2015 Chevrolet Spark Complaints

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING — Filed 02/18/2026

The contact owns a 2015 Chevrolet Spark. The vehicle was purchased from a private seller. The contact became nauseated after driving the vehicle for the second time. The contact’s throat, chest, and eyes hurt, and his head was pulsating; the contact was unable to think clearly. No medical attention was received. The contact used an air quality meter to test the inside of the vehicle, which showed "Seriously bad air quality,” but there was no odor inside the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The contact stated that the vehicle had not been driven since experiencing the symptoms. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 59,392.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM — Filed 02/11/2025

INCIDENT SUMMARY In February 2025, while driving on the freeway, my vehicle experienced a sudden and complete loss of power. The battery rapidly depleted without warning, causing the vehicle to decelerate dangerously in moving traffic. A Stabilitrak warning appeared on the display. I was fortunate to reach the shoulder safely, but this failure created an extremely hazardous situation that could have resulted in serious injury or death. Following this incident, the vehicle became completely inoperable and required towing to Stewart Chevrolet for diagnosis. DEALERSHIP DIAGNOSIS Stewart Chevrolet performed a diagnostic evaluation (cost: $700) and provided the following official findings: Problem Identified: Battery 1 with voltage variance beyond specifications Variance Measured: In excess of 0.07V discrepancy in battery cells GM Document Referenced: #17-NA-131 Recommended Repair: Labor operation 9102972 - Drive Motor Replacement and Shipping Preparation (high voltage battery replacement) Estimated Cost: $10,000-12,000

POWER TRAIN,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM — Filed 10/08/2025

Vehicle: 2015 Chevrolet Spark, odometer 79,000 miles Component that failed: Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) – pulley damage causing complete loss of propulsion.What happened: While driving, the vehicle suddenly lost all motive power with no ability to accelerate. The transmission would not engage in any gear and the car became inoperable in traffic. This is the exact failure described in GM Special Coverage Bulletin N192271110 (pulley damage in 2014–2015 Spark CVT). Safety risk: Complete and unexpected loss of propulsion created an immediate safety hazard. The vehicle could not accelerate from a stop or maintain speed, placing my 15-year-old son and other motorists at risk of rear-end collision or stranding in active traffic lanes.Dealer confirmation: RK Chevrolet in Virginia Beach, VA has inspected the vehicle and confirmed the failure matches N192271110 – full transmission replacement required (quote 6,637.19). Vehicle remains at the dealership and is available for inspection.Warning lamps/symptoms: Check-engine light and reduced-power message appeared at time of failure. No prior warnings before the sudden loss of power event. Failure occurred approximately October 2025 – only four months after GM’s 10-year/120,000-mile Special Coverage N192271110 expired on 06/11/2025.The failed transmission is still in the vehicle and available for inspection upon request.

ENGINE — Filed 10/05/2025

This report concerns a known CVT defect and subsequent TCM failure that left the vehicle unsafe and inoperable. The vehicle suffered internal CVT failure consistent with GM Special Coverage N192271110. After the first transmission failed in May 2024 (and the second time October 5 2025), the TCM failed again shortly after the second failure—consistent with GM Preliminary Information Bulletin PIP5525A. Critical Safety Details: Both failures occurred while driving on highways with heavy traffic, where speed limits were 75 mph. On each occasion, the vehicle lost power and became unable to accelerate safely, presenting a serious safety risk to me and other drivers. GM is refusing coverage despite widely documented cases and their own bulletins describing this exact failure chain.

ENGINE — Filed 09/26/2025

Vehicle began slipping out of gear between 1st & 2nd, then started losing power at 74,760 miles. Extended service coverage has been issued for model for CVT transmission pulley system, however only covers 10 years or 100,000 miles, whichever comes first. Mine apparently timed out in February, so they are trying to make me get a new transmission which basically totals out the car I spent a fortune on to buy & in repairs at under 75,000 miles. This is unacceptable.

