BestCarRank
Chevrolet

2019 Chevrolet SPARK

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Above Average

Quick Summary

The 2019 Chevrolet SPARK has 20 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 0.6x the segment average of 36. The most common issue is air bags problems (35% of all complaints), specifically: the vehicle was in motion in a school zone of 35 mph on a street. it had a front end impact, which it rear-ended the car in front of it and the airbags deployed. the airbag by the feet, deployed a piece of metal or plastic and blew through the calf down to the bone. the wound was 4-5 inches in lengt. There is 1 recall issued for this model year.

5 crash reports 4 injuries

20

Total Complaints

1

Recalls Issued

/5

Safety Stars

0.6x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

AIR BAGS

7 complaints
35%
  • THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION IN A SCHOOL ZONE OF 35 MPH ON A STREET. IT HAD A FRONT END IMPACT, WHICH IT REAR-ENDED THE CAR IN FRONT OF IT AND THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. THE AIRBAG BY THE FEET, DEPLOYED A PIECE OF METAL OR PLASTIC AND BLEW THROUGH THE CALF DOWN TO THE BONE. THE WOUND WAS 4-5 INCHES IN LENGT
  • GOT THE CAR IN JANUARY OF 2019. UNDER 18,000 MILES AND I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY SAW SMOKE AND TOOK IT TO CHEVROLET THEY SAID THE BRAKES NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED WITH BOOSTERS AND OTHER PARTS
  • I HAD AN ACCIDENT ON 3/5/2020 IN MY 2019 CHEVY SPARK AND THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. FORTUNATELY I DID NOT SUFFER SERIOUS INJURY: BADLY BRUISED FOREARM AND ELBOW FROM HITTING THE STEERING WHEEL, WHIPLASH AND MUSCLE ACHES ON MY TOTAL RIGHT SIDE OF BODY AND BACK. I UNDERSTAND THERE IS A RECALL FOR
Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500💥 4 crashes

THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION IN A SCHOOL ZONE OF 35 MPH ON A STREET. IT HAD A FRONT END IMPACT, WHICH IT REAR-ENDED THE CAR IN FRONT OF IT AND THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. THE AIRBAG BY THE FEET, DEPLOYED A PIECE OF METAL OR PLASTIC AND BLEW THROUGH THE CALF DOWN TO THE BONE. THE WOUND WAS 4-5 INCHES IN LENGT

— NHTSA complaint filing

Recalls (1)

AIR BAGS01/11/2018

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.

Fix: 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.

Fuel Cost Calculator for 2019 Chevrolet SPARK

Live EIA prices
Per year
$1,455
Per month
$121
Per mile
12.1¢
MPG
33
City driving (worst-case MPG)
$1,656/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
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 2019 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.
Full coverage / year
$1,607
Full coverage / month
$134
Liability only / year
$611
vs US avg
-4%
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 rating1.00x
× vehicle age1.00x
= Full coverage estimate$1607

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 2019 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

AIR BAGS(~50K mi)
$500
BRAKES(~50K mi)
$500
TRANSMISSION(~50K mi)
$500
TIRES(~50K mi)
$500
BODY/STRUCTURE(~50K mi)
$500

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

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 20 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

  • AIR BAGS: THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION IN A SCHOOL ZONE OF 35 MPH ON A STREET. IT HAD A FRONT END IMPACT, WHICH IT REAR-ENDED THE CAR IN FRONT OF IT AND THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. THE AIRBAG BY THE FEET, DEPLOYED A PIECE OF METAL OR PLASTIC AND BLEW THROUGH THE CALF DOWN TO THE BONE. THE WOUND WAS 4-5 INCHES IN LENGT

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • BRAKES: GOT THE CAR IN JANUARY OF 2019. UNDER 18,000 MILES AND I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY SAW SMOKE AND TOOK IT TO CHEVROLET THEY SAID THE BRAKES NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED WITH BOOSTERS AND OTHER PARTS

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • TRANSMISSION: AIRBAG CODE (95) THE CAR JUST GOT OUT OF THE SHOP FROM A FAULTY TRANSMISSION AND A WARPED PISTON(#3) I HAD IT BACK FOR TWO WEEKS AND NOW THE AIRBAG CODE COMES ON. I DROVE ABOUT FIVE MINUTES AND THEN PARK THE CAR DOWN TO ONE THE CODE CAME ON. I CLEARED IT SHUT THE CAR OFF THEM STARTED IT

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • TIRES: LandGolden LG17 185/55R15 82V All Season Radial Tires were purchased from Amazon (seller: Priority Tire) and professionally installed. Tires have been balanced and rotated approximately every 5000 miles. Less than 30,000 miles and tires are already at 3/32" tread due to manufacturing defect. Older t

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • RECALLS: Verify all 1 recall have been completed — free at any Chevrolet dealer
  • General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)

NHTSA Safety Rating

No NHTSA safety rating available

At a Glance

Complaints
20
Recalls
1
Fire reports
0
Crash reports
5
Injury reports
4
Segment avg
36

Check a Specific VIN

See recalls for YOUR 2019 Chevrolet SPARK