VehicleVerdict

2014 Chevrolet Spark problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 269 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 8.7 times the median Spark year — the 2014 model ranks #1 of 10 Spark years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Complainants reported 14 injuries in total across these filings.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across engine (53), electrical system (48), and transmission (46), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect. In government crash testing it earned 4 of 5 NCAP stars overall.

269

NHTSA complaints

6

Recalls

0

Investigations

21

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

14

Injuries

0

Deaths

4

NCAP overall · of 5 stars

How does 2014 compare to other Spark years?

Spark NHTSA complaints by model year, 2014 highlighted269 complaints2013: 224 complaints2014: 269 complaints2015: 102 complaints2016: 36 complaints2017: 42 complaints2018: 14 complaints2019: 20 complaints2020: 26 complaints2021: 12 complaints2022: 5 complaints
Spark NHTSA complaints by model year, 2014 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Spark years to avoid →

What are the most common 2014 Chevrolet Spark problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Engine5320%
Electrical System4818%
Transmission4617%
Speed Control249%
Fuel System176%
Other166%
Airbags135%
Body & Structure104%
Brakes93%
Steering73%
Latches & Locks73%
Seat Belts62%
Suspension52%
Visibility & Wipers41%
Seats21%
Tires & Wheels10%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)10%

Does the 2014 Chevrolet Spark have recalls?

6 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

22V640000Latches & LocksAugust 25, 2022 · 120,688 units

Defect

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2013-2015 Chevrolet Spark and 2014-2015 Chevrolet Spark EV vehicles. The secondary hood latch may corrode at the latch pivot, preventing the hood latch from properly engaging.

Consequence

A hood latch failure can result in the vehicle's hood opening unexpectedly, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Dealers will replace the hood striker assembly and hood latch assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 12, 2023. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is A222359300. This recall supersedes and expands NHTSA recall number 14V-593. Vehicles previously repaired under 14V-593 will need to have the new remedy performed.

16V422000Electrical SystemJune 10, 2016 · 18,780 units

Defect

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 Chevrolet Sonic and Trax, and 2013-2015 Spark vehicles equipped with a Bring Your Own Media radio. The affected radios may fail to provide an audible warning chime when the driver fails to fasten their seatbelt or if the driver leaves the key in the ignition. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) numbers 208 "Occupant Crash Protection" and 114 "Theft Protection."

Consequence

Without audible indicators, the driver may not fasten their seatbelt, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.

Remedy

GM will notify owners, and dealers will update the radio software, free of charge. The recall began on July 22, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 45340.

16V257000Electrical SystemApril 28, 2016 · 317,572 units

Defect

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013-2016 Chevrolet Sonic and Trax vehicles and 2013-2015 Chevrolet Spark vehicles equipped with a Bring Your Own Media radio. The affected radios may fail to provide an audible warning chime when the driver, after turning off the ignition and leaving the key in the cylinder, waits 10 minutes or longer to open the door. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 114 "Theft Protection."

Consequence

Without audible indicators, the driver may leave the key in the ignition, increasing the risk of theft.

Remedy

GM will notify owners, and dealers will update the radio software, free of charge. The manufacturer has not yet provided a notification schedule. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 17130.

15V416000Electrical SystemJune 30, 2015 · 45,785 units

Defect

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 Chevrolet Spark vehicles manufactured April 30, 2014, to May 20, 2015, and 2015 Chevrolet Sonic vehicles manufactured June 18, 2014, to June 10, 2015. In the affected vehicles, equipped with the base radio and OnStar, the radio may lock up due to a software issue, causing the display to go blank and all audio functions to cease. Because of this, there may be no warning chimes such as the reminder to buckle the seat belt and the key being left in ignition when the driver goes to exit the vehicle. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 208 "Occupant Crash Protection", and 114 "Theft Protection."

Consequence

Without audible indicators, the driver may leave the key in the ignition, increasing the risk of theft. If a driver or front passenger does not buckle their seat belt, there would be no chime to remind them to fasten their seat belts. If a driver or passenger does not buckle their seat belt there is an increased risk that they will be injured in a crash.

Remedy

GM will notify owners, and dealers will update the radio software, free of charge. The recall began on August 11, 2015. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 15504.

