NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Engine complaints
211 reportsClear category filter26,000 miles · Jul 23, 2014
Engine
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET CRUZE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE HESITATED WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES. THE DEALER RESET THE THERMOSTAT ONCE AND THEN REPLACED IT, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED BOTH TIMES. THE VEH…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET CRUZE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE HESITATED WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES. THE DEALER RESET THE THERMOSTAT ONCE AND THEN REPLACED IT, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED BOTH TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 26,000.
NHTSA ODI #10615701
Mileage unknown · Jun 6, 2014
EngineSuspensionVehicle Speed Control
MY SISTER AND I RENTAL A CAR IT STOP ON THE INTERSTATE,WE WAS STUCK FROM 830PM UNTIL 530AM,NO HELP FROM BUDGET. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10596565
1,500 miles · May 29, 2014
Engine
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET CRUZE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE WOULD DECELERATE TO 30 MPH. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE POWER REDUCED, SERVICE STABILITRAK, AND SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET CRUZE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE WOULD DECELERATE TO 30 MPH. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE POWER REDUCED, SERVICE STABILITRAK, AND SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,500 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 13,000.
NHTSA ODI #10594782
3,200 miles · Apr 8, 2014
Engine
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET CRUZE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED. THE CONTACT RESTARTED THE ENGINE AND THE VEHICLE RESUMED NORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND NO SOLUTION WAS O…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET CRUZE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED. THE CONTACT RESTARTED THE ENGINE AND THE VEHICLE RESUMED NORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND NO SOLUTION WAS OFFERED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3200. UPDATED 06/17/14*LJ UPDATED 8/17/17*CN
NHTSA ODI #10578279
500 miles · Apr 3, 2014
EngineService Brakes
ALMOST FROM THE DAY I LEASED MY MANUAL CRUZE I HAD ENGINE DYING PROBLEMS. IT HAPPENS WHEN I DOWNSHIFT INTO SECOND GEAR, WHEN I STOP AND WHEN I STOP SUDDENLY. IT HAPPENS PERHAPS A FEW TIMES A WEEK. THE DEALERSHIP SERVICE DEPT. TESTED THE CAR AND FOUND NOTHING WRONG. IT WAS SUGGESTED, TACTFULLY, THAT PERHAPS I WASN'T SHIFTING CORR…
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ALMOST FROM THE DAY I LEASED MY MANUAL CRUZE I HAD ENGINE DYING PROBLEMS. IT HAPPENS WHEN I DOWNSHIFT INTO SECOND GEAR, WHEN I STOP AND WHEN I STOP SUDDENLY. IT HAPPENS PERHAPS A FEW TIMES A WEEK. THE DEALERSHIP SERVICE DEPT. TESTED THE CAR AND FOUND NOTHING WRONG. IT WAS SUGGESTED, TACTFULLY, THAT PERHAPS I WASN'T SHIFTING CORRECTLY. I AM ALMOST 66 YEARS OLD I LEARNED TO DRIVE A CAR ON A THREE-THE-TREE FORD. I HAVE OWNED ONLY ONE AUTOMATIC CAR IN MY LIFE, AND THAT WAS FOR FOUR YEARS. I REALLY DON'T THINK I AM TO BLAME. AS THE GM IGNITION SWITCH CAME TO LIGHT I BEGAN TO WONDER. OVER THE PAST FEW WEEKS GM HAS EXPANDED ITS RECALL INTO MORE RECENT MODEL YEARS. TO ME, IT IS SIMPLY THE GM CULTURE WHEN IT COMES TO BUILDING CARS. THE SAME MENTALITY ABOUT USING BAD PARTS WAS PROBABLY PASSED ON THE 2013 MODELS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10577248
