Chevrolet Spark Recalls (2013-2019)
The Chevrolet Spark has been the subject of 9 recall campaigns on record with NHTSA across the 2013 to 2019 model years. They cluster mostly around the air bags, equipment, and latches/locks/linkages. At least one is serious enough that NHTSA tells owners to stop driving the vehicle until it is fixed.
The Chevrolet Spark scores 12 out of 100 (grade F), one of the heavier recall records among the vehicles we track. That score reflects how serious the recalls are rather than how many. 89% involve a critical safety system, 1 carried a do-not-drive warning, and 0% were issued in the last three years. How the score works.
Those 9 campaigns span 6 model years of the Chevrolet Spark. The single largest affected 1,919 vehicles, over suspension. Some carry a do-not-drive warning, the most serious class of recall, which means NHTSA advises against driving the vehicle until the repair is done. A recall repair is free at a franchised dealer and most never expire, so an older open recall is still worth fixing. Beyond recalls, you can also see the most common Spark problems owners report and its crash-test safety ratings.
The full record is below, grouped first by model year and then listed in detail. Each entry gives the defect NHTSA describes, the safety risk it creates, the manufacturer's remedy, the number of vehicles in that campaign, and the dates. A recall covers a whole production run, so a campaign listed for the Chevrolet Spark may not apply to your exact vehicle, and one you have already had repaired will still appear in the history. To see what is actually open and unfixed on a specific car, check its 17-digit VIN.
Chevrolet Spark recalls by model year
Recall activity by model year. Select a year to jump to its recalls below. Older years often carry more recalls simply because defects surface over time.
Chevrolet Spark recalls by affected system
Which vehicle systems the recalls touch, using NHTSA's component groups. Select a system to see how it is recalled across every make and model.
Recalls by model year
2019 Chevrolet Spark Recalls
1 recall affects the 2019 Chevrolet Spark, involving the air bags.
2017 Chevrolet Spark Recalls
1 recall affects the 2017 Chevrolet Spark, involving the air bags.
2016 Chevrolet Spark Recalls
1 recall affects the 2016 Chevrolet Spark, involving the air bags.
2015 Chevrolet Spark Recalls
5 recalls affect the 2015 Chevrolet Spark, involving the equipment, latches/locks/linkages, and electrical system.
2014 Chevrolet Spark Recalls
6 recalls affect the 2014 Chevrolet Spark, involving the equipment, latches/locks/linkages, and electrical system. One carries a do-not-drive warning.
2013 Chevrolet Spark Recalls
5 recalls affect the 2013 Chevrolet Spark, involving the latches/locks/linkages, electrical system, and equipment.
Every Chevrolet Spark recall in detail
Select any recall to read the full defect, risk, and remedy text. Do Not Drive and Park Outside warnings stay visible without opening anything.
Latches/Locks/Linkages
- Affected years
- 2013-2015 Chevrolet Spark
- Vehicles in this recall
- 120,688
- Reported
- Aug 25, 2022
- Owners notified
- Jun 12, 2023
Defect: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2013-2015 Chevrolet Spark and 2014-2015 Chevrolet Spark EV vehicles. The secondary hood latch may corrode at the latch pivot, preventing the hood latch from properly engaging.
Risk: A hood latch failure can result in the vehicle's hood opening unexpectedly, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the hood striker assembly and hood latch assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 12, 2023. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is A222359300. This recall supersedes and expands NHTSA recall number 14V-593. Vehicles previously repaired under 14V-593 will need to have the new remedy performed.
NHTSA campaign number 22V640000.
Air Bags
- Affected years
- 2019 Chevrolet Spark
- Vehicles in this recall
- 12
- Reported
- Nov 1, 2018
- Owners notified
- Nov 6, 2018
Defect: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2019 Buick Encore, Chevrolet Spark, Traverse, and Trax vehicles. The Sensing Diagnostic Module (SDM) on these vehicle may not have been turned off of "manufacturing mode," preventing the air bags from deploying in the event of a crash.
Risk: If the air bags do not deploy in the event of a crash, it can increase the risk of injury.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the SDM module to the correct mode, free of charge. The recall began November 6, 2018. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300 and Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 18365.
NHTSA campaign number 18V774000.
Air Bags
- Affected years
- 2016-2017 Chevrolet Spark
- Vehicles in this recall
- 55,068
- Reported
- May 9, 2017
- Owners notified
- Jul 5, 2017
Defect: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2016-2017 Chevrolet Spark vehicles. In the event of a crash, if a young child is seated improperly and not wearing a seat belt while in the front passenger seat, deployment of the front passenger air bag may injure the occupant's neck. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
Risk: In the event of a crash with a frontal air bag deployment, an unbelted child in the front passenger seat has an increased risk of injury.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger air bag module, free of charge. The recall began July 5, 2017. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 17199.
NHTSA campaign number 17V307000.
Electrical System
- Affected years
- 2013-2015 Chevrolet Spark
- Vehicles in this recall
- 18,780
- Reported
- Jun 10, 2016
- Owners notified
- Jul 22, 2016
Defect: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 Chevrolet Sonic and Trax, and 2013-2015 Spark vehicles equipped with a Bring Your Own Media radio. The affected radios may fail to provide an audible warning chime when the driver fails to fasten their seatbelt or if the driver leaves the key in the ignition. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) numbers 208 "Occupant Crash Protection" and 114 "Theft Protection."
Risk: Without audible indicators, the driver may not fasten their seatbelt, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will update the radio software, free of charge. The recall began on July 22, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 45340.
NHTSA campaign number 16V422000.
