Total Complaints
14 filings
CHEVROLET SPARK EV · model year
14 NHTSA complaints, 2 crash reports, and 2 active recalls for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 2016CHEVROLETSPARK EV carries 14 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 2 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injury, and 0 fatalities. For crash performance, NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gave this cohort an overall Not Rated/5 rating, with Not Rated/5 front crash, Not Rated/5 side crash, and Not Rated/5 rollover scores derived from standardized barrier and dynamic tests.
Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2016 SPARK EV is service brakes with 10 filings, followed by air bags (3) and seats (1). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 2 active recall campaigns, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.
NHTSA currently has 57 investigation files overlapping the 2016 SPARK EV, and 2 remain open. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.
Total Complaints
14 filings
Crashes Reported
2 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
At or below the fleet median complaint volume.
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| SERVICE BRAKES | 10 |
| AIR BAGS | 3 |
| SEATS | 1 |
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
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, Subur
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
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 Poli
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
Mileage: 18,031
I WAS DRIVING A 2016 CHEVROLET SPARK EV ON A CITY ROADWAY WHEN I HAD A COMPLETE BRAKE FAILURE AND ALMOST WAS INVOLVED IN A COLLISION. AT THE START OF MY COMMUTE, I TURNED THE VEHICLE ON WHICH WAS PARKED ON THE OUTSIDE OF THE GARAGE. I NOTICED THAT THERE WAS A LOUD SOUND COMING FROM THE FRONT LEFT PORTION OF THE VEHICLE AS THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS PULSATING. AS I PULLED OUT ONTO THE ROADWAY THE PULSATING AND THE LOUD SOUND CONTINUED AS A SET OF WARNING LIGHTS TURNED ON. THE WARNING LIGHTS WERE (ABS WARNING, STABILITRAK AND SERVICE BRAKES). I BEGAN TO SLOW DOWN TO APPROX. 30 MPH IN A 50 MPH ZONE AS I CAME TO AN INTERSECTION. AS I CAME TO A BUSY INTERSECTION I APPLIED THE BRAKE TO STOP FOR A RED LIGHT AS THE VEHICLE WAS NOT STOPPING. I FORCEFULLY PRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL WITH MAXIMUM FORCE POSSIBLE AS THE VEHICLE BARELY SLOWED DOWN. I ALSO HAD TO PUT THE SELECTOR TO "L" WHICH HELPED THE VEHICLE SLOW AS I STOPPED APPROX. 3 FEET PAST THE LIMIT LINE. IF I WERE GOING 10MPH FASTER AND IF THERE W
Mileage: 11,000
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..
Mileage: 14,029
SUDDEN AND STRONG BRAKE PEDAL APPLICATIONS OCCASIONALLY RESULTED IN SIGNIFICANTLY MORE PEDAL TRAVEL, SIGNIFICANTLY LESS BRAKING FORCE, AND SIGNIFICANTLY LONGER STOPPING DISTANCES THAN TYPICALLY EXPERIENCED DURING SIMILAR BRAKE PEDAL APPLICATIONS. EACH EVENT OCCURRED ON WARM, DRY SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA STREETS DURING DAYLIGHT HOURS, TRAVELING BETWEEN 30-40 MPH. ON EACH OCCASION, THE BRAKES -- INCLUDING REGENERATION -- FUNCTIONED AS EXPECTED JUST PRIOR TO AND JUST AFTER THE EVENT, AND THE BATTERY WAS IN A STATE OF PARTIAL DISCHARGE, BUT DURING EACH EVENT THE PEDAL FEEL WAS SIMILAR TO THE FEEL EXPERIENCED JUST AFTER CHARGING TO 100% (WHEN REGENERATIVE BRAKING IS NOT YET AVAILABLE.) I SUSPECT THAT ON EACH OF THESE OCCASIONS, THE CAR'S REGENERATIVE BRAKING WAS UNEXPECTEDLY DEACTIVATED FOR REASONS UNKNOWN, AND THE SUBSEQUENT MECHANICAL-ONLY BRAKE APPLICATION (ON COLD PADS) RESULTED IN THE PEDAL FEEL/BRAKING FORCE/STOPPING DISTANCE CHANGES. NOTE THAT I NEVER EXPERIENCED THIS IN TWO YEARS OF DRI
