Home · 2013 Chevrolet Spark EV · Complaints

What 146 owners told NHTSA about the 2013 Chevrolet Spark EV

These are the actual owner complaints behind this car’s reliability verdict, filed with the federal government, unedited. They’re unverified reports, not confirmed defects: read them as leads for your pre-purchase inspection, not a diagnosis.

All (146)Crash / fire / injury (12)Engine (35)Electrical system (34)Transmission & drivetrain (34)Speed control (14)Airbags (13)Fuel system (12)Brakes (10)Latches & locks (10)Body & structure (9)Engine & cooling (8)

Newest first · 146 complaints · page 1 of 6

Jun 16, 2025

I got the recall done but it still shows not done on the NHTSA website

NHTSA ODI 11667246

Feb 12, 2025Electrical systemEngineFuel system

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.

NHTSA ODI 11642223

Nov 12, 2024Transmission & drivetrain

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. The contact stated that there were no warning lights illuminated. The contact was able to drive the vehicle to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed and determined that the transmission pump had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 178,000.

NHTSA ODI 11624686

Oct 7, 2024Electrical system

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! It's Important to me, and I'm sure Chevrolet, that these Safety Features CANNOT BE IGNORED! I am praying that after your Reviewing, You are able to Provide a Recall for the Radio Software on my 2013 Chevy Spark! I bought the car last year, and it's getting very expensive to keep it running Safely. Thank you

NHTSA ODI 11618469

Jun 13, 2024Electrical systemEquipment

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.

NHTSA ODI 11594252

May 17, 2024Electrical system

The locks will lock and unlock very quickly. I got out of the vehicle but the vehicle quickly locked back locking my son([XXX] 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. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI 11589275

Feb 17, 2024

Passenger front spring broken.

NHTSA ODI 11572557

Oct 20, 2023Body & structure

See attached document from complainant

NHTSA ODI 11551015

Jun 5, 2023Latches & locks

2013 CHEVEROLET SPARK- Consumer doesn't feel safe driving vehicle. Consumer received safety recall letter- GM Recall # A222359300- Hood Striker & Hood Latch Assembly. Consumer contacted Chevrolet and was told the part is not available and they do not know when it will available. Recall notice attached.

NHTSA ODI 11525368

Mar 7, 2023

The secondary hood latch lever problem was discovered in August 2022. I received a letter at the beginning of October 2022. I called to have my vehicle repaired but was advised that the parts were not available. I called again in late February 2023 and the parts were still not available. The recall was issued because the secondary latch striker may become stuck out of position and fail to properly engage. If the striker becomes stuck out of position and both the primary and secondary hood latch fail to engage, the vehicle’s hood may open unexpectedly, increasing the risk of a crash. The last sentence is an understatement to say the least. My daughter drives the Chevy Spark from our home in Beaver Falls, Pa to college in Edinboro, Pa. Approximately a 2 hour drive on Route 79, a major highway for semi trucks from Pa to NY. If the hood opens unexpectedly, there Will be a crash not the risk will be increased. When I asked Chevy about a loaner, I was advised that I could not get 1. I asked if I’m supposed to keep driving since I have no other options, I was advised that I could not get a loaner. I asked for a supervisor to call me back. I was advised that a supervisor would call me back within 24-48 hours. She gave me Case # 9-9494938162. 2 days later, the same women called me back and advised me that I could not get a loaner. I asked why supervisor did not call me back. Said he was not available. I am filing a complaint because it has been 5 months (October 2022) since I received the recall letter and it’s been 7 months since the problem has been known (August 2022). The contact stated his daughter was in an accident because the part was not available from August 2022 to at least the date of his daughter’s accident on 6/2/23. The hood opened while she was driving 65 mph on the Pa turnpike. It has now been almost 2 months since the accident and Chevy reached out to his wife and advised her the claim would be turned down because of 2 prior accidents that the vehicle was involved in prior to owning the vehicle. He wants some information on how to proceed.

NHTSA ODI 11510588

Mar 6, 2023Latches & locks

The contact owns a 2013 Chevrolet Spark. The contact stated that after having an oil change performed on the vehicle, the mechanic was unable to properly close the hood. The contact was previously mailed a NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V640000 (Latches/Locks/Linkages) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The dealer and the manufacturer were notified of the recall notification and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The independent mechanic advised the contact to refrain from opening the hood due to the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.

NHTSA ODI 11510332

Jan 15, 2023Body & structure

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. It still says "recall incomplete, remedy not available" -- meanwhile it's been more than 6 months, which should be plenty of time to make these arrangements! I don't drive on the freeway very often but every time I do I worry about my hood opening while I'm driving 60+ mph. WHEN is this going to be fixed??

