2021 Chevrolet Spark problems

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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.

2021 Chevrolet Spark

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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.

2021 Chevrolet Spark engine

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.

2024-06-28

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.
2021-08-13

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.
2021-02-12

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

  1. 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.

  2. 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.

  3. 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!

  4. 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.

Positive 2021 Chevrolet Spark car reviews

  1. Nils Crist 2024-09-11

    Excellent value! The Spark is shockingly quiet and comfortable. It's well-built and perfect for two people, with room for two more in a pinch. You can even fit 8-foot lumber with the rear hatch closed! I own two Sparks and have no regrets. Just remember to break it in gently and keep up with your transmission fluid changes, which should be done every 30k miles at the most.

  2. Unique Huel 2024-08-16

    It's great to hear that you purchased a new car today! From what you've shared, it seems like it's more suited for city driving, but it's good to know that it also performs well on the highway. I'm glad to hear that everything is going well so far!

  3. Emory Orn 2024-08-02

    This Spark is surprisingly quiet and smooth around town and even on level highways. The driver seat is very comfortable and it comes well-equipped with power windows, timer headlights, a good sound system, cargo area light, map light, and much more. It feels much more expensive than it actually is, especially when buying a used Spark.

  4. Lucious Lakin 2024-06-29

    I bought the Spark for my wife, who has always been a Chevy fan. We needed a car with a small payment and opted for the Activ model, which is just as cute as a bug. It drives really nicely and comes with great tech features, including heated seats, which my wife loves. We have our two Pomeranians' car seats in the back, and they love it because of the excellent visibility. It's a really good car for running around town, easy to drive and park. We added seat covers, mud mats, and a few blings here and there, and my wife loves it! Update: A year later, she still loves her little car. We put snow tires on it, and it scoots around in the snow and ice with no problem. With gas prices as high as they are, it was a stroke of genius to buy this car. We are very happy with it! Update 8/20/22: My wife is still happy with her Spark, and it has barely 3,000 miles on it. It gets 42 mpg with snow tires and is as cute as a bug! Update 2/28/23: With 5,000 miles on the little bugger, it's just the handiest little tool to have in the garage. It's great for urban shopping, and we love it!

  5. Rogers O'Connell 2024-06-26

    Great car and great gas mileage! The backseat may not be the roomiest, but it works for me. It's so fun to drive and easy to park.

Leave your review of 2021 Chevrolet Spark

Additional sources

More sources of information about 2021 Chevrolet Spark problems:

Oh crap. What did I just do (2021 Spark 1LT) : r/chevyspark
Oh crap. What did I just do (2021 Spark 1LT) : r/chevyspark
https://www.reddit.com/r/chevyspark/comments/14g4m2f/oh_crap_what_did_i_just_do_2021_spark_1lt/

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
2021 Chevrolet Spark Problems | Kelley Blue Book
https://www.kbb.com/chevrolet/spark/2021/common-problems/

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
2021 Chevrolet Spark Consumer Reviews | Cars.com
https://www.cars.com/research/chevrolet-spark-2021/consumer-reviews/

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
2021 Chevrolet Spark Repair: Service and Maintenance Cost
https://repairpal.com/cars/chevrolet/spark/2021

Get 2021 Chevrolet Spark repair and maintenance costs, common problems, recalls, and more. Find certified Chevrolet mechanics near you.

Other years of Chevrolet Spark

chevrolet spark 2022 photo
Spark 2022
Chevrolet

1

0

12

  • 5
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  • 3
  • 2
  • 1
chevrolet spark 2013 photo
Spark 2013
Chevrolet

143

5

18

  • 5
  • 4
  • 3
  • 2
  • 1
chevrolet spark 2014 photo
Spark 2014
Chevrolet

162

6

25

  • 5
  • 4
  • 3
  • 2
  • 1
chevrolet spark 2015 photo
Spark 2015
Chevrolet

72

5

14

  • 5
  • 4
  • 3
  • 2
  • 1
chevrolet spark 2016 photo
Spark 2016
Chevrolet

40

1

16

  • 5
  • 4
  • 3
  • 2
  • 1
chevrolet spark 2017 photo
Spark 2017
Chevrolet

26

1

16

  • 5
  • 4
  • 3
  • 2
  • 1

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2021 Chevrolet Spark photo