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2013 Chevrolet Spark Recalls, Issues & Maintenance

The 2013 Chevrolet Spark carries 5 open NHTSA recalls — most recently covering software and air bags. Owners report 7 recurring issue clusters, led by “Air conditioning failure at idle.” Chevrolet vehicles use the GM Oil Life System (OLS) — a percentage-based monitor that calculates oil life from driving conditions, not fixed mileage. When the OLS drops to 0%, oil and filter are due. The schedule below reflects GM's Normal Use intervals for everything else.

5 Open Recalls

Source: NHTSA

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE

Campaign #16V422000 · Oct 6, 2016

Issue: 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."

Risk: Without audible indicators, the driver may not fasten their seatbelt, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.

Fix: 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.

AIR BAGS

Campaign #14V298000 · Jun 6, 2014

Issue: 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.

Risk: 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.

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. 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.

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH

Campaign #14V593000 · Sep 24, 2014

Issue: 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.

Risk: 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.

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. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 14456.

EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.

Campaign #16V257000 · Apr 28, 2016

Issue: 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."

Risk: Without audible indicators, the driver may leave the key in the ignition, increasing the risk of theft.

Fix: 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 #22V640000 · Aug 25, 2022

Issue: 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.

Risk: A hood latch failure can result in the vehicle's hood opening unexpectedly, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: 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.

Recall data refreshed Sep 13, 2026.

Known issues for this vehicle

What drivers and federal regulators have officially reported about the 2013 Chevrolet Spark.

Reported to NHTSA

Air conditioning failure at idle

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

9 NHTSA complaints · 2013-07 → 2018-06

“IN JUNE OF 2013, MY A/C STOPPED WORKING ON MY 2013 CHEVROLET SPARK. THE CAR WAS TAKEN IN FOR WARRANTY SERVICE THREE TIMES. THE EXPANSION VALVE AND COMPRESSOR WERE REPLACED AND THE A/C WAS PARTLY RESTORED. THE A/C WILL NOT WORK WHILE THE CAR IS AT IDLE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10533849
“WE HAVE A 2013 SPARK. THE A/C DOES NOT WORK WHILE THE CAR IS AT IDLE OR AT LOWER SPEEDS. WHEN DRIVING THE CAR THE A/C WILL BEGIN TO COOL ONCE YOU HIT ABOUT 40 MPH”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10542492
“THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET SPARK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR CONDITIONING FAILED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT THE RPM'S HAD TO STAY ABOVE 2200 IN ORDER FOR THE AIR CONDITIONING UNIT TO WORK PROPERLY”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10524365

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Steering wheel control illumination failure

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

8 NHTSA complaints · 2013-03 → 2018-01

“THIS VEHICLE DOES NOT ILLUMINATE THE STEERING WHEEL CONTROLS. WITH ABSOLUTELY NO AMBIENT LIGHTING, THE INTERIOR OF THE CAR IS EXTREMELY DARK, AND VISIBILITY OF THE CONTROLS IS NON EXISTENT”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10501213
“LACK OF BUTTON ILLUMINATION LIGHTS FOR THE CRUISE CONTROL, HANDS-FREE PHONE CONTROL AND AUDIO CONTROL ON THE STEERING WHEEL FOR NIGHT DRIVING”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10505242
“THERE IS NO ILLUMINATION OF THE CRUISE AND COMMUNICATION CONTROLS ON THE STEERING WHEEL. THIS IS PARTICULARLY DANGEROUS DRIVING AT NIGHT AS THERE IS NO WAY TO SEE THE CONTROLS AT ALL”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11061336

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Stalling and loss of acceleration

POWER TRAIN

34 NHTSA complaints · 2013-08 → 2025-02

“The contact owns a 2013 Chevrolet Spark. The contact stated while driving approximately 60 MPH, the vehicle started to lose motive power. The contact stated that the vehicle was not able to accelerate above 30 MPH”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11624686
“VEHICLE GETS CODE P0700 TRANNY GOES TO LIMP MODE WONT MOVE OR SHIFT UNTIL CAR IS RESTARTED DOES THIS A FEW TIMES A WEEK”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11395121
“CAR WOULD NOT ACCELERATE BEYOND 30 MPH IN A 50 MPH ZONE.... I HAD TO TURN MY HAZARDS ON AND WAS SCARED TO DRIVE IT ANY FURTHER. THERE WAS NO WARNING SIGNS OR INDICATIONS OF ANY ISSUES PRIOR”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10884007

