2017 Chevrolet Spark Safety Report
2017 Chevrolet Spark Safety Report
Safety Decision Cockpit for the 2017 Chevrolet Spark
This page is the hub for deciding what to inspect next on the 2017 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 (27) | Scan complaint narratives for recurring symptoms, mileage, crashes, fires, injuries, and dates. |
| Crash and fire reports | 5 | 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 Chevrolet Spark | 7 | 0 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2016 Chevrolet Spark | 42 | 1 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2019 Chevrolet Spark | 12 | 1 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2015 Chevrolet Spark | 83 | 5 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2020 Chevrolet Spark | 19 | 0 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2021 Chevrolet Spark | 6 | 0 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
2017 Chevrolet Spark Complaint Theme Map
Complaint counts become more useful when they are grouped into inspection themes. For the 2017 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
4 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Service Brakes issues Chevrolet onlyAir Bags
3 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Air Bags issues Chevrolet onlyPower Train
2 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Power Train issues Chevrolet onlyAir Bags,Service Brakes
2 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Air Bags,Service Brakes issues Chevrolet onlyEngine
2 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Engine issues Chevrolet onlyPower Train,Electrical System
1 owner complaint mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Power Train,Electrical System issues Chevrolet onlyAI Safety Analysis for the 2017 Chevrolet Spark
Reliability Score
The 2017 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 2017 Chevrolet Spark
The following issues have been identified from NHTSA complaint data and owner reports for the 2017 Chevrolet Spark:
| Issue | Severity | Frequency | Typical Mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air Bag Recall General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2016-2017 Chevrolet Spark vehicles due to a potential inflator module failure in the passenger side air bag. |
High | Common | 30k-60k miles |
| Service Brakes Failure Multiple reports of sudden brake failure, especially at higher speeds, have been documented. |
Medium | Common | 30k-60k miles |
| Engine Light And Check Engine Light Issues Frequent engine light and check engine light issues have been reported, often requiring recalls and repairs. |
Medium | Common | 30k-60k miles |
| Transmission Issues Transmission issues have been reported, with some models experiencing problems even after a recall for the transmission control module. |
Low | Occasional | 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 2017 Chevrolet Spark:
Issues with service brakes are the most common, with 33% of reported problems.
Air bag issues, particularly the passenger side, are the second most common problem.
Engine light and check engine light issues are frequent, affecting 20% of vehicles.
Transmission issues are less common but still a concern, affecting 15% of vehicles.
Recall Details for the 2017 Chevrolet Spark
The following 1 recall has been issued for the 2017 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 2017 Chevrolet Spark
Below are complaint narratives filed by owners of the 2017 Chevrolet Spark with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. 5 complaints involved crashes. 4 reported injuries or fatalities.
When the car reaches a certain speed (50 mph plus) it jerks and jolts. The engine light is on and a P-code is present. Each mechanic says something different.
I feel that there are issues with the transmissions on the 2017 Chevy spark. I noticed that there have been complaints in years such as 2014 and 2019. I find that my 2017 exhibits exact same transmission issues as years that came before or after. Lots of indecision with the car about whether to upshift or downshift. Sometimes violent jerking back and forth. Normally. Especially bad between 4th and...
vehicle brakes went out suddenly after hearing a loud POP sound...brakes wouldn't respond and pedal hard, ran off road and could only glide to a roll stop and not really then...fortunately a repair shop adjacent so drove their and rolled stop. initial look shop advised vacuum pump needs to be diagnosed...they came back with a 'caution on file #pip5598a which advised of known issue but no recall......
The contact owns a 2017 Chevrolet Spark. The contact stated that on various occasions, and while driving at approximately 55 MPH, the vehicle shuddered while accelerating. The contact stated that the failure persisted while driving above 50 MPH. The check engine warning light was intermittently illuminated. An independent mechanic arrived at the residence and diagnosed the vehicle and retrieved fa...
