The Lemon Index

All cars · Chevrolet Spark · 2015

2015 Chevrolet Spark. Advanced data.

The raw numbers: engines, recall campaign numbers, failure mileage and manufacturer communications.

Lemon Index69100 = average car
Complaints24NHTSA, first 3 years
Sold32,853U.S. model year
Per 100K sold73complaints
Year rank#6 of 9#1 = fewest complaints

Engines and drivetrains 3

EngineTransmissionDriveCity / hwy / combinedFuelFuel cost/yr
1.2L 4-cylManual 5-spdFWD31 / 38 / 34Regular$1,850
1.2L 4-cylAuto (variable gear ratios)FWD30 / 37 / 33Regular$1,900
ElectricAuto (A1)FWD128 / 109 / 119Electricity$650

EPA test versions for this model year. Fuel cost is the EPA's current estimate, not the price in that year.

Failure mileage by system

Half of owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 12,800 and 55,300 miles. Median 30,000, from 46 complaints with a mileage.

SystemMedianMiddle halfComplaints
Transmission & drivetrain56,00012,000–108,50014
Brakes18,9007,700–27,9008
Airbags30,00020,300–42,0005
Stability control30,00014,500–51,5005

Mileage owners typed into their NHTSA complaint, all complaints for this model year. People report some problems late, so read it as a range.

Complaints by system

SystemShare of complaints
Brakes21%
Fuel or ev drive system17%
Transmission & drivetrain17%
Speed control12%
Engine12%

One complaint can name more than one system, so shares can add to more than 100%.

Severity, all complaints

TotalCrashesFiresInjuriesDeathsTows
8441504

As reported by owners to NHTSA. Not verified.

Recall campaigns 5

  • 22V640000 Aug 2022 Latches/Locks/Linkages / Hood / Latch

    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.

    Risk. 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 perfo

  • 16V422000 Jun 2016 Electrical System / Software

    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."

    Risk. 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.

  • 16V257000 Apr 2016 Equipment / Electrical / Radio/Tape Deck/Cd Etc.

    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."

    Risk. 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.

  • 15V416000 Jun 2015 Equipment / Electrical / Radio/Tape Deck/Cd Etc.

    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 t

    Risk. 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.

  • 14V593000 Sep 2014 Latches/Locks/Linkages / Hood / Latch

    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.

    Risk. 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.

NHTSA investigations

StatusSubjectOpenedClosed
ClosedPedestrian alert sounds20232023

Manufacturer communications 1402

Chevy filed 1402 service communications for this car with NHTSA.

  • This preliminary informational bulletin adds the 2015 model year to information regarding the…

Crash ratings by version

VersionOverallFrontSideRollover
Chevrolet Spark 5 HB FWD★★★★☆★★★★☆★★★★★★★★★☆
Chevrolet Spark Ev 5 HB FWDnot ratednot ratednot ratednot rated

Safety equipment

Electronic stabilityForward collision warningLane departure warning
StandardNoNo

Nearby model years

YearLemon IndexComplaintsSoldTop system
20131669646,515Engine
20141818439,159Engine
2015692432,853Brakes
2016792835,511Brakes
2017671922,589Airbags
201821523,602Fuel or ev drive system

Sources: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer communications; EPA fuel economy data; YouTube video titles. Complaints are owner reports, not proof of a defect.

Updated

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