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2013 Chevrolet Captiva

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2013 Chevrolet Captiva do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 65.

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

All reported categories

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

84 reports with mileage · 13 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Engine. Review the 48 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 31 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 9 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

1 crash reports4 fire reports1 injury reports

Engine complaints

48 reports
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109,000 miles · Mar 16, 2019
Engine

I HAD MY OIL CHANGED 3 DAYS AGO, STARTED MY CAR AFTER THE WORK WAS COMPLETE AND PARKED IT LESS THAN 2 MINUTES LATER AFTER TRAVELING 1/4 MILE TO THE GROCERY STORE. I ATTEMPTED TO RESTART MY CAR AFTER MY SHOPPING WAS COMPLETE LESS THAN 10 MINUTES LATER AND WAS UNABLE TO AS THE ENGINE WOULD NOT START. I HAVE NOW BEEN INFORMED BY MY…

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I HAD MY OIL CHANGED 3 DAYS AGO, STARTED MY CAR AFTER THE WORK WAS COMPLETE AND PARKED IT LESS THAN 2 MINUTES LATER AFTER TRAVELING 1/4 MILE TO THE GROCERY STORE. I ATTEMPTED TO RESTART MY CAR AFTER MY SHOPPING WAS COMPLETE LESS THAN 10 MINUTES LATER AND WAS UNABLE TO AS THE ENGINE WOULD NOT START. I HAVE NOW BEEN INFORMED BY MY MECHANIC THAT I SHOULD HAVE MY ENTIRE ENGINE REPLACED. PRIOR TO THAT, I HAVE HAD OIL CONSUMPTION ISSUES AND I HAVE BEEN INFORMED BY SEVERAL OTHER MECHANICS THAT THIS IS A FREQUENT PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL A CAR. DESPITE HAVING HAD MY VEHICLE REGULARLY SERVICED AS RECOMMENDED, I AM CONSTANTLY HAVING TO ADD OIL IN BETWEEN SERVICING. THIS VEHICLE HAS MAJOR OIL CONSUMPTION AND ENGINE FAILURE ISSUES THAT SHOULD BE DEALT WITH IMMEDIATELY. HAD I KNOWN THESE PROBLEMS WOULD BE IN MY FUTURE, I WOULD NEVER HAVE PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE AND PUT MY FAMILY AT RISK. THE FACT THAT THIS MODEL HAS NOT BEEN RECALLED IS A MAJOR OVERSIGHT AND RIDICULOUSLY IRRESPONSIBLE.

NHTSA ODI #11187275

76,896 miles · Mar 14, 2019
Electronic Stability Control (esc)EnginePower Train

WENT TO THE DENTIST, GOT MY ROUTINE OIL CHANGE, THEN WENT TO THE DOCTOR, THEN VISITED A FRIEND. WHEN I LEFT MY FRIENDS HOUSE TO GET ON THE FREEWAY MY CAR SMELLED LIKE OIL BURNING- ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, CHECK STABILITY LIGHT CAME ON, LOW OIL PRESSURE LIGHT CAME ON. I PULLED INTO A GAS STATION AND TURNED OFF ENGINE. MY FRIEND SENT…

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WENT TO THE DENTIST, GOT MY ROUTINE OIL CHANGE, THEN WENT TO THE DOCTOR, THEN VISITED A FRIEND. WHEN I LEFT MY FRIENDS HOUSE TO GET ON THE FREEWAY MY CAR SMELLED LIKE OIL BURNING- ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, CHECK STABILITY LIGHT CAME ON, LOW OIL PRESSURE LIGHT CAME ON. I PULLED INTO A GAS STATION AND TURNED OFF ENGINE. MY FRIEND SENT ME PICTURES OF HER DRIVEWAY WHERE ALL MY OIL LEAKED OUT- AFTER HAVING THE VEHICLE TOWED- THE MECHANIC SAID THE REAR MAIN SEAL HAD BLOWN BECAUSE OF A PVC ISSUE. I CONTACTED THE DEALER BUT OF COURSE MY VIN ISN'T PART OF THE RECALL.