NHTSA ODI 11501867

Jan 12, 2023Electrical systemSpeed controlEngine

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

NHTSA ODI 11501467

Nov 29, 2022Latches & locks

The contact owns a 2013 Chevrolet Spark. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V640000 (Latches, Locks, Linkages) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA ODI 11495330

Dec 31, 2021Speed controlEngineFuel system

I do not know what system affects the problem my car is having it stalls in front of oncoming traffic on left turns it's done this to me 3 to 4 times and it scares me. It will start right back up and go but it'll still continuously throughout the day when I slow down or come to a red light. The speed control sensor went out and I replaced it and there seem to be middle or something on that. I've read different reports or seen on YouTube that people have reported the same problem with their cars it is definitely a safety issue had it not started up or had I panicked like I did the first time and almost not get it started but a car could crash into me because my car stalled in front of traffic the problem has not been reproduced for anybody and there has been no report to dealership insurance police anything like that. I have checked periodically to see if there is a recall on it and there hasn't been this is the first time I'm seeing where you can report something like this so I thought I would

NHTSA ODI 11445690

Aug 11, 2021Electrical system

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.

NHTSA ODI 11428753

Feb 8, 2021Transmission & drivetrain

VEHICLE GETS CODE P0700 TRANNY GOES TO LIMP MODE WONT MOVE OR SHIFT UNTIL CAR IS RESTARTED DOES THIS A FEW TIMES A WEEK

NHTSA ODI 11395121

Nov 6, 2020Body & structure

THE HOOD LATCH IS CORRODED AND DOESN'T ALLOW THE HOOD TO STAY FULLY CLOSED AND TRUNK LATCH STICKS AND DOES NOT CLOSE PROPERLY WHILE BEING STATIONARY AND IN MOTION. I'M SCARED THAT THE HOOD WILL FLY UP WHILE MY SON OR I ARE DRIVING.

NHTSA ODI 11373514

Sep 22, 2020Transmission & drivetrain

WHILE DRIVING OUR 2010 CHEVROLET SPARK, THE CLUTCH PEDAL SNAPPED OFF, WHILE THE CAR WAS IN MOTION.

NHTSA ODI 11360527

Jun 1, 2020Transmission & drivetrain

WHEN COMING OUT OF A STOP (RED LIGHT, STOP SIGN, ETC.,) THE CAR WILL NOT ACCELERATE. I HAVE TO PULL OFF TO SIDE AND SHUT THE CAR OFF, WAIT A MINUTE, AND START IT AGAIN. ONLY THEN WILL IT DRIVE. IT DOES NOT DO THIS ALL THE TIME. HOWEVER, WHEN IT DOES, IT DOES IT MULTIPLE TIMES IN A SHORT TIME FRAME. IT HAS DONE THIS OCCASIONALLY SINCE I GOT THE CAR IN 2017. MY SISTER ALSO OWNS A 2014 CHEVROLET SPARK AND HERS DOES THIS AS WELL. *TR

NHTSA ODI 11326884

Apr 22, 2020Engine

UNAVAILABLE TO BUY PART DORMAN 916-806, CANNOT PASS SAFETY INSPECTION AND REGISTER CAR

NHTSA ODI 11321967

Nov 22, 2019Transmission & drivetrain

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 ODI 11281896

Sep 12, 2019

"TAKATA RECALL" 2013 SPARK CHEVROLET NEEDING COOLANT WITH NORMAL DRIVING. REFILLED 3 TIMES. AIR CONDITION TENDS TO DEMINISH WHEN COOLANT LOW AND AT TIMES QUITS BLOWING COOL AIR COMPLETELY. MILEAGE VERY LOW AT 33,000 MILES. WARNING LIGHT DOES NOT INDICATE WHEN COOLANT IS LOW UNTIL COOLANT RESERVOIR/TANK IS COMPLETELY EMPTY OF FLUID. PROBLEM STARED WHEN VEHICLE HAD 25,000 OR LESS MILES. ALSO VEHICLE HAS NO AUTOMATIC DOOR LOCKS.

NHTSA ODI 11255169

Jun 30, 2019

VEHICLE IS IN MOTION AND IT JUST DIES RANDOMLY

NHTSA ODI 11228490

Jun 8, 2019Body & structure

LATELY I HAVE BEEN HAVING ISSUES WHERE THE HOOD LATCH STAYS IN THE OPEN POSITION. ACCORDING TO A VIN CHECK THIS SUPPOSED TO BE REPLACED AND THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP SAID IT WAS ACCORDING TO THE GM DATABASE, BUT I DON'T THINK IT EVER WAS REPLACED. THE DEALERSHIP WANTS TO CHARGE ME TO FIX SOMETHING THAT GM NEVER REPAIRED IN THE RECALL.

NHTSA ODI 11218680

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Working with the data? Download all 146 complaints as CSV · fetched from NHTSA July 26, 2026

How to use these: a complaint is one owner’s report, filed voluntarily and published unverified. Patterns matter more than any single story. If several owners describe the same failure at similar mileage, put that system at the top of your pre-purchase inspection list. Back to the full 2013 Chevrolet Spark EV verdict →