2013 Chevrolet Spark problems
The 2013 Chevrolet Spark has 224 complaints on file with NHTSA. The largest share (19%) concerns engine. After that come drivetrain & axles (15%) and electrical system (15%).
At a glance
- Complaints
- 224 filed with NHTSA
- Most reported
- Engine 19% of complaints
- Crashes and fires
- 18 and 3
- Injuries and deaths
- 6 and 0
- Typical mileage
- 25,000 miles 177 complaints with mileage
Source: NHTSA owner complaints
Where the complaints are
Share of this model year's complaints by the part of the car involved. One complaint can name more than one part, so the shares can add up to more than 100%.
When problems show up
View the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 0k to 20k miles | 72 |
| 20k to 40k miles | 53 |
| 40k to 60k miles | 28 |
| 60k to 80k miles | 8 |
| 80k to 100k miles | 11 |
| 100k to 120k miles | 2 |
| 120k to 140k miles | 1 |
| 140k to 160k miles | 0 |
| 160k to 180k miles | 2 |
| 180k to 200k miles | 0 |
| 200k+ miles | 0 |
What the data shows
Among the 177 complaints that report mileage, the typical (median) problem appeared at about 25,000 miles. For engine specifically, the median reported mileage is about 28,000 miles (39 complaints with mileage).
Safety-related details: 18 complaints mention a crash; 3 complaints mention a fire; 6 injuries reported.
Looking only at complaints filed within five years of the model year (so older and newer years are comparable), the 2013 ranks 1st most-complained-about out of 6 model years of the Chevrolet Spark with enough data (189 complaints in that window). It is also covered by 5 safety recall campaigns.
What owners wrote
A few complaints as filed, shortened and with personal details removed. The first ones are among the most serious reports for this model year; the rest are typical.
I was in the car with my son pulling into my yard which is at an incline and the car accelerated on its own. When I stepped on the brakes they failed and the car crashed into my brick house. The car has been totaled out and the house has structural damage. All the airbags deployed, however, my son had no injuries and I walked away with significant bruising and lacerations on my legs. I have contacted GM and they are currently investigating my claim.
I was driving down the highway going approximately 55-60 MPH and a SUV runs a stop sign and pulls out in front of me on the highway. I hit the SUV. The SUV flees the accident. My car catches on fire on impact and my airbags fail to deploy. It was a frontal impact and I was going about 55 MPH at impact. My car was deemed totaled.
My daughter & niece stopped at a convenience store, locked the car, came back out and car wouldn't start. Called onstar and vehicle had to be towed to a dealership. A module failed that locked out the engine as it would if vehicle was stolen. Dealer got the module quickly, but couldn't get the keys to reprogram. This happened 60 miles away, I have gotten a loaner from the dealership, but my daughter couldn't as she's 20 years old. I purchased the vehicle so I had safe, dependable transportation for my daughter.
Tl* the contact owns a 2013 chevrolet spark. The contact stated that while driving approximately 30 MPH, the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The manufacturer was notified of the issue. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 7,000.