2016 Chevrolet Spark Problems
Compared with other Chevrolet Spark years
Fewer complaints than typical for this model
0/100 0.2× a typical year · 50 = typical
- Complaint rate is 0.2× that of a typical Chevrolet Spark year, weighted for crashes, fires, injuries, recalls and mileage, and allowing for the era and for how long each year has had to collect complaints.
- 8 of its 28 complaints were filed by the end of 2018.
- Most reported part: Brakes (10 complaints, median 35,233 mi).
- 1 recall campaign on record. A VIN search at nhtsa.gov/recalls shows open recalls for a specific vehicle.
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
- 28filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 39,284miles, 22 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 1campaigns on record
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
- NHTSA crash rating
- —no overall rating published
- EPA fuel economy
- 34 mpgcombined, 1.4L 4-cyl FWD · 31 city / 40 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 2016 Chevrolet Spark (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 28 consumer complaints for the 2016 Chevrolet Spark. The part named most often is brakes, with 10 complaints (36% of the total), followed by electrical system (5) and other or unknown (5). 22 of the complaints include a mileage, and 68% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 39,284 miles. Of all complaints, 1 involved a crash, 1 a fire, 1 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign and 756 technical service bulletins for this model year. Brakes complaints overlap with 19 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Electrical system complaints overlap with 168 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Compared with the other 4 Chevrolet Spark model years that have at least 25 complaints and are old enough to compare, this one scores 0 out of 100, where 50 is a typical year for the model (fewer complaints than 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.
- Brakes10 36%
- Electrical system5 18%
- Other or unknown5 18%
- Air bags2 7.1%
- Engine2 7.1%
- Fuel system2 7.1%
- Steering2 7.1%
Also reported: Exterior lighting (1).
Example complaints
Brakes: “There were two incidents involving the same problem. While driving the vehicle on the highway and then on a main road the brakes locked and I had to use the emergency brake to bring the vehicle to complete stop. My mechanic replaced the engine brake vacuum pump after both incidents. The pump was broken in pieces on both occasions leading to metal parts falling into the engine during repair and needing to be retrieved to prevent engine damage.”
NHTSA complaint #11207908, filed 2019-05, 68,000 milesElectrical system: “Randomly when I get into my car and crank the lights on my dash,screen will appear- other times they will not. Randomly when driving she will just be driving normal and immediately she shuts down and off with no warning signs and no warning lights on dash. This issue has been ongoing since the purchase of her. It has been on a interstate highway in 5pm traffic, a very small town in non on sunday after church.”
NHTSA complaint #11398554, filed 2021-03, 96,777 milesOther or unknown: “I did my recall for transmission control module by cheverolet dealership and all of sudden my car shut off while driving in busy traffic on a busy road. Would not turn on at all, would not go out of gear at all. Had to have toad back to the dealership. But bc GM is on strike received no loaner car. I'm disabled and so is husband who has severe brain injury. I live way out in country.”
NHTSA complaint #11258676, filed 2019-09, 57,000 milesTransmission and drivetrain: “The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Spark. The contact stated while driving 60 MPH, the transmission was slipping, and the cruise control was not operating correctly. Additionally, the RPM was elevated with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer and diagnosed; however, no failure was determined. The contact stated that the transmission fluid was flushed and replaced. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 85,000.”
NHTSA complaint #11474938, filed 2022-07, 85,000 milesMileage when problems were reported
68% of the 22 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 9,659 and 57,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Trend: falling. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 2016 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).
| Version | Engine | Transmission | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spark FWD | 1.4L 4-cyl | CVT | 31 | 40 | 34 | $1,950 |
| Spark FWD | 1.4L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 30 | 39 | 33 | $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
- 17V307000May 9, 2017Air bags › Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator moduleCovers: Chevrolet Spark 2016–2017
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2016-2017 Chevrolet Spark vehicles. In the event of a crash, if a young child is seated improperly and not wearing a seat belt while in the front passenger seat, deployment of the front passenger air bag may…
Recall details for the 2016 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. 756 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
- 11022084Aug 14, 2025Other or unknown. This preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into Technical Assistance.
Other model years of the Chevrolet Spark
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 6 | 31,000 | 0 | — | 33 | — | Not enough data |
| 2020 | 20 | 23,768 | 0 | — | 33 | — | Stable |
| 2019 | 14 | 26,250 | 1 | — | 33 | — | Not enough data |
| 2018 | 9 | 2,000 | 0 | — | 33 | — | Not enough data |
| 2017 | 29 | 13,000 | 1 | — | 33 | 16 · Fewer | Stable |
| 2016 | 28 | 39,284 | 1 | — | 34 | 0 · Fewer | Falling |
| 2015 | 77 | 35,582 | 5 | 4 | 34 | 50 · Typical | Rising |
| 2014 | 172 | 46,000 | 6 | 4 | 34 | 100 · More | Rising |
| 2013 | 146 | 28,250 | 5 | — | 34 | 99 · More | Rising |
All Chevrolet Spark model years · Best and worst years by complaints
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2016 Chevrolet Spark have?
NHTSA recorded 28 consumer complaints for the 2016 Chevrolet Spark as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 2016 Chevrolet Spark is reported most often?
Brakes is named most often, in 10 complaints (36% of the total), followed by electrical system with 5.
Has the 2016 Chevrolet Spark been recalled?
NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2016 Chevrolet Spark get?
The EPA rates the 2016 Chevrolet Spark (Spark, 1.4L 4-cyl) at 34 mpg combined, 31 city and 40 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 2016 Chevrolet Spark reported?
Among the 22 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 39,284 miles and the middle half falls between 9,659 and 57,000 miles; 68% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 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.