4 TIMES WHILE DRIVING, 1 TIME WHILE STATIONARY, THE CAR'S BRAKE ASSIST (POWER BRAKING SYSTEM) HAS GONE OUT. EACH TIME, IT WAS DIFFICULT TO SLOW THE VEHICLE AND BRING IT TO A STOP. THERE WAS A "SERVICE STABILITRAK" WARNING FOLLOWED IMMEDIATELY BY A "SERVICE BRAKE ASSIST" WARNING. CONCURRENTLY, THE ABILITY TO BRAKE IS EXTREMELY DIMINISHED. THE BRAKE PEDAL GOES MOST OF THE WAY TO THE FLOOR WITH VERY LITTLE BRAKING CAPACITY. IT FEELS LIKE THERE ARE NO POWER BRAKES, ONLY MANUAL BRAKES THAT REQUIRE A GREAT DEAL OF EFFORT. EACH OF THE FIRST THREE TIMES IT WENT INTO THE DEALERSHIP, THEY TOLD ME THEY FULLY REPLACED THE PEDAL ASSEMBLY. AS OF THE FOURTH TIME IT WENT IN (JAN 13), WHERE IT STILL IS NOW (JAN 23), THEY WERE STILL UNSURE WHAT THE PROBLEM IS OR HOW TO FIX IT. #1: OCT 23, 2016 ~7:51PM LIGHT RAIN, ~50+ DEGREES, MAIN BOULEVARD BUT NOT DURING HEAVY TRAFFIC TIME, CAR IN MOTION, ESTIMATED SPEED ~10-15MPH #2: DEC 9, 2016 ~7:51PM LIGHT RAIN, ~50+ DEGREES, MAIN BOULEVARD BUT NOT
Mileage: 3,006
4 TIMES WHILE DRIVING, 1 TIME WHILE STATIONARY, THE CAR'S BRAKE ASSIST (POWER BRAKING SYSTEM) HAS GONE OUT. EACH TIME, IT WAS DIFFICULT TO SLOW THE VEHICLE AND BRING IT TO A STOP. THERE WAS A "SERVICE STABILITRAK" WARNING FOLLOWED IMMEDIATELY BY A "SERVICE BRAKE ASSIST" WARNING. CONCURRENTLY, THE ABILITY TO BRAKE IS EXTREMELY DIMINISHED. THE BRAKE PEDAL GOES MOST OF THE WAY TO THE FLOOR WITH VERY LITTLE BRAKING CAPACITY. IT FEELS LIKE THERE ARE NO POWER BRAKES, ONLY MANUAL BRAKES THAT REQUIRE A GREAT DEAL OF EFFORT. EACH OF THE FIRST THREE TIMES IT WENT INTO THE DEALERSHIP, THEY TOLD ME THEY FULLY REPLACED THE PEDAL ASSEMBLY. AS OF THE FOURTH TIME IT WENT IN (JAN 13), WHERE IT STILL IS NOW (JAN 23), THEY WERE STILL UNSURE WHAT THE PROBLEM IS OR HOW TO FIX IT. #1: OCT 23, 2016 ~7:51PM LIGHT RAIN, ~50+ DEGREES, MAIN BOULEVARD BUT NOT DURING HEAVY TRAFFIC TIME, CAR IN MOTION, ESTIMATED SPEED ~10-15MPH #2: DEC 9, 2016 ~7:51PM LIGHT RAIN, ~50+ DEGREES, MAIN BOULEVARD BUT NOT
Mileage: 1,773
4 TIMES WHILE DRIVING, 1 TIME WHILE STATIONARY, THE CAR'S BRAKE ASSIST (POWER BRAKING SYSTEM) HAS GONE OUT. EACH TIME, IT WAS DIFFICULT TO SLOW THE VEHICLE AND BRING IT TO A STOP. THERE WAS A "SERVICE STABILITRAC" WARNING FOLLOWED IMMEDIATELY BY A "SERVICE BRAKE ASSIST" WARNING. CONCURRENTLY, THE ABILITY TO BRAKE IS EXTREMELY DIMINISHED. THE BRAKE PEDAL GOES MOST OF THE WAY TO THE FLOOR WITH VERY LITTLE BRAKING CAPACITY. IT FEELS LIKE THERE ARE NO POWER BRAKES, ONLY MANUAL BRAKES THAT REQUIRE A GREAT DEAL OF EFFORT. EACH OF THE FIRST THREE TIMES IT WENT INTO THE DEALERSHIP, THEY TOLD ME THEY FULLY REPLACED THE PEDAL ASSEMBLY. AS OF THE FOURTH TIME IT WENT IN (JAN 13), WHERE IT STILL IS NOW (JAN 23), THEY WERE STILL UNSURE WHAT THE PROBLEM IS OR HOW TO FIX IT. #1: OCT 23, 2016 ~7:51PM LIGHT RAIN, ~50+ DEGREES, MAIN BOULEVARD BUT NOT DURING HEAVY TRAFFIC TIME, CAR IN MOTION, ESTIMATED SPEED ~10-15MPH #2: DEC 9, 2016 ~7:51PM LIGHT RAIN, ~50+ DEGREES, MAIN BOULEVARD BUT NOT
Mileage: 2,613
