2013 Chevrolet Spark Problems, Complaints & Recalls

Source: NHTSA · Updated Jun 16, 2025 · 146 owner complaints analyzed

Compared with other Spark years
Far more complaints than other years 2nd of 10 for complaints
NHTSA crash rating
Not rated

Owners have filed 146 complaints with NHTSA about the 2013 Chevrolet Spark. That ranks 2nd out of 10 Spark model years for complaints. The most reported problem area is engine (35 complaints, 24%), typically at around 31,000 miles. Complaints mention 10 crashes, 1 fire, 4 injuries. There are 5 safety recalls covering this model year.

Chevrolet Spark
Chevrolet Spark (M400) Facelift in Böblingen. Representative photo; appearance varies by model year. Photo: Alexander-93, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.

Compare with another car

Most common 2013 Chevrolet Spark problems

Complaints grouped by the part of the car owners reported, with the median mileage when the problem happened.

Engine35 · ~31,000 mi
Electrical System34 · ~10,492 mi
Power Train34 · ~25,750 mi
Unknown or Other20 · ~40,000 mi
Vehicle Speed Control14 · ~10,374 mi
Air Bags13 · ~40,000 mi
Fuel/propulsion System10 · ~21,413 mi
Latches/locks/linkages10 · ~57,250 mi
Service Brakes9 · ~16,400 mi
Structure9 · ~38,500 mi
Problem areaComplaintsShareMedian milesOwners mention mostTypical repair cost
Engine3524%31,000——
Electrical System3423%10,492——
Power Train3423%25,750——
Unknown or Other2014%40,000——
Vehicle Speed Control1410%10,374——
Air Bags139%40,000——
Fuel/propulsion System107%21,413——
Latches/locks/linkages107%57,250——
Service Brakes96%16,400——
Structure96%38,500——
Engine and Engine Cooling85%9,296——
Exterior Lighting85%163——
Steering43%20,300——
Interior Lighting32%250——
Electronic Stability Control (esc)21%74,573——
Equipment21%3,500——
Fuel System, Gasoline21%16,420——
Wheels21%44,287——
Seat Belts11%74,214——
Service Brakes, Hydraulic11%2,200——
Suspension11%83,000——
Traction Control System11%3,200——
Visibility/wiper11%———

One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.

Complaints by year received

Peak: 2014, with 39 complaints
2013: 202013202014: 392014392015: 192015192016: 182016182017: 122017122018: 122018122019: 5201952020: 4202042021: 3202132022: 1202212023: 6202362024: 5202452025: 220252

n = 146 complaints · Source: NHTSA

2013 Chevrolet Spark recalls (5)

Tap a recall to see the problem, the risk and the fix.

Latches/locks/linkages:hood:latchAug 25, 2022 · NHTSA campaign 22V640000 · 120,688 vehicles

Problem: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2013-2015 Chevrolet Spark and 2014-2015 Chevrolet Spark EV vehicles. The secondary hood latch may corrode at the latch pivot, preventing the hood latch from properly engaging.

Risk: A hood latch failure can result in the vehicle's hood opening unexpectedly, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Dealers will replace the hood striker assembly and hood latch assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 12, 2023. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is A222359300. This recall supersedes and expands NHTSA recall number 14V-593. Vehicles previously repaired under 14V-593 will need to have the new remedy performed.

Electrical system:software; equipment:electrical:radio/tape deck/cd etc.Jun 10, 2016 · NHTSA campaign 16V422000 · 18,780 vehicles

Problem: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 Chevrolet Sonic and Trax, and 2013-2015 Spark vehicles equipped with a Bring Your Own Media radio. The affected radios may fail to provide an audible warning chime when the driver fails to fasten their seatbelt or if the driver leaves the key in the ignition. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) numbers 208 "Occupant Crash Protection" and 114 "Theft Protection."

Risk: Without audible indicators, the driver may not fasten their seatbelt, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.

Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will update the radio software, free of charge. The recall began on July 22, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 45340.

