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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.

About this comparison →

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

Unknown Or Other complaints

75 reports
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86,821 miles · Mar 20, 2019
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Unknown Or Other

WENT OUT AND STARTED CAR UP. CAR WAS SHAKING AND SERVICE STABILITRAC AND SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL WERE ON THE DASH SCREEN. THIS HAPPENED BACK IN DECEMBER AS WELL AND THEN THE CAR EVENTUALLY STOPPED WORKING ALTOGETHER.

NHTSA ODI #11190338

66,000 miles · Feb 21, 2019
Electrical SystemEngineUnknown Or Other

MY VEHICLE REPEATEDLY RAN HOT EVERYTIME I WOULD DRIVE IT OVER A MILE ON THE ROAD. MY HUSBAND CHANGED THE THERMOSTAT, ALWAYS MADE SURE IT HAD COOLANT, CHECKED MY HOSES, AND REPLACED THE WATER PUMP. BUT EVENTUALLY IT BLEW A HEAD GASKET. WE NOTICED IT DID SO WHEN WE SEEN WATER HAD MIXED INTO THE OIL. SUPREME CHEVROLET REPLACED THE …

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MY VEHICLE REPEATEDLY RAN HOT EVERYTIME I WOULD DRIVE IT OVER A MILE ON THE ROAD. MY HUSBAND CHANGED THE THERMOSTAT, ALWAYS MADE SURE IT HAD COOLANT, CHECKED MY HOSES, AND REPLACED THE WATER PUMP. BUT EVENTUALLY IT BLEW A HEAD GASKET. WE NOTICED IT DID SO WHEN WE SEEN WATER HAD MIXED INTO THE OIL. SUPREME CHEVROLET REPLACED THE ENGINE AT 96,000 MILES IN NOVEMBER 2016 UNDER WARRANTY. I DROVE THE CAR ABOUT 54,000 MILES WITH THE REPLACED ENGINE AND IT TOO STARTED RUNNING HOT EVERYTIME I WOULD DRIVE IT ABOUT A MILE DOWN THE ROAD. THE DASH LIGHT WOULD SAY TURN A/C OFF AND IDLE ENGINE OR TURN OFF ENGINE DUE TO HIGH TEMPERATURE. WE CHANGED THE RADIATOR, THE HOSES, THE WATER PUMP, AND THE THERMOSTAT ON THE CAR AND IT REMAINED RUNNING HOT WITH HIGH TEMPERATURES UNTIL THAT ENGINE TOO BLEW A HEAD GASKET.THE DEALERSHIP WILL NOT WARRANTY THE SECOND ENGINE ALTHOUGH IT ONLY HAS 67,000 MILES ON THE NEW ENGINE. AND NOW I AM LEFT WITH NO VEHICLE AND STILL OWE $6700.00 ON THE CHEVROLET CRUZE DUE TO THE FAULTY COOLANT SYSTEM.

NHTSA ODI #11181713

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

18,000 miles · Oct 6, 2018
Electrical SystemUnknown Or OtherVehicle Speed Control

THE CHEVY ECO CRUZE HAS BEEN GIVING ME PROBLEMS FROM THE START. I WAS DRIVING WITH THE AC ON AND CAME TO A SIGNAL LIGHT WHEN THE AC SHUTS OF & COMES BACK ON. ALSO AT THE SIGNAL LIGHT I THAUGHT I HAD GOTTEN A TAP FROM THE BACK FROM ANOTHER VEHICLE BECAUSE THE CAR JERKED. TURNED OUT NO CAR BEHIND ME BUT CAR STILL JERKS FORWARD WIT…

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THE CHEVY ECO CRUZE HAS BEEN GIVING ME PROBLEMS FROM THE START. I WAS DRIVING WITH THE AC ON AND CAME TO A SIGNAL LIGHT WHEN THE AC SHUTS OF & COMES BACK ON. ALSO AT THE SIGNAL LIGHT I THAUGHT I HAD GOTTEN A TAP FROM THE BACK FROM ANOTHER VEHICLE BECAUSE THE CAR JERKED. TURNED OUT NO CAR BEHIND ME BUT CAR STILL JERKS FORWARD WITH FOOT ALL THE WAY DOWN ON BRAKE PEDAL. NEXT IF I'M DRIVING AND SLOW DOWN TO MAKE, LET'S SAY A LEFT HAND TURN ONCE I MAKE THE TURN THE CAR IS SLUGGISH AS IF IT HAS TROUBLE PICKING UP SPEED. HAPPENS ALL THE TIME FROM A STOPPED POSITION OR IF I SLOW DOWN IT TAKES FOR EVER TO PICK UP MOMENTUM. MAKING IT SCAREY TO MERGE OR JUST BE ON THE ROAD. ALSO IF I TURN THE RADIO UP THE LIGHTS WILL DIE OR FADE SO I'VE REPLACED THE ALTERNATOR BUT IT STILL DOES IT. IVE CHECKED CONNECTIONS WIRES YOU NAME IT.

