2013 Chevrolet Spark: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2013 Chevrolet Spark: 5 recalls, 146 owner complaints and up to 34 mpg combined.
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Recalls
5 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Airbags Vehicle recall #14V298000 · 2014 · 61 vehicles
What's wrong: In the affected vehicles, an improper weld on the passenger side front air bag inflator May result in the air bag not deploying.
Why it matters: 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 fix: Gm will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger side front air bag, free of charge. The recall began on July 30, 2014.
Latches & locks Vehicle recall #14V593000 · 2014 · 89,294 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: 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 fix: 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.
Electrical, Equipment Vehicle recall #16V257000 · 2016 · 317,572 vehicles
What's wrong: 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."
Why it matters: Without audible indicators, the driver May leave the key in the ignition, increasing the risk of theft.
The fix: Gm will notify owners, and dealers will update the radio software, free of charge. The manufacturer has not yet provided a notification schedule.
Electrical, Equipment Vehicle recall #16V422000 · 2016 · 18,780 vehicles
What's wrong: 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."
Why it matters: Without audible indicators, the driver May not fasten their seatbelt, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.
The fix: Gm will notify owners, and dealers will update the radio software, free of charge. The recall began on July 22, 2016.
Latches & locks Vehicle recall #22V640000 · 2022 · 120,688 vehicles
What's wrong: The secondary hood latch May corrode at the latch pivot, preventing the hood latch from properly engaging.
Why it matters: A hood latch failure can result in the vehicle's hood opening unexpectedly, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the hood striker assembly and hood latch assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 12, 2023.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 1 mention a fire, 4 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Engine (35): the most common themes are stalls / loses power (11), warning light on (9).
- Transmission & drivetrain (34): the most common themes are hard / delayed shifting (15), warning light on (6), stalls / loses power (5).
- Electrical (34): the most common themes are electrical failure (6), stalls / loses power (4), warning light on (4).
- Other / unknown (20): the most common themes are noise or vibration (2).
The 2013 Chevrolet Spark has 146 owner complaints, ranking #2 of 10 Spark model years for complaints (2.9× the average Spark year). Complaints peaked in 2014 (39 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 2 years old, at a median of 28,250 miles. Neighboring years: 2014 (172 complaints, 6 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.2 L 4-cyl | Manual 5-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 31 | 37 | 34 | Regular |
| 1.2 L 4-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 28 | 36 | 31 | Regular |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 2013 Chevrolet Spark.
Closest thing to the factory manual for most years. Pay once, keep it.
Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
From $19.99/mo · $39.99/yrOEM procedures, specs and recall/TSB info, the same source many shops use.
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FAQ
Does the 2013 Chevrolet Spark have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 5 vehicle recalls for the 2013 Chevrolet Spark. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 2013 Chevrolet Spark problems?
Owners have filed 146 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are engine (35), transmission & drivetrain (34), electrical (34).
What gas mileage does the 2013 Chevrolet Spark get?
EPA ratings run up to 34 mpg combined (1.2 L, Manual 5-spd), across 2 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 2013 Chevrolet Spark repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.