This preliminary informational (PI) bulletin provides information to dealership personnel that may be helpful when addressing underbody component corrosion with customers.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2013 Chevrolet Spark powertrain problems
moderate 33 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $2,500 · see powertrain across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
33
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$2,500
When does it fail?
Of the 33 powertrain complaints filed for the 2013 Chevrolet Spark, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 0-25,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Owners have filed 33 powertrain complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
Among the 5 model years of Chevrolet Spark in our records for powertrain problems, this one ranks #2 by owner-complaint volume.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering powertrain on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
This bulletin provides information on identifying Non-GM Engine Calibrations for Gasoline Engines using the Tech 2 or GDS 2.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This service bulletin provides information on the harmful effects of ethylene glycol in transmission fluid.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This informational bulletin explains Unscheduled Supplemental Services and the importance of GM Simplified Maintenance Schedules.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This bulletin provides information on Policies Applicable to All U.S. Dealers for Engine and Transmission Assembly Replacement Under Warranty, Policy or Customer Enthusiasm and information on Submission of Warranty Transaction in Global Warranty Management.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners report a pattern of intermittent powertrain failures on 2013 Chevrolet Sparks, often without diagnostic codes to guide repair. The most common complaint is sudden loss of acceleration—vehicle RPMs climb but speed caps at 20–30 MPH, sometimes requiring restart to restore normal function. Several owners describe transmission slipping, where the engine revs as though in neutral and power drops to the wheels. Others report gear-shift failures: transmission stuck in one gear, failure to shift out of first when merging onto highways, or gear indicator blanking on the dash display. Manual transmission variants show clutch shudder on first-gear engagement from stops, particularly after long drives with heavy traffic. A few owners report the transmission entering "limp mode" with code P0700, requiring restart. Excessive oil burning after PCV recall work appears in one case, leading to piston replacement. One manual transmission owner experienced a broken shift-cable plastic insert. Sporadic surge or unintended acceleration while in gear or neutral occurs, along with clunking during gear changes. Dealers consistently struggle to replicate these failures during diagnostic visits, leaving many complaints unresolved. One owner reports the clutch pedal snapped while driving. Restart often temporarily fixes the problem, suggesting electrical or sensor rather than mechanical transmission wear.
Same Chevrolet Spark powertrain reports on nearby years: 2014 · 2015
Failure modes owners describe
Loss of Acceleration / Power Limp Mode
Engine revs but vehicle will not accelerate beyond 20–30 MPH. Vehicle enters limp mode with high RPMs and severely reduced top speed. Often occurs after stops or while merging onto highways. Restart restores normal function temporarily.
When: Intermittent; occurs from stop lights, stop signs, highway merging, during normal driving. Some cases at low mileage (10k–50k miles), others at higher mileage (178k miles).
Symptoms owners cite: RPM climbs to 3000–5000 but speed caps at 20–30 MPH; No acceleration response to depressed throttle; Traction control light illuminates; Check engine light on or flashing; Engine malfunction light blinking; Vehicle coasts slowly after stop; Restart clears problem temporarily
Codes mentioned: P0700 (transmission limp mode), P0705 (transmission range sensor), Misfiring coil codes (reported but not root cause)
Repairs/costs cited: Transmission pump replacement noted in one case at 178k miles. Most cases not diagnosed or repaired at dealership.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Service bulletin PIP-5101 referenced for transmission range sensor defect. GM created service request files but did not provide solutions in some cases.
Transmission Slipping / No Drive Power
Engine rev without corresponding forward motion; transmission appears to slip. Vehicle loses motive power intermittently during acceleration or freeway driving. Occurs in all weather and temperature conditions.
When: Intermittent, recurring within a week of repair attempts. Occurs during all driving conditions and temperatures.
Symptoms owners cite: Engine revs as though car in neutral; No power to drive wheels; Loss of motive power while driving 50–60 MPH; Transmission slipping sensation
Repairs/costs cited: Multiple dealership visits (up to five occasions) without resolution.
Gear Shift Failures / Stuck in Gear
Transmission fails to shift properly or becomes stuck in a single gear. Gear indicator disappears from dashboard or remains blank. Vehicle will not shift into or out of specific gears, particularly first gear when accelerating onto highways.
When: Intermittent; can occur monthly or during specific driving maneuvers.
Symptoms owners cite: Will not shift out of first gear during freeway merge; Stuck in second gear with high RPM/low speed; Gear indicator missing or blank on dash; Inability to cycle through gears with shifter; Cannot shift to neutral; High RPM with corresponding low vehicle speed
Codes mentioned: P0705 (transmission range sensor defect)
Repairs/costs cited: Park-neutral switch replacement (water-filled) noted in one case. Gears and transmission parts replaced after 26-day parts wait in another manual case.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Service bulletin PIP-5101 known for transmission range sensor issue. Warranty may not cover clutch-related shift issues.
