2017 Chevrolet SPARK

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Above Average

Quick Summary

The 2017 Chevrolet SPARK has 42 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 0.5x the segment average of 80. The most common issue is transmission problems (19% of all complaints), specifically: we purchased a 2017 chevy spark with 40,000 miles on it and within the first two weeks the car will not accelerate for about 2 seconds and then will leap forward. when you come to a complete stop the engine will rev up and not go forward for about 2-3 seconds. this becomes very un safe since you can.

6 crash reports 9 injuries

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

0.5x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems

TRANSMISSION

8 complaints

19%

• WE PURCHASED A 2017 CHEVY SPARK WITH 40,000 MILES ON IT AND WITHIN THE FIRST TWO WEEKS THE CAR WILL NOT ACCELERATE FOR ABOUT 2 SECONDS AND THEN WILL LEAP FORWARD. WHEN YOU COME TO A COMPLETE STOP THE ENGINE WILL REV UP AND NOT GO FORWARD FOR ABOUT 2-3 SECONDS. THIS BECOMES VERY UN SAFE SINCE YOU CAN
• THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THE CHEVY SPARK TO REPROGRAM THE TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE, HOWEVER THAT DOES NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. IT DOES NOT NEED TO BE REPROGRAMMED , BECAUSE ALL THAT DID WAS LEAVE THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON. THEY HAVE FAULT CONTROL MODULES. MY CAR IS 3 YEARS OLD AND NOTHING BUT ISSUES
• THE FOLLOWING HAS NOW HAPPENED ON 3 SEPARATE OCCASIONS WHEN DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY: WHEN DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS (50 -55 MPH) AND HITTING A BUMP THAT JOLTS THE CAR (NOT NECESSARILLY A HUGE BUMP), THE ENTIRE ENGINE AND ELECTRICAL SYSTEM CUTS OFF AND SHUTS DOWN. THIS HAPPENS ONLY ON THE HIGHWAY AND

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500💥 1 crashes

“WE PURCHASED A 2017 CHEVY SPARK WITH 40,000 MILES ON IT AND WITHIN THE FIRST TWO WEEKS THE CAR WILL NOT ACCELERATE FOR ABOUT 2 SECONDS AND THEN WILL LEAP FORWARD. WHEN YOU COME TO A COMPLETE STOP THE ENGINE WILL REV UP AND NOT GO FORWARD FOR ABOUT 2-3 SECONDS. THIS BECOMES VERY UN SAFE SINCE YOU CAN”

— NHTSA complaint filing

BRAKES

7 complaints

17%

• TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2017 CHEVROLET SPARK. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE BRAKES SUDDENLY MALFUNCTIONED AND THE DRIVER CRASHED INTO A PARKED BULLDOZER. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED A LEFT KNEE INJURY, WHICH DID NOT REQUIRE MEDICAL
• I HAD TAKEN MY SPARK FOR A OIL CHANGE IN APRIL 2017, I HAD ASKED TO CHECK , REPLACE FILTERS, CHECK AND TOP OFF ALL FLUIDS, TIRE ROTATION. AFTER ALL THIS , I NOTICED MY BRAKES WERE SQUEAKING WHEN I MOVE FORWARD SLOWLY. IT WAS RECENTLY RECALL FOR IT'S PASSENGER AIR BAG. I'M AFRAID MY BRAKES WILL BE DE
• TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 CHEVROLET SPARK. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE BRAKES SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER AND STOPPED THE VEHICLE. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED, IT RESUMED NORMAL OPERATION AND WAS DRIVEN HOME. CAPITAL CHEVROLET BUICK GMC OF LEXINGTON (96 RADIO DR

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500💥 3 crashes

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2017 CHEVROLET SPARK. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE BRAKES SUDDENLY MALFUNCTIONED AND THE DRIVER CRASHED INTO A PARKED BULLDOZER. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED A LEFT KNEE INJURY, WHICH DID NOT REQUIRE MEDICAL”

— NHTSA complaint filing

AIR BAGS

5 complaints

12%

• TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2017 CHEVROLET SPARK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 50 MPH, THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND CRASHED INTO AN EMBANKMENT. THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE TORSO, HEAD AND NECK. MEDICA
• I HAD TAKEN MY SPARK FOR A OIL CHANGE IN APRIL 2017, I HAD ASKED TO CHECK , REPLACE FILTERS, CHECK AND TOP OFF ALL FLUIDS, TIRE ROTATION. AFTER ALL THIS , I NOTICED MY BRAKES WERE SQUEAKING WHEN I MOVE FORWARD SLOWLY. IT WAS RECENTLY RECALL FOR IT'S PASSENGER AIR BAG. I'M AFRAID MY BRAKES WILL BE DE
• THERE IS A RECALL INCLUDING MY SPARK TO REPLACE THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG. I TOOK MY SPARK TO THE DEALER (BY APPOINTMENT) ON 1 SEPTEMBER TO HAVE THE RECALL AIRBAG CHANGEOVER MADE. IT COULD NOT BE DONE BECAUSE A COUPLER IN THE NEW INSTALLATION WAS FOUND TO BE DEFECTIVE. ANOTHER COUPLER WAS ORDERED, I

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500💥 2 crashes

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2017 CHEVROLET SPARK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 50 MPH, THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND CRASHED INTO AN EMBANKMENT. THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE TORSO, HEAD AND NECK. MEDICA”

