← New search

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

What owners actually said

586 reports
Mileage unknown · Mar 28, 2021
Electrical SystemEngineSteering

IT'S BEEN SITTING FOR AWHILE NOW. I'VE REPLACED THE ENGINE, THE BATTERY, THE ALTERNATOR, THE STARTER, THE THERMOSTAT AND THE TENSIONER BELT. ALL BRAND NEW AND IT'S STILL NOT STARTING UP . IT ACTS LIKE IT WANTS TO START OVER BUT DOESN'T, EVEN WITHOUT THE KEYS IN IGNITION, IF I HOOK UP SPARK PLUGS IT ACTS LIKE IT WANTS TO START EV…

Read full complaint

IT'S BEEN SITTING FOR AWHILE NOW. I'VE REPLACED THE ENGINE, THE BATTERY, THE ALTERNATOR, THE STARTER, THE THERMOSTAT AND THE TENSIONER BELT. ALL BRAND NEW AND IT'S STILL NOT STARTING UP . IT ACTS LIKE IT WANTS TO START OVER BUT DOESN'T, EVEN WITHOUT THE KEYS IN IGNITION, IF I HOOK UP SPARK PLUGS IT ACTS LIKE IT WANTS TO START EVEN WITHOUT THE KEYS IN IGNITION

NHTSA ODI #11405268

106,306 miles · Mar 27, 2021
Engine

I WAS DRIVING ON A RESIDENTIAL STREET AND NOTICED MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT APPEAR AND WENT AND GOT A CHECK ENGINE DIAGNOSIS DONE AND POPPED AS A CODE P2076 WHICH IS THE INTAKE MANIFOLD TUNING VALVE POSITION SENSOR/ SWITCH CIRCUIT RANGE/PERFORMANCE. WHICH ISN'T THE FIRST TIME THIS HAS CAME ON. WHEN I FIRST BOUGHT THE CAR FROM THE D…

Read full complaint

I WAS DRIVING ON A RESIDENTIAL STREET AND NOTICED MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT APPEAR AND WENT AND GOT A CHECK ENGINE DIAGNOSIS DONE AND POPPED AS A CODE P2076 WHICH IS THE INTAKE MANIFOLD TUNING VALVE POSITION SENSOR/ SWITCH CIRCUIT RANGE/PERFORMANCE. WHICH ISN'T THE FIRST TIME THIS HAS CAME ON. WHEN I FIRST BOUGHT THE CAR FROM THE DEALERSHIP IT HAPPENED TWICE BEFORE AND WAS COVERED BY THE WARRANTY BUT NOW I'M SURPASSED THE WARRANTY AND JUST FEEL LIKE THIS SHOULDN'T BE AN ISSUE ONCE AGAIN.

NHTSA ODI #11405169

Mileage unknown · Mar 22, 2021
EngineUnknown Or Other

HAS AN INTERNAL ENGINE AND COOLING PROBLEMS EXHAUST GAS ENTERING THE COOLING SYSTEM I BELIEVE HE KNEW ABOUT THIS ISSUE AND STILL SOLD ME THE CAR ANYWAY. I TOLD HIM THAT THE WATER IN THE TANK WAS BUBBLING AND HE SAID NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH THE CAR. AND NOW THE ENGINE GASKET IS BLOWN AND THE CAR IS OVERHEATING

NHTSA ODI #11404334

128,000 miles · Mar 5, 2021
Unknown Or Other

CAR CONTINUALLY OVER HEATS AND NOW THE TURBO BAD

NHTSA ODI #11399359

125,000 miles · Mar 3, 2021
Electrical SystemEngineFuel/propulsion System

MY 20 YR OLD DAUGHTER BOUGHT THIS CAR IN MAY 2020. SHE HAD IT 1 WEEK AND ENDED UP BROKEN DOWN ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD THE INTERSTATE, 3-1/2 HRS AWAY AT SCHOOL BECAUSE THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER WENT OUT. 2 WEEKS AND A NEW CATALYTIC CONVERTER, I AM ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD BECAUSE SHE COULDN'T STAY AND WAIT FOR IT, AND WE WOULDN'T LE…

