Problems · NHTSA complaints

2015 Chevrolet Spark problems

Owners filed 84 complaints about the 2015 Chevrolet Spark with NHTSA between May 2015 and Oct 2026. The most-cited component is power train (27).

Complaints
84
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
4
Reported by owners
Fires
1
Reported by owners
Injuries
8
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  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
  10. Latches/locks/linkages4
  11. Seat belts3
  12. Equipment2
  13. Suspension2
  14. Exterior lighting2

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

Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 10, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Trend

When complaints were filed

Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
View as table
Model yearComplaints filed per calendar year
20152
20169
20177
20186
201915
20208
20214
20226
20235
202411
20258
20263

Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.

03 —Owner reports

Top problems in owners’ words

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first

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 reports1 related recall
“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

Service brakes

9 reports
“Brake system fails while driving. Brakes go soft on car while in use and unable to brake properly. Warning lights and abs brake light comes on the dashboard. This has occurred 4 different times. Each occurrence was followed with several months long repair visits to the dealer who says it’s the brake pump malfunctioning. I have lost control of brakes while driving. Two cases have been directly reported to General Motors.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 16, 2022Service brakesODI 11484871

Vehicle speed control

7 reports2 crashes
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 19, 2024Vehicle speed control, EngineODI 11595386

Fuel/propulsion system

7 reports
“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…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 22, 2025Power train, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11700935
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 2026

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