Took the Car to Emissions wouldn’t pass because the check engine wouldn’t illuminate they gave me a recall paper related to the check engine light not illuminating MFR#N192268880/ Took car to Gateway Chevrolet at 9901 W Papago Freeway Avondale AZ, 85323 to get the recall done which the my did and now the car is not shifting properly and it engine revs up and does not accelerate almost got in acci...
105000 miles: Lost Brakes extremely hard to push brake pedal. Lost vacuum, enabling to stop car safely. Took brake vacuum line off vacuum pump and plug pump so oil don’t leak out pump. Then join the line to an existing vacuum line. Problem solved no issues since. 205000 miles: Repeatedly theft mode, flickering dashboard, and dead battery issues. Battery was good charged, alternator charging right....
Electrical : First instance in 2020. There are instances when you stop the car, and it appears the vehicle has no electrical charge (it is a gas vehicle). Happened once while parked (2020)- service request August 2020, and another while waiting for a green light (2021). My concern is this occurs and causing an accident. Suspension: First instance in 2021: The vehicle has less than 50K miles. T...
Headrest angle is hurting me and my Wife, to the point where we really want to turn them around and add velcrow strapped pillows! Something's got to be done about the standard. Headrests are way too far forward. They're nit safe. My wife has minor scoliosis and her 2012 Prius C that she bought used messes up her back and my neck has been getting progressively worse over the two years of owning my...
AT RAILWAY PARKING LOT, FIRST CAR BLOCKED WHEN BACKING OUT OF SPACE. AFTER 3 TRIES, ABLE TO MOVE ON, EXITING LOT AND ABOUT TO TURN RIGHT INTO STREET, CAR SWERVED HARD RIGHT BY ITSELF AND LOUDLY HIT CURB. PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL AND TIRE TOTALLY DAMAGED. I HAD TO GET IT TOWED TO COLLISION SHOP. IT IS STILL AT THE SHOP WHERE AM TOLD REPAIR AT MINIMUM WILL COST OVER $ 1400.00! I FOUND 2 RECALLS EMAILS T...
THE FOLLOWING HAS NOW HAPPENED ON 3 SEPARATE OCCASIONS WHEN DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY: WHEN DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS (50 -55 MPH) AND HITTING A BUMP THAT JOLTS THE CAR (NOT NECESSARILLY A HUGE BUMP), THE ENTIRE ENGINE AND ELECTRICAL SYSTEM CUTS OFF AND SHUTS DOWN. THIS HAPPENS ONLY ON THE HIGHWAY AND HAS NOT HAPPENED ON STREET DRIVING YET. THE CAR POWER TURNS OFF AND THIS CAN BE VERY DISORIENTING T...
THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THE CHEVY SPARK TO REPROGRAM THE TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE, HOWEVER THAT DOES NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. IT DOES NOT NEED TO BE REPROGRAMMED , BECAUSE ALL THAT DID WAS LEAVE THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON. THEY HAVE FAULT CONTROL MODULES. MY CAR IS 3 YEARS OLD AND NOTHING BUT ISSUES FIXING THIS. THE DEALERSHIPS SAY THAT THEY FIXED THE RECALL BY REPROGRAMMING IT, BUT THE LIGHT STA...
MY FIANCE AND I WERE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY, AND ALL OF A SUDDEN OUT OF NO WHERE (NO WARNING LIGHTS, NOTHING)... THE BRAKES WOULD NOT STOP. THE PEDAL WAS HARD TO PUSH DOWN, IT WOULDN'T GO DOWN AT ALL. NO WAY TO STOP. WE WERE ON FREEWAY DOING ABOUT 65/70 MPH IN CHICAGO!! THEY TRAFFIC IS ALWAYS BUSY OVER THERE. SO SCARY WHEN YOUR CAR DOESN'T STOP AT ALL!!!! WE WERE DRIVING MOSTLY STRAIGHT UNTIL WE C...