POWER TRAIN — Filed 10/05/2025

My 2015 Chevy Spark has had repeated transmission failures related to GM Special Coverage N192271110. The first failure happened in May 2024, I was driving on 1-25 when the transmission went out and I lost all speed and my car was in the shop for five months before I finally got it back in October 2024. Unfortunately, on October 5, 2025, the transmission failed again. I was driving on I-76 speed limit of 75 MPH when my car transmission went out and I lost speed.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EQUIPMENT — Filed 08/08/2025

The contact owns a 2015 Chevrolet Spark. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V257000 (Equipment, Electrical Systems). The vehicle was taken to the dealer, and the contact was informed that the radio software needed to be updated. The dealer informed the contact that to complete the software upgrade, the dealer had to reprogram the radio USB portion to complete the upgrade. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the radio image was inoperable. The contact stated that the radio image appeared blank. Additionally, the Bluetooth feature failed to function properly. The dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact was concerned about the failure of the vehicle and that it was related to the recall. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 129,173.

ENGINE — Filed 03/03/2025

Transmission issue. During heavy traffic at stop lights car wouldn't shift into drive to move forward. Was stuck in the middle of the road with a passenger. Engine light came on but it's not an engine problem. Car was smoking under the hood. I burned my hand when popping the hood. When the car cooled the engine light went out and car would shift gears and it's drivable again. This has happened 3 times. Mechanic pulled up at P0700 Code on computer. It's the CVT transmission but not sure which part. I can't get the car to the dealership to inspect transmission. It won't drive that far.

POWER TRAIN,STRUCTURE — Filed 12/19/2024

Ever since I bought the vehicle in 2021, I have had problems with the car jerking and air conditioning problems, mostly during the colder months. I took the car in multiple times on different occasions throughout the years. They would "fix" the problems with the transmission, then a month or two down the line the issues would come back. This last time, the car started stalling on the and turned off completely. The air conditioner never worked because of the transmission as well.

SUSPENSION,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE — Filed 01/17/2025

Compass car center LLC 3433 Brooklyn Ave Fort Wayne Indiana 46809 is unsafe vehicles with suspension noise and broken parts know transmission control system mil problems eont addressed the issue either

UNKNOWN OR OTHER — Filed 12/23/2024

UNKNOWN—My car’s been doing this thing where it feels like the wheels "stick" for a second every so often while driving, but yesterday it was the worst it's been, doing it every few seconds. I thought maybe my gearshift was stuck between gears or something so I tried to make sure it was in Drive, but it slipped into Neutral for a second, & after that, my check engine light came on & my car started taking forever to get up to speed after coming to a stop—like, I was flooring it & it was crawling. It started doing this while I was in an intersection turn lane, & my car was moving so slow I had to wait for a protected turn & I still barely made it out of the intersection in time. My code reader said it was a transmission issue & there’s a recall on other Sparks for the transmission. I had my car towed to my apartment but I haven’t been able to find anybody to come inspect or work on it yet. I sent a message to my local Chevy dealer so they could check whether it’s under recall, but I haven’t heard back from them yet. Prior to this, there hadn’t been any warning light or indicators.

SEAT BELTS,LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES — Filed 09/30/2024

See attached document for complaint.

SEAT BELTS — Filed 04/08/2024

Hello, I submitted a complaint to a local GM dealership requesting an investigation be placed into the seat belt bucks failing. I am being informed that the car is out of warranty, which is understandable. However, this is a huge safety concern as the seatbelts were not sewn into the car but rather glued or clamped. This could have resulted in serious injury and/or death to my young child who routinely rides in the back seat.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER — Filed 07/10/2024

Car fire in the engine compartment. Columbus fire inspector called it an electrical fire. On July 10 around 1:30 am, owner heard car alarm honking, saw big orange flames rising from the right front wheel well, called 911. Fire extinguished by F.D. upon arrival. The entire engine compartment burned out, everything not metal burnt away or remains as melted plastic slag on the driveway. Car was last driven 2 days before the fire, so the engine and exhaust were cold. There were no fluid leaks under the hood. Battery was 10 months old. No crash damage. No prior electrical issues. It was a good, reliable, heroic car. Had the car not been honking, owner may have been delayed becoming aware of the fire, leaving it time to spread to the dwelling where it was parked.

POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM — Filed 07/11/2024

In the past I had a 2013 Chevy Spark LS. But in 2017 an idiot who was TEXTING and DRIVING RAN A STOP SIGN, crossed through FOUR LANES and T-BONED MY car injuring me and totaling my car. I am blessed to have survived. Until that day the only issue with my Spark was a failure of the "ignition / safety security chime". Prior to the accident it was addressed and fixed. Now I have a 2015 Chevy Spark LS and have had a TRANSMISSION FAILURE reported, and fixed DUE TO A NATIONAL RECALL FOR 2013-2015's. However following the TRANSMISSION REPLACEMENT(Matt Bowers Chevy-Slidell,LA )now I'm dealing with a TOTAL FAILURE OF THE RADIO (black screen, no audio, no power) and no audio for the OnStar buttons. As part of the TRANSMISSION RECALL a list of ALL items "fixed" where given to me. A TOTAL SOFTWARE UPDATE was performed for RADIO, which now doesn't work. I reported this to the dealership who promptly blamed my RADIO/OnStar failure on " the summer heat in Louisiana ". I checked NHTSA for failures of the radio/OnStar and found several documented cases of ELECTRICAL FAILURES of Chevy Sparks, Chevy Sonics and other Chevys. My radio (audio/screen) my OnStar (audio) was working fine and did not signal any problems in the PREDIAGNOSTIC CHECK PRIOR TO MY TOTAL TRANSMISSION REPLACEMENT DUE TO THE TRANSMISSION RECALL. It seems as though you CAN NOT TRUST that anyone will stand behind their products and work. I hope this information is helpful and I want to remind everyone to CONSTANTLY CHECK THE NHTSA website for NATIONAL RECALLS regularly. Several diagnostics were performed to find my TRANSMISSION FAILURE yet the site did not return a hit on my VIN number so at first the CHEVROLET DEALERSHIPS REFUSED TO PERFORM SERVICES - DUE TO MY CARS VIN not ( at first) being listed on the NHTSA site. Keep searching, print out information and bring in your mechanics automobiles diagnosis. REPORT THE NON-COMPLIANT DEALERSHIPS if necessary. I hope that this is helpful to someone.

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,ENGINE — Filed 06/19/2024

Without warning, vehicle loses power and ability to accelerate is greatly reduced. The Malfunction Indicator Lamp (aka "check engine light"), the Reduced Engine Power light, and the Traction Control System/Stabilitrak light all illuminate at the same time and are not flashing. Using a diagnostic tool from a local auto parts store, code P2138 is reported as follows: Throttle/Pedal Position Sensor Switch 'D/E' Voltage Correlation, and Accelerator Pedal Position (APP) Sensors 1-2 Not Plausible. Incident has occured multiple times since owning the vehicle (approx. 13 months). This creates a safety issue because the poor acceleration limits the vehicles ability to maintain speed, especially on highways at higher speeds and ascending hills.

SEAT BELTS — Filed 03/29/2024

On [XXX], the back seat bottom belt came apart from the base strap while my 9-year-old child was in the back seat and the car was in motion. We were able to pull over to the side of the road for her to switch to the other back seat. On [XXX], the second back seat belt bottom part came apart as well while the car was in motion and my 9-year-old child was buckled in the back seat. At this time, I am unable to use my car to transport my child to and from school and activities as she is not old enough to ride in the front seat. Additionally, it appears as if the adhesive holding the strap together slowly eroded over time and my fear is that if we were in a car accident what would have happened to my child now knowing the back seat belt was not fully secure. Additionally, I have concerns related to the front seat belts and if those are going to fall apart soon. I have included photos with my concern. As you can see, the belts are not ripped, torn, and are otherwise in good condition. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EQUIPMENT — Filed 11/01/2022

