2013 Chevrolet Spark problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Power Train (29) · Engine (16) · Vehicle Speed Control (14)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Chevrolet Spark model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
112 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (5)
Latches/Locks/Linkages:hood:latch 2022-08-25 · campaign 22V640000 · 120,688 vehicles
Defect: 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 2016-06-10 · campaign 16V422000 · 18,780 vehicles
Defect: 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 Protect
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 2016-04-28 · campaign 16V257000 · 317,572 vehicles
Defect: 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
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:latch 2014-09-24 · campaign 14V593000 · 89,294 vehicles
Defect: 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 Bags 2014-06-06 · campaign 14V298000 · 61 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Service bulletins (1,449)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Unknown Or Other 2026-09-26 · PIT5698F · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this pi provides diagnostics tips on how the lin bus works and how to diagnosis it.
Unknown Or Other 2026-09-04 · PIP4902W · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email gds2 session logs into technical assistance.
Unknown Or Other 2026-04-01 · PIT3271Q · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this preliminary information communicates information about how to determine if a wheel and tires size change is available.
Unknown Or Other 2026-03-09 · PIP6104 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this preliminary information communicates the steps on how to save a gds2 session log and upload to a technical assistance case in cx connect.
Unknown Or Other 2026-03-09 · PIP4902V · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email gds2 session logs into technical assistance.
Unknown Or Other 2026-01-08 · PIP4902U · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email gds2 session logs into technical assistance.
Showing the 6 most recent of 1,449 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2025-06-16 · Unknown Or Other“i got the recall done but it still shows not done on the nhtsa website…”
2025-02-12 · Fuel/Propulsion System“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 it finally started to move. dealership is unable to fix…”
2024-11-12 · Power Train · 178,000 mi“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 able to drive the vehicle to an independent mechanic …”
2024-10-07 · Unknown Or Other“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, keys left in ignition and lights left on. they rep…”
2024-06-13 · Equipment“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.…”
2024-05-17 · Electrical System“the locks will lock and unlock very quickly. i got out of the vehicle but the vehicle quickly locked back locking my son([xxx] who was strapped in his carseat) in there. i pressed unlock but it immediately kept locking back as soon as i pressed unlock. i was finally able to quickly open it and get him out. my concern would be what if the day was h…”
2023-10-20 · Structure:body:hood“see attached document from complainant…”
2023-06-05 · Latches/Locks/Linkages:hood:latch“2013 cheverolet spark- consumer doesn't feel safe driving vehicle. consumer received safety recall letter- gm recall # a222359300- hood striker & hood latch assembly. consumer contacted chevrolet and was told the part is not available and they do not know when it will available. recall notice attached. …”
2023-03-07 · Unknown Or Other“the secondary hood latch lever problem was discovered in august 2022. i received a letter at the beginning of october 2022. i called to have my vehicle repaired but was advised that the parts were not available. i called again in late february 2023 and the parts were still not available. the recall was issued because the secondary latch striker m…”
2023-03-06 · Latches/Locks/Linkages · 130,000 mi“the contact owns a 2013 chevrolet spark. the contact stated that after having an oil change performed on the vehicle, the mechanic was unable to properly close the hood. the contact was previously mailed a nhtsa campaign number: 22v640000 (latches/locks/linkages) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. the dealer and the manufact…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.