5.7

fairly significant
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
15,320 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.

Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2013 Chevrolet Spark:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

problem #31

Jun 132024

Spark

  • miles
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.

- Honolulu, HI, USA

problem #30

May 162024

Spark

  • miles
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)

- Abilene, TX, USA

problem #29

Jan 122023

Spark

  • miles
I'm coming to a stop or slowing down the car shuts off. Even when making a turn in front of another car across traffic my car has turned off in the middle of crossing the street and I almost got hit twice now. This affects the cruise control coming on as well the speedometer fluctuates back and forth the whole time I'm driving. This happens every day and at most times when I'm coming to a stop or coming out of a stop. I just have to test the gas before I make a turn in front of oncoming traffic to cross the road to make sure that I have power and then I go as fast as I can across so that hopefully I'll gain enough speed so that the car doesn't shut off again. So usually it's every time I come to a red light which is at least at the very least from my work to home is four lights and at every light it will do it. Oftentimes I cross traffic and it will do it. I just had to be very careful

- Tucson, AZ, USA

problem #28

Aug 102021

Spark

  • miles
The key is a problem. Personally mine has broken 4 times. The fob & base of the key is too big for the key itself. I know other Chevrolet models have had key recalls for the same reason, so I am not sure why they have not recalled the Chevy Spark keys because they are the same format as other models. It would be convenient if they separated the fob and the key. Currently my key is super glued because the dealership has this key on back order. I just replaced this key two years ago and it just keeps breaking.

- El Monte , CA, USA

problem #27

Nov 052018

Spark

  • 65,500 miles
About a month ago my car, while driving, started acting up. My odometer would fluctuate and not give me my speed, my lower tire pressure came on, my check engine light came on, power steering would go in and out, and acceleration would fluctuate. I brought it in to be looked at, after 3 days of hearing nothing I called and they told me something was wrong with the onstar module. After 4 days of having my car back, same problems. Brought it back in, they called an engineer in since they had no idea what was going on and a week later I got my car back. 4 days later I again had to bring it in for the same stuff and after 9 days of playing phone tag then gave it back. I have had my car back for 2 weeks without any problems, today while 35 miles away from home every single light was flashing on the dash board. My odometer didnt work at all and I could only go 30 miles per hour. I stopped my car, shut it off and turned it back on and nothing changed. The newest ordeal is my break light will turn on and beep at me anywhere from 3 seconds to 5 minutes. With it being the holidays and having to work all week I see no point in bringing my car in for nothing to be fixed for a 4th time and being without a car because I'm only 20 for who knows how long when I have a job to get to that's only 5 minutes away. I'm am so beyond irritated and want to throw this car into a trash can.

- Buffalo, MN, USA

problem #26

Mar 132018

Spark

  • miles
The contact owns a 2013 Chevrolet Spark. The contact stated that the door locks would independently open and close without warning. The contact also mentioned that the alarm system was failing. The vehicle was taken to plattner's arcadia Chevrolet Buick (210 S brevard ave, arcadia, fl 34266, (863) 869-2228), but the cause of the failures could not be determined. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage and VIN were not available.

- Arcadia, FL, USA

problem #25

Aug 122017

Spark

  • 27,661 miles
2013-2015 Chevy Sparks have issues with the kr12B windshield wiper relay internal to the uhfb to be inoperable. Necessary to replace the fuse-block. It is not right that only rosner Chevy in melbourne fl is the only auto store in the state you can buy parts for this vehicle. Rosner Chevy only allows sheep to visit them. If you would like to fix your vehicle yourself they are trying to make it impossible. They also charge over $100 just to tell you what is wrong with it. Then they mark up the price of the part if you get it fixed with them and charge you for labor. You can only buy one manuel for this vehicle from helms and it is for mechanics. It is very unsafe to have vehicles on the road that only one company knows how to fix. Rosner Chevy also stated that they will not give information out because it is top secret GM information that we as consumers are not allowed to have. This is illegal and something needs to be done. There should be manuals available to the general public that don't cost $200. Haynes please make a manuel for Chevy Sparks since GM won't. having only 27661 miles on a 2013 Chevy Spark there should not be problems with your windshield wipers. This is a major safety concern that you have allowed GM to get away with and it needs to stop. GM should be required to fix all kr12B windshield wiper relay free of charge because they sold us faulty ones. Because there is no information available to the consumer. I replaced a windshield wiper motor even though it was not bad because when tested by a mechanic it tested bad but really it was the wiper relay that was bad.

- Melbourne, FL, USA

problem #24

Mar 012017

Spark

  • 30,000 miles
This car accelerates on its own even when clutch is on. Also the motor sounds like it going to blow out on its own and stops and goes as fast it came. This cars has only 53000 miles and has been to dealer several times.

- Jarrell, TX, USA

problem #23

Jul 092016

Spark

  • 59,441 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Chevrolet Spark. The contact stated that a warning error message (code 95) displayed across the message board. The vehicle was taken to the dealer were it was diagnosed that the control module for the air bag system failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 59,441.

