2021 Chevrolet Spark problems

The Chevrolet Spark (Korean: 쉐보레 스파크) is a city car manufactured by General Motors's subsidiary GM Korea from 1998 to 2022. The vehicle was developed by Daewoo and introduced in 1998 as the Daewoo Matiz (Korean: 대우 마티즈). In 2002, General Motors purchased Daewoo Motors, which was marketing the vehicle with several GM marques and nameplates.
The third generation was predominantly marketed under the Chevrolet brand in North America as the Chevrolet Spark and in Australia and New Zealand as the Holden Barina Spark. The fourth generation was launched in 2015, known as the Holden Spark in Australia and New Zealand. It also serves as the basis for the Opel Karl in Europe, Vauxhall Viva in the UK, and VinFast Fadil in Vietnam, the latter being manufactured under license.
A limited-production all-electric version, the Chevrolet Spark EV, was released in the U.S. in selected markets in California and Oregon in June 2013. The Spark EV was the first all-electric passenger car marketed by General Motors since the EV1 was discontinued in 1999, and also the first offered for retail sale by GM (the EV1 was available only on lease).
In the South Korean market, the Spark complies with South Korean "light car" (Korean: 경차, romanized: Gyeongcha) regulations, which regulate overall vehicle dimensions and engine capacity with tax and parking fee benefits.
Production of the Spark at the Changwon, South Korea assembly plant ended in 2022. The plant would instead produce the second-generation Trax.
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Common 2021 Chevrolet Spark problems
The Chevrolet Spark, a popular subcompact car, has had its fair share of issues over the years. While the 2021 Chevrolet Spark is considered a reliable model, there are still some common problems that owners have reported.
One of the most common issues with the 2021 Chevrolet Spark is engine failure. Several reports claim that the engine just stopped working without any warning signs. The most common fix for this issue is to replace the engine, which can be quite expensive.
Another issue that some owners have reported is excessive oil consumption. While this issue is more prevalent in earlier models, it is still worth mentioning. The excessive oil consumption can lead to engine damage if not addressed promptly.
The 2021 Chevrolet Spark has also been reported to have issues with the transmission. Some owners have reported that their car struggles to accelerate at highway speeds, which can be a safety hazard. Additionally, some owners have reported that the transmission doesn't change gear properly or doesn't stay in gear, which can also be a safety hazard.
The 2021 Chevrolet Spark has also been reported to have issues with the fuel tank. Some owners have reported that the fuel tank is so small that they burn through fuel in a short time, which can be inconvenient and expensive.
Finally, some owners have reported issues with the radio. Some have reported that the radio struggles to play music from a plugged-in phone without introducing static, which can be frustrating for those who enjoy listening to music in their car.
It is important to note that these issues are not universal to all 2021 Chevrolet Spark models. Many owners have reported that their cars have been reliable and have not experienced any of these issues. However, it is still important to be aware of these common problems so that you can make an informed decision when purchasing a 2021 Chevrolet Spark.
What is the common problem with Chevrolet Spark?
Apparently, the issue lies with the engine, which causes excessive oil consumption. Some owners claimed that they lost power while driving, and then the engine just stopped working. Several reports also claimed that the Spark's engine died on them. The most common fix is to replace the engine, which is far from cheap.
Is there a recall on the 2021 Chevy Spark?
NHTSA safety recall results (0)
There are currently no recorded recalls for this car. If you believe your car has a safety defect, but hasn't been recalled, please check up with your local dealer or service center.
Is Chevrolet Spark a reliable car?
The probability of a repair being a severe or major issue is 12% for the Chevrolet Spark, compared to an average of 11% for subcompact cars and 12% for all vehicle models. The average total annual cost for unscheduled repairs and maintenance across all model years of a vehicle.
Why is Chevy discontinuing the Spark?
The Spark has the lowest price point for a new car in the United States. GM spokesperson Jordan Lee said that the decision to discontinue the Spark was based on declining demand for the model. The Spark has been an excellent car for the automaker, but the market is shifting away from small cars.
Are 2021 Chevy Sparks good?
The Chevrolet Spark is the perfect car for anyone who drives in the city. With its short wheelbase and narrow track the nimble Spark zips through city streets and urban freeways. And when it's time to park well that's when the Spark's modest footprint really shines.
