Every 2016 Chevrolet Spark recall
Each campaign as NHTSA published it: what is wrong, what can happen, and the fix. Newest first.
Air Bags · NHTSA 17V437000
Oct 7, 2017Air Bags:Frontal
- Problem
- General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2014-2016 Buick Lacrosse and Chevrolet Spark EV, Caprice PPV and SS vehicles, 2014-2017 Buick Encore and Chevrolet Corvette, Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles, 2015-2016 Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Tahoe, Trax, Suburban and Silverado 2500 and 3500 and GMC Yukon and Yukon XL vehicles, and 2015-2017 GMC Sierra HD 2500 and 3500 vehicles. While being previously remedied for recall 16V-651, the affected vehicles may not have received the complete software update necessary to remedy the recall condition. Without the update, certain driving conditions may cause the air bag sensing and diagnostic module (SDM) software to activate a diagnostic test. During this test, deployment of the frontal air bags and the seat belt pretensioners would not occur in the event of a crash.
- Risk
- A failure of the front air bags or seat belt pretensioners to deploy in the event of a crash necessitating deployment increases the risk of injury to the driver and front passenger.
- Fix
- GM will notify owners, and dealers will reflash the SDM software. Vehicles that have had a previous air bag deployment will have the SDM replaced. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on August 4, 2017. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 17287.
Full recall details for 17V437000 →Air Bags · NHTSA 17V307000
Sep 5, 2017Air Bags:Frontal:Passenger Side:Inflator Module
- Problem
- General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2016-2017 Chevrolet Spark vehicles. In the event of a crash, if a young child is seated improperly and not wearing a seat belt while in the front passenger seat, deployment of the front passenger air bag may injure the occupant's neck. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
- Risk
- In the event of a crash with a frontal air bag deployment, an unbelted child in the front passenger seat has an increased risk of injury.
- Fix
- GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger air bag module, free of charge. The recall began July 5, 2017. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 17199.
Full recall details for 17V307000 →Air Bags · NHTSA 16V651000
Aug 9, 2016Air Bags:Frontal
- Problem
- General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2015-2017 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD, 3500 HD, Tahoe, Suburban, GMC Sierra 2500 HD and 3500 HD, GMC Yukon, GMC Yukon XL, Cadillac Escalade and Cadillac Escalade ESV vehicles and 2014-2017 Chevrolet Corvette, Silverado 1500, Trax, Caprice Police Pursuit Vehicle, GMC Sierra 1500, Buick Encore, and 2014-2016 Buick Lacrosse, Chevrolet Spark EV and SS vehicles. In the affected vehicles, certain driving conditions may cause the air bag sensing and diagnostic module (SDM) software to activate a diagnostic test. During this test, deployment of the frontal air bags and the seat belt pretensioners would not occur in the event of a crash.
- Risk
- A failure of the front air bags or seat belt pretensioners to deploy in the event of a crash necessitating deployment increases the risk of injury to the driver and front passenger.
- Fix
- GM will notify owners, and dealers will reflash the SDM software. Vehicles that have had a previous air bag deployment will have the SDM replaced. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on October 13, 2016. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 16007.
Full recall details for 16V651000 →
2016 Chevrolet Spark complaints and service bulletins
Owners filed 42 complaints with NHTSA about the 2016 Chevrolet Spark, reporting 3 crashes, 1 fires, 2 injuries. Chevrolet has issued at least 895 technical service bulletins (repair instructions to dealers) for this model year. Complaints are unverified owner reports; a recall is the manufacturer’s admission of a safety defect.
Most-reported components
- Service Brakes20
- Air Bags5
- Electrical System5
- Unknown Or Other5
- Power Train4
- Engine2
Service bulletins by component
- Equipment (703)
- Electrical System (386)
- Engine and Engine Cooling (155)
- Engine (148)
- Power Train (136)
- Unknown Or Other (123)
Read Chevrolet Spark owner complaints and bulletins, every year
NHTSA defect investigations covering the 2016 Chevrolet Spark
NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation lists this model year in 2 investigations. An investigation is not a recall; it is how NHTSA decides whether one is needed.
What people reported
Owners have filed 42 complaints with NHTSA about the 2016 Chevrolet Spark. A few in their own words, shortened. Complaints are unverified and are not proof of a defect or of any recall.
Injury reportedCrash
“The contact owned a 2016 Chevrolet Spark. The contact stated that while driving approximately 35 MPH, the vehicle was T-bone crashed into on the driver's side by a second vehicle. During the crash, the driver-side curtain air bags did not immediately deploy.”
2016 CHEVROLET SPARKOct 20, 2023
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 11550953
Injury reportedCrash
“I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY DURING EVENING RUSH HOUR, SO IT WAS STOP-AND-GO TRAFFIC. I ALWAYS LEAVE PLENTY OF ROOM BETWEEN MYSELF AND THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME.”
2016 CHEVROLET SPARK EVJan 7, 2017
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 10940366
Fire
“THE CONTACT OWNED A 2016 CHEVROLET SPARK. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45-50 MPH, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL SMOKE ODOR IN THE CABIN OF THE VEHICLE. SUDDENLY, THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS NOTIFIED AND EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED.”
2016 CHEVROLET SPARKMar 9, 2018
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 11078277
Crash
“GOTTEN INTO A MINOR ACCIDENT AND THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND THE SEAT BELT TENSIONER DID NOT WORK. NO INJURIES SINCE IT WAS UNDER 15MPH, BUT I AM CONCERNED THAT THIS WAS CAUSED FROM THE DEFECT BEFORE THE RECALL EFFORT.”
2016 CHEVROLET SPARK EVSep 21, 2016
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 10908345
“While driving in early 2025, my 2016 Chevrolet Spark EV suddenly lost all ability to accelerate. The vehicle remained powered on but would not respond to the accelerator, and I was unable to fully shut it off.”
2016 CHEVROLET SPARKDec 10, 2025
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 11704345
Check your Spark by VIN
Not every 2016 Chevrolet Spark is in every recall. Enter your 17-character VIN to see the recalls on record for your exact vehicle, then confirm which are still open at NHTSA.gov or with any Chevrolet dealer.
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