2015 Chevrolet Spark Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
CautionComplaint Index
67/100
#4 most-complained of 10 Spark years
The 2015 Chevrolet Spark ranks 4th worst of 10 model years with a Complaint Index of 67 and a Caution verdict. NHTSA lists 76 complaints, 5 recalls, 4 crashes, 1 fire, and 8 injuries, with Transmission & Powertrain as the top problem area at 33% of complaints.
- Complaints
- 76
- Recalls
- 5
- Crashes / fires
- 4 / 1
- Injuries / deaths
- 8 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- 4 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 34
- 31 city / 38 hwy
Top 2015 Chevrolet Spark problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Transmission & Powertrain25 (33%)
- Engine18 (24%)
- Electrical System10 (13%)
- Structure & Body10 (13%)
- Other8 (11%)
- Fuel System7 (9%)
- Brakes6 (8%)
- Airbags5 (7%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires4 (5%)
- Seat Belts3 (4%)
What owners report
- Owners describe the transmission losing power or refusing to shift into gear, sometimes triggering traction control warnings and leaving the car unable to move.
- Some report the car hesitating or shuddering from a stop, requiring the accelerator pressed to the floor before it engages.
- Frontal airbags reportedly failed to deploy during collisions, including one crash at 45 mph and another involving an unintended shift into reverse.
- The hood latch has been reported to corrode and release while driving, causing the hood to fly up and strike the windshield.
- Owners note the air conditioning running much hotter than expected and the engine losing acceleration or stalling when the AC is on.
- Some describe the infotainment screen staying too bright with no way to dim it, making it hard to see instrument warnings at night.
2015 Chevrolet Spark recalls
5 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 22V640000Aug 25, 2022Structure & Body120,688 vehicles
Latches/locks/linkages:hood:latch
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2013-2015 Chevrolet Spark and 2014-2015 Chevrolet Spark EV vehicles. The secondary hood latch may corrode at the latch pivot, preventing the hood latch from properly engaging.
Risk: A hood latch failure can result in the vehicle's hood opening unexpectedly, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the hood striker assembly and hood latch assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 12, 2023. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is A222359300. This recall supersedes and expands NHTSA recall number 14V-593. Vehicles previously repaired under 14V-593 will need to have the new remedy performed.
- NHTSA 16V422000Jun 10, 2016Electrical System18,780 vehicles
Electrical system:software
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 Chevrolet Sonic and Trax, and 2013-2015 Spark vehicles equipped with a Bring Your Own Media radio. The affected radios may fail to provide an audible warning chime when the driver fails to fasten their seatbelt or if the driver leaves the key in the ignition. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) numbers 208 "Occupant Crash Protection" and 114 "Theft Protection."
Risk: Without audible indicators, the driver may not fasten their seatbelt, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will update the radio software, free of charge. The recall began on July 22, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 45340.
- NHTSA 16V257000Apr 28, 2016Electrical System317,572 vehicles
Electrical system:software
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013-2016 Chevrolet Sonic and Trax vehicles and 2013-2015 Chevrolet Spark vehicles equipped with a Bring Your Own Media radio. The affected radios may fail to provide an audible warning chime when the driver, after turning off the ignition and leaving the key in the cylinder, waits 10 minutes or longer to open the door. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 114 "Theft Protection."
Risk: Without audible indicators, the driver may leave the key in the ignition, increasing the risk of theft.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will update the radio software, free of charge. The manufacturer has not yet provided a notification schedule. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 17130.
2015 Chevrolet Spark fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 31 MPG
- Highway
- 38 MPG
- Combined
- 34 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $1,900
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2015 compared with other Spark years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2015 Chevrolet Spark reliable?
- Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2015 Spark carries a Caution verdict with a Complaint Index of 67, ranking 4th worst among the 10 model years with data.
- What are the most common problems with the 2015 Chevrolet Spark?
- Transmission & Powertrain issues make up 33% of complaints, followed by Engine problems at 24% and Electrical System issues at 13%, according to NHTSA data.
- Does the 2015 Chevrolet Spark have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 5 recalls for the 2015 Spark, covering a corroding secondary hood latch (two separate campaigns) and radio software issues affecting the audible seatbelt warning.
- What year Chevrolet Spark should I avoid?
- Among Spark years, 2013 and 2014 have the highest Complaint Index scores at 89 and 100 and are rated Avoid, while 2015 is rated Caution with an index of 67.
- What is the fuel economy of the 2015 Chevrolet Spark?
- The EPA rates the 2015 Spark at 34 mpg combined (31 city / 38 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $1,900.