Chevrolet Spark VIN Number Check

A free NHTSA vPIC decode tells you which Chevrolet Spark you are looking at. Then check its model year against 11 NHTSA recall campaigns and what owners have reported.

VIN prefixKL8

Free decode plus the NHTSA recalls for its model year. 17 characters, no I, O or Q.

Chevrolet Spark

About the Chevrolet Spark

Chevrolet sold the Spark in the US for model years 2013–2022, across two generations. The Gen 3 came first (2013–2015), and the Gen 4 took over for 2016–2022. Across those years NHTSA lists 11 vehicle recall campaigns and 527 owner complaints. Complaints pile up on the Gen 3. Its 2014 and 2013 model years alone account for 322 of them, with owners bringing up powertrain most often and engine and cooling after that. EPA rates the Gen 3 at 31–34 mpg combined, while the Gen 4 gets 32–34 mpg. A free VIN decode gives you NHTSA vPIC’s record for the car (model year, engine, plant) and the NHTSA recalls for its model year. It won’t show theft, flood or lemon-law history.

US model years2013–2022

GenerationsGen 3 · Gen 4

NHTSA recall campaigns11

Owner complaints527 at NHTSA

Chevrolet Spark photographed at a US vehicle auction — Auction lot photo, for illustration

Generations

Chevrolet Spark generations

Two generations since the 2013 model year. The Gen 3 (2013–2015) has both the most owner complaints and the most recall campaigns (9).

2 / 2

Gen 4

2016–20224th generation

Photo: Elise240SX, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

20132020

2016–2022· Generation 2 of 2

Gen 4 · 4th generation

EPA classSubcompact Cars

EPA combined mpg32–34

NHTSA recalls4

Engines (EPA)

1.4 L 4-cyl · 2016–2022

Drive & transmission (EPA)

FWD
automatic (2016), CVT (2016–2022), manual (2016–2022)

Known issues to check

Brakes (33)Air bags (28)Electrical system (18)1 high-risk recall campaign

Mentions in 122 NHTSA complaints.

Sample VIN pattern · Gen 4KL8CB6SA?HC······NHTSA vPIC decodes it as a 2017 Chevrolet Spark LS, built in Changwon, South Korea

Check a Spark VIN

Sources: Wikipedia · EPA · NHTSA · vPIC

NHTSA campaign data

Which Spark model years each recall covers

NHTSA data

NHTSA has 11 campaigns on file for Spark model years 2013–2022, and the 2014 shows up in more of them than any other year (8), ahead of the 2015 (7). Move the line to your model year to see which apply.

Pick a row

What to ask

Source: NHTSA recall database, vehicle campaigns only; row text is NHTSA’s summary. A listed year does not mean every car is covered, so check the VIN.

Transport Canada recalls for these model years were checked against this list; each one matches an NHTSA campaign shown here. Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada · Transport Canada.

Owner reports · NHTSA complaints

What Chevrolet Spark owners report

Owner summaries + NHTSA data

Between them, the 2014 and 2013 hold 322 of the 527 complaints, or 61%. Tap any bar or generation.

527NHTSA complaints, 2013–2022

48mention a crash

5mention a fire

46injuries reported

Owner complaints by model yearGen 4: 122 complaints · most for the 2016 (42)

Top complaint areas · Gen 4

Mentions in 122 complaints, 2016–2022.

Brakes33

Air bags28

Electrical system18

Powertrain (transmission, driveline)18

Engine and cooling15

Fuel system8

Crashes 21Fires 3Injuries 25

2016–2022 (Gen 4)

NHTSA data summary

The 2016 stands out. On its own it has 42 of the ’s 122 complaints (34%), and owners across the generation name brakes most often (33 mentions), then air bags (28). Fires come up in 3 complaints, or 2.5% against 0.9% for all Spark model years, which is the highest rate of any generation.

What Spark owners report across recent generations

Owner summary

2016–2022 (4th generation)

Owner data is thin, with only a few dozen NHTSA complaints a year and a few CarComplaints reports. NHTSA owners of the 2017 describe transmission jerking and hard shifts and shuddering at highway speed. CarComplaints lists hesitation when accelerating and no start problems for 2016, and a transmission that slips and jerks for 2019. Chevrolet ended the Spark after 2022. A recall covers front passenger air bags on some 2016–2017 models that may injure an improperly seated passenger. [1] [2] [3]

2013–2015 (3rd generation)

The 2013 and 2014 draw the most complaints. NHTSA owners of the 2014 most often describe transmission trouble, hesitation and stalling. CarComplaints lists excessive oil consumption, no acceleration and engine stalling for 2013, and hesitation from a stop, slipping and transmission failure for 2014. Recalls cover secondary hood latches on 2013–2015 models that may corrode and fail to engage, and front lower control arms on some 2014 models. [4] [5] [6]

What to check before buying

Run the VIN through the NHTSA recall lookup, including the hood latch recalls on 2013 to 2015 models.
Ask for transmission repair records and check the oil level for signs of heavy consumption.
On the drive, pull away from a stop several times to feel for hesitation, slipping or jerky shifts.

Sources (6) and method

Sources:

Counts: NHTSA complaints file, records to October 1, 2026, one count per complaint; areas are NHTSA component groups.

Owner summary updated September 25, 2026.

Owner complaints · by model year

Spark complaint breakdown by model year

NHTSA data

Electric Spark versions count alongside gas ones. Tap a year to see its top systems.

527complaints, 2013–2022

48mention a crash

5mention a fire

46injuries reported

Most complaints: 2014 (176), 2013 (146), 2015 (83)

2014 · 176 complaints

Crashes 13 · fires 0 · injuries 9

Engine51

Power train48

Electrical system39

Vehicle speed control25

Fuel/propulsion system16

Systems as NHTSA names them; a complaint can list several. Source: NHTSA complaints data, records to October 1, 2026.

