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Chevrolet SparkModel year report

2015 Chevrolet Spark Problems

Compared with other Chevrolet Spark years

Typical for this model

50/100 1.0× a typical year · 50 = typical

Nearby years with fewer complaints than typical and no open NHTSA investigation: 2016, 2017

Based only on NHTSA complaints, recalls and investigations. Not adjusted for how many vehicles were sold, and not a reliability rating. How this is calculated

Complaints
77filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
35,582miles, 39 complaints with mileage
Recalls
5campaigns on record
Trend
RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA crash rating
4 / 5stars overall
EPA fuel economy
34 mpgcombined, 1.2L 4-cyl FWD · 31 city / 38 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2015 Chevrolet Spark (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error

What owners report

Complaints for this model year center on the transmission: owners describe jerking, slipping, delayed engagement and, in some cases, complete loss of power while driving, frequently on highways. Smaller clusters involve radio and electrical oddities such as blank or unresponsive screens and battery drain, reduced-engine-power or stalling episodes, and hood-latch and brake-assist concerns. Many transmission reports arrive between roughly 50,000 and 130,000 miles, while several engine and electrical reports come in much earlier or much later.

  1. Transmission and drivetrain

    Transmission slipping, jerking or losing power

    • 29 complaints (38%)
    • median 84,000 mi at 5.2 yrs old (10 state mileage)
    • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
    • filed 2016–2026

    Owners describe the vehicle jerking or hesitating while shifting, revving without moving, and in some cases losing all forward power at speed so the car slows abruptly in traffic. Several report repeated transmission replacements, and some say dealers could not duplicate the problem at first or told them no fault was found. Others say the dealer confirmed an internal transmission fault but declined to repair it, or cited expired coverage. Reports span a wide range, most often between roughly 50,000 and 130,000 miles, with several failures described at highway speeds.

    2 related service bulletins

    What to check: During a test drive, note any hesitation, jerking or delayed engagement when accelerating from a stop and at highway speed. Ask for service records showing whether the transmission or its control module has been replaced or reprogrammed.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “As I was driving on the highway my car lost all power in the transmission, I stepped on the gas and nothing happened but the car still revved. It's as if it slipped out of gear while going 65mph and would not kick back into gear. I was afraid of getting into an accident due to the sudden loss in speed. I've read that 2013-2015 sparks are known for having bad transmissions and I believe my problem was caused by a faulty TCM.”

    NHTSA complaint #11297373, filed 2020-01, 103,000 miles

    “In February 2022 I noticed on my way to work my rpm's kept surging and my car was not keeping up with traffic. I was scared as I was on the interstate and traffic was pretty busy. Then it was like it roughly shifted and the rpm's dropped into the normal range As I was driving across the bridge all the sudden the check engine light lit up ..and my car was barely moving . …”

    NHTSA complaint #11464129, filed 2022-05
  2. Electrical system

    Radio screen blank or unresponsive; battery drain

    • 8 complaints (10%)
    • median 67,990 mi at 4.6 yrs old (5 state mileage, few)
    • filed 2015–2025

    Owners report the infotainment screen going blank or becoming unresponsive to touch, sometimes working only when the car sits in hot sun and otherwise jumping between settings on its own. Others describe the radio staying on after the key is removed and draining the battery, requiring jump starts or battery replacement. Some owners link these symptoms to the radio software recalls and say a dealer update was performed. Reported from as early as a few thousand miles up to around 130,000 miles, with several cases tied to hot or cold weather.

    Recall 16V422000Recall 16V257000Recall 15V4160002 related service bulletins

    What to check: With the engine off, confirm the radio shuts down when the key is removed, and test every screen function and steering-wheel control. Ask whether the radio software recalls have been completed for this vehicle.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “My radio dash and audio indicators blackout without warning this weekend when I turned my car on. No blinker sound, no radio, no keys in ignition warning. Nothing. It's the same characteristics of the 2016 recall that was issued but GM will not fix it because my VIN does not appear on the recall list”

    NHTSA complaint #11210340, filed 2019-05, 67,990 miles

    “On 8/6/2019 around five in the morning as I was leaving work on a city street, my right signal light just came on and hasn't cut off yet, no matter what I do it won't cut off. I checked all fuses and checked the whole car and found nothing”

    NHTSA complaint #11253595, filed 2019-09, 78,652 miles
  3. Engine

    Reduced engine power and stalling

    • 8 complaints (10%)
    • median 22,191 mi at 2.2 yrs old (6 state mileage, few)
    • filed 2016–2026

    Complaints describe the car losing power or shutting off without warning, sometimes at a light or in a turn, with the check engine light and reduced-power or stability warnings appearing together. Some owners report the engine stalling and restarting, others that it would not keep up with traffic. Dealers are variously described as finding no fault, recommending a carbon cleaning, or replacing a sensor. Mostly reported between roughly 8,000 and 65,000 miles, in ordinary driving rather than extreme conditions.

    2 related service bulletins

    What to check: Ask whether any stored codes have been read recently and whether the throttle pedal sensor or related components have been replaced. Note any hesitation or loss of power during a test drive, especially with the air conditioning on.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “On 2/11/19 my car stalled,( shut off )while making a turn at two different times . ( mileage 35,582) I took my car to Chevrolet on 3/22/18 for the same problem.(mileage 22,517) my car had stalled (shut off) at a light and no lights had come on the dash indicating that there was a problem. I was told by the tech no problem found.”

