2013 Chevrolet Spark Engine Problems
- Complaints
- 35about this part
- Share
- 24%of 146 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 31,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 35 complaints about the engine of the 2013 Chevrolet Spark, 24% of the 146 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 31,000 miles. 2 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I was driving down the highway going approximately 55-60 MPH and a SUV runs a stop sign and pulls out in front of me on the highway. I hit the SUV. The SUV flees the accident. My car catches on fire on impact and my airbags fail to deploy. It was a frontal impact and I was going about 55 MPH at impact. My car was deemed totaled.”
NHTSA complaint #10667858, filed 2014-12, 40,000 miles“While driving on the freeway my car suddenly lost all acceleration power. It ran 5k rpms to go 55 MPH and the traction control light was on and the engine malfunction light was blinking. This has been an ongoing problem for a week and the dealership cannot figure out how to fix it. Sometimes the lights stay on and sometimes they go off even though I continue to have loss of acceleration and ridiculously high rpms to travel 35-55mph.”
NHTSA complaint #10819881, filed 2016-01, 35,450 miles“Vehicle won't shift out of first gear. Not only is this very dangerous, but it is ruining the engine and transmission of the vehicle. This occurs about once a month at random times, and could very easily cause an accident. The dealer won't do anything to fix the problem, and has been very rude to my wife. I have been a lifelong chevy guy, but I think I'm finally done. A toyota or honda is sounding really good right now!”
NHTSA complaint #10712804, filed 2015-04, 10,000 miles“My wife and I bought this as a certified pre owned vehicle for her to drive from a local chevy dealer on 1/24/15. We felt okay about the high miles with the vehicle being cpo and having gms 12 month / 12,000 mile warranty and 5 yr / 100,000 power train warranty. We only expected to be putting 12,000 miles a year on the vehicle so we thought we'd have a long trouble free ownership experience with it. That all changed 6 days later. …”
NHTSA complaint #10681188, filed 2015-02, 42,000 miles“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. She tried to re-start the car and after several attempts it started but was shaky and all lights were flashing. We had car towed to nearest dealer, they told us the engine failed and it would have to be replaced. She was given a rental, after aprox. Two weeks she picked her car up again with the new engine. …”
NHTSA complaint #10654114, filed 2014-11, 20,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 11026017Jun 5, 2025This service bulletin provides information on replacing the intake manifold when the engine is replaced after severe internal engine damage.
- 11024485May 15, 2025The service bulletin advises the tech of a normal transmission shift condition and the delay in throttle response when the throttle plate is opened rapidly and advises the…
- 11017263Mar 25, 2025This bulletin advises the technician to flush the cooling system multiple times if oil has been found in the cooling system and replace the parts that may be contaminated due to…
- 11016942Mar 4, 2025This bulletin advises the technician to flush the cooling system multiple times if oil has been found in the cooling system and replace the parts that may be contaminated due to…
- 11014230Jan 31, 2025This bulletin advises the dealers to maintain the vehicle stock on hand by doing a full inspection on the vehicles before being sold (prepping) to the customer.
- 11014233Jan 30, 2025This service bulletin provides service information to technicians on guidelines to replace Oil Cooler, Oil Cooler Lines and Oil Tank if the engine was replaced where large…
- 11013069Jan 9, 2025This bulletin provides information on identifying Non-GM Engine Calibrations for Gasoline Engines using the Tech 2 or GDS 2.
- 11011709Nov 5, 2024This bulletin advises the dealers to maintain the vehicle stock on hand by doing a full inspection on the vehicles before being sold (prepping) to the customer.
- 11011205Oct 28, 2024This informational bulletin explains Unscheduled Supplemental Services and the importance of GM Simplified Maintenance Schedules.
- 11010490Oct 5, 2024This service bulletin provides guidelines and diagnostic/repair information to technicians regarding vehicle engine oil consumption.
Engine: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2 | 33% |
| 2020 | 3 | 15% |
| 2019 | 1 | 7% |
| 2018 | 3 | 33% |
| 2017 | 4 | 14% |
| 2016 | 2 | 7% |
| 2015 | 11 | 14% |
| 2014 | 51 | 30% |
| 2013 | 35 | 24% |
Other parts of the 2013 Chevrolet Spark
34 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
34 complaintsOther or unknown
21 complaintsVehicle speed control
14 complaintsAir bags
13 complaintsFuel system
12 complaintsBrakes
10 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
10 complaintsBody and structure
9 complaintsEngine cooling
8 complaintsExterior lighting
8 complaintsSteering
4 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2013 Chevrolet Spark
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology