CSR

Chevrolet · NHTSA safety record

2015 Chevrolet Spark

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

76

Complaints

4

Crashes

1

Fires

8

Injuries

0

Deaths

Owners of the 2015 Chevrolet Spark have filed 76 safety complaints with NHTSA between May 2015 and March 2026. The most complained-about system is the power train, named in 25 of them (33%). The typical failure was reported at 35,582 miles, the median across the 39 complaints that gave an odometer reading.

NHTSA has issued 5 recalls covering this vehicle.

Recalls (5)

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

What owners report

Complaints naming each system. One complaint can name several, so these add up to more than 76.

POWER TRAIN 25 33%
ENGINE 11 14%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 9 12%
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 7 9%
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 7 9%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 6 8%
AIR BAGS 5 7%
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES 4 5%
SERVICE BRAKES 4 5%
STRUCTURE 4 5%
SEAT BELTS 3 4%
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) 2 3%

When the complaints arrived

By the year NHTSA received them, which is not the year the failures happened. They peaked in 2019 at 13.

2015 2019 2026
2015 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.

STRUCTURE:BODY

3 injured · 35,000 miles

I WAS HEADING EAST ON I40 TOWARDS RALEIGH NC DRIVING THE SPEED LIMIT WHEN THE HOOD OF THE CAR CAME UP AND HIT THE WINDSHIELD. AT FIRST I DIDNT REALIZE WHAT IT WAS. I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER AND THATS WHEN I SAW THAT IT WAS THE HOOD OF THE CAR. I SHUT THE HOOD AND CHECKED TO SEE IF IT WAS LATCHED. IT STAYED LATCHED SO I CONTINUED HOME. THERE WERE SMALL PIECES OF GLASS EVERYWHERE. IT HAPPENED ABOUT AN HOUR INTO MY DRIVE.

NHTSA complaint 10906108. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

SEATS

2 injured · crash · towed · 15,000 miles

I WAS A FRONT-SEAT PASSENGER IN THIS VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS REAR-ENDED. THE DRIVER OF OUR VEHICLE HAD BRAKED BUT WAS STILL MOVING AT APPROX 25-30 MPH; THE CAR THAT HIT US WAS LIKELY GOING 55-60 MPH. THIS ACCIDENT HAPPENED AT APPROX. 4:25 PM ON APRIL 29, 2016 ALONG NORTHBOUND I-5, JUST PAST LACEY, WA. THE SKY AND AIR WERE CLEAR AND THE HIGHWAY SURFACE WAS DRY. THE WA STATE TROOPERS RESPONDED AND CITED THE DRIVER OF THE OTHER VEHICLE; OUR VEHICLE DID NOT HIT ANYTHING, AND OUR DRIVER WAS NOT CITED. I AM NOT AWARE OF THE EXTENT OF DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE THAT HIT US OR TO ITS OCCUPANTS; A POLICE REPORT IS AVAILABLE. BOTH FRONT SEATS IN THIS 2015 CHEV SPARK FAILED OR BROKE UPON IMPACT. THE

NHTSA complaint 10864075, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

AIR BAGS

1 injured · crash · towed · 14,600 miles

I WAS DRIVING A CHEVY SPARK 2015 TO MY LOCAL SUPERMARKET, LESS THAN 3 OR SO MILES FROM MY HOME. I WAS SEVERAL MILES UNDER THE 40 MPH SPEED LIMIT. I WAS IN THE RIGHT LANE OF A TWO LANE ROAD. I COULD SEE STOPPED TRAFFIC QUITE A WAYS AHEAD OF ME ' ALSO IN THE RIGHT LANE. THERE WERE AT LEAST 6-7 CARS IN FRONT OF ME AND A TRUCK IN FRONT OF THE CARS. I COULD SEE THE CARS/TRUCK WERE STOPPED FOR THE STOPLIGHT BUT THEY WERE QUITE A WAYS AHEAD OF ME. THERE WAS NO ONE IN THE LEFT LANE SO I DECIDED TO MAKE A LANE CHANGE AS THERE WAS PLENTY OF ROOM AHEAD OF ME TO DO SO. THE NEXT THING I KNEW I LOST CONTROL OF MY CAR AND IT SEEMED TO ACCELERATE AND SLAMMED HARD INTO THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. THE POLICE