NHTSA ODI #11138802

65 miles · Jul 22, 2018
Unknown Or Other

I STARTED THAT THERE WAS A PART THEY FIXED AND I DON'T KNOW WHAT I IT IS CALLED, BUT THE BLACK CAP THAT IS DIRECTLY BEHIND THE AREA WHERE YOU PUT THE MOTOR OIL IS WHERE THEY SAID IT WAS OPENED (IT HAD A BUBBLE OR IT HAS SMALL PART OF THE RUBBLE HAD CAME UP. SO PUT A NEW ONE IT. NOT DEALERSHIP ANOTHER WELL KNOWN GARAGE MACHANIC …

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I STARTED THAT THERE WAS A PART THEY FIXED AND I DON'T KNOW WHAT I IT IS CALLED, BUT THE BLACK CAP THAT IS DIRECTLY BEHIND THE AREA WHERE YOU PUT THE MOTOR OIL IS WHERE THEY SAID IT WAS OPENED (IT HAD A BUBBLE OR IT HAS SMALL PART OF THE RUBBLE HAD CAME UP. SO PUT A NEW ONE IT. NOT DEALERSHIP ANOTHER WELL KNOWN GARAGE MACHANIC WHO HAS BEEN IN BUSINESS OVER 25 YEARS. I TOOK IT TOOK AUTO ADVANCE AND THE SAID THAT THEY DIDN'T FINISH SEALING THE GASKET ON THIS AREA. I DON'T WHAT'S GOING ON WITH MY THERMOSTAT EITHER.

NHTSA ODI #11112945

68,000 miles · Jul 19, 2018
Unknown Or Other

TIRE MONITOR SYSTEM, I HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THIS SYSTEM EVER SINCE I PURCHASED MY CAR. EVERY ATTEMPT TO FIX IT HAS BEEN UNSUCCESSFUL. WHEN THE DEALERSHIP RESETS IT, IT GOES WONKY AND DISPLAYS INCORRECT INFO ABOUT TIRE PRESSURE AND LOCATION OF TIRE WITH THAT PRESSURE. IT RECENTLY SHOWED THAT ONE OF MY TIRES HAD A NO DISPLAY REA…

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TIRE MONITOR SYSTEM, I HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THIS SYSTEM EVER SINCE I PURCHASED MY CAR. EVERY ATTEMPT TO FIX IT HAS BEEN UNSUCCESSFUL. WHEN THE DEALERSHIP RESETS IT, IT GOES WONKY AND DISPLAYS INCORRECT INFO ABOUT TIRE PRESSURE AND LOCATION OF TIRE WITH THAT PRESSURE. IT RECENTLY SHOWED THAT ONE OF MY TIRES HAD A NO DISPLAY READING AND A "SERVICE TIRE MONITOR SYSTEM" ALERT. AND WHEN I TOOK IT IN FOR SERVICING, THEY TOLD ME ITS NOT COVERED BY ANY WARRENTY (WHICH I HAVE THE EXTENDED WARRENTY). THIS SEEMS TO ME TO BE A SAFETY ISSUE AS IT IS APPARENTLY IMPORTANT TO THE SYSTEM TO DISPLAY IT ON MY SERVICING SCREEN (AND AFFECTS MY GAS MILEAGE THAT AFFECTS MY EMISSIONS)! SO WHY ISN'T IT COVERED BY THE MANUFACTURES WARRENTY? WHY HAVE IT THERE AT ALL THEN!?PERHAPS IT IS A JOB SECURITY THING JUST TO BRING IN REVENUE. ITS B***S*** I THINK!!!

