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2016 Chevrolet Spark

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2016 Spark.

Body PASSENGER CARTransmission Automatic (variable gear ratios)

The 2016 Chevrolet Spark is a passenger car that pairs a continuously variable automatic transmission with EPA fuel economy ratings of 31 mpg city, 40 mpg highway, and 34 mpg combined. Across the 2013–2022 Spark nameplate, owner-reported complaint totals swung from a peak of 175 in 2014 down to just 3 in 2022, and the 2016 slots into that arc with 42 complaints and three recalls, with service brakes standing out as the most-cited problem area. That mid-pack total—well clear of the early-generation surge but not yet at the later calm—frames the 2016 as a transitional year in the model's reliability record, having moved past the worst of the early issues without yet reaching the cleanest stretch of the run.

Model year2022 2021 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

EPA fuel economy31/40/34 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses OE oil filter 12699847. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Tire sizeP185/55R15OEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter	12699847
Engine air filter	95238310
Spark plug	12637197
Battery	88866103
Front wiper blades	95391365 alt 95391363
Serpentine belt	12654488
Thermostat	12649163 alt 12673413
Cabin air filter	42666227

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

Transmission

Automatic (variable gear ratios)

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length	143.3 in
Overall width	63 in
Overall height	58.3 in
Wheelbase	94.1 in
Curb weight	2247 lb
Track (front / rear)	54.3 / 54.3 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)	64/36

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined	31 / 40 / 34 mpg
Drivetrain	Front-Wheel Drive
Passenger volume	86 cu ft
Cargo volume	11 cu ft
Recommended fuel	Regular Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the Spark of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

10.7–10.8 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 10.70 sec — 2016 2LT Hatchback

Year	Trim / engine	0–60	¼ mile	HP	Drivetrain
2016	2LT Hatchback 1.4L I-4	10.70 sec	18.00 sec	98 hp	FWD
2016	2LT Hatchback 1.4L I-4	10.80 sec	18.20 sec	98 hp	FWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque the oil drain plug to 11.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-3-4-2. Note the cylinder-head bolts finish on a torque angle (torque-to-yield) — they stretch permanently and should be replaced, not reused, during any head service.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission Fluid	AC DELCO CVT fluid GM part number 19260800
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity	6.5
Brake Fluid	DOT 3
Clutch Fluid	DOT 4
Engine Coolant	Dex Cool
Engine Coolant Capacity	5.0 qt
Power Steering Fluid	GM part number 89021185

Engine torques

Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug	10.3 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug	10.3 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug	11.0 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug	11.0 ft-lbs
Engine Valve Cover Bolts	6.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Steering Track (Rod End) Bolts	37.0 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub	VIN C:

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order	1-3-4-2
Spark Plug Manufacturer	Ac Delco
Spark Plug Gap	.028 in
Spark Plug Torque	18 ft-lbs

Service checks

Pressure Test	20 psi
Key ON Engine OFF (KOEO)	40-50
Engine Compression	TURBO / 174-203 PSI / Max Variation14.5 psi

Brakes

Brake Caliper Bolt to Carrier Torque	Front: 21; Rear: 21 /; Front: 21
Brake Caliper Carrier to Hub Bolt Torque	Front: 70; Rear: 70 /; Front: 72
ABS Sensor Torque	6.6 / NS
Minimum Pad Thickness	0.079 in
Minimum Shoe Thickness	0.055 in
Vented Rotor Minimum Thickness for Replacement	Front: .709; Rear: NA
Vented Rotor Minimum Thickness after Refinish	Front: .748; Rear: NA
Vented Rotor Maximum Scoring Depth	Front: NS; Rear: NA

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages

18.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 45

18 ft. lbs

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 2 stages

Prep Do not reuse old bolts.

1	26.0 ft. lbs.	26 ft. lbs
2	180 degrees	180 degrees

Engine Flywheel Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages

22.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 70

22 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 7,500 mi; spark plugs every 97,500 mi.

Every 7,500 mi	Accelerator Pedal (inspect) · Body Latches, Locks & Hinges (lubricate) · Brake Shift Interlock Solenoid (inspect) · Brake System (inspect) · Engine Coolant System (inspect fluid level) · Engine Oil (inspect fluid level)
Every 22,500 mi	Cabin Air Filter (replace)
Every 45,000 mi	Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Fuel Evaporative Emission Control System (inspect)
Every 97,500 mi	Accessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Spark Plug Wires (inspect) · Spark Plugs (replace)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2016 Chevrolet Spark sits near the bottom of a clear downward trend in both consumer complaints (42) and recalls (3) compared with its predecessors, which peaked in 2014 with 175 complaints and 8 recalls before falling sharply in 2015 and even more dramatically in 2016. Across the generation, the total number of Technical Service Bulletins (TSBs) also declines steadily—from 1,449 in 2013 to 1,122 in 2016—signaling fewer reported service issues as the model matures. While investigations rose modestly to two in 2016, the top complaint categories that year were dominated by Service Brakes (18 reports), with far fewer Air‑Bag (5), Electrical (3) and Power‑Train (2) issues, and only three crash‑related and one fire‑related complaint. This pattern places 2016 at the early low point of an improving reliability arc that continues through 2022, suggesting the year benefits from the model’s incremental refinements. **Takeaway:** Based on the federal data, 2016 is a comparatively strong year to buy a used Spark, with markedly fewer complaints and recalls than earlier model years.

Open recalls

NHTSA campaigns

1122

Service bulletins

Manufacturer communications

ODI investigations

Office of Defects Investigation

Owner complaints

3 involved a crash · 1 a fire

Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

’13 ’14 ’15’16’17 ’18 ’19 ’20 ’21 ’22

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 42 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Service Brakes18

Air Bags5

Electrical System3

Power Train2

Visibility/Wiper2

Unknown Or Other2

Electrical System,Fuel/Propulsion System1

Unknown Or Other,Fuel/Propulsion System1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 1 of 1 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

17V307000Air Bags:Frontal:Passenger Side:Inflator ModuleReported 09/05/2017

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2016-2017 Chevrolet Spark vehicles. In the event of a crash, if a young child is seated improperly and not wearing a seat belt while in the front passenger seat, deployment… Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger air bag module, free of charge. The recall began July 5, 2017. Owners may contact GM customer service at…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 1122 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

Bulletin	Date	Component	Summary
PIT3271Q	2026-04-01	Unknown Or Other	This preliminary information communicates information about how to determine if a wheel…
PIP6104	2026-03-09	Unknown Or Other	This Preliminary information communicates the steps on how to save a GDS2 Session Log and…
PIP4902V	2026-03-09	Unknown Or Other	This preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into…
PIP4902U	2026-01-08	Unknown Or Other	This preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into…
PIT5214G	2025-11-20	Unknown Or Other	This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420

Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1

P0300

Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected

P0171

System too lean — Bank 1

P0455

Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak

P0128

Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature

P0442

Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN

Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Spark. OEM

Build data

Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.

Recalls

Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Engine oil filter 12699847 Engine air filter 95238310 Spark plug 12637197 Battery 88866103

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Vehicle recalls & TSBs OBD-II trouble codes Torque specifications Maintenance schedules Fluid capacities & specs

Frequently asked

Does the 2016 Spark have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the Spark get?

EPA figures are 31 city / 40 highway / 34 combined mpg.