Clutch Shudder / Shaking on First-Gear Engagement (Manual)
Manual transmission vehicles experience violent shaking and shuddering when engaging first gear from a stop, particularly after prolonged drives with stop-and-start traffic. Car feels as though it will stall.
When: Occurs after long drives with heavy traffic requiring frequent stops. Happens when pulling from traffic lights and merging.
Symptoms owners cite: Violent shaking when shifting into first gear; Car shudders and feels as though it will stall; Intermittent clutch shudder; Makes driving unsafe during traffic maneuvers
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer indicated this may not be covered under bumper-to-bumper warranty.
Unintended Acceleration / Engine Surge
Engine surges or vehicle accelerates forward involuntarily while in gear or neutral. RPM increases 300 RPM roughly 10–15 times daily. Occurs early after startup and during coasting in gear.
When: Within ten minutes of startup; occurs 10–15 times daily in one case. Happens regardless of whether engine has been running long or short periods.
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle surges forward while in gear; Vehicle surges while in neutral (engine RPM rises); Engine revs at roughly 1/4 throttle during surge; Occurs early in drive cycle after startup
Manual Transmission Grinding / Gear Engagement Issues
Manual transmission grinds randomly when downshifting to second gear with clutch fully depressed, particularly after vehicle has sat idle. Condition worsens over time.
When: Around 18,000–19,000 miles; first occurs after vehicle has sat for a period.
Symptoms owners cite: Grinding noise going into second gear; Grinding occurs first few shifts after idle; Worsening condition over time
Repairs/costs cited: Required warranty service at 19,000 miles; took 26 days to obtain necessary gears and parts for replacement.
Shift Cable / Shifter Mechanical Failure
Manual transmission shift cable plastic insert end broke, eliminating all gear control. No warning or dashboard indicator of failure.
When: While shifting from third to fourth gear.
Symptoms owners cite: Shift cable plastic insert end broke; Gear shift no longer engages gears; No gear control; No warning to driver
Repairs/costs cited: Owner has photographs of removed part.
Clutch Pedal Structural Failure
Clutch pedal snapped cleanly while vehicle was in motion. Note: This complaint references a 2010 Spark, not 2013.
When: While driving.
Symptoms owners cite: Clutch pedal snapped off
Transmission Park-Neutral Switch Water Intrusion
Park-neutral switch filled with water, preventing proper gear indication and causing transmission shift issues. Switch required replacement.
Symptoms owners cite: Gear indicator not showing on dashboard; Loss of ability to shift or cycle gears; Switch water-filled
Repairs/costs cited: Park-neutral switch replaced.
Excessive Oil Burning Post-PCV Recall
After PCV valve recall repair (replacement and reprogramming), vehicle burns excessive oil, requiring piston replacement. Recall repair contained other manufacturer defects.
When: After 09-04-14 recall repair; discovered at purchase with low mileage.
Symptoms owners cite: Excessive oil burning; Power loss during highway driving
Repairs/costs cited: Pistons required replacement; dealer unclear on repair timeline.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall #4 Spark PCV valve replacement and reprogramming performed 09-04-14, but repair had other defects.
Synthesized from 33 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 6 most recent
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.
Started hard then when driving it wouldn't shift gears. This is the second time it has done this. *tr
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 and felt as it were going to stall. This makes it impossible to drive safely, as…
For the second time in a couple months, while turning left across traffic the vehicle lost the ability to accelerate. I was able to get off the road and cut the car off and restarted it and the problem went away. I have researched the subject online and it appears a lot of people have a similar issue with this vehicle and no one seems to know a solution. After the first time it happened we…
The contact owns a 2013 Chevrolet Spark. The contact stated while driving approximately 60 MPH, the vehicle started to lose motive power. The contact stated that the vehicle was not able to accelerate above 30 MPH. The contact stated that there were no warning lights illuminated. The contact was able to drive the vehicle to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed and determined that the…
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…
Had powertrain trouble with your 2013 Chevrolet Spark?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the powertrain problem on the 2013 Chevrolet Spark?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 33 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $2,500 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the powertrain typically fail?
Across the 27 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most powertrain failures cluster between 15,000 and 55,000 miles, with the median around 30,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 15,000; a quarter make it past 55,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $2,500 for powertrain repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to powertrain?
No active recalls currently cover powertrain issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2013/Chevrolet/Spark.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.