AI Damage2021 Chevrolet Spark: common problems
Owners of the 2021 Chevrolet Spark filed 6 complaints with NHTSA, most often about engine and fuel/propulsion system. The maker issued 452 service bulletins for this year. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 6
- involving a crash
- 2
- Technical service bulletins (TSB)
- 452
What fails most often
- 1 Engine 33% of all complaints
- 2 Fuel/propulsion system 33% of all complaints
- 3 Air bags 33% of all complaints
- 4 Electrical system 17% of all complaints
- 5 Powertrain 17% of all complaints
- 6 Structure 17% of all complaints
- 7 Steering 17% of all complaints
- 8 Seat belts 17% of all complaints
- Engine: 2 complaints (33% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 40.
- Fuel/propulsion system: 2 complaints (33% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 4.
- Air bags: 2 complaints (33% of all), 2 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 1.
- Electrical system: 1 complaints (17% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 89.
- Powertrain: 1 complaints (17% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 41.
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 1.4 L · petrol · 4 cyl
- CVT
- manual, 5-speed
Drive: FWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 6 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 2 | 0 | 40 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 2 | 0 | 4 |
| Air bags | 2 | 2 | 1 |
| Electrical system | 1 | 0 | 89 |
| Powertrain | 1 | 0 | 41 |
| Structure | 1 | 0 | 17 |
| Steering | 1 | 0 | 10 |
| Seat belts | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| Equipment | 0 | 0 | 131 |
| Engine and cooling | 0 | 0 | 68 |
| Wheels | 0 | 0 | 31 |
| Fuel system | 0 | 0 | 17 |
| Tires | 0 | 0 | 15 |
| Service brakes | 0 | 0 | 13 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
The air bags did not deploy upon impact. The contact did not seek medical attention but did suffer from two hematomas on her chest. The contact also suffered bruising to her right shoulder and pain on the right side of her body. A police report was not filed.
This resulted in none of the airbags deploying and the seatbelt came unlocked and the contact was released from the restraints. 2 people were injured and sought medical treatments. The contact sustained multiple contusions, neck and back pain, a brain cyst, and bruising all over the body.
I lease a car through Carvana, and they informed me that the car was safe and properly inspected. In the first 2 weeks, I took the Chevrolet to a certified dealership for a routine inspection. I was informed that the vehicle has severe mechanical and electrical issues.
I lease a car through carvana, and they informed me that the car was safe and properly inspected. In the first 2 weeks, I took the chevrolet to a certified dealership for a routine inspection. I was informed that the vehicle has severe mechanical and electrical issues.
Last week the car would not start. Smelled like gasoline. Called Chevy and they towed it under the bumper to bumper warranty to nearest Chevy dealership, 7 miles away. Dealership called and said fuel line is corroded.
No way to open trunk without a key. No way to open trunk from inside the the car.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 1,633 of 2,102 model years in the NHTSA data (among the 22% least complained about).
On average one model year of the Spark has 18 complaints (7 years in the data). This year has 6, below average.
What to check before buying
- Engine. Cold start, unusual noises, oil leaks and engine codes.
- Fuel/propulsion system. Fuel smell, leaks, rough running, fuel-system codes.
- Air bags. Check the SRS light, stored codes and airbag/curtain status after any impact.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
Manufacturer service bulletins
Bulletin titles as filed with NHTSA.
- This PI provides Diagnostics tips on how the LIN bus works and how to diagnosis it
- This preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into Technical Assistance
- This Preliminary information communicates to dealer to perform a MEC reset for wireless projection issues
- PI to help diagnose A/C concern
- This Preliminary information communicates an issue with an OTA pending message still displayed after an…
This Preliminary information communicates an issue with an OTA pending message still displayed after an OTA event and how to reset/clear the message.
- Pi created to provide GM dealers with information on gathering information for projection issue
- This preliminary information communicates information about how to determine if a wheel and tires size…
- This Preliminary information communicates the steps on how to save a GDS2 Session Log and upload to a…
This Preliminary information communicates the steps on how to save a GDS2 Session Log and upload to a Technical Assistance Case in CX Connect.
- This Preliminary information communicates to the field on how to diagnosis a GPS issue with the Telematic…
This Preliminary information communicates to the field on how to diagnosis a GPS issue with the Telematic module with no DTC'ss
- This PI advised dealer technicians of possible causes of diesel fuel contamination in gasoline powered…
This PI advised dealer technicians of possible causes of diesel fuel contamination in gasoline powered vehicles and advises of warranty direction.
- This Preliminary information communicates to the field on how to diagnosis a GPS issue with the Telematic…
- This service bulletin provides information on Tire Sidewall Irregularities
NHTSA lists 452 bulletins for this year; the 12 newest are shown here.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2021 Chevrolet Spark?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: engine, fuel/propulsion system, air bags. Total complaints: 6. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: airbags did not deploy (17%), fuel system, fuel smell (17%), won't start (17%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2021 Chevrolet Spark?
NHTSA lists 452 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 2021 Chevrolet Spark from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 2021 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-04.