Recall 14V298 affects 61 2013 Chevrolet Spark and Encore vehicles for a passenger air bag defect. Repair is free at any franchised Chevrolet dealer.
Chevrolet is recalling 61 2013 Spark and Encore vehicles because an improper weld on the passenger-side front air bag inflator can prevent the air bag from deploying in a crash. That failure increases injury risk for the front passenger; the dealer repair will be free once Chevrolet makes it available.
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What's wrong?
The passenger-side front air bag inflator is the metal device inside the air bag module that fills the air bag when the vehicle detects a crash. In the 2013 Spark and Encore vehicles covered by recall 14V298, that inflator is part of the front passenger protection system. It is supposed to release gas quickly so the air bag opens between the passenger and the dashboard.
The problem is an improper weld on that inflator. A weld is the joined metal seam that keeps the inflator sealed and able to work under sudden pressure. If that weld is not made correctly, the inflator does not do its job when the passenger-side front air bag is commanded to deploy. The result is that the air bag does not deploy as designed.
There is no warning sign before failure. An owner is not expected to hear, feel, or see anything in normal driving that proves this weld problem is present.
Who's affected?
Covers Spark and Encore vehicles in one model year, tied to the same air bag system recall.
| 2013 Chevrolet Spark | air bag system |
|---|---|
| 2013 Buick Encore | air bag system |
| Units affected | 61 |
A matching year and model does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific vehicle is included.
What's the safety risk?
If the front passenger air bag fails to deploy during a crash, the front passenger faces a higher risk of injury. Confirm the recall with your VIN and contact a franchised Chevrolet dealer about repair timing if included. Repair will be free at any franchised Chevrolet dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2013 Chevrolet Spark or Buick Encore is included in this recall.
- Review the owner letter sent on July 30, 2014, then contact a franchised Chevrolet dealer for the free passenger-side front air-bag replacement.
- Reference recall number 14V298 when you call the dealer.
- Keep front-seat passengers out of the vehicle until the air-bag inflator weld is repaired, because the passenger air bag can fail to deploy in a crash.
What happens at the repair
The recall repair is handled at a Chevrolet dealer. A Chevrolet technician replaces the passenger side front air bag covered by campaign 14V298. Parts and labor are covered under the recall. GM's filing lists the owner notice and repair launch as July 30, 2014, so ask the service desk to confirm parts availability for your VIN when you schedule. The work addresses the passenger air bag inflator weld issue described in the recall.
Timeline
| June 6, 2014 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| July 30, 2014 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 14V298?
Recall 14V298 covers 61 2013 Chevrolet Spark and Buick Encore vehicles with an improper weld on the passenger-side front air bag inflator. The defect can keep the air bag from deploying in a crash, increasing injury risk for the front passenger.
What should I do if my 2013 Chevrolet Spark or Buick Encore is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific vehicle is included in recall 14V298. If it is, contact a franchised Chevrolet or Buick dealer and ask for the passenger-side front air bag replacement. Reference recall number 14V298 when you call. The repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost, and the recall remedy covers replacement of the passenger-side front air bag free of charge at a franchised dealer.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is front-passenger injury in a crash. If the passenger-side front air bag does not deploy, the front passenger loses that crash protection. Check your VIN, then schedule the free air bag replacement if your vehicle is included.
What if I bought this vehicle used?
The free recall repair still applies. Recall coverage follows the vehicle, not the first owner. Check your VIN to confirm whether your 2013 Chevrolet Spark or Buick Encore is included, then reference recall number 14V298 when you call the dealer.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/14V298000 |
|---|---|
| Chevrolet customer service | 1-800-521-7300 |
| NHTSA recall # | 14V298 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 14V298000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Defect / Noncompliance Notice (PDF) (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on June 2, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →