YearToAvoid

2020 Chevrolet Spark Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Avoid

Complaint Index

78/100

#3 most-complained of 10 Spark years

The 2020 Chevrolet Spark ranks 3rd worst of 10 model years, with a Complaint Index of 78 and 19 NHTSA complaints, mostly involving airbags that failed to deploy in crashes. It carries an Avoid verdict relative to other Spark years, with no recalls on file.

Complaints
19
Recalls
0
Crashes / fires
6 / 2
Injuries / deaths
10 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
33
29.5 city / 37.5 hwy

Top 2020 Chevrolet Spark problems

NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Airbags7 (37%)
  2. Electrical System6 (32%)
  3. Other5 (26%)
  4. Engine3 (16%)
  5. Collision Avoidance & Cameras1 (5%)
  6. Fuel System1 (5%)
  7. Seat Belts1 (5%)
  8. Steering1 (5%)
  9. Suspension, Wheels & Tires1 (5%)

What owners report

  • Airbags fail to deploy during moderate-speed crashes, including t-bone and intersection collisions, resulting in serious injuries.
  • Airbags that did deploy were described as deploying with excessive force, causing facial and leg injuries.
  • An electrical fire started under the instrument panel, badly burning the vehicle after the airbags had deployed.
  • The steering wheel shuddered left and right in rapid pulses while turning at very low speed in a parking lot.
  • The engine stalled after idling at a red light and required repeated restart attempts, with the dealer unable to find a cause.
  • Front and rear tires developed chunks of rubber separating from the tread on a vehicle equipped with Kumho Solus TA31 tires.
2020 Chevrolet Spark complaints: complaints filed per month3Apr 2020Jan 2021Oct 2021Jan 2023Sep 2023Oct 2025
26 complaints filed with NHTSA from Apr 2020 to Nov 2025; peak Apr 2021 (3).

2020 Chevrolet Spark recalls

No safety recalls on record for this model year.

2020 Chevrolet Spark fuel economy and fuel cost

City
29.5 MPG
Highway
37.5 MPG
Combined
33 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$1,950
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.

2020 compared with other Spark years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)02550751002013201420152016201720182019202020212022
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2018Best09033
2019Good4414133
2020Avoid7819033
2021Good336033
2022No verdict113033

All Chevrolet Spark years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2020 Chevrolet Spark reliable?
Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2020 Spark has a Complaint Index of 78, the 3rd highest (worst) among the 10 Spark model years covered, earning an Avoid verdict relative to other years of this model.
What is the biggest problem with the 2020 Chevrolet Spark?
Airbags are the top problem area, accounting for 7 of 19 complaints (37%), including multiple reports of airbags failing to deploy in crashes at a median mileage of 24,718 miles.
Does the 2020 Chevrolet Spark have any recalls?
NHTSA lists no recalls for the 2020 Chevrolet Spark.
How does the 2020 Spark compare to other model years?
The 2020 Spark's Complaint Index of 78 is worse than 2016 (22), 2018 (0), 2019 (44), and 2021 (33), but better than 2013 (89) and 2014 (100).
What is the fuel economy of the 2020 Chevrolet Spark?
The 2020 Spark gets an EPA-rated 33 mpg combined (29.5 city / 37.5 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $1,950.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.