EPA fuel economy & emissions

Spark CO₂, smog rating and yearly fuel cost

EPA data

EPA lists 35 Spark versions for model years 2013–2022 (gas and electric). The lowest tailpipe CO₂ is 259 g/mi (2016). Electric versions have none at the tailpipe. Pick a model year and powertrain to see each version.

Gen 32013–2016

31–34 mpg · 119 MPGe electric · CO₂ 0–284 g/mi

Gen 42016–2022

32–34 mpg · CO₂ 259–278 g/mi

Model year2022

33combined MPG

266CO₂ grams per mile (tailpipe)

$2,050EPA yearly fuel cost

5/10Smog rating

1 = worst · 10 = cleanest

7/10Greenhouse gas rating

California LEV-III ULEV70 · Federal Tier 3 Bin 70Emission standard

Cleanest gas version of 2022: Spark · Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 1.4 L — 33 MPG · 266 g/mi

Best (lowest) CO₂ by model year

GasElectric

Annual fuel cost is EPA’s estimate at its current fuel-price assumptions (15,000 miles a year, 55% city driving), so older years are priced at today’s fuel prices. Smog rating and emission standard can differ by sales area (federal vs. California); both are shown. Source: fueleconomy.gov.

Compare rivals

Spark vs Nissan Versa vs Mitsubishi Mirage

NHTSA + EPA data

Take 2013–2015. NHTSA lists 9 recall campaigns for the Spark, against 5 for the Nissan Versa and 3 for the Mitsubishi Mirage. Pick a range to compare.

Chevrolet SparkGen 4

Model years 2016–2022

NHTSA recall campaigns: 4
NHTSA owner complaints: 122
EPA combined mpg: 32–34
Engines (EPA): 4-cyl 1.4 L
Drive (EPA): FWD

Most-reported complaint areas (NHTSA)

Brakes 33
Air bags 28
Electrical system 18

Nissan Versa

Model years 2016–2022

NHTSA recall campaigns: 9
NHTSA owner complaints: 379
EPA combined mpg: 29–35
Engines (EPA): 4-cyl 1.6 L
Drive (EPA): FWD

Most-reported complaint areas (NHTSA)

Powertrain (transmission, driveline) 99
Air bags 69
Electrical system 69

Mitsubishi Mirage

Model years 2016–2022

NHTSA recall campaigns: 3
NHTSA owner complaints: 79
EPA combined mpg: 35–39
Engines (EPA): 3-cyl 1.2 L
Drive (EPA): FWD

Most-reported complaint areas (NHTSA)

Air bags 29
Electrical system 17
Engine and cooling 10

NHTSA recalls (vehicle campaigns for all powertrain versions; equipment and tire campaigns left out), complaints (not sales-adjusted) and 5-Star overall ratings for the latest year rated for all three; EPA mpg, engines and drive. Rivals: same EPA class, picked by VinNumber.net.

Chevrolet Spark VIN number location

Where to find the VIN on a Spark

Tap a spot. Every location should show the same 17 characters.

Red Chevrolet Spark (fourth generation) hatchback, front three-quarter view, with the VIN locations marked

Photo: Hans Haase, CC BY-SA 3.0, cropped

Illustration: VinNumber.net

Photo: Elise240SX, CC BY-SA 4.0; edited and VIN pins added by VinNumber.net

The Spark carries its VIN on a plate at the base of the driver's side windshield. The door jamb sticker is the primary secondary location. The Gen 4 generation starts with the 2016 model year; the VIN’s 10th character (G for 2016) shows which side of that line a car falls on.

Windshield plateRead it through the glass at the base of the driver's side windshield.
Source: 49 CFR 565.13(f) (NHTSA): VIN inside the passenger compartment, readable through the glazing next to the left windshield pillar
Door jamb labelOpen the driver's door: the certification label on the B-pillar lists the VIN.
Source: 49 CFR 567.4 (NHTSA): certification label with VIN at the driver door hinge pillar, latch post or door edge

The title, registration and insurance card show the VIN as well. All locations should match.

FAQ

Common Chevrolet Spark VIN questions

Which Chevrolet Spark model years have the most owner complaints?

The 2014 leads with 176, ahead of the 2013 (146) and 2015 (83). Those first two alone make up 61% of the 527 Spark complaints filed with NHTSA, not adjusted for sales.

How many recalls has the Chevrolet Spark had?

NHTSA’s recall records show 11 vehicle campaigns for model years 2013–2022, leaving out equipment and tire campaigns. By generation, Gen 3 leads with 9. Then come the Gen 4 (4), and a campaign can span two generations.

Which Chevrolet Spark recalls are high risk?

17V-307 covers an air bag inflator module and how it deploys. Do-not-drive advisories came with 14V-440. Each should show as closed on a VIN check.

Which Spark generation am I looking at?

By US model year, the Gen 3 is 2013–2015 and the Gen 4 2016–2022. Read the year off the VIN’s 10th character (G is 2016).

What fuel economy does the Chevrolet Spark get?

It varies. EPA rates the 2016–2022 Gen 4 at 32–34 mpg combined, depending on engine and drive, up from 31–34 mpg for the 2013–2015 Gen 3 (fueleconomy.gov).

How does the Chevrolet Spark compare with the Nissan Versa and Mitsubishi Mirage on recalls?

For 2016–2022 models the Spark has 4 NHTSA recall campaigns. The Nissan Versa has 9, the Mitsubishi Mirage 3. Complaints run 122, 379 and 79 in that order, with no sales adjustment.

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Chevrolet Spark VIN Number Check

About the Chevrolet Spark

Chevrolet Spark generations