2017 Chevrolet Spark Problems
Compared with other Chevrolet Spark years
Fewer complaints than typical for this model
16/100 0.5× a typical year · 50 = typical
- Complaint rate is 0.5× 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.
- 14 of its 29 complaints were filed by the end of 2019.
- Most reported part: Transmission and drivetrain (9 complaints, median 40,000 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
- 29filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 13,000miles, 19 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 1campaigns on record
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
- NHTSA crash rating
- —no overall rating published
- EPA fuel economy
- 33 mpgcombined, 1.4L 4-cyl FWD · 30 city / 38 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 2017 Chevrolet Spark (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 29 consumer complaints for the 2017 Chevrolet Spark. The part named most often is transmission and drivetrain, with 9 complaints (31% of the total), followed by brakes (8) and air bags (5). 19 of the complaints include a mileage, and 79% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 13,000 miles. Of all complaints, 5 involved a crash, 6 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign and 709 technical service bulletins for this model year. Transmission and drivetrain complaints overlap with 68 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Brakes complaints overlap with 21 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 16 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.
- Brakes8 28%
- Air bags5 17%
- Electrical system5 17%
- Engine4 14%
- Other or unknown2 6.9%
- Exterior lighting1 3.5%
- Fuel system1 3.5%
- Seat belts1 3.5%
Also reported: Seats (1), Steering (1), Suspension (1), Vehicle speed control (1), Wheels (1).
Example complaints
Transmission and drivetrain: “At railway parking lot, first car blocked when backing out of space. After 3 tries, able to move on, exiting lot and about to turn right into street, car swerved hard right by itself and loudly hit curb. Passenger side wheel and tire totally damaged. I had to get it towed to collision shop. It is still at the shop where am told repair at minimum will cost over $ 1400.00! I found 2 recalls emails that same night and trul y believe the car malfunctioned. Am just thankful no one was involved but me. …”
NHTSA complaint #11366149, filed 2020-10, 5,400 milesBrakes: “I had taken my Spark for a oil change in april 2017, I had asked to check , replace filters, check and top off all fluids, tire rotation. After all this , I noticed my brakes were squeaking when I move forward slowly. It was recently recall for it's passenger air bag. I'm afraid my brakes will be defected.”
NHTSA complaint #11020218, filed 2017-08, 5,500 milesAir bags: “During morning rush hour on the highway, (I was driving in the left lane), traveling around 50mph. I was about 3 car lengths behind, when the vehicle in front of me stopped abruptly, and promptly drove away. I slammed my brakes to the floor and simultaneously swerved to the emergency lane to avoid an impact. With both of my feet on the brake pedal, my car kept sliding like it was on ice for around 80 feet, because the ABS system failed. The only thing that stopped me were the 2 vehicles that were illegally parked in the emergency lane. …”
NHTSA complaint #11331148, filed 2020-06, 34,000 milesElectrical system: “My front windshield wipers don't work when the windshield gets wet. After the sun dries the car, the wipers work fine. I had to keep stopping on the side of the road wiping off the windshield so I could see where I was going. I also turned on the defroster to help dry the windshield. The automatic daytime running lights only come on at night. I have to manually turn them on during the day.”
NHTSA complaint #11021144, filed 2017-09, 14,428 milesMileage when problems were reported
79% of the 19 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 2,059 and 40,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 2017 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 | 30 | 38 | 33 | $2,050 |
| Spark FWD | 1.4L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 29 | 38 | 33 | $2,050 |
| Spark ACTIV FWD | 1.4L 4-cyl | CVT | 30 | 37 | 33 | $2,050 |
| Spark ACTIV FWD | 1.4L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 29 | 37 | 32 | $2,100 |
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 2017 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. 709 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 2017 Chevrolet Spark have?
NHTSA recorded 29 consumer complaints for the 2017 Chevrolet Spark as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 2017 Chevrolet Spark is reported most often?
Transmission and drivetrain is named most often, in 9 complaints (31% of the total), followed by brakes with 8.
Has the 2017 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 2017 Chevrolet Spark get?
The EPA rates the 2017 Chevrolet Spark (Spark, 1.4L 4-cyl) at 33 mpg combined, 30 city and 38 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,050 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 2017 Chevrolet Spark reported?
Among the 19 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 13,000 miles and the middle half falls between 2,059 and 40,000 miles; 79% 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.