NHTSA ODI #11186772

89,950 miles · Mar 6, 2019
EnginePower Train

SMELLED SOMETHING BURNING WHEN DROPPED KIDS OFF AT SCHOOL, ABOUT 2 MILES DOWN THE ROAD WHILE DRIVING, IT STARTED HESITATING AT THE STOP LIGHT. 1 MILE LATER AND STILL DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AT 40 MPH, IT STARTED MAKING A LOUD RATTLE NOISE AND ALL THE DASH LIGHTS CAME ON. LUCKILY, IT WAS 2 BLOCKS FROM HOME SO PULLED IN THE DRIV…

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SMELLED SOMETHING BURNING WHEN DROPPED KIDS OFF AT SCHOOL, ABOUT 2 MILES DOWN THE ROAD WHILE DRIVING, IT STARTED HESITATING AT THE STOP LIGHT. 1 MILE LATER AND STILL DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AT 40 MPH, IT STARTED MAKING A LOUD RATTLE NOISE AND ALL THE DASH LIGHTS CAME ON. LUCKILY, IT WAS 2 BLOCKS FROM HOME SO PULLED IN THE DRIVE AND NOTICED OIL ALL OVER. CHECKED THE OIL DIPSTICK AND HAD A HISSING SOUND WITH NO OIL READING ON THE STICK. EVERYTIME YOU START IT NOW, IT LEAKS OIL. TOOK IT TO MY MECHANIC AND HE SAID ITS A CLOGGED PVC WHICH BLEW THE REAR SEAL. MY CAR HAS 89,950 MILES ON IT

NHTSA ODI #11184697

90,000 miles · Mar 5, 2019
Engine

REGARDING PLUGGED PCV ORIFICE LEADING TO REAR CRANKSHAFT OIL SEAL BLOWOUT. GM BULLETIN 14882 REPORTS SAME ISSUE, SAME ENGINE, SAME YEAR, UNDER 100K MILES ON VEHICLE AND GM REFUSES TO COVER THE REPAIR SAYING VIN NOT ON FILE FOR REPAIR. SEEMS AS THOUGH VEHICLE SHOULD BE COVERED UNDER THIS RECALL AS WELL.

NHTSA ODI #11184469

130,000 miles · Feb 28, 2019
Engine

EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION LED TO COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE AT 130,000 MILES. OIL CHANGES WERE CURRENT. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND WAS DIAGNOSED AS CAMSHAFT SOLENOID. WHEN REPLACED, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED, THEN REDUCED ENGINE POWER CAME ON. CHEVY KNOWS OF THIS ISSUE AND REFUSES TO INCLUDE THE CAPTIVA IN THE…

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EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION LED TO COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE AT 130,000 MILES. OIL CHANGES WERE CURRENT. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND WAS DIAGNOSED AS CAMSHAFT SOLENOID. WHEN REPLACED, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED, THEN REDUCED ENGINE POWER CAME ON. CHEVY KNOWS OF THIS ISSUE AND REFUSES TO INCLUDE THE CAPTIVA IN THE SAME SPECIAL COVERAGE ANNOUNCEMENT AS THE EQUINOX AND GMC TERRAIN EVEN THOUGH THE ENGINES ARE IDENTICAL. REDUCED ENGINE POWER CAME IN WHILE IN MOTION, NEARLY LEADING TO ACCIDENT DUE TO SUDDEN SLOWNESS

NHTSA ODI #11183100

72,000 miles · Feb 20, 2019
EngineFuel/propulsion System

REAR MAIN SEAL BROKE AND SPEWED OIL EVERYWHERE. THE MECHANIC STATED IT WAS INSTALLED IMPROPERLY. IT COST $944 TO REPAIR AND I WOULD GREATLY APPRECIATE IF I COULD BE REIMBURSED.

