51 of the
759 complaints filed about the Chevrolet Spark
are about the throttle and cruise control —
7% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 2014.
51
Complaints
7%
Share of all complaints
4
Crashes
0
Fires
Acceleration & Cruise Control complaints by model year
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 get a replacement transmission per special policy #XXX. The miles on my car is 144,778. So this second transmission only have 60,500 on it. Now Ben Mynatt want me to pay $4000.00 to get another transmission they told me that this transmission was new, now they say it was refurbished. I would like to have an replacement at no cost they was wrong on this matter. The teach that worked on my car name Paul Briggs #XXX. I went to Ben Mynatt and talked with Kimberly Brim Service Manager she is the one that told me it was a three year warranty and that I have to buy another transmission. I feel I should have to since this is the second transmission I have a feeling that this transmission was not good either. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #11748357 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Okay, I can press the gas and try to go one speed.And my car will go either way, too slow for that gear or way too fast.For that gear , I have almost been several wrecks , because it's either going too slow , went when i'm supposed to be going to certain speed or it's going to fast one supposed to be going to certain speed
NHTSA complaint #11733470 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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 vehicle and appears consistent with known transmission problems reported for this vehicle model. Supporting documentation has been provided, including manufacturer service program records indicating this vehicle was previously subject to a known transmission-related defect condition.
NHTSA complaint #11729215 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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: Problem Identified: Battery 1 with voltage variance beyond specifications Variance Measured: In excess of 0.07V discrepancy in battery cells GM Document Referenced: #17-NA-131 Recommended Repair: Labor operation 9102972 - Drive Motor Replacement and Shipping Preparation (high voltage battery replacement) Estimated Cost: $10,000-12,000
NHTSA complaint #11710502 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The GM bulletin N19227110 indicates that they are aware of over 10% of Chevrolet Spark models from the years 2014-2015 experiencing transmission problems. Although this bulletin expired last year, it is important to note that they do not provide coverage for vehicles purchased used with fewer than 120,000 miles. This situation poses a significant danger, as the transmission may potentially be contaminated with dirt and debris, leading to unexpected jerking or complete failure, and in some cases, vehicles have caught fire. Furthermore, unless the vehicle is taken to a GM service center, the issue may remain undetected. According to my research, this problem is similar to the one that Nissan faced with their CVT transmissions, which were subject to a recall for the same reason.
NHTSA complaint #11663106 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Without warning, vehicle loses power and ability to accelerate is greatly reduced. The Malfunction Indicator Lamp (aka "check engine light"), the Reduced Engine Power light, and the Traction Control System/Stabilitrak light all illuminate at the same time and are not flashing. Using a diagnostic tool from a local auto parts store, code P2138 is reported as follows: Throttle/Pedal Position Sensor Switch 'D/E' Voltage Correlation, and Accelerator Pedal Position (APP) Sensors 1-2 Not Plausible. Incident has occured multiple times since owning the vehicle (approx. 13 months). This creates a safety issue because the poor acceleration limits the vehicles ability to maintain speed, especially on highways at higher speeds and ascending hills.
NHTSA complaint #11595386 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2014 Chevrolet Spark. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. The contact stated that several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, the vehicle had not been diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 81,833.
NHTSA complaint #11592882 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Transmission needs to be replaced per mechanic, costing around $3,5000-$5,000 Jerking or shuddering during the normal course of driving Hesitations while attempting to accelerate from a stopped position Engine stalls out or intermittently shutting off Rough start or hard shift and sudden acceleration Hesitations while attempting to accelerate from a stopped position
NHTSA complaint #11589714 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
When taking off, sometimes the vehicle does not want to excellerate. It seems like the transmission is slipping or not switching gears-it makes a loud clicking gear sound. The vehicle also revs up really loud. It also sometimes feels like the vehicle sulks back when lifting your foot off the gas peddle when accelerating, more than it should. These mishaps make it nearly impossible to excellerate and is dangerous when excellerating onto the highway.
