Chevrolet Spark EV owners are no longer able to obtain essential parts for the operation of their car, which can spend up to 15 months in the garage.
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The Spark EV was produced from model years 2014 to 2016. It is the all-electric version of the gasoline-powered Spark manufactured by GM’s South Korean subsidiary.
Unusually, it seems that the majority of Spark EVs driving in Quebec were imported from the United States.
“Used cars could be entitled to a subsidy of $4,000,” underlines David-Alexandre Filteau, an owner who took advantage of this advantage in 2019 to buy a 2015 American.
The Quebec Roulez vert program still offers financial assistance of $3,500 for a used electric car. But a car can only benefit from one subsidy from this program in its lifetime, which explains the interest in importing vehicles from the United States.
“At $35,680 in 2015, it goes without saying that not many new Spark EVs have been sold in Canada,” says Olivier Dumont, who manages the Spark EV Secours Facebook page.
Rare pieces
Mr. Dumont has been waiting for seven months for a new on-board charger – which notably allows charging at home – to replace the defective one on his car. Other owners are also waiting for a battery, which is also unavailable.
According to Mr. Dumont, the shortage affects all parts specific to the electric version of the Spark.
An illustration showing all the body parts specific to the Spark EV compared to its gas-powered sibling.
Taken from GM media site
“I challenge you to find a pair of rear shocks, or even an antenna for this vehicle. They are impossible to find. As for the 2014 batteries, the situation is more complex, since it was manufactured by the firm A123 Systems which went bankrupt, then was subsequently bought,” he says.
“Hot potato”
David-Alexandre Filteau’s car also has an on-board charger problem. The dealer recommended by GM Canada for the repair did not want to take care of his vehicle.
“He told me that it is an American guarantee, that it must be transferred and that he does not take care of that. However, my vehicle has a sticker proving that it passed an inspection upon importation. And GM Canada confirmed to me by email that it is a North American warranty,” says a disappointed Mr. Filteau.
“Dealers know this vehicle is a big hot potato for them. The car will stay in the yard for six months and the customer will want a courtesy. They don’t want to pay that,” he believes.
In the USA
Another dealership was recommended to him, but since several Sparks were already waiting for a part there, he preferred to look for another solution. Living in Noyan, in Haut-Richelieu, near the American border, he was suggested to look towards the country of Uncle Sam.
Goss Chevrolet in Champlain, New York, 12 miles from his home, agreed to take it. She has been there since April 22.
The dealership was unable to provide him with a courtesy vehicle. Despite everything, he “felt a much greater desire to help than here in Quebec.”
Two months before the mishap with his car, his wife, Marie-Josée Gratton, was diagnosed with breast cancer.
“We needed a vehicle for his treatments. We emptied our savings account to pay for the Spark, we’re talking $10,000, to be able to buy another vehicle [électrique également]. This is a huge amount for us. We no longer have a cushion,” says the support worker in a school, who was recently on strike.
Repair rather than replacement
Guy Madore, for his part, waited 14 months for his 2015 Spark EV to be repaired.
“The battery needed to be changed, but since it was out of stock, they ended up replacing cells. I’m doing some tests and the repair seems to be doing the job,” said Estrien.
The dashboard of a 2014 Spark EV.
Taken from GM media site
Mr. Madore, who has nothing to say about his dealership, is less satisfied with GM Canada.
“I had to rent my son’s vehicle and put it in gas. I don’t know when I’m going to buy a GM product again,” adds the one who tempers the subject of his misadventure. “Those who no longer have guarantees are worse off than me.”
15 months!
The prize for patience, however, goes to Marianick Mercure, from Trois-Rivières. She got her car back last November.
In July 2022 the onboard charger of his 2015 Spark imported from the United States failed. The following month, the failure of its battery forced its immobilization for 15 months. It was finally replaced by a new one.
His courtesy car cost him $1,400 in gas. “I didn’t have any fun at the pump,” says the woman who in the meantime bought a Nissan Leaf, thinking she would never get her Spark back. She now intends to sell the Leaf.
“I wouldn’t be able to sell the Spark as if there couldn’t be anything wrong with it. The availability of coins has caused their value to drop significantly. It stresses me out a little, but with a new battery, I hope to last another 10 years,” she confides.
Constraints
Simon L., who asked not to be identified, is also the owner of an American Spark EV purchased used.
It only had one month left of the 8-year, 160,000 km warranty when its on-board charger failed. It is still awaiting repair 13 months later.
The on-board charger problem prevents you from charging the car at a level 1 (120V) or residential level 2 (240V) station. However, charging by fast terminals (direct current of 50 KW and more) still works.
But these terminals are rarer, more expensive, and do not allow recharging to more than 80%, an important element on the Spark EV limited to 140 km of autonomy in good conditions with a full recharge.
An English illustration produced by GM touting the savings provided by a Spark EV. Unfortunately, GM is no longer able to supply certain parts within a reasonable time frame so that owners can continue to benefit from them!
Taken from GM media site
Like other people with whom The newspaper discussed, Simon L. was offered to keep his car and use the fast recharges rather than having a courtesy.
“With a range of 90 km in winter, it is impossible for me to get by with fast charging. It’s completely absurd,” argued Simon L.
Another motorist argued that the round trip to get to the fast terminal closest to his home halved the range of his Spark.
Happy experience
Only one person contacted by The newspaper told a positive story. Pierre Petitclerc considers himself lucky in his bad luck. The owner of an American Spark 2015 purchased in 2018 broke down in Berthierville in December 2022
“I had it towed to the local GM garage [Paillé]conclusion, the high voltage battery [motrice] was defective. I waited for the part which arrived last November, after 11 months. But in the meantime, the garage loaned me an electric Chevrolet Bolt at no cost. The battery was changed free of charge for a new one,” he recalls.
And the operation probably proved profitable for the manufacturer.
“I bought a 2023 Chevrolet Bolt this summer from Paillé, who gave me very good support. Great little car. GM also does good things,” insists the resident of Neuville, in the MRC of Portneuf.