2016 Chevrolet Spark EV Problems
- Complaints
- 14filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 3,006miles, 13 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 2campaigns on record
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
- NHTSA crash rating
- —no overall rating published
- EPA fuel economy
- 119 MPGecombined, Electric FWD · 128 city / 109 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 2016 Chevrolet Spark EV (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 14 consumer complaints for the 2016 Chevrolet Spark EV. The part named most often is brakes, with 10 complaints (71% of the total), followed by air bags (3) and seats (1). 13 of the complaints include a mileage, and 100% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 3,006 miles. Of all complaints, 2 involved a crash, 1 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns and 896 technical service bulletins for this model year. Brakes complaints overlap with 13 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Air bags complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign and 2 technical service bulletins filed under the same part.
This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
Example complaints
Brakes: “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 me. I was going about 15 miles per hour and my car did not stop - I slid straight into the car in front of me. It was not icy and there was plenty of room to stop. The brakes failed. …”
NHTSA complaint #10940366, filed 2017-01, 1,894 milesAir bags: “My vehicle has been recalled, and my local Chevrolet dealership has scheduled an appointment for 2 weeks from now. It is unacceptable to allow your customers to drive a vehicle that you designed with dangerous flaws for any amount of time. It is incomprehensible that this recall is not being taken with urgency and care. Someone has died because of this issue. In addition, GM appears to not feel any amount remorse for selling deathtrap vehicles to the american public.”
NHTSA complaint #10910935, filed 2016-10, 2,000 milesSeats: “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 major vehicle safety issue that should be documented..”
NHTSA complaint #11033389, filed 2017-10, 14,029 milesMileage when problems were reported
100% of the 13 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 2,613 and 4,600 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 2016 Chevrolet Spark EV version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving); for electric versions it is the cost of electricity and the rating is in MPGe.
| Version | Engine | Transmission | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spark EV FWD | Electric | single-speed | 128 | 109 | 119 MPGe | $650 |
Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.
Recalls and investigations
- 17V437000Jul 10, 2017Air bags › FrontalCovers: Chevrolet Spark EV 2014–2016, Silverado 1500 2014–2017, Corvette 2014–2017 +16 more
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2014-2016 Buick Lacrosse and Chevrolet Spark EV, Caprice PPV and SS vehicles, 2014-2017 Buick Encore and Chevrolet Corvette, Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles, 2015-2016 Cadillac Escalade and…
- 16V651000Sep 8, 2016Seat belts › PretensionerCovers: Chevrolet Spark EV 2014–2016, Silverado 1500 2014–2017, Corvette 2014–2017 +16 more
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…
Recall details for the 2016 Chevrolet Spark EV → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
Technical service bulletins
TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 896 on record; the latest 10 are shown.
- 11037555Sep 26, 2026Other or unknown. This PI provides Diagnostics tips on how the LIN bus works and how to diagnosis it.
- 11037253Sep 4, 2026Other or unknown. This preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into Technical Assistance.
- 11035340Jul 21, 2026Other or unknown. PI to help diagnose A/C concern
- 11030974Apr 1, 2026Other or unknown. This preliminary information communicates information about how to determine if a wheel and tires size change is available.
- 11030092Mar 9, 2026Other or unknown. This Preliminary information communicates the steps on how to save a GDS2 Session Log and upload to a Technical Assistance Case in CX Connect.
- 11030091Mar 9, 2026Other or unknown. This preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into Technical Assistance.
- 11027601Jan 8, 2026Other or unknown. This preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into Technical Assistance.
- 11025755Nov 20, 2025Other or unknown. This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have had multiple repair attempts that are being performed on customer’s vehicles that exhibit…
- 11023091Sep 9, 2025Other or unknown. New Vehicle Monitoring Programs Section in IVH
- 11024324Sep 4, 2025Fuel system, Electrical system. This Warranty Administration service bulletin provides Lithium-Ion battery Exchange Process and Transaction Submission information.
Other model years of the Chevrolet Spark EV
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 14 | 3,006 | 2 | — | 119 MPGe | — | Not enough data |
| 2015 | 7 | 13,000 | 3 | — | 119 MPGe | — | Not enough data |
All Chevrolet Spark EV model years
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2016 Chevrolet Spark EV have?
NHTSA recorded 14 consumer complaints for the 2016 Chevrolet Spark EV as of Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 2016 Chevrolet Spark EV is reported most often?
Brakes is named most often, in 10 complaints (71% of the total), followed by air bags with 3.
Has the 2016 Chevrolet Spark EV been recalled?
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
How efficient is the 2016 Chevrolet Spark EV according to the EPA?
The EPA rates the 2016 Chevrolet Spark EV (Spark EV, Electric) at 119 MPGe combined, 128 city and 109 highway, with an estimated annual electricity cost of $650 at 15,000 miles a year. Other battery and motor versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 2016 Chevrolet Spark EV reported?
Among the 13 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 3,006 miles and the middle half falls between 2,613 and 4,600 miles; 100% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.