The Lemon Index2016 Chevrolet Spark.
The 2016 Chevrolet Spark is better than average by owner complaints: 28 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 79, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about brakes, and it has 3 recalls. The best Chevrolet Spark year is 2021.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 42 owner complaints, owners reported:
Every Chevrolet Spark year. 2016 is highlighted. Lower is better.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 2K to 44K miles on the car (35 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- brakes complaints mostly came at 2K–34K miles
Recalls 3
- airbags 2017
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.
- airbags 2017
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.
- airbags 2016
In the affected vehicles, certain driving conditions may cause the air bag sensing and diagnostic module (SDM) software to activate a diagnostic test.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Problems Chevy told dealers about
Chevy sent dealers 1124 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- 30670 - service update
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Government investigations
- OpenDesiccated air bag inflator rupture2021
- ClosedPedestrian alert sounds2023
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash test details
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chevrolet Spark 5 HB FWD | not rated | not rated | not rated | not rated |
| Chevrolet Spark Ev 5 HB FWD | not rated | not rated | not rated | not rated |
Fuel cost and engines
About $650–1950 a year in electricity (EPA estimate).
In owners' words
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.
2016 Chevrolet Spark owner · NHTSA complaint 10908345
More owner reports
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
NHTSA complaint 11099255
Quick answers
Is the 2016 Chevrolet Spark reliable?
Yes, better than average by government complaints. It drew 1.3× fewer complaints than average filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 79; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Chevrolet Spark year by this measure is 2021.
What are the most common 2016 Chevrolet Spark problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are brakes (54%), airbags (11%) and electrical (11%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2016 Chevrolet Spark have?
3 safety recalls (latest: airbags). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
At what mileage do 2016 Chevrolet Spark problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 2,700 and 44,800 miles. The middle report was at 11,000 miles, from 35 complaints.
Does the 2016 Chevrolet Spark have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.
How much does the 2016 Chevrolet Spark cost in fuel a year?
About $650 to $1950 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What Chevrolet Spark year is better than the 2016?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2021, 2018 and 2019.
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works