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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

Steering complaints

74 reports
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995,861 miles · Mar 10, 2020
Electronic Stability Control (esc)SteeringVehicle Speed ControlCrashInjury

THE STABLIC TRACT, THE ENGINE, THE ENGINE SLOWS DOWN, THE POWER STEERING, THE ENGINE MODULE HAS BLOWED I HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE CAR DAY 1, I BOUGHT FROM JDA AUTOMOTIVE ON GARNERS FERRY ROAD. I HAVE BEEN TAKING CAR TO CHEVROLET IN COLUMBIA,SC HARBISON . THEY REPAIRED RECALLS BUT SOON AS REPAIR THEY SEND A SIGNAL TO CAR TO TEA…

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THE STABLIC TRACT, THE ENGINE, THE ENGINE SLOWS DOWN, THE POWER STEERING, THE ENGINE MODULE HAS BLOWED I HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE CAR DAY 1, I BOUGHT FROM JDA AUTOMOTIVE ON GARNERS FERRY ROAD. I HAVE BEEN TAKING CAR TO CHEVROLET IN COLUMBIA,SC HARBISON . THEY REPAIRED RECALLS BUT SOON AS REPAIR THEY SEND A SIGNAL TO CAR TO TEAR UP .THE CAR COME TO COMPLETE STOP CAUSING ME TO NEED NECK BRACE IT ALSO IS TEARING UP THE THREAD ON TIRES. AND PEOPLE ARE BLOWING HORN AND ALSO HITTING ME IN BACK EVERYWHERE I GO I HAVE TO USE EMERGENCY BLINKING LIGHTS.

NHTSA ODI #11317420

88,500 miles · Dec 5, 2019
EngineService BrakesSteering

WHILE DRIVING AND IN MOTION THE VEHICLE SHUTS OFF. AFTER SHUTTING OFF THE ABS MALFUNCTIONS AND THE STEERING MALFUNCTIONS. THIS HAS HAPPENED TWICE NOW, BOTH ON CITY STREETS. ONCE DISABLED THE VEHICLE WILL NOT RESTART ON IT'S OWN; IT DOESN'T EVEN TURN OVER. THE VEHICLE WILL, HOWEVER, RESTART IF JUMP STARTED. THE FIRST OCCURRENCE P…

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WHILE DRIVING AND IN MOTION THE VEHICLE SHUTS OFF. AFTER SHUTTING OFF THE ABS MALFUNCTIONS AND THE STEERING MALFUNCTIONS. THIS HAS HAPPENED TWICE NOW, BOTH ON CITY STREETS. ONCE DISABLED THE VEHICLE WILL NOT RESTART ON IT'S OWN; IT DOESN'T EVEN TURN OVER. THE VEHICLE WILL, HOWEVER, RESTART IF JUMP STARTED. THE FIRST OCCURRENCE PRESENTED WITH A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT THAT CODED AS A FAULTY CAM SHAFT SENSOR. THIS WAS REPLACED AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WENT AWAY. THE SECOND OCCURRENCE PRESENTED WITH NO LIGHTS OR WARNINGS. BOTH THE BATTERY AND ALTERNATOR WERE TESTED AND ARE FUNCTIONING.

NHTSA ODI #11287025

52,000 miles · Jun 15, 2019
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Steering

THE CAR WOULD BECOME HARD TO STEER AND CONTROL. ABS AND TRACTION CONTROL IN STABILITY CONTROL WARNING LIGHTS FLASHING. THIS HAPPENS WITHOUT WARNING CAN HAPPEN AT ANY SPEED HIGHWAY ORE CITY. THE TIMES THIS HAS OCCURRED WAS ON THE HIGHWAY. (THIS IS A TSB I LATER FOUND BUT THE COULD EASILY CAUSED A CRASH ON ACCIDENT)

NHTSA ODI #11220346

Mileage unknown · May 3, 2019
Steering

2013 CHEVROLET CRUZE. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO POWER STEERING GOING OUT. *LD *JS

NHTSA ODI #11204617

39,000 miles · Mar 22, 2019
Steering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET CRUZE. WHILE PARKING THE VEHICLE, THE POWER STEERING WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC REPAIRED THE POWER STEERING. THE DIAGNOSIS INFORMATION WAS NOT PROVIDED. THE DEALER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAG…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET CRUZE. WHILE PARKING THE VEHICLE, THE POWER STEERING WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC REPAIRED THE POWER STEERING. THE DIAGNOSIS INFORMATION WAS NOT PROVIDED. THE DEALER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 39,000. .*BF*JB