Mileage unknown · Apr 2, 2014
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Engine
WHEN MY HUSBAND AND DRIVE THE CAR AND TURN IT OFF THE CAR TRIES TO RE-CRANK ON ITS OWN. IT HAS HAPPENED NUMEROUS TIMES. ALSO, MY COUSIN WITNESS IT ONE DAY AFTER I TURNED THE CAR OFF. I'M NOT SURE IF IT'S THE IGNITION OR WHAT. WE WANTED TO REPORT THE PROBLEM SOONER BUT DIDN'T KNOW HOW TO UNTIL I SEARCHED ON THE INTERNET. IT'S SC…
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WHEN MY HUSBAND AND DRIVE THE CAR AND TURN IT OFF THE CAR TRIES TO RE-CRANK ON ITS OWN. IT HAS HAPPENED NUMEROUS TIMES. ALSO, MY COUSIN WITNESS IT ONE DAY AFTER I TURNED THE CAR OFF. I'M NOT SURE IF IT'S THE IGNITION OR WHAT. WE WANTED TO REPORT THE PROBLEM SOONER BUT DIDN'T KNOW HOW TO UNTIL I SEARCHED ON THE INTERNET. IT'S SCARY TO SEE SUCH VEHICLE TRYING TO RE-START ITSELF. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10576604
9,000 miles · Mar 14, 2014
Air BagsEngineCrashFire
I PURCHASED A 2013 CHEVY CRUZE IN JUNE, 2013. IN NOVEMBER OF THE SAME YEAR, I STRUCK A DEER ON A RURAL STRETCH OF INTERSTATE HIGHWAY AT HIGH SPEED (70MPH). AT THIS POINT THERE WERE ROUGHLY 9,000 MILES ON IT. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, BUT I WAS UNHARMED. THE IMPACT CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO DO A 180 DEGREE ROLL ONTO THE SHOULDER, …
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I PURCHASED A 2013 CHEVY CRUZE IN JUNE, 2013. IN NOVEMBER OF THE SAME YEAR, I STRUCK A DEER ON A RURAL STRETCH OF INTERSTATE HIGHWAY AT HIGH SPEED (70MPH). AT THIS POINT THERE WERE ROUGHLY 9,000 MILES ON IT. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, BUT I WAS UNHARMED. THE IMPACT CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO DO A 180 DEGREE ROLL ONTO THE SHOULDER, AT WHICH POINT I EXITED THE VEHICLE TO SEE THE AREA NEAR THE BATTERY SMOKING WITH A SMALL FLAME COMING OUT OF IT. WITHIN MINUTES, AND BEFORE EMERGENCY VEHICLES COULD ARRIVE THE FRONT OF THE CAR WAS FULLY ENGULFED IN FLAMES. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10572498
Mileage unknown · Mar 14, 2014
EngineSteeringVehicle Speed Control
IN APRIL OF 2013 MY 2013 CHEVY CRUZE SHUT OFF WHILE ATTEMPTING TO DRIVE OFF FROM A RED LIGHT THAT JUST TURNED GREEN, AS SOON AS I STEPPED ON THE GAS PEDAL THE CAR JUST SHUT OFF. THERE WERE NO OTHER VEHICLES BEHIND ME SO I IMMEDIATELY TRIED TURNING THE CAR ON BUT I HAD TO PUT IT PARK THEN START IT AGAIN AND CONTINUED EN ROUTE AN…
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IN APRIL OF 2013 MY 2013 CHEVY CRUZE SHUT OFF WHILE ATTEMPTING TO DRIVE OFF FROM A RED LIGHT THAT JUST TURNED GREEN, AS SOON AS I STEPPED ON THE GAS PEDAL THE CAR JUST SHUT OFF. THERE WERE NO OTHER VEHICLES BEHIND ME SO I IMMEDIATELY TRIED TURNING THE CAR ON BUT I HAD TO PUT IT PARK THEN START IT AGAIN AND CONTINUED EN ROUTE AND DID NOT THINK ANYTHING OF IT. THIS HAPPENED TWICE WITHIN THE NEXT FEW MONTHS. THE FOURTH INCIDENT I HAD A CAR FULL OF FAMILY MEMBER AND WE WERE GETTING ON THE FREEWAY ON RAMP SLOWING TO COME TO A STOP WHEN THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN SO AS SOON AS I STEPPED ON THE GAS PEDAL THE CAR SHUT DOWN AND I HAD NO CONTROL AND WAS ALMOST HIT FROM BEHIND LUCKILY THERE WAS NO CAR IN THE LANE OVER SO THE TRUCK BEHIND ME SWERVED INTO THE NEXT LANE AND I ONCE AGAIN PUT THE CAR IN PARK STARTED AGAIN AND IMMEDIATELY CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND TOOK THE VEHICLE INTO THE DEALERSHIP. I WAS TOLD BY THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT A FEW WEEKS LATER THAT THEY FIGURED THE PROBLEM WAS A LOW OCTANE GAS AND I JUST NEEDED TO START USING CHEVRON ONLY AND THEY