2017 Chevrolet Spark: problems, recalls and reliability
1 recall and 29 owner complaints on record; most reports concern power train.
Data updated weekly · latest recall May 2017
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 29 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“My transmission has been acting up like other stated where it will rev the motor high and then jerk and shift hard. There are no recalls for it when there are known issues with the transmission for the 2017. I was driving down the road and went to stop and my brakes were very hard and almost had to stand on them to stop, almost hit a couple cars, very dangerous situation. This has happened twice to my 2017 spark and both time it was due to vacuum pump. I have taken my car to a mechanic for these issues and the mechanics have also told me they have seen both of these issues with the 2017 spark and that a recall needs done.”Owner report · Power Train · Jun 2025
“When the car reaches a certain speed (50 mph plus) it jerks and jolts. The engine light is on and a P-code is present. Each mechanic says something different.”Owner report · Electrical System · Jan 2024
“Took the Car to Emissions wouldn't pass because the check engine wouldn't illuminate they gave me a recall paper related to the check engine light not illuminating MFR#N192268880/ Took car to Gateway Chevrolet at 9901 W Papago Freeway Avondale AZ, 85323 to get the recall done which the my did and now the car is not shifting properly and it engine revs up and does not accelerate almost got in accident when making a turn because of this problem the car running good prior to the recall”Owner report · Power Train · Apr 2023
Show 7 more owner reports
“There was a recall for the chevy spark to reprogram the transmission control module, however that does not fix the problem. It does not need to be reprogrammed , because all that did was leave the check engine light on. They have fault control modules. My car is 3 years old and nothing but issues fixing this. The dealerships say that they fixed the recall by reprogramming it, but the light stays on, the rpms drop suddenly and cause the car to jerk when you try to give it gas. This needs to be looked into further. I would never recommend thus car to anyone I know, much less now I'm trying to get rid of it because of the transmission issue”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Aug 2020
“My fiance and I were driving on the freeway, and all of a sudden out of no where (no warning lights, nothing)... The brakes would not stop. The pedal was hard to push down, it wouldn't go down at all. No way to stop. We were on freeway doing about 65/70 mph in chicago!! They traffic is always busy over there. So scary when your car doesn't stop at all!!!! We were driving mostly straight until we could sagely slow down enough to get off on an exit. ( which we had to let it coast down to be able to maneuver the car) this is a major safety alert, I'm scared to drive my vehicle.”Owner report · Service Brakes · Jul 2020
“Tl* the contact owns a 2017 chevrolet spark. While driving 35 mph, the brakes seized without warning. The contact pulled over and stopped the vehicle. When the vehicle was turned off and restarted, it resumed normal operation and was driven home. Capital chevrolet buick gmc of lexington (96 radio dr, lexington, nc 27292, (336) 248-5108) was contacted and stated that diagnostic testing was needed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that an investigation would be started. The failure mileage was approximately 54,990.”Owner report · Service Brakes · Dec 2019
“The contact owns a 2017 Chevrolet Spark. The contact stated that on various occasions, and while driving at approximately 55 MPH, the vehicle shuddered while accelerating. The contact stated that the failure persisted while driving above 50 MPH. The check engine warning light was intermittently illuminated. An independent mechanic arrived at the residence and diagnosed the vehicle and retrieved fault codes for the transmission pump. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 120,000.”Owner report · Power Train · Apr 2019
“As I was idling up behind the car in front of me at a 4-way stop, and braking gently, my engine puttered out and turned off. I was able to restart the car after putting it in park and turning the ignition off then back on.”Owner report · Engine · Oct 2018
“I was driving on the freeway up a slight incline, it was over 100 degrees outside, had ac working and had cruise control set to 70 mph, the cruise control suddenly canceled itself out and my speed rapidly dropped. This always seems to happen when the weather is over 100 degrees outside and going up an incline, even slightly. Another problem I am having is that when I come to a stop, sometimes the car shudders and jerks. Also if I am running the ac on the vehicle in park, sometimes the ac cuts out itself. In order to start it again I need to turn the knob to off and turn the knob back on to get ac working again. These issues all occurred randomly, multiple times”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Jul 2018
“The interior trim on the dash and doors is so shiny it causes reflections in the side mirrors. The reflection is so bad it obstructs your view of the other vehicles on the road behind you. (if you look closely at the uploaded picture you might be able to see the vehicle behind me in the other lane.)”Owner report · Visibility/Wiper · Aug 2017
When filing, owners marked a crash in 5 of these complaints and injuries in 6 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 1 campaign
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."
Remedy: 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.
How other years compare
Check your exact Spark 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 2017 Chevrolet Spark reliable?
NHTSA has 29 owner complaints and 1 recall campaign on record for the 2017 Chevrolet Spark. The most complained-about area is power train.
Does the 2017 Chevrolet Spark have open recalls?
1 recall campaign has been issued, the latest concerning air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module. 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.