IllustrationSTARTED HARD THEN WHEN DRIVING IT WOULDN'T SHIFT GEARS. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME IT HAS DONE THIS. *TR
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.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Spark years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
510–25K
3425–50K
1350–75K
975–100K
3100–150K
2150K+
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
What owners actually said
146 reports2013 GM THE SECONDARY HOOD LATCH MAY PREMATURELY CORRODE AT THE LATCH PIVOT CAUSING THE STRIKER TO GET STUCK OUT OF POSITION AND PREVENTING THE STRIKER FROM PROPERLY ENGAGING THE HOOD LATCH. *MW
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET SPARK. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 14V593000 (LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES) AND STATED THAT THE PART NEEDED WAS UNAVAILABLE TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO INFORM WHEN THE PART WOULD BECOME AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE.…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET SPARK. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 14V593000 (LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES) AND STATED THAT THE PART NEEDED WAS UNAVAILABLE TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO INFORM WHEN THE PART WOULD BECOME AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET SPARK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 7,000.
OUR DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING HOME ON THE INTERSTATE FOR A VISIT FROM COLLEGE. WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON AND THE CAR BEGAN TO SHAKE SO SHE PULLED OVER JUST AS THE CAR'S ENGINE TURNED ITSELF OFF. SHE TRIED TO RE-START THE CAR AND AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS IT STARTED BUT WAS SHAKY AND ALL LIGHTS WERE FLASHING. WE HAD CAR TOWED TO NEAREST DE…
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OUR DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING HOME ON THE INTERSTATE FOR A VISIT FROM COLLEGE. WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON AND THE CAR BEGAN TO SHAKE SO SHE PULLED OVER JUST AS THE CAR'S ENGINE TURNED ITSELF OFF. SHE TRIED TO RE-START THE CAR AND AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS IT STARTED BUT WAS SHAKY AND ALL LIGHTS WERE FLASHING. WE HAD CAR TOWED TO NEAREST DEALER, THEY TOLD US THE ENGINE FAILED AND IT WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. SHE WAS GIVEN A RENTAL, AFTER APROX. TWO WEEKS SHE PICKED HER CAR UP AGAIN WITH THE NEW ENGINE. DROVE LESS THEN 10 MILES ON THE NEW ENGINE AND ONCE AGAIN SHE WAS ON THE INTERSTATE FOR ANOTHER TRIP HOME WHEN THE ENGINE FAILED AGAIN. IT IS CURRENTLY AT THE DEALERSHIP NEAR HER SCHOOL. THE PEOPLE AT BROWN & BROWN WERE/ARE BEING VERY HELPFUL HOWEVER I AM NOW VERY CONCERNED FOR MY DAUGHTER'S SAFETY IN THIS VEHICLE. *TR
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
I GET THIS LOUD ANNOYING HIGH PITCHED RINGING SOUND COMING FROM BACK WHEELS. THE SOUND IS SO LOUD AT TIMES THAT PEDESTRIANS CAN HEAR IT AS I AM DRIVING DOWN THE STREET. IT DOES THIS AFTER I HAVE BEEN DRIVING THE CAR FOR 30 MINUTES OR MORE. ONCE THE RINGING SOUND STARTS IT WILL NOT STOP NO MATTER WHAT SPEED I'M GOING OR WHETHER I…
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I GET THIS LOUD ANNOYING HIGH PITCHED RINGING SOUND COMING FROM BACK WHEELS. THE SOUND IS SO LOUD AT TIMES THAT PEDESTRIANS CAN HEAR IT AS I AM DRIVING DOWN THE STREET. IT DOES THIS AFTER I HAVE BEEN DRIVING THE CAR FOR 30 MINUTES OR MORE. ONCE THE RINGING SOUND STARTS IT WILL NOT STOP NO MATTER WHAT SPEED I'M GOING OR WHETHER I AM SITTING IN IDOL, PARK OR IN ANY GEAR. CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP REPAIR DEPARTMENT DOESN'T KNOW WHAT IT IS BUT SAID IT MAY BE THE FUEL PUMP. WHAT CONCERNS ME IS THAT THE DEALERSHIP REPAIR DEPARTMENT WILL NOT AT LEAST CHECK THE FUEL PUMP WHICH WOULD ELIMINATE THIS AS THE POTENTIAL PROBLEM. IT DEFINITELY IS NOT A FUNCTIONAL SOUND AND IT MAY BE DANGEROUS TO CONTINUE TO DRIVE THE CAR WHEN IT IS MAKING THIS SOUND. *TR
CAR HAS EXCESSIVE GAS CONSUMPTION. IT IS PRESENTLY GETTING ONLY 24.9 MILES TO THE GALLON. OCCASIONALLY IT WILL HAVE A VERY STRONG SULFUR ODOR COMING FROM THE EXHAUST PIPE. I SHOULD BE AVERAGING ABOUT 34 MILES PER GALLON WITH DRIVING PATTERN WHICH IS A MIX OF CITY AND HIGHWAY MILEAGE. *TR
CAR HAS EXCESSIVE GAS CONSUMPTION. IT IS PRESENTLY GETTING ONLY 24.9 MILES TO THE GALLON. OCCASIONALLY IT WILL HAVE A VERY STRONG SULFUR ODOR COMING FROM THE EXHAUST PIPE. I SHOULD BE AVERAGING ABOUT 34 MILES PER GALLON WITH DRIVING PATTERN WHICH IS A MIX OF CITY AND HIGHWAY MILEAGE. *TR
TL-THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET SPARK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE PAST 20 MPH. THE CONTACT RESTARTED THE VEHICLE IN ORDER FOR IT TO FUNCTION AS NORMAL. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNO…
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TL-THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET SPARK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE PAST 20 MPH. THE CONTACT RESTARTED THE VEHICLE IN ORDER FOR IT TO FUNCTION AS NORMAL. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000. DJR
Official recalls
522V640000 · 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
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.