2016 Chevrolet Spark EV: problems, recalls and reliability
2 recalls and 14 owner complaints on record; most reports concern service brakes; the 2014 and 2015 model years look more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Jul 2017
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 14 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“I was driving approximately 25 mph and hit a pot hole which resulted in the passenger and driver side air bag curtains deploying. There is no visible damage to tire or car”Owner report · Air Bags · May 2018
“The car was stopped and was hit from the rear on a city street. The impact speed was approximately 15mph (estimated). The driver seat slid back upon impact and appeared to derail and was stopped by the rear seat. After the accident, the seat would not slide forward. I am concerned that this is a major vehicle safety issue that should be documented..”Owner report · Seats · Oct 2017
“The brakes failed while in motion on a city street. Preceding the brake failure there a warning flashed stating to "service the stabilitrac" and "service brake assist." immediately afterwards the brake pedal went to the floor and we were unable to stop.”Owner report · Service Brakes · Jan 2017
Show 3 more owner reports
“My vehicle has been recalled, and my local chevrolet dealership has scheduled an appointment for 2 weeks from now. It is unacceptable to allow your customers to drive a vehicle that you designed with dangerous flaws for any amount of time. It is incomprehensible that this recall is not being taken with urgency and care. Someone has died because of this issue. In addition, gm appears to not feel any amount remorse for selling deathtrap vehicles to the american public.”Owner report · Air Bags · Oct 2016
“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.”Owner report · Service Brakes · Sep 2016
“Gotten into a minor accident and the airbags did not deploy and the seat belt tensioner did not work. No injuries since it was under 15mph, but I am concerned that this was caused from the defect before the recall effort.”Owner report · Air Bags · Jul 2016
When filing, owners marked a crash in 2 of these complaints and injuries in 1 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 2 campaigns
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.
Remedy: 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.
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.
Remedy: 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.
How other years compare
Counts are not adjusted for time on the road here - see all Spark EV years ranked fairly for the age-adjusted comparison.
Check your exact Spark EV by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2016 Chevrolet Spark EV reliable?
NHTSA has 14 owner complaints and 2 recall campaigns on record for the 2016 Chevrolet Spark EV. The most complained-about area is service brakes.
Does the 2016 Chevrolet Spark EV have open recalls?
2 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning seat belts. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.