2013 Chevrolet Spark: common problems and reliability

The 2013 Chevrolet Spark has 146 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 5 recalls on record. The most-reported areas are engine and electrical system. Owners most often flag cvt transmission failure — complete failure requiring replacement, reported around 120,000-140,000 miles; some instances of replacement units failing again shortly thereafter. frequency: recurrent.

Safety record for the 2013 model year

146
Owner complaints
5
Recalls
10
Crash reports
1
Fire reports

Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for 2013 Chevrolet Spark vehicles (US, public record).

Where owners report problems

engine
35
electrical system
34
power train
34
vehicle speed control
14
air bags
13

Recalls affecting the 2013 Spark

electrical system:software

Campaign 16V422000

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 warn

air bags

Campaign 14V298000

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 affect

latches/locks/linkages:hood:latch

Campaign 14V593000

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

equipment:electrical:radio/tape deck/cd etc.

Campaign 16V257000

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 provi

What owners say across generations

Sentiment is sharply divided, with a clear distinction between positive experiences with well-maintained examples and severe criticism focused on catastrophic transmission failures. A cohort of owners praises the Spark as a practical, fuel-efficient, and surpr

  • CVT transmission failure — Complete failure requiring replacement, reported around 120,000-140,000 miles; some instances of replacement units failing again shortly thereafter. Frequency: recurrent.
  • General reliability concerns — Broader perception of unreliability and frequent breakdowns beyond just the transmission, leading to consistent repair costs. Frequency: recurrent.

Owner insights cover all generations of the Spark.

Typical used price

Used Spark listings typically run $9,979–$12,385 across 2014 to 2022 model years.

Other Spark model years