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2013 Chevrolet Cruze

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Cruze years

Owner complaints for the 2013 Chevrolet Cruze are substantially higher than the model-year median of 250.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

417 reports with mileage · 169 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 211 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 121 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 112 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

54 crash reports8 fire reports25 injury reports

Service Brakes, Hydraulic complaints

5 reports
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Mileage unknown · Jul 2, 2024
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

I have a powerstop b992l brake shoe and hardware kit. The mfg date is 2023/12/04. The issue is that the drum adjusters are made in a way they do not turn freely, thereby the drums will not adjust. In the diagram pat b will not turn on part a. There are clear witness marks on the inside where the end fits on the ratchet pawl. I h…

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I have a powerstop b992l brake shoe and hardware kit. The mfg date is 2023/12/04. The issue is that the drum adjusters are made in a way they do not turn freely, thereby the drums will not adjust. In the diagram pat b will not turn on part a. There are clear witness marks on the inside where the end fits on the ratchet pawl. I have the parts available for inspection as needed and can mail then as well as the box side with their information.

NHTSA ODI #11598242

70,000 miles · Oct 31, 2022
Service Brakes, HydraulicCrash

The contact owns a 2013 Chevrolet Cruze. The contact stated while her husband was reversing from a parking space with her in the front passenger seat, he depressed the brake pedal but the brake pedal failed to respond, causing the vehicle to continuously reverse. The contact stated that her husband continuously depressed the br…

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The contact owns a 2013 Chevrolet Cruze. The contact stated while her husband was reversing from a parking space with her in the front passenger seat, he depressed the brake pedal but the brake pedal failed to respond, causing the vehicle to continuously reverse. The contact stated that her husband continuously depressed the brake pedal until it responded; however, the vehicle hit the rear passenger side bumper of a parked unoccupied vehicle. The contact stated that it was a fender bender. The air bags did not deploy. There were no injuries sustained. The contact contacted the police and filed a report. The contact stated that her husband was able to continue driving. The dealer was notified of the failure and an appointment was scheduled for a diagnostic test. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and a case was opened. The approximate failure mileage was 70,000.

NHTSA ODI #11491599

72,000 miles · Jun 15, 2018
Electrical SystemService Brakes, Hydraulic

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET CRUZE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER ONTO THE SHOULDER AND TURNED OFF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER (BUD CHEVROLET BUICK IN ST MARYS, OHIO, 419-954-0649) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE DRIVER ASSIST …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET CRUZE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER ONTO THE SHOULDER AND TURNED OFF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER (BUD CHEVROLET BUICK IN ST MARYS, OHIO, 419-954-0649) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE DRIVER ASSIST MODULES IN THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE WERE FAULTY AND CAUSED THE BLACKOUT ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. ON ANOTHER OCCASION, WHILE PULLING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND FELT VERY STIFF. THE SAME DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKE VACUUM PUMP NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THE FAILURES WERE BEING REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 72,000. *TT

NHTSA ODI #11102186

Mileage unknown · Nov 30, 2017
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Engine And Engine CoolingService Brakes, Hydraulic

I AM WRITING ASKING FOR YOU TO LOOK INTO WHAT I CALL ENDANGERING TO MOTORIST IN OUR STATE, MORE SO OF A DANGER TO ME. I AM FORCED TO DRIVE W/ SOMETHING CONNECTED TO MY BODY, VEHICLE, OR ANYTHING THEY CAN POSSIBLY CONNECT TO A TOOL UTILIZED BY OUR LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES. THE TOOL IS USED TO DO UNDERCOVER WORK/INVESTIGATIONS WHI…