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Hood latch failure and delayed recall repair

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

14 NHTSA complaints · 2014-12 → 2023-06

“WENT TO CHEVY DEALER FOR 2 RECALLS IN AUGUST 2013. RECALL 14110 RESOLVED, BUT RECALL 14456 (HOOD LATCH) WAS NOT. PARTS NEEDED TO BE ORDERED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10679824
“THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET SPARK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 63 MPH, THE HOOD LATCH FRACTURED AND SHATTERED THE ENTIRE WINDSHIELD. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10668298
“I have not experienced an incident YET but the recall of the hood latch was first brought to my attention in August 2022 and it is now January 2023 with NO remedy being proposed”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11501867

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Airbag warning light and failure to deploy

AIR BAGS

12 NHTSA complaints · 2013-07 → 2018-03

“THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET SPARK. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE DROVE THROUGH A TRAFFIC SIGNAL AND CRASHED INTO THE FRONT OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY WITH THE MASSIVE IMPACT”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10854997
“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”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10920492
“AIR BAG LIGHT LIT, CODE 95 (AIRBAG MALFUNCTION) LIGHT LIT AND SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT LIT ON VEHICLE. HAVE TAKEN VEHICLE BACK TO DEALERSHIP 5 TIMES IN THE PAST 40 DAYS AND PROBLEM IS STILL APPARENT”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10524093

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Sudden unintended acceleration

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

8 NHTSA complaints · 2013-02 → 2016-06

“I WAS IN THE CAR WITH MY SON PULLING INTO MY YARD WHICH IS AT AN INCLINE AND THE CAR ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN. WHEN I STEPPED ON THE BRAKES THEY FAILED AND THE CAR CRASHED INTO MY BRICK HOUSE. THE CAR HAS BEEN TOTALED OUT AND THE HOUSE HAS STRUCTURAL DAMAGE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10621388
“I EXPERIENCED TWO INSTANCES OF SUDDEN UNINTENDED ACCELERATION IN MID APRIL 2013”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10511114
“TL - THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET SPARK. THE CONTACTS STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY WITHOUT ANY WARNINGS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS CAUSE BY THE FLOOR MAT”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10567572

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Excessive oil consumption and engine failure

ENGINE

8 NHTSA complaints · 2014-05 → 2015-04

“OUR DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING HOME ON THE INTERSTATE FOR A VISIT FROM COLLEGE. WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON AND THE CAR BEGAN TO SHAKE SO SHE PULLED OVER JUST AS THE CAR'S ENGINE TURNED ITSELF OFF”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10654114
“THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET SPARK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS THE VEHICLE HAD EXPERIENCED A LOSS OF POWER AND LACK OF ACCELERATION”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10620860
“HAD TO ADD ALMOST 3 QUARTS OF OIL... 2,000 PRIOR TO SCHEDULED SERVICE. 2,00 MILES BEFORE WARRANTY EXPIRES”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10615649

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Issues on other model years

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI). Complaint data refreshed Sep 13, 2026. Investigation data refreshed Sep 13, 2026.

We display NHTSA's record with attribution; we don't editorialize on what these complaints mean for any specific vehicle.

Essential maintenance

Critical for safety and preventing major damage

Engine Oil & Filter (per Oil Life System)

Every 7,500 mi

Change oil when the Oil Life System reaches 0% or every 12 months — whichever comes first. dexos1-approved synthetic oil required on all gas engines since 2011.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$120–$160

Shop

~$85–$115

DIY

~$25–$55

Full synthetic costs more than conventional. 5-quart 0W-20 + filter is the typical bill.

Tire Rotation

Every 7,500 mi

Rotate tires every 7,500 miles. Silverado 4x4 and Tahoe owners benefit from earlier rotations to even out drivetrain wear.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Often free at the shop where you bought the tires — worth asking before paying.