NHTSA complaint 10894265, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

1 injured · crash · 50,000 miles

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 CHEVROLET SPARK M300. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PARKED IN A PARKING SPACE, THE VEHICLE WAS SHIFTED INTO REVERSE AND SPONTANEOUSLY ACCELERATED AT APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH INTO TRAFFIC COLLIDING WITH A VEHICLE. THE CONTACTED STATED THAT THE FRONTAL AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HER FRONT SEAT PASSENGER WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL BY AMBULANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. . THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000.

NHTSA complaint 11307537. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM

59,392 miles

The contact owns a 2015 Chevrolet Spark. The vehicle was purchased from a private seller. The contact became nauseated after driving the vehicle for the second time. The contact’s throat, chest, and eyes hurt, and his head was pulsating; the contact was unable to think clearly. No medical attention was received. The contact used an air quality meter to test the inside of the vehicle, which showed "Seriously bad air quality,” but there was no odor inside the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The contact stated that the vehicle had not been driven since experiencing the symptoms. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The

NHTSA complaint 11724999, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
INCIDENT SUMMARY In February 2025, while driving on the freeway, my vehicle experienced a sudden and complete loss of power. The battery rapidly depleted without warning, causing the vehicle to decelerate dangerously in moving traffic. A Stabilitrak warning appeared on the display. I was fortunate to reach the shoulder safely, but this failure created an extremely hazardous situation that could have resulted in serious injury or death. Following this incident, the vehicle became completely inoperable and required towing to Stewart Chevrolet for diagnosis. DEALERSHIP DIAGNOSIS Stewart Chevrolet performed a diagnostic evaluation (cost: $700) and provided the following official findings:

NHTSA complaint 11710502, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

POWER TRAIN
Vehicle: 2015 Chevrolet Spark, odometer <79,000 miles Component that failed: Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) – pulley damage causing complete loss of propulsion.What happened: While driving, the vehicle suddenly lost all motive power with no ability to accelerate. The transmission would not engage in any gear and the car became inoperable in traffic. This is the exact failure described in GM Special Coverage Bulletin N192271110 (pulley damage in 2014–2015 Spark CVT). Safety risk: Complete and unexpected loss of propulsion created an immediate safety hazard. The vehicle could not accelerate from a stop or maintain speed, placing my 15-year-old son and other motorists at risk of

NHTSA complaint 11700935, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ENGINE
This report concerns a known CVT defect and subsequent TCM failure that left the vehicle unsafe and inoperable. The vehicle suffered internal CVT failure consistent with GM Special Coverage N192271110. After the first transmission failed in May 2024 (and the second time October 5 2025), the TCM failed again shortly after the second failure—consistent with GM Preliminary Information Bulletin PIP5525A. Critical Safety Details: Both failures occurred while driving on highways with heavy traffic, where speed limits were 75 mph. On each occasion, the vehicle lost power and became unable to accelerate safely, presenting a serious safety risk to me and other drivers. GM is refusing coverage

NHTSA complaint 11700241, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ENGINE
Vehicle began slipping out of gear between 1st & 2nd, then started losing power at 74,760 miles. Extended service coverage has been issued for model for CVT transmission pulley system, however only covers 10 years or 100,000 miles, whichever comes first. Mine apparently timed out in February, so they are trying to make me get a new transmission which basically totals out the car I spent a fortune on to buy & in repairs at under 75,000 miles. This is unacceptable.

NHTSA complaint 11695334. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

POWER TRAIN
My 2015 Chevy Spark has had repeated transmission failures related to GM Special Coverage N192271110. The first failure happened in May 2024, I was driving on 1-25 when the transmission went out and I lost all speed and my car was in the shop for five months before I finally got it back in October 2024. Unfortunately, on October 5, 2025, the transmission failed again. I was driving on I-76 speed limit of 75 MPH when my car transmission went out and I lost speed.

NHTSA complaint 11695146. 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
2014 172 6
2013 146 5

Other 2015 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