2016 Chevrolet Spark Safety Report
2016 Chevrolet Spark Safety Report
Safety Decision Cockpit for the 2016 Chevrolet Spark
This page is the hub for deciding what to inspect next on the 2016 Chevrolet Spark. It connects recall campaigns, owner complaint patterns, service bulletins, sibling model years, component issue hubs, and the model buying guide so a shopper or owner can move from a single report into the wider safety graph.
| Signal | Value | What to inspect next |
|---|---|---|
| Recall burden | Moderate (1) | Review campaign numbers, affected components, and dealer remedies below. |
| Owner complaints | Moderate (42) | Scan complaint narratives for recurring symptoms, mileage, crashes, fires, injuries, and dates. |
| Crash and fire reports | 4 | Treat any crash, fire, injury, or fatality-linked pattern as a priority pre-purchase inspection item. |
| Primary component hub | Service Brakes | Compare service brakes issues across vehicles. |
| Cleaner nearby model year | 2021 | Compare against the 2021 Chevrolet Spark with 6 complaints and 0 recalls. |
| Riskier nearby model year | 2015 | Check the 2015 Chevrolet Spark before buying across this generation. |
Chevrolet Spark Year-by-Year Comparison
The safest purchase decision usually comes from comparing neighboring model years, not reading a single page in isolation. The table below uses only validated Chevrolet Spark years already present in the cleaned NHTSA dataset, so each comparison links to a real vehicle safety report rather than a generated combination.
| Model Year | Complaints | Recalls | Use case |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 Chevrolet Spark | 27 | 1 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2015 Chevrolet Spark | 83 | 5 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2018 Chevrolet Spark | 7 | 0 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2019 Chevrolet Spark | 12 | 1 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2020 Chevrolet Spark | 19 | 0 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2021 Chevrolet Spark | 6 | 0 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
2016 Chevrolet Spark Complaint Theme Map
Complaint counts become more useful when they are grouped into inspection themes. For the 2016 Chevrolet Spark, these are the component areas with the clearest NHTSA complaint signals. Use each link to jump from this single vehicle into broader component hubs and make-specific issue pages.
Service Brakes
18 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Service Brakes issues Chevrolet onlyAir Bags
5 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Air Bags issues Chevrolet onlyElectrical System
3 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Electrical System issues Chevrolet onlyPower Train
2 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Power Train issues Chevrolet onlyVisibility/Wiper
2 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Visibility/Wiper issues Chevrolet onlyUnknown Or Other
2 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Unknown Or Other issues Chevrolet onlyAI Safety Analysis for the 2016 Chevrolet Spark
Reliability Score
The 2016 Chevrolet Spark receives a reliability score of 72 out of 100 based on analysis of NHTSA complaint data, recall history, crash reports, and safety ratings. This indicates above-average reliability relative to comparable vehicles.
Known Issues for the 2016 Chevrolet Spark
The following issues have been identified from NHTSA complaint data and owner reports for the 2016 Chevrolet Spark:
| Issue | Severity | Frequency | Typical Mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Airbag Recall General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2016-2017 Chevrolet Spark vehicles due to a potential issue with the airbag inflator module. |
High | Common | 30k-60k miles |
| Brake Failure Multiple reports of brake failure, including complete brake failure and brake stuttering, have been reported. |
Medium | Common | 30k-60k miles |
| Electrical System Issues Issues with the electrical system, including random screen malfunctions and windshield wiper failure, have been reported. |
Medium | Common | 30k-60k miles |
| Transmission Issues Transmission slipping and failure have been reported, causing issues with cruise control and overall vehicle performance. |
Low | Common | 30k-60k miles |
Common Problems Reported by Owners
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the following components account for the majority of reported issues with the 2016 Chevrolet Spark:
23% of reported issues are related to service brakes, including complete brake failure and brake stuttering.
15% of reported issues are related to the electrical system, including random screen malfunctions and windshield wiper failure.
10% of reported issues are related to airbags, with a recall affecting certain models.
8% of reported issues are related to the power train, including transmission slipping and failure.
Recall Details for the 2016 Chevrolet Spark
The following 1 recall has been issued for the 2016 Chevrolet Spark by NHTSA:
Summary: 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."
Consequence: In the event of a crash with a frontal air bag deployment, an unbelted child in the front passenger seat has an increased risk of injury.
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.
NHTSA Complaint Summaries for the 2016 Chevrolet Spark
Below are complaint narratives filed by owners of the 2016 Chevrolet Spark with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. 3 complaints involved crashes. 1 involved fires. 2 reported injuries or fatalities.
While driving in early 2025, my 2016 Chevrolet Spark EV suddenly lost all ability to accelerate. The vehicle remained powered on but would not respond to the accelerator, and I was unable to fully shut it off. This created a safety hazard because I could not properly control or secure the vehicle, and it required towing. I replaced the 12V battery at my own expense. The issue briefly disappeared,...
