Problems · NHTSA complaints

2016 Chevrolet Spark problems

Owners filed 43 complaints about the 2016 Chevrolet Spark with NHTSA between Jun 2016 and Oct 2026. The most-cited component is service brakes (20).

Complaints
43
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
3
Reported by owners
Fires
1
Reported by owners
Injuries
2
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  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
  10. Electronic stability control (esc)1
  11. Exterior lighting1
  12. Seats1
  13. Other / unknown5

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
20166
201713
20183
20196
20205
20212
20223
20232
20240
20252
20261

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

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 crashes3 related recalls
“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

Power train

4 reports
“The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Spark. The contact stated while driving 60 MPH, the transmission was slipping, and the cruise control was not operating correctly. Additionally, the RPM was elevated with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer and diagnosed; however, no failure was determined. The contact stated that the transmission fluid was flushed and replaced. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 85,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 20, 2022Power trainODI 11474938

Fuel/propulsion system

2 reports
“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…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 10, 2025Electrical system, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11704345

Steering

2 reports
“RANDOMLY WHEN I GET INTO MY CAR AND CRANK THE LIGHTS ON MY DASH,SCREEN WILL APPEAR- OTHER TIMES THEY WILL NOT. RANDOMLY WHEN DRIVING SHE WILL JUST BE DRIVING NORMAL AND IMMEDIATELY SHE SHUTS DOWN AND OFF WITH NO WARNING SIGNS AND NO WARNING LIGHTS ON DASH. THIS ISSUE HAS BEEN ONGOING SINCE THE PURCHASE OF HER. IT HAS BEEN ON A INTERSTATE HIGHWAY IN 5PM TRAFFIC, A VERY SMALL TOWN IN NON ON SUNDAY AFTER CHURCH.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 1, 2021Steering, Power train, Electrical systemODI 11398554
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.