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Research · Subcompact Cars · 2 NHTSA variants

2016 Chevrolet SparkRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 3 safety recalls and 43 owner complaints for the 2016 Chevrolet Spark. Most complaints involve service brakes (20) and electrical system (6). The EPA rates it 33–119 mpg combined.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
33–119mpg
EPA · 3 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
3campaigns
Latest Jul 2017
Owner complaints
43
Top: service brakes
Fuel cost / yr
$650est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

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

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: inflator module

Free remedy

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2016-2017 Chevrolet Spark vehicles. In the event of a crash, if a young child is seated improperly and not wearing a seat belt while in the front passenger seat, deployment of the front passenger air bag may injure the occupant's neck. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."

Air bagsReported May 9, 2017NHTSA 17V307000

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

43 complaints filed with NHTSA · Jun 2016 – Oct 2026
  1. Service brakes20
  2. Electrical system6
  3. Air bags5
  4. Power train4
  5. Fuel/propulsion system2
  6. Steering2
  7. Visibility/wiper2
  8. Engine2
  9. Fuel system, gasoline1

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
3
Fires reported
1
Injuries reported
2
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

Service brakes

20 reports1 crash
“I was driving downhill with the car in L on a highway and brakes failed. I could not engage the brakes at all but somehow the car slowed to a stop and I managed to pull into a parking spot and park. Two lights came on: Service Intellitrak and Service Brake Assist. The car has been inspected by the Chevrolet dealership that sold the car to me as well as an independant shop. One technician at the Chevrolet dealership reported he got zero brake pressure and claims that the car needs a new brake pressure modulator. The independant shop reported that they could not replicate the poor brake performance. Two technicians from this shop reported that the car is working as intended.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 9, 2023Service brakesODI 11549067

Electrical system

6 reports1 fire
“The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Spark. The contact stated an abnormal, rotten egg like smell began to emit from the fuel pump. The fuel gauge began to show false fuel readings and the fuel pump was replaced by an independent mechanic. The contact then stated that the check engine light appeared on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken back to the independent mechanic where the OBD II sensor gave a code for P0461(Fuel Level Sensor "A" Circuit Range/Performance). The contact had the fuel pump and exhaust system replaced. Despite the repair, the contact stated that the fuel gauge continued to show false fuel reading.The vehicle was taken to a dealer where they informed the contact that they discovered evidence that rodents had chewed on the electrical wiring which caused the fuel gauge failure. Despite the diagnostic that the contact received, she had yet to find a mechanic that could discovered the faulty wire to repair the defect. The failure mileage was approximately 55,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 30, 2026Fuel system, gasoline, Electrical systemODI 11774753

Air bags

5 reports2 crashes
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 20, 2023Air bagsCrash reportedODI 11550953
All 2016 Spark problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
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 · 1.4L 4-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic (A1) · Automatic (variable gear ratios) · Manual 5-spd
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
Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 1.4 L · Front-Wheel Drive
314034$1,850259
Spark
Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 1.4 L · Front-Wheel Drive
303933$1,900266
  • Spark EV
    Auto (A1)
    128 city · 109 hwy · $650/yr
    119
    mpg comb.
  • Spark
    Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 1.4 L
    31 city · 40 hwy · $1,850/yr
    34
    mpg comb.
  • Spark
    Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 1.4 L
    30 city · 39 hwy · $1,900/yr
    33
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
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
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2016 Chevrolet Spark as of Nov 10, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 10, 2026Vehicle 10399Vehicle 10400
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

2016 Spark questions

How many recalls does the 2016 Chevrolet Spark have?

3 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 2016 Chevrolet Spark problems?

Owners filed 43 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are service brakes (20), electrical system (6), air bags (5). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2016 Chevrolet Spark get?

The EPA rates the 2016 Chevrolet Spark at 33–119 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (3 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 10, 2026