Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2013 Chevrolet Spark owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
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) FAILED. * 208 (occupant crash protection) * 114 (Theft protection) NHTSA ID # : 16V422000 #: 16V257000 GM RECALL(s) : #45340 # 17130 I thank you for your Review! …
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
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.
The locks will lock and unlock very quickly. I got out of the vehicle but the vehicle quickly locked back locking my son([redacted] 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.
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.
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.
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. …
Tl* 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
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.
Tl* 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.
Related recalls
Electrical system › Software
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.
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.
Electrical system › Software
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…
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.
Electrical complaints in other Spark years
Frequently asked questions
How common are electrical problems on the 2013 Chevrolet Spark?
NHTSA has 34 complaints about the electrical system of the 2013 Chevrolet Spark, 23% of the model year's 146 complaints. The component named most often is instrument cluster/panel (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2013 Chevrolet Spark electrical problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 16V-422 (software, Jun 10, 2016); NHTSA recall 16V-257 (software, Apr 28, 2016). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2013 Chevrolet Spark electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 10,000 miles, and 68% before 25,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.