FaultScore

Chevrolet Spark airbag problems

56 of the 759 complaints filed about the Chevrolet Spark are about the airbag system — 7% of everything owners reported. The worst model year for it is 2013.

56

Complaints

7%

Share of all complaints

30

Crashes

1

Fires

Airbags complaints by model year

2013 Spark 13 23.2%

Median failure at 40,000 miles

2014 Spark 13 23.2%

Median failure at 42,250 miles

2015 Spark 5 8.9%

Median failure at 28,000 miles

2016 Spark 2 3.6%

Median failure at 49,156 miles

2017 Spark 5 8.9%

Median failure at 9,250 miles

2018 Spark 1 1.8%
2019 Spark 7 12.5%

Median failure at 32,217 miles

2020 Spark 7 12.5%

Median failure at 24,718 miles

2021 Spark 2 3.6%

Median failure at 31,000 miles

2022 Spark 1 1.8%

What owners said

2018 Chevrolet Spark Decatur, GA

AIR BAGS

I have received a Code 95 error message for my 2018 Chevrolet Spark, which per the GM owner's manual means that there is an air bag problem. But, the alert does not appear consistently when operated. When driving, it does not appear. The problem has not been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center. The code only comes on after the car has been idling and not being driven (for example, it takes 2-3 minutes while in park but the engine being on for the code to come up on the screen). If the car is put into drive a minute or less after turning the ignition, the code does NOT appear; it only does when parked and the engine is running after a few minutes. The car is available for inspection upon NHTSA/DOT request. My safety is put at risk if the air bag does not deploy; if the alert code does not consistently appear when the car is in operation, it puts my safety at risk because I would not have any indication that there is a possible problem. The car has not been inspected by the manufacturer (to my knowledge), police, insurance representatives, or others. This has occurred at least three times since the start of 2026, with the most recent occurrence in June 2026.

NHTSA complaint #11748573 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2021 Chevrolet Spark at 60,000 miles Marietta, OH Crash 1 injured

AIR BAGS

The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Spark. The contact stated that while driving through a bend in the road at 40 mph in the snow, the vehicle began to slide as they lost control. The contact ran over a road sign, which caused her to land in a ditch as the vehicle flipped onto its passenger side. The air bags did not deploy upon impact. The contact did not seek medical attention but did suffer from two hematomas on her chest. The contact also suffered bruising to her right shoulder and pain on the right side of her body. A police report was not filed. The contact damaged a road sign as a result of the accident. The fellow motorist with a heavy-duty vehicle managed to extract the vehicle from the ditch, and the contact managed to drive the vehicle home. The dealer was notified of the failure, and the contact was informed that there were no recalls on the vehicle. The manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000. The VIN was invalid,

NHTSA complaint #11703209 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2020 Chevrolet Spark Topeka, KS Crash 2 injured

AIR BAGS

The contact was a passenger in a 2020 Chevrolet Spark. The contact stated that, while the owner was driving at an undisclosed speed through an intersection, another vehicle failed to yield for a red light. As a result, the other vehicle collided with the passenger side front quarter panel of the vehicle. The air bags did deploy, which the contact held responsible for the injuries she sustained. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a storage facility and deemed a total loss by the owner's insurance provider. A police report was filed, and injuries were reported. Both the driver and the contact were transported to an area hospital by EMT. The driver was treated for whiplash, back pain, and shortness of breath. The contact was treated for an injured sternum, injured left knee, injured left ankle, injured right hip, broken right hand middle finger, and whiplash. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA complaint #11696452 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2022 Chevrolet Spark Hilbert, WI Crash 1 injured

AIR BAGS

On 5-3-2025 I rolled my vehicle end over end at least 6 times at a high speed. One of my vehicle safty options was "Advanced SRS airbags" During the crash my vehicles side airbags deployed but my drivers steering wheel air bag did not. As a result of them not deploying I smashed my face into the steering wheel and windshield. I suffered a shattered nose, broken jaw, broken hand and a concussion. It was my fault I crashed my car but if my airbags had gone off I feel like my injuries would be far less severe if not non existent. I would have less medical bills and would still be able to work. My vehicle had no warning lights or indicators that the airbags needed service. My insurance company did make not of the airbags failure to deploy and are doing a thorough investigation of them

