IllustrationCAR WOULDN'T START. GOT A "SERVICE STEERING COLUMN LOCK" ON THE DASH. WAS ABLE TO START THE CAR AFTER A PERIOD OF TIME. BUT ENGINE START AND STOP STILL SOUNDS BAD.
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.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Cruze years →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
1240–25K
7825–50K
7650–75K
5775–100K
71100–150K
11150K+
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 reportsCAR SHUTS OFF COMPLETELY.AFTER 10 MINUTES WILL RESTART.STEERING LOCKS UP WHILE DRIVNG.STABLI CONTROL COMES ON.LOSS OF ALMOST AL L POWER.HAPPEN IN DRIVEWAY.WHILE DRIVING TURNING .LOSS OF POWER SO THAT CAR WONT MOVE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET CRUZE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE STABILITY CONTROL SYSTEM WARNING INDICATOR STARTED TO FLASH AND THE POWER STEERING ABILITY DID NOT RESPOND. THE CONTACT REGAINED CONTROL AFTER APPROXIMATELY FIVE SECONDS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED APPROXIMATELY TEN OTHER TIMES…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET CRUZE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE STABILITY CONTROL SYSTEM WARNING INDICATOR STARTED TO FLASH AND THE POWER STEERING ABILITY DID NOT RESPOND. THE CONTACT REGAINED CONTROL AFTER APPROXIMATELY FIVE SECONDS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED APPROXIMATELY TEN OTHER TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 79,158.
POWER STEERING WENT OUT WHILE MAKING A TURN IN A PARKING LOT AND BOTH POWER STEERING LIGHT, AND STABILI TRAK LIGHT CAME ON. I COULD BARELY CONTROL THE STEERING WHEEL. LATER THAT DAY CAR WAS BACK TO NORMAL.
THE DEALER SAYS THAT THE RIGHT CV JOINT IS LEAKING. ALSO MY STEERING WHEEL HAS A SMALL CATCH IN IT WHEN WE ARE DRIVING, WONDERING IF THESE ARE RELATED?
I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM THE STORE AND THE "SERVICE POWER STEERING" LIGHT CAME ON AND I LOST POWER STEERING. THE STABILITRAK LIGHT WAS ALSO ON. IT WAS VERY DIFFICULT TO STEER THE CAR HOME. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER AND THEY TELL ME THEY CAN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR. THEY ARE GOING TO KEEP IT ANOTHER DAY TO SEE IF T…
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I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM THE STORE AND THE "SERVICE POWER STEERING" LIGHT CAME ON AND I LOST POWER STEERING. THE STABILITRAK LIGHT WAS ALSO ON. IT WAS VERY DIFFICULT TO STEER THE CAR HOME. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER AND THEY TELL ME THEY CAN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR. THEY ARE GOING TO KEEP IT ANOTHER DAY TO SEE IF THEY CAN MAKE THE CODE COME UP, BUT IF IT DOESN'T THEN I GET TO DRIVE A CAR THAT CAN CRASH BECAUSE OF POWER STEERING FAILURE. THIS IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS TO HAVE THE STEERING GO OUT WHILE DRIVING. GM NEEDS TO FIND OUT WHY THIS IS HAPPENING AND FIX IT.
MY CHEVY CRUZE STABILITY TRACK CONTROL SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONS AND MY CAR LOSES POWER AND I LOSE STEERING CONTROL AND MUST PULL OVER ON THE FREEWAY. IT HAS HAPPENED 5 TIMES. PLUS MY STEREO GOES OUT. MY CHEVY DEALER SAID IT IS NOT COVERED BECAUSE MY WARRANTY HAS EXPIRED. MUST PAY OVER $400 TO REPAIR THE FAULTY INDICATOR. THIS …
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MY CHEVY CRUZE STABILITY TRACK CONTROL SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONS AND MY CAR LOSES POWER AND I LOSE STEERING CONTROL AND MUST PULL OVER ON THE FREEWAY. IT HAS HAPPENED 5 TIMES. PLUS MY STEREO GOES OUT. MY CHEVY DEALER SAID IT IS NOT COVERED BECAUSE MY WARRANTY HAS EXPIRED. MUST PAY OVER $400 TO REPAIR THE FAULTY INDICATOR. THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY PROBLEM BECAUSE IT CAN HAPPEN WHEN I AM ON THE FREEWAY GOING 65 MPH AND MY CAR DECELERATES DOWN TO 40 MPH AND I COULD CRASH? IT HAS HAPPENED TWICE ON THE FREEWAY AND THREE TIMES ON THE CITY STREET.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET CRUZE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN ATTEMPTING TO DRIVE, THE VEHICLE HAD A STEERING (STEERING WHEEL WITH A RANCH) AND THE TRACTION WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE STEERING WHEEL WAS LOOSE AND FAILED TO TURN APPROPRIATELY WHEN DESIRED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A CERTIFIED MECHANIC WHO …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET CRUZE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN ATTEMPTING TO DRIVE, THE VEHICLE HAD A STEERING (STEERING WHEEL WITH A RANCH) AND THE TRACTION WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE STEERING WHEEL WAS LOOSE AND FAILED TO TURN APPROPRIATELY WHEN DESIRED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A CERTIFIED MECHANIC WHO WAS UNABLE TO IDENTIFY THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT THEN CONTACTED THE HEALEY GM DEALER WHERE IT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 51,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET CRUZE. WHILE DRIVING 18 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AND THE WRENCH WARNING SENSOR INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. SHORTLY AFTER, THE STEERING WHEEL RETURNED TO NORMAL AND THE CONTACT REGAINED CONTROL. IN ADDITION, OTHER ERROR WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMIANTED AS THE WINDOW ROLLED UP AND DOWN. THE MAN…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET CRUZE. WHILE DRIVING 18 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AND THE WRENCH WARNING SENSOR INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. SHORTLY AFTER, THE STEERING WHEEL RETURNED TO NORMAL AND THE CONTACT REGAINED CONTROL. IN ADDITION, OTHER ERROR WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMIANTED AS THE WINDOW ROLLED UP AND DOWN. THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 71,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
WHILE DRIVING, POWER STEERING LOCKED UP, CAR TURNED OFF AND THEN BACK ON. THE RADIO TURNED OFF AND THEN BACK ON AND CLOSE DRIVER WINDOW LIT UP. THIS HAS HAPPENED ON 4 DIFFERENT OCCASIONS NOW. STEERING LOCKED UP WHILE ON I-95. RADIO ON AND OFF WHILE TURNING ONTO HIGHWAY AND WINDOW MESSAGE WHILE CAR WAS STATIONARY.
Official recalls
516V502000 · 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
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.