2013 Chevrolet Spark Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 34about this part
- Share
- 23%of 146 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 25,750miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 34 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2013 Chevrolet Spark, 23% of the 146 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 25,750 miles.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“For the second time in a couple months, while turning left across traffic the vehicle lost the ability to accelerate. I was able to get off the road and cut the car off and restarted it and the problem went away. I have researched the subject online and it appears a lot of people have a similar issue with this vehicle and no one seems to know a solution. After the first time it happened we took the vehicle to the dealer and they could not find an issue.”
NHTSA complaint #11281896, filed 2019-11, 99,000 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“Started car, drove to work at varying speeds. Engine revved high during entire 30 minute drive. Parked, engine off for 8 hours. When I came out to go home, car was running fine. I haven't had another episode since.”
NHTSA complaint #10722122, filed 2015-05, 21,000 miles“On two occasions there has been a sudden loss of acceleration. This happened after making a stop at a stop sign/traffic light at a main highway intersection. The RPM's went up but there was no acceleration at all (I was just barely coasting maybe 3 MPH)! Once I was at a safe place to pull off the road, I put the car in park, turned the car off and back on and the acceleration was fine. This almost caused an accident each time. The dealership said, because there were no codes given when they checked the vehicle and no service bulletins posted, there was nothing they could do. …”
NHTSA complaint #10861373, filed 2016-04, 21,500 milesRelated service bulletins
- 11019516Apr 17, 2025This preliminary informational (PI) bulletin provides information to dealership personnel that may be helpful when addressing underbody component corrosion with customers.
- 11013069Jan 9, 2025This bulletin provides information on identifying Non-GM Engine Calibrations for Gasoline Engines using the Tech 2 or GDS 2.
- 11011989Nov 27, 2024This service bulletin provides information on the harmful effects of ethylene glycol in transmission fluid.
- 11011205Oct 28, 2024This informational bulletin explains Unscheduled Supplemental Services and the importance of GM Simplified Maintenance Schedules.
- 11009756Sep 17, 2024This bulletin provides information on Policies Applicable to All U.S. Dealers for Engine and Transmission Assembly Replacement Under Warranty, Policy or Customer Enthusiasm and…
- 11009088Sep 16, 2024This service bulletin provides information on some vehicles that may rock or move slightly forward or rearward while in Park at start up after cold soak. This condition may be…
- 11006421Jul 24, 2024GM is receiving damaged (cracked or broken) transmission cores returned to the reman facilities. The damage is being caused either in the removal process by the technician, or…
- 11005311Jul 9, 2024This service bulletin provides information on Driveline Clunk Noise and what is acceptable and what is considered normal operation.
- 11001321May 16, 2024This bulletin provides information on the harmful effects of water or ethylene glycol in transmission fluid.
- 11000119Apr 26, 2024This service bulletin provides technicians with information to help identify the differences between what is considered a fluid leak, and what is considered fluid seepage.
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
Other parts of the 2013 Chevrolet Spark
35 complaintsElectrical system
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 31, 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