The contact owns a 2015 Chevrolet Spark. The contact stated that while driving 45 MPH, the vehicle began to shake uncontrollably and veered off the road. The contact was able to take control of the vehicle and placed the vehicle in park. The contact stated that there was no audio or visual warning at the time of the failure. The contact alerted OnStar who was unable to diagnose the failure. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where the contact was unaware of the diagnostic result. The vehicle was repaired but the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer where it was repaired, however, the contact was concerned about an OnStar software update. The contact became aware of NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V416000 (Equipment) and related the failure to the recall. Additionally, on several occasions while the vehicle was parked, the contact was unable to enter or exit the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where the failure could not able to duplicated. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

POWER TRAIN — Filed 03/01/2024

Transmission is failing and slipping very bad. Car will jerk when shifting in and out of 2nd gear. Car will jerk back and forth when brakes are applied. When coasting at or around 20-25mph (right around when car shifts into second gear normally,) car will jerk back and forth repeatedly. Chevy/GMC is still refusing to honor an extended coverage to fix their mistakes. This is going to lead to an accident and needs to be recalled.

POWER TRAIN,ENGINE — Filed 01/01/2024

The transmission has gone bad and the car has low mileage. I took it to a chevy dealership and they couldn't find the problem now it is completely broken and I can't drive it. I was told there is a recall on the 2015 chevy spark transmission.

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL — Filed 02/05/2020

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 CHEVROLET SPARK M300. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PARKED IN A PARKING SPACE, THE VEHICLE WAS SHIFTED INTO REVERSE AND SPONTANEOUSLY ACCELERATED AT APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH INTO TRAFFIC COLLIDING WITH A VEHICLE. THE CONTACTED STATED THAT THE FRONTAL AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HER FRONT SEAT PASSENGER WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL BY AMBULANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. . THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000.

AIR BAGS — Filed 12/07/2018

I WAS IN AN ACCIDENT ON DECEMBER 7TH 2018. CURRENTLY E-SURANCE BELIEVES MY CAR IS TOTALED. I WAS TRAVELING AT 45 MPH WHEN AN SUV TURNED INTO ME. NOT ONE OF THE 10 AIR BAGS DEPLOYED.

STRUCTURE,VISIBILITY/WIPER — Filed 09/11/2016

I WAS HEADING EAST ON I40 TOWARDS RALEIGH NC DRIVING THE SPEED LIMIT WHEN THE HOOD OF THE CAR CAME UP AND HIT THE WINDSHIELD. AT FIRST I DIDNT REALIZE WHAT IT WAS. I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER AND THATS WHEN I SAW THAT IT WAS THE HOOD OF THE CAR. I SHUT THE HOOD AND CHECKED TO SEE IF IT WAS LATCHED. IT STAYED LATCHED SO I CONTINUED HOME. THERE WERE SMALL PIECES OF GLASS EVERYWHERE. IT HAPPENED ABOUT AN HOUR INTO MY DRIVE.

STEERING,AIR BAGS,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL — Filed 08/03/2016

