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2013 Chevrolet Spark

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2013 Spark.

Body PASSENGER CARTransmission Automatic 4-spd

The 2013 Chevrolet Spark is a passenger car equipped with a four-speed automatic transmission that delivers an EPA-rated 28/36/31 mpg, powered by an engine requiring a straightforward 4.0 quarts of 5W-20 oil. However, this mechanical simplicity is contrasted by a troubled reliability record, as this year accumulated 146 owner complaints predominantly focused on the power train alongside five separate recalls. Sitting just below the model's worst year of 2014—which saw 175 complaints—within the 2013-2022 lifespan, the 2013 Spark's early position means researchers should expect significant power train concerns that define the vehicle's troubled initial production era.

Model year2022 2021 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2013

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity4.0 qtOEM · verified

Engine oil type5W-20OEM · verified

Lug nut torque100 ft-lbsOEM · verified

EPA fuel economy28/36/31 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI LN1 · 410 CCA battery, OE oil filter 96985730. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI LN1 · 410 CCAOEM · verified

Tire sizeP185/55R15OEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter	96985730
Engine air filter	96910360
Spark plug	25190786
Battery	88866103
Front wiper blades	95108156 alt 95108153
Serpentine belt	25181815 alt 25191144
Thermostat	25199831
Cabin air filter	13271190

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

Transmission

Automatic 4-spd

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length	143.7 in
Overall width	63 in
Overall height	59.8 in
Wheelbase	93.7 in
Curb weight	2315 lb
Track (front / rear)	55.5 / 55.5 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)	63/37

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined	28 / 36 / 31 mpg
Drivetrain	Front-Wheel Drive
Passenger volume	86 cu ft
Cargo volume	11 cu ft
Recommended fuel	Regular Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the Spark of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

11.2–11.3 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 11.20 sec — 2013 2LT Hatchback

Year	Trim / engine	0–60	¼ mile	HP	Drivetrain
2013	2LT Hatchback 1.2L I-4	11.20 sec	18.30 sec	84 hp	FWD
2013	2LT Hatchback 1.2L I-4	11.30 sec	18.10 sec	84 hp	FWD
2013	2LT Hatchback 1.2L I-4	11.30 sec	18.20 sec	84 hp	FWD
2014	EV 2LT Hatchback Elec 21-kWh	7.50 sec	16.00 sec	140 hp	FWD
2014	EV 2LT Hatchback Elec 21-kWh	7.90 sec	16.30 sec	140 hp	FWD
2014	1LT Hatchback 1.2L I-4	11.00 sec	18.40 sec	84 hp	FWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 4.0 qt of 5W-20 engine oil. Torque lug nuts to 100 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 15.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-3-4-2.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission Fluid	GM part number 19260800
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity	5
Engine Oil	5W-20
Engine Oil Capacity	4.0 qt
Manual Transmission Fluid	GM part number 88862472
Manual Transmission Fluid Capacity	3.5-4.0

Engine torques

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs	89 inch lbs. ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts	7.4 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts	15 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug	15.0 ft-lbs
Engine Valve Cover Bolts	6.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts	100 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub	177 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order	1-3-4-2
Cylinder Firing Order	1-3-4-2
Spark Plug Manufacturer	AC Delco
Spark Plug Gap	0.031-0.035 in
Spark Plug Torque	15.0 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

Refrigerant	R134a
Refrigerant Capacity	0.94 lbs
Oil Type	46
Oil Capacity	1.70 oz
Oil Group	PAG
Standard BCI Group Number	LN1
Standard BCI Cranking Performance	410 cca

Service checks

Pressure Test	20 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief	20 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature	188-206 °F
Pressure Test	16-17 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief	16.0-17.4 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature	180-203 °F
Key ON Engine OFF (KOEO)	50-60
Injector Primary Resistance	11-14 @ 50-90 degreesF ohms

Brakes

Brake Application	WITH FN3 (16 inch) CALIPER PR NOS. 1LH/1ZG
Torque Caliper to Bracket	21 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle	70 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad Thickness	0.079 in
Minimum Shoe Thickness	0.055 in
Brake Application	WITH FN3 (16 inch) CALIPER PR NOS. 1LH/1ZG
Rotor Max Parallel Variation	0.0004 in
Rotor Runout Limit	0.002 in

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the spark plugs every 97,500 mi.

