2017 Chevrolet Spark problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Service Brakes (8) · Power Train (5) · Visibility/Wiper (3)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Chevrolet Spark model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
Safety recalls (1)
Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module 2017-05-09 · campaign 17V307000 · 55,068 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Service bulletins (709)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Unknown Or Other 2026-09-26 · PIT5698F · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this pi provides diagnostics tips on how the lin bus works and how to diagnosis it.
Unknown Or Other 2026-09-04 · PIP4902W · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email gds2 session logs into technical assistance.
Unknown Or Other 2026-07-21 · PIT5099J · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
pi to help diagnose a/c concern
Unknown Or Other 2026-04-01 · PIT3271Q · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this preliminary information communicates information about how to determine if a wheel and tires size change is available.
Unknown Or Other 2026-03-09 · PIP6104 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this preliminary information communicates the steps on how to save a gds2 session log and upload to a technical assistance case in cx connect.
Unknown Or Other 2026-03-09 · PIP4902V · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email gds2 session logs into technical assistance.
Showing the 6 most recent of 709 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-07-29 · Service Brakes“my transmission has been acting up like other stated where it will rev the motor high and then jerk and shift hard. there are no recalls for it when there are known issues with the transmission for the 2017. i was driving down the road and went to stop and my brakes were very hard and almost had to stand on them to stop, almost hit a couple car…”
2026-06-30 · Visibility:defroster/Defogger/Hvac System:compressor · 100,000 mi“the contact owns a 2017 chevrolet spark. the contact stated that while the vehicle was parked or while driving at various speeds, the a/c was blowing out hot air. a dealer was contacted. the vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed, and the air conditioning hose was leaking and the condenser needed to be replaced. the vehicle was then taken …”
2025-07-25 · Power Train“when the car reaches a certain speed (50 mph plus) it jerks and jolts. the engine light is on and a p-code is present. each mechanic says something different. …”
2024-08-12 · Power Train“i feel that there are issues with the transmissions on the 2017 chevy spark. i noticed that there have been complaints in years such as 2014 and 2019. i find that my 2017 exhibits exact same transmission issues as years that came before or after. lots of indecision with the car about whether to upshift or downshift. sometimes violent jerking back a…”
2023-05-05 · Service Brakes · 💥 crash“vehicle brakes went out suddenly after hearing a loud pop sound...brakes wouldn't respond and pedal hard, ran off road and could only glide to a roll stop and not really then...fortunately a repair shop adjacent so drove their and rolled stop. initial look shop advised vacuum pump needs to be diagnosed...they came back with a 'caution on file #pip5…”
2023-04-12 · Power Train · 120,000 mi“the contact owns a 2017 chevrolet spark. the contact stated that on various occasions, and while driving at approximately 55 mph, the vehicle shuddered while accelerating. the contact stated that the failure persisted while driving above 50 mph. the check engine warning light was intermittently illuminated. an independent mechanic arrived at the re…”
2023-04-05 · Power Train“took the car to emissions wouldn’t pass because the check engine wouldn’t illuminate they gave me a recall paper related to the check engine light not illuminating mfr#n192268880/ took car to gateway chevrolet at 9901 w papago freeway avondale az, 85323 to get the recall done which the my did and now the car is not shifting properly and it engine …”
2023-01-27 · Service Brakes“105000 miles: lost brakes extremely hard to push brake pedal. lost vacuum, enabling to stop car safely. took brake vacuum line off vacuum pump and plug pump so oil don’t leak out pump. then join the line to an existing vacuum line. problem solved no issues since. 205000 miles: repeatedly theft mode, flickering dashboard, and dead battery issues. ba…”
2022-07-12 · Suspension“electrical : first instance in 2020. there are instances when you stop the car, and it appears the vehicle has no electrical charge (it is a gas vehicle). happened once while parked (2020)- service request august 2020, and another while waiting for a green light (2021). my concern is this occurs and causing an accident. suspension: first instan…”
2022-02-01 · Seats“headrest angle is hurting me and my wife, to the point where we really want to turn them around and add velcrow strapped pillows! something's got to be done about the standard. headrests are way too far forward. they're nit safe. my wife has minor scoliosis and her 2012 prius c that she bought used messes up her back and my neck has been getting p…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.