44 of the
759 complaints filed about the Chevrolet Spark
are about the fuel system —
6% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 2014.
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.
While driving in early 2025, my 2016 Chevrolet Spark EV suddenly lost all ability to accelerate. The vehicle remained powered on but would not respond to the accelerator, and I was unable to fully shut it off. This created a safety hazard because I could not properly control or secure the vehicle, and it required towing. I replaced the 12V battery at my own expense. The issue briefly disappeared, but the same failure occurred again within weeks. The replacement 12V battery also failed to hold a charge, indicating the problem was not related to the 12V system. I brought the vehicle to Harbor Chevrolet. Their technicians confirmed the problem was caused by a failure of the high-voltage battery system. They also informed me that the required EV battery is unavailable from the manufacturer with no estimated availability. Because this component is essential for basic propulsion and safety, the vehicle has been completely inoperable since early 2025. The vehicle is available for inspection, but it cannot be driven due to the propulsion failure. The defect has been reproduced and confirmed by the dealership. There were no warning lamps or early indicators prior to the sudden loss of propulsion. I am reporting this because sudden propulsion loss and inability to shut the vehicle down properly present significant safety concerns, especially if this issue affects additional Spark EV vehicles without an available manufacturer remedy.
NHTSA complaint #11704345 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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 rear-end collision or stranding in active traffic lanes.Dealer confirmation: RK Chevrolet in Virginia Beach, VA has inspected the vehicle and confirmed the failure matches N192271110 – full transmission replacement required (quote $6,637.19). Vehicle remains at the dealership and is available for inspection.Warning lamps/symptoms: Check-engine light and reduced-power message appeared at time of failure. No prior warnings before the sudden loss of power event. Failure occurred approximately October 2025 – only four months after GM’s 10-year/120,000-mile Special Coverage N192271110 expired on 06/11/2025.The failed transmission is still in the vehicle and available for inspection upon request.
NHTSA complaint #11700935 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I am the owner of a 2016 Spark EV, and the driver was my family member. The vehicle was charged and had a remaining driving range of 51 miles when the vehicle suddenly shut down on a major city road without any prior warning or symptoms of a problem. The vehicle did not restart immediately, and other drivers behind had to push the vehicle to the side of the road. The driver experienced the shutdown of the vehicle while driving again on another day. Since the sudden shutdown of the propulsion power while driving happened without any prior warning light, message, or symptom, the incident could put the safety of the driver and others at risk, especially if the shutdown happened at a higher speed on a highway. Failure of a specific component or system has not been identified, but the vehicle is available for inspection upon request. The service department of a Chevrolet dealer initially provided an estimated diagnostic fee of $170, but the service department raised the diagnostic fee by double upon check-in when the vehicle was brought in on the scheduled appointment. I canceled the appointment in frustration.
NHTSA complaint #11660265 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I lease a car through carvana, and they informed me that the car was safe and properly inspected. In the first 2 weeks, I took the chevrolet to a certified dealership for a routine inspection. I was informed that the vehicle has severe mechanical and electrical issues. The enginee needs to be completed replace they found shred metal pieces in the engine oil. The car also needs a completely new steering and alignment system. It also needs a new heating system. The total cost is 7500, which is close to the current value of the car. I have informed carvan and silver rock third party insurance. They failed to inspect the vehicle and follow DOT safety requirements. This car shouldn't be available or purchased. This car requires several weeks of repair and puts me at risk for driving. I could have easily ended in deadly accident because of the condition of the vehicle. This company has committed gross deglience and promotes a car that is unsafe with false advertising and promises. Carvana is liability however they refuse to follow proper safety guidelines and take responsibility for the issue they created. I am paid for a vehicle I can't legally drive. There gross deglience put all customers at risk; if they were honest about there inspection this issue would never occur. Please help me expose this corrupt company. We the people deserve better. This company needs to be held accountable with an FCC and DOT audit.
NHTSA complaint #11656467 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Vehicle stalls when started, after vehicle is up to temp the rpm’s fluctuate and vehicle misfires. I was driving down the road when all of a sudden the car went into limp mode I couldn’t do anything and me and my son almost got run off the road but after a few minutes of pressing the gas pedal it finally started to move. Dealership is unable to fix problem because they can’t even figure out what it is $7000.00 later and no one can figure out the problem. This is a lemon and Chevy should be recalling all Chevy spark before someone gets hurt.
