2020 Chevrolet Spark Owner Complaints

Complaint Summary
The 2020 Chevrolet Spark has 26 reported complaints.
- Top issues involve air bags and unknown or other.
Reliability Score
Reliability Score
Based on 26 complaints
Most Frequent Issues
AIR BAGS
7 26.9%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
5 19.2%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
4 15.4%
ENGINE
3 11.5%
STEERING
1 3.8%
Quick Insights
The top category is AIR BAGS, accounting for 26.9% of all complaints.
Owners have reported issues across 11 distinct vehicle systems.
Note: Complaint data reflects owner reports and may not always indicate a verified defect. Compare with Recalls and TSBs for a complete picture.
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What owners keep reporting on the 2020 Chevrolet Spark
The 2020 Chevrolet Spark has 26 owner complaints in this dataset. AIR BAGS is the most common complaint category, representing about 27% of the reports shown here.
Most common complaint categories
The top complaint groups for the 2020 Chevrolet Spark are AIR BAGS (7), UNKNOWN OR OTHER (5), ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (4).
Are these complaints a serious red flag?
Potentially. 18 complaint reports involve higher-attention systems like brakes, steering, engine, powertrain, fuel, suspension, airbags, or electrical components, which is enough to justify a focused inspection.
What should buyers inspect on a used 2020 Chevrolet Spark?
Start with the top complaint systems, compare them against the recall report, then inspect service records for evidence that those same areas were already repaired or monitored.
Detailed Complaint Log
Showing 11 of 11 systems
AIR BAGS
7 Reports27% of totalPreviewing the first 2 complaint summaries.
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.
1/26/2021
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.
4/14/2021
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
5 Reports19% of totalPreviewing the first 2 complaint summaries.
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.
8/25/2020
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.
9/22/2020
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
4 Reports15% of totalPreviewing the first 2 complaint summaries.
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.
8/25/2020
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 hadnât 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?
10/8/2021
ENGINE
3 Reports12% of totalPreviewing the first 2 complaint summaries.
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.
9/1/2022
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.
8/29/2024
STEERING
1 Report4% of totalPreviewing the first 1 complaint summaries.
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.
4/13/2020
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING
1 Report4% of totalPreviewing the first 1 complaint summaries.
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 hadnât 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?
10/8/2021
SEAT BELTS
1 Report4% of totalPreviewing the first 1 complaint summaries.
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.
11/18/2021
TIRES
1 Report4% of totalPreviewing the first 1 complaint summaries.
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.
1/3/2023
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
1 Report4% of totalPreviewing the first 1 complaint summaries.
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.
6/23/2023
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL
1 Report4% of totalPreviewing the first 1 complaint summaries.
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 contactâs 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.
8/17/2023
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY
1 Report4% of totalPreviewing the first 1 complaint summaries.
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.
11/4/2025
Data and Methodology
Scores are derived from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints, normalized by vehicle segment averages.
What are the most common owner complaints for the 2020 Chevrolet Spark?
Are complaints about the 2020 Chevrolet Spark a serious warning sign?
How should buyers use complaint data for the 2020 Chevrolet Spark?
Are complaints about the 2020 Chevrolet Spark severe?
Complaint list entries are sourced from owner-submitted NHTSA ODI records.
Chevrolet Spark: How should complaint data influence buying decisions?
Carfocal links complaint data directly to recall and maintenance routes for the same model year.
- Complaint entries
- 26
- Top-topic view
- 5 grouped topics shown
- Primary source
- NHTSA ODI owner complaint records
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