CSR

Chevrolet · NHTSA safety record

2013 Chevrolet Spark

Every safety complaint, recall and defect investigation the US government holds on this vehicle.

Owners have filed 146 safety complaints about the 2013 Chevrolet Spark with the US government. Of those, 10 describe a crash, 1 mentions a fire, 4 people were injured and no death is recorded. 5 recall campaigns are open against it.

The most complained-about system is the engine, named in 35 complaints, 24% of the total. The typical failure was reported at 28,250 miles, the median across the 112 complaints that gave an odometer reading.

Compiled from NHTSA's complaint, recall and investigation files · Covers January 2013 to June 2025 · How this is counted

What is on file

146 complaints on file

146

Complaints

10

Describe a crash

1

Mention fire

4

People injured

0

Deaths

A complaint is an unverified account by the person who filed it, not a finding of fault. One complaint is one ODI number, which is how NHTSA counts them.

A recall is the manufacturer conceding a defect, and the repair is free. Whether one covers your particular car is a question only its VIN can answer, because a campaign covers a production range rather than a model year.

Which system owners named

Complaints naming each system
ENGINE 35 · 24%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 34 · 23%
POWER TRAIN 34 · 23%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 20 · 14%
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 14 · 10%
AIR BAGS 13 · 9%
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 10 · 7%
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES 10 · 7%
SERVICE BRAKES 9 · 6%
STRUCTURE 9 · 6%
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 8 · 5%
EXTERIOR LIGHTING 8 · 5%
0 15 31

Red marks a system with a recall campaign against it. One complaint can name several systems, so these add up to more than 146.

When the complaints arrived

By the year NHTSA received them

By the year NHTSA received them, which is not the year the failures happened. They peaked in 2014 at 39.

44 33 22 11
13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25

This is the year the complaint was filed, not the year the failure happened. The range runs from 2013 to 2025.

Crash test ratings

NHTSA New Car Assessment Program

NHTSA has not crash tested the 2013 Chevrolet Spark. Its New Car Assessment Program tests a selection of each year's vehicles and does not reach motorcycles, heavy trucks, motorhomes or most low-volume models, so an absence here says nothing about how the vehicle would perform. It is not a low score.

What owners have reported about this vehicle is below, and it is a different question: a crash test measures what happens to the people inside in a controlled impact, while a complaint records what broke during ordinary use.

Recall campaigns

5 on file

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH

22V640000 · August 25, 2022

The defect
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.
The risk
A hood latch failure can result in the vehicle's hood opening unexpectedly, increasing the risk of a crash.
The 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.

General Motors, LLC · up to 120,688 vehicles across all model years covered

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE

16V422000 · June 10, 2016

The defect
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."
The risk
Without audible indicators, the driver may not fasten their seatbelt, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.
The 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.

General Motors LLC · up to 18,780 vehicles across all model years covered

EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.

16V257000 · April 28, 2016

The defect
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."
The risk
Without audible indicators, the driver may leave the key in the ignition, increasing the risk of theft.
The 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.

General Motors LLC · up to 317,572 vehicles across all model years covered

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH

14V593000 · September 24, 2014

The defect
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.
The risk
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.
The 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.

General Motors LLC · up to 89,294 vehicles across all model years covered

AIR BAGS

14V298000 · June 6, 2014

The defect
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.
The risk
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.
The 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.

General Motors LLC · up to 61 vehicles across all model years covered

In owners’ own words

Quoted from the complaint file

Quoted from NHTSA's complaint file. These are unverified accounts by the people who filed them, not findings of fault.

AIR BAGS

1 injured · crash · towed · 36,000 miles

MY DAUGHTER IS DRIVING HER 2013 CHEVY SPARK ON A STATE HIGHWAY, SHE'S STARTING TO BRAKE APPROACHING A RED LIGHT. THE AIR BAGS -STEERING WHEEL AND KNEE DEPLOY. THIS CAUSES HER TO REAR END THE CAR IN FRONT OF HER, BRUISING HER LEGS AND THIGHS. THERE WAS TROUBLE BREATHING DUE TO THE CLOUD OF SMOKE FROM THE AIRBAGS.

