What 19 owners told NHTSA about the 2020 Chevrolet Spark EV

The contact owns a 2020 Chevrolet Spark. The contact stated that while driving at 15 MPH and depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle lost motive power. The contact exited the vehicle, unlatched the hood, and wiggled the battery cable, and the vehicle worked as intended. No warning light was illuminated. An independent mechanic and the dealer were contacted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and was inspected, and the contact was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was then taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed, and it was determined that the battery cables needed to be replaced. The transmission was replaced; however, the battery was not replaced. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 243,656.

NHTSA ODI 11697462

The contact was a passenger in a 2020 Chevrolet Spark. The contact stated that, while the owner was driving at an undisclosed speed through an intersection, another vehicle failed to yield for a red light. As a result, the other vehicle collided with the passenger side front quarter panel of the vehicle. The air bags did deploy, which the contact held responsible for the injuries she sustained. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a storage facility and deemed a total loss by the owner's insurance provider. A police report was filed, and injuries were reported. Both the driver and the contact were transported to an area hospital by EMT. The driver was treated for whiplash, back pain, and shortness of breath. The contact was treated for an injured sternum, injured left knee, injured left ankle, injured right hip, broken right hand middle finger, and whiplash. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA ODI 11696452

The contact owns a 2020 Chevrolet Spark. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle inadvertently lost motive power. The contact was able to pull over to the shoulder of the roadway, where the vehicle was able to restart. After restarting the vehicle, the vehicle returned to normal functionality, but the failure became a regular occurrence. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who was unable to duplicate the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 38,000. The VIN was not available.

NHTSA ODI 11655775

The contact owns a 2020 Chevrolet Spark. The contact stated that while her daughter was driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power. An unknown message was displayed. The vehicle was able to restart, but the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the O2 sensor was replaced; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was then taken to an independent mechanic, but the cause of the failure could not be determined. The mechanic performed an oil change however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 99,848.

NHTSA ODI 11611665

My 2020 Chevy Spark was hit from behind at a rate of 40-50 mph. The airbags did not employ. However, the vehicle that struck the car, all of its airbags deployed.

NHTSA ODI 11546673

Vehicle caught on fire from the inside somewhere towards the driver side in dash. Instrument cluster and dash completely burnt. Entire inside interior of car burnt

NHTSA ODI 11541052

The contact owned a 2020 Chevrolet Spark. The contact stated that the police department informed them that the vehicle caught on fire. The contact stated that the fire may have started under the instrument panel and air bags had deployed. The vehicle was severely burned and only the contact’s vehicle was burned. The fire department was able to extinguish the fire. A police report was filed. The vehicle was not diagnosed. No one was injured. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was contacted, and a case was filed. The failure mileage was 19,000. The contact stated the vehicle has been totaled out.

NHTSA ODI 11539235

The fuel line or a component which is part of the fuel system was chewed through by a rodent and the gas was pouring out of the rear of the car. My safety was at risk because if I didn't first smell the gas and then see the dripping gas, something may have sparked and caused the car to catch on fire or explode. The problem was confirmed by the dealer who sold me the car and who repaired the problem. The problem was not inspected by the manufacturer, etc. There were no warning lights that could have warned about the problem until the tank ran dry. I did see online that there is a class action against Toyota and Honda because the wires in their cars are coated with a soy material which is attracting rodents. My 2020 Chevy Spark was purchased new. The car I had previously sat out in the same parking area for 9 years and I have never had rodents attracted to the wires or fuel system.

NHTSA ODI 11528584

The contact owns a 2020 Chevrolet Spark equipped with Kumho Tires, Tire Line: Solus TA31, Tire Size: 185/55/R15, DOT Number: Y0MBYAY1. The contact stated that the driver's and passenger's side front tires and the passenger's side rear tire had chunks of rubber separating from the tread. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed that the driver's and passenger's side front tires and the passenger's side rear tire needed to be replaced. The tires were not replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that the tires were not covered under warranty. The failure mileage was 22,817.

NHTSA ODI 11499991

The contact owns a 2020 Chevrolet Spark. The contact stated that after the vehicle was idle at a red light, while attempting to accelerate, the vehicle stalled. The contact attempted to restart the vehicle several times before the vehicle restarted. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer who was unable to identify the cause of the failure. The contact then took the vehicle to another dealer who stated that the battery might have failed. The battery and battery cables were replaced; however, the failure recurred. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 65,719.

NHTSA ODI 11482371

All of the airbags were too strong. The doctor thought my leg was broken from the leg airbag. I was even wearing ugg boots to my knees, so I would have had a worse injury without them. I got a concussion from the airbag that hit my face and my nose was broken. My left hand was severely bruised almost covering the whole hand, my legs were bruised with cuts all over. There were bruises as if pieces were flying at my legs from within the airbags. One circular bruise on my leg lasted almost a year. Also, the seatbelt was too harsh. It pulled at my shoulder and the injury has lasted until now. My passenger had cuts on her legs and severe bruises on her stomach from the seatbelt. We were in a head-on accident with the other car going about 45 at us and going faster and faster.

