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2013 Chevrolet Spark

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Spark years

Owner complaints for the 2013 Chevrolet Spark are substantially higher than the model-year median of 23.5.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

112 reports with mileage · 34 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Engine. Review the 35 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 34 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 34 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

10 crash reports1 fire reports4 injury reports

Electrical System complaints

34 reports
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59,441 miles · Nov 1, 2016
Air BagsElectrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET SPARK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A WARNING ERROR MESSAGE (CODE 95) DISPLAYED ACROSS THE MESSAGE BOARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CONTROL MODULE FOR THE AIR BAG SYSTEM FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS N…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET SPARK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A WARNING ERROR MESSAGE (CODE 95) DISPLAYED ACROSS THE MESSAGE BOARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CONTROL MODULE FOR THE AIR BAG SYSTEM FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 59,441.

NHTSA ODI #10920492

Mileage unknown · Aug 24, 2016
Electrical SystemUnknown Or Other

I TOOK MY CHEVY SPARK TO THE CHEVY DEALERSHIP FOR THE SAFETY RECALL TO THE RADIO. DEALER COMPLETED RECALL AND THE NEXT DAY MY RADIO HAVING ISSUES. THE BUTTONS ON THE RADIO WERE NOT RESPONDING TO TOUCH. THE DEALER STATED THEY DIDN'T SEE ANY ISSUES. APPROX 1 MONTH LATER, I TOOK MY CAR BACK TO DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT IT WAS A H…

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I TOOK MY CHEVY SPARK TO THE CHEVY DEALERSHIP FOR THE SAFETY RECALL TO THE RADIO. DEALER COMPLETED RECALL AND THE NEXT DAY MY RADIO HAVING ISSUES. THE BUTTONS ON THE RADIO WERE NOT RESPONDING TO TOUCH. THE DEALER STATED THEY DIDN'T SEE ANY ISSUES. APPROX 1 MONTH LATER, I TOOK MY CAR BACK TO DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT IT WAS A HARDWARE ISSUE. THE MANAGER AT DEALER STATED THAT THEY DONT HAVE ANY TESTS TO DETERMINE WHAT HARDWARE ISSUE THE RADIO WAS HAVING BUT STATED IT WASNT RELATED TO SAFETY RECALL. THE MANAGER ALSO ADVISED THAT GM WOULD NOT PAY FOR A NEW RADIO AND THAT I WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE TO REPLACE IT. I USED A 3RD PARTY EXTENDED WARRANTY TO PAY FOR REPAIRS AND FILED COMPLAINT WITH GM RISK MANAGEMENT. THE MANAGER FOR THE CUSTOMER SERVICE TEAM SPOKE WITH LOCAL DEALER AND STATED THAT THE DEALER CONFIRMED THAT IT WAS A HARDWARE ISSUE AND NOT RELATED TO RECALL. BOTH GM AND LOCAL DEALER UNABLE TO PROVIDE ME WITH ANY DOCUMENTS SUPPORTING THEIR CONCLUSION. GM ALSO STATED THAT RECALL WAS NOT A SAFTEY RECALL AND THAT RECALL WAS DONE FOR SIMPLE SOFTWARE ISSUES. DEALER ALSO ADVISED THAT THEY USED A FOREIGN OBJECT (USB) TO COMPLETE SOFTWARE UPDATE. NO ISSUES WITH RADIO BEFORE RECALL WORK. GM WONT REIMBURSE ME FOR $100 DEDUCTIBLE THAT WAS PAID DIRECTLY BY ME. EXTENDED WARRANTY PAID FOR REMAINDER OF RADIO REPLACEMENT. GM STATED THEY WONT REIMBURSE BECAUSE CAR IS PAST BUMPER TO BUMPER WARRANTY

NHTSA ODI #10898330

Mileage unknown · Aug 22, 2016
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET SPARK. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING REPAIRED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V422000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM), IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE COMPUTER NEEDED TO BE REPROGRAMMED. WHILE RECIEVING THE RECALL REPAIR, THE VEHICLE'S COMPUTER FAILED DUE TO THE WORK BEING PERFORMED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFED …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET SPARK. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING REPAIRED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V422000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM), IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE COMPUTER NEEDED TO BE REPROGRAMMED. WHILE RECIEVING THE RECALL REPAIR, THE VEHICLE'S COMPUTER FAILED DUE TO THE WORK BEING PERFORMED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ODI #10897717

83,645 miles · Mar 29, 2016
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Engine

I WAS GOING SOUTH ON I95 DOING 70 MILES AN HOUR ENGINE LIGHT FLASHED OFF AND ON TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT ON CAR LOST SPEED AND WILL NOT SHIFT HIGH RP NOT SPEED. WAS ALMOST IN A VERY BAD ACCIDENT.

