2013 Chevrolet Spark Reliability
The 2013 Chevrolet Spark has 146 owner complaints and 5 recall campaigns on file with NHTSA, most often about engine and electrical system. Compared with nearby Spark model years (2013–2015), it rates as a year to avoid: its complaint rate runs well above the Spark's typical year.
By CarWhere Research · Updated 2026-11-04 · Source: NHTSA
146
NHTSA owner complaints
5
Recall campaigns
10
Complaints citing a crash
1
Complaints citing a fire
2013 Chevrolet Spark complaints by component
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2013 model year, filed between 2013 and 2025. A complaint can name more than one component.
| Component | Complaints | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 35 | 24% |
| Electrical system | 34 | 23% |
| Powertrain / transmission | 34 | 23% |
| Unknown or other | 20 | 14% |
| Speed control / throttle | 14 | 10% |
| Air bags | 13 | 9% |
| Fuel / propulsion system | 10 | 7% |
| Latches, locks & linkages | 10 | 7% |
2013 Chevrolet Spark recalls
5 recall campaigns on NHTSA record for the 2013 model year, by the date NHTSA received the manufacturer's report. Recall repairs are free at a dealer.
| NHTSA campaign | Date | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 14V298000 | Jun 6, 2014 | Air bags | 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… |
| 14V593000 | Sep 24, 2014 | Latches, locks & linkages — hood / latch | 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,… |
| 16V257000 | Apr 28, 2016 | 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… |
| 16V422000 | Jun 10, 2016 | 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… |
| 22V640000 | Aug 25, 2022 | Latches, locks & linkages — hood / latch | 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. |
How the 2013 compares with nearby Spark years
Verdicts compare these Spark model years with each other.
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls | Most-reported area | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 (this page) | 146 | 5 | Engine | Avoid |
| 2014 | 176 | 8 | Engine | Avoid |
| 2015 | 84 | 7 | Powertrain / transmission | Avoid |
Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA and are not adjusted for how many of each year were sold, so they compare years of the same model rather than different models.
What to check on a used 2013 Chevrolet Spark
- Engine: cold-start it yourself, listen for ticking or knocking, check for oil leaks and oil consumption, and ask for oil-change records.
- Electrical: test every light, window, lock, the infotainment screen and the charging system; scan for stored fault codes.
- Transmission: test-drive from cold through every gear, feel for slipping, harsh or delayed shifts and shudder, and ask whether the fluid has been serviced.
- Throttle and speed control: check for surging, hesitation or a reduced-power warning, and test cruise control.
- Recalls: confirm each of the 5 campaigns above was completed on this VIN; open recalls are repaired free at a dealer.
- History: run the VIN for salvage, theft and odometer records, and have an independent mechanic inspect the car before you pay.
Check this exact car
Any 2013 Chevrolet Spark can be better or worse than its model year. The CarWhere Used Car Report checks one VIN for salvage records, salvage-auction records (with damage photos when the auction published them), stolen-vehicle records, the odometer trail and its listing and price history since 2015. Free preview first; the full report is $12.99, one time.
2013 Chevrolet Spark reliability FAQ
Is the 2013 Chevrolet Spark reliable?
The 2013 Chevrolet Spark has 146 owner complaints and 5 recall campaigns on file with NHTSA, most often about engine and electrical system. Compared with nearby Spark model years (2013–2015), it rates as a year to avoid: its complaint rate runs well above the Spark's typical year.
What are the most common 2013 Chevrolet Spark problems?
The most-reported problem areas in NHTSA owner complaints for the 2013 Chevrolet Spark are engine (35), electrical system (34), powertrain / transmission (34), unknown or other (20). One complaint can name more than one component.
Does the 2013 Chevrolet Spark have recalls?
NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns for the 2013 Chevrolet Spark, including 14V298000 (air bags) and 14V593000 (latches, locks & linkages — hood / latch). Recall repairs are free at a dealer, and whether one was done is tracked by VIN.
How does the 2013 Chevrolet Spark compare with the 2012 and 2014 models?
By NHTSA records, the 2014 has 176 complaints and 8 recalls (avoid). The 2013 has 146 complaints and 5 recalls.
How do I check a specific used 2013 Chevrolet Spark?
Run its VIN. The CarWhere Used Car Report checks one VIN for salvage records, salvage-auction records (with damage photos when the auction published them), stolen-vehicle records, the odometer trail and its listing and price history since 2015, with a free preview first and the full report at $12.99, one time. Pair it with an independent pre-purchase inspection.
More Chevrolet Spark research
Other Chevrolet Spark model years:
Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation owner complaints (all body-style listings for the 2013 Spark, de-duplicated by complaint number) and NHTSA recall campaigns, retrieved 2026-11-04.