What is the common problem with Chevrolet Spark?
Apparently, the issue lies with the engine, which causes excessive oil consumption. Some owners claimed that they lost power while driving, and then the engine just stopped working. Several reports also claimed that the Spark's engine died on them. The most common fix is to replace the engine, which is far from cheap.
Is Chevrolet Spark a reliable car?
The probability of a repair being a severe or major issue is 12% for the Chevrolet Spark, compared to an average of 11% for subcompact cars and 12% for all vehicle models. The average total annual cost for unscheduled repairs and maintenance across all model years of a vehicle.
Is there a recall on the 2021 Chevy Spark?
NHTSA safety recall results (0)
There are currently no recorded recalls for this car. If you believe your car has a safety defect, but hasn't been recalled, please check up with your local dealer or service center.
2021 Chevrolet Spark car problems categorized by type of issue
After analyzing all complaints sent to the NHTSA and researching popular Chevrolet Spark problems, we found that the most common problems with these 2023 model year vehicles are:
- Fuel/propulsion system problems
- Air bags problems
- Seat belts problems
- Structure problems
- Unknown or other problems
The graph below shows statistics for all 2021 Chevrolet Spark vehicle components and the number of complaints received.
2021 Chevrolet Spark complaints
The NHTSA has received 3 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 2021 Chevrolet Spark.
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-06-27
- VIN: KL8CB6SA3MC
- Components: FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
- Summary: Purchased car new, Dec 2021. Drive infrequently because my work under 5 miles away and I go into the office x2/week. Car has approx 14500 on it. 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. We have had no snow in DC and the military base (where I live) does not use salt on road so this makes NO sense. Then I learned the car was actually manufactured in Dec 2020 because they do not want to honor the warranty....so they are selling cars with defective fuel lines to the public. This car must have sat somewhere in snow or near water until they brought it to DC to sell to me. If they did this to me, I am sure they are doing it as a matter of practice and should be stopped. When my car was towed, there was a big wet spot under it where all the fuel leaked. I tried to reach out to corporate and now they are ignoring me. Please help me.
AIR BAGS,SEAT BELTS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2021-08-07
- Number Of Injuries: 2
- Crash: 1
- VIN: KL8CB6SA3MC
- Components: AIR BAGS,SEAT BELTS
- Summary: The contact owns a 2021Chevrolet Spark M2. The contact stated while stopped at a red light when the contact was struck from behind launching the vehicle off the ground and moving forward 30ft into the rear driver side of a third vehicle in the middle of the intersection. 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. A police report was taken and the vehicle was towed to a police lot then towed again to the contacts insurance lot where it was awaiting diagnosis. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 2,000.
STRUCTURE,UNKNOWN OR OTHER PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2021-02-01
- VIN: KL8CB6SA2MC
- Components: STRUCTURE,UNKNOWN OR OTHER
- Summary: NO WAY TO OPEN TRUNK WITHOUT A KEY. NO WAY TO OPEN TRUNK FROM INSIDE THE THE CAR.
Negative 2021 Chevrolet Spark car reviews
Positive 2021 Chevrolet Spark car reviews
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Small and just right for me. Small trips are all I take. I am a senior and I love my independence and my Spark!
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I love the way the style handles color, but I was a bit thrown off by all the new gadgets, backup screen, knobs, and dials. However, I'm slowly getting used to them and still love my Spark! Even though I'm 77 years old, I feel like a new driver haha. But overall, I absolutely love it!
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Driving in crowded city areas is great! It's easy to drive and park, and it's also quite fun and nippy in town.
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I found the Chevy Spark so practical we bought 2 of them. If you are looking for a race car buy a Dodge Challenger. If you are looking for 3 roll seating and storage buy a suburban. This car does what it was designed for. And for people to be negative about the Spark you need to buy what fits your needs. I just think this little car is as nice as a pocket on a shirt.