NHTSA ODI #10852151

32,800 miles · Aug 31, 2015
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET SPARK. WHILE IN PARK, THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY STARTED. THE CONTACT HAD TO PLACE THE KEY IN THE IGNITION AND TURN THE KEY TO THE OFF POSITION TO TURN THE VEHICLE OFF. ALL THE INTERIOR LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHO WAS U…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET SPARK. WHILE IN PARK, THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY STARTED. THE CONTACT HAD TO PLACE THE KEY IN THE IGNITION AND TURN THE KEY TO THE OFF POSITION TO TURN THE VEHICLE OFF. ALL THE INTERIOR LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE OR REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 32,800. MA 10/19/2015 *CN

NHTSA ODI #10760363

45,000 miles · Jul 1, 2015
Electrical System

I WILL SHUT MY CAR OFF AND GET OUT AND MY RADIO WILL TURN ITSELF ON WHILE THE CAR IS OFF. SO WHEN I GO TO LEAVE FOR WORK MY BATTERY WILL BE DEAD. I'VE TRIED TO TURN THE RADIO OFF BEFORE GETTING OUT AND IT WILL STILL TURN ON. I CALLED CHEVY AND THEY WANT TO CHARGE ME OVER $90 JUST TO "SEE WHAT IS WRONG WITH IT." THE CAR IS 2013 A…

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I WILL SHUT MY CAR OFF AND GET OUT AND MY RADIO WILL TURN ITSELF ON WHILE THE CAR IS OFF. SO WHEN I GO TO LEAVE FOR WORK MY BATTERY WILL BE DEAD. I'VE TRIED TO TURN THE RADIO OFF BEFORE GETTING OUT AND IT WILL STILL TURN ON. I CALLED CHEVY AND THEY WANT TO CHARGE ME OVER $90 JUST TO "SEE WHAT IS WRONG WITH IT." THE CAR IS 2013 AND ONLY HAS 45000 MILES ON IT. IT SHOULD NOT BE HAVING PROBLEMS LIKE THIS. SO NOT IMPRESSED.

NHTSA ODI #10731608

2,100 miles · Nov 3, 2014
Electrical SystemEnginePower Train

CAR STALLS WILL PUT THE PEDAL TO THE METAL AND WILL NOT ADVANCE. IT WILL START TO MOVE SLOW AFTER A WHILE NOT REACHING FULL SPEED. TRANSMISSION GEAR DISPLAY WILL BE BLANK IN DASH CONSOLE. CAR MOVES AT A VERY HIGH RPM READING. TRANSMISSION WILL KICK IF SET ON NEUTRAL AND THEN SHIF TO DRIVE. THIS HAS HAPPEN TWICE IN THE SHORT AMOU…

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CAR STALLS WILL PUT THE PEDAL TO THE METAL AND WILL NOT ADVANCE. IT WILL START TO MOVE SLOW AFTER A WHILE NOT REACHING FULL SPEED. TRANSMISSION GEAR DISPLAY WILL BE BLANK IN DASH CONSOLE. CAR MOVES AT A VERY HIGH RPM READING. TRANSMISSION WILL KICK IF SET ON NEUTRAL AND THEN SHIF TO DRIVE. THIS HAS HAPPEN TWICE IN THE SHORT AMOUNT OF TIME THAT WE OWE THE CAR. THE PROBLEM IS THAT WE HAVE TAKEN THE CAR TWICE TO THE DEALER BUT IS WORKING FINE AT SUCH TIME SO THEY CAN NOT DETECT THE PROBLEM. FIRST TIME IT HAPPEN MY WIFE WAS AT A STOP LIGHT AND WHEN IT HAPPEN TO ME I HAD JUST STARTED THE CAR. THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS AND HAZARDOUS SITUATION. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10652102

4,000 miles · Oct 2, 2014
Electrical SystemEngine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET SPARK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS SLOW TO START AND HESITATED UPON CHANGING GEARS. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VENTILATION CONTROLS FAILED TO ACTIVATE THE HEATING AND AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET SPARK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS SLOW TO START AND HESITATED UPON CHANGING GEARS. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VENTILATION CONTROLS FAILED TO ACTIVATE THE HEATING AND AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER OVER FIVE TIMES AND THE FAILURES WERE UNABLE TO BE REPLICATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 4,000.

NHTSA ODI #10640903

14,000 miles · Sep 25, 2014
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET SPARK. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE SPEEDOMETER FAILED TO DISPLAY THE CORRECT SPEED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 14,000.

NHTSA ODI #10639051

9,811 miles · Sep 6, 2014
Electrical SystemService Brakes

I WAS PULLED OVER BY A POLICE OFFICER AND ISSUED A FIX IT TICKET BECAUSE ACCORDING TO THE OFFICER NEITHER OF MY REAR BRAKE LIGHTS WERE WORKING. I MIGHT ADD THAT THE OFFICER FOLLOWED ME FOR SEVERAL BLOCKS AND SAW ME STOP AT LEAST 4 TIMES BEFORE PULLING ME OVER. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10631284

Official recalls

5

22V640000 · Latches/locks/linkages:hood:latch

Aug 25, 2022

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.

Consequence & remedy

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

Remedy: 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.

16V422000 · Electrical System:software; Equipment:electrical:radio/tape Deck/cd Etc.

Jun 10, 2016

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."

Consequence & remedy

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

Remedy: 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.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Electrical System:software

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."

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

Remedy: 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.

Equipment:electrical:radio/tape Deck/cd Etc.

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."

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

Remedy: 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.

16V257000 · Electrical System:software; Equipment:electrical:radio/tape Deck/cd Etc.

Apr 28, 2016

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."

Consequence & remedy

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

Remedy: 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.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Electrical System:software

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."

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

Remedy: 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.

Equipment:electrical:radio/tape Deck/cd Etc.

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."

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

Remedy: 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.

14V593000 · Latches/locks/linkages:hood:latch

Sep 24, 2014

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

Remedy: 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.

14V298000 · Air Bags

Jun 6, 2014

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

Remedy: 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.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.