Is the 2015 Chevrolet SPARK reliable?

The 2015 Chevrolet SPARK has 102 complaints filed with NHTSA (2.8x the segment average). Our reliability verdict: below-average. Most common issue: TRANSMISSION problems.

What are common problems with the 2015 Chevrolet SPARK?

Top problems: TRANSMISSION (25 complaints, avg repair $500); ENGINE (12 complaints, avg repair $500); ELECTRICAL (9 complaints, avg repair $500). Issues typically appear around 50K miles.

Are there any recalls on the 2015 Chevrolet SPARK?

Yes, there are 5 recall(s): ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE, EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC., EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC., LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH, LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH. Contact any Chevrolet dealer to verify if recalls have been completed on your specific vehicle.

How much does it cost to fuel a 2015 Chevrolet SPARK?

The 2015 Chevrolet SPARK gets 34 MPG combined. At current US average gas prices, driving 12,000 miles per year costs roughly $1412. See the interactive fuel cost calculator on this page for state-specific pricing.

How much does it cost to insure a 2015 Chevrolet SPARK?

Estimated US average full-coverage insurance for the 2015 Chevrolet SPARK is approximately $1,449/year (sedan-midsize class). Actual quotes vary heavily by state, driver age, driving record, and credit — see the interactive insurance estimator on this page for state-specific pricing.

2015 Chevrolet SPARK

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Below Average

Quick Summary

The 2015 Chevrolet SPARK has 102 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 2.8x the segment average of 36. The most common issue is transmission problems (25% of all complaints), specifically: traction control light came on after starting car which the weather wasn't a factor at all, dry warm day, but the transmission gear did not. car wouldn't move. turned car off and restarted, got gear notification back but the transmission wouldn't go in gear. car has 8,000 miles on it. finally car mo. There are 5 recalls issued for this model year. ⚠️ 1 fire report filed.

1 fire report 5 crash reports 6 injuries

102

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

4/5

Safety Stars

2.8x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

TRANSMISSION

25 complaints

25%

• TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT CAME ON AFTER STARTING CAR WHICH THE WEATHER WASN'T A FACTOR AT ALL, DRY WARM DAY, BUT THE TRANSMISSION GEAR DID NOT. CAR WOULDN'T MOVE. TURNED CAR OFF AND RESTARTED, GOT GEAR NOTIFICATION BACK BUT THE TRANSMISSION WOULDN'T GO IN GEAR. CAR HAS 8,000 MILES ON IT. FINALLY CAR MO
• 12 TRIPS TO DEALERSHIP, 70 DAYS IN SHOP, 5 DEALERSHIPS, 3 STATES. THE CAR CANNOT ACCELERATE TO SAFE SPEEDS FROM A COMPLETE STOP. OUR RAMPS ARE METERED AND THE CAR JUST WON'T GO, HAVE TO HAVE THE CAR SHIMMY BEFORE IT WILL GO AND THE FOOT ALL THE WAY DOWN TO THE FLOOR. GM STATES THAT THIS IS NORMAL. I
• THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT, STABILITY LIGHT AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON WHILE DRIVING ON A CITY STREET. ACCORDING TO THE DEALERSHIP IT IS HAVING RANDOM MISFIRES. THE DEALERSHIP IS WANTING ME TO PAY AROUND $350 TO HAVE THE CARBON CLEANED OUT BUT THEY CAN'T GUARANTEE THAT WILL FIX IT. TH

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT CAME ON AFTER STARTING CAR WHICH THE WEATHER WASN'T A FACTOR AT ALL, DRY WARM DAY, BUT THE TRANSMISSION GEAR DID NOT. CAR WOULDN'T MOVE. TURNED CAR OFF AND RESTARTED, GOT GEAR NOTIFICATION BACK BUT THE TRANSMISSION WOULDN'T GO IN GEAR. CAR HAS 8,000 MILES ON IT. FINALLY CAR MO”

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2015 Chevrolet SPARK

Based on 49 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 36K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 0-30K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

ENGINE

In line with typicalmedian 36K mi · 5 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

TRANSMISSION

High-mileage issuemedian 60K mi · 13 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

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 (5)

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE10/06/2016

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.