NHTSA complaint #11642223 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Transmission failing - when stopped and trying to go from a dead stop the car will not move for a minute the rpm's rev high and the car will barely move maybe two to five miles per hour while the rpm's just rev higher. When climbing a hill the car seems to lose power and not shift like it should. If starting in morning the car may shift for a few minutes then it seems to only shift like downshifting. Other times it seems to run ok and shift ok but the next time you could be trying to merge on the freeway and the car will not go will not get up speed. This dangerous when entering a freeway and trying to get speed up to match vehicles on freeway already. It is also dangerous when making left turns without shifting correctly and car just has little movement revs the rpm's but doesn't move enough to make the turn safely I front of other vehicle waiting to start forward on the green light. It is also dangerous when climbing a hill. I was stopped at a red light when light turned green I pressed the gas and car would not move at all. I continued to let off the gas then press the gas to.get movement to get to side of the road. I haven't been able to drive my car for the last 3 months. I just bought the car less thena year ago and am still paying my payments even though I am unable to drive the car. I really do like this car but have since read of the past transmission recalls on the same year and model and make. I love called Chevrolet asking about the problem and they just tell me my car does not have a recall for the transmission according to the vin. How can my car be failing like many others of the same year that have been able to get repaired under the transmission recall and yet Chevrolet can tell me that my car does not have a recall for the same exact issues I've read about on this site. I am angry because how do the makers tell me my car isn't on that recall for this problem when there seems to be many of the same car having the issue and gets the issue fixed ?
NHTSA complaint #11633939 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Purchased car new, Dec 2021. Drive infrequently because my work under 5 miles away and I go into the office x2/week. Car has approx 14500 on it. Last week the car would not start. Smelled like gasoline. Called Chevy and they towed it under the bumper to bumper warranty to nearest Chevy dealership, 7 miles away. Dealership called and said fuel line is corroded. We have had no snow in DC and the military base (where I live) does not use salt on road so this makes NO sense. Then I learned the car was actually manufactured in Dec 2020 because they do not want to honor the warranty....so they are selling cars with defective fuel lines to the public. This car must have sat somewhere in snow or near water until they brought it to DC to sell to me. If they did this to me, I am sure they are doing it as a matter of practice and should be stopped. When my car was towed, there was a big wet spot under it where all the fuel leaked. I tried to reach out to corporate and now they are ignoring me. Please help me.
NHTSA complaint #11597430 — 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.
The fuel line or a component which is part of the fuel system was chewed through by a rodent and the gas was pouring out of the rear of the car. My safety was at risk because if I didn't first smell the gas and then see the dripping gas, something may have sparked and caused the car to catch on fire or explode. The problem was confirmed by the dealer who sold me the car and who repaired the problem. The problem was not inspected by the manufacturer, etc. There were no warning lights that could have warned about the problem until the tank ran dry. I did see online that there is a class action against Toyota and Honda because the wires in their cars are coated with a soy material which is attracting rodents. My 2020 Chevy Spark was purchased new. The car I had previously sat out in the same parking area for 9 years and I have never had rodents attracted to the wires or fuel system.
NHTSA complaint #11528584 — 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.
CAR SPUTTERS AND HESITATES. FEELS LIKE TRANSMISSION OR FUEL PROBLEM. HAD TRANSMISSION REPLACED ONCE ALREADY. FROM WHAT I'M HEARING TRANSMISSIONS IN THIS CAR HAVE AN ISSUE. SEEMS LIKE IT SHOULD BE REPLACED BY MANUFACTURER NOT ME. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING FOR MONTHS. IT WAS SEEMING TO COME AND GO NOW IT JUST ALL THE TIME.