WOULD GIVE ME $250 IN CHEVRON GAS CARDS. I REFUSED TO PICK UP THE CAR BECAUSE I ALREADY ONLY USED CHEVRON GAS IN THE VEHICLE SINCE I PURCHASED IT IN DECEMBER 2012 WITH ONLY 3 MILES. AFTER 2 MONTHS OF ARGUING BACK IN FORTH ABOUT THEM NOT HAVING A FIX FOR THE CAR I RETURNED THE RENTAL AND PURCHASED A DIFFERENT VEHICLE ELSEWHERE AND FILED A COMPLAINT WITH GM WHICH ALSO GAVE ME THE RUN AROUND ABOUT THE VEHICLE BEING FIXED WHEN IT WASN'T EVER WORKED ON TO THIS DAY THEY HAVE THE CAR AND I AM NOW IN COLLECTIONS AND CONTINUING THIS HEADACHE WITH GM. THEY SAID ITS NOT A RECALL BUT I HAVE SPOKEN TO SEVERAL OTHER PEOPLE INCLUDING THE RENTAL COMPANY THAT HAS HAD THE CHEVY CRUZE SHUT OFF ON THEM AS WELL. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10569350
10,801 miles · Jan 10, 2014
Engine
TOOK THE CAR TO DEALER FOR CAR WASH ,AFTER DOING COMPLIMENTARY MULTI POINT INSPECTION THEY CALLED ME AND TOLD ME MY WATER PUMP WAS LEAKING.THEY REPLACED THE WATER PUMP ON A CAR WITH ONLY 10801 MILES. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10559364
7,000 miles · Jul 8, 2013
EngineService BrakesCrash
I HAD THE VEHICLE SERVICED FOR OIL CHANGE AND TIRE ROTATION ON MAY 25. A FEW DAYS LATER, APPROXIMATELY JUNE 1, I NOTICED THE VEHICLE WAS VERY HARD TO STOP WHEN BACKING OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY (HAD TO PUSH DOWN VERY HARD ON THE BRAKES WHICH DID NOT SEEM TO GO TO THE FLOOR). I ALSO NOTICED THAT WHILE I WAS STOPPED AT RED LIGHTS OR BEHI…
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I HAD THE VEHICLE SERVICED FOR OIL CHANGE AND TIRE ROTATION ON MAY 25. A FEW DAYS LATER, APPROXIMATELY JUNE 1, I NOTICED THE VEHICLE WAS VERY HARD TO STOP WHEN BACKING OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY (HAD TO PUSH DOWN VERY HARD ON THE BRAKES WHICH DID NOT SEEM TO GO TO THE FLOOR). I ALSO NOTICED THAT WHILE I WAS STOPPED AT RED LIGHTS OR BEHIND OTHER VEHICLES THE CAR WOULD LUNGE FORWARD--NOT ENOUGH TO HIT SOMEONE BECAUSE I NOTICED IT AS SOON AS IT HAPPENED. ABOUT TWO WEEKS LATER I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP, JEFF WYLER CHEVROLET EASTGATE, AND ADVISED THEM OF THE PROBLEM. SOMEONE TEST DROVE THE CAR WITH ME IN THE PASSENGER SEAT, AND HE INFORMED ME THAT HE COULD FIND NOTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR. I DO NOT KNOW IF HE CHECKED ANYTHING ELSE WHILE I WAS IN THE WAITING ROOM. AT MY REQUEST, HE PROVIDED ME WITH A PRINTOUT DOCUMENTING THE VISIT. ON JULY 7, 2013, WHILE MY DAUGHTER WAS PULLING THE VEHICLE INTO OUR GARAGE, THE BRAKES FAILED AND SHE HIT MY GRANDDAUGHTER BICYCLE WHICH, IN TURN, WENT THROUGH THE DRYWALL AT THE END OF THE GARAGE. I HAVE FOUR CHILDREN LIVING AT THE HOUSE INCLUDING AN 8 AND 10 YEAR OLD. THERE IS ALSO A SIGN ON OUR STREET INDICATING A DEAF CHILD LIVES ON THE STREET (WE HAVE ONLY LIVED THERE SINCE NOV. 2012). WE ARE VERY FORTUNATE THAT A CHILD HAS NOT BEEN INJURED. THERE IS NO WAY TO ALERT THE DEAF CHILD THAT THE CAR IS COMING THEIR WAY SINCE THEY CANNOT HEAR THE HORN. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10523701
Official recalls
5Jul 5, 2016
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Buick Verano and 2016 Chevrolet Malibu as the electronic park lock lever may allow the ignition key to be removed without the transmission being in PARK. Also, certain 2013 Buick Encore, 2011 Buick Regal, 2013-2014 Buick Verano, 2011-2016 Chevrolet Cruze, 2010-2013 Chevrolet Equinox 2013-2015 Chevrolet Malibu, and 2011-2013 GMC Terrain vehicles may have been serviced with similar defective replacement electronic park lock levers. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 114, "Theft Protection and Rollaway Prevention."
