IllustrationCAR 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
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
Engine And Engine Cooling complaints
8 reportsCAR 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
THIS THE 3RD TIME I WAS DRIVING SLOW, COMING TO A STOP BUT DIDN'T HAVE TO STOP, WENT TO PROCEED AND REALIZED THE CAR HAD SHUT DOWN. EACH TIME I WAS IN A PARKING LOT, SO I DIDN'T HAVE A LOT OF TRAFFIC AROUND ME, BUT HAD I BEEN ON THE STREET IT COULD HAVE CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. EACH INCIDENT I RESTARTED WITH NO PROBLEM. *TR
THE AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM CYCLES OFF FOR ABOUT 30-40 SECONDS DURING NORMAL OPERATION FOR NO APPARENT REASON. GM HAD A RECALL ON IT WHERE THEY REPLACED SOME PARTS. EVEN AFTER THE RECALL, THE PROBLEM PERSISTED AND I WAS TOLD BY THE DEALERSHIP (AUTO NATION, GREENACRES, FL) THAT GM DESIGNERS TOLD THEM THAT THE A/C WAS DESIGNED …
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THE AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM CYCLES OFF FOR ABOUT 30-40 SECONDS DURING NORMAL OPERATION FOR NO APPARENT REASON. GM HAD A RECALL ON IT WHERE THEY REPLACED SOME PARTS. EVEN AFTER THE RECALL, THE PROBLEM PERSISTED AND I WAS TOLD BY THE DEALERSHIP (AUTO NATION, GREENACRES, FL) THAT GM DESIGNERS TOLD THEM THAT THE A/C WAS DESIGNED TO WORK THAT WAY AND THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD "FIX." SO I'M FORCED TO LIVE WITH A POORLY PERFORMING A/C SYSTEM IN A BRAND NEW 2013 VEHICLE. REALLY??? *TR
ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS I HAVE DRIVEN MY CAR AND PARKED IT. WHEN I HAVE RETURNED TO THE CAR IT WILL NOT START. ON STAR DIAGNOSTICS TELLS ME THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE TRANSMISSION, ENGINE AND ANTI BRAKE SYSTEM AND THAT I AM TO GET IT TO THE DEALER/REPAIR IMMEDIATELY. I HAVE HAD TO WAIT SEVERAL HOURS BEFORE I CAN GET IT STARTED AG…
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ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS I HAVE DRIVEN MY CAR AND PARKED IT. WHEN I HAVE RETURNED TO THE CAR IT WILL NOT START. ON STAR DIAGNOSTICS TELLS ME THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE TRANSMISSION, ENGINE AND ANTI BRAKE SYSTEM AND THAT I AM TO GET IT TO THE DEALER/REPAIR IMMEDIATELY. I HAVE HAD TO WAIT SEVERAL HOURS BEFORE I CAN GET IT STARTED AGAIN. I HAVE BEEN IN SITUATIONS WHERE I AM IN AN AREAS WITHOUT PHONE OR CELL RECEPTION TO CALL FOR HELP. IT HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER REPAIR SHOP 4 TIMES AND THEY ARE UNABLE TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. THEY SAY UNTIL THEY CAN REPLICATE THE PROBLEM - THEY CANNOT FIX IT. FINALLY WITH THIS LAST (4TH) VISIT THEY WERE ABLE TO REPLICATE THE PROBLEM TWICE. BUT I WAS INFORMED THEY HAVE NO IDEA WHERE THE PROBLEM IS COMING FROM AND THEY HAVE NO SOLUTION AT THIS TIME. THEY WILL RETURN THE CAR TO ME AFTER 9 DAYS AS IS WITH NO FIX. I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE ACROSS COLORADO FOR FEAR I WILL BE STRANDED. *TR
THE AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM DOES NOT WORK. I'VE HAD IT TO THE DEALERS 6 TIMES SINCE JULY. IT DOES NOT BLOW COLD AIR. THE COMPRESSOR HAS BEEN REPLACED; THE EXPANSION VALVE HAS BEEN REPLACED; THE SYSTEM WAS DRAINED AND RECHARGED. NOTHING HAS FIXED THE PROBLEM. *TR
THE A/C DOSE NOT WORK WHILE THE CAR IS AT IDLE. WHEN DRIVING THE CAR THE A/C WILL BEGIN TO COOL. WHEN STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT, STOP SIGN, THE A/C WILL STOP COOLING AND BLOWS WARM AIR OUT OF THE VENTS. THE DEALERSHIP HAS TROUBLESHOOT 2 TIMES AND DO NOT KNOW HOW TO FIX THE PROBLEM. TOLD ME THAT THE ENGINEERS AT GM ARE WORKING ON A…
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THE A/C DOSE NOT WORK WHILE THE CAR IS AT IDLE. WHEN DRIVING THE CAR THE A/C WILL BEGIN TO COOL. WHEN STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT, STOP SIGN, THE A/C WILL STOP COOLING AND BLOWS WARM AIR OUT OF THE VENTS. THE DEALERSHIP HAS TROUBLESHOOT 2 TIMES AND DO NOT KNOW HOW TO FIX THE PROBLEM. TOLD ME THAT THE ENGINEERS AT GM ARE WORKING ON A REPAIR FOR THIS ISSUE. IT IS NOW THE MIDDLE OF AUGUST AND NO RESOLUTION HAS BEEN FOUND. THE DEALERSHIP IS NO HELP AND HAS NO NEW INFORMATION AND GM CUSTOMER SERVICE IS NO HELP EITHER. MY CAR IS 2013 SPARK. IT IS THE 2LT MODEL WITH A 4 SPEED AUTO TRANSMISSION. *TR
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 SEEMS T…
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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 SEEMS TO BE FINE. WHEN STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT, STOP SIGN, OR IN MY DRIVE WAY, THE A/C WILL STOP COOLING AND BLOWS WARM AIR OUT OF THE VENTS. A FOURTH WARRANTY SERVICE CALL WAS OPENED FOR THIS PROBLEM IN EARLY JULY. THE DEALERSHIP HAS TROUBLESHOOT THE A/C ISSUE AND DO NOT KNOW HOW TO FIX THE PROBLEM. THE DEALERSHIP HAS GIVEN ME A CASE NUMBER FROM GENERAL MOTORS LLC AND TOLD ME THAT THE ENGINEERS AT GM ARE WORKING ON A REPAIR FOR THIS ISSUE (PIC5858A: INSUFFICIENT A/C PERFORMANCE AT IDLE - JUN 13, 2013). IT IS NOW AUGUST OF 2013 AND NO RESOLUTION HAS BEEN FOUND. THE DEALERSHIP HAS NO NEW INFORMATION AND GM CUSTOMER SERVICE IS NO HELP EITHER. MY CAR WAS MANUFACTURED ON 08/2012. IT IS THE LS MODEL WITH A 5-SPEED TRANSMISSION. *TR
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.