Fix: 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.

Fuel Cost Calculator for 2015 Chevrolet SPARK

Live EIA prices

Annual miles driven: 12,000

Your state (affects local gasoline price)

Per year

$1,412

Per month

$118

Per mile

11.8¢

MPG

City driving (worst-case MPG)

$1,600/yr

Highway driving (best-case MPG)

$1,263/yr

Based 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.

5-Year Gas Price History

EIA weekly retail data · 2021 → today

Show:

Current

$4.00

5-year low

$2.78

5-year high

$5.01

Since 2021

+27%

Source: US Energy Information Administration weekly retail gasoline prices.

Estimated Insurance Cost for 2015 Chevrolet SPARK

Estimate only, not a quote. Modeled from NAIC + HLDI averages for a hypothetical 35-year-old driver with clean record + full coverage. Your actual quote depends heavily on your age, driving history, credit, ZIP code, and insurer.

Your state (affects local premium average)

Full coverage / year

$1,449

Full coverage / month

$121

Liability only / year

$598

vs US avg

-13%

How this estimate is calculated

US base full-coverage premium$1674

× state (US)1.00x

× vehicle class (sedan-midsize)0.96x

× theft risk1.00x

× safety rating0.98x

× vehicle age0.92x

= Full coverage estimate$1449

Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.

Maintenance & Warranty

Recommended Chevrolet SPARK Service Intervals

Oil change

8K mi / 12 mo

Tire rotation

8K mi

Brake fluid

36 months

Transmission fluid

45K mi

Engine coolant

150K mi

Spark plugs

100K mi

Cabin air filter

23K mi

Engine air filter

45K mi

Differential (AWD/4WD)

45K mi

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

Bumper-to-bumper (basic)

3 yr / 36K mi

Powertrain

5 yr / 60K mi

Hybrid/EV battery

8 yr / 100K mi

Corrosion (rust perforation)

6 yr / 100K mi

Roadside assistance

5 yr / 60K mi

These are the terms for a new Chevrolet. If you're buying a used 2015 SPARK, 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.

Estimated Repair Costs

TRANSMISSION(~50K mi)

$500

ENGINE(~50K mi)

$500

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)

$500

SPEED CONTROL(~50K mi)

$500

OTHER(~50K mi)

$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 102 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
TRANSMISSION: TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT CAME ON AFTER STARTING CAR WHICH THE WEATHER WASN'T A FACTOR AT ALL, DRY WARM DAY, BUT THE TRANSMISSION GEAR DID NOT. CAR WOULDN'T MOVE. TURNED CAR OFF AND RESTARTED, GOT GEAR NOTIFICATION BACK BUT THE TRANSMISSION WOULDN'T GO IN GEAR. CAR HAS 8,000 MILES ON IT. FINALLY CAR MO
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ENGINE: ENGINE LOSES SAFE ACCELERATION WITH AIR CONDITIONING ON, REACHES UNSAFE STALL CONDITIONS.
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ELECTRICAL: WHILE PARKED ALL OF MY VEHICLES WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON AT ONCE. MY CAR WAS STILL RUNNING BUT IT WOULD NOT GO INTO ANY OTHER GEAR. I COULD NOT LOCK MY CAR OR OPERATE ANYTHING IN THE VEHICLE. I HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED OVER TWO HOURS TO A DEALERSHIP. THEY REPLACED THE BCM AND RELEARN THESE DETERRENT MODUL
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
SPEED CONTROL: I WAS DRIVING A CHEVY SPARK 2015 TO MY LOCAL SUPERMARKET, LESS THAN 3 OR SO MILES FROM MY HOME. I WAS SEVERAL MILES UNDER THE 40 MPH SPEED LIMIT. I WAS IN THE RIGHT LANE OF A TWO LANE ROAD. I COULD SEE STOPPED TRAFFIC QUITE A WAYS AHEAD OF ME ' ALSO IN THE RIGHT LANE. THERE WERE AT LEAST 6-7 CARS
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
RECALLS: Verify all 5 recalls have been completed — free at any Chevrolet dealer
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)