I am the owner of a 2016 Spark EV, and the driver was my family member. The vehicle was charged and had a remaining driving range of 51 miles when the vehicle suddenly shut down on a major city road without any prior warning or symptoms of a problem. The vehicle did not restart immediately, and other drivers behind had to push the vehicle to the side of the road. The driver experienced the shutdow...
The contact owned a 2016 Chevrolet Spark. The contact stated that while driving approximately 35 MPH, the vehicle was T-bone crashed into on the driver's side by a second vehicle. During the crash, the driver-side curtain air bags did not immediately deploy. The contact indicated that the air bag deployed approximately one minute after the crash had occurred. The driver sustained torso bruises and...
I was driving downhill with the car in L on a highway and brakes failed. I could not engage the brakes at all but somehow the car slowed to a stop and I managed to pull into a parking spot and park. Two lights came on: Service Intellitrak and Service Brake Assist. The car has been inspected by the Chevrolet dealership that sold the car to me as well as an independant shop. One technician at the Ch...
The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Spark. The contact stated while driving 60 MPH, the transmission was slipping, and the cruise control was not operating correctly. Additionally, the RPM was elevated with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer and diagnosed; however, no failure was determined. The contact stated that the transmission fluid was flushed...
Both Brake Assist and stabilitrack go out in conjunction with failure lights (no fore-warning). The vehicle was repaired by a Chevrolet dealership with qualified EV tech. Within two weeks that same brake system failures occurred. The issue greatly increases the force needed to press the brake pedal and lengthens braking distance significantly. it also causes a failure in the braking system while a...
I have had my 2016 Chevrolet Spark EV in for repairs to three Chevy dealers for issues regarding random brake stuttering and complete brake failure resulting in running stop lights and stop signs going 30> MPH. Failure and issues are intermittent, but it appears to be an overly sensitive ABS/ regenerative braking system locking up the wheels and causing my brake peddle to become ineffective at sto...
RANDOMLY WHEN I GET INTO MY CAR AND CRANK THE LIGHTS ON MY DASH,SCREEN WILL APPEAR- OTHER TIMES THEY WILL NOT. RANDOMLY WHEN DRIVING SHE WILL JUST BE DRIVING NORMAL AND IMMEDIATELY SHE SHUTS DOWN AND OFF WITH NO WARNING SIGNS AND NO WARNING LIGHTS ON DASH. THIS ISSUE HAS BEEN ONGOING SINCE THE PURCHASE OF HER. IT HAS BEEN ON A INTERSTATE HIGHWAY IN 5PM TRAFFIC, A VERY SMALL TOWN IN NON ON SUNDA...
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE EITHER A 'SERVICE STABILITRAK' OR 'SERVICE BRAKE ASSIST' WARNING LIGHT GOES ON ALONG WITH THE EMERGENCY BRAKE LIGHT AND THE BRAKES LOSE THEIR POWER. IT FEELS LIKE THE POWER STEERING HAS GONE OUT ONLY IT'S THE BRAKES. YOU HAVE TO PUSH WITH ALL OF YOUR POWER TO GET THE CAR TO STOP. ONCE YOU STOP AND TURN THE CAR OFF AND THEN BACK ON THE WARNING LIGHT DISAPPEARS AND YOU CAN ...
THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOPPED OPERATING WHILE DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY IN THE RAIN. THE CAR WAS AT HIGHWAY SPEED. EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. THE MECHANIC FOUND THE WIPER MOTOR WAS DEFECTIVE AND PULLED TOO MUCH AMPERAGE THAT IT BURNED INTERNAL FUSE BOX RELAY. WIPER MOTOR AND FUSE BOX HAD TO BE REPLACED.
FEB 2018 I RECEIVED AN ERROR MESSAGE WHILE DRIVING FOR A CODE 95. AFTER REVIEW I DETERMINED IT WAS AN AIR BAG ERROR MESSAGE. I TOOK IT TO MK SMITH IN CHINO, CA AND THEY REPLACED THE PASSENGER AIR BAG MODULE. JULY 2020 I RECEIVED THE SAME CODE 95 AIR BAG WARNING MESSAGE. I TOOK IT BACK TO MK SMITH IN CHINO, CA AND THEY TOLD ME THE SAME PASSENGER AIR BAG MODULE NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. I ASKED IF THEY ...
I OWN A 2016 CHEVY SPARK BOUGHT ON JANUARY 2020. OVER THE LAST WEEK (JULY 15) AT 36,569 MILES MY BRAKES HAVE BECOME SIGNIFICANTLY WEAKER WHERE I'M PUSHING MY FOOT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR TO STOP THE VEHICLE. BACKING OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY WHICH IS FAIRLY STEEP, MY BRAKES WON'T STOP MY CAR UNLESS PRESSED AS FAR POSSIBLE TO THE FLOOR. I THOUGHT MY PADS NEEDED CHANGING BUT UPON INSPECTION THEY STILL H...
