This service bulletin provides information on replacing the intake manifold when the engine is replaced after severe internal engine damage.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2014 Chevrolet Spark engine problems
moderate 24 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $3,100 · see engine across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
24
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$3,100
1crash
When does it fail?
Of the 24 engine complaints filed for the 2014 Chevrolet Spark, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 0-25,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
No new NHTSA engine complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 11 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering engine on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
The service bulletin advises the tech of a normal transmission shift condition and the delay in throttle response when the throttle plate is opened rapidly and advises the customer that it is normal for the delay.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This bulletin advises the technician to flush the cooling system multiple times if oil has been found in the cooling system and replace the parts that may be contaminated due to oil in system.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This bulletin advises the technician to flush the cooling system multiple times if oil has been found in the cooling system and replace the parts that may be contaminated due to oil in system.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This bulletin advises the dealers to maintain the vehicle stock on hand by doing a full inspection on the vehicles before being sold (prepping) to the customer.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners of 2014 Chevy Sparks describe a pattern of engine problems that range from scary to catastrophic. Stalling is the most common complaint: cars shut off at traffic lights, during merges, or on the highway with no warning—sometimes with no check engine light to signal trouble. One rented car died on I-95, causing the driver to lose power steering and brakes mid-traffic. Dealers can't find the root cause, and some suggest using higher-octane fuel as a band-aid.
Check engine lights plague early ownership. One buyer had a knock sensor code that was "fixed" but returned within 24 hours on a brand-new 300-mile vehicle; GM eventually authorized an engine replacement. Another car began smoking after a few weeks and needed the same treatment. We also see piston failure and cylinder compression loss reported, along with fuel injector plugging and misfires.
Acceleration issues are alarming: several owners lose power while merging onto highways or turning, with the car limiting itself to 20–30 mph despite full throttle. One rental car lost all power during a left turn into traffic.
Cooling system leaks are widespread, clustered around 50,000 miles. Owners report coolant pooling underneath the vehicle, residue under the hood, and coolant levels dropping to empty after a single drive. One owner had the tank replaced in 2021 and watched it fail in the same spot by 2023. Oil burning and leaking appear alongside these failures, with low oil on the dipstick becoming routine despite repeated top-ups.
Air conditioning failures also surface, with multiple Arizona owners reporting the system simply won't cool properly even in summer.
Same Chevrolet Spark engine reports on nearby years: 2013
Failure modes owners describe
Unintended engine shutdown / stalling at idle or in traffic
Engine shuts off without driver command, often at stop lights or while stopped, or during highway driving. Some cases tie to key fob proximity issues; others occur unpredictably with no diagnostic codes found by dealers. Restart sometimes delayed.
When: Early ownership (weeks to months); repeats for 6+ months; all mileages reported
Symptoms owners cite: Engine stops completely; Loss of power steering and power brakes; No restart delay in some cases; restart delays in others; Occurs at red lights, stop signs, or while driving; No check engine light in some cases; CEL in others
Repairs/costs cited: Dealers unable to reproduce or find root cause; no repairs documented in narratives
Check engine light with knock sensor code and engine misfire
CEL illuminates within days of purchase or early ownership. Knock sensor code diagnosed; replacement performed but CEL recurs within 24 hours. Also documented: cylinder misfire (PO301) from plugged fuel injector, piston failure with knocking sound.
When: 24 hours to 4 weeks after purchase; also at 81,500 miles (piston failure)
Symptoms owners cite: Check engine light on; Slow acceleration; Knocking sound in engine; Engine smoking (one case); Rough start; Warning of potential power loss
Codes mentioned: Knock sensor code, PO301 (cylinder misfire, fuel injector plugged)
Repairs/costs cited: Knock sensor replaced (required 7+ days on backorder, recurred within 24 hours); fuel injector cleaned; one case required full engine replacement (brand new car with 300 miles); piston failure case repaired by independent mechanic
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: One owner worked with GM on lemon law buyback for early CEL recurrence
Loss of acceleration / power / limp mode on highway or merging
Vehicle loses power or ability to accelerate when attempting to merge, turn, or take off. In some cases accompanied by check engine or traction light; in others, happens without warning lights. Car may shake violently, force itself to low speed (20–30 mph max despite full throttle), or hesitate on acceleration.