NHTSA complaint #11376154 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
IN AUGUST 2019, AS I WAS DRIVING ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY MY VEHICLE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT BECAME ILLUMINATED AND MY BRAKE, GAS, STEERING COLUMN, AND VEHICLE LOSS COMPLETE FUNCTION. THIS INCIDENT ALMOST COST ME MY LIFE. THANK GOODNESS I WAS ABLE TO EXIT THE HIGHWAY IN TIME. AFTER WEEKS AND MONTHS OF FAILED REPAIR ATTEMPTS, I CONTACTED GM HOPING TO GAIN SOME RESOLUTION. AFTER FILING A COMPLAINT IN DECEMBER 2019 THERE WAS NO RESPONSE UNTIL LAST WEEK. I RECEIVED A LETTER IN THE MAIL FROM ,MRS. NEELIE O'CONNOR-GLOBAL EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE OPERATIONS, STATING THAT MY MECHANICAL ISSUES MAY INDEED BE AT THE FAULT OF GM. THEY WOULD PAY FOR DAMAGES ,ONLY IF MY CAR WAS UNDER 120,000 MILES ,AND THEIR MECHANIC CONFIRMS THE DAMAGES.
NHTSA complaint #11363693 — 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.
THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN VERY SLUGGISH SINCE I BOUGHT IT. IT IS NOW UNSAFE TO DRIVE, ESPECIALLY IN THE HEAT. THERE HAVE BEEN MANY INSTANCES WHEN I'M AT A COMPLETE STOP AND THE CAR WON'T GO WHEN I HAVE THE GAS PEDAL FLOORED. I HAVE HAD 3 CLOSE CALLS AT INTERSECTIONS WHEN MAKING A LEFT HAND TURN, WHEN THERE SHOULD HAVE BEEN AMPLE TIME TO GET THROUGH THE INTERSECTION BASED ON THE DISTANCE BETWEEN MY VEHICLE AND ONCOMING TRAFFIC. I HAVE TAKEN MY VEHICLE TO THE CHEVROLET SERVICE DEPARTMENT FOR THIS ISSUE. THEY HAVE DONE DIAGNOSTICS AND SUPPOSEDLY DRIVEN IT, BUT COULD NOT FIND A PROBLEM. THIS IS A REAL SAFETY CONCERN. THIS HAS HAPPENED ON BUSY CITY STREETS, AT ON-RAMPS GETTING ONTO THE FREEWAY, AT BUSY INTERSECTIONS GOING STRAIGHT AND TURNING BOTH DIRECTIONS, AND ON LOW GRADE HILLS, I HAVE TO FLOOR THE GAS PEDAL TWO OR THREE TIMES BEFORE THE CAR WILL MOVE. THE PROPULSION INCREASES AT A VERY SLOW, UNSAFE RATE OF SPEED.
NHTSA complaint #11257212 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THE JUG THAT HOLDS MY ANTIFREEZE DEVELOPED A HOLE RIGHT WHERE THE HOSE CONNECTS TO IT AND ANTIFREEZE WAS DRIPPING ONTO A BELT. MY CAR WOULD MAKE A SCREECHING SOUND AND HESITATE WHILE I WAS DRIVING. I REPLACED THE BELT BUT THEN OTHER STUFF STARTED GOING WRONG. THE ENGINE REVS UP WHILE I AM DRIVING AND THE CAR WILL HESITATE EACH TIME THIS HAPPENS, IT USUALLY HAPPENS SEVERAL TIMES IN A FEW SECONDS THEN DRIVES FINE FOR A SHORT WHILE. NO PATTERN, JUST HAPPENS RANDOMLY. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR A COUPLE OF MONTHS. ON 08/07/1019 I WAS DRIVING 320 MILES TO COPPERAS COVE, TX FROM LUBBOCK,TX . AFTER DRIVING ABOUT 100 MILES MY CAR STUDDERED REAL BAD AND I LOST ALL POWER AS I TURNED A CORNER. THEN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I STEPPED ON THE GAS TO THE FLOOR AND MY CAR WOULD BARLEY MOVE. I MANAGED TO GET TO A GAS STATION WHERE I HAD TO WAIT FOR A TOW BACK TO LUBBOCK. SOMETHING ABOUT THE DEVICE THAT PUTS OXYGEN INTO THE GAS AS IT GOES INTO THE ENGINE IS NOT WORKING PROPERLY. I FOUND SEVERAL COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE SAME EXPERIENCE ONLINE. I ONLY HAVE ABOUT 54000 MILES ON MY CAR. MY ALARM GOES OFF 99% OF THE TIME IF I LOCK MY CAR, AND MY WINDSHIELD WIPER FLUID DOES NOT DISPENSE.
