
2019 Chevrolet SPARK
Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report
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.
20
Total Complaints
1
Recalls Issued
—/5
Safety Stars
0.6x
vs Segment Avg
Known Problems(top 5 of 8)
AIR BAGS
7 complaints- • 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
“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)
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 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.
5-Year Gas Price History
EIA weekly retail data · 2021 → todaySource: US Energy Information Administration weekly retail gasoline prices.
Estimated Insurance Cost for 2019 Chevrolet SPARK
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 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 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
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)
Chevrolet SPARK — Year Comparison
How does 2019 compare to other years? Fewer complaints = more reliable.
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