NHTSA complaint 10958471. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

SERVICE BRAKES

1 injured · crash · 25,540 miles

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. *TR

NHTSA complaint 10621388. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

SERVICE BRAKES

1 injured · 2,800 miles

MY HUSBAND WAS PULLING THE CHEVY SPARK INTO A PARKING PLACE WHEN FOUR PEOPLE DECIDED TO CROSS OVER IT. WHEN THE BRAKE WAS APPLIED TO ALLOW THEM TO SAFELY PASS, THE CAR ACCELERATED INSTEAD. THE BRAKES PRESSED BACK AGAINST HIS FOOT HE SAID AND CAR EVENTUALLY STOPPED. WE WERE BOTH CONFUSED, SURPRISED AND AFRAID! THE CAR WAS NOT DRIVEN AGAIN UNTIL I TOOK IT OUT TWO DAYS LATER. IT HAPPENED ONCE MORE WHEN I WAS BRAKING AT A RED LIGHT BEHIND A LARGE TRUCK AT A VERY LOW SPEED. I PRESSED THE BRAKE HARDER A SECOND TIME AND THEN TOOK MY FOOT OFF THE BRAKE. THIS TIME THE ACCELERATION CONTINUED EVEN AFTER MY FOOT WAS TAKEN OFF THE BRAKE. I SHOVED THE CAR INTO PARK TO GET IT TO STOP. I SUSTAINED A BROKEN

NHTSA complaint 10595783, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

SERVICE BRAKES

1 injured · 2,800 miles

I WAS GOING TO PARK IN A PARKING SPACE AND 4 PEOPLE WENT CROSS IN FRONT OF ME AND I APPLIED THE BRAKES AND THE CAR ACCELERATED ON ME AND I ALMOST HIT THEM.I HIT THE BRAKE AGAIN AND IT STOPPED JUST IN TIME.TWO DAYS LATER MY WIFE WAS BEHIND A TRUCK AND SHE HAD TO APPLY THE BRAKE AND IT DID THE SAME THING TO HER AND SHE BROKE HER 4TH TOE AND SPRAINED HER ANKLE AND HURT HER HIP.THE ONLY WAY SHE GOT IT STOPPED WAS SHOVING IT INTO PARK.I HAD THE DEALER AT CREWS CHEVROLET TO TOE IT IN AND THEY SAY THEY CAN FIND NOTHING WRONG.I REFUSE TO DRIVE IT BECAUSE I AM AFRAID IT WILL HAPPEN AGAIN.I WANT GM TO TAKE IT BACK AND REFUND MY MONEY. *TR

NHTSA complaint 10640351. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I got the recall done but it still shows not done on the NHTSA website

NHTSA complaint 11667246. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Vehicle stalls when started, after vehicle is up to temp the rpm’s fluctuate and vehicle misfires. I was driving down the road when all of a sudden the car went into limp mode I couldn’t do anything and me and my son almost got run off the road but after a few minutes of pressing the gas pedal it finally started to move. Dealership is unable to fix problem because they can’t even figure out what it is $7000.00 later and no one can figure out the problem. This is a lemon and Chevy should be recalling all Chevy spark before someone gets hurt.

NHTSA complaint 11642223. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

POWER TRAIN

178,000 miles

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 transmission pump had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 178,000.

NHTSA complaint 11624686. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
My Spark's alarm kept going off. They replaced a module, Bob McCosh Dealer. They also said my radio was bad and had to be replaced. 615$. I said "Just disconnect the radio, I don't need it". Problem solved...I thought. When they did disconnected it, I noticed that I lost my "CHIME"...for Seat belt, keys left in ignition and lights left on. They reprogrammed the car to the new module, and the radio was working, and chimes were present. Next day, my battery is dead, because of the radio drained it. I am taking it to the dealer again, after I get a jump.THE ONLY OPTION IS, TO DISCONNECT THE RADIO they said. After researching, According to the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard: These (2)

NHTSA complaint 11618469, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

EQUIPMENT
The contact owns a 2013 Chevrolet Spark. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V257000 (Equipment, Electrical System) and would like to be removed from the recall distribution list. The local dealer and manufacturer were contacted.

NHTSA complaint 11594252. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The locks will lock and unlock very quickly. I got out of the vehicle but the vehicle quickly locked back locking my son([XXX] who was strapped in his carseat) in there. i pressed unlock but it immediately kept locking back as soon as i pressed unlock. i was finally able to quickly open it and get him out. my concern would be what if the day was hotter? time is of the essence and my son could have been stuck in there and likely killed. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA complaint 11589275. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

Compare

Other years of the Chevrolet Spark

Model year Complaints Recalls Deaths
2019 14 1 —
2017 29 1 —
2016 28 1 —
2015 76 5 —
2014 172 6 —

Other 2013 Chevrolet models

Every Chevrolet on this site — 304 vehicles.

If this is your car and a dealer keeps failing to fix it, your state's lemon law may require the manufacturer to replace it or buy it back. How many repair attempts it takes, and how long you have to file, is set by the state you bought in and by nothing on this page.

Where these numbers come from

A complaint is one owner's account and has not been verified by NHTSA or by us. A vehicle with more complaints is not necessarily worse: models that sold in larger numbers collect more of them. How this is counted.

Compiled and maintained by
Independent developer and analyst