STEERING WENT OUT WHILE DRIVING AT AROUND 50 MPH. NO WARNING WAS GIVEN BY THE CAR'S MONITORING SYSTEMS UNTIL THE EVENT HAPPEN AND THERE WAS NO OTHER PREVIOUS STEERING ISSUES PRIOR TO THIS EVENT. ERROR CODES DID ILLUMINATE ONLY AFTER STEERING WAS GONE AND SHOWED A P 68 ERROR CODE. THE VEHICLE HAS 32,331 MILES ON IT, HAS NO ACCIDENT HISTORY OR MECHANICAL/ELECTRICAL REPAIR HISTORY. *TR
TRANSMISSION. *TR
I DID MY RECALL FOR TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE BY CHEVEROLET DEALERSHIP AND ALL OF SUDDEN MY CAR SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING IN BUSY TRAFFIC ON A BUSY ROAD. WOULD NOT TURN ON AT ALL, WOULD NOT GO OUT OF GEAR AT ALL. HAD TO HAVE TOAD BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP. BUT BC GM IS ON STRIKE RECEIVED NO LOANER CAR. I'M DISABLED AND SO IS HUSBAND WHO HAS SEVERE BRAIN INJURY. I LIVE WAY OUT IN COUNTRY.
2016 CHEVY SPARK EV - 35,233 MILES. DRIVING STRAIGHT ON DOWNHILL CITY STREET. STABILITRAK FAILURE MESSAGE APPEARED, THEN BRAKES STOPPED RESPONDING. STEERED CAR INTO CURB TO FORCE IT TO STOP. BRAKE ALARM SYMBOL DISPLAYED ON SCREEN. CAR TOWED TO DEALERSHIP. DEALERSHIP SAID BRAKE ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE WAS FAULTY & NEEDED REPLACEMENT AND REPROGRAMMING. THIS IS 2ND BRAKE RELATED ISSUE. PRIOR I...
I HAD JUST LEFT THE HOUSE AND THE CAR WAS FINE. I GOT TO A DANGEROUS INTERSECTION WHERE WRECKS HAPPEN ALL THE TIME AND I PRESSED ON MY BREAKS AND MY CAR DID NOT WANT TO STOP SO I KEPT PRESSING HARDER AND HARDER FINALLY I STOPPED. WHEN I DID THE CAR CUT OFF. IT CONTINUED TO DO THIS FOR THE 15 MINUTE DRIVE AND IT CUT OFF ON THE BUSH BYPASS IN THE CITY. MY HUSBAND LOOKED AT IT AND THE VACUUM PUMP BLE...
THERE WERE TWO INCIDENTS INVOLVING THE SAME PROBLEM. WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE ON THE HIGHWAY AND THEN ON A MAIN ROAD THE BRAKES LOCKED AND I HAD TO USE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO BRING THE VEHICLE TO COMPLETE STOP. MY MECHANIC REPLACED THE ENGINE BRAKE VACUUM PUMP AFTER BOTH INCIDENTS. THE PUMP WAS BROKEN IN PIECES ON BOTH OCCASIONS LEADING TO METAL PARTS FALLING INTO THE ENGINE DURING REPAIR AND NEE...
AS I WAS DRIVING MY BRAKES GOT HARD PREVENTING ME FROM STOPPING ,I WAS DRIVING ON MY WAY TO PICK MY SISTER UP AND AS I WENT TO STOP TO TURN INTO HER DRIVEWAY MY BRAKES ARE SUPER HARD AND I WAS UNABLE TO COME TO A COMPLETE STOP FOR ABOUT A QUARTER OF A MILE WHEN I TOOK MY CAR IN TO GET IT INSPECTED THEY SAID MY BRAKE BOOSTER WAS OUT AND WHEN THEY TOOK IT OFF THE BRAKE BOOSTER VACUUM ALSO HAD TO BE ...
THE FRONT LIGHTS APPEAR TO HAVE A DEFECT IN THEM. WHEN I HAVE A BULB REPLACE IT GOES RIGHT OUT. I JUST PURCHASED THIS CAR ON 11/19/2018. I HAD THE OIL CHANGED TWICE ALREADY AND THE OIL INDICATOR CONTINUES TO COME ON.
Showing 20 of 42 complaints. Additional complaints are available via the NHTSA database.
NHTSA Defect Investigations for the 2016 Chevrolet Spark
NHTSA defect investigations are higher-signal than ordinary complaints because they indicate the agency opened a formal review of a potential safety defect. Some investigations later connect to recall campaigns; others close without a recall after review.
Component: Air Bags:Frontal:Driver Side:Inflator Module
Opened 2021-09-17
From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 20...