14V593000Latches & LocksSeptember 24, 2014 · 89,294 units

Defect

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013-2015 Chevrolet Spark vehicles manufactured January 17, 2012, to July 29, 2014. The secondary hood latch may prematurely corrode at the latch pivot causing the striker to get stuck out of position, preventing it from properly engaging the hood latch.

Consequence

If the secondary hood latch corrodes causing the latch to be stuck out of position, and the primary hood latch is not engaged, the hood could unexpectedly open while driving, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.

Remedy

GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the striker with a new part which has superior corrosion protection, free of charge. The recall began on January 7, 2015. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 14456.

14V440000SuspensionJuly 21, 2014 · 1,919 units

Defect

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2014 Spark vehicles manufactured from May 7, 2014, to May 26, 2014. In the affected vehicles, the left and right lower control arm attaching bolts in the front suspension may not be tightened to specification.

Consequence

If the lower control arm bolts are not tightened properly, the lower control arm may separate from the steering knuckle while driving, causing a loss of steering, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Owners are instructed NOT to drive their vehicles until the recall remedy has been completed. Owners should call a Chevrolet dealer immediately to arrange for their vehicle to be transported free of charge for servicing. GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the left and right lower control arm attaching bolts to make sure that they are tightened to the proper specification, free of charge. The recall began on August 1, 2014. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 14453. Note: Owners are advised not to drive the vehicle until the repairs have been completed.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

REPORTED SEVERAL PROBLEMS WITH THE CHEVY SPARK WITH PURCHASED IN AUG 2013, NO STARTS, AUTO SHUT OFFS, RPM SPIKES AND "NOW" OIL BURNING, BEGINNING OCTOBER 2013 DIRECTLY TO GM COMPANY AT [PHONE], [PHONE] AND CHEVY HEADQUARTERS AND SEVERAL CHEVY SERVICE CENTERS: ONSTAR SUBSCRIBER SERVICES ACCT#…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · August 8, 2014 · crash

WHEN MY ALTERNATOR FAILED IT CAUSED AN OVER CURRENT THROUGH THE ABS RELAY CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE WIRING HARNESS MELTING THE BRACKET AND BREAKING ONE OF THE CLIPS THE OTHER CLIP BROKE WHEN THE GMC DEALER WAS DOING THEIR INSPECTION. I'M WORKING WITH AN EXTENDED WARRANTY THAT DOESN'T BELIEVE THE DAMAGE…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · December 21, 2019

I HAVE REGISTERED COMPLAINTS REGARDING THIS VEHICLE BEFORE. THE TRANSMISSION IN THIS VEHICLE DOES NOT WORK PROPERLY; IT IS UNABLE TO ACCELERATE PROPERLY FROM A LOW SPEED OR STOPPED POSITION. I HAVE HAD THE TRANSMISSION REPLACED 3 TIMES, BUT THE ISSUE HAS NOT BEEN RESOLVED. ON AUGUST 19, I WAS…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · August 11, 2017 · crash

Transmission needs to be replaced per mechanic, costing around $3,5000-$5,000 Jerking or shuddering during the normal course of driving Hesitations while attempting to accelerate from a stopped position Engine stalls out or intermittently shutting off Rough start or hard shift and sudden…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Speed Control · May 16, 2024

THE CAR ACTS SLUGGISH AND ACT LIKE IT IS GOING TO STALL OUT WHEN YOU PUSH ON THE GAS PEDAL AFTER YOU SLOW DOWN OR COME TO A COMPLETE STOP. IT ALSO HAS TRIED TO STALL OUT WHILE DRIVING THREE TIMES WHEN YOU PRESS ON THE GAS PEDAL WITH OTHER THAN SLIGHT PRESSURE. AT LOW SPEEDS THE STEERING GOES A…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · January 7, 2014 · crash

2014 Chevrolet Spark — common questions

Is the 2014 Chevrolet Spark reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 269 complaints put the 2014 model at #1 of 10 Spark years. It is one of the Spark years to avoid.

What are the most common 2014 Spark problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are engine (53 complaints), electrical system (48 complaints), transmission (46 complaints).

Does the 2014 Chevrolet Spark have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns affecting the 2014 Chevrolet Spark. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Chevrolet Spark years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Spark years to avoid are 2014, 2013, 2015, 2016. The cleanest record among Spark years belongs to 2022.

How safe is the 2014 Chevrolet Spark?

In NHTSA's NCAP crash testing, the 2014 Chevrolet Spark earned an overall rating of 4 out of 5 stars.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.