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2016 Chevrolet Spark problems, recalls and owner complaints
What the 2016 Chevrolet Spark has been recalled for and what owners report, from official government data. Updated October 25, 2026.
- 3safety recalls
- 42owner complaints
- 3crash reports
- 1fire report
- 2injuries reported
42 complaints, against an average of 54 for the other 9 Chevrolet Spark model years.
Every Chevrolet Spark model year with its number of owner complaints. Pick a year to compare.
What goes wrong with the 2016 Chevrolet Spark?
The components named most often in the 42 owner complaints. One complaint can name several, so the shares can add up to more than 100%.
What symptoms do 2016 Chevrolet Spark owners describe?
Found by reading the text of all 42 owner complaints. Tap a symptom for the answer, a real owner quote and any related recall.
Has the 2016 Chevrolet Spark been recalled?
3 U.S. safety recalls. Repairs are free at a franchised dealer; some are done over the air.
Air Bags: Frontal 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 Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Tahoe, Trax, Suburban and Silverado 2500 and 3500 and GMC Yukon and Yukon XL vehicles, and 2015-2017 GMC Sierra HD 2500 and 3500 vehicles. While being previously remedied for recall 16V-651, the affected vehicles may not have received the complete software update necessary to remedy the recall condition. Without the update, certain driving conditions may cause the air bag sensing and diagnostic module (SDM) software to activate a diagnostic test. During this test, deployment of the frontal air bags and the seat belt pretensioners would not occur in the event of a crash.
Risk: A failure of the front air bags or seat belt pretensioners to deploy in the event of a crash necessitating deployment increases the risk of injury to the driver and front passenger.
Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will reflash the SDM software. Vehicles that have had a previous air bag deployment will have the SDM replaced. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on August 4, 2017. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 17287.
Air Bags: Frontal: Passenger Side: Inflator Module 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 injure the occupant's neck. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
Risk: In the event of a crash with a frontal air bag deployment, an unbelted child in the front passenger seat has an increased risk of injury.
Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger air bag module, free of charge. The recall began July 5, 2017. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 17199.
Air Bags: Frontal 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 Corvette, Silverado 1500, Trax, Caprice Police Pursuit Vehicle, GMC Sierra 1500, Buick Encore, and 2014-2016 Buick Lacrosse, Chevrolet Spark EV and SS vehicles. In the affected vehicles, certain driving conditions may cause the air bag sensing and diagnostic module (SDM) software to activate a diagnostic test. During this test, deployment of the frontal air bags and the seat belt pretensioners would not occur in the event of a crash.
Risk: A failure of the front air bags or seat belt pretensioners to deploy in the event of a crash necessitating deployment increases the risk of injury to the driver and front passenger.
Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will reflash the SDM software. Vehicles that have had a previous air bag deployment will have the SDM replaced. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on October 13, 2016. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 16007.
Is the 2016 Chevrolet Spark recalled in the UK or Europe?
Recalls issued by the UK's DVSA and through the EU's Safety Gate system that cover this model and build period. European models can differ from U.S. ones, and "years estimated" means the recall gave no build dates, so confirm your own car with your registration or VIN.
UK DVSAChevrolet UK Spark Hood Striker Replacement
Risk: On affected vehicles the secondary hood latch lever may prematurely corrode at the pivot. If severely corroded the secondary latch striker may become stuck out of position and fail to properly engage.
Fix: Replace hood striker assembly with one that has improved corrosion resistance.
EU Safety GateDue to a software problem, the frontal airbags and seatbelt pretensioners may not deploy correctly, which may increase the risk of injury…Due to a software problem, the frontal airbags and seatbelt pretensioners may not deploy correctly, which may increase the risk of injury to occupants in the event of a crash.
Measures: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer; Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users; Date of entry into force: Unknown
EU Safety GateThe bonnet striker secondary latch may suffer from a build-up of corrosion.Consequently, it may not return to the correct position when released. In such an event, and especially when the primary locking device is not engaged correctly, there is a possibility that the bonnet could open while the vehicle is being driven.
Measures: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Other; Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users; Date of entry into force: Unknown
What do 2016 Chevrolet Spark owners report?
12 of the 42 complaints, the most recent for the most-reported components, as the owners wrote them. NHTSA removes names and VINs; long reports are trimmed. CarHooq has not verified individual claims.