— NHTSA complaint filing

ELECTRICAL

5 complaints

12%

• MY FRONT WINDSHIELD WIPERS DON'T WORK WHEN THE WINDSHIELD GETS WET. AFTER THE SUN DRIES THE CAR, THE WIPERS WORK FINE. I HAD TO KEEP STOPPING ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WIPING OFF THE WINDSHIELD SO I COULD SEE WHERE I WAS GOING. I ALSO TURNED ON THE DEFROSTER TO HELP DRY THE WINDSHIELD. THE AUTOMAT
• THE FOLLOWING HAS NOW HAPPENED ON 3 SEPARATE OCCASIONS WHEN DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY: WHEN DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS (50 -55 MPH) AND HITTING A BUMP THAT JOLTS THE CAR (NOT NECESSARILLY A HUGE BUMP), THE ENTIRE ENGINE AND ELECTRICAL SYSTEM CUTS OFF AND SHUTS DOWN. THIS HAPPENS ONLY ON THE HIGHWAY AND
• Electrical : First instance in 2020. There are instances when you stop the car, and it appears the vehicle has no electrical charge (it is a gas vehicle). Happened once while parked (2020)- service request August 2020, and another while waiting for a green light (2021). My concern is this occurs a

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

“MY FRONT WINDSHIELD WIPERS DON'T WORK WHEN THE WINDSHIELD GETS WET. AFTER THE SUN DRIES THE CAR, THE WIPERS WORK FINE. I HAD TO KEEP STOPPING ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WIPING OFF THE WINDSHIELD SO I COULD SEE WHERE I WAS GOING. I ALSO TURNED ON THE DEFROSTER TO HELP DRY THE WINDSHIELD. THE AUTOMAT”

— NHTSA complaint filing

ENGINE

4 complaints

10%

• THE ENGINE LOSES 1% OF ITS OIL EVERY 20 DRIVEN MILES. GM KNOWS ABOUT THIS EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION AND REFUSES TO RESOLVE THE CAUSE. I BOUGHT THIS AS A NEW CAR, WITH 2059 MILES ON IT. RIGHT NOW MY OIL GAUGE READS 96%, OR A 4 % OIL LOSS, AFTER 80 DRIVEN MILES. I AM DEATHLY AFRAID TO TAKE THIS CAR OU
• AS I WAS IDLING UP BEHIND THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME AT A 4-WAY STOP, AND BRAKING GENTLY, MY ENGINE PUTTERED OUT AND TURNED OFF. I WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE CAR AFTER PUTTING IT IN PARK AND TURNING THE IGNITION OFF THEN BACK ON.
• THE FOLLOWING HAS NOW HAPPENED ON 3 SEPARATE OCCASIONS WHEN DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY: WHEN DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS (50 -55 MPH) AND HITTING A BUMP THAT JOLTS THE CAR (NOT NECESSARILLY A HUGE BUMP), THE ENTIRE ENGINE AND ELECTRICAL SYSTEM CUTS OFF AND SHUTS DOWN. THIS HAPPENS ONLY ON THE HIGHWAY AND

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

“THE ENGINE LOSES 1% OF ITS OIL EVERY 20 DRIVEN MILES. GM KNOWS ABOUT THIS EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION AND REFUSES TO RESOLVE THE CAUSE. I BOUGHT THIS AS A NEW CAR, WITH 2059 MILES ON IT. RIGHT NOW MY OIL GAUGE READS 96%, OR A 4 % OIL LOSS, AFTER 80 DRIVEN MILES. I AM DEATHLY AFRAID TO TAKE THIS CAR OU”

— NHTSA complaint filing

Estimated Repair Costs

TRANSMISSION(~50K mi)

$500

BRAKES(~50K mi)

$500

AIR BAGS(~50K mi)

$500

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)

$500

ENGINE(~50K mi)

$500

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

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 42 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
TRANSMISSION: WE PURCHASED A 2017 CHEVY SPARK WITH 40,000 MILES ON IT AND WITHIN THE FIRST TWO WEEKS THE CAR WILL NOT ACCELERATE FOR ABOUT 2 SECONDS AND THEN WILL LEAP FORWARD. WHEN YOU COME TO A COMPLETE STOP THE ENGINE WILL REV UP AND NOT GO FORWARD FOR ABOUT 2-3 SECONDS. THIS BECOMES VERY UN SAFE SINCE YOU CAN
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
BRAKES: TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2017 CHEVROLET SPARK. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE BRAKES SUDDENLY MALFUNCTIONED AND THE DRIVER CRASHED INTO A PARKED BULLDOZER. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED A LEFT KNEE INJURY, WHICH DID NOT REQUIRE MEDICAL
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
AIR BAGS: TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2017 CHEVROLET SPARK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 50 MPH, THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND CRASHED INTO AN EMBANKMENT. THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE TORSO, HEAD AND NECK. MEDICA
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ELECTRICAL: MY FRONT WINDSHIELD WIPERS DON'T WORK WHEN THE WINDSHIELD GETS WET. AFTER THE SUN DRIES THE CAR, THE WIPERS WORK FINE. I HAD TO KEEP STOPPING ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WIPING OFF THE WINDSHIELD SO I COULD SEE WHERE I WAS GOING. I ALSO TURNED ON THE DEFROSTER TO HELP DRY THE WINDSHIELD. THE AUTOMAT
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)