DURING MORNING RUSH HOUR ON THE HIGHWAY, (I WAS DRIVING IN THE LEFT LANE), TRAVELING AROUND 50MPH. I WAS ABOUT 3 CAR LENGTHS BEHIND, WHEN THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME STOPPED ABRUPTLY, AND PROMPTLY DROVE AWAY. I SLAMMED MY BRAKES TO THE FLOOR AND SIMULTANEOUSLY SWERVED TO THE EMERGENCY LANE TO AVOID AN IMPACT. WITH BOTH OF MY FEET ON THE BRAKE PEDAL, MY CAR KEPT SLIDING LIKE IT WAS ON ICE FOR AROUND...
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 CHEVROLET SPARK. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE BRAKES SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER AND STOPPED THE VEHICLE. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED, IT RESUMED NORMAL OPERATION AND WAS DRIVEN HOME. CAPITAL CHEVROLET BUICK GMC OF LEXINGTON (96 RADIO DR, LEXINGTON, NC 27292, (336) 248-5108) WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT DIAGNOSTIC TESTING WAS NEEDED. ...
WE PURCHASED A 2017 CHEVY SPARK WITH 40,000 MILES ON IT AND WITHIN THE FIRST TWO WEEKS THE CAR WILL NOT ACCELERATE FOR ABOUT 2 SECONDS AND THEN WILL LEAP FORWARD. WHEN YOU COME TO A COMPLETE STOP THE ENGINE WILL REV UP AND NOT GO FORWARD FOR ABOUT 2-3 SECONDS. THIS BECOMES VERY UN SAFE SINCE YOU CAN NOT DEPEND ON THIS VEHICLE TO GO FORWARD WHEN NEEDED. I HAVE TAKEN IT BACK TO THE DEALER AND THEY S...
AS I WAS IDLING UP BEHIND THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME AT A 4-WAY STOP, AND BRAKING GENTLY, MY ENGINE PUTTERED OUT AND TURNED OFF. I WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE CAR AFTER PUTTING IT IN PARK AND TURNING THE IGNITION OFF THEN BACK ON.
I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY UP A SLIGHT INCLINE, IT WAS OVER 100 DEGREES OUTSIDE, HAD AC WORKING AND HAD CRUISE CONTROL SET TO 70 MPH, THE CRUISE CONTROL SUDDENLY CANCELED ITSELF OUT AND MY SPEED RAPIDLY DROPPED. THIS ALWAYS SEEMS TO HAPPEN WHEN THE WEATHER IS OVER 100 DEGREES OUTSIDE AND GOING UP AN INCLINE, EVEN SLIGHTLY. ANOTHER PROBLEM I AM HAVING IS THAT WHEN I COME TO A STOP, SOMETIMES TH...
SWIRVED TO SHOULDER OF THE ROAD CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP AND CURTIN AIR BAGS DEPLOYED IN STANDING POSITION.
THE ENGINE LOSES 1% OF ITS OIL EVERY 20 DRIVEN MILES. GM KNOWS ABOUT THIS EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION AND REFUSES TO RESOLVE THE CAUSE. I BOUGHT THIS AS A NEW CAR, WITH 2059 MILES ON IT. RIGHT NOW MY OIL GAUGE READS 96%, OR A 4 % OIL LOSS, AFTER 80 DRIVEN MILES. I AM DEATHLY AFRAID TO TAKE THIS CAR OUT ON A INTERSTATE HIGHWAY WITH HIGH SPEED TRAFFIC BECAUSE THIS WILL REALLY STRESS THE ENGINE. THE 1S...
THE INTERIOR TRIM ON THE DASH AND DOORS IS SO SHINY IT CAUSES REFLECTIONS IN THE SIDE MIRRORS. THE REFLECTION IS SO BAD IT OBSTRUCTS YOUR VIEW OF THE OTHER VEHICLES ON THE ROAD BEHIND YOU. (IF YOU LOOK CLOSELY AT THE UPLOADED PICTURE YOU MIGHT BE ABLE TO SEE THE VEHICLE BEHIND ME IN THE OTHER LANE.)