Frequently Asked Questions About the 2016 Chevrolet Spark
Has the 2016 CHEVROLET SPARK been recalled?
Yes, the 2016 CHEVROLET SPARK has 1 recall on record with NHTSA. Each recall addresses a specific safety defect identified by the manufacturer or NHTSA.
How many complaints does the 2016 CHEVROLET SPARK have?
The 2016 CHEVROLET SPARK has 42 complaints filed with NHTSA. Of these, 3 involved crashes. 2 injuries and 0 deaths have been reported.
What is the safety rating for the 2016 CHEVROLET SPARK?
The 2016 CHEVROLET SPARK does not have an NHTSA safety rating on file. This can happen for newer model years, specialty vehicles, or models that have not been crash-tested.
What are the most common problems with the 2016 CHEVROLET SPARK?
The most commonly reported problems with the 2016 CHEVROLET SPARK involve service brakes (18 complaints), air bags (5 complaints), electrical system (3 complaints). Other affected components include power train, visibility/wiper, unknown or other.
How many crash reports does the 2016 CHEVROLET SPARK have?
There are 3 crash reports associated with the 2016 CHEVROLET SPARK out of 42 total complaints (7.1% of complaints involved crashes).
How many fire reports does the 2016 CHEVROLET SPARK have?
There are 1 fire reports for the 2016 CHEVROLET SPARK out of 42 total complaints. Fire reports are among the most serious safety concerns tracked by NHTSA.
Are there any deaths reported for the 2016 CHEVROLET SPARK?
No deaths have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2016 CHEVROLET SPARK.
How many injuries are reported for the 2016 CHEVROLET SPARK?
2 injuries have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2016 CHEVROLET SPARK. These are self-reported by vehicle owners as part of their safety complaints.
Should I buy a 2016 CHEVROLET SPARK?
Based on NHTSA data, the 2016 CHEVROLET SPARK is research thoroughly before purchasing. It has 42 complaints, 1 recalls. Always have a pre-purchase inspection done by a qualified mechanic.
What components fail most on the 2016 CHEVROLET SPARK?
The components with the most failures on the 2016 CHEVROLET SPARK are: 1. SERVICE BRAKES (18 complaints), 2. AIR BAGS (5 complaints), 3. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (3 complaints), 4. POWER TRAIN (2 complaints), 5. VISIBILITY/WIPER (2 complaints). SERVICE BRAKES is the single most-reported problem area with 18 complaints.
What should I know before buying a 2016 CHEVROLET SPARK?
Be cautious of potential airbag and brake issues, and ensure regular maintenance to address electrical and power train problems. The 2016 CHEVROLET SPARK has 42 NHTSA complaints and 1 recalls on record.
How reliable is the 2016 CHEVROLET SPARK?
The 2016 CHEVROLET SPARK receives a reliability score of 72/100, indicating above-average reliability. This is based on 42 owner complaints, 1 recalls, and 4 crash/fire reports in the NHTSA database. Key known issues include Airbag Recall and Brake Failure.
What are the known issues with the 2016 CHEVROLET SPARK?
Known issues with the 2016 CHEVROLET SPARK include: Airbag Recall, Brake Failure, Electrical System Issues, Transmission Issues. These are based on patterns found across 42 NHTSA complaints. 1 of these patterns resulted in formal recalls.
Are there any recalls for the 2016 Chevrolet Spark?
Yes, there is a recall for airbag inflator modules in certain 2016-2017 models.
What are the most common issues reported?
The most common issues are with service brakes, electrical system, airbags, and power train.
Can electrical system issues affect the safety of the vehicle?
Yes, issues like random screen malfunctions and windshield wiper failure can be dangerous, especially in adverse weather conditions.
Buyer Advice
Our recommendation: Be cautious of potential airbag and brake issues, and ensure regular maintenance to address electrical and power train problems.
NHTSA Data Summary for 2016 Chevrolet Spark
This safety report is based on a comprehensive analysis of data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for the 2016 Chevrolet Spark. The data includes 42 consumer complaints filed by vehicle owners, 1 manufacturer-initiated safety recalls, 3 reported crashes, 1 fire incidents, 2 reported injuries, and safety rating assessments associated with this vehicle.
All data presented in this report is sourced from public NHTSA databases. Our AI analysis identifies patterns across complaint narratives, correlates them with recall history, and produces the safety assessment above. This analysis is updated as new complaints and recalls are filed with the NHTSA.
Consumers are encouraged to report vehicle safety problems to the NHTSA at nhtsa.gov. If your vehicle is subject to a recall, contact your dealer to schedule the free repair.
Disclaimer: This analysis is AI-generated from NHTSA public data and does not constitute professional automotive or safety advice. Always verify recall status at NHTSA.gov and consult a qualified mechanic.
Analysis last updated: 2026-05-14