This page covers 8 recalls, 173 owner complaints, NHTSA crash-test ratings and EPA fuel economy for the 2014 Chevrolet Spark.
119 MPGe combined
Subcompact Cars
Fuel economy data from fueleconomy.gov (EPA / U.S. Dept. of Energy). Annual cost based on 15,000 mi/yr at 55% city driving and current fuel prices. MPG is U.S. gallons; L/100km converted. Ranges reflect the 3 tested variants for this model year.
4/5 Overall
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Rating
The 2014 Chevrolet Spark draws the bulk of its complaints around the powertrain and engine. Transmission issues are the most commonly reported concern, with owners describing hard shifts, hesitation on acceleration, loss of power while driving, and the transmission warning light coming on during normal operation. Some owners with manual transmissions report the shifter unexpectedly dropping out of gear at speed. On the engine side, owners frequently describe surging, hesitation, and inconsistent throttle response, particularly at highway speeds in the 45–55 mph range, where the vehicle struggles to maintain steady acceleration. The electrical system rounds out the top three reported areas, though at a lower volume. Diagnostic trouble codes related to transmission pressure sensors appear in multiple reports, and several owners note that symptoms persist or worsen over time even after service visits.
173
Total Complaints
13
Crash-Related
8
With Injuries
By System
The 2014 Chevrolet Spark has 8 recalls, the most serious being a corroding hood latch that can fly open unexpectedly while driving, and a front suspension bolt that can loosen and cause the lower control arm to separate, resulting in sudden loss of steering.
The airbag and seatbelt pretensioner system has its own concern: a software fault can prevent the front airbags and seatbelt pretensioners from firing in a crash, leaving the driver and front passenger without full restraint protection. On the electrical side, vehicles equipped with the base radio and OnStar can experience a software lockup that blanks the display and kills all audio. Separately, vehicles with the Bring Your Own Media radio may lose audible warning chimes entirely, meaning the car will not alert the driver to an unfastened seatbelt, a key left in the ignition after shutdown, or a key still in the cylinder after a delayed exit.
At a glance
What can fail
The secondary hood latch can corrode at its pivot point, which may prevent the latch from engaging properly and cause the hood to open unexpectedly.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace both the hood striker assembly and hood latch assembly at no cost to you.
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Ratings from NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program (NCAP).
Complaints are owner-reported and reflect individual experiences, not confirmed defects. They are distinct from recalls. Data sourced from the national vehicle safety complaint database. See trending complaints →
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The air bag control software may not have received a complete update from a previous recall. Under certain driving conditions, this software may run a diagnostic test that disables frontal air bags and seat belt pretensioners during a crash.
What the fix does
Dealers will update the air bag control software. If your vehicle previously deployed air bags, the control module will be replaced instead. Repairs are free.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Under certain driving conditions, the air bag control module's software may run a self-test that disables the front air bags and seat belt pretensioners, preventing them from deploying in a crash.
What the fix does
Dealers will update the air bag control module software. If your air bags have previously deployed, the module will be replaced. Repairs are free of charge.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The radio may not produce an audible warning chime when the driver hasn't fastened their seatbelt or has left the key in the ignition.
What the fix does
Dealers will update the radio software at no cost to restore the warning chime function.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The radio may not sound a warning chime if the driver leaves the key in the ignition, turns off the engine, waits 10 minutes or more, and then opens the door.
What the fix does
Dealers will update the radio software at no cost to restore the warning chime function.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The radio may freeze due to a software issue, causing the display to go blank and stopping all audio functions, including safety warning chimes for seat belt reminders and key-in-ignition alerts.
What the fix does
Dealers will update the radio software at no cost to restore normal operation and safety alerts.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The secondary hood latch striker may corrode at its pivot point, causing it to stick in the open position and fail to properly engage the hood latch.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the striker with a new part that has improved corrosion protection at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The bolts that attach the lower control arms to the front suspension may not be tightened properly, which could cause suspension failure.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect and tighten the left and right lower control arm bolts to the correct specification at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
