Free. Instant. No signup. Pulls recalls and complaints for your exact vehicle.

Couldn't find that VIN. Check the digits and try again.

ProblemsByVin File / 2013-CHEVROLET-SPARK
2013 · chevrolet

chevrolet Spark problems

1 safety recall. 146 owner complaints. We mapped every trouble spot before you sign the papers.

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

Top trouble spots 8 categories with 3+ complaints

powertrain
33 reports · avg $2,500
moderate
electrical
27 reports · avg $850
moderate
engine
21 reports · avg $3,100
moderate
airbags
12 reports · avg $1,100
severe
body
7 reports · avg $1,500
moderate
brakes
6 reports · avg $450
severe
cruise control
4 reports · avg $600
severe
lighting
4 reports · avg $250
moderate

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
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 · 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 · NHTSA ODI #10816898.0
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 · NHTSA ODI #11163607.0

Estimate your repair exposure

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

0 mi 200k mi
At 80,000 miles
Likely repair cost in next 24 months
$0

Active recalls showing 1 of 1

severe NHTSA 14V298000 06/06/2014

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.

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. 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. 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 aren't always better value.

Related vehicles

Recall and complaint data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) public records database, last synced 11 hours ago. 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.
Get a free warranty quote →