2016 Chevrolet Spark problems
The 2016 Chevrolet Spark has 36 complaints on file with NHTSA. The largest share (28%) concerns brakes. After that come electrical system (14%) and drivetrain & axles (8%).
At a glance
- Complaints
- 36 filed with NHTSA
- Most reported
- Brakes 28% of complaints
- Crashes and fires
- 1 and 1
- Injuries and deaths
- 1 and 0
- Typical mileage
- 44,000 miles 27 complaints with mileage
Source: NHTSA owner complaints
Where the complaints are
Share of this model year's complaints by the part of the car involved. One complaint can name more than one part, so the shares can add up to more than 100%.
When problems show up
View the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 0k to 20k miles | 7 |
| 20k to 40k miles | 5 |
| 40k to 60k miles | 6 |
| 60k to 80k miles | 2 |
| 80k to 100k miles | 5 |
| 100k to 120k miles | 2 |
| 120k to 140k miles | 0 |
| 140k to 160k miles | 0 |
| 160k to 180k miles | 0 |
| 180k to 200k miles | 0 |
| 200k+ miles | 0 |
What the data shows
Among the 27 complaints that report mileage, the typical (median) problem appeared at about 44,000 miles.
Safety-related details: 1 complaint mentions a crash; 1 complaint mentions a fire; 1 injury reported.
Looking only at complaints filed within five years of the model year (so older and newer years are comparable), the 2016 ranks 5th most-complained-about out of 6 model years of the Chevrolet Spark with enough data (27 complaints in that window). It is also covered by 1 safety recall campaign.
What owners wrote
A few complaints as filed, shortened and with personal details removed. The first ones are among the most serious reports for this model year; the rest are typical.
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.
Tl* the contact owned a 2016 chevrolet spark. While driving approximately 45-50 MPH, there was an abnormal smoke odor in the cabin of the vehicle. Suddenly, the vehicle caught fire. The fire department was notified and extinguished the fire. The vehicle was destroyed. The contact stated that the fire started from inside the vehicle and spread throughout the vehicle. A fire report was filed.
The head restraints are too far forward. If I adjust the seat to sit up straight, then my head is too far forward. So I have to lean back in my seat in order for my head to be straight. After only one month of driving, my back is killing me!
Tl* the contact owns a 2016 chevrolet spark. While driving approximately 30 MPH, the entertainment screen and instrument panel lighting failed without warning. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, but was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure recurred. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The VIN was unknown. The approximate failure mileage was 7,000.
There were two incidents involving the same problem. While driving the vehicle on the highway and then on a main road the brakes locked and I had to use the emergency brake to bring the vehicle to complete stop. My mechanic replaced the engine brake vacuum pump after both incidents. The pump was broken in pieces on both occasions leading to metal parts falling into the engine during repair and needing to be retrieved to prevent engine damage.