While driving in early 2025, my 2016 Chevrolet Spark EV suddenly lost all ability to accelerate. The vehicle remained powered on but would not respond to the accelerator, and I was unable to fully shut it off. This created a safety hazard because I could not properly control or secure the vehicle, and it required towing. I replaced the 12V battery at my own expense. The issue briefly disappeared, but the same failure occurred again within weeks. The replacement 12V battery also failed to hold a charge, indicating the problem was not related to the 12V system. I brought the vehicle to Harbor…
I am the owner of a 2016 Spark EV, and the driver was my family member. The vehicle was charged and had a remaining driving range of 51 miles when the vehicle suddenly shut down on a major city road without any prior warning or symptoms of a problem. The vehicle did not restart immediately, and other drivers behind had to push the vehicle to the side of the road. The driver experienced the shutdown of the vehicle while driving again on another day. Since the sudden shutdown of the propulsion power while driving happened without any prior warning light, message, or symptom, the incident could…
The contact owned a 2016 Chevrolet Spark. The contact stated that while driving approximately 35 MPH, the vehicle was T-bone crashed into on the driver's side by a second vehicle. During the crash, the driver-side curtain air bags did not immediately deploy. The contact indicated that the air bag deployed approximately one minute after the crash had occurred. The driver sustained torso bruises and lower back pain which later required medical treatment. A Police report was taken at the scene. The vehicle was destroyed and towed away. The manufacturer was not yet notified of the failure. The…
I was driving downhill with the car in L on a highway and brakes failed. I could not engage the brakes at all but somehow the car slowed to a stop and I managed to pull into a parking spot and park. Two lights came on: Service Intellitrak and Service Brake Assist. The car has been inspected by the Chevrolet dealership that sold the car to me as well as an independant shop. One technician at the Chevrolet dealership reported he got zero brake pressure and claims that the car needs a new brake pressure modulator. The independant shop reported that they could not replicate the poor brake…
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.
Both Brake Assist and stabilitrack go out in conjunction with failure lights (no fore-warning). The vehicle was repaired by a Chevrolet dealership with qualified EV tech. Within two weeks that same brake system failures occurred. The issue greatly increases the force needed to press the brake pedal and lengthens braking distance significantly. it also causes a failure in the braking system while at a stop. so after about 16 seconds braking power is reduced to the point of the car rolling forward / backward while the brake pedal is fully depressed.
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.
THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOPPED OPERATING WHILE DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY IN THE RAIN. THE CAR WAS AT HIGHWAY SPEED. EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. THE MECHANIC FOUND THE WIPER MOTOR WAS DEFECTIVE AND PULLED TOO MUCH AMPERAGE THAT IT BURNED INTERNAL FUSE BOX RELAY. WIPER MOTOR AND FUSE BOX HAD TO BE REPLACED.
FEB 2018 I RECEIVED AN ERROR MESSAGE WHILE DRIVING FOR A CODE 95. AFTER REVIEW I DETERMINED IT WAS AN AIR BAG ERROR MESSAGE. I TOOK IT TO MK SMITH IN CHINO, CA AND THEY REPLACED THE PASSENGER AIR BAG MODULE. JULY 2020 I RECEIVED THE SAME CODE 95 AIR BAG WARNING MESSAGE. I TOOK IT BACK TO MK SMITH IN CHINO, CA AND THEY TOLD ME THE SAME PASSENGER AIR BAG MODULE NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. I ASKED IF THEY REPLACED A FAULTY PASSENGER AIR BAG MODULE WITH A FAULTY PASSENGER AIR BAG MODULE AND THE RESPONSE WAS 'YES'. BUT BECAUSE I DIDN'T RECEIVE THE WARNING MESSAGE UNTIL AFTER 12 MONTHS IT'S MY PROBLEM TO…
I HAD JUST LEFT THE HOUSE AND THE CAR WAS FINE. I GOT TO A DANGEROUS INTERSECTION WHERE WRECKS HAPPEN ALL THE TIME AND I PRESSED ON MY BREAKS AND MY CAR DID NOT WANT TO STOP SO I KEPT PRESSING HARDER AND HARDER FINALLY I STOPPED. WHEN I DID THE CAR CUT OFF. IT CONTINUED TO DO THIS FOR THE 15 MINUTE DRIVE AND IT CUT OFF ON THE BUSH BYPASS IN THE CITY. MY HUSBAND LOOKED AT IT AND THE VACUUM PUMP BLEW UP AFFECTING THE CAMSHAFT. WE HAVE REPLACED THOSE PARTS AND THE SENSOR. NOW, I AM LOOKING FOR A CAMSHAFT EXHAUST ROD THAT NO CHEVY DEALER IN THE US HAS AND THEY SAID IT IS IN EXTREME BACKORDER. WHY…
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2016 CHEVROLET SPARK. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45-50 MPH, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL SMOKE ODOR IN THE CABIN OF THE VEHICLE. SUDDENLY, THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS NOTIFIED AND EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FIRE STARTED FROM INSIDE THE VEHICLE AND SPREAD THROUGHOUT THE VEHICLE. A FIRE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED BY THE FIRE DEPARTMENT THAT THE FIRE MIGHT HAVE BEEN CAUSED BY AN ELECTRICAL ISSUE, BUT WAS UNABLE TO SUBSTANTIATE THE CLAIM. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO BAKER'S RECOVERY AND TOWING…
CLUTCH WORE OUT ON 2016 CHEVROLET SPARK LS IN LESS THAN 11,000 MILES (JUST OVER 1 YEAR OLD). I AM AN EXPERIENCED MANUAL TRANSMISSION DRIVER WHO HAS DRIVEN OTHER CARS TO OVER 125,000 MILES WITHOUT NEEDING A NEW CLUTCH. CLEARLY DEFECTIVE CLUTCH BUT THEY WOULDN'T COVER IT UNDER WARRANTY BECAUSE IT WAS A "WEAR ITEM". NO, IT WAS A DEFECTIVE ITEM. DON'T BUY CHEVROLET SINCE THEY DON'T STAND BY THEIR VEHICLES AND YOU WILL PAY HUGE REPAIR COSTS FOR THEIR DEFECTS/PROBLEMS.