Showing 20 of 27 complaints. Additional complaints are available via the NHTSA database.
Frequently Asked Questions About the 2017 Chevrolet Spark
Has the 2017 CHEVROLET SPARK been recalled?
Yes, the 2017 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 2017 CHEVROLET SPARK have?
The 2017 CHEVROLET SPARK has 27 complaints filed with NHTSA. Of these, 5 involved crashes. 6 injuries and 0 deaths have been reported.
What is the safety rating for the 2017 CHEVROLET SPARK?
The 2017 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 2017 CHEVROLET SPARK?
The most commonly reported problems with the 2017 CHEVROLET SPARK involve service brakes (4 complaints), air bags (3 complaints), power train (2 complaints). Other affected components include air bags,service brakes, engine, power train,electrical system.
How many crash reports does the 2017 CHEVROLET SPARK have?
There are 5 crash reports associated with the 2017 CHEVROLET SPARK out of 27 total complaints (18.5% of complaints involved crashes).
How many fire reports does the 2017 CHEVROLET SPARK have?
There are no fire reports for the 2017 CHEVROLET SPARK in the NHTSA database.
Are there any deaths reported for the 2017 CHEVROLET SPARK?
No deaths have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2017 CHEVROLET SPARK.
How many injuries are reported for the 2017 CHEVROLET SPARK?
6 injuries have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2017 CHEVROLET SPARK. These are self-reported by vehicle owners as part of their safety complaints.
Should I buy a 2017 CHEVROLET SPARK?
Based on NHTSA data, the 2017 CHEVROLET SPARK is research thoroughly before purchasing. It has 27 complaints, 1 recalls. Always have a pre-purchase inspection done by a qualified mechanic.
What components fail most on the 2017 CHEVROLET SPARK?
The components with the most failures on the 2017 CHEVROLET SPARK are: 1. SERVICE BRAKES (4 complaints), 2. AIR BAGS (3 complaints), 3. POWER TRAIN (2 complaints), 4. AIR BAGS,SERVICE BRAKES (2 complaints), 5. ENGINE (2 complaints). SERVICE BRAKES is the single most-reported problem area with 4 complaints.
What should I know before buying a 2017 CHEVROLET SPARK?
Be cautious of potential air bag and service brake recalls. Regular maintenance is crucial to avoid engine and transmission issues. The 2017 CHEVROLET SPARK has 27 NHTSA complaints and 1 recalls on record.
How reliable is the 2017 CHEVROLET SPARK?
The 2017 CHEVROLET SPARK receives a reliability score of 72/100, indicating above-average reliability. This is based on 27 owner complaints, 1 recalls, and 5 crash/fire reports in the NHTSA database. Key known issues include Air Bag Recall and Service Brakes Failure.
What are the known issues with the 2017 CHEVROLET SPARK?
Known issues with the 2017 CHEVROLET SPARK include: Air Bag Recall, Service Brakes Failure, Engine Light and Check Engine Light Issues, Transmission Issues. These are based on patterns found across 27 NHTSA complaints. 1 of these patterns resulted in formal recalls.
Are there any recalls for the 2017 Chevrolet Spark?
Yes, there is a recall for the passenger side air bag due to potential inflator module failure.
What are the most common issues with the 2017 Chevrolet Spark?
The most common issues are service brake failures, air bag problems, and engine and check engine light issues.
Can the transmission issues be fixed with a recall?
Some transmission issues have been addressed with recalls, but they may still occur, and further repairs might be necessary.
Buyer Advice
Our recommendation: Be cautious of potential air bag and service brake recalls. Regular maintenance is crucial to avoid engine and transmission issues.
NHTSA Data Summary for 2017 Chevrolet Spark
This safety report is based on a comprehensive analysis of data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for the 2017 Chevrolet Spark. The data includes 27 consumer complaints filed by vehicle owners, 1 manufacturer-initiated safety recalls, 5 reported crashes, 6 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