NHTSA complaint #11660237 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2019 Chevrolet Spark at 130,000 miles Lexington, NC Crash 1 injured

AIR BAGS

The contact owned a 2019 Chevrolet Spark. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 50 MPH, the contact had lost consciousness. The contact stated that an emergency services vehicle was behind her and had observed her go through an intersection, crash through and guardrail, and roll down an embankment. The contact was removed from the vehicle, still unconscious, and transported to the hospital by ambulance. The contact stated that she had bruising on her sternum, ribs, and arms. The contact stated she was not advised about why she had lost consciousness. The contact stated that the vehicle had been towed to an impound lot and her insurance provider had written the vehicle off as a total loss. The contact had been advised by a police officer that her driver's side air bags had not deployed. The contact was not sure that a police report had been issued. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.

NHTSA complaint #11657335 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2014 Chevrolet Spark at 100,000 miles Rochester, NY

AIR BAGS

The contact owns a 2014 Chevrolet Spark M300. The contact stated that the air bag and the seat belts warning lights were illuminated, and a message stating that the air bags would not deploy in the event of a crash was displayed. The contact stated while at a complete stop at the traffic light, the vehicle stalled and failed to restart. The vehicle was pushed to the side of the road. The vehicle was towed to an unknown dealer by roadside assistance, who purchased a new battery for the vehicle from the dealer; however, the dealer informed the contact that Roadside assistance could not install the battery because it would interfere with the business operations. The dealer advised the contact that she would need to pay the battery installation and diagnostic testing fee. The contact declined. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.

NHTSA complaint #11632458 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2014 Chevrolet Spark Enterprise, AL Crash 1 injured

AIR BAGS

Car braked in front of me to avoid a crash; I did the same. I managed to leave enough space and I did not make contact with the car in front of me. As I was stopped behind the car in front of me, another car rear-ended me going ≈ 35 mph. Consequently, my car was compressed between both cars. There was severe damage to the hood/front end of my car from the force of the car behind me pushing against the car in front of me; moderate damage to the rear. No airbags deployed. I was left with a sprained back and a concussion. I do believe I have complications with my spine and nervous system to this day because of this accident.

NHTSA complaint #11590159 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2016 Chevrolet Spark at 44,813 miles Mcdonough, GA Crash 1 injured

AIR BAGS

The contact owned a 2016 Chevrolet Spark. The contact stated that while driving approximately 35 MPH, the vehicle was T-bone crashed into on the driver's side by a second vehicle. During the crash, the driver-side curtain air bags did not immediately deploy. The contact indicated that the air bag deployed approximately one minute after the crash had occurred. The driver sustained torso bruises and lower back pain which later required medical treatment. A Police report was taken at the scene. The vehicle was destroyed and towed away. The manufacturer was not yet notified of the failure. The local dealer was contacted but no assistance was offered. The contact was informed of the incomplete recall for NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V307000(Air Bag). The failure mileage was 44,813.

NHTSA complaint #11550953 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2020 Chevrolet Spark Tulsa, OK Crash 1 injured

AIR BAGS

My 2020 Chevy Spark was hit from behind at a rate of 40-50 mph. The airbags did not employ. However, the vehicle that struck the car, all of its airbags deployed.

NHTSA complaint #11546673 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2019 Chevrolet Spark Louisville, KY