Electrical system:software; equipment:electrical:radio/tape deck/cd etc.Apr 28, 2016 · NHTSA campaign 16V257000 · 317,572 vehicles

Problem: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013-2016 Chevrolet Sonic and Trax vehicles and 2013-2015 Chevrolet Spark vehicles equipped with a Bring Your Own Media radio. The affected radios may fail to provide an audible warning chime when the driver, after turning off the ignition and leaving the key in the cylinder, waits 10 minutes or longer to open the door. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 114 "Theft Protection."

Risk: Without audible indicators, the driver may leave the key in the ignition, increasing the risk of theft.

Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will update the radio software, free of charge. The manufacturer has not yet provided a notification schedule. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 17130.

Latches/locks/linkages:hood:latchSep 24, 2014 · NHTSA campaign 14V593000 · 89,294 vehicles

Problem: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013-2015 Chevrolet Spark vehicles manufactured January 17, 2012, to July 29, 2014. The secondary hood latch may prematurely corrode at the latch pivot causing the striker to get stuck out of position, preventing it from properly engaging the hood latch.

Risk: If the secondary hood latch corrodes causing the latch to be stuck out of position, and the primary hood latch is not engaged, the hood could unexpectedly open while driving, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.

Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the striker with a new part which has superior corrosion protection, free of charge. The recall began on January 7, 2015. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 14456.

Air bagsJun 6, 2014 · NHTSA campaign 14V298000 · 61 vehicles

Problem: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013 Buick Encore vehicles manufactured April 10, 2013, to May 8, 2013, and Chevrolet Spark vehicles manufactured December 30, 2012, to March 1, 2013. In the affected vehicles, an improper weld on the passenger side front air bag inflator may result in the air bag not deploying.

Risk: If the air bag does not to deploy in the event of a crash, there is an increased risk of injury to the front passenger.

Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger side front air bag, free of charge. The recall began on July 30, 2014. Owners may contact General Motors customer service at 1-800-521-7300 (Buick) or 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet). GM's number for this recall is 14211.

To see whether a specific car still has an open recall, enter its VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup. You can also decode a VIN here.

Recent owner reports

Short excerpts of the latest complaints filed with NHTSA, with personal details removed. Full reports can be searched on NHTSA.gov.

I got the recall done but it still shows not done on the NHTSA website

Unknown or Other · received Jun 16, 2025 · NHTSA complaint 11667246

Vehicle stalls when started, after vehicle is up to temp the rpm’s fluctuate and vehicle misfires. I was driving down the road when all of a sudden the car went into limp mode I couldn’t do anything and me and my son almost got run off the road but after a few minutes of pressing the gas pedal…

Electrical System · received Feb 12, 2025 · NHTSA complaint 11642223

The contact owns a 2013 Chevrolet Spark. The contact stated while driving approximately 60 MPH, the vehicle started to lose motive power. The contact stated that the vehicle was not able to accelerate above 30 MPH. The contact stated that there were no warning lights illuminated. The contact was…

Power Train · received Nov 12, 2024 · NHTSA complaint 11624686

My Spark's alarm kept going off. They replaced a module, Bob McCosh Dealer. They also said my radio was bad and had to be replaced. 615$. I said "Just disconnect the radio, I don't need it". Problem solved...I thought. When they did disconnected it, I noticed that I lost my "CHIME"...for Seat belt…

Electrical System · received Oct 7, 2024 · NHTSA complaint 11618469

The contact owns a 2013 Chevrolet Spark. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V257000 (Equipment, Electrical System) and would like to be removed from the recall distribution list. The local dealer and manufacturer were contacted.

Equipment · received Jun 13, 2024 · NHTSA complaint 11594252

Other Chevrolet Spark years

2014 Spark →

See all Chevrolet Spark problems by year, every Chevrolet model, or the Chevrolet VIN decoder.

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Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2013 Chevrolet Spark?

Owners most often report engine, electrical system, power train problems. The top one, engine, accounts for 35 complaints.

Was there a recall on the 2013 Chevrolet Spark?

Yes, 5 safety recalls. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.

Was the 2013 Chevrolet Spark a good year?

Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other Spark model years, the 2013 has far more complaints than most years. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.