acceleration while driving at normal speeds (approximately 45–55 mph). The vehicle will surge, hesitate, and fail to maintain consistent speed, creating an unsafe condition in traffic. While driving, the vehicle does not consistently respond to throttle input and may unexpectedly lose acceleration. This creates a risk of being rear-ended or being unable to safely merge into traffic. The condition occurs during normal driving and has progressively worsened over time. Diagnostic testing indicates transmission-related faults involving pressure control and internal speed monitoring. This issue affects the safe operation of the

NHTSA complaint 11729215, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

POWER TRAIN
Without warning, car began to drop out of 5th gear while driving, entering Neutral at high speeds. This is a manual transmission and you can see the shifter physical move itself into 5th gear. Driver almost lost control of the vehicle out of surprise to what had just happened. When searching in Reddit, this appears to be a widespread issue for this year/make/model. Took to local Chevy for diagnostic, was told it would be a $7,500 repair to replace the transmission.

NHTSA complaint 11728668. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

Compare

Other years of the Chevrolet Spark

Model year Complaints Recalls Deaths
2019 14 1
2017 29 1
2016 28 1
2015 76 5
2013 146 5

Other 2014 Chevrolet models

Every Chevrolet on this site — 298 vehicles, 747 recall campaigns and 5 open investigation s.

If this is your car and a dealer keeps failing to fix it, your state's lemon law may require the manufacturer to replace it or buy it back. What each state asks for , read from the statutes.

Where these numbers come from

A complaint is one owner's account and has not been verified by NHTSA or by us. A vehicle with more complaints is not necessarily worse: models that sold in larger numbers collect more of them. How this is counted.

Compiled and maintained by
Independent developer and analyst