MODEL
Chevrolet Spark Safety
NHTSA safety across every Chevrolet Spark model year we cover.
Across the 4 model years of the Chevrolet Spark we cover (2019 to 2022), no year has an NHTSA crash-test score on record. 1 recall have been issued across those years.
The Chevrolet Spark is a subcompact hatchback aimed squarely at budget-conscious urban drivers and first-time car buyers who prioritize low cost of entry and easy city maneuverability over outright performance. Slotting in at the very bottom of the passenger-car market, the Spark competes in one of the most price-sensitive segments on the lot, and that positioning has real implications for how it fares on the safety front.
For the 2019-2022 Chevrolet Spark, federal regulators published no crash-test ratings. This omission means consumers lack star ratings for frontal, side, or rollover crash protection for any of these model years. The recall record for the Spark in this period is minimal, with only one recall issued across all four model years. This low recall count indicates fewer identified manufacturing defects requiring official remedy. Owner complaints, however, present a different aspect of the Spark's safety profile. Regulators recorded 42 complaints for the 2019-2022 models. Of these, 13 specifically alleged a crash event, and 17 reported an injury. Two complaints also involved vehicle fires. While these are unverified reports from owners and not confirmed defects, the proportion of crash and injury allegations within the total complaint volume is notable. Without federal crash-test data, these complaint figures contribute to an incomplete safety picture.
WHAT REVIEWERS SAYReviewers generally find the Spark acceptable as a stripped-down urban runabout, praising its compact footprint and ease of parking in tight city environments. Most note that the interior materials and overall refinement reflect the car's entry-level price point, with modest comfort on longer drives. Driving dynamics are described as adequate for low-speed urban use rather than engaging, and value is seen as highly dependent on the buyer's specific, limited needs.
- NHTSA did not conduct crash tests on the 2019-2022 Spark, so there are no official star ratings available for any of the model years we cover. Shoppers cannot compare government crash performance against segment rivals the way they normally would.
- Owner complaints include 13 crash-related reports and 17 injury allegations out of 42 total complaints across the covered model years. While these are unverified, the proportion of crash and injury claims is high relative to total complaint volume and warrants attention.
- Two complaints across the covered years involve fire. These are unverified allegations, but fire-related reports in any volume are a flag worth noting, particularly for a small vehicle where exit options in an emergency are limited.
- Only one recall was issued across the full 2019-2022 range, which is a relatively low number. However, a clean recall record does not offset the absence of crash-test data, and shoppers should not treat the two as equivalent measures of safety.
Most-recalled year on record: 2019 Chevrolet Spark with 1 recalls.