NHTSA ODI #11181439

94,000 miles · Feb 19, 2019
EnginePower Train

OUR VEHICLE HAS ALL OF THE SYMPTOMS AND PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH THE GM SPECIAL COVERAGE ADJUSTMENT 14882, DOCUMENT ID 4098165. HOWEVER, GM CLAIMS THAT OUR VEHICLE IS NOT COVERED BASED ON THE VIN. THIS ISSUE CAN CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO LOSE ALL OIL AND SHUT DOWN, DESTROY THE ENGINE, AND IN THE WORST CASE CATCH FIRE. IN MY WIFE'S CA…

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OUR VEHICLE HAS ALL OF THE SYMPTOMS AND PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH THE GM SPECIAL COVERAGE ADJUSTMENT 14882, DOCUMENT ID 4098165. HOWEVER, GM CLAIMS THAT OUR VEHICLE IS NOT COVERED BASED ON THE VIN. THIS ISSUE CAN CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO LOSE ALL OIL AND SHUT DOWN, DESTROY THE ENGINE, AND IN THE WORST CASE CATCH FIRE. IN MY WIFE'S CASE SHE WAS ABLE TO MAKE IT OFF THE HIGHWAY AND PARK BEFORE THE VEHICLE FULLY SHUT DOWN. THERE IS APPARENTLY A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT GOING ON ABOUT THIS ITEM.

NHTSA ODI #11181090

115,000 miles · Feb 7, 2019
EngineFire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET CAPTIVA. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED SMOKE UNDERNEATH THE HOOD AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT ALSO OBSERVED OIL SPILLING OUT FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE AND THE TAIL PIPE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED HOME. THE VEHICLE WA…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET CAPTIVA. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED SMOKE UNDERNEATH THE HOOD AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT ALSO OBSERVED OIL SPILLING OUT FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE AND THE TAIL PIPE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED HOME. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 115,000.

NHTSA ODI #11175064

72,000 miles · Feb 7, 2019
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET CAPTIVA. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE CONTACT NOTICED OIL LEAKING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS EXPERIENCING THE SAME SYMPTOM AS LISTED IN TSB NUMBER: 14882 (REAR CRANK SHAFT). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUF…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET CAPTIVA. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE CONTACT NOTICED OIL LEAKING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS EXPERIENCING THE SAME SYMPTOM AS LISTED IN TSB NUMBER: 14882 (REAR CRANK SHAFT). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 72,000. *BF *JB

NHTSA ODI #11174992

Mileage unknown · Feb 6, 2019
Engine

THERE WAS A FAULT IN THE ENGINE THAT MADE OIL LEAK ALL OVER THE ENGINE AND FRIED IT. IT STOPPED WORKING WHILE I WAS DRIVING IT AND MY SON WAS IN THE CAR. THE CAR THEN STARTED SMOKING AND MY STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP. WE COULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUSLY HURT. WHEN I GOT IT LOOKED AT THE MECHANIC SAID THAT IT WAS A FAULT IN THE ENGINE AND…

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THERE WAS A FAULT IN THE ENGINE THAT MADE OIL LEAK ALL OVER THE ENGINE AND FRIED IT. IT STOPPED WORKING WHILE I WAS DRIVING IT AND MY SON WAS IN THE CAR. THE CAR THEN STARTED SMOKING AND MY STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP. WE COULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUSLY HURT. WHEN I GOT IT LOOKED AT THE MECHANIC SAID THAT IT WAS A FAULT IN THE ENGINE AND WAS UNAVOIDABLE AND WAS NOT MY FAULT BUT THE MANUFACTURERS FAULT. HE ALSO SAID THAT HE HAD EIGHT OTHER PEOPLE COME IN WITH THE EXACT SAME ISSUE AND THE SAME ENGINE AS MINE.

NHTSA ODI #11174892

Official recalls

0

No recalls in this snapshot.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.