NHTSA ODI 11440908

Our car broke down on 07/08/2021 and went into the shop on 07/12/2021. It was eventually determined the engine had to be replaced. The car was in the shop until 09/02/2021. The following day during a test drive I noticed some minor, unusual response, almost unnoticeable, from the brakes, but there were no warning lights or messages. I connected a code reader and received the following codes: U0422, U0151, and C0800. I think all of them are sent by the ECU and involve communication problems with the ABS and the restraint systems, but yet, no warnings. I took it back to the shop. They found a shorted or bad Body Control Module, probably caused during the engine swap. If I hadn’t found those codes, perhaps the brakes or restraint systems may not have performed correctly in an accident. Obviously, the BCM can be defective and no warning lights are displayed, yet the car seems to perform almost normal. My wife did not detect the unusual braking response. We have parked the car. It seems to me, if the BCM goes defective, there should be a red light, stop immediately warning. I think every system in the car has to communicate with it. Could it be a problem created in the factory?

NHTSA ODI 11436014

VEHICLE #1 HEADING SOUTHBOUND THEN CROSS LANES AND TURE ABRUPTLY EASTWARD INTO ONGOING TRAFFIC OF VEHICLE #2 NORTHBOUND LANE. BOTH VEHICLE'S COLLIDED AND VEHICLE #2 AIR BAG'S DID NOT DEPLOY DURING IMPACT.

NHTSA ODI 11408559

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2020 CHEVROLET SPARK. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, WHEN ANOTHER VEHICLE INTERSECTED HIS LANE AND HE T-BONED THE DRIVER SIDE OF THE ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES ON HIS RIGHT KNEE, LOW AND UPPER BACK AND NECK. THE CONTACT'S WIFE(FRONT PASSENGER) SUSTAINED FRACTURE RIBS ON HER RIGHT SIDE AND A WHIPLASH. THE CONTACT AND HIS WIFE DID SEEK MEDICAL ATTENTION AT A EMERGENCY ROOM. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DRIVABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO VAN CHEVROLET (100 NW VIVION RD, KANSAS CITY, MO 64118: (816) 527-8564) AND WERE MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE INSURANCE COMPANY DEEMED THE VEHICLE TOTAL. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 24,718.

NHTSA ODI 11408103

TRUNK DIVIDER OPENS RANDOMLY BLOCKING REAR WINDOW RANDOMLY WILL HAVE TO PARK AND GET OUT OPEN HATCH AND PUT IT BACK DOWN DEFINITELY A HAZARD IF ONE USES THERE REAR VIEW MIRROR AS IT BLOCKS THE WINDOW COMPLETELY NEED TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO MAKE IT STAY DOWN OR SIMPLY REMOVE THE PIECE ALL TOGETHER! IT HAS HAPPENED MANY TIMES CAR NOW HAS 3000 MILES AND ANY SPEED!

NHTSA ODI 11399529

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2020 CHEVROLET SPARK. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE HER HUSBAND WAS DRIVING AT UNKNOWN SPEED WHEN HE HAD A MEDICAL EVENT WHICH CAUSED HIM TO CRASHED INTO A TREE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED A FRACTURED BACK AND HEAD INJURIES AND SOUGHT MEDICAL ATTENTION FOR HIS INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE INSURANCE DEEMED THE VEHICLE TOTAL LOSS. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO IMPOUND LOT. THE CONTACT CALLED LOCAL DEALER RELIABLE CHEVROLET (3655 S CAMPBELL AVE, SPRINGFIELD, MO 65807: (417) 708-8088) AND WAS MADE INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER HAD BEEN INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 20,000.

NHTSA ODI 11390048

THE SHELF, COVER, TOP OVER THE TRUNK AREA DOES NOT STAY DOWN. IT IS NOT ATTACHED BY ANY CORDS TO RAISE IT UP OR LOWER IT WHEN OPENING THE HATCHBACK. IF IT IS UP SEEING OUT THE BACK WINDOW IS EXTREMELY LIMITED, POSING A SAFETY HAZARD. IT IS NECESSARY TO PUT AN OBJECT ON THE TOP OF IT TO STAY DOWN, AND HOPE IT DOESN'T FALL OFF WHILE DRIVING.

NHTSA ODI 11360457

I SENT THIS UNIT TO THE DEALERSHIP TO HAVE A KEY PROGRAMMED BUT THEY CAN'T PROGRAM THE KEY. THEY SAID THEY NEED FURTHER INFORMATION TO PROGRAM A KEY. PLEASE ADVISE.

NHTSA ODI 11351187

DRIVING 3-5 MPH IN A PARKING LOT, WHILE IN THE APEX OF THE LEFT TURN TO PARK IN THE SPOT, THE STEERING WHEEL STARTED TO SHUTTER LEFT AND RIGHT, NOT SO VIOLENTLY THAT I COULD NOT CONTROL THE VEHICLE, BECAUSE I WAS DRIVING VERY SLOW, BUT JUST ENOUGH TO FEEL, AND SEE THE STEERING WHEEL MOVE LEFT AND RIGHT BETWEEN 1/8 - 1/16 INCH IN RAPID PULSES. IT LASTED ABOUT 5 - 7 SECONDS. THE VEHICLE ONLY HAD 26 MILES ON THE ODOMETER. THE NEW VEHICLE WAS DELIVERED BY FLATBED TRUCK ON 03/31/2020 WITH ONLY 5 MILES ON THE ODOMETER, THE DATE OF THE EVENT WAS 04/05/2020. WEATHER DRY, TIRES FULL. IT CONCERNS ME, AS MY WIFE DRIVE THIS VEHICLE WITH MY GRANDCHILDREN. PLEASE ADVISE. THANK YOU.

NHTSA ODI 11321038