4 TIMES WHILE DRIVING, 1 TIME WHILE STATIONARY, THE CAR'S BRAKE ASSIST (POWER BRAKING SYSTEM) HAS GONE OUT. EACH TIME, IT WAS DIFFICULT TO SLOW THE VEHICLE AND BRING IT TO A STOP. THERE WAS A "SERVICE STABILITRAK" WARNING FOLLOWED IMMEDIATELY BY A "SERVICE BRAKE ASSIST" WARNING. CONCURRENTLY, THE ABILITY TO BRAKE IS EXTREMELY DIMINISHED. THE BRAKE PEDAL GOES MOST OF THE WAY TO THE FLOOR WITH VERY LITTLE BRAKING CAPACITY. IT FEELS LIKE THERE ARE NO POWER BRAKES, ONLY MANUAL BRAKES THAT REQUIRE A GREAT DEAL OF EFFORT. EACH OF THE FIRST THREE TIMES IT WENT INTO THE DEALERSHIP, THEY TOLD ME THEY FULLY REPLACED THE PEDAL ASSEMBLY. AS OF THE FOURTH TIME IT WENT IN (JAN 13), WHERE IT STILL IS NOW (JAN 23), THEY WERE STILL UNSURE WHAT THE PROBLEM IS OR HOW TO FIX IT. #1: OCT 23, 2016 ~7:51PM LIGHT RAIN, ~50+ DEGREES, MAIN BOULEVARD BUT NOT DURING HEAVY TRAFFIC TIME, CAR IN MOTION, ESTIMATED SPEED ~10-15MPH #2: DEC 9, 2016 ~7:51PM LIGHT RAIN, ~50+ DEGREES, MAIN BOULEVARD BUT NOT
Mileage: 2,741
4 TIMES WHILE DRIVING, 1 TIME WHILE STATIONARY, THE CAR'S BRAKE ASSIST (POWER BRAKING SYSTEM) HAS GONE OUT. EACH TIME, IT WAS DIFFICULT TO SLOW THE VEHICLE AND BRING IT TO A STOP. THERE WAS A "SERVICE STABILITRAC" WARNING FOLLOWED IMMEDIATELY BY A "SERVICE BRAKE ASSIST" WARNING. CONCURRENTLY, THE ABILITY TO BRAKE IS EXTREMELY DIMINISHED. THE BRAKE PEDAL GOES MOST OF THE WAY TO THE FLOOR WITH VERY LITTLE BRAKING CAPACITY. IT FEELS LIKE THERE ARE NO POWER BRAKES, ONLY MANUAL BRAKES THAT REQUIRE A GREAT DEAL OF EFFORT. EACH OF THE FIRST THREE TIMES IT WENT INTO THE DEALERSHIP, THEY TOLD ME THEY FULLY REPLACED THE PEDAL ASSEMBLY. AS OF THE FOURTH TIME IT WENT IN (JAN 13), WHERE IT STILL IS NOW (JAN 23), THEY WERE STILL UNSURE WHAT THE PROBLEM IS OR HOW TO FIX IT. #1: OCT 23, 2016 ~7:51PM LIGHT RAIN, ~50+ DEGREES, MAIN BOULEVARD BUT NOT DURING HEAVY TRAFFIC TIME, CAR IN MOTION, ESTIMATED SPEED ~10-15MPH #2: DEC 9, 2016 ~7:51PM LIGHT RAIN, ~50+ DEGREES, MAIN BOULEVARD BUT NOT
Mileage: 3,006
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.
Mileage: 4,455
I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY DURING EVENING RUSH HOUR, SO IT WAS STOP-AND-GO TRAFFIC. I ALWAYS LEAVE PLENTY OF ROOM BETWEEN MYSELF AND THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. THE CAR AHEAD STOPPED SUDDENLY, AND I SLAMMED ON MY BRAKES WITH A CAR AND A HALF LENGTH DISTANCE BETWEEN MYSELF AND THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME. I WAS GOING ABOUT 15 MILES PER HOUR AND MY CAR DID NOT STOP - I SLID STRAIGHT INTO THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. IT WAS NOT ICY AND THERE WAS PLENTY OF ROOM TO STOP. THE BRAKES FAILED. WHEN I FIRST PURCHASED THE VEHICLE, I REMEMBER HITTING THE BRAKES AND SAYING TO MYSELF AND MY FRIEND AT THE TIME, "MAN, IT DOESN'T FEEL LIKE THIS THING WANTS TO STOP ALL OF THE WAY." WELL, IT DOESN'T STOP ALL OF THE WAY AND IT IS A MAJOR HAZARD.
Mileage: 1,894
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.
Mileage: 2,000
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.
Mileage: 4,500
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.
Mileage: 4,600
Loss of motive power due to engine failure
Loss of Motive Power due to the Battery Energy Control Module
Electric Vehicle Battery Fires
Outboard Front Seat Belt Anchor Cable Failure
Fuel Line Leak
Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.