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2021 Chevrolet Spark

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2021 Spark.

Transmission Automatic (variable gear ratios)

The 2021 Chevrolet Spark uses a 4.2‑quart oil capacity with 0W‑20 viscosity and is paired with an automatic transmission that features variable gear ratios, delivering EPA‑rated 30 city, 38 highway and 33 combined miles per gallon. In its model‑year history the vehicle recorded only six owner complaints, no recalls, and its complaint count sits near the recent low of three reported for 2022, reflecting a steady improvement in reliability. Overall, the 2021 Spark presents a low‑complaint profile that aligns with its recent trend toward better reliability.

Model year202220212020201920182017201620152014

Quick specs

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

Engine oil capacity4.2 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type0W-20OEM · verified
Lug nut torque103 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy30/38/33 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

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

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 140R · 375 CCA battery, OE oil filter 25206377. 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.

Battery groupBCI 140R · 375 CCAOEM · verified
Tire size185/55R15 82HOEM · verified
Wheel / rim6 inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter25206377
Engine air filter95238310
Spark plug12637197
Battery88866103
Front wiper blades95391363 alt 95391365
Serpentine belt12654488
Thermostat12649163 alt 12673413
Cabin air filter42666227

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic (variable gear ratios)

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length143.3 in
Overall width63 in
Overall height58.3 in
Wheelbase94.1 in
Curb weight2247 lb
Track (front / rear)54.3 / 54.3 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)64/36

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined30 / 38 / 33 mpg
DrivetrainFront-Wheel Drive
Passenger volume86 cu ft
Cargo volume11 cu ft
Recommended fuelRegular 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
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
20162LT Hatchback 1.4L I-410.70 sec18.00 sec98 hpFWD
20162LT Hatchback 1.4L I-410.80 sec18.20 sec98 hpFWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

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

This engine holds 4.2 qt of 0W-20 engine oil, Dot 4 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 103 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 18.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-2-3.

Lubricants & capacities

Brake FluidDot 4
Brake Fluid Capacity1.59 pt
Engine Coolant Capacity5.0 qt
Engine Oil0W-20 · Synthetic
Engine Oil Capacity4.2 qt
Manual Transmission FluidXGP 75W-85W
Manual Transmission Fluid Capacity1.9 qt

Engine torques

Crankshaft Position (CKP) Sensor Bolt(s)7.4 ft-lbs
Camshaft Position (CMP) Sensor Bolt(s)7.4 ft-lbs
Knock Sense (KS) Bolt(s)18.0 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts16.0 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug18.0 ft-lbs
Torque Converter Bolts44.0 ft-lbs
Torque Converter Bolts44.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts103 ft-lbs
Automatic Transmission Drain PlugManual Transmission: 18.0 ft-lbs
Automatic Transmission Drain PlugManual Transmission: 18.0 ft-lbs
Automatic Transmission Drain Plug25.0 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-2-3
Spark Plug ManufacturerAC Delco
Spark Plug Gap.031-.035 in
Spark Plug Torque13 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity14.5 oz
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Capacity2.0 Total System Capacity oz
Standard BCI Group Number140R
Standard BCI Cranking Performance375 cca

Service checks

Key ON Engine OFF (KOEO)50.0

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
118.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 75°18 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 1 stages
122.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 240°22 ft. lbs
Flex or Driveplate Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
122.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 70°22 ft. lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
122.0 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 spark plugs every 97,500 mi.

Every 7,500 miAccelerator Pedal (inspect) · Body Latches, Locks & Hinges (lubricate) · Brake Shift Interlock Solenoid (inspect) · Brake System (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Engine Coolant System (inspect fluid level)
Every 15,000 miWindshield Wiper Blade (replace)
Every 22,500 miCabin Air Filter (replace)
Every 45,000 miEngine Air Filter Element (replace) · Fuel Evaporative Emission Control System (inspect)
Every 75,000 miHood Hinge (inspect)
Every 97,500 miSpark Plug Wires (inspect) · Spark Plugs (replace) · Transmission Assembly (drain & refill)
At 150,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect)

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 Chevrolet Spark generation demonstrates a steep decline in federal complaints from the high-volume early years—2013 and 2014 saw 146 and 175 complaints respectively—to minimal levels by the end of production. The 2021 model year represents the culmination of this reliability arc, with only 6 complaints filed, zero recalls, and zero investigations, continuing the downward trend from 19 complaints in 2020 and preceding the 3 reported in 2022. Complaint distribution for 2021 is notably fragmented across isolated systems including air bags, electrical components, and fuel systems, with the data specifying single incidents rather than systemic patterns; the root causes remain unspecified in the federal record. With crash-related complaints limited to 2 incidents and zero fire complaints reported, the 2021 Spark presents as a mature platform with minimal documented safety concerns. This positions the 2021 model as a favorable acquisition within the used market, offering the statistical confidence of late-production refinement without the recall burden affecting earlier model years.

0
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
449
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
6
Owner complaints
2 involved a crash · 0 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Rollover★★★★★
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 6 complaints on record, top 6 components.

Air Bags1
Electrical System,Engine,Fuel/Propulsion System1
Steering,Power Train,Engine1
Fuel/Propulsion System1
Air Bags,Seat Belts1
Structure,Unknown Or Other1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

No recall campaigns on record with NHTSA for this vehicle as of the last data refresh.

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 449 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
PIT5966F2026-06-23Unknown Or OtherThis Preliminary information communicates an issue with an OTA pending message still…
PIC6423A2026-05-11Unknown Or OtherPi created to provide GM dealers with information on gathering information for projection…
PIC6551B2026-05-11Unknown Or OtherThis Preliminary information communicates to dealer to perform a MEC reset for wireless…
PIT3271Q2026-04-01Unknown Or OtherThis preliminary information communicates information about how to determine if a wheel…
PIP61042026-03-09Unknown Or OtherThis Preliminary information communicates the steps on how to save a GDS2 Session Log and…

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.

Group 140R batteryVehicles taking 4.2 qtEngine oil filter 25206377Engine air filter 95238310Spark plug 12637197Battery 88866103

Reference guides

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

Vehicle recalls & TSBsOBD-II trouble codesTorque specificationsMaintenance schedulesFluid capacities & specs

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2021 Spark take?

4.2 qt of Dexos1 Gen 2 0W-20 Synthetic, per the factory manual.

Does the 2021 Spark have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 0 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the Spark get?

EPA figures are 30 city / 38 highway / 33 combined mpg.