Best and worst Chevrolet Spark years — which to avoid

If you are in the market for a used Chevy Spark, you’ll probably want to know if there are certain model years you should avoid. Sadly enough, Chevy Spark faced numerous issues during more than two decades of production, so it takes getting to know about these to make a well-rounded decision.

Our team will help you out by giving you a complete guide on the best and worst Chevy Spark years based on NHTSA complaints, reliability reports, and driver reviews. We’ll also discuss the main issues that affected the reliability ratings of certain models to go down and tell you which models you should prioritize.

Why you can trust REREV’s advice on which car model years to avoid: Our car experts look at official data, ask real drivers what they think, and talk to experienced mechanics to make sure our list is useful. This reliable info can make buying a car easier for you. Want to know how we do it? Find out more about our research methodology.

How we rated the best and worst Chevy Spark years

In the making of this guide, our team used several reputable sources of information. We mainly used NHTSA’s records on common issues and complaints, as well as official recalls that Chevy has issued to fix certain manufacturing defects.

On top of those, we also explored driver feedback through Chevy Spark ratings on platforms like Edmunds, KBB, and Consumer Reports. We also considered some information from Chevy Spark forums, but we made sure to double-check that first. So, here’s what the list of the best and worst Spark models looks like:

Most common Chevy Spark problems

Having in mind that the Spark has been in production ever since 1998, we can instantly relieve your fears – it’s one of the most reliable compact cars in the class. There were only 9 official recalls throughout the four generations of production, which is a superb result.

Even so, we’ll still mention some of the main Chevy Spark problems that affected its reliability for certain model years:

1. Climate control system faults

You may expect a bit lower build quality of a car that comes with such as affordable price tag as a Chevy Spark, but an inoperative A/C unit isn’t one of those things. It’s the essential piece of equipment in a car and drivers have complained about refrigerant leaks and signs of a bad A/C compressor.

Naturally, this was a great concern of worrying since it was unbearable to withstand the hot summer days without an operational air conditioning unit. The replacement A/C compressor for the third-gen Chevy Spark goes for around $650, so it’s not exactly a small repair.

2. Problems with the automatic transmission

Ever since the production of a third-gen Chevy Spark began, drivers started complaining about the slipping transmission. It was mostly due to harsh gear shifts and vibrations on cars equipped with Aisin’s 4-speed automatic.

Things didn’t get much better in the years that followed due to a large amount of CVT problems that occurred with the introduction of this transmission type in a Chevy Spark. Because of all this, it’s best to avoid the automatic Chevy Spark and go for a 5-speed manual. The CVT transmission also got a bit better in the fourth generation.

3. Airbag-related problems

The airbag system is essential for driving safety in every car and the same goes for Chevy Spark. Sadly, many of the model years struggled with the airbag system mainly including the third-gen Spark, but some problems were present for the fourth-gen model as well.

There were four recalls regarding airbags alone, so that makes it nearly half of the total problems that drivers have had with the Spark. Some problems were quite dangerous such as the improperly placed passenger-side airbag weld that prevented the airbag from deploying in case of an accident.

4. Control arm and steering issues

In the example of the third-gen Chevy Spark, you can see how something seemingly insignificant like loose control arm bolts can turn into an overwhelming problem. That’s what happened with this model since this caused the control arm not to be properly attached to the steering knuckle.

As a result, control arm failure may lead to a hard time steering the car and controlling it at all. Luckily, Chevy issued an official recall in 2014, but you should ensure the unit you are considering buying has gone through a recall. if not, deal with this situation as soon as possible to prevent a potential accident caused by a lack of control over the car.

Worst Chevy Spark years to avoid

There are some Chevy Spark years that are best avoided based on the mentioned problems that we already went through. Our team cares for your satisfaction and driving safety primarily, so we won’t leave you hanging by letting you get a problematic model.

Instead, we prepared a list of the worst model years based on each Chevy Spark generation, so take a closer look below:

• 2013
• 2014
• 2015

Let’s now take a closer look at each of these together so we can thoroughly explain why it’s best to avoid these model years:

Third-generation Chevy Spark (2013-2014 model years)

While the third generation of Chevy Spark got the much-needed exterior improvement, it turned out to be the least reliable generation. The 2011 model had a few issues including excessive oil consumption and the A/C problem, but 2013 and 2014 were the worst production years for the model altogether.

The 2013 model in particular was the worst one and drivers have made numerous reports regarding the A/C problem, faulty passenger-side airbags, and problematic automatic transmission. Due to all these issues, you can only make a safe bet if you completely avoid the two problematic model years.

Fourth-generation Chevy Spark (2015 model year)

The 2015′ Chevy Spark is the worst one among the fourth-gen models and it comes right after the 2013 and 2014 models based on reliability issues. Thankfully, it wasn’t as bad as those two, but it’s still worth skipping and going for a 2016 or 2017 model if you can afford one.

Major problems that affected the 2015 model were once again airbag issues that got sorted out in a later recall in 2016, while there were also the electric issues that mostly affected the equipment. Audio indicators were off on some models, and that is considered a safety threat since some drivers may not use their seatbelts because of this. The recall settled all these, but if you wish to reduce the risk to the bare minimum, it’s best to avoid the 2015 model.

What are the best Chevy Spark years to buy?

We want you to get a bigger picture of the value of the Chevy Spark as a model, so we are not only going to go over the bad production years. If you are still wondering what are the best Chevy Spark years, here’s a full list:

• 2005
• 2006
• 2007
• 2008
• 2009
• 2010
• 2012
• 2016
• 2018
• 2020
• 2021

The first two generations were more or less reliable with a few known faults like the A/C unit problems or electrical issues and wiring. The third generation is, however, the one that most drivers go for. All in all, the absolute best Chevy Spark models are the 2005 and 2018 models, so let’s take a closer look at those two.

2005 Chevy Spark

As you can see from both driver ratings and NHTSA complaints, the 2005 Chevy Spark is by far the best option to go for. It didn’t have any major transmission issues or electrical faults reported, and it has a record-low number of complaints issued by former and current owners.

This one excels in engine reliability for such a compact car, since it’s been reported to go well over 120,000 miles without a single fault.

2018 Chevy Spark

As for the newer models, the 2018 Chevy Spark makes a perfect choice since it has around 10 complaints in total for now. Of course, it’s still a fairly recent model, so we’ll keep you updated if it receives some more complaints.

In the meantime, it seems pretty dependable so far because of its dependable engines and simple maintenance, and most owners have bragged about their Spark serving them well on forums.

Is the Chevy Spark worth buying?

If you need a compact hatchback with just enough practicality for driving on buys roads and using in parking lots with narrow spots, Chevy Spark checks all the right boxes. The problem is mostly in these few problematic model years, so we hope you’ll be able to avoid those after going through this guide.

Overall, it’s a fun small car with low maintenance costs and it makes a perfect option for new drivers and beginners, as long as you go for a decent model year.

Looking for your next car? We’ve gone through Chevy Sonic years to avoid, Kia Rio years to avoid, Hyundai Accent years to avoid, picking out the best years for value and reliability and flagging the ones to avoid. Our guides aims to simplify your search, focusing on getting you into a car that’s economical, dependable, and enjoyable to drive.