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Chevrolet Spark VIN Check

NHTSA holds 487 owner complaints on the Chevrolet Spark from 214 production runs; the worst run has 12, the typical one 2.3.

NHTSA complaint records · 487 complaints · 214 runs · 2013–2022 · Updated Nov 4, 2026
Quick answer

The most-reported Spark run is KL8CD6S95EC (2014 builds) with 12 complaints, 5.2× the typical run. Power train problems make up 21% of reports; 2014 is the worst model year at 3.6 complaints per run; NHTSA lists 9 recall campaigns for Spark model years 2013–2019.

Which build runs owners report most

A production run is the first 11 characters of the VIN: plant, model year, body and engine. The Chevrolet Spark has 214 of them on record. The five runs at the top of this table hold 11% of every Spark complaint on file.

FIG.01·Chevrolet Spark — complaints by production run
Production run (VIN 1–11)YearComplaintsInvolved a crashFire
KL8CD6S95EC••••••2014121—
KL8CD6S93EC••••••201411——
KL8CD6S99EC••••••201410——
KL8CD6S94EC••••••2014101—
KL8CD6S95DC••••••20139——
KL8CD6S96EC••••••20149——
KL8CB6S92DC••••••201391—
KL8CB6S91DC••••••20138——
KL8CB6S90EC••••••20148——
KL8CD6S99FC••••••201581—
KL8CD6S92EC••••••20147——
KL8CD6S90DC••••••20137——
ROWS 12·SOURCE NHTSA complaint records, grouped by VIN prefix

Each of the other 202 Spark runs has 7 complaints or fewer. ForCar has checked 50 Spark VINs so far, most often 2014, 2016, 2015 builds; 5 of them belong to one of the 12 runs above.

Which model years to check twice

Complaints per production run, so a year that simply sold more does not top the list. On the Chevrolet Spark the gap between build years is 2.8×: a 2014 car draws 3.6 complaints per run, a 2018 one 1.3.

FIG.02·Chevrolet Spark — complaint rate by model year
YearPer runComplaintsRunsCrashes
20221331
20211.5642
20201.517116
20191.41394
20181.397—
20171.628185
20161.540263
20152.283374
20143.61604513
20132.4128547
ROWS 10·SOURCE NHTSA complaint records

Heaviest year here is 2014 at 3.6 complaints per run; lightest is 2022 at 1. The 2022 line is still collecting reports, so it reads low.

What to inspect on this car

One system accounts for 21% of everything Chevrolet Spark owners report: Power Train, 120 of 487 complaints. Start the pre-purchase inspection there.

FIG.03·Chevrolet Spark — most-reported systems
SystemComplaintsInvolved a crashFire
Power Train1203—
Engine962—
Electrical System93—2
Service Brakes658—
Air Bags5529—
Unknown Or Other5462
Vehicle Speed Control423—
Fuel/propulsion System40——
ROWS 8·SOURCE NHTSA complaint records

Recalls to check against your VIN

NHTSA has 9 recall campaigns on the Chevrolet Spark; the 6 below cover build years 2013 to 2017. These are for the model and year; whether one is still open on a given car, only that VIN can tell.

FIG.04·Chevrolet Spark — recall campaigns
CampaignComponentModel years
16V422000Electrical System:software2013–2015
14V593000Latches/locks/linkages:hood:latch2013–2015
16V257000Equipment:electrical:radio/tape Deck/cd Etc.2013–2015
22V640000Latches/locks/linkages:hood:latch2013–2015
17V307000Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module2016–2017
15V416000Equipment:electrical:radio/tape Deck/cd Etc.2014–2015
ROWS 6·SOURCE NHTSA recall campaigns

16V422000 was opened in 2016 on cars built from 2013: 3 years on the road before the recall.

How serious were they

Of the 487 reports on the Chevrolet Spark, 9.2% involved a crash against 5.8% across all vehicles, above the norm.

FIG.06·Chevrolet Spark — complaint severity
OutcomeChevrolet SparkAll vehicles
Complaints filed4871,115,966
Involved a crash45 (9.2%)64,194 (5.8%)
Involved a fire3 (0.6%)26,974 (2.4%)
Injuries reported4658,013
Deaths reported02,728
ROWS 5·SOURCE NHTSA complaint records

Crash-related reports run 59% above the all-vehicle rate.

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How this check works

The file behind this page holds 1,115,966 complaints filed with NHTSA between 1981 and 2026, across 298,921 production runs. The Chevrolet Spark share of that is 487 complaints over 214 runs, 0.04% of everything on record.

Everything on the Chevrolet Spark
Recalls24 campaignsFuel economy119 mpg bestReliability4.0/5Common problems527 complaintsDimensionsSize, weight, generationsCargo space11 cu ftUsed prices708 listingsWhat yours is worthValue by year & mileageInsurance costEstimated per yearWindow stickerOriginal Monroney labelDecode a VINWhat each character meansAbout this car2008–2026

Frequently asked questions

How do I check a Chevrolet Spark VIN for free?

Enter the 17 characters above. ForCar matches the first eleven, the production run, against 487 NHTSA complaints from 214 Spark runs and 9 recall campaigns. No account, no card.

Which Spark production run has the most complaints?

KL8CD6S95EC, a 2014 build, with 12 complaints, 1 of them after a crash. The typical Spark run has 2.3.

Which Spark years have the most complaints?

Per production run, 2014 is heaviest at 3.6 complaints per run and 2022 lightest at 1.

How many Spark complaints involve a crash?

9.2% of 487 reports, against 5.8% across all vehicles; 3 involved a fire.

Complaint and recall records from NHTSA, grouped by VIN production run (characters 1–11). Per-run rates computed by ForCar. Federal data covers safety only — title, odometer and insurance history are not included. Last updated Nov 2026. — ForCar Reviewed by , founder of ForCar.
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