AIR BAGS

Friday morning, on June 16th I went out to start my car and I noticed an I code 95 on my dashboard. It also showed my ABS light, traction light, and airbag/seatbelt light. When I researched the I code 95 it said that my car had been in an accident and the airbag and seatbelt needs to be replaced. When I came home the previous night on June 15th there were no lights showing on my dashboard and I hadn't been in an accident. I also had pulled into my designated parking spot with my front tires facing the curb. When I checked my car I noticed no dents or scratches on my car. I then went to Bob Hook Chevrolet which is the dealership where I purchased my car, and they ran a quick diagnostic with one of those sensors that you plug into your car. Upon review, the technician said there was probably an error in the sensor, and that the results showed that my passenger side sensor was malfunctioning for the airbag and the sensor on the right front bumper was causing my ABS and traction light to come on. The technician tried to reset the lights but they immediately came back on. He said he wasn't sure why the lights came back on considering that I hadn't been in an accident. This jeopardizes my safety and my passenger's safety. If I did get in a car accident my passenger would be unprotected because the airbag doesn't work. I would also be unprotected if my wheel decide to lock up during an accident. This could cause me to skid off the road. Also, it is summertime so it rains at least once every two weeks. My car is already small so I have less friction and gravity to help keep all fours wheel grounded. Anytime it rains I'm scared that my car may start to skid because the traction system isn't working. And again if the traction isn't working and I do start to skid my ABS cant help me because the sensor is malfunctioning. I get regular oil changes and do winter and summer maintenance inspections. They never noticed anything wrong with my car. There we no warning signs.

NHTSA complaint #11528223 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2014 Chevrolet Spark at 85,000 miles Burbank, IL

AIR BAGS

The contact owns a 2014 Chevrolet Spark. The contact stated that the air bag warning light was displayed on the instrument panel. The dealer nor the manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 85,000.

NHTSA complaint #11522409 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2020 Chevrolet Spark Mclean, VA Crash 2 injured

AIR BAGS

All of the airbags were too strong. The doctor thought my leg was broken from the leg airbag. I was even wearing ugg boots to my knees, so I would have had a worse injury without them. I got a concussion from the airbag that hit my face and my nose was broken. My left hand was severely bruised almost covering the whole hand, my legs were bruised with cuts all over. There were bruises as if pieces were flying at my legs from within the airbags. One circular bruise on my leg lasted almost a year. Also, the seatbelt was too harsh. It pulled at my shoulder and the injury has lasted until now. My passenger had cuts on her legs and severe bruises on her stomach from the seatbelt. We were in a head-on accident with the other car going about 45 at us and going faster and faster.

NHTSA complaint #11440908 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2019 Chevrolet Spark Terlton, OK Crash

AIR BAGS

Collision to the front of car. It bent the frame but airbags still did not deploy.

NHTSA complaint #11439420 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2020 Chevrolet Spark Clayton, GA

AIR BAGS

Our car broke down on 07/08/2021 and went into the shop on 07/12/2021. It was eventually determined the engine had to be replaced. The car was in the shop until 09/02/2021. The following day during a test drive I noticed some minor, unusual response, almost unnoticeable, from the brakes, but there were no warning lights or messages. I connected a code reader and received the following codes: U0422, U0151, and C0800. I think all of them are sent by the ECU and involve communication problems with the ABS and the restraint systems, but yet, no warnings. I took it back to the shop. They found a shorted or bad Body Control Module, probably caused during the engine swap. If I hadn’t found those codes, perhaps the brakes or restraint systems may not have performed correctly in an accident. Obviously, the BCM can be defective and no warning lights are displayed, yet the car seems to perform almost normal. My wife did not detect the unusual braking response. We have parked the car. It seems to me, if the BCM goes defective, there should be a red light, stop immediately warning. I think every system in the car has to communicate with it. Could it be a problem created in the factory?

NHTSA complaint #11436014 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2021 Chevrolet Spark at 2,000 miles Costa Mesa, CA Crash 2 injured

AIR BAGS

The contact owns a 2021Chevrolet Spark M2. The contact stated while stopped at a red light when the contact was struck from behind launching the vehicle off the ground and moving forward 30ft into the rear driver side of a third vehicle in the middle of the intersection. This resulted in none of the airbags deploying and the seatbelt came unlocked and the contact was released from the restraints. 2 people were injured and sought medical treatments. The contact sustained multiple contusions, neck and back pain, a brain cyst, and bruising all over the body. A police report was taken and the vehicle was towed to a police lot then towed again to the contacts insurance lot where it was awaiting diagnosis. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 2,000.