Brake Inspection

Every 7,500 mi

Inspect brake pads, rotors, and parking brake at each tire rotation. Equinox and Malibu front pads typically last 40,000-50,000 miles.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Most shops do this free as a courtesy with any service. Don't pay separately if you can avoid it.

Brake Fluid

Every 45,000 mi

GM specifies brake fluid replacement based on contamination testing. Test every 30,000 miles; replace if moisture content exceeds 3% or fluid appears dark.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$180–$200

Shop

~$125–$140

DIY

~$10–$25

DOT 3 or 4 — match the cap. Vacuum bleeders make this a one-person DIY.

Important maintenance

Keeps your vehicle running smoothly and efficiently

Engine Air Filter

Every 45,000 mi

GM long-life cellulose air filters are rated 45,000 miles. Direct-injection engines are sensitive to airflow restriction; inspect at every oil change.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

5-minute job on most cars; the airbox lid usually has clips, no tools needed.

Automatic Transmission Fluid

Every 45,000 mi

Severe service (heavy towing, frequent stop-and-go, dusty conditions): replace every 45,000 miles. Normal service: 97,500 miles. Use Dexron-VI on 6L80/8L90 transmissions.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$330–$500

Shop

~$235–$355

DIY

~$60–$180

Some sealed transmissions have no dipstick — fill is precise and best left to a shop. Many drivers can still DIY drain-and-fill.

Transfer Case Fluid (4WD)

Every 45,000 mi

Silverado 4WD and Tahoe 4WD: replace transfer case fluid every 45,000 miles, sooner if towing or off-roading. Use GM Auto-Trak II fluid.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$105–$140

Shop

~$75–$100

DIY

~$15–$40

AWD/4WD vehicles only. Easy drain-and-fill on most platforms.

Spark Plugs

Every 100,000 mi

GM iridium spark plugs are rated 100,000 miles on most LS and LT engines. The 5.3L V8 in Silverado 1500 commonly fouls plugs early under heavy idling.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$390

Shop

~$200–$275

DIY

~$25–$100

Iridium plugs cost more but last 100k+ miles. V6/V8 access varies wildly — some are tough.

Dex-Cool Engine Coolant

Every 50,000 mi

GM Dex-Cool (orange): first change at 150,000 miles or 5 years, then every 50,000 miles. Mixing with green coolant creates a sludge that destroys the cooling system.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$330

Shop

~$200–$235

DIY

~$25–$60

Use the manufacturer-specified coolant — wrong color/chemistry can damage the cooling system.

Rear Differential Fluid

Every 50,000 mi

Silverado and Tahoe: replace rear axle fluid every 50,000 miles, or 25,000 miles if towing. Limited-slip differentials require GM friction-modifier additive.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$150–$195

Shop

~$105–$135

DIY

~$20–$50

Drain plug + fill plug — straightforward DIY. AWD vehicles have two; budget for both.

Recommended maintenance

Extends the life of your vehicle and improves comfort

Cabin Air Filter

Every 22,500 mi

Replace the cabin air filter every 22,500 miles. Silverado and Tahoe owners in dusty climates should replace earlier.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

Usually behind the glovebox. Shops charge labor for a 10-minute job — easy DIY win.

Fatal crash history & reported problems

Occupant deaths in fatal crashes (FARS)

46 crashes 2010–2024

FARS counts every occupant death in a fatal crash, whatever the cause — it does not mean the vehicle was at fault or defective. Counts are not adjusted for how many of each vehicle are on the road. How to read this number

Owner-reported problem signals

Separate from the federal fatality data above: complaints owners filed with NHTSA about this year and model. These are reports of problems, unverified, and are counted here only as signals.

10

complaints mentioning a crash

1

complaints mentioning a fire

Reviewed known issues for this vehicle·Open recalls for this vehicle

Typical U.S. ranges. Actual quotes vary by shop, parts choice, and vehicle condition.

How we estimate: Dealer = OEM parts × 1.4 + labor × $165/hr. Shop = parts + labor × $115/hr. DIY = parts only.

This maintenance schedule for the 2013 Chevrolet Spark reflects Chevrolet's published service intervals and the Oil Life System system. Your actual service needs may vary based on driving conditions, climate, and vehicle usage. Always consult your owner's manual for model-specific recommendations.

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