Verdict
2017 Chevrolet Spark: Complaints, Recalls & Known Issues
What the public record actually says about the 2017 Chevrolet Spark — every figure below is a NHTSA or EPA number, not an opinion.
The read
Middle-of-the-pack complaint volume for hatchback.
Owners filed 28 NHTSA complaints — fewer complaints than 61% of 2017 hatchbacks. Power Train leads the reports (25%). 1 safety recall campaign on record — check the VIN and remedy terms with a dealer.
Based on NHTSA complaint volume against 2017 hatchbacks, not adjusted for how many were sold. It describes the model year, not the individual car you are looking at.
Complaints filed
28
Reports to NHTSA, 2017
Safety recalls
1
NHTSA campaigns on record
NHTSA crash test
Not rated
Overall NCAP rating
Combined MPG
33
EPA estimate
Complaint volume vs. segment peers
Fewer complaints than 61% of 2017 hatchbacks
The bar is this car's percentile among 2017 hatchbacks by complaint volume — a full bar means the fewest complaints in its class. Not adjusted for sales.
Known issues
Power Train issues lead owner complaints (25% of 28 reports), followed by air bags (18%).
+ 5 more component categories with fewer reports.
Share of all 28 NHTSA complaints for this model year, grouped by the component owners named. Bars are scaled to the largest category. Examples: ODI 11676086, ODI 11608093, ODI 11516782, ODI 11515699, ODI 11364356.
Recalls(1)
Open a recall to read what NHTSA says is wrong, what can happen, and how it gets fixed. Check the VIN and remedy eligibility with a dealer; federal no-charge requirements have an age limit, though a manufacturer may offer more coverage.
Air BagsSep 2017 · 17V307000Details +Close −
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."
Risk: 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.
A campaign can apply to this model year without being incomplete on a specific vehicle. Check the VIN with NHTSA or a dealer to confirm whether a particular car needs repair.
Investigations
0 NHTSA investigations on record
No investigations are on record as of Jul 2026. An empty record is not a clean bill of health.
Crash-test ratings
2017 Chevrolet Spark 5 HB FWD NHTSA source
- Overall
- Not rated
- Frontal
- Not rated
- Side
- Not rated
- Rollover
- Not rated
Fuel economy by trim
| Trim | Engine | Drivetrain | Transmission | City | Hwy | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spark | 1.4L 4-cyl | Front-Wheel Drive | Manual 5-spd | 29 | 38 | 33 |
| Spark | 1.4L 4-cyl | Front-Wheel Drive | Automatic (variable gear ratios) | 30 | 38 | 33 |
EPA laboratory estimates by trim and engine. Actual mileage varies with driving, weather, load, and maintenance. EPA source.
Before you buy
Useful next checks
Federal records tell you about patterns. These checks can tell you more about the specific car in front of you.
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Compare model years
"Fewest reports" and "most complained" describe raw NHTSA complaint totals, not vehicle reliability. The last few model years are left unlabelled because they have had less road time.
2017 Chevrolet Spark: frequently asked
What does the complaint record show for the 2017 Chevrolet Spark?
Owners filed 28 NHTSA complaints about the 2017 Chevrolet Spark — fewer complaints than 61% of comparable 2017 hatchbacks, so it sits toward the stronger end of its class. That's a signal, not a guarantee about any single car.
What are the most common problems on the 2017 Chevrolet Spark?
The most-reported problem areas are Power Train (25% of complaints) and air bags (18%).
How many recalls does the 2017 Chevrolet Spark have?
1 recall has been issued that affect the 2017 Chevrolet Spark, covering components such as air bags. Check the VIN with NHTSA and ask a dealer to confirm remedy eligibility; federal no-charge requirements have an age limit, though manufacturers may offer more coverage.
What gas mileage does the 2017 Chevrolet Spark get?
The EPA rates the 2017 Chevrolet Spark at 33 mpg combined.