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I'm 6.2 and I can comfortably drive with a car seat in the back, front-facing, though I'm not sure about back-facing. Just thought I'd mention that. The fuel mileage is great and you can find a parking spot anywhere! If you're good with basic mechanics, such as brakes and whatnot, and look online for parts, they are dirt cheap. I haven't had to work on anything yet because it's new, but that's one of the many things I looked at before deciding to buy this car. Tires are cheaper too. It handles really well and the steering is really responsive. Although some people complain about acceleration, honestly, it's not that bad, even when I have my family loaded up in the car. It's obviously nothing compared to my 2012 3.6L Impala, but I can still pass people comfortably on the highway with no issues maintaining a constant speed. Road noise is a little loud, but it's to be expected and by no means defining, and nothing the volume knob can't handle if it bothers you. I will note that it did take me a little bit to get used to the CVT. It responds and acts a little differently than a traditional automatic transmission, but it's not bad. I have not gone through a winter yet, that will be on another review. Where I'm from, we get a lot of snow, ice, and slush, so we will see about that when it comes. From a lot of reviews I've seen and read, everyone says it does fine with a good set of snow tires, which I will get, and just from driving the car itself, I think it will do well. If not, I will write another review or edit this one later. Yes, there are things I wished this Ls model came with, like cruise control or brighter headlights, or better yet, a rear trunk latch so I don't have to use the key every time I want to open the trunk, but it is what it is, and I can have most of that installed down the road. The higher trim levels offer these options, but I wanted just a cheap basic car, so that's what I got. The other thing I love about this car is the fuel mileage.I'm glad to hear that you're getting almost 31 mpg in the city and only paying around $20 to fill up your tank from a quarter full. Even though it only has a nine gallon tank, it's great to know that it lasts just as long or even longer than your Impala's 16 gallon tank. Based on your positive experience, I would definitely recommend this car as well.
Additional sources
More sources of information about 2021 Chevrolet Spark problems:
Oh crap. What did I just do (2021 Spark 1LT) : r/chevyspark
Jun 22, 2023 ... 11 votes, 35 comments. 3.1K subscribers in the chevyspark community. A subreddit dedicated to the mini-might of the Chevrolet Spark.
2021 Chevrolet Spark Problems | Kelley Blue Book
How reliable is the 2021 Chevrolet Spark? See the most common repairs performed and learn if your vehicle is at risk for major repairs in the next 12 ...
2021 Chevrolet Spark Consumer Reviews | Cars.com
Car struggles to accelerate at highway speeds. fuel tank is so small you burn through fuel in a short time. Radio struggles to play music from a plugged in ...
2021 Chevrolet Spark Repair: Service and Maintenance Cost
Get 2021 Chevrolet Spark repair and maintenance costs, common problems, recalls, and more. Find certified Chevrolet mechanics near you.
Gideon Howe 2024-10-28
I recently drove a car that unfortunately did not meet my expectations. Despite being a 2021 model, I found it difficult to open the back door due to the placement of the handle, which caused me to break my nails twice. Additionally, there was no interior light in the back, which made it challenging to see. The overhead light above the rearview mirror was also quite small and did not provide much illumination. The trunk space was limited, only accommodating two bags. However, the car did have a pull-down armrest, a backup camera, and a radio, although the speakers were not of the best quality. I had some difficulty determining the amount of gas remaining in the car, and it lacked pick-up-and-go on the highway. Despite these issues, I appreciated the car's backup camera and radio. I am grateful that it was a rental and that I can return it.
Olen Nader 2024-09-09
Although the 2021 Spark has many great features, the sound quality of the stereo system is not up to par. Despite replacing the speakers, the sound quality only improved slightly. It is surprising that there are no replacement options available, even from Chevy. As a music enthusiast, the poor sound quality is a significant drawback. However, I remain confident in Chevy's ability to improve this aspect of their product in the future.
Eladio Jacobi 2024-08-29
It sounds like you had a bit of a tight squeeze in the rental! A 1500 Silverado crew cab is quite a large vehicle, so it's understandable that the smaller size of the rental car might have felt a bit uncomfortable. However, it's great to hear that you can appreciate the positives of the situation - if it had been your first car at 20, you would have been thrilled!
Barney Hartmann 2024-04-01
I am extremely dissatisfied with this car. Despite being handicapped and facing difficulties in getting my wheelchair in and out of the car, I decided to purchase it. However, since February 2020, I have been facing issues with the air conditioner. Despite taking it in for repairs multiple times, the issue persists and I am left disappointed. Additionally, the back seat is too small for my needs. I am confident that these issues can be resolved and I expect a prompt resolution from the manufacturer.