Read full complaint

MY 20 YR OLD DAUGHTER BOUGHT THIS CAR IN MAY 2020. SHE HAD IT 1 WEEK AND ENDED UP BROKEN DOWN ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD THE INTERSTATE, 3-1/2 HRS AWAY AT SCHOOL BECAUSE THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER WENT OUT. 2 WEEKS AND A NEW CATALYTIC CONVERTER, I AM ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD BECAUSE SHE COULDN'T STAY AND WAIT FOR IT, AND WE WOULDN'T LET HER TAKE IT UNTIL WE KNEW IT WAS RIGHT. ANOTHER 4 WEEKS LATER, REPLACED THE MOTOR AND CATALYTIC CONVERTER AGAIN, AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES BACK ON WITHIN 2 WEEKS AND LEAVES ME STRANDED ON THE HIGHWAY ONCE AGAIN! THIS TIME THE READING SHOWED ONLY AN O2 SENSOR SO MY HUSBAND CHANGED IT. THE CAR RAN FINE FOR A WHILE, THEN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME BACK ON. NOT LONG AFTER THIS, THE STABILITRAK WARNING LIGHT ALSO CAME ON AND SO THERE ARE 13 ERROR CODES COMING UP! WE HAVE ALWAYS BEEN A CHEVROLET FAMILY, BUT NOT ANYMORE! THIS HAS RUINED US! AND WHEN/IF WE CAN GET IT RUNNING WELL ENOUGH TO GET RID OF IT, IT IS GONE! THE ERROR CODES ATTACHED ARE FROM JULY & SEPTEMBER 2020. I DIDN'T GET A PICTURE THE LAST COUPLE OF TIMES THAT MY HUSBAND CHECKED IT. GENERAL MOTORS THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS. AND THAT'S JUST THE ONES WHO ACTUALLY TAKE THE TIME TO HUNT THE NHTSA DOWN AND FILE A COMPLAINT. NOT EVERYONE WILL DO SO! I PERSONALLY KNOW OF AT LEAST ONE OTHER PERSON IN MY HOMETOWN (OF LESS THAN 20,000) THAT OWNS A 2013 CRUZE THAT IS HAVING THE EXACT SAME PROBLEMS! I KNOW WE ARE JUST LITTLE PEOPLE TO YOU. BUT THESE ARE OUR LIVES! IF WE COULD AFFORD TO DRIVE A HIGH-PRICED, TOP-OF-THE-LINE VEHICLE, TRUST ME, WE WOULD!

NHTSA ODI #11398919

125,000 miles · Mar 3, 2021
Electrical SystemEngineFuel/propulsion System

MY 20 YR OLD DAUGHTER BOUGHT THIS CAR IN MAY 2020. SHE HAD IT 1 WEEK AND ENDED UP BROKEN DOWN ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD THE INTERSTATE, 3-1/2 HRS AWAY AT SCHOOL BECAUSE THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER WENT OUT. 2 WEEKS AND A NEW CATALYTIC CONVERTER, I AM ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD BECAUSE SHE COULDN'T STAY AND WAIT FOR IT, AND WE WOULDN'T LE…

