Chevrolet Spark Reliability — Best and Worst Years by the Data

Quick answer

The 2014 draws 3.56 complaints per run and the 2016 1.54, a 2.3-fold gap within the same model. Half of all complaints arrive by 3 years of age, so 58% land after the 3-year basic warranty ends. The system owners report most is Power Train, with 120 complaints, typically at 4.4 years.

Chevrolet Spark years to avoid — and the best ones

FIG.01·Chevrolet Spark — complaint rate by model year
Model year	Per run	Complaints	Runs	Enough history?
2022	1	3	3	too new
2021	1.5	6	4	too new
2020	1.55	17	11	yes
2019	1.44	13	9	yes
2018	1.29	9	7	yes
2017	1.56	28	18	yes
2016	1.54	40	26	yes
2015	2.24	83	37	yes
2014	3.56	160	45	yes
2013	2.37	128	54	yes

ROWS 10·SOURCE NHTSA complaints, grouped by VIN production run

Does the market discount it? In our listings a 2014 Spark asks a median $4,600, against $4,500 for a 2015, the next model year: about the same, so the price shows no discount for its complaint record.

Among the 4 Chevrolet Spark years with enough history, the three to walk away from are 2014, 2013, 2015; the three worth hunting are 2016, 2015, 2013.

When it starts to break

FIG.02·Chevrolet Spark — age at failure
Age at failure	Complaints	Running total	Warranty
0 years	90	18.6%	covered
1 year	71	33.3%	covered
2 years	42	42%	covered
3 years	58	54%	you pay
4 years	53	65%	you pay
5 years	36	72.5%	you pay
6 years	28	78.3%	you pay
7 years	21	82.6%	you pay
8 years	23	87.4%	you pay
9 years	28	93.2%	you pay
10 years	18	96.9%	you pay
11 years	9	98.8%	you pay
12 years	6	100%	you pay

ROWS 13·SOURCE NHTSA complaints with incident dates

Basic warranty on this car is 3 years / 36,000 miles. Only 42% of reported failures happen inside it — the remaining 58% come out of the owner's pocket. Powertrain cover (5 years / 60,000 miles) reaches further, but it only covers the engine and transmission, which account for about 44% of the complaints here.

What actually fails — and at what age

On the Chevrolet Spark, the early trouble is Engine and Electrical System — reported at around 3.4 years, so a car still under warranty is the one to check for it. What waits further out is Power Train at 4.4 years — past every basic warranty, and the bill lands on whoever owns the car then.

FIG.03·Chevrolet Spark — what fails and when
System	Complaints	Typical age	Crash	Fire
Power Train	120	4.4 yrs	3	—
Engine	96	3.4 yrs	2	—
Electrical System	93	3.8 yrs	—	2
Service Brakes	65	2.5 yrs	8	—
Air Bags	55	2.7 yrs	29	—
Unknown Or Other	54	4.3 yrs	6	2
Vehicle Speed Control	42	4.6 yrs	3	—
Fuel/propulsion System	40	3.9 yrs	—	—

ROWS 8·SOURCE NHTSA complaints

What else in this class

6 models share the Spark's vehicle class. Per production run, the Honda Civic draws 2.82 and the Ford Mustang 3.87, against 2.28 for the Spark. That is the fewest complaints of the group.

FIG.05·Chevrolet Spark — rivals in the same class
Same class as the Spark	Complaints on record	Recall campaigns	Years built
Honda Civic	15,962	413	1981–2026
Ford Mustang	10,680	315	1981–2026
Nissan GT-R	33	9	2009–2026
Chevrolet Camaro	3,457	204	1981–2026
Toyota Supra	109	35	1981–2026
Nissan Sentra	6,185	158	1982–2026

ROWS 6·SOURCE NHTSA complaints and recall campaigns

The table shows totals on record; the rates per production run are in the sentence above.

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Everything on the Chevrolet Spark

Recalls24 campaigns Fuel economy119 mpg best Common problems527 complaints Check a VINAgainst this exact build DimensionsSize, weight, generations Cargo space11 cu ft Used prices706 listings What yours is worthValue by year & mileage Insurance costEstimated per year Window stickerOriginal Monroney label Decode a VINWhat each character means About this car2008–2026

Frequently asked questions

Is the Chevrolet Spark reliable?

By complaints per production run it is better than typical: 2.28 against 3.73 for the average car, and fewer than each of the 2 class rivals we compared.

Which Spark years should you avoid?

By complaints per production run, 2014, 2013, 2015. The cleanest years old enough to judge are 2016, 2015, 2013. Years newer than 6 are left out: complaints keep arriving for years after a car is sold.

When do Spark problems usually start?

Half of all complaints arrive by 3 years of age. The most reported system is Power Train, typically at 4.4 years, followed by Engine.

Will the warranty cover Spark problems?

Mostly not: basic cover is 3 years / 36,000 miles, and only 42% of reported failures fall inside it. Powertrain cover lasts longer, but engine and transmission make up about 44% of the complaints here.

Is the Spark more reliable than the Honda Civic?

Yes: 2.28 complaints per production run for the Spark against 2.82 for the Honda Civic.

Complaint records from NHTSA, grouped by VIN production run (characters 1–11). Rates, age-at-failure and warranty coverage computed by ForCar. Model years newer than 6 years are excluded from rankings — complaints accumulate for a decade (how we measure). Last updated Nov 2026. — ForCar Reviewed by Denis Kataev, founder of ForCar.

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