IllustrationWHENEVER I REFUEL MY CAR I HAVE TO REV THE ENGINE FOR A COUPLE MINUTES OTHERWISE THE CAR WILL DIE.
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
Unknown Or Other complaints
75 reportsI WAS JUST DRIVING ALONG UNDER NORMAL DRIVING WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN MY RPMS WENT ALL THE WAY UP AND THE CAR WASN'T GOING ANYWHERE BUT COSTING TO A STOP ALONG WITH A LOUD BANGING SOUND. I WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 28MPH ON A STREET
I LEFT MY KEYS IN THE IGNITION ONE NIGHT, WENT TO BED, AND WOKE UP TO MY HEADLIGHTS TURNING ON AND OFF. I THOUGHT SOMEONE WAS TRYING TO STEAL MY CAR, BUT WHEN I RAN OUTSIDE, THE CAR WAS LITERALLY STARTING ITSELF, TURNING ITSELF OFF, TURNING BACK ON, AND BACK OFF. I'M NOT SURE HOW LONG IT HAD BEEN DOING THAT, BUT THEN I STARTED I…
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I LEFT MY KEYS IN THE IGNITION ONE NIGHT, WENT TO BED, AND WOKE UP TO MY HEADLIGHTS TURNING ON AND OFF. I THOUGHT SOMEONE WAS TRYING TO STEAL MY CAR, BUT WHEN I RAN OUTSIDE, THE CAR WAS LITERALLY STARTING ITSELF, TURNING ITSELF OFF, TURNING BACK ON, AND BACK OFF. I'M NOT SURE HOW LONG IT HAD BEEN DOING THAT, BUT THEN I STARTED IT UP MYSELF, AND TURNED IT OFF, THEN REMOVED THE KEYS FROM THE IGNITION. IT WAS IN THE PARK POSITION.
FIRST THE WATER PUMP HAD TO BE REPLACED, THEN THE TURBO COILS HAD TO BE REPLACED $740, THEN THE SURGE TANK AND NOW THEY ARE SAYING MORE LEAKS AND WANTED TO DO SOME TEST THAT COST $65. SOMETHING IS NOT RIGHT, AM I THE ONLY ONE THIS IS HAPPENING TO?
THE PLASTIC GEAR THAT RUNS THE DEFROSTER BROKE AND WE CAN'T SEE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE
TOOK CAR IN FOR OVERHEATING AFTER HAVING HI TEMP WORNING COME ON. CHECKED COOLANT LEVELS IT WAS LOW. DEAL REPARED CAR PER RECALL. UNFORTUNITLY MOTOR WAS DAMAGED DO TO OVER HEATING. DEALER RETURNED CAR WITH BAD MOTOR AFTER TESTING FOR HIDROCARBONS. CHARGED ME $800 EVEN WITH RECALL PARTS PROVIDED. CAR IS STILL UNDRIVABLE DO TO WA…
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TOOK CAR IN FOR OVERHEATING AFTER HAVING HI TEMP WORNING COME ON. CHECKED COOLANT LEVELS IT WAS LOW. DEAL REPARED CAR PER RECALL. UNFORTUNITLY MOTOR WAS DAMAGED DO TO OVER HEATING. DEALER RETURNED CAR WITH BAD MOTOR AFTER TESTING FOR HIDROCARBONS. CHARGED ME $800 EVEN WITH RECALL PARTS PROVIDED. CAR IS STILL UNDRIVABLE DO TO WATERPUMP LEAK. WHERE DO I GO FROM HERE? LEMON LAW? DEALER WORK NOT PREFORMED? PLEASE ADVISE.
THE OILS IS LEAKING IS THIS VEHICLE .. AND HOW IT WAS EXPLAINED IS THAT THE OIL IS ALSO LEAKING INTO THE TURBO .. WHICH IS CAUSING OIL TO BASICALLY BE PUSHED OUT INSTEAD OF AIR BEING BROUGHT IN FOR THE CAR TO GO THE CORRECT SPEED AND THE CAR IS UNDRIVEABLE
THE CAR SEEMS TO HAVE BEEN AFFECTED OF ONE SEVERAL ISSUES THAT HAPPENED EARLY ON IN THE PRODUCTION WITH A COOLANT LEAK SMELL PROBLEM IN THE CABIN, PARTICULARLY EVIDENT WHILE BRAKING TO A STOP. THE SMELL SEEMS TO BE LINKED TO A COOLANT LEAK IN THE HEATER CORE OR IN THE CONNECTIONS OF THE PIPES WITH THE EXCHANGER ITSELF. THIS IS D…
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THE CAR SEEMS TO HAVE BEEN AFFECTED OF ONE SEVERAL ISSUES THAT HAPPENED EARLY ON IN THE PRODUCTION WITH A COOLANT LEAK SMELL PROBLEM IN THE CABIN, PARTICULARLY EVIDENT WHILE BRAKING TO A STOP. THE SMELL SEEMS TO BE LINKED TO A COOLANT LEAK IN THE HEATER CORE OR IN THE CONNECTIONS OF THE PIPES WITH THE EXCHANGER ITSELF. THIS IS DANGEROUS AS THE FUMES ARE POSSIBLY SLIGHTLY TOXIC AND, MOREOVER, IT INDICATES A LEAKAGE IN AN AREA AFTER THE FIREWALL THAT CAN LEAD TO SCALDING IF IT GETS IN CONTACT WITH A PERSON. EARLIER EVENTS ON THE CAR HAPPENED IN THE INITIAL PRODUCTION OF THE CRUZE AND TYPICALLY QUITE EARLY IN THE MILEAGE, BUT MY CAR SHOWED IT NOW AT 105000 MILES. AN IMPROVEMENT, BUT EVIDENTLY NOT A FULL FIX.
DEFROST QUIT WORKING..AIR BLOWS OUT OF ALL OTHER VENTS BUT NOT DEFROST
THE LOCKS KEEP LOCKING & UNLOCKING, SOMETIMES AFTER GETTING THE FEELING THAT THE CAR WAS BUMPED, WHICH IT WASN'T. LATELY IT ALMOST STALLS THEN ACCELERATES TOO QUICKLY & MAKES A REVVING SOUND. I'M NOT DRIVING IT RIGHT NOW. THE BUMPING & LOCKS ON & OFF HAPPEN WHILE DRIVING OR WHILE STOPPED.I CAN'T GIVE A DATE. IT'S BEEN HAPPEN…
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THE LOCKS KEEP LOCKING & UNLOCKING, SOMETIMES AFTER GETTING THE FEELING THAT THE CAR WAS BUMPED, WHICH IT WASN'T. LATELY IT ALMOST STALLS THEN ACCELERATES TOO QUICKLY & MAKES A REVVING SOUND. I'M NOT DRIVING IT RIGHT NOW. THE BUMPING & LOCKS ON & OFF HAPPEN WHILE DRIVING OR WHILE STOPPED.I CAN'T GIVE A DATE. IT'S BEEN HAPPENING FOR COUPLE OF MONTHS. THANK YOU
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.