NHTSA ODI #11190975

61,500 miles · Jan 7, 2019
Power TrainSteeringUnknown Or Other

FOR SOME REASON WHEN I DRIVE MY CAR IT STARTS SHAKING SOMETIMES IT HAPPENS WHEN I START DRIVING OR WHEN I BRAKE I TRIED TO FIND THE PROBLEM AND IT LOOKS THAT IT IS THE DRIVE SHAFT. I THOUGH THAT IT IS SOMETHING THAT ONLY HAPPENED TO ME BUT I FOUND OUT THAT THERE ARE MORE CARS INVOLVED IN THAT BUT MY CHEVY CRUZE 2013 LOOKS L…

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FOR SOME REASON WHEN I DRIVE MY CAR IT STARTS SHAKING SOMETIMES IT HAPPENS WHEN I START DRIVING OR WHEN I BRAKE I TRIED TO FIND THE PROBLEM AND IT LOOKS THAT IT IS THE DRIVE SHAFT. I THOUGH THAT IT IS SOMETHING THAT ONLY HAPPENED TO ME BUT I FOUND OUT THAT THERE ARE MORE CARS INVOLVED IN THAT BUT MY CHEVY CRUZE 2013 LOOKS LIKE IT IS NOT NOT ONE OF THOSE. WHAT CAN I DO ABOUT IT ?

NHTSA ODI #11164984

45,900 miles · Nov 15, 2018
Steering

WHILE MAKING RIGHT TURN IN CITY, CAR JERKED, ALMOST LOST CONTROL AND "SERVICE POWER STEERING" LIGHT CAME ON, THEN CAR RECOVERED AND WAS DRIVEN HOME

NHTSA ODI #11151690

65,000 miles · Oct 29, 2018
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Power TrainSteering

VEHICLE SHUTS OFF WHILE DRIVING LOSING COMPLETE POWER AND STEERING! SO DANGEROUS AND DEADLY! TAKING THE CAR IN TODAY, CAR ALSO RIDING ROUGH AND MISFIRING. ALL MAINTENANCE DONE EVERY 3,000 MILES. THIS CAR HAS HAD ONE PROBLEM AFTER ANOTHER AND THIS LAST ONE COULD HAVE KILLED MY TEENAGER DAUGHTER! IT STOPPED ON HER 5 TIMES ON THE F…

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VEHICLE SHUTS OFF WHILE DRIVING LOSING COMPLETE POWER AND STEERING! SO DANGEROUS AND DEADLY! TAKING THE CAR IN TODAY, CAR ALSO RIDING ROUGH AND MISFIRING. ALL MAINTENANCE DONE EVERY 3,000 MILES. THIS CAR HAS HAD ONE PROBLEM AFTER ANOTHER AND THIS LAST ONE COULD HAVE KILLED MY TEENAGER DAUGHTER! IT STOPPED ON HER 5 TIMES ON THE FREEWAY!

NHTSA ODI #11143855

86,500 miles · Oct 1, 2018
Electrical SystemSteering

I WAS MAKING A LEFT TURN AND THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED AND THE RADIO TURNED OFF, I BARELY MADE IT BEFORE GETTING HIT. THE STEERING WHEEL UNLOCKED AND I TURNED INTO THE FIRST PLACE I COULD. I TURNED THE CAR OFF AND TRIED TO START IT BUT THE BRAKE WAS LOCKED AND NOTHING WAS TURNING ON WHEN I PUSHED THE BUTTON. TRIED A FEW TIMES AN…

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I WAS MAKING A LEFT TURN AND THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED AND THE RADIO TURNED OFF, I BARELY MADE IT BEFORE GETTING HIT. THE STEERING WHEEL UNLOCKED AND I TURNED INTO THE FIRST PLACE I COULD. I TURNED THE CAR OFF AND TRIED TO START IT BUT THE BRAKE WAS LOCKED AND NOTHING WAS TURNING ON WHEN I PUSHED THE BUTTON. TRIED A FEW TIMES AND NOTHING. WHILE SITTING THERE FOR ABOUT 5 MINUTES THE WHOLE DASH CAME ON AND I WAS ABLE TO START THE CAR. THE RADIO HAD BEEN TURNING ON AND OFF A FEW TIMES ON THIS DRIVE BEFORE THIS HAPPENED. BUT THE RADIO HAS BEEN DOING THIS FOR SOME TIME .

NHTSA ODI #11132799

70,000 miles · Sep 26, 2018
Steering

STEERING RANDOMLY COMPLETELY LOCKED IN MOTION. SEEMINGLY RANDOM ELECTRICAL PROBLEM REMEDIED ON ITS OWN AND REQUIRED SERVICE TECHNICIAN TO CHECK IT OUT TO ASSES SAFETY. CANT BE SURE OF THE SAFETY OF MY VEHICLE NOW.

NHTSA ODI #11131818

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.