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the key is removed without the transmission in PARK, the vehicle may rollaway as occupants are exiting, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and if necessary replace the key cylinder lock housing, free of charge. The recall began on October 14, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, Buick 1-800-521-7300, and GMC 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 50490 and 50491.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Electrical System:ignition
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Buick Verano and 2016 Chevrolet Malibu as the electronic park lock lever may allow the ignition key to be removed without the transmission being in PARK. Also, certain 2013 Buick Encore, 2011 Buick Regal, 2013-2014 Buick Verano, 2011-2016 Chevrolet Cruze, 2010-2013 Chevrolet Equinox 2013-2015 Chevrolet Malibu, and 2011-2013 GMC Terrain vehicles may have been serviced with similar defective replacement electronic park lock levers. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 114, "Theft Protection and Rollaway Prevention."
Consequence: If the key is removed without the transmission in PARK, the vehicle may rollaway as occupants are exiting, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and if necessary replace the key cylinder lock housing, free of charge. The recall began on October 14, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, Buick 1-800-521-7300, and GMC 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 50490 and 50491.
Power Train:automatic Transmission:control Module (tcm/pcm/tecm)
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Buick Verano and 2016 Chevrolet Malibu as the electronic park lock lever may allow the ignition key to be removed without the transmission being in PARK. Also, certain 2013 Buick Encore, 2011 Buick Regal, 2013-2014 Buick Verano, 2011-2016 Chevrolet Cruze, 2010-2013 Chevrolet Equinox 2013-2015 Chevrolet Malibu, and 2011-2013 GMC Terrain vehicles may have been serviced with similar defective replacement electronic park lock levers. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 114, "Theft Protection and Rollaway Prevention."
Consequence: If the key is removed without the transmission in PARK, the vehicle may rollaway as occupants are exiting, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and if necessary replace the key cylinder lock housing, free of charge. The recall began on October 14, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, Buick 1-800-521-7300, and GMC 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 50490 and 50491.
Jul 2, 2014
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Buick Encore all-wheel-drive vehicles manufactured August 23, 2012, to September 9, 2013; Verano vehicles manufactured August 8, 2012, to June 20, 2013; Chevrolet Cruze vehicles manufactured August 7, 2012, to August 16, 2013, and 2012-2014 Chevrolet Sonic vehicles manufactured May 10, 2011, to August 16, 2012 equipped with a Calix oil pan/block heater. In cold temperatures, the insulation on the engine block heater cord can become damaged, allowing the wires to be exposed.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: Exposed wires increase the risk of electrical shock and personal injury if the cord is handled while it is plugged in.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the engine oil pan/block heater cord with a new cord that is rated for temperatures of minus 40 degree Celsius. The recall began in August 2014. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 14257.
Jun 26, 2014
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Chevrolet Cruze vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the driver's front air bag inflator may have been manufactured with an incorrect part.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's air bag, the air bag's inflator may rupture and the air bag may not inflate. The rupture could cause metal fragments to strike and potentially seriously injure the vehicle occupants. Additionally, if the air bag does not inflate, the driver is at an increased risk of injury.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver side air bag, free of charge. The recall began on June 28, 2014. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 14305.
Mar 31, 2014
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013 and 2014 Chevrolet Cruze vehicles equipped with a 1.4L turbo engine, and manufactured between November 28, 2012, and March 7, 2014. On the affected vehicles, the right front half shaft may fracture and separate.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the half shaft fractures and separates while driving, the vehicle would lose power and coast to a stop. If a vehicle with a fractured half shaft is parked without the parking brake applied, the vehicle could move unexpectedly. Either condition increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the right half shaft, as needed, free of charge. Parts for the remedy are not currently available. GM will send an interim letter to owners in May 2014. A second owner letter will be mailed when parts are available. Owners may contact Chevrolet at 1-866-694-6546. GM's number for this recall is 14079. This is an expansion of recall 13V-452. NOTE: Some vehicles subject to this recall were subject to the recall campaign initiated in 2013. Some of those vehicles were repaired using defective parts. Those owners will be advised that they must have their vehicles remedied again under this campaign and that having the earlier recall completed did not remedy their vehicles.
Sep 23, 2013
General Motors (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013 and 2014 Chevrolet Cruze vehicles equipped with manual transmissions (MF3/MR5) and manufactured January 24, 2013, through August 1, 2013. On the affected vehicles, the right front half shaft may fracture and separate.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the half shaft fractures and separates while driving, the vehicle would lose power and coast to a stop. If a vehicle with a fractured half shaft is parked without the parking brake applied, the vehicle could move unexpectedly. Either condition increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: General Motors has notified owners. Dealers will replace the half shaft assembly, free of charge. The safety recall began on October 15, 2013. Owners may contact General Motors at 1-800-521-7300. This is General Motors campaign number 13276.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