Electrical System
- Affected years
- 2013-2015 Chevrolet Spark
- Vehicles in this recall
- 317,572
- Reported
- Apr 28, 2016
- Owners notified
- May 26, 2016
Defect: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013-2016 Chevrolet Sonic and Trax vehicles and 2013-2015 Chevrolet Spark vehicles equipped with a Bring Your Own Media radio. The affected radios may fail to provide an audible warning chime when the driver, after turning off the ignition and leaving the key in the cylinder, waits 10 minutes or longer to open the door. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 114 "Theft Protection."
Risk: Without audible indicators, the driver may leave the key in the ignition, increasing the risk of theft.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will update the radio software, free of charge. The manufacturer has not yet provided a notification schedule. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 17130.
NHTSA campaign number 16V257000.
Equipment
- Affected years
- 2014-2015 Chevrolet Spark
- Vehicles in this recall
- 45,785
- Reported
- Jun 30, 2015
- Owners notified
- Aug 11, 2015
Defect: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 Chevrolet Spark vehicles manufactured April 30, 2014, to May 20, 2015, and 2015 Chevrolet Sonic vehicles manufactured June 18, 2014, to June 10, 2015. In the affected vehicles, equipped with the base radio and OnStar, the radio may lock up due to a software issue, causing the display to go blank and all audio functions to cease. Because of this, there may be no warning chimes such as the reminder to buckle the seat belt and the key being left in ignition when the driver goes to exit the vehicle. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 208 "Occupant Crash Protection", and 114 "Theft Protection."
Risk: Without audible indicators, the driver may leave the key in the ignition, increasing the risk of theft. If a driver or front passenger does not buckle their seat belt, there would be no chime to remind them to fasten their seat belts. If a driver or passenger does not buckle their seat belt there is an increased risk that they will be injured in a crash.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will update the radio software, free of charge. The recall began on August 11, 2015. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 15504.
NHTSA campaign number 15V416000.
Latches/Locks/Linkages
- Affected years
- 2013-2015 Chevrolet Spark
- Vehicles in this recall
- 89,294
- Reported
- Sep 24, 2014
- Owners notified
- Jan 7, 2015
Defect: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013-2015 Chevrolet Spark vehicles manufactured January 17, 2012, to July 29, 2014. The secondary hood latch may prematurely corrode at the latch pivot causing the striker to get stuck out of position, preventing it from properly engaging the hood latch.
Risk: If the secondary hood latch corrodes causing the latch to be stuck out of position, and the primary hood latch is not engaged, the hood could unexpectedly open while driving, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the striker with a new part which has superior corrosion protection, free of charge. The recall began on January 7, 2015. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 14456.
NHTSA campaign number 14V593000.
Suspension
- Affected years
- 2014 Chevrolet Spark
- Vehicles in this recall
- 1,919
- Reported
- Jul 21, 2014
- Owners notified
- Aug 1, 2014
Defect: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2014 Spark vehicles manufactured from May 7, 2014, to May 26, 2014. In the affected vehicles, the left and right lower control arm attaching bolts in the front suspension may not be tightened to specification.
Risk: If the lower control arm bolts are not tightened properly, the lower control arm may separate from the steering knuckle while driving, causing a loss of steering, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Owners are instructed NOT to drive their vehicles until the recall remedy has been completed. Owners should call a Chevrolet dealer immediately to arrange for their vehicle to be transported free of charge for servicing. GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the left and right lower control arm attaching bolts to make sure that they are tightened to the proper specification, free of charge. The recall began on August 1, 2014. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 14453. Note: Owners are advised not to drive the vehicle until the repairs have been completed.
NHTSA campaign number 14V440000.
Air Bags
- Affected years
- 2013 Chevrolet Spark
- Vehicles in this recall
- 61
- Reported
- Jun 6, 2014
- Owners notified
- Jul 30, 2014
Defect: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013 Buick Encore vehicles manufactured April 10, 2013, to May 8, 2013, and Chevrolet Spark vehicles manufactured December 30, 2012, to March 1, 2013. In the affected vehicles, an improper weld on the passenger side front air bag inflator may result in the air bag not deploying.
Risk: If the air bag does not to deploy in the event of a crash, there is an increased risk of injury to the front passenger.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger side front air bag, free of charge. The recall began on July 30, 2014. Owners may contact General Motors customer service at 1-800-521-7300 (Buick) or 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet). GM's number for this recall is 14211.
NHTSA campaign number 14V298000.
Common questions about Chevrolet Spark recalls
- Does the Chevrolet Spark have any recalls?
- Yes. NHTSA has 9 recall campaigns on record for the Chevrolet Spark across the 2013 to 2019 model years. The most common areas are the air bags, equipment, and latches/locks/linkages.
- How many times has the Chevrolet Spark been recalled?
- The Chevrolet Spark has 9 recall campaigns from the 2013 to 2019 model years. A single campaign often covers several model years at once, so the number of recalls is not the same as the number of years affected.
- What is the most serious Chevrolet Spark recall?
- The most serious recall on record involves the suspension, affecting 1,919 vehicles. NHTSA flagged it as do-not-drive, meaning owners should stop driving the vehicle until the repair is done. If the lower control arm bolts are not tightened properly, the lower control arm may separate from the steering knuckle while driving, causing a loss of steering, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Which Chevrolet Spark model year has the most recalls?
- The 2014 Chevrolet Spark has the most, with 6 recall campaigns on record. Older model years often pick up more recalls over time, since defects can surface years after a car is built.
- How do I check if my Chevrolet Spark has an open recall?
- Enter your 17-digit VIN on the recall check page. It returns the recalls tied to your exact vehicle straight from NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a franchised dealer, with no expiration on most safety recalls.
Recall data comes from NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation. For how it is sourced and how the safety score is built, see the methodology and data sources. This page is a reference, not legal or safety advice.