NHTSA complaint #11429041 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2020 Chevrolet Spark at 24,718 miles Kansas City, MO Crash 2 injured

AIR BAGS

VEHICLE #1 HEADING SOUTHBOUND THEN CROSS LANES AND TURE ABRUPTLY EASTWARD INTO ONGOING TRAFFIC OF VEHICLE #2 NORTHBOUND LANE. BOTH VEHICLE'S COLLIDED AND VEHICLE #2 AIR BAG'S DID NOT DEPLOY DURING IMPACT.

NHTSA complaint #11408559 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2020 Chevrolet Spark at 24,718 miles Kansas City, MO Crash 2 injured

AIR BAGS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2020 CHEVROLET SPARK. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, WHEN ANOTHER VEHICLE INTERSECTED HIS LANE AND HE T-BONED THE DRIVER SIDE OF THE ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES ON HIS RIGHT KNEE, LOW AND UPPER BACK AND NECK. THE CONTACT'S WIFE(FRONT PASSENGER) SUSTAINED FRACTURE RIBS ON HER RIGHT SIDE AND A WHIPLASH. THE CONTACT AND HIS WIFE DID SEEK MEDICAL ATTENTION AT A EMERGENCY ROOM. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DRIVABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO VAN CHEVROLET (100 NW VIVION RD, KANSAS CITY, MO 64118: (816) 527-8564) AND WERE MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE INSURANCE COMPANY DEEMED THE VEHICLE TOTAL. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 24,718.

NHTSA complaint #11408103 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2019 Chevrolet Spark at 46,935 miles Gloversville, NY

AIR BAGS

AIRBAG CODE (95) THE CAR JUST GOT OUT OF THE SHOP FROM A FAULTY TRANSMISSION AND A WARPED PISTON(#3) I HAD IT BACK FOR TWO WEEKS AND NOW THE AIRBAG CODE COMES ON. I DROVE ABOUT FIVE MINUTES AND THEN PARK THE CAR DOWN TO ONE THE CODE CAME ON. I CLEARED IT SHUT THE CAR OFF THEM STARTED IT CAME BACK

NHTSA complaint #11399451 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2020 Chevrolet Spark at 20,000 miles Cassville, MO Crash 1 injured

AIR BAGS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2020 CHEVROLET SPARK. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE HER HUSBAND WAS DRIVING AT UNKNOWN SPEED WHEN HE HAD A MEDICAL EVENT WHICH CAUSED HIM TO CRASHED INTO A TREE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED A FRACTURED BACK AND HEAD INJURIES AND SOUGHT MEDICAL ATTENTION FOR HIS INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE INSURANCE DEEMED THE VEHICLE TOTAL LOSS. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO IMPOUND LOT. THE CONTACT CALLED LOCAL DEALER RELIABLE CHEVROLET (3655 S CAMPBELL AVE, SPRINGFIELD, MO 65807: (417) 708-8088) AND WAS MADE INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER HAD BEEN INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 20,000.

NHTSA complaint #11390048 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2016 Chevrolet Spark at 53,500 miles Chino, CA

AIR BAGS

FEB 2018 I RECEIVED AN ERROR MESSAGE WHILE DRIVING FOR A CODE 95. AFTER REVIEW I DETERMINED IT WAS AN AIR BAG ERROR MESSAGE. I TOOK IT TO MK SMITH IN CHINO, CA AND THEY REPLACED THE PASSENGER AIR BAG MODULE. JULY 2020 I RECEIVED THE SAME CODE 95 AIR BAG WARNING MESSAGE. I TOOK IT BACK TO MK SMITH IN CHINO, CA AND THEY TOLD ME THE SAME PASSENGER AIR BAG MODULE NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. I ASKED IF THEY REPLACED A FAULTY PASSENGER AIR BAG MODULE WITH A FAULTY PASSENGER AIR BAG MODULE AND THE RESPONSE WAS 'YES'. BUT BECAUSE I DIDN'T RECEIVE THE WARNING MESSAGE UNTIL AFTER 12 MONTHS IT'S MY PROBLEM TO FIX IT. THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE AND A KNOWN RECALL EVEN THOUGH THE INITIAL RECALL WAS SUPPOSEDLY FIXED.

NHTSA complaint #11343557 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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