NHTSA complaint #11526895 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I'm coming to a stop or slowing down the car shuts off. Even when making a turn in front of another car across traffic my car has turned off in the middle of crossing the street and I almost got hit twice now. This affects the cruise control coming on as well the speedometer fluctuates back and forth the whole time I'm driving. This happens every day and at most times when I'm coming to a stop or coming out of a stop. I just have to test the gas before I make a turn in front of oncoming traffic to cross the road to make sure that I have power and then I go as fast as I can across so that hopefully I'll gain enough speed so that the car doesn't shut off again. So usually it's every time I come to a red light which is at least at the very least from my work to home is four lights and at every light it will do it. Oftentimes I cross traffic and it will do it. I just had to be very careful
NHTSA complaint #11501467 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2015 Chevrolet Spark. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle would intermittently hesitate upon depression of the accelerator pedal with a high-pitched, squeaking noise coming from the vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle had jolted forward after multiple attempts to accelerate. The contact stated that while his spouse was driving 55 MPH, the vehicle hesitated as she attempted to pass a slow-moving vehicle. The contact stated that the vehicle remained stuck in gear. The vehicle was driven to a dealer, but the mechanic was unable to retrieve a fault code. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 30,000.
NHTSA complaint #11490788 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Si my cars been having issues for about a couple of weeks now with speed and it’s been driving rough, it hadn’t given me any check engine lights so I went to a mechanic he changed the throttle body thinking that was the issue however the issue persisted and even got worse. I’ve noticed it doesn’t seem to go into gear when I’m driving then when it finally does it looses power, it’s also really high on the rpm’s and when it’s in park it’ll seem like it wants to turn off.
NHTSA complaint #11452174 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I do not know what system affects the problem my car is having it stalls in front of oncoming traffic on left turns it's done this to me 3 to 4 times and it scares me. It will start right back up and go but it'll still continuously throughout the day when I slow down or come to a red light. The speed control sensor went out and I replaced it and there seem to be middle or something on that. I've read different reports or seen on YouTube that people have reported the same problem with their cars it is definitely a safety issue had it not started up or had I panicked like I did the first time and almost not get it started but a car could crash into me because my car stalled in front of traffic the problem has not been reproduced for anybody and there has been no report to dealership insurance police anything like that. I have checked periodically to see if there is a recall on it and there hasn't been this is the first time I'm seeing where you can report something like this so I thought I would
NHTSA complaint #11445690 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2019 Chevrolet Spark. The contact stated while depressing the accelerator pedal from a complete stop, the pedal was stuck to the floorboard causing the vehicle to accelerate uncontrollably. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer but was not diagnosed. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and advised the contact to take the vehicle to an authorized dealer. The failure mileage was approximately 15,000. The VIN was unavailable.
NHTSA complaint #11437526 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 CHEVROLET SPARK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO MOVE. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BRUCE LOWRIE CHEVROLET (711 SW LOOP 820, FORT WORTH, TX 76134, (817) 264-7776) TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 79,000.*DT*DT CONSUMER WOULD LIKE A BUY BACK WHICH WAS AN OPTION.
NHTSA complaint #11408055 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WHEN YOU START ON THE GAS THE VEHICLE HESITATES FOREVER BEFORE GOING. I'VE NEARLY BEEN HIT SEVERAL TIMES DUE TO THIS. IT ALSO TAKES FOREVER TO GET OVER 60MPH. THE SUSPENSION WAS BAD AS WELL AND HAD TO REPLACE.
NHTSA complaint #11337478 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WHEN ACCELERATING (BETWEEN 5-30MPH), THE VEHICLE STUTTERS TO GAIN POWER/SPEED-IT ALMOST FEELS LIKE THERE'S A DELAY IN THE EXECUTION WHEN TRYING TO ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE WILL THEN LUNGE FORWARD, THEN SULK BACK AS IF THE ENGINE HAS TEMPORARILY LOST POWER. THE LUNGE, SULK BACK AND STUTTER ARE PROGRESSIVELY WORSENING, TO THE POINT THAT THE PLUNGE AND SULK ARE OCCURRING AT MORE VARYING SPEED CHANGES MORE AND MORE FREQUENTLY (ACCELERATING OR LIFTING OFF THE GAS PEDDLE TO SLOW DOWN).
NHTSA complaint #11327891 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
DURING REGULAR CONSTANT DRIVING AT SPEED 20-50MPH ACCELERATION LURGES FORWARD AND FELS LIKE A CRUISE CONTROL IS ENGAGING, THIS IS NOT A FEATURE IN THIS MODEL. THIS HAS OCCURRED NOW MORE THAN 3 TIMES. SENDING IN VEHICLE FIR REVIEW.
NHTSA complaint #11322240 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WHEN I TRY TO ACCELERATE FROM A STOP, THE CAR CAN'T DECIDE IF IT WANTS TO MOVE OR NOT AND IT WILL JUST SIT AND REV AND HAS ALMOST CAUSED SEVERAL ACCIDENTS AS I AM PULLING OUT INTO TRAFFIC
NHTSA complaint #11307905 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.