Every 7,500 mi	Accelerator Pedal (inspect) · Body Latches, Locks & Hinges (lubricate) · Brake Shift Interlock Solenoid (inspect) · Brake System (inspect) · Engine Assembly (leak inspection) · Engine Coolant System (inspect fluid level)
Every 15,000 mi	Accessory Drive Belt (inspect)
Every 22,500 mi	Cabin Air Filter (replace)
Every 30,000 mi	Brake Hydraulic System (drain, refill & bleed)
Every 45,000 mi	Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Fuel Evaporative Emission Control System (inspect)
Every 97,500 mi	Spark Plug Wires (inspect) · Spark Plugs (replace) · Transmission Assembly (drain & refill)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2013 Chevrolet Spark opens the federal record with 146 complaints, 5 recalls, 0 investigations, and 1,449 TSBs, representing the model’s debut-year profile. While 2014 saw higher filings across complaints (175) and recalls (8), 2013 still carries the generation’s second-highest complaint volume and a substantial early-production TSB count that outpaced every subsequent year except 2014. Across the generation, complaints and recalls follow a clear downward arc from this early peak, falling to 42 complaints by 2016 and single digits by 2018, suggesting the highest concentration of reported issues occurred in the first two model years. Within 2013 specifically, the data shows 19 power train complaints, 13 engine complaints, 13 unknown or other complaints, and 9 electrical system complaints, alongside 10 crash-related complaints and 1 fire complaint, though the records do not specify root causes. Given that 2013 sits at the start of the trend with elevated filings compared to the mature years of the generation, buyers should expect higher exposure to the issues that diminished later in the production run. For a used purchase, the 2013 model is not the strongest year in this generation; a 2015 or later example would offer the same platform with significantly fewer federal complaints and recalls.

Open recalls

NHTSA campaigns

1449

Service bulletins

Manufacturer communications

ODI investigations

Office of Defects Investigation

146

Owner complaints

10 involved a crash · 1 a fire

NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars

Overall★★★★★

Frontal★★★★★

Side★★★★★

Rollover★★★★★

Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

’13’14 ’15 ’16 ’17 ’18 ’19 ’20 ’21 ’22

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 146 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Power Train19

Unknown Or Other13

Engine13

Electrical System9

Latches/Locks/Linkages8

Air Bags7

Structure6

Service Brakes5

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 5 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

16V422000Electrical System:SoftwareReported 10/06/2016

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… Remedy: 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…

14V298000Air BagsReported 06/06/2014

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… Remedy: 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…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 1449 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

Bulletin	Date	Component	Summary
PIT3271Q	2026-04-01	Unknown Or Other	This preliminary information communicates information about how to determine if a wheel…
PIP6104	2026-03-09	Unknown Or Other	This Preliminary information communicates the steps on how to save a GDS2 Session Log and…
PIP4902V	2026-03-09	Unknown Or Other	This preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into…
PIP4902U	2026-01-08	Unknown Or Other	This preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into…
PIT5214G	2025-11-20	Unknown Or Other	This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420

Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1

P0300

Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected

P0171

System too lean — Bank 1

P0455

Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak

P0128

Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature

P0442

Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN

Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Spark. OEM

Build data

Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.

Recalls

Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Group LN1 battery Vehicles taking 4.0 qt Engine oil filter 96985730 Engine air filter 96910360 Spark plug 25190786 Battery 88866103

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Vehicle recalls & TSBs OBD-II trouble codes Maintenance schedules Fluid capacities & specs

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2013 Spark take?

4.0 qt of 5W-20 ONLY USE ENGINE OIL MEETING GM DEXOS 1 SPECIFICATION., per the factory manual.

Does the 2013 Spark have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 5 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the Spark get?

EPA figures are 28 city / 36 highway / 31 combined mpg.