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ProblemsByVin File / 2014-CHEVROLET-SPARK NHTSA data synced 1 day ago
Chevrolet

2014 Chevrolet Spark problems

The 2014 Chevrolet Spark has 175 NHTSA owner complaints and 6 active recall campaigns on file. Here's the breakdown — what's serious, what's noise, and what a working mechanic would actually do about it.

The 2014 Chevrolet Spark has 175 NHTSA owner complaints and 6 recalls on file (U.S. federal records, as of August 2026). The most-reported system is powertrain at 46 complaints, typically surfacing around 66,020 miles (~$2,500 to repair). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.

Chevrolet Spark owner complaints by model year
Model yearOwner complaintsRecalls
2013 Spark 146 5
2014 Spark (this page) 175 6
2015 Spark 83 5
2016 Spark 42 1
2017 Spark 29 1
2014 Chevrolet Spark
Photo: MercurySable99 / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 · representative photo of the Chevrolet Spark
0 5 10
Reliability score
6.6 / 10

Average for the segment. Some recurring trouble spots worth knowing about.

0
Critical
5
Severe
1
Moderate
Should you avoid this 2014 Spark?
Acceptable — with caveats

Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy.

Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.

NHTSA crash-test safety ratings 4 / 5 overall

Overall 4/5
Frontal crash 4/5
Side crash 5/5
Rollover 4/5

Driver-assist features on the tested model: Electronic stability control: Standard · Forward collision warning: No · Lane departure warning: No

Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program — tested configuration: 2014 Chevrolet Spark 5 HB FWD. Stars rate crash protection in NHTSA's tests, not overall reliability — see the owner-complaint data below for what actually goes wrong.

Buying a used 2014 Chevrolet Spark? Check these first

Here's what this model is known to do — so you can inspect for it, price it in, or make the seller fix it before you sign.

What to inspect on this specific car

⚠ The one to take seriously: airbags is flagged severe on this model , showing up around 45,921 mi. Inspect it closely on a test drive.

Recalls to confirm are done

Run the VIN from the listing — 6 active recalls on this model. Recall repairs are always free.

Verdict for buyers: 6.6/10 model. The priciest documented failure is engine (~$3,100) — get the seller's service records for it or inspect closely. Otherwise an average-risk used buy at a fair price.

We tell you what this model is known for and what to inspect — a vehicle-history report tells you what this exact car has been through. Smart buyers get both.

See the full pre-purchase inspection checklist →
✦ Ask the data · AI

Ask anything about your 2014 Chevrolet Spark

A noise, a warning light, a repair quote, "should I buy this?" — get an answer grounded in this vehicle's actual NHTSA record, not generic advice.

Dash light, leak, worn part — snap it and we'll read it against this car's record.

Answers use this vehicle's NHTSA complaint & recall record — owner-reported and unverified, not a diagnosis. Verify anything safety-critical with a mechanic.

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<iframe src="https://problemsbyvin.com/embed/reliability/2014-chevrolet-spark/" width="100%" height="340" style="border:1px solid #e2e8f0;border-radius:8px;max-width:640px" title="2014 Chevrolet Spark reliability snapshot" loading="lazy"></iframe> <p style="font:12px/1.5 system-ui,sans-serif;color:#64748b;max-width:640px;margin:6px 0 0">Source: <a href="https://problemsbyvin.com/2014-chevrolet-spark/" style="color:#b8540a;font-weight:600">2014 Chevrolet Spark reliability snapshot — ProblemsByVin</a></p>

Top trouble spots 8 categories with 3+ complaints

powertrain
46 reports · fails ~66,020 mi · avg $2,500
moderate
electrical
35 reports · fails ~54,430 mi · avg $850
moderate
engine
24 reports · fails ~37,052 mi · avg $3,100
moderate
cruise control
12 reports · fails ~48,220 mi · avg $600
moderate
airbags
9 reports · fails ~45,921 mi · avg $1,100
severe
body
9 reports · fails ~25,846 mi · avg $1,500
severe
steering
7 reports · fails ~8,600 mi · avg $700
severe
brakes
6 reports · fails ~27,125 mi · avg $450
severe

Your road ahead on this 2014 Chevrolet Spark

When owners report each system failing, in actual miles — so you can see what's likely behind you, what's due around now, and what to budget for next. Enter your mileage to mark where you are.

  1. ~41,000 micruise control~$600
  2. ~49,966 miengine~$3,100
  3. ~50,000 mielectrical~$850
  4. ~65,000 mipowertrain~$2,500

"Typical" = median owner-reported failure mileage from the NHTSA complaint record for this exact year and model. Not a maintenance schedule — a heads-up on where this model's failures cluster.

