Chevrolet Spark engine failure problems

Filed Apr 24, 2025 · Engine, Steering · CO

I lease a car through Carvana, and they informed me that the car was safe and properly inspected. In the first 2 weeks, I took the Chevrolet to a certified dealership for a routine inspection. I was informed that the vehicle has severe mechanical and electrical issues. The engine needs to be replaced entirely because they found shredded metal pieces in the engine oil. The car also requires an entirely new steering and alignment system. It also needs a new heating system. The total cost is 7700, which is close to the current value of the car. I have informed the caravan and Silver Rock third-party insurance. They failed to inspect the vehicle and follow DOT safety requirements. This car should not be available for purchase. This car requires several weeks of repair, which puts me at risk of driving. I could have easily ended up in a deadly accident because of the condition of the vehicle. This company has committed gross negligence while falsely promoting a car as safe. During this initial review of the car, Carvan informed us that it has never been in an accident, has not been resold with parts, and does not show wear and tear on the vehicle. I have documentation outlining the extended warranty coverage, purchase agreement, and diagnosis and analysis done by the Chevrolet dealership. This company is committing consumer fraud and putting its customers at risk. This company is still charging monthly for a car that is legally unsafe to drive.

Filed Dec 26, 2019 · Brakes · 54,990 miles · NC

Tl* the contact owns a 2017 chevrolet spark. While driving 35 MPH, the brakes seized without warning. The contact pulled over and stopped the vehicle. When the vehicle was turned off and restarted, it resumed normal operation and was driven home. Capital chevrolet buick gmc of lexington (96 radio dr, lexington, nc 27292, (336) 248-5108) was contacted and stated that diagnostic testing was needed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that an investigation would be started. The failure mileage was approximately 54,990.

Filed Nov 11, 2019 · Transmission · 112,000 miles · FL

I bought my 2014 chevy spark in 2017. I have had issues with the transmission slipping since I bought it. Sometimes while driving the vehicle will not shift gears or will not accelerate past 50 MPH. I had to have a new engine put in at 85,000 miles. Mechanic shop told me nothing wrong with the transmission. Here I am 5 months after having the engine replaced, car will not turn on, it won't turn over, it won't click, car has no power to the starter or alternator. Throws the code u0101. Seriously don't know what to do with the vehicle. Gm needs to recall entirw chevy spark line.

Filed May 15, 2019 · Brakes, Engine · 68,000 miles · RI

There were two incidents involving the same problem. While driving the vehicle on the highway and then on a main road the brakes locked and I had to use the emergency brake to bring the vehicle to complete stop. My mechanic replaced the engine brake vacuum pump after both incidents. The pump was broken in pieces on both occasions leading to metal parts falling into the engine during repair and needing to be retrieved to prevent engine damage.

Filed Dec 29, 2015 · Engine, Steering · 31,000 miles · FL

Have a 2013 chevy spark. It has already had an engine replaced at just over 20,000 miles and continues to have the same problems as before the engine was replaced. It continuously goes back and forth to the dealer, yet "no issues or codes" are ever found. To me this car is a potential death trap every time it's driven. It continuously shows the engine light...blinking away...along with the traction control that frequently is on with it. It then revs extremely high and you can't go over 20 miles an hour because of fear the car will explode. It also shakes during all of this. These are all the same problems that the car has had since before the first engine decided to just blow...on a highway...just over 20,000 miles. Please also note that there have been multiple recalls, for this car as well. Cute car...but it ends there. It's a death trap on wheels!! There should be a major recall and class action lawsuit on these cars!

Filed Feb 4, 2015 · Engine · 42,000 miles · MI

My wife and I bought this as a certified pre owned vehicle for her to drive from a local chevy dealer on 1/24/15. We felt okay about the high miles with the vehicle being cpo and having gms 12 month / 12,000 mile warranty and 5 yr / 100,000 power train warranty. We only expected to be putting 12,000 miles a year on the vehicle so we thought we'd have a long trouble free ownership experience with it. That all changed 6 days later. We'd only driven it probably 100 miles since it was purchased and on 1/30/15 we were driving on the highway when all of the sudden the check engine light and traction control lights lit up and we lost all power. Luckily we were able to pull over safely. We called a tow truck and had it towed to the nearest dealer (not the one we purchased it from). The next morning we went to the dealer to discuss the problem and pick up a loaner. The service rep at the dealer explained that the problem was probably related to the pcv recall and his best guess was that there was damage done to the vehicle prior to the recall work being done. I wonder if this could have been / should have been something tested as part of their cpo process. We got a call on 2/3 from the service guy telling us they ordered a new engine and he hopped it would be in by 2/5 and that the vehicle would be available for us to pick up shortly after that. I'm pretty nervous after reading all the issues that others have had that this could be an ongoing problem and even with a new engine we may have the same or a similar problem. Time will tell I guess.

Filed Nov 11, 2014 · Engine · 20,000 miles · IL

Our daughter was driving home on the interstate for a visit from college. Warning lights came on and the car began to shake so she pulled over just as the car's engine turned itself off. She tried to re-start the car and after several attempts it started but was shaky and all lights were flashing. We had car towed to nearest dealer, they told us the engine failed and it would have to be replaced. She was given a rental, after aprox. Two weeks she picked her car up again with the new engine. Drove less then 10 miles on the new engine and once again she was on the interstate for another trip home when the engine failed again. It is currently at the dealership near her school. The people at brown & brown were/are being very helpful however I am now very concerned for my daughter's safety in this vehicle.

Filed Aug 8, 2014 · Engine · 15,000 miles · FL

Tl* the contact owns a 2013 chevrolet spark. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds the vehicle had experienced a loss of power and lack of acceleration. The contact also indicated that the a knocking sound was present coming from the engine and an excessive loss of motor oil from the engine. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who determined that the engine was defective and needed to be replaced. The engine was replaced but the failure had reoccurred. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 15,000.

Filed Mar 10, 2014 · Engine · OH

24 hours after purchase of a 2014 chevy spark, the check engine light came on and car is slow to accelerate. The check engine light was not on when arriving at dealership, but the diagnostics showed a knock sensor code. They decided it was a loose gas cap as the vehicle was filled up the night before and they sent me home. The next morning the check engine light came on again. They kept the car for over a week because the knock sensor was on backorder. It was replaced and less than 24 hours later the check engine light was back on. They told me they wanted to replace the engine in a brand new car. I purchased the car 2/2/14. It is now 3/10/14, the car only has 300 miles on it, and has been at the dealer for service 3 times for the same issue. The car has been at the dealer for over 30 days. I am now working with someone from gm and asking them to buy it back from me under the lemon law.

Filed Feb 4, 2014 · Brakes, Steering · 6,600 miles · CA · crash

Tl* the contact owns a 2013 chevrolet spark. The contact stated that while driving 30 MPH, he attempted to make a right turn but the tires and the steering wheel seized and caused the contact to crash into a cement barrier and a wooden post. The contact stated that the air bags failed to deploy. There were no injuries. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for inspection. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 6,600.