2016 Chevrolet Spark: questions owners ask
Is the 2016 Chevrolet Spark reliable?
NHTSA data alone cannot rate reliability, but it shows what owners reported. Owners filed 42 complaints with NHTSA about the 2016 Chevrolet Spark; the most common categories were service brakes (20, 47.6%), air bags (5, 11.9%), electrical system (5, 11.9%). There are 3 safety recalls. 3 complaints mention a crash, 1 mentions a fire, 2 injuries were reported.
What are the most common problems with the 2016 Chevrolet Spark?
Across 42 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the categories mentioned most often are service brakes (47.6% of complaints), air bags (11.9% of complaints), electrical system (11.9% of complaints), power train (9.5% of complaints), engine (4.8% of complaints). One complaint can name several components.
Does the 2016 Chevrolet Spark have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2016 Chevrolet Spark; the most recent (campaign 17V437000, 2017-07-10) concerns Air Bags: Frontal. Recall repairs are free at a franchised dealer; check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Why do the brakes feel soft, fail or make noise on my 2016 Chevrolet Spark?
10 of the 42 owner complaints NHTSA has on file for the 2016 Chevrolet Spark (23.8%) describe brakes feeling soft, failing, grinding or squealing. One owner wrote: "I was driving downhill with the car in L on a highway and brakes failed. I could not engage the brakes at all but somehow the car slowed to a stop and I managed to pull into a parking spot and park." (NHTSA complaint 11549067, October 2023). If it happens to your car, check your VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls and report the problem to NHTSA; complaints are what trigger investigations.
Why does my 2016 Chevrolet Spark transmission jerk, shudder or shift hard?
5 of the 42 owner complaints NHTSA has on file for the 2016 Chevrolet Spark (11.9%) describe harsh, jerky or delayed transmission shifting or shuddering. One owner wrote: "4 times while driving, 1 time while stationary, the car's brake assist (power braking system) has gone out. each time, it was difficult to slow the vehicle and bring it to a stop." (NHTSA complaint 10947113, January 2017). If it happens to your car, check your VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls and report the problem to NHTSA; complaints are what trigger investigations.
Why are the ABS and stability control lights on in my 2016 Chevrolet Spark?
4 of the 42 owner complaints NHTSA has on file for the 2016 Chevrolet Spark (9.5%) describe ABS, traction or stability control warnings or faults. One owner wrote: "Braking system inconsistent performance. transition from regenerative braking to mechanical braking is sloppy and abrupt. when the mechanical braking system kicks in, it kicks in too strong causing the abs system to activate as the wheels suddenly lock up." (NHTSA complaint 10908309, September 2016). If it happens to your car, check your VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls and report the problem to NHTSA; complaints are what trigger investigations.
Check your own Spark
Counts are a starting point, not a verdict: popular models collect more complaints because more of them are on the road, and NHTSA does not verify individual reports. To see whether a recall is still open on your car, enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls (U.S.) or your registration at check-vehicle-recalls.service.gov.uk (UK). Had a safety problem? Report it to NHTSA; complaints are what trigger investigations and recalls.
Data: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation recall and complaint databases (public domain), DVSA vehicle recalls (Open Government Licence v3.0), EU Safety Gate alerts (© European Union), retrieved October 25, 2026. Model year 2016 only; combines NHTSA's entries for SPARK and SPARK EV.