I WAS DRIVING A CHEVY SPARK 2015 TO MY LOCAL SUPERMARKET, LESS THAN 3 OR SO MILES FROM MY HOME. I WAS SEVERAL MILES UNDER THE 40 MPH SPEED LIMIT. I WAS IN THE RIGHT LANE OF A TWO LANE ROAD. I COULD SEE STOPPED TRAFFIC QUITE A WAYS AHEAD OF ME ' ALSO IN THE RIGHT LANE. THERE WERE AT LEAST 6-7 CARS IN FRONT OF ME AND A TRUCK IN FRONT OF THE CARS. I COULD SEE THE CARS/TRUCK WERE STOPPED FOR THE STOPLIGHT BUT THEY WERE QUITE A WAYS AHEAD OF ME. THERE WAS NO ONE IN THE LEFT LANE SO I DECIDED TO MAKE A LANE CHANGE AS THERE WAS PLENTY OF ROOM AHEAD OF ME TO DO SO. THE NEXT THING I KNEW I LOST CONTROL OF MY CAR AND IT SEEMED TO ACCELERATE AND SLAMMED HARD INTO THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. THE POLICE OFFICER CALLED TO THE SCENE SAID I COULDN'T HAVE BEEN MAKING A LANE CHANGE BECAUSE I HIT THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. I EXPLAINED TO HIM SEVERAL TIMES THAT I WAS DEFINITELY MAKING A LANE CHANGE BUT I COULD NOT EXPLAIN THE ACCIDENT OR HOW I HAD HIT A CAR IN FRONT OF ME. THE POLICE OFFICER TOLD ME I MUST HAVE BEEN DISTRACTED. I TOLD THE OFFICER I WAS DEFINITELY NOT DISTRACTED AND WAS VERY AWARE OF MY SURROUNDINGS AND THE OTHER VEHICLES. THE OFFICER AGAIN TOLD ME I COULDN'T HAVE BEEN MAKING A LANE CHANGE SINCE I HIT THE CAR STRAIGHT ON. IT WAS ACTUALLY THE POLICE OFFICERS' ASSERTION THAT I COULDN'T HAVE BEEN MAKING A LANE CHANGE THAT LATER MADE ME LOOK ONLINE TO SEE IF THERE WERE ANY OTHER COMPLAINTS ABOUT CHEVY SPARKS. I DISCOVERED DRIVER COMPLAINTS ABOUT STEERING WHEEL LOCKUP AND ACCELERATION PROBLEMS. I WASN'T CERTAIN ABOUT ANYTHING AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT EXCEPT THAT IT MADE NO SENSE GIVEN THE FACT THAT I WAS IN THE PROCESS OF MAKING A LANE CHANGE JUST BEFORE I HIT THE OTHER CAR. HOWEVER, I AM NOW CONVINCED THE ACCIDENT WAS THE RESULT OF SOMETHING OUTSIDE OF MY CONTROL AND I BELIEVE THERE WAS AN ISSUE WITH BOTH THE ACCELERATOR A WELL AS THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKING UP.

SEATS — Filed 04/29/2016

I WAS A FRONT-SEAT PASSENGER IN THIS VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS REAR-ENDED. THE DRIVER OF OUR VEHICLE HAD BRAKED BUT WAS STILL MOVING AT APPROX 25-30 MPH; THE CAR THAT HIT US WAS LIKELY GOING 55-60 MPH. THIS ACCIDENT HAPPENED AT APPROX. 4:25 PM ON APRIL 29, 2016 ALONG NORTHBOUND I-5, JUST PAST LACEY, WA. THE SKY AND AIR WERE CLEAR AND THE HIGHWAY SURFACE WAS DRY. THE WA STATE TROOPERS RESPONDED AND CITED THE DRIVER OF THE OTHER VEHICLE; OUR VEHICLE DID NOT HIT ANYTHING, AND OUR DRIVER WAS NOT CITED. I AM NOT AWARE OF THE EXTENT OF DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE THAT HIT US OR TO ITS OCCUPANTS; A POLICE REPORT IS AVAILABLE. BOTH FRONT SEATS IN THIS 2015 CHEV SPARK FAILED OR BROKE UPON IMPACT. THE DRIVER SEAT BACK BROKE, AND CAME UP AND SLAPPED THE DRIVER HARD IN THE BACK. SHE SAID THE WIND WAS KNOCKED OUT OF HER AND SHE COULD NOT BREATHE. SHE HAS A BRUISE ON THE BACK OF HER HEAD WHERE THE HEADREST HIT HER, AND SHE HAS A CONCUSSION. SHE DID NOT IMPACT THE STEERING WHEEL. NO AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. SHE MAINTAINED AN UPRIGHT POSITION AND MAINTAINED CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE EVEN THOUGH HER SEAT HAD FAILED. MY SEAT (FRONT PASSENGER SEAT) BROKE AND SLAMMED FORWARD ON THE RUNNERS. I WAS SLAMMED INTO THE DASHBOARD, BRUISING MY CHEST AND MY LOWER FRONT LEGS, AND ALSO HAVE DEEP BRUISING FROM SEAT BELT IMPACT. THE METAL RUNNERS ON THE SEAT SLAMMED INTO THE BACK OF MY LEGS, LEAVING VERY LARGE AND PAINFUL HEMATOMA ON THE BACKS OF BOTH MY LOWER LEGS. THE SEAT BACK DROPPED AND I FELL BACKWARD.