Research · Subcompact Cars · 2 NHTSA variants

2015 Chevrolet SparkRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 7 safety recalls and 84 owner complaints for the 2015 Chevrolet Spark. Most complaints involve power train (27) and engine (11). The EPA rates it 33–119 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 4 stars overall.

Combined MPG
33–119mpg
EPA · 3 versions
NHTSA overall
4of 5 stars
NCAP crash tests
Safety recalls
7campaigns
Latest Aug 2022
Owner complaints
84
Top: power train
Fuel cost / yr
$650est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

7 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Latches

Free remedy

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.

Latches/locks/linkagesReported Aug 25, 2022NHTSA 22V640000

Air bags: frontal

Free remedy

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2014-2016 Buick Lacrosse and Chevrolet Spark EV, Caprice PPV and SS vehicles, 2014-2017 Buick Encore and Chevrolet Corvette, Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles, 2015-2016 Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Tahoe, Trax, Suburban and Silverado 2500 and 3500 and GMC Yukon and Yukon XL vehicles, and 2015-2017 GMC Sierra HD 2500 and 3500 vehicles. While being previously remedied for recall 16V-651, the affected vehicles may not have received the complete software update necessary to remedy the recall condition. Without the update, certain driving conditions may cause the air bag sensing and diagnostic module (SDM) software to activate a diagnostic test. During this test, deployment of the frontal air bags and the seat belt pretensioners would not occur in the event of a crash.

Air bagsReported Jul 10, 2017NHTSA 17V437000

Air bags: frontal

Free remedy

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2015-2017 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD, 3500 HD, Tahoe, Suburban, GMC Sierra 2500 HD and 3500 HD, GMC Yukon, GMC Yukon XL, Cadillac Escalade and Cadillac Escalade ESV vehicles and 2014-2017 Chevrolet Corvette, Silverado 1500, Trax, Caprice Police Pursuit Vehicle, GMC Sierra 1500, Buick Encore, and 2014-2016 Buick Lacrosse, Chevrolet Spark EV and SS vehicles. In the affected vehicles, certain driving conditions may cause the air bag sensing and diagnostic module (SDM) software to activate a diagnostic test. During this test, deployment of the frontal air bags and the seat belt pretensioners would not occur in the event of a crash.

Air bagsReported Sep 8, 2016NHTSA 16V651000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 10, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

84 complaints filed with NHTSA · May 2015 – Oct 2026
  1. Power train27
  2. Engine11
  3. Electrical system9
  4. Service brakes9
  5. Vehicle speed control7
  6. Fuel/propulsion system7
  7. Air bags6
  8. Electronic stability control (esc)5
  9. Structure4

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Spark model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
2013146
2014176
201584
201643
201729
20189
201914
202020
20216
20223
Crashes reported
4
Fires reported
1
Injuries reported
8
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 10, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Power train

27 reports
“This vehicle was serviced 3 different times. The first being a complete new transmission (so they said) being put in. A few days later same thing like it was running in limp mode. 2 nd trip back to a GM dealership(Same one) set for weeks. Called said it was fixed. Said the battery was dead. Charged me for a new battery. Same thing git home started jerking very unsafe. Cleared GM Corporate. They said they would contact the dealership for another assessment. This time they charged me for a Mass Sir Flow repair. Started home. Same exact thing. Called GM today and they said take it back. I said not there. They said for me to tow it to another dealership on my dime. At this point I called the WV State Attorney General’s office. They have no returned my call yet. Please help. This recall was initiated by the NTBS. I’ve been treated very unfair. It’s not like we haven’t tried. The last GM agent said the new transmission would have a 10 year silent warranty on it. Please help me. I have done everything properly. The car has literally set fire to years now as it’s unsafe to drive. Even had to use rental cars for transportation. The dealership would not give us a car to…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 16, 2026Power trainODI 11771622

Engine

11 reports
“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 despite widely documented cases and their own bulletins describing this exact failure chain.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 19, 2025EngineODI 11700241

Electrical system

9 reports
“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”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 12, 2026Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11710502
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

3 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Subcompact Cars
Engines
Electric motor · 1.2L 4-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic (A1) · Manual 5-spd · Automatic (variable gear ratios)
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Electricity · Regular Gasoline
EV range
82 mi (EPA)

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 10, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Spark EV
Auto (A1) · Front-Wheel Drive
128109119$650—
Spark
Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 1.2 L · Front-Wheel Drive
313834$1,850264
Spark
Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 1.2 L · Front-Wheel Drive
303733$1,900270
  • Spark EV
    Auto (A1)
    128 city · 109 hwy · $650/yr
    119
    mpg comb.
  • Spark
    Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 1.2 L
    31 city · 38 hwy · $1,850/yr
    34
    mpg comb.
  • Spark
    Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 1.2 L
    30 city · 37 hwy · $1,900/yr
    33
    mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 10, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

2 tested variants
Overall rating
4/ 5
4 of 5
Chevrolet Spark 5 HB FWD
Frontal crash
4 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
17.9%
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 10, 2026Vehicle 9528Vehicle 9243
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2015 Spark questions

How many recalls does the 2015 Chevrolet Spark have?

7 safety recalls as of Nov 10, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2015 Chevrolet Spark problems?

Owners filed 84 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are power train (27), engine (11), electrical system (9). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2015 Chevrolet Spark get?

The EPA rates the 2015 Chevrolet Spark at 33–119 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (3 versions rated).

How safe is the 2015 Chevrolet Spark?

NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2015 Chevrolet Spark 4 out of 5 stars overall.

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 10, 2026