2014 Chevrolet Spark: hesitation when accelerating

Filed Apr 4, 2026 · Acceleration, Engine · AZ

The vehicle experiences intermittent loss of power and unstable acceleration while driving at normal speeds (approximately 45–55 mph). The vehicle will surge, hesitate, and fail to maintain consistent speed, creating an unsafe condition in traffic. While driving, the vehicle does not consistently respond to throttle input and may unexpectedly lose acceleration. This creates a risk of being rear-ended or being unable to safely merge into traffic. The condition occurs during normal driving and has progressively worsened over time. Diagnostic testing indicates transmission-related faults involving pressure control and internal speed monitoring. This issue affects the safe operation of the vehicle and appears consistent with known transmission problems reported for this vehicle model. Supporting documentation has been provided, including manufacturer service program records indicating this vehicle was previously subject to a known transmission-related defect condition.

Filed May 20, 2024 · Acceleration, Fuel system · CA

Transmission needs to be replaced per mechanic, costing around $3,5000-$5,000 Jerking or shuddering during the normal course of driving Hesitations while attempting to accelerate from a stopped position Engine stalls out or intermittently shutting off Rough start or hard shift and sudden acceleration Hesitations while attempting to accelerate from a stopped position

Filed Nov 24, 2020 · Fuel system, Transmission · 65,000 miles · CT

Car sputters and hesitates. Feels like transmission or fuel problem. Had transmission replaced once already. From what I'm hearing transmissions in this car have an issue. Seems like it should be replaced by manufacturer not me. This has been happening for months. It was seeming to come and go now it just all the time.

Filed Jul 4, 2020 · Acceleration, Suspension · 89,125 miles · TX

When you start on the gas the vehicle hesitates forever before going. I've nearly been hit several times due to this. It also takes forever to get over 60mph. The suspension was bad as well and had to replace.

Filed Aug 30, 2019 · Engine, Fuel system · 54,000 miles · TX

The jug that holds my antifreeze developed a hole right where the hose connects to it and antifreeze was dripping onto a belt. My car would make a screeching sound and hesitate while I was driving. I replaced the belt but then other stuff started going wrong. The engine revs up while I am driving and the car will hesitate each time this happens, it usually happens several times in a few seconds then drives fine for a short while. No pattern, just happens randomly. This has been going on for a couple of months. On 08/07/1019 I was driving 320 miles to copperas cove, tx from lubbock,tx . After driving about 100 miles my car studdered real bad and I lost all power as I turned a corner. Then the check engine light came on. I stepped on the gas to the floor and my car would barley move. I managed to get to a gas station where I had to wait for a tow back to lubbock. Something about the device that puts oxygen into the gas as it goes into the engine is not working properly. I found several complaints about the same experience online. I only have about 54000 miles on my car. My alarm goes off 99% of the time if I lock my car, and my windshield wiper fluid does not dispense.

Filed Jan 4, 2018 · Transmission · 70,000 miles · WI

Pulling into a parking ramp the check engine light came on. Car wouldn't move forward without gunning the gas pedal. Diagnostic codes were all transmission related. Took car into dealership. They replaced the transmission under warranty at 70,000 miles. Car had been exhibiting slow acceleration, stuttering, hesitation and jumping during rolling stops or take off. This had been going on for 2 years or better.

Filed Aug 3, 2017 · Acceleration, Engine · 26,000 miles · MI

While trying to accelerate from stopped position car will hesitate and stall out. Check engine light came on. Took to dealership and had 1400 misfire codes in history. Has been back to dealership 5 more times and cannot duplicate concern. Now while driving down the highway car has lost acceleration and stalled out a total 4 times in 85 miles. This is a huge safety concern for me. I've been lucky so far to avoid being hit but I shouldn't be playing russian roulette when I'm driving a vehicle with less than 30k miles on it. I've had the car since 12/2016 and it's been a complete nightmare. Gm needs to recall all these cars before a class action lawsuit against them is filed. I'm paying for a car that I am scared to death literally, to die!!!

Filed Jul 23, 2016 · Acceleration · 41,000 miles · OH

Hesitate upon acceleration

Filed Jul 20, 2016 · Transmission · 40,000 miles · PA

I am on my 3rd transmission in 2 years. The car hesitates when pulling out from a stop. At times the hesitation is so great that the car does not move at all, despite the gas pedal being pressed to the floor. The most recent episode was total transmission failure. But the transmission has had this problem since I got the car and the dealer has tried to "fix" it repeatedly, with no success.

Filed Mar 15, 2015 · Engine · 80,000 miles · SC

Vehicle loses power when merging on to interstate or taking off almost hit in tail in .and still acts as if its hesitate when taking off .was told by chevy dealership mechanic its because its a four cylinder only had car a few months now and scared to go far from home in it.talked to others that have the same car and they have the same problem just would like to know does it take someone getting hurt or killed before the problem is fixed.

Filed Aug 20, 2014 · Engine, Transmission · 485 miles · TX

With less than 500 miles on it, vehicle was hesitating intermittently upon acceleration from a stop; occasionally would miss briefly, would not always "shift" unless you took foot off gas; would feel like brake being applied when coasting at low speed; and was getting bad gas mileage. Car was not showing any error codes but mechanic found these issues upon test driving it himself. Dealership replaced pistons, rods, etc. Was told wrong pistons installed at factory. Upon test driving after repairs mechanic found transmission problems (leaking) and found a crack in the housing and an o ring not seated properly. Replaced housing and again test drove and had transmission noise and found metal shavings in pan) and they then replaced entire transmission. Loved the style of this car but am totally disappointed in the quality of this car.