- Utica, MI, USA

problem #22

Aug 232016

Spark

  • miles
I took my Chevy Spark to the Chevy dealership for the safety recall to the radio. Dealer completed recall and the next day my radio having issues. The buttons on the radio were not responding to touch. The dealer stated they didn't see any issues. Approx 1 month later, I took my car back to dealer and they stated that it was a hardware issue. The manager at dealer stated that they dont have any tests to determine what hardware issue the radio was having but stated it wasnt related to safety recall. The manager also advised that GM would not pay for a new radio and that I would be responsible to replace it. I used a 3rd party extended warranty to pay for repairs and filed complaint with GM risk management. The manager for the customer service team spoke with local dealer and stated that the dealer confirmed that it was a hardware issue and not related to recall. Both GM and local dealer unable to provide me with any documents supporting their conclusion. GM also stated that recall was not a saftey recall and that recall was done for simple software issues. Dealer also advised that they used a foreign object (usb) to complete software update. No issues with radio before recall work. GM wont reimburse me for $100 deductible that was paid directly by me. Extended warranty paid for remainder of radio replacement. GM stated they wont reimburse because car is past bumper to bumper warranty

- San Diego, CA, USA

problem #21

Aug 222016

Spark

  • miles
The contact owns a 2013 Chevrolet Spark. While the vehicle was being repaired per NHTSA campaign number: 16V422000 (electrical system), it was discovered that the computer needed to be reprogrammed. While recieving the recall repair, the vehicle's computer failed due to the work being performed. The manufacturer was notifed of the failure. The VIN and failure mileage were unknown.

- West Kill, NY, USA

problem #20

Mar 122016

Spark

  • 83,645 miles
I was going South on I95 doing 70 miles an hour engine light flashed off and on traction control light on car lost speed and will not shift high rp not speed. Was almost in a very bad accident.

- Stockton Springs, ME, USA

problem #19

Aug 212015

Spark 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 32,800 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Chevrolet Spark. While in park, the vehicle independently started. The contact had to place the key in the ignition and turn the key to the off position to turn the vehicle off. All the interior lights illuminated. The failure recurred on numerous occasions. The vehicle was taken to a dealer who was unable to diagnose or repair the vehicle. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 32,800. MA 10/19/2015

- Rome, NY, USA

problem #18

Jun 102015

Spark

  • 45,000 miles
I will shut my car off and get out and my radio will turn itself on while the car is off. So when I go to leave for work my battery will be dead. I've tried to turn the radio off before getting out and it will still turn on. I called Chevy and they want to charge me over $90 just to "see what is wrong with it." The car is 2013 and only has 45000 miles on it. It should not be having problems like this. So not impressed.

- Kalamazoo , MI, USA

problem #17

Aug 232013

Spark 4-cyl

  • 2,100 miles
Car stalls will put the pedal to the metal and will not advance. It will start to move slow after a while not reaching full speed. Transmission gear display will be blank in dash console. Car moves at a very high RPM reading. Transmission will kick if set on neutral and then shif to drive. This has happen twice in the short amount of time that we owe the car. The problem is that we have taken the car twice to the dealer but is working fine at such time so they can not detect the problem. First time it happen my wife was at a stop light and when it happen to me I had just started the car. This is a very serious and hazardous situation.

- Hialeah, FL, USA

problem #16

Nov 012013

Spark

  • 4,000 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Chevrolet Spark. The contact stated that there was a loud noise coming from the engine. The vehicle was slow to start and hesitated upon changing gears. In addition, the contact stated that the ventilation controls failed to activate the heating and air conditioning system. The vehicle was taken to a dealer over five times and the failures were unable to be replicated. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 4,000.

- Morse, LA, USA

problem #15

Sep 052014

Spark 4-cyl

  • 9,811 miles
I was pulled over by a police officer and issued a fix it ticket because according to the officer neither of my rear brake lights were working. I might add that the officer followed me for several blocks and saw me stop at least 4 times before pulling me over.

- San Francisco, CA, USA

problem #14

Jul 312014

Spark 4-cyl

  • 24,163 miles
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. What if this had happened hundreds of miles away! dealer said they had no record of this happening on any type GM vehicle in the past. It's six days and counting, still no car.

- Northfield, NJ, USA

problem #13

Dec 172013

Spark 4-cyl

  • 14,000 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Chevrolet Spark. The contact stated while driving approximately 50 mph, the transmission failed to shift gears properly. Additionally, the speedometer reading fluctuated. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer for diagnostic testing. The vehicle was not diagnosed. The manufacturer was notified of the defect. The radio stayed on after the vehicle was turned off and the door was opened. The approximate failure mileage was 14,000.

- Whitebille, NC, USA

problem #12

Apr 162014

Spark

  • 30,000 miles
Chevrolet Spark would no shift out of 1st gear when acelerating on to freeway. The cause is due to defective transmission range sensor dtc error code P0705. Known service bulletin (#pip-5101). This is the 3rd time this has occurred. Extreme life threating problem when a vehicle is merging the freeway and will not acelerate to the speed of freeway traffic!!!!!!!! Chevrolet dealer has not resolved the issue.

- Flint, MI, USA

Read the next 11 complaints »