2016 Chevrolet SPARK EV
Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report
Quick Summary
The 2016 Chevrolet SPARK EV has 14 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 1.4x the segment average of 10. The most common issue is brakes problems (71% of all complaints), specifically: braking system inconsistent performance. transition from regenerative braking to mechanical braking is sloppy and abrupt. when the mechanical braking system kicks in, it kicks in too strong causing the abs system to activate as the wheels suddenly lock up.. There are 2 recalls issued for this model year.
14
Total Complaints
2
Recalls Issued
—/5
Safety Stars
1.4x
vs Segment Avg
Known Problems(top 3 of 3)
BRAKES
10 complaints- • BRAKING SYSTEM INCONSISTENT PERFORMANCE. TRANSITION FROM REGENERATIVE BRAKING TO MECHANICAL BRAKING IS SLOPPY AND ABRUPT. WHEN THE MECHANICAL BRAKING SYSTEM KICKS IN, IT KICKS IN TOO STRONG CAUSING THE ABS SYSTEM TO ACTIVATE AS THE WHEELS SUDDENLY LOCK UP.
- • I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY DURING EVENING RUSH HOUR, SO IT WAS STOP-AND-GO TRAFFIC. I ALWAYS LEAVE PLENTY OF ROOM BETWEEN MYSELF AND THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. THE CAR AHEAD STOPPED SUDDENLY, AND I SLAMMED ON MY BRAKES WITH A CAR AND A HALF LENGTH DISTANCE BETWEEN MYSELF AND THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF M
- • THE BRAKES FAILED WHILE IN MOTION ON A CITY STREET. PRECEDING THE BRAKE FAILURE THERE A WARNING FLASHED STATING TO "SERVICE THE STABILITRAC" AND "SERVICE BRAKE ASSIST." IMMEDIATELY AFTERWARDS THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR AND WE WERE UNABLE TO STOP.
“BRAKING SYSTEM INCONSISTENT PERFORMANCE. TRANSITION FROM REGENERATIVE BRAKING TO MECHANICAL BRAKING IS SLOPPY AND ABRUPT. WHEN THE MECHANICAL BRAKING SYSTEM KICKS IN, IT KICKS IN TOO STRONG CAUSING THE ABS SYSTEM TO ACTIVATE AS THE WHEELS SUDDENLY LOCK UP.”
— NHTSA complaint filing
When Problems Appear on the 2016 Chevrolet SPARK EV
Based on 13 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 3K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 0-30K miles range.
BRAKES
Mileage figures are self-reported by owners in NHTSA complaint filings. Peak bucket = the mileage range with the most complaints for that component; it reflects when owners noticed and reported problems, not necessarily when the fault first occurred.
Recalls (2)
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2015-2017 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD, 3500 HD, Tahoe, Suburban, GMC Sierra 2500 HD and 3500 HD, GMC Yukon, GMC Yukon XL, Cadillac Escalade and Cadillac Escalade ESV vehicles and 2014-2017 Chevrolet Corvette, Silverado 1500, Trax, Caprice Police Pursuit Vehicle, GMC Sierra 1500, Buick Encore, and 2014-2016 Buick Lacrosse, Chevrolet Spark EV and SS vehicles. In the affected vehicles, certain driving conditions may cause the air bag sensing and diagnostic module (SDM) software to activate a diagnostic test. During this test, deployment of the frontal air bags and the seat belt pretensioners would not occur in the event of a crash.
Risk: A failure of the front air bags or seat belt pretensioners to deploy in the event of a crash necessitating deployment increases the risk of injury to the driver and front passenger.
Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will reflash the SDM software. Vehicles that have had a previous air bag deployment will have the SDM replaced. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on October 13, 2016. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 16007.
Charging Cost Calculator for 2016 Chevrolet SPARK EV
Live EIA pricesBased on EPA fuel-economy ratings and EIA weekly retail prices (2026-07-20). Real-world cost varies with driving style, trim/engine, terrain, and traffic.
Estimated Insurance Cost for 2016 Chevrolet SPARK EV
How this estimate is calculated
Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.
Maintenance & Warranty
Recommended Chevrolet SPARK EV Service Intervals
GM Oil Life System dynamically calculates oil change interval. DEXOS-approved oil required.
"Severe service" conditions (heavy towing, extreme temps, city stop-and-go) typically halve these intervals. Always consult your vehicle's owner's manual for the authoritative schedule.
Chevrolet New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage
These are the terms for a new Chevrolet. If you're buying a used 2016 SPARK EV, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Chevrolet dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.
EV Incentives for 2016 Chevrolet SPARK EV
Updated 2026-07Federal Tax Credit (Section 30D) — Expired 2025-09-30
Section 30D new clean vehicle credit ($7,500 max) expired for vehicles acquired after Sept 30, 2025 per Public Law (One Big Beautiful Bill Act). Vehicles acquired on or before that date remain eligible on the buyer's 2025 return. No federal purchase credit exists for post-9/30/2025 acquisitions.
State-Level Incentives (Still Active in 14 States)
Source: US Department of Energy Alternative Fuels Data Center + state DOR / DEQ program pages. Program details and eligibility limits change frequently — always verify with the linked source before purchase.
Estimated Repair Costs
Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.
🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist
Based on 14 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:
- ☐BRAKES: BRAKING SYSTEM INCONSISTENT PERFORMANCE. TRANSITION FROM REGENERATIVE BRAKING TO MECHANICAL BRAKING IS SLOPPY AND ABRUPT. WHEN THE MECHANICAL BRAKING SYSTEM KICKS IN, IT KICKS IN TOO STRONG CAUSING THE ABS SYSTEM TO ACTIVATE AS THE WHEELS SUDDENLY LOCK UP.
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐AIR BAGS: GOTTEN INTO A MINOR ACCIDENT AND THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND THE SEAT BELT TENSIONER DID NOT WORK. NO INJURIES SINCE IT WAS UNDER 15MPH, BUT I AM CONCERNED THAT THIS WAS CAUSED FROM THE DEFECT BEFORE THE RECALL EFFORT.
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐SEATS/RESTRAINTS: THE CAR WAS STOPPED AND WAS HIT FROM THE REAR ON A CITY STREET. THE IMPACT SPEED WAS APPROXIMATELY 15MPH (ESTIMATED). THE DRIVER SEAT SLID BACK UPON IMPACT AND APPEARED TO DERAIL AND WAS STOPPED BY THE REAR SEAT. AFTER THE ACCIDENT, THE SEAT WOULD NOT SLIDE FORWARD. I AM CONCERNED THAT THIS IS A
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐RECALLS: Verify all 2 recalls have been completed — free at any Chevrolet dealer
- ☐General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)
Chevrolet SPARK EV — Year Comparison
How does 2016 compare to other years? Fewer complaints = more reliable.
Full years-to-avoid analysis →NHTSA Safety Rating
No NHTSA safety rating available
At a Glance
- Complaints
- 14
- Recalls
- 2
- Fire reports
- 0
- Crash reports
- 2
- Injury reports
- 1
- Segment avg
- 10
Check a Specific VIN
See recalls for YOUR 2016 Chevrolet SPARK EV