This page covers 5 recalls, 146 owner complaints and EPA fuel economy for the 2013 Chevrolet Spark.
31–34 mpg combined
6.9–7.6 L/100km
Subcompact Cars
Fuel economy data from fueleconomy.gov (EPA / U.S. Dept. of Energy). Annual cost based on 15,000 mi/yr at 55% city driving and current fuel prices. MPG is U.S. gallons; L/100km converted. Ranges reflect the 2 tested variants for this model year.
The 2013 Chevrolet Spark draws the most complaints around the powertrain and engine, with electrical issues close behind. On the powertrain and engine side, owners frequently describe the car entering a reduced-power or "limp" mode while driving, sometimes without any warning lights, leaving them unable to accelerate past 30 mph. Stalling, RPM fluctuation, and misfires, particularly after the engine reaches operating temperature, show up repeatedly as well. The electrical system complaints center on erratic behavior from the body control module: owners describe door locks cycling rapidly on their own and alarm systems triggering without cause. A related pattern involves accessory and chime functions dropping out after module or radio work is done, suggesting these systems are tightly interdependent. The unintended lock cycling comes up in multiple reports, with owners describing the doors re-locking immediately after pressing the unlock button.
146
Total Complaints
10
Crash-Related
1
Fire-Related
4
With Injuries
By System
The 2013 Chevrolet Spark has 5 recalls, the most serious being a corroding secondary hood latch that can fail to engage and allow the hood to fly open while driving, blocking the driver's view of the road.
On the safety equipment side, certain vehicles built during a narrow window in early 2013 have a passenger-side front airbag with a faulty weld on the inflator that can cause the airbag to fail to deploy in a crash, leaving the front passenger without that layer of protection. Two radio-related recalls affect vehicles equipped with the Bring Your Own Media radio system. In one, the radio fails to sound the audible chime that normally warns the driver they have left the key in the ignition after exiting the car, which can make it easier for the vehicle to be stolen. In the other, the same radio type can fail to chime when the driver's seatbelt is unbuckled or when the key is left in the ignition, removing the prompt that nudges drivers to buckle up before driving.
At a glance
What can fail
The secondary hood latch can corrode at its pivot point, which may prevent the latch from engaging properly and cause the hood to open unexpectedly.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace both the hood striker assembly and hood latch assembly at no cost to you.
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Complaints are owner-reported and reflect individual experiences, not confirmed defects. They are distinct from recalls. Data sourced from the national vehicle safety complaint database. See trending complaints →
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The radio may not produce an audible warning chime when the driver hasn't fastened their seatbelt or has left the key in the ignition.
What the fix does
Dealers will update the radio software at no cost to restore the warning chime function.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The radio may not sound a warning chime if the driver leaves the key in the ignition, turns off the engine, waits 10 minutes or more, and then opens the door.
What the fix does
Dealers will update the radio software at no cost to restore the warning chime function.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The secondary hood latch striker may corrode at its pivot point, causing it to stick in the open position and fail to properly engage the hood latch.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the striker with a new part that has improved corrosion protection at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
A faulty weld on the passenger front air bag inflator may prevent the air bag from deploying in a crash.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the passenger side front air bag at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
