CarRecallDB

2016 Chevrolet Spark EV recalls and problems

2 recalls and 14 owner complaints on file with NHTSA for the 2016 Chevrolet Spark EV.

2
recalls
14
owner complaints
2
complaints mentioning a crash
0
mentioning a fire

Recalls apply to specific production ranges. To see whether a particular car still has an open recall, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Repairs for safety recalls are free at authorised dealers.

2016 Chevrolet Spark EV recalls

Air bags: frontal, sensor/control module-inactive · Air bags: frontal · Seat belts: pretensioner

NHTSA campaign 17V437000 · reported July 10, 2017 · General Motors LLC · 40,683 vehicles potentially affected

The 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.
The 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.
The 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.

Seat belts: pretensioner · Air bags: frontal, sensor/control module-inactive · Air bags: frontal

NHTSA campaign 16V651000 · reported September 8, 2016 · General Motors LLC · 3,640,162 vehicles potentially affected

The 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.
The 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.
The 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.

Most reported problems

Areas named in owner complaints to NHTSA. One complaint can name several areas.

What owners report

Recent complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. These are unverified accounts from owners, not findings.

Jun 1, 2018 · Air bags · 18,031 miles

I WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH AND HIT A POT HOLE WHICH RESULTED IN THE PASSENGER AND DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG CURTAINS DEPLOYING. THERE IS NO VISIBLE DAMAGE TO TIRE OR CAR

Oct 17, 2017 · Service brakes · 11,000 miles

I WAS DRIVING A 2016 CHEVROLET SPARK EV ON A CITY ROADWAY WHEN I HAD A COMPLETE BRAKE FAILURE AND ALMOST WAS INVOLVED IN A COLLISION. AT THE START OF MY COMMUTE, I TURNED THE VEHICLE ON WHICH WAS PARKED ON THE OUTSIDE OF THE GARAGE. I NOTICED THAT THERE WAS A LOUD SOUND COMING FROM THE FRONT LEFT PORTION OF THE…

Oct 14, 2017 · Seats · 14,029 miles

THE CAR WAS STOPPED AND WAS HIT FROM THE REAR ON A CITY STREET. THE IMPACT SPEED WAS APPROXIMATELY 15MPH (ESTIMATED). THE DRIVER SEAT SLID BACK UPON IMPACT AND APPEARED TO DERAIL AND WAS STOPPED BY THE REAR SEAT. AFTER THE ACCIDENT, THE SEAT WOULD NOT SLIDE FORWARD. I AM CONCERNED THAT THIS IS A MAJOR VEHICLE SAFETY…

Sep 12, 2017 · Service brakes

SUDDEN AND STRONG BRAKE PEDAL APPLICATIONS OCCASIONALLY RESULTED IN SIGNIFICANTLY MORE PEDAL TRAVEL, SIGNIFICANTLY LESS BRAKING FORCE, AND SIGNIFICANTLY LONGER STOPPING DISTANCES THAN TYPICALLY EXPERIENCED DURING SIMILAR BRAKE PEDAL APPLICATIONS. EACH EVENT OCCURRED ON WARM, DRY SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA STREETS DURING…

Jan 23, 2017 · Service brakes · 3,006 miles

4 TIMES WHILE DRIVING, 1 TIME WHILE STATIONARY, THE CAR'S BRAKE ASSIST (POWER BRAKING SYSTEM) HAS GONE OUT. EACH TIME, IT WAS DIFFICULT TO SLOW THE VEHICLE AND BRING IT TO A STOP. THERE WAS A "SERVICE STABILITRAK" WARNING FOLLOWED IMMEDIATELY BY A "SERVICE BRAKE ASSIST" WARNING. CONCURRENTLY, THE ABILITY TO BRAKE IS…

Spark EV model years compared

YearRecallsComplaintsCrashesFires
2014 3400
2015 3700
2016 21420

All Chevrolet Spark EV years →

Questions

Does the 2016 Chevrolet Spark EV have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 2 recalls for the 2016 Chevrolet Spark EV, the most recent reported on July 10, 2017 (Air bags: frontal, sensor/control module-inactive, Air bags: frontal, Seat belts: pretensioner). Check a specific car by its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common problems with the 2016 Chevrolet Spark EV?
Owners have filed 14 complaints with NHTSA. The most frequently reported area is service brakes (10 complaints), followed by air bags (3).
How many 2016 Chevrolet Spark EV complaints mention a crash or fire?
2 of 14 complaints report a crash and 0 a fire; 1 injuries were reported in total. Complaints are unverified reports from owners.

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint data, updated October 27, 2026. Latest complaint received June 1, 2018.