NHTSA ODI #11112282

143,000 miles · May 3, 2018
Electronic Stability Control (esc)EngineUnknown Or Other

THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN GOING TO ANTI THEFT MODE AND TOOK IT IN THEY FOUND COOLANT RESERVOIR LEAKING THERMOSTAT LEAKING ALONG WITH THE DRIVE BELT HAS COOLANT ON IT CAUSING IT TO SQUEAK ACCORDING TO CHEVROLET CAR SEEMS LIKE WHEN I'M DRIVING IT IT FEELS LIKE ITS MOVING FWD ON IT'S ON WHEN I HAVE MY FOOT ON BRAKE AT A COMPLETE STOP. M…

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THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN GOING TO ANTI THEFT MODE AND TOOK IT IN THEY FOUND COOLANT RESERVOIR LEAKING THERMOSTAT LEAKING ALONG WITH THE DRIVE BELT HAS COOLANT ON IT CAUSING IT TO SQUEAK ACCORDING TO CHEVROLET CAR SEEMS LIKE WHEN I'M DRIVING IT IT FEELS LIKE ITS MOVING FWD ON IT'S ON WHEN I HAVE MY FOOT ON BRAKE AT A COMPLETE STOP. MY CAR IS AT 143,000 MILES ON IT

NHTSA ODI #11091627

54,000 miles · Mar 5, 2018
Unknown Or Other

WHILE DRIVING IN MOTION GOING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AT 65 MPH CAR LOST ALL POWER ALL OF SUDDEN, THIS ALSO HAPPENED WHILE SITTING AT A STOP LIGHT TOTAL LOSS OF POWER. THIS IS SERIOUS IT STALLS IN MIDDLE OF THE ROAD AND IT MAY OR MAYNOT START BACK UP.

NHTSA ODI #11076329

Mileage unknown · Feb 28, 2018
Unknown Or Other

CONSUMER COMPLAINT. NOXIOUS ODOR FROM HEATER. CAUSES NASAL DISCOMFORT AND COUGHING FORCING MANUAL SHUTDOWN OF HEATER. HEATER IS OUTGASSING A CLOYINGLY SWEET SMELL THAT IS WIDELY DISCUSSED IN INTERNET FORUMS WITH NO SOLUTION. *JS

NHTSA ODI #11075908

66,000 miles · Feb 8, 2018
Unknown Or Other

RADIATOR LEEKING FLUID CAR OVER HEATING. WHEN CKED SAID THE PROBLEM WAS INTERNAL. THEN I HAVE TO PAY FOR EVERTHING THAT WAS CAUSED BY PROBLEM THAT WAS NOT UNDER WARRANTY. THEY WANT ME 2 PAY FOR HOSE AND OTHER THINGS, ALMOST $200. THE PROBLEM STARTED AFTER I HAD AN OIL CHANGE AT THIS LOCATION. MY HEATER WAS NOT GETTING HOT AND WH…

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RADIATOR LEEKING FLUID CAR OVER HEATING. WHEN CKED SAID THE PROBLEM WAS INTERNAL. THEN I HAVE TO PAY FOR EVERTHING THAT WAS CAUSED BY PROBLEM THAT WAS NOT UNDER WARRANTY. THEY WANT ME 2 PAY FOR HOSE AND OTHER THINGS, ALMOST $200. THE PROBLEM STARTED AFTER I HAD AN OIL CHANGE AT THIS LOCATION. MY HEATER WAS NOT GETTING HOT AND WHEN I CKED NO FLUID N RADIATOR. SO I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP, THEY DIDN'T TELL ME THAT WAS NOT PART OF 24 POINTS CHECK UNTIL TODAY. MY COMPLAINT IS WE HAVE 2 PAY FOHEY. WANT 2 LET U KNOW I WILL NOT BE THERE 2MORROW MORNING. HAVE 2 TAKE MY CAR 2 SHOP. DEPEND ON HOW LONG IT TAKE 2 FIX. WILL GET RENTAL, BUT WILL NOT KNOW TILL THEY CK IT OUT. WILL GIVE U A CALL WHEN I FIND OUT.R EVERYTHING THAT WAS CAUSED BY PROBLEM. IF IT IS A RECALL PROBLEM EVERYTHING THAT IT TAKE TO REPAIR SHOULD BE COVER. I AM AN CAREGIVE( CNA) NEED MY CAR FOR WORK INWHICH I HAVE MISSED 2 DAYS BECAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM THEN STILL HQVE 2 COME OUT OF MY POCKET. NOT SURE IF THIS PROBLEM HAVE DAMAGED MY MOTOR OR NOT.

NHTSA ODI #11071701

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.