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2013 Chevrolet Spark Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 146 complaints with NHTSA about the 2013 Chevrolet Spark, most often about the engine (30% of complaints, typically around 28,000 miles). It is the 2nd most complained-about Spark model year since 2000 and has 5 recalls.
Most common 2013 Chevrolet Spark problems
Engine
43 complaints · 30%Half of these problems showed up before 28,000 miles.
The car has been having clutch issues. Shifting into first gear from a stop causes the whole car to shake. This happens after mainly long drives. Driving back from boston ma, there was very heavy traffic which required me to stop and start frequently on the highway. Each time I had to start, the car shook violently…
The contact owns a 2013 Chevrolet Spark. When the vehicle was started, the engine warning indicator illuminated. The failure occurred each time the vehicle was started. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 29,000.
Transmission
34 complaints · 23%Half of these problems showed up before 26,000 miles.
Upon starting the car, the check engine light and the traction light lit up. The car was in park on a flat and paved surface. After putting the car in reverse, the car suddenly jerked and did the same as I put it into drive. As I was driving the car was up to 3000 rpms and would not go over 30 MPH. The car would not…
The car has been having clutch issues. Shifting into first gear from a stop causes the whole car to shake. This happens after mainly long drives. Driving back from boston ma, there was very heavy traffic which required me to stop and start frequently on the highway. Each time I had to start, the car shook violently…
Electrical
34 complaints · 23%Half of these problems showed up before 10,500 miles. Parts named most often: instrument cluster/panel.
In june of 2013, my A/C stopped working on my 2013 Chevrolet Spark. The car was taken in for warranty service three times. The expansion valve and compressor were replaced and the A/C was partly restored. The A/C will not work while the car is at idle. When driving the car, the A/C will begin to cool the interior and…
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.
Other or unspecified
20 complaints · 14%Half of these problems showed up before 40,000 miles.
You turn the engine off but the key does not come out of the ignition. I took it to bob bell, they could not get it out either. They order a new one and replaced it on may 28th. I had to pay some kind of deductible(100.00, which I think is ridiculous) and gm was going to pay the rest. June 6, same thing happened twice…
I was in a very bad car accident and not one of my air bags deployed . It is squished it was hit in the front very hard which would allow the airbags to poof out and help in these situations. I was headed down an off ramp onto turn pike and a car came to a complete stop swerved to merge and car infant of me did the…
Speed control
14 complaints · 10%Half of these problems showed up before 10,500 miles.
Tl - the contact owns a 2013 Chevrolet Spark. The contacts stated that while driving 55 MPH, the vehicle accelerated independently without any warnings. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The technician stated that the failure was cause by the floor mat. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The…
Vehicle won't shift out of first gear. Not only is this very dangerous, but it is ruining the engine and transmission of the vehicle. This occurs about once a month at random times, and could very easily cause an accident. The dealer won't do anything to fix the problem, and has been very rude to my wife. I have been…
Air bags
13 complaints · 9%Half of these problems showed up before 40,000 miles.
I was driving down the highway going approximately 55-60 MPH and a SUV runs a stop sign and pulls out in front of me on the highway. I hit the SUV. The SUV flees the accident. My car catches on fire on impact and my airbags fail to deploy. It was a frontal impact and I was going about 55 MPH at impact. My car was…
I was in a very bad car accident and not one of my air bags deployed . It is squished it was hit in the front very hard which would allow the airbags to poof out and help in these situations. I was headed down an off ramp onto turn pike and a car came to a complete stop swerved to merge and car infant of me did the…
Fuel system
12 complaints · 8%Half of these problems showed up before 21,500 miles.
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.
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.
Brakes
10 complaints · 7%Half of these problems showed up before 13,000 miles.
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.
Slowly pulled car into the driveway. Entered the garage with my foot on the brake. Half way into garage, the engine over accelerated and made the car lunge forward. My foot was still on the brake pedal. The brakes went into ABS mode, with pulsating. The car rammed into some storage totes and also my snowblower. The…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2013 Chevrolet Spark recalls
Doors and locks: latch
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.
Full defect summary
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.
Electrical: software
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.
Full defect summary
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."
Electrical: software
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.
Full defect summary
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."
Doors and locks: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Air bags
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.
Full defect summary
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.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
Questions about the 2013 Chevrolet Spark
- What are the most common problems with the 2013 Chevrolet Spark?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: engine (43 complaints, typically around 28,000 miles); transmission (34 complaints, typically around 26,000 miles); electrical (34 complaints, typically around 10,500 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2013 Chevrolet Spark have?
- 5 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from August 25, 2022 (doors and locks). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2013 a bad year for the Chevrolet Spark?
- It is the 2nd most complained-about Spark model year since 2000, with 146 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.