general problems of the 2013 Chevrolet Spark

27 problems related to electrical system have been reported for the 2013 Chevrolet Spark. The most recently reported issues are listed below. Please also check out the statistics and reliability analysis of the 2013 Chevrolet Spark based on all problems reported for the 2013 Spark.

1 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 12/16/2024

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.

2 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 08/23/2024

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.

3 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 06/13/2024

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.

4 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 05/16/2024

The locks will lock and unlock very quickly. I got out of the vehicle but the vehicle quickly locked back locking my son(a one year old 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.

5 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 01/12/2023

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.

6 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 08/10/2021

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.

7 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 11/05/2018

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. I stopped my car, shut it off and turned it back on and nothing changed. The newest ordeal is my break light will turn on and beep at me anywhere from 3 seconds to 5 minutes. With it being the holidays and having to work all week I see no point in bringing my car in for nothing to be fixed for a 4th time and being without a car because I'm only 20 for who knows how long when I have a job to get to that's only 5 minutes away. I'm am so beyond irritated and want to throw this car into a trash can.

8 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 08/12/2017

2013-2015 chevy Sparks have issues with the kr12b windshield wiper relay internal to the uhfb to be inoperable. Necessary to replace the fuse-block. It is not right that only rosner chevy in melbourne FL is the only auto store in the state you can buy parts for this vehicle. Rosner chevy only allows sheep to visit them. If you would like to fix your vehicle yourself they are trying to make it impossible. They also charge over $100. 00 just to tell you what is wrong with it. Then they mark up the price of the part if you get it fixed with them and charge you for labor. You can only buy one manuel for this vehicle from helms and it is for mechanics. It is very unsafe to have vehicles on the road that only one company knows how to fix. Rosner chevy also stated that they will not give information out because it is top secret gm information that we as consumers are not allowed to have. This is illegal and something needs to be done. There should be manuals available to the general public that don't cost $200. 00. Haynes please make a manuel for chevy Sparks since gm won't. Having only 27661 miles on a 2013 chevy Spark there should not be problems with your windshield wipers. This is a major safety concern that you have allowed gm to get away with and it needs to stop. Gm should be required to fix all kr12b windshield wiper relay free of charge because they sold us faulty ones. Because there is no information available to the consumer. I replaced a windshield wiper motor even though it was not bad because when tested by a mechanic it tested bad but really it was the wiper relay that was bad.

9 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 03/01/2017

This car accelerates on its own even when clutch is on. Also the motor sounds like it going to blow out on its own and stops and goes as fast it came. This cars has only 53000 miles and has been to dealer several times.

10 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 07/09/2016

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.

11 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 03/12/2016

I was going south on i95 doing 70 miles an hour engine light flashed off and on traction control light on car lost speed and will not shift high rp not speed. Was almost in a very bad accident.

12 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 08/21/2015

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.

13 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 09/05/2014

I was pulled over by a police officer and issued a fix it ticket because according to the officer neither of my rear brake lights were working. I might add that the officer followed me for several blocks and saw me stop at least 4 times before pulling me over.

14 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 04/16/2014

Chevrolet Spark would no shift out of 1st gear when acelerating on to freeway. The cause is due to defective transmission range sensor dtc error code p0705. Known service bulletin (#pip-5101). This is the 3rd time this has occurred. Extreme life threating problem when a vehicle is merging the freeway and will not acelerate to the speed of freeway traffic!!!!!!!! Chevrolet dealer has not resolved the issue.

15 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 12/17/2013

The contact owns a 2013 Chevrolet Spark. The contact stated while driving approximately 50 mph, the transmission failed to shift gears properly. Additionally, the speedometer reading fluctuated. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer for diagnostic testing. The vehicle was not diagnosed. The manufacturer was notified of the defect. The radio stayed on after the vehicle was turned off and the door was opened. The approximate failure mileage was 14,000.

16 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 11/01/2013

The contact owns a 2013 Chevrolet Spark. The contact stated that there was a loud noise coming from the engine. The vehicle was slow to start and hesitated upon changing gears. In addition, the contact stated that the ventilation controls failed to activate the heating and air conditioning system. The vehicle was taken to a dealer over five times and the failures were unable to be replicated. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 4,000.

17 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 08/23/2013

Car stalls will put the pedal to the metal and will not advance. It will start to move slow after a while not reaching full speed. Transmission gear display will be blank in dash console. Car moves at a very high rpm reading. Transmission will kick if set on neutral and then shif to drive. This has happen twice in the short amount of time that we owe the car. The problem is that we have taken the car twice to the dealer but is working fine at such time so they can not detect the problem. First time it happen my wife was at a stop light and when it happen to me I had just started the car. This is a very serious and hazardous situation.