Buyer's checklist
Going to look at one? Use the pre-purchase inspection list.
Generated from this 2014 Spark's actual NHTSA complaint history — every item points at a documented failure pattern on this exact vehicle, not generic walkaround filler.
See the checklist ->
Honest Calculator
Should you buy an extended warranty on this 2014 Spark?
We pulled the math: risk-weighted exposure, typical contract cost, and our verdict on whether coverage pencils out for this specific vehicle.
See the calculator ->

What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim

2014 Spark · seatbelts
Seatbelt retractor isn't working. It stopped working 12-29-2022. I can't buckle my seatbelt on driver's side. I took my vehicle to Daniel's Chevrolet in Swainsboro, GA. Part has been ordered to be repaired and the repair is scheduled for January 10, 2023. Repair cost is $435.00.…
12/29/2022 · NHTSA ODI #11499426.0
2014 Spark · brakes Injury
I was driving my spark EV to the dealer around 1:45pm on 12/29/2016 for them to fix the non-functioning heat, the airbag pretensioner recall, and failure to fast-charge. I was traveling straight at about 25 MPH on a residential street. When the car in front of me stopped I tried…
12/29/2016 · at 12,790 mi · NHTSA ODI #10938668.0 · see brakes pattern →
2014 Spark · electrical
The contact owns a 2014 Chevrolet Spark M300. The contact stated that the air bag and the seat belts warning lights were illuminated, and a message stating that the air bags would not deploy in the event of a crash was displayed. The contact stated while at a complete stop at…
12/26/2024 · at 100,000 mi · NHTSA ODI #11632458.0 · see electrical pattern →
2014 Spark · electrical
On or about May 31, 2021 the car alarm began to randomly go off on the vehicle. I took the car to the local dealership on July 20, 2021 and was advised that "hood latch ajar signal showing hood open randomly" was causing alarm to go off. On Aug 21, the part arrived and the hood…
View all 175 owner complaints →
Had a problem with your 2014 Chevrolet Spark? File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free and official — owner filings are what build the federal safety record behind this page.

Estimate your repair exposure

Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.

0 mi 200k mi
At 80,000 miles
Likely repair cost in next 24 months
$0

Active recalls showing 3 of 6

severe NHTSA 22V640000 August 25, 2022

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2013-2015 Chevrolet Spark and 2014-2015 Chevrolet Spark EV vehicles

A hood latch failure can result in the vehicle's hood opening unexpectedly, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: 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.
severe NHTSA 16V422000 June 10, 2016

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

Without audible indicators, the driver may not fasten their seatbelt, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.

Fix: 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.
severe NHTSA 15V416000 June 30, 2015

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 Chevrolet Spark vehicles manufactured April 30, 2014, to May 20, 2015, and 2015 Chevrolet Sonic vehicles manufactured June 18, 2014, to June 10, 2015

Without audible indicators, the driver may leave the key in the ignition, increasing the risk of theft. If a driver or front passenger does not buckle their seat belt, there would be no chime to remind them to fasten their seat belts. If a driver or passenger does not buckle their seat belt there is an increased risk that they will be injured in a crash.

Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will update the radio software, free of charge. The recall began on August 11, 2015. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 15504.
View all 6 recalls →

Common questions

Is the 2014 Chevrolet Spark reliable?

It's got known weak points. With a reliability score of 6.6 out of 10 based on 175 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2014 Chevrolet Spark has a higher-than-average rate of reported issues. The areas to watch are listed above. Whether it's worth owning depends on price, condition, and how much repair exposure you can absorb.

Should you avoid the 2014 Chevrolet Spark?

The 2014 Chevrolet Spark is acceptable, with specific caveats. Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy. The record behind that call: Reliability score 6.6/10 — around the segment average; 6 recall campaigns on file. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.

What should I check before buying a used 2014 Chevrolet Spark?

Inspect the powertrain first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 46 owner complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 66,020 miles. Average repair cost runs about $2,500 at an independent shop. Also confirm any open recalls have been completed by running the VIN, and ask for service records covering the problem areas listed above.

Is the 2014 Chevrolet Spark a good used car to buy?

It scores 6.6 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 175 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is powertrain. Typical failure occurs around 66,020 miles. Priced fairly and clean on inspection, it's a reasonable used buy. Our data covers what this model is known for — pair it with a vehicle-history report on the VIN to see what that specific car has been through.

What's the most common problem on the 2014 Chevrolet Spark?

Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is powertrain, with 46 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 66,020 miles. Average repair cost runs about $2,500 at an independent shop.

What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?

The powertrain is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $2,500 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 66,020 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.

How do I check if my Chevrolet Spark has open recalls?

Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.

Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2014 Chevrolet Spark?

Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 175 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $2,500, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.

Related

Recall and complaint data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) public records database, last synced 1 day ago. Verify the raw federal record at nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2014/Chevrolet/Spark. Editorial commentary written by ProblemsByVin contributors and reviewed by ASE-certified mechanics. We are not affiliated with Chevrolet. Some links on this page are affiliate links and we may earn a commission if you complete a quote or purchase.
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