Is the 2014 Chevrolet Spark a bad year?
172 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine complaints: 54, 5.4× a quiet Spark year.
Keep it, but watch the engine
Half of the engine complaints for this year were filed at 5k–56k miles, where you are now.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2014 Spark owners report, by mileage
Each system owners named in five or more complaints, with the mileage range where the middle half of those complaints were filed. Read at 25,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| EngineSTANDS OUT | 54 (31%) | 5k–56k miles · around this mileage | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| Transmission and drivetrainSTANDS OUT | 47 (27%) | 13k–85k miles · around this mileage | CV axle / CV joint replacement (one side) $300–$1,500 · Automatic transmission replacement $2,500–$7,000 |
| Speed control | 25 (15%) | 11k–69k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Fuel system | 17 (10%) | 4k–58k miles · around this mileage | Fuel pump replacement $220–$1,500 · Fuel injector replacement (one injector) $300–$1,200 |
| Electrical system | 39 (23%) | 29k–70k miles · ahead | 12-volt battery replacement $100–$400 · Starter motor replacement $350–$1,200 |
| Air bags | 13 (8%) | 26k–52k miles · ahead | — |
| Body structure | 10 (6%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Brakes | 10 (6%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Latches and locks | 8 (5%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Stability control | 8 (5%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Steering | 7 (4%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Seat belts | 6 (3%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Suspension | 5 (3%) | too few with a mileage | — |
Bills are typical US ranges from the sources named in the tool (J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, CarParts.com and others), printed only for systems that stand out or sit at or ahead of 25,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 172 complaints: 13 mention a crash · 7 report an injury · 8 say the car was towed.
7 complaints were filed in the last 12 months, the newest in Aug 2026.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
In owners' own words
Hello, below is an email detailing the issue I sent to hertz which I rented the car from hello, as a reoccurring hertz customer, I wanted to make hertz aware of a severe safety issue with a Chevrolet spark that I recently rented.
The car will power down while driving, despite having adequate charge. The message "Press power button again to shut off" Appears even though the power button has not been pressed.
The engine coolant/anti-freeze reservoir leaks. ***it only leaks when driving*** I realized this when doing an inspection before a long drive (Car was stationary).
Unedited excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, chosen by mileage (nearest 25,000 miles), not by content. Unverified.
Recalls for the 2014 Chevrolet Spark: 6
The secondary hood latch may corrode at the latch pivot, preventing the hood latch from properly engaging. A hood latch failure can result in the vehicle's hood opening unexpectedly, increasing the risk of a crash.
The affected radios may fail to provide an audible warning chime when the driver fails to fasten their seatbelt or if the driver leaves the key in the ignition. Without audible indicators, the driver may not fasten their seatbelt, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.
The affected radios may fail to provide an audible warning chime when the driver, after turning off the ignition and leaving the key in the cylinder, waits 10 minutes or longer to open the door. Without audible indicators, the driver may leave the key in the ignition, increasing the risk of theft.
In the affected vehicles, equipped with the base radio and OnStar, the radio may lock up due to a software issue, causing the display to go blank and all audio functions to cease. Without audible indicators, the driver may leave the key in the ignition, increasing the risk of theft. If a driver or front passenger does not buckle their seat belt, there would be no chime to remind them to fasten their seat belts.
The secondary hood latch may prematurely corrode at the latch pivot causing the striker to get stuck out of position, preventing it from properly engaging the hood latch. If the secondary hood latch corrodes causing the latch to be stuck out of position, and the primary hood latch is not engaged, the hood could unexpectedly open while driving, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
In the affected vehicles, the left and right lower control arm attaching bolts in the front suspension may not be tightened to specification. If the lower control arm bolts are not tightened properly, the lower control arm may separate from the steering knuckle while driving, causing a loss of steering, increasing the risk of a crash.
A recall may cover only some cars of a model year; the campaign size counts every model and year it lists. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls: dealers fix open recalls free.
Service bulletins from Chevrolet: 459
Repair instructions Chevrolet sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2014 Chevrolet Spark. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
Intermittent no crank, no start, or start stall concern with the security light coming…
Normal transmission shift condition and the delay in throttle response when the throttle plate is opened rapidly and advises the customer that it is normal…
Guidelines to replace Oil Cooler, Oil Cooler Lines and Oil Tank if the engine was replaced where large amounts of debris has flowed throughout the oiling system
Internal Engine Noise or Damage After Oil Filter Replacement
Neighbouring years
2013 Spark: 145 complaints, keep it, but watch the engine · 2015 Spark: 77 complaints, keep it.
Every Chevrolet Spark year
2013 · 2014 · 2015 · 2016 · 2017 · 2018 · 2019 · 2020 · 2021 · 2022 · All Spark years side by side
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Questions
Is the 2014 Chevrolet Spark a bad year?
172 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine complaints: 54, 5.4× a quiet Spark year. At 25,000 miles the tool says: Keep it, but watch the engine. Half of the engine complaints for this year were filed at 5k–56k miles, where you are now.
What are the most common problems with the 2014 Chevrolet Spark?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: engine (54), transmission and drivetrain (47), speed control (25), fuel system (17), electrical system (39). Half of the engine complaints were filed between 5k–56k miles.
How many recalls does the 2014 Chevrolet Spark have?
6 recall campaigns list this model year: Latches and locks (NHTSA 22V-640), Equipment (NHTSA 16V-422), Equipment (NHTSA 16V-257), Equipment (NHTSA 15V-416) and more. A recall may cover only some cars; check by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Method: counts of unverified owner complaints filed with NHTSA, compared only with other years of the same model (sales volumes are unknown, so no failure rate is computed). A system stands out at 40+ complaints and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share across every vehicle of that model year. The mileage range is the 25th to 75th percentile of the mileages owners reported. Data received by NHTSA through November 5, 2026. Repair prices are typical US ranges from named sources, not quotes. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Check this car at your own mileage.