18 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 07/15/2013

The contact owns a 2013 Chevrolet Spark. The contact stated that while at a stop light, the air conditioning unit failed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnosis where it was stated the air conditioning unit needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired and the manufacturer was notified. The approximate failure mileage was 5,000.

19 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 07/05/2013

The air conditioning system does not work. I've had it to the dealers 6 times since July. It does not blow cold air. The compressor has been replaced; the expansion valve has been replaced; the system was drained and recharged. Nothing has fixed the problem.

20 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 06/20/2013

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. When driving the car, the a/c will begin to cool the interior and seems to be fine. When stopped at a red light, stop sign, or in my drive way, the a/c will stop cooling and blows warm air out of the vents. A fourth warranty service call was opened for this problem in early July. The dealership has troubleshoot the a/c issue and do not know how to fix the problem. The dealership has given me a case number from general motors llc and told me that the engineers at gm are working on a repair for this issue (pic5858a: insufficient a/c performance at idle - Jun 13, 2013). It is now August of 2013 and no resolution has been found. The dealership has no new information and gm customer service is no help either. My car was manufactured on 08/2012. It is the LS model with a 5-speed transmission.

21 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 05/07/2013

The a/c dose not work while the car is at idle. When driving the car the a/c will begin to cool. When stopped at a red light, stop sign, the a/c will stop cooling and blows warm air out of the vents. The dealership has troubleshoot 2 times and do not know how to fix the problem. Told me that the engineers at gm are working on a repair for this issue. It is now the middle of August and no resolution has been found. The dealership is no help and has no new information and gm customer service is no help either. My car is 2013 Spark. It is the 2lt model with a 4 speed auto transmission.

22 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 04/24/2013

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. The dealer stated that the manufacturer did not have a fix for the problem. The failure mileage was 3,500 and the current mileage was 5,600.

23 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 04/18/2013

When pulling out from side street, parking lot, drive way, ect. At normal speed. If there is any kind of bump, or rough road the car will loose power for about 5 seconds and the traction control light will come on. I have almost got run over 4 times now. Had in service dept. At dealer 2 time and they say could not duplicate. This is going to get someone killed. Dealer and gm are no help and just say it is a lite car so that's the way it is. Car is a 2013 chevy Spark 2lt / 4 speed auto transmission.

24 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 03/04/2013

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. This presents a severe driving hazard, as there are no alternative controls for the cruise. In order to use the controls, you must take your eyes off of the road and blindly fumble, trying to determine which of the ten mounted controls you need to use, thus averting your attention from your surroundings, momentarily. Chevrolet is aware of this problem, as they started illuminating the Nov. 12 builds, consequently neglecting a fix for the pre Nov. 13 builds. Of which I am one. I am not comfortable driving under these conditions after dark. An intervention is clearly needed here, as Chevrolet will not act, and even denies the fact that they did indeed perform the upgrade. Hopefully something will be done, before we orphans wind up paying the consequences.

25 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 03/02/2013

The steering wheel controls (cruise control, audio etc) do not illuminate. After some research, I have found that gm has remedied this issue with models manufactured after November 2012. This is a safety hazard at night because if I use my cruise control, I have to turn on my dome light to see what button to push. I complained to gm and was told that gm is simply not going to do anything about models manufactured prior to Nov 2012.

26 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 11/05/2012

Buttons on steering wheel that work the cruise control, hands free phone, and radio controls do not light up when lights are on at night. This creates a dangerous situation as the buttons can not be seen in the dark. Gm is aware of the situation and has repaired it in models built after October 25 2012, but will not fix it in the models built before then. When I purchased the vehicle in November of 2012, I was not informed of the change before the purchase, leading me to believe that gm and its dealers intentionally mislead me into buying a car that they had already deemed as having an unsafe feature or they would not have changed it.

27 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 06/30/2012

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. Then when stopped at a red light, stop sign, or drive at speeds lower than the 40 mph, the a/c will stop cooling and blows warm air out of the vents. The dealership has troubleshot once when we had our first oil change in June. They sold us a new cabin filter they said may be blocked by dirt and suggested that there was also a service due at 15,000 miles that might alleviate the problem. We purchased the service suggested, but it did not help. We stopped into the service dept again and they do not know how to fix the problem. They told us that the engineers at gm are still working on a repair for this issue. It is now September and no resolution has been found. The dealership has no new information.


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