Problems · NHTSA complaints

2017 Chevrolet Spark problems

Owners filed 29 complaints about the 2017 Chevrolet Spark with NHTSA between Feb 2017 and Jul 2026. The most-cited component is power train (9).

Complaints
29
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
5
Reported by owners
Fires
0
Reported by owners
Injuries
6
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Power train9
  2. Service brakes8
  3. Electrical system5
  4. Air bags5
  5. Engine4
  6. Visibility/wiper3
  7. Visibility1
  8. Suspension1
  9. Seats1
  10. Steering1
  11. Wheels1
  12. Vehicle speed control1
  13. Fuel/propulsion system1
  14. Exterior lighting1

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
20178
20184
20192
20205
20210
20222
20234
20241
20251
20262

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

9 reports1 crash
“My transmission has been acting up like other stated where it will rev the motor high and then jerk and shift hard. There are no recalls for it when there are known issues with the transmission for the 2017. I was driving down the road and went to stop and my brakes were very hard and almost had to stand on them to stop, almost hit a couple cars, very dangerous situation. This has happened twice to my 2017 spark and both time it was due to vacuum pump. I have taken my car to a mechanic for these issues and the mechanics have also told me they have seen both of these issues with the 2017 spark and that a recall needs done.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 29, 2026Power train, Service brakesODI 11753620

Service brakes

8 reports3 crashes
“vehicle brakes went out suddenly after hearing a loud POP sound...brakes wouldn't respond and pedal hard, ran off road and could only glide to a roll stop and not really then...fortunately a repair shop adjacent so drove their and rolled stop. initial look shop advised vacuum pump needs to be diagnosed...they came back with a 'caution on file #pip5598a which advised of known issue but no recall... they came back with a 479$ fee to diagnose exactly what's wrong (those pics enclosed) they are now staring they will not guarantee week or warranty and say engine must be replaced...they are still working up quote to repair vacuum pump, camshaft and timing chain but now are saying will be well over 2k to just SEE if will work and wont guarantee”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 5, 2023Service brakesCrash reportedODI 11520650

Electrical system

5 reports
“105000 miles: Lost Brakes extremely hard to push brake pedal. Lost vacuum, enabling to stop car safely. Took brake vacuum line off vacuum pump and plug pump so oil don’t leak out pump. Then join the line to an existing vacuum line. Problem solved no issues since. 205000 miles: Repeatedly theft mode, flickering dashboard, and dead battery issues. Battery was good charged, alternator charging right. To lead with fusebox circuit board needed to be re-soldered. Have no idea how it happened but no problem since. I still have all factory parts on car. This is a stick shift 5 speed. Get 40ish bit more miles a gallon. Keep oil changed as normal. I float gears when putting around. Leaving less stress for clutch issues. As I’m 208000 so miles still have few miles before replacing factory clutch brake pads belts plugs etc… I keep check at all wear clean up dust collected grease all joints every season. So can’t say much about car being a problem.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 27, 2023Electrical system, Service brakesODI 11504019

Air bags

5 reports2 crashes1 related recall
“DURING MORNING RUSH HOUR ON THE HIGHWAY, (I WAS DRIVING IN THE LEFT LANE), TRAVELING AROUND 50MPH. I WAS ABOUT 3 CAR LENGTHS BEHIND, WHEN THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME STOPPED ABRUPTLY, AND PROMPTLY DROVE AWAY. I SLAMMED MY BRAKES TO THE FLOOR AND SIMULTANEOUSLY SWERVED TO THE EMERGENCY LANE TO AVOID AN IMPACT. WITH BOTH OF MY FEET ON THE BRAKE PEDAL, MY CAR KEPT SLIDING LIKE IT WAS ON ICE FOR AROUND 80 FEET, BECAUSE THE ABS SYSTEM FAILED. THE ONLY THING THAT STOPPED ME WERE THE 2 VEHICLES THAT WERE ILLEGALLY PARKED IN THE EMERGENCY LANE. WHILE SKIDDING, I HIT THE CEMENT HIGHWAY DIVIDER (ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE). I THEN SLAMMED INTO THE 1ST PARKED CAR, WHICH WAS PUSHED INTO THE 2ND VEHICLE. I WAS SUBSEQUENTIALLY REAR-ENDED BY ANOTHER VEHICLE, WHICH FOLLOWED MY SAME PATH. ONLY THE STEERING WHEEL AND KNEE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. THE LEFT SIDE AIRBAG (1ST IMPACT) NEVER DEPLOYED, WHICH LEFT SIGNIFICANT BRUISING ON MY LEFT SHOULDER AND LEFT EAR. MY CAR WAS TOTALED, BUT THE CABIN REMAINED MOSTLY INTACT. I WAS LUCKY TO HAVE WALKED AWAY WITH ONLY A BROKEN THUMB AND BRUISING THROUGHOUT MY BODY. IF THE ABS HADN'T FAILED, I WOULD'VE BEEN ABLE TO STOP SAFELY AND AVOID MULTI CAR COLLISION. *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 26, 2020Air bags, Service brakesCrash reportedODI 11331148

Engine

4 reports
“The contact owns a 2017 Chevrolet Spark. The contact stated that on various occasions, and while driving at approximately 55 MPH, the vehicle shuddered while accelerating. The contact stated that the failure persisted while driving above 50 MPH. The check engine warning light was intermittently illuminated. An independent mechanic arrived at the residence and diagnosed the vehicle and retrieved fault codes for the transmission pump. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 120,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 12, 2023Power train, EngineODI 11516782

Visibility/wiper

3 reports
“THE INTERIOR TRIM ON THE DASH AND DOORS IS SO SHINY IT CAUSES REFLECTIONS IN THE SIDE MIRRORS. THE REFLECTION IS SO BAD IT OBSTRUCTS YOUR VIEW OF THE OTHER VEHICLES ON THE ROAD BEHIND YOU. (IF YOU LOOK CLOSELY AT THE UPLOADED PICTURE YOU MIGHT BE ABLE TO SEE THE VEHICLE BEHIND ME IN THE OTHER LANE.)”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 28, 2017Visibility/wiperODI 11030414
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.