When: Varies; one rental at unknown mileage; others throughout ownership
Symptoms owners cite: Cannot accelerate beyond 20–30 mph despite full throttle; Loss of motive power mid-maneuver; Car shakes or vibrates; Hesitation on takeoff from stops; Unpredictable on/off issue; Traction light illuminated (some cases); Check engine light flashing (some cases)
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership unable to reproduce issue or provide repair
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: One rental case (year unknown); dealers told one owner it was 'because it's a four-cylinder only'
Coolant / antifreeze reservoir leak
Coolant tank develops leak at seam, hose connection, or defective canister. Leak occurs while driving or is observed as residue and puddles. Multiple owners report same failure around 50k miles. One case showed same leak reoccurred after replacement (2021 repair failed by 2023).
When: 19,700 miles; 50,000 miles (multiple owners report same mileage); recurrence after 2021 replacement
Symptoms owners cite: Coolant puddle under vehicle or on garage floor; Coolant residue and smell under hood; Coolant level drops rapidly after driving; Small smoke from under hood (coolant on engine)
Repairs/costs cited: Tank replacement cost cited as $400; replacement performed but failed again in same location within ~2 years
Loss of cylinder compression / piston failure
Engine loses compression in cylinders; one case diagnosed as piston failure. Accompanied by knocking sound and loss of motive power.
When: 60,000 miles (cylinder head replacement); 81,500 miles (piston failure)
Symptoms owners cite: Loss of compression in two cylinders (one case); Knocking sound; Loss of motive power; Check engine light
Repairs/costs cited: Cylinder head replacement took 5.5 weeks; independent mechanic diagnosed piston failure
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: GM responded to one owner with 15 months OnStar subscription but took no action on vehicle defect
RPM surge before gear shift / hard shifting
RPM climbs to 6–7k before transmission shifts to next gear. Associated with shuddering or clunking sounds during shift. Increased fuel consumption noted.
When: Not specified in narratives
Symptoms owners cite: RPM spikes to 6–7k before shift; Hard shifting; Shuddering and clunking sound when shifting; Difficulty going uphill; Increased fuel consumption
Repairs/costs cited: No repairs documented
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Owner noted recalls for 'hard shifting' exist but unclear if applied
Oil burning and leaking
Engine burns oil at abnormal rate; oil level drops to zero or very low despite repeated top-ups. Oil also leaks. Dealers unable to locate or fix root cause. PCV valve recall notice issued to at least one owner.
When: Beginning October 2013 (owner reported issues purchased Aug 2013); ongoing through ownership
Symptoms owners cite: Oil burning; Oil leaking; Low or zero oil on dipstick despite recent fill; Constant need to add replacement oil
Repairs/costs cited: Repeated visits to dealer found no significant cause; no permanent repair documented
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: PCV valve recall issued (relates to oil leak)
Gas gauge / fuel level sender failure
Fuel gauge fails to display fuel level accurately. Dangerous because driver may run out of fuel unexpectedly while driving (freeway risk).
When: 39,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Gas gauge does not work; No indication of fuel level
Repairs/costs cited: ECM replacement and reprogramming performed, cost $1,000+ plus $220 dealer diagnostic fee
Air conditioning failure or poor cooling
AC system fails to cool or cools inadequately. One case of AC turning on by itself. Multiple owners in same region (AZ) report poor cooling performance.
When: Early ownership and into warmer months; one case ~2 months after engine repair (60k-mile cylinder head replacement)
Symptoms owners cite: AC does not cool car; AC runs warm; AC only runs cold at night; AC turns on by itself (one case); Poor cooling in summer
Repairs/costs cited: One dealer visit; another dealer refused service citing need to return to original dealer; no repairs documented in narratives
Synthesized from 24 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 2 most recent
Tl* the contact owns a 2014 Chevrolet spark m300. The contact stated that the vehicles antifreeze level was low and the antifreeze reservoir was almost empty. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and diagnosed that the antifreeze canister had a leak and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 19,700.…
1st and 2nd recall completed but vehicle still does not run right. 3rd 4th and 5th recall has not been schedule by gm and are safety recalls. 1. Bolt on bottom has to be torqued to the right setting or could be lost of steering. 2. Airbag not deploying. 3. Need new hood latch as it could corrode vehicle could open unexpectedly. This vehicle should not be on the street. *tr
Had engine trouble with your 2014 Chevrolet Spark?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the engine problem on the 2014 Chevrolet Spark?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 24 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $3,100 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the engine typically fail?
Across the 14 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most engine failures cluster between 9,000 and 56,000 miles, with the median around 49,966. A quarter of owners report trouble before 9,000; a quarter make it past 56,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $3,100 for engine repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to engine?
No active recalls currently cover engine issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2014/Chevrolet/Spark.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.