NHTSA complaint #11252518 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TAKATA RECALL. MY '14 SPARK HAS GOTTEN THE COOLANT TANK REPLACED TWICE. ALSO MY RPMS ARE SHOOTING UP AND BACK DOWN ONCE I HIT 50MPH OR FASTER . ALSO MAKES A HIGH PITCHED NOISE WHEN THIS HAPPENS . IT'S CAUSING MY CAR TO JERK AT FASTER SPEEDS, ALSO MY CAR JERKS AT POINT OF ACCELERATION FROM 0MPH WHEN I'M MAKING TURNS. ALSO THE BATTERY IS CONTINUALLY BEING DRAINED AND IT'S NOT WORN OUT .
NHTSA complaint #11230832 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WE PURCHASED A 2017 CHEVY SPARK WITH 40,000 MILES ON IT AND WITHIN THE FIRST TWO WEEKS THE CAR WILL NOT ACCELERATE FOR ABOUT 2 SECONDS AND THEN WILL LEAP FORWARD. WHEN YOU COME TO A COMPLETE STOP THE ENGINE WILL REV UP AND NOT GO FORWARD FOR ABOUT 2-3 SECONDS. THIS BECOMES VERY UN SAFE SINCE YOU CAN NOT DEPEND ON THIS VEHICLE TO GO FORWARD WHEN NEEDED. I HAVE TAKEN IT BACK TO THE DEALER AND THEY SAID THERE WAS AN SOFTWARE UPLOAD TO THE TRANSMISSION THAT SHOULD HELP. IT DID NOT HELP AND I HAVE RESEARCHED THAT THIS IS PRETTY COMMON WITH THESE CVT TRANSMISSIONS. I WILL TAKE IT IN AGAIN THIS WEEK FOR THEM TO POSSIBLY CHANGE OUT TRANSMISSION. THE COMPLAINTS THAT ARE ON THIS VEHICLE ARE THE SAME HAVING TO DO WITH ACCELERATION PROBLEMS. GM NEEDS TO LOOK AT THIS ISSUE AS A RECALL TO HELP SAVE LIVES.
NHTSA complaint #11187376 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
MY CHEVROLET SPARK CANNOT DECIDE WHAT GEAR IT WANTS TO BE IN, CAUSING DELAYS THAT ARE DANGEROUS WHEN PULLING OUT IN TRAFFIC OR TURNING ACROSS LINES OF TRAFFIC. FOR INSTANCE, I SLOW DOWN TO GET INTO THE CENTER TURNING LANE OF A 5-LANE STREET AND THEN WHEN CLEAR, I ACCELERATE TO MAKE THE TURN. THE CAR FEELS LIKE IT MAKES A SHORT STALL AS IT CAN'T DECIDE IF IT NEEDS TO GET INTO A HIGHER OR LOWER GEAR. IT CLEARLY TAKES A LONG TIME AND GOES UP AND DOWN WHICH PLACES ME UNCOMFORTABLY TOO CLOSE TO ONCOMING TRAFFIC. OTHER TIMES WHEN I PULL OUT IN TRAFFIC, THE SAME SCENARIO REPEATS. I WONDER IF IT SHIFTS INTO A TOO HIGH A GEAR TOO SOON THEN DOWN SHIFTS ONE GEAR AND THEN UPSHIFTS AS THE CAR STARTS TO ACCELERATE. SEVERAL TIMES A DAY WHEN I SLOW TO ADJUST TO TRAFFIC CONDITIONS AND THEN ACCELERATE AFTER SLOWING, THE CAR LAG/STALL HAPPENS AS THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTS UP AND DOWN THROUGH THE GEARS. THE CAR JUST CAN'T DECIDE WHAT IS THE BEST GEAR TO BE IN. I FEEL THAT THIS IS DANGEROUS. IT CERTAINLY MAKES ONE VERY UNEASY WHEN YOU PULL OUT IN TRAFFIC AND THEN THE CAR BARELY MOVES FOR A VERY CRITICAL SECOND OR TWO.
NHTSA complaint #11181644 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.