Read full complaint

MY 20 YR OLD DAUGHTER BOUGHT THIS CAR IN MAY 2020. SHE HAD IT 1 WEEK AND ENDED UP BROKEN DOWN ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD THE INTERSTATE, 3-1/2 HRS AWAY AT SCHOOL BECAUSE THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER WENT OUT. 2 WEEKS AND A NEW CATALYTIC CONVERTER, I AM ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD BECAUSE SHE COULDN'T STAY AND WAIT FOR IT, AND WE WOULDN'T LET HER TAKE IT UNTIL WE KNEW IT WAS RIGHT. ANOTHER 4 WEEKS LATER, REPLACED THE MOTOR AND CATALYTIC CONVERTER AGAIN, AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES BACK ON WITHIN 2 WEEKS AND LEAVES ME STRANDED ON THE HIGHWAY ONCE AGAIN! THIS TIME THE READING SHOWED ONLY AN O2 SENSOR SO MY HUSBAND CHANGED IT. THE CAR RAN FINE FOR A WHILE, THEN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME BACK ON. NOT LONG AFTER THIS, THE STABILITRAK WARNING LIGHT ALSO CAME ON AND SO THERE ARE 13 ERROR CODES COMING UP! WE HAVE ALWAYS BEEN A CHEVROLET FAMILY, BUT NOT ANYMORE! THIS HAS RUINED US! AND WHEN/IF WE CAN GET IT RUNNING WELL ENOUGH TO GET RID OF IT, IT IS GONE! THE ERROR CODES ATTACHED ARE FROM JULY & SEPTEMBER 2020. I DIDN'T GET A PICTURE THE LAST COUPLE OF TIMES THAT MY HUSBAND CHECKED IT. GENERAL MOTORS THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS. AND THAT'S JUST THE ONES WHO ACTUALLY TAKE THE TIME TO HUNT THE NHTSA DOWN AND FILE A COMPLAINT. NOT EVERYONE WILL DO SO! I PERSONALLY KNOW OF AT LEAST ONE OTHER PERSON IN MY HOMETOWN (OF LESS THAN 20,000) THAT OWNS A 2013 CRUZE THAT IS HAVING THE EXACT SAME PROBLEMS! I KNOW WE ARE JUST LITTLE PEOPLE TO YOU. BUT THESE ARE OUR LIVES! IF WE COULD AFFORD TO DRIVE A HIGH-PRICED, TOP-OF-THE-LINE VEHICLE, TRUST ME, WE WOULD!

NHTSA ODI #11398916

90,000 miles · Feb 19, 2021
Electrical SystemEngineFuel/propulsion System

CAR HAS LEAKED OIL AND COOLANT SINCE I GOT IT. CONSTANTLY OVER HEATS. LOSS OF POWER. ENGINE REVS AND JUMPS. CONSTANT REPLACEMENTS NOTHING WORKS.

NHTSA ODI #11396986

210,750 miles · Jan 28, 2021
Air Bags

THE CAR AT RANDOM WILL HAVE A MESSAGE COME UP THAT SAYS AIRBAG SENSOR. THE CAR SHUTS DOWN ON YOU AND WILL NOT START UNTIL CAR IS PUT IN PARK, RAISE HOOD, THEN ROLL DOWN DRIVER WINDOW IN TRAFFIC. THIS SOMETIMES WORK FIRST TRY BUT NOT ALWAYS. THIS CAUSE A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE. IF THE AIRBAG DEPLOYS I COULD POTENTIALLY BE LEFT PARALY…

Read full complaint

THE CAR AT RANDOM WILL HAVE A MESSAGE COME UP THAT SAYS AIRBAG SENSOR. THE CAR SHUTS DOWN ON YOU AND WILL NOT START UNTIL CAR IS PUT IN PARK, RAISE HOOD, THEN ROLL DOWN DRIVER WINDOW IN TRAFFIC. THIS SOMETIMES WORK FIRST TRY BUT NOT ALWAYS. THIS CAUSE A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE. IF THE AIRBAG DEPLOYS I COULD POTENTIALLY BE LEFT PARALYZED. SINCE I'VE HAD A CERVICAL FUSION

NHTSA ODI #11390500

65,000 miles · Jan 14, 2021
Engine

I HAVE HAD AN ISSUE WITH THE VALVE COVER GASKET NEEDING TO BE REPLACE DUE TO OIL LEAKAGE TWICE WITHIN A YEAR. I WILL START NOTICING BURT OIL SMELL ONLY ON THE