    NHTSA complaint #11176377, filed 2019-02, 35,582 miles

    “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. They said my warranty doesn't cover it. Then I asked if I go that route and it doesn't fix it, what the next step is. They said to take the engine out and clean it by hand, roughly $1000, and the warranty doesn't cover that either. …”

    NHTSA complaint #11036060, filed 2017-10, 60,000 miles

Buying note. This model year generates most complaints about the transmission, so a careful test drive at both low and highway speeds and a look at service history matter more than cosmetics. Also confirm the radio and hood-latch recalls have been completed before purchase.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.

NHTSA recorded 77 consumer complaints for the 2015 Chevrolet Spark. 39 of the complaints include a mileage, and 64% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 35,582 miles. Of all complaints, 4 involved a crash, 1 a fire, 8 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns and 1,284 technical service bulletins for this model year. Compared with the other 4 Chevrolet Spark model years that have at least 25 complaints and are old enough to compare, this one scores 50 out of 100, where 50 is a typical year for the model (typical for this model). The comparison allows for the era and for how long each year has had to collect complaints, but not for how many vehicles were sold.

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.

Also reported: Seat belts (3), Electronic stability control (2), Equipment (2), Exterior lighting (2), Seats (2), Suspension (2), Wheels (2), Engine cooling (1), Forward collision avoidance (1), Steering (1), Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) (1).

Example complaints

Transmission and drivetrain: “Bearing initially went at apprx 40k miles.. Replacing same bearing at over $440 out of pocket (1) yr later as exceeded the 12k miles warranty. Service at dealership states bearings are not meant to last .. I have never had to replace a bearing in any vehicle, ever. To have my bearing fail ear year is a problem.”

NHTSA complaint #11149607, filed 2018-11, 40 miles

Engine: “Vehicle began slipping out of gear between 1st & 2nd, then started losing power at 74,760 miles. Extended service coverage has been issued for model for CVT transmission pulley system, however only covers 10 years or 100,000 miles, whichever comes first. Mine apparently timed out in February, so they are trying to make me get a new transmission which basically totals out the car I spent a fortune on to buy & in repairs at under 75,000 miles. This is unacceptable.”

NHTSA complaint #11695334, filed 2025-10

Electrical system: “My radio which controls everything regarding charging and bluetooth, it has a touch screen which has now become completely unresponsive. The only time it will ever let you touch like normal is if the car sits under the hot summer sun. And even then the screen starts touching random parts of the screen messing up settings . It had issues calibrating every now and then when I purchased it also. That was in winter.”

NHTSA complaint #11377971, filed 2020-12

Fuel system: “On may 15, 2015, after driving about 15 freeway miles, I took the freeway off ramp. After traveling about 1/2 mile, after exiting, the propulsion power is reduced warning light came on followed by the vehicle slowing down although I'm pressing the accelerator for more power. After stopping at a traffic light, the car moved very slowly even when I'm flooring the accelerator. I finally made it to the church parking light with the vehicle traveling at about 5 MPH. The car was towed back to my house, about 17 miles away. The failure could have been very dangerous if I was using the freeway. …”

NHTSA complaint #10721576, filed 2015-05, 450 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

64% of the 39 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 16,000 and 59,392 miles.

21%0–1018%10–2526%25–5018%50–753%75–10015%100–1500%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (39 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 35,582 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Trend: rising. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.

20162018132020202220242026
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Crash test ratings

NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2015 Chevrolet Spark. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.

VersionOverallFrontalSideSide poleRollover
Spark · hatchback FWD★★★★☆4 / 4554 · 17.9% risk

Neighbouring years: 2014: same overall rating. A redesign between years can change both the car and the test.

Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 2015 Chevrolet Spark version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
Spark FWD1.2L 4-cyl5-speed manual313834$1,950
Spark FWD1.2L 4-cylCVT303733$2,050

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

Recall details for the 2015 Chevrolet Spark → · 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. 1,284 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 1,284 bulletins →

Other model years of the Chevrolet Spark

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
2021631,0000—33—Not enough data
20202023,7680—33—Stable
20191426,2501—33—Not enough data
201892,0000—33—Not enough data
20172913,0001—3316 · FewerStable
20162839,2841—340 · FewerFalling
20157735,582543450 · TypicalRising
201417246,0006434100 · MoreRising
201314628,2505—3499 · MoreRising

All Chevrolet Spark model years · Best and worst years by complaints

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2015 Chevrolet Spark?

Complaints for this model year center on the transmission: owners describe jerking, slipping, delayed engagement and, in some cases, complete loss of power while driving, frequently on highways. The issues reported most often: Transmission slipping, jerking or losing power; Radio screen blank or unresponsive; battery drain; Reduced engine power and stalling.

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2015 Chevrolet Spark have?

NHTSA recorded 77 consumer complaints for the 2015 Chevrolet Spark as of Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2015 Chevrolet Spark is reported most often?

Transmission and drivetrain is named most often, in 26 complaints (34% of the total), followed by engine with 11.

Has the 2015 Chevrolet Spark been recalled?

NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

How did the 2015 Chevrolet Spark do in NHTSA crash tests?

NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings give the 2015 Chevrolet Spark 4 out of 5 stars overall. Ratings from different model years are only comparable when the vehicle was not redesigned in between.

What gas mileage does the 2015 Chevrolet Spark get?

The EPA rates the 2015 Chevrolet Spark (Spark, 1.2L 4-cyl) at 34 mpg combined, 31 city and 38 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $1,950 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2015 Chevrolet Spark reported?

Among the 39 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 35,582 miles and the middle half falls between 16,000 and 59,392 miles; 64% 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. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program. 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.