Platform Heritage
The Chevrolet Spark (Korean: 쉐보레 스파크) is a city car manufactured by General Motors's subsidiary GM Korea from 1998 to 2022. The vehicle was developed by Daewoo and introduced in 1998 as the Daewoo Matiz (대우 마티즈). In 2002, General Motors purchased Daewoo Motors, which was marketing the vehicle with several GM marques and nameplates.
The third generation was marketed globally, prominently under the Chevrolet brand in North America as the Chevrolet Spark and in Australia and New Zealand as the Holden Barina Spark. The fourth generation was launched in 2015, known as the Holden Spark in Australia and New Zealand. It also serves as the basis for the Opel Karl in Europe, Vauxhall Viva in the UK, and VinFast Fadil in Vietnam, the latter being manufactured under license.
A limited-production all-electric version, the Chevrolet Spark EV, was released in the U.S. in selected markets in California and Oregon in June 2013. The Spark EV was the first all-electric passenger car marketed by General Motors since the EV1 was discontinued in 1999, and also the first offered for retail sale by GM (the EV1 was available only on lease).
In the South Korean market, the Spark complies with South Korean "light car" (Korean: 경차, romanized: Gyeongcha) regulations, which regulate overall vehicle dimensions and engine capacity with tax and parking fee benefits.
Production of the Spark at the Changwon, South Korea assembly plant ended in 2022. The plant would instead produce the second-generation Trax.
Source: Wikipedia intro extract · as of Aug 13, 2026
Key facts for this model year
0NHTSA owner complaints
N/ASafety recalls on file
1Top issue reports · Air Bags
N/ARecall data unavailable
Verify the data — open primary sources · as of Aug 13, 2026
System Defect Summaries & Field Data
Active safety recalls on file: 0 (source: NHTSA Recalls API · as of Aug 13, 2026)
Top NHTSA complaint categories
- AIR BAGS — 1 reports (source: NHTSA Complaints API · as of Aug 13, 2026)
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM — 1 reports (source: NHTSA Complaints API · as of Aug 13, 2026)
- STEERING,POWER TRAIN,ENGINE — 1 reports (source: NHTSA Complaints API · as of Aug 13, 2026)
- FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM — 1 reports (source: NHTSA Complaints API · as of Aug 13, 2026)
- AIR BAGS,SEAT BELTS — 1 reports (source: NHTSA Complaints API · as of Aug 13, 2026)
YouTube voice themes below are research hints only — verify against NHTSA data before citing.
On-Site Chevrolet Spark Pre-Purchase Checklist
- Verify OBD-II readiness monitors are complete (not recently cleared) using a full protocol scan.
- Compare dashboard mileage to ECU-stored odometer modules where accessible.
- Pull permanent and pending DTCs — not only stored codes visible on the dash.
- Inspect systems related to AIR BAGS (NHTSA complaint cluster — verify during test drive and PPI).
- Inspect systems related to ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM (NHTSA complaint cluster — verify during test drive and PPI).
- Inspect systems related to STEERING,POWER TRAIN,ENGINE (NHTSA complaint cluster — verify during test drive and PPI).
- Inspect systems related to FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM (NHTSA complaint cluster — verify during test drive and PPI).
- Inspect systems related to AIR BAGS,SEAT BELTS (NHTSA complaint cluster — verify during test drive and PPI).
- Run a MotoMetrics on-site scan for Chevrolet Spark before signing the bill of sale.
Chevrolet OBD-II trouble code quick reference
- P0420 — Catalyst below threshold — Silverado and Equinox AFM/DFM platforms
- P0171 — System too lean — intake gasket and MAF sensor fouling
- P0300 — Engine misfire — AFM lifter and ignition system diagnostics
Generic diagnostic context only — confirm stored, pending, and permanent codes with a full-protocol scan before purchase.