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ProblemsByVin File / 2013-CHEVROLET-SPARK NHTSA data synced 4 days ago
2013 · Chevrolet

Chevrolet Spark problems

146 owner complaints and 1 active recall campaign on file. Here's the breakdown — what's serious, what's noise, what a working mechanic would actually do about it.

0 5 10
Reliability score
7.4 / 10

Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.

0
Critical
1
Severe
0
Moderate
Should you avoid this 2013 Spark?
Acceptable — with caveats

Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy.

Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.

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Top trouble spots 8 categories with 3+ complaints

powertrain
33 reports · fails ~44,241 mi · avg $2,500
moderate
electrical
27 reports · fails ~28,181 mi · avg $850
moderate
engine
21 reports · fails ~32,067 mi · avg $3,100
moderate
airbags
12 reports · fails ~42,029 mi · avg $1,100
severe
body
7 reports · fails ~41,667 mi · avg $1,500
moderate
brakes
6 reports · fails ~33,136 mi · avg $450
severe
cruise control
4 reports · fails ~10,374 mi · avg $600
severe
lighting
4 reports · fails ~3,610 mi · avg $250
moderate
Buyer's checklist
Going to look at one? Use the pre-purchase inspection list.
Generated from this 2013 Spark's actual NHTSA complaint history — every item points at a documented failure pattern on this exact vehicle, not generic walkaround filler.
See the checklist ->
Honest Calculator
Should you buy an extended warranty on this 2013 Spark?
We pulled the math: risk-weighted exposure, typical contract cost, and our verdict on whether coverage pencils out for this specific vehicle.
See the calculator ->

What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim

2013 Spark · cruise control
I do not know what system affects the problem my car is having it stalls in front of oncoming traffic on left turns it's done this to me 3 to 4 times and it scares me. It will start right back up and go but it'll still continuously throughout the day when I slow down or come to…
12/31/2021 · NHTSA ODI #11445690.0 · see cruise control pattern →
2013 Spark · wheels
Not even 10,000 miles in I had a tire gets a bubble on the sidewall. The dealership would not cover it or swap it out saying it could have been due to hitting a pothole or curb. 15,000 miles in driving down the highway and hear a loud bang and the ac doesn't work. I take it…
12/29/2015 · at 47,000 mi · NHTSA ODI #10816850.0
2013 Spark · steering
Have a 2013 Chevy spark. It has already had an engine replaced at just over 20,000 miles and continues to have the same problems as before the engine was replaced. It continuously goes back and forth to the dealer, yet "no issues or codes" are ever found. To me this car is a…
12/29/2015 · at 31,000 mi · NHTSA ODI #10816898.0 · see steering pattern →
2013 Spark · powertrain
Transmission would not go into reverse and in drive stalled unsafe to drive 140,000 miles had to change transmission all freeway miles unsafe. If going from a stop give it gas and transmission would all of sudden just go and would almost hit car in front of you.
12/27/2018 · at 96,000 mi · NHTSA ODI #11163607.0 · see powertrain pattern →
View all 146 owner complaints →
Had a problem with your 2013 Chevrolet Spark? File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free and official — owner filings are what build the federal safety record behind this page.

Estimate your repair exposure

Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.

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At 80,000 miles
Likely repair cost in next 24 months
$0

Active recalls showing 1 of 1

severe NHTSA 14V298000 June 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

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.

Common questions

Is the 2013 Chevrolet Spark reliable?

Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 7.4 out of 10 based on 146 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2013 Chevrolet Spark is generally a sound vehicle. The areas to watch are listed in the top problem section above — most are budget items, not deal-breakers.

Should you avoid the 2013 Chevrolet Spark?

The 2013 Chevrolet Spark is acceptable, with specific caveats. Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy. The record behind that call: Reliability score 7.4/10 — around the segment average; 1 recall campaign on file. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.

What's the most common problem on the 2013 Chevrolet Spark?

Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is powertrain, with 33 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 44,241 miles. Average repair cost runs about $2,500 at an independent shop.

What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?

The powertrain is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $2,500 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 44,241 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.

How do I check if my Chevrolet Spark has open recalls?

Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.

Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2013 Chevrolet Spark?

Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 146 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $2,500, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.

Related

Other model years
2017 Spark2016 Spark2015 Spark2014 Spark2012 Spark2011 Spark
Compare against
vs. 2013 ford Focus vs. 2013 hyundai Elantra vs. 2013 dodge Dart vs. 2013 ford Fiesta
Problem categories across the fleet
powertrain across all vehicles electrical across all vehicles engine across all vehicles airbags across all vehicles body across all vehicles brakes across all vehicles cruise control across all vehicles lighting across all vehicles
Recall and complaint data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) public records database, last synced 4 days ago. Verify the raw federal record at nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2013/Chevrolet/Spark. Editorial commentary written by ProblemsByVin contributors and reviewed by ASE-certified mechanics. We are not affiliated with Chevrolet. Some links on this page are affiliate links and we may earn a commission if you complete a quote or purchase.
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