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Chevrolet carsCode M300Also sold as Chevrolet Spark GT (Colombia and Ecuador)

Chevrolet Spark problems (2010–2015)

The only engine of the Chevrolet Spark that we have documented, the 0.8 / 1.0 / 1.2 S-TEC, has no high or critical severity faults in the versions it is fitted to. Our verdict for the version it is fitted to: «Buy».[1][2]

Outside the engine: Beyond the engine, the Spark (M300) only has two documented safety recalls: a secondary bonnet latch with corrosion (2010–2015, around 33,000 cars) and a gearbox mount that can break on 2013 units. Other owner complaints (vibration, battery) lack a second source.[2][3][4]

Chevrolet Spark (2010–2015)
Photo: M 93 · Attribution · Wikimedia Commons. Reference image for this generation.
02468108.4out of 10

Chevrolet Spark rating: good reliability

Calculated using only 2 documented faults and their sources: the most serious and frequent faults weigh more. Limited evidence: it is based on few sources or few documented faults, so it is not included in the rankings. Having few documented faults does not mean it is reliable: it may simply be little studied. How it is calculated

  • Engine10.00 faults
  • Gearbox7.91 fault
  • Suspension10.0No documented faults
  • Brakes10.0No documented faults
  • Tyres and wheels10.0No documented faults
  • Steering10.0No documented faults
  • Electrical system10.0No documented faults
  • Headlights and lights10.0No documented faults
  • Electronics and infotainment10.0No documented faults
  • Climate control10.0No documented faults
  • Bodywork and interior7.91 fault
  • Airbags and safety10.0No documented faults

The weak points of the Chevrolet Spark

  1. 1High severity: Corroded secondary bonnet latch: bonnet can open while drivingBodywork and interior
  2. 2High severity: Gearbox mount that can break (2013 Spark)Gearbox and clutch

Documented engine

The first label is the most serious fault affecting that engine in this car; the second, our verdict for the versions it is fitted to. Each engine's risk index is calculated only from the faults that affect this car (how we calculate it). We only show engines we have documented with sources: if yours does not appear, we have not analysed it yet. View all engines

Outside the engine

2 recalls and campaigns documented, the latest: Safety Gate alert A12/0237/15: secondary bonnet latch. See the campaigns for the Chevrolet Spark

7 sourcesHow we work

0.8 / 1.0 / 1.2 S-TEC

GM Daewoo S-TEC and S-TEC II 0.8, 1.0 and 1.2 atmosféricos (Matiz, Spark, Aveo 1.2, Beat and Sail) · Petrol

In the Spark
2010–2015[1][2][5][6][7]
Names
Spark 1.0 · Spark 1.2 · Spark GT 1.0 / 1.2 (Latinoamérica)
Faults that affect it
0
Risk index on this car
0
Low risk

Verdict for the version it uses

  • Auto Express (2013) said the Spark's mechanical problems were few and criticised only the noise and sluggishness of the engines; on fiches-auto, among the 54 testimonies for the 1.0 and 1.2, only isolated engine faults appear (a cylinder head gasket, a water pump, a sensor and an irregular idle), with no pattern.[1][2]

Faults that affect the Spark

None of the documented faults of the 0.8 / 1.0 / 1.2 S-TEC affects the versions and years that the Spark used.

Spark 0.8 / 1.0 / 1.2 S-TEC pageAll versions and faults of the 0.8 / 1.0 / 1.2 S-TEC

Faults of the Chevrolet Spark outside the engine

Suspension, brakes, tyres, electronics and the rest of the car. They occur with any engine.

Wear parts for the Chevrolet Spark

Brakes, wiper blades, pollen filter and battery, searched for this model. The exact part number depends on the engine and year: confirm it with the registration plate or VIN.

Affiliate links: if you buy from these shops, MotorFiable may receive a commission at no cost to you. Check compatibility against the registration plate or VIN before ordering. Affiliate links

Buying a Chevrolet Spark?

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Frequently asked questions

Is the Chevrolet Spark reliable?

The only engine of the Chevrolet Spark that we have documented, the 0.8 / 1.0 / 1.2 S-TEC, has no high or critical severity faults in the versions it is fitted to. Our verdict for the version it is fitted to: «Buy». Beyond the engine, the Spark (M300) only has two documented safety recalls: a secondary bonnet latch with corrosion (2010–2015, around 33,000 cars) and a gearbox mount that can break on 2013 units. Other owner complaints (vibration, battery) lack a second source.

What problems does the Chevrolet Spark have apart from the engine?

Beyond the engine, the Spark (M300) only has two documented safety recalls: a secondary bonnet latch with corrosion (2010–2015, around 33,000 cars) and a gearbox mount that can break on 2013 units. Other owner complaints (vibration, battery) lack a second source. The most important documented faults are: corroded secondary bonnet latch: bonnet can open while driving (bodywork and interior, high severity) and gearbox mount that can break (2013 Spark) (gearbox and clutch, high severity).[2][3][4]

What is the best year to buy a Chevrolet Spark?

According to our rating by year, the best are 2015, 2014, 2012 and 2 other years with the same rating (8.9/10); the worst rated is 2013 (8.4/10). Each year's rating counts only the engines sold that year and the faults that affect those units: open each year to see what changes.

Does the Chevrolet Spark have recalls?

Yes: we have documented 2 campaigns for the Chevrolet Spark, such as safety Gate alert A12/0237/15: secondary bonnet latch (2015). Check with your VIN at the official service centre whether yours has been done.[3]

Sources

Every fact on this page links to its source. If you find an error, let us know.

  1. Chevrolet Spark hatchback reviewAuto Express · Motoring press · published October 2013 · consulted 2 November 2026
  2. Fiabilité Chevrolet Spark (2009-2015): pannes, rappels et témoignagesFiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 2 November 2026 · in French
  3. Chevrolet Spark (2010-2015): alerta A12/0237/15 (cierre secundario del capó)Car-Recalls.eu (reproduce Safety Gate) · Other source · consulted 31 October 2026
  4. Chevrolet Spark (2013): alerta A12/1990/14 (soporte de la caja de cambios)Car-Recalls.eu (reproduce Safety Gate) · Other source · consulted 31 October 2026
  5. Daewoo S-TEC engineWikipedia · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026
  6. Chevrolet SparkWikipedia · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026
  7. Chevrolet SparkWikipedia (es) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026 · in Spanish