VEHICLE BUYER'S GUIDE
Chevrolet Spark2013–2022
Year-by-year buyer intelligence from NHTSA safety data — reliability, value, and which years to target or avoid.
Best Years to Buy a Chevrolet Spark
Buyer Score combines reliability (65%) and depreciation value (35%) — higher is better.
Chevrolet Spark Years to Avoid
1 recall · 134 complaints
3 reported injuries
Top issue: ENGINE
1 recall · 116 complaints
3 reported injuries
Top issue: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
1 recall · 68 complaints
7 reported injuries
Top issue: POWER TRAIN
Chevrolet Spark — Year-by-Year Comparison
Every model year ranked by Buyer Score. Click any year for its detailed problem report.
| Year | Recalls | Complaints | Injuries | Deaths | Reliability | Value | Buyer Score | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 0 | 1 | 1 | — | 100 | 95 | 98 | Excellent |
| 2021 | 0 | 9 | 5 | — | 100 | 98 | 99 | Good |
| 2020 | 0 | 11 | 7 | — | 94 | 97 | 95 | Good |
| 2019 | 0 | 8 | 2 | — | 100 | 93 | 98 | Excellent |
| 2018 | 0 | 12 | — | — | 100 | 87 | 95 | Excellent |
| 2017 | 0 | 21 | 8 | — | 83 | 80 | 82 | Good |
| 2016 | 0 | 20 | — | — | 99 | 73 | 90 | Good |
| 2015 | 1 | 68 | 7 | — | 83 | 66 | 77 | Caution |
| 2014 | 1 | 134 | 3 | — | 83 | 60 | 75 | Avoid |
| 2013 | 1 | 116 | 3 | — | 83 | 55 | 73 | Avoid |
Buyer Score = Reliability (65%) + Value window (35%). Deaths and injuries sourced from NHTSA complaint filings. Year links open full NHTSA problem reports.
Known Chevrolet Spark Problems
Most frequently reported components across all model years, from NHTSA owner complaints.
Complaint counts across all model years. Numbers indicate frequency, not severity.
Shopping by Era
How each generation of the Spark compares — best year within each era shown.
2018–Present
Modern safety tech, refreshed platforms, updated powertrains. Higher purchase price but lower reliability risk. Best pick in this era: 2021 (Buyer Score 99).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best year Spark to buy?+
The 2021 Chevrolet Spark scores highest on our Buyer Score (99/100) — combining a reliability score of 100/100 with a value score of 98/100. It has 0 recalls and 9 NHTSA complaints on record.
Which Spark years have the most problems?+
The 2014, 2013, 2015 model years have the highest problem scores in our analysis. The 2014 Spark leads with 1 recalls and 134 owner complaints.
What is the Buyer Score?+
The Buyer Score is a composite metric that combines reliability (65% weight) and depreciation value (35% weight). Reliability reflects recall and complaint severity. Value reflects how much of the vehicle's depreciation has already been absorbed by prior owners — a 4–6 year old vehicle typically sits in the sweet spot.
What are the most common Spark problems?+
The most frequently reported Chevrolet Spark issues involve: POWER TRAIN, ENGINE, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, AIR BAGS. These are aggregated across all model years from NHTSA owner complaint filings. Frequency of complaints does not necessarily indicate severity.
Deep-Dive Research
A buyer's guide shows model-level risk. A VIN report shows the individual vehicle — accidents, odometer history, open recalls, and auction records.