2013 Chevrolet Spark
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Engine
Engine leads by volume: 43 of 146 complaints (29%) mention it. Complaints mentioning Brakes include more reported injuries (3) than those mentioning any other identified area.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | vs. 2013 Subcompact Cars |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 1,850–2,000 | 1,850–1,900 | 1,850–1,900 | |
| Combined MPG | 31–34 | 33–34 | 33–34 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 28–31 / 36–37 | 30–31 / 37–38 | 30–31 / 37–38 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 265–284 | 264–270 | 264–270 | |
| Complaints filed | 146 | 176 | 83 | |
| Recalls issued | 5 | 8 | 7 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 10 | 13 | 4 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 1 | 0 | 1 | |
| Injuries reported | 4 | 9 | 8 | |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 2 | 2 | 2 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 2013 Chevrolet Spark have?
5 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Sep 16, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What is the most common complaint about the 2013 Chevrolet Spark?
Engine: 43 of 146 NHTSA complaints (29%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 2013 Chevrolet Spark get?
EPA rates it 31–34 MPG combined across 2 configurations.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2013 Chevrolet Spark?
EPA estimates $1,850–$2,000 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (2)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Manual 5-spd | 4 | 1.2L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Subcompact Cars | 31 mpg (high) | 37 mpg (high) | 34 mpg (high) | $1,850 (low) | 265 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 2 | Automatic 4-spd | 4 | 1.2L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Subcompact Cars | 28 mpg (low) | 36 mpg (low) | 31 mpg (low) | $2,000 (high) | 284 g/mi (high) |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 43 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 34 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 12 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Electrical | 36 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Brakes | 13 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| Steering | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 13 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 14 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 19 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 22 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.
Recalls (5)
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH · Campaign 22V640000 · Aug 26, 2022
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.
Consequence: A hood latch failure can result in the vehicle's hood opening unexpectedly, increasing the risk of a crash.
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.
EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE · Campaign 16V422000 · Jun 10, 2016
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."
Consequence: Without audible indicators, the driver may not fasten their seatbelt, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.
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.
EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE · Campaign 16V257000 · Apr 28, 2016
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."
Consequence: Without audible indicators, the driver may leave the key in the ignition, increasing the risk of theft.
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.
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH · Campaign 14V593000 · Sep 24, 2014
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.
Consequence: 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.
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.
AIR BAGS · Campaign 14V298000 · Jun 6, 2014
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.
Consequence: 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.
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.