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I AM WRITING ASKING FOR YOU TO LOOK INTO WHAT I CALL ENDANGERING TO MOTORIST IN OUR STATE, MORE SO OF A DANGER TO ME. I AM FORCED TO DRIVE W/ SOMETHING CONNECTED TO MY BODY, VEHICLE, OR ANYTHING THEY CAN POSSIBLY CONNECT TO A TOOL UTILIZED BY OUR LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES. THE TOOL IS USED TO DO UNDERCOVER WORK/INVESTIGATIONS WHICH I WAS TOLD IT'S USED BY SPECIAL INVESTIGATIONS FOR THE POLICE DEPARTMENT. AS I AM DRIVING, I HAVE TO TELL THEM WHILE DRIVING NOT TO PUT THAT ON MY CAR, MOVE THAT OFF MY BRAKES (WHICH SOMETIMES MY VEHICLE WOULDN'T STOP I HAD TO PRESS DOWN ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR FOR IT TO STOP AND MY BRAKES AREN'T BAD, THEY EVEN HAVE SOMETHING SETUP TO WHEN I AM BREAKING, SLOWING DOWN AND ABOUT TO TURN THAT IT LOCKS UP MY BREAKS AND CAUSES THE CARE TO DO SOMETHING LIKE A JERK THING OR INSTANT STOP, THEY HAVE MOVED IT TO THE BACK OF MY CAR WHICH MOVES THE OPPOSITE WAY MY VEHICLE IS BEING STEERED AND IT SPINS OUT ONLY ON ONE TIRE). THEY HAVE CREATED AN ILLEGAL SETUP WHICH HAS DAMAGED MY VEHICLE THAT'S BEING REPAIRED TODAY. WHEN DRIVING THEY PLACE IT MY BRAKES WHICH SOMETIMES DON'T STOP, THEY HAVE OTHERS DRIVING AT THE SAME TIME AS I AM AND IT EFFECTS THE DRIVING OF OTHERS, THEY MOVE MY VEHICLE WHICH IS STEERED THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION I AM CONTROLLING IT, IT CAN CAUSE YOU TO CRASH, IT'S HUGE DISTRACTION. THE OTHER MOTORIST ON THE ROAD AS I AM HAVE TRIED HELPING SOME HAVE ADMITTED TO DRIVING W/ THIS CONNECTED TO THEM PURPOSELY AND ARE TO INTENTIONALLY CAUSE AN ACCIDENT, THEY SAID IT'S A "GAME". WITH THE HELP OF SOME FROM THE LITTLE ROCK POLICE DEPARTMENT, AND FBI THEY ARE GIVEN THE WHERE ABOUT OF CERTAIN INDIVIDUALS AND THEY ARE TO CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. THE SETUP ALONE CAN CAUSE YOU TO CRASH. I HAVE MOTORIST WHO SPOKE UP AND TRIED HELPING ME AS I AM ON THE HIGHWAY AND THOSE WHO ARE CONTROLLING IT, WHICH ARE INDIVIDUALS WHO WORK FOR OUR LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT.

NHTSA ODI #11057608

Mileage unknown · Jun 17, 2013
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

2013 CHEVROLET CRUZE. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE SUDDEN ACCELERATION WHEN BRAKING. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED WHILE HE THOUGHT HE WAS STOPPED IN A PARKING LOT, WAITING FOR THE LIGHT TO CHANGE, HE APPARENTLY STEPPED ON THE BRAKES AS WELL AS THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO MOVE INTO THE INTERSECTION.…

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2013 CHEVROLET CRUZE. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE SUDDEN ACCELERATION WHEN BRAKING. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED WHILE HE THOUGHT HE WAS STOPPED IN A PARKING LOT, WAITING FOR THE LIGHT TO CHANGE, HE APPARENTLY STEPPED ON THE BRAKES AS WELL AS THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO MOVE INTO THE INTERSECTION. APPARENTLY, HE APPLIED MORE FORCE TO THE ACCELERATOR, THAN THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE CONSUMER BELIEVED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS RAISED TOO HIGH OFF THE FLOOR.

NHTSA ODI #10506101

Official recalls

5

16V502000 · Electrical System:ignition; Power Train:automatic Transmission:control Module (tcm/pcm/tecm)

Jul 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.

14V417000 · Equipment:electrical

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.

14V372000 · Air Bags

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.

14V151000 · Power Train:axle Assembly:axle Shaft

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.

13V452000 · Power Train:axle Assembly:axle Shaft

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 ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.