IllustrationCHEVY CRUZE 1.8 LITER MANUAL TRANSMISSION. 2013. HAD RECALL FOR HIGH TEMP FOR CATALYTIC CONVERTER. MANUFACTURER RESET COMPUTER AS RECALL REQUIRED. NOW, THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER HAS STOPPED WORKING. ENGINE LIGHT ON.
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 reportsTHE DEFROST DOESN'T WORK ON THE DRIVERS SIDE. WHEN I TURN THE SETTINGS TO DEFROST, THE FACE VENTS TURN ON FULL POWER. IVE TRIED ALL OF THE DIFFERENT SETTINGS (FACE, FEET, FACE AND FEET, DEFROST AND FEET, ETC) AND THE DEFROST WONT WORK ON ANY OF THEM. THIS CAUSES MY WINDOW TO FOG UP AND ICE OVER ON THE DRIVERS SIDE. WHILE IM DRIV…
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THE DEFROST DOESN'T WORK ON THE DRIVERS SIDE. WHEN I TURN THE SETTINGS TO DEFROST, THE FACE VENTS TURN ON FULL POWER. IVE TRIED ALL OF THE DIFFERENT SETTINGS (FACE, FEET, FACE AND FEET, DEFROST AND FEET, ETC) AND THE DEFROST WONT WORK ON ANY OF THEM. THIS CAUSES MY WINDOW TO FOG UP AND ICE OVER ON THE DRIVERS SIDE. WHILE IM DRIVING! ITS NOT ONLY ANNOYING , IT'S EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AND UNSAFE WHEN DRIVIG DURING THE WINTER MONTHS. THERE IS NOTHING IN THE VENTS. I CHECKED. I TRIED TO TAKE PICTURES TO SHOW HOW I HAVE NO VISIBILITY. IT'S ALOT WORSE IN PERSON.
THE RIGHT FRONT HALF SHAFT MAY FRACTURE AND SEPARATE WHILE DRIVING, POTENTIALLY CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO LOSE POWER AND COAST TO A STOP
NEEDS RECALLS MAILED TRANSMISSION NEEDS TO BE REPLACED HAS 50380 MILES CANNOT FIND THE PARTS TO REPAIR IT
HEATER HAS A VERY STRONG ODOR OF COOLANT WHEN TURNED ON THAT I HAVE TO KEEP MY CAR WINDOWS DOWN A LITTLE WHEN USING HEATER. I NOTICED THIS WHEN I ACQUIRED IT FROM MY SON IN JULY OF 2016. HE HAD PURCHASED THIS ONE AND ANOTHER ONE AT THE SAME TIME BRAND NEW IN 2013 AND HAD THIS PROBLEM WITH BOTH CARS.
AIR CONDITIONING IS NOT WORKING CORRECTLY. IT BLOWS WELL BUT WILL NOT COOL. I CAN FEEL SOME COOLNESS OUT OF PASSENGER SIDE BUT DRIVER SIDE IS HOT AIR. IF YOU TURN THE FAN KNOB TO LOW THEN BOTH SIDES WILL COOL BUT IT IS NOT ENOUGH TO COOL ANYTHING. HAVE HAD IT CHECKED AND THERE IS PLENTY OF COOLANT. IT STARTED JULY OF 2016 SO I D…
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AIR CONDITIONING IS NOT WORKING CORRECTLY. IT BLOWS WELL BUT WILL NOT COOL. I CAN FEEL SOME COOLNESS OUT OF PASSENGER SIDE BUT DRIVER SIDE IS HOT AIR. IF YOU TURN THE FAN KNOB TO LOW THEN BOTH SIDES WILL COOL BUT IT IS NOT ENOUGH TO COOL ANYTHING. HAVE HAD IT CHECKED AND THERE IS PLENTY OF COOLANT. IT STARTED JULY OF 2016 SO I DROVE IT VERY LITTLE IT IS MUCH WORSE THIS SUMMER JULY OF 2017. ITS THE SAME RESULT DRIVING OR STATIONARY. IN THE EARLY MORNING IF IT'S COOL OUTSIDE IT DOES GET COOLER BUT AS THE DAY GETS WARMER SO DOES THE AIR COMING OUT OF THE AIR CONDITIONING VENTS.
GOT INTO A VERY MINOR FENDER BENDER AND THE CAR WENT UP IN FLAMES. AIR BAGS NEVER DEPLOYED BECAUSE I WASN'T GOING FAST ENOUGH. BUT YET MY CAR BURNED.
MY IGNITION KEY BROKE OFF DURING DRIVING. THE CAR WAS SHUT OFF AND I COULD HAVE DIED BY HITTING THE RAILING. I CALLED MY LOCAL DEALERSHIP AND THE SERVICE LADY SAID SHE HAS SEEN THIS HAPPEN MANY TIMES. THE KEYS METAL BROKE OFF. THE KEYS ARE MADE OF SOME KIND OF CHEAP METAL. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZZARD. PLEASE HELP THOSE ON THE ROAD…
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MY IGNITION KEY BROKE OFF DURING DRIVING. THE CAR WAS SHUT OFF AND I COULD HAVE DIED BY HITTING THE RAILING. I CALLED MY LOCAL DEALERSHIP AND THE SERVICE LADY SAID SHE HAS SEEN THIS HAPPEN MANY TIMES. THE KEYS METAL BROKE OFF. THE KEYS ARE MADE OF SOME KIND OF CHEAP METAL. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZZARD. PLEASE HELP THOSE ON THE ROAD AVOID A CATASTOPHY.
THERE IS A DEFECT IN THE RESERVOIR THAT HOLDS THE COOLANT THAT MAKES IT UNABLE TO BREATH. THE COOLANT IS BUBBLING INSIDE THE RESERVOIR BECAUSE IT ISN'T ABLE TO RELEASE THE PRESSURE WHICH IN TURN IS MAKING THE CARS OVERHEAT. THE MANUFACTURE JUST SEES THIS NORMAL BUT THERE ARE MANY VIDEOS ON THE INTERNET OFF PEOPLE GOING THROUGH T…
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THERE IS A DEFECT IN THE RESERVOIR THAT HOLDS THE COOLANT THAT MAKES IT UNABLE TO BREATH. THE COOLANT IS BUBBLING INSIDE THE RESERVOIR BECAUSE IT ISN'T ABLE TO RELEASE THE PRESSURE WHICH IN TURN IS MAKING THE CARS OVERHEAT. THE MANUFACTURE JUST SEES THIS NORMAL BUT THERE ARE MANY VIDEOS ON THE INTERNET OFF PEOPLE GOING THROUGH THE SAME THING.
HI THERE, I PURCHASED A CRUZE 3.5 YEARS AGO IN CANADA BECAUSE I AM A CANADIAN CITIZEN. I HAVE MOVED TO THE USA (NJ) TO LIVE WITH MY WIFE. SHE IS A US CITIZEN. WE HAVE CONTACTED GM ABOUT GETTING A LETTER OF CONFORMITY WHICH THEY DID SUPPLY US WITH. HOWEVER, IT DOES NOT CONFORM TO FMVSS STANDARDS. THE LETTER DOES NOT INCLUDE…
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HI THERE, I PURCHASED A CRUZE 3.5 YEARS AGO IN CANADA BECAUSE I AM A CANADIAN CITIZEN. I HAVE MOVED TO THE USA (NJ) TO LIVE WITH MY WIFE. SHE IS A US CITIZEN. WE HAVE CONTACTED GM ABOUT GETTING A LETTER OF CONFORMITY WHICH THEY DID SUPPLY US WITH. HOWEVER, IT DOES NOT CONFORM TO FMVSS STANDARDS. THE LETTER DOES NOT INCLUDE WHICH STANDARDS ARE NOT MET AND GM DOES NOT HAVE RECORD OF WHAT DOESN'T COMPLY. I WOULD LIKE TO GET MY CAR IMPORTED TO THE USA BUT WITHOUT THAT INFORMATION, I DON'T KNOW WHAT NEEDS TO BE FIXED. I HAVE CONTACTED SEVERAL RI'S THROUGHOUT NY, 1 IN NJ AND 1 IN PA AND NONE OF THEM ARE WILLING TO DO THE WORK (I ASSUME THAT BECAUSE THEY DON'T GET BACK TO ME ON SCHEDULING IT IN). PLEASE HELP ME FIND OUT WHAT NEEDS TO BE FIXED ON MY CAR SO I CAN IMPORT IT TO THE USA AND REGISTER IT HERE. THANK YOU! THE CAR IS US EPA CERTIFIED, AND CMVSS CERTIFIED (WITH STAMPS). I ENTERED THE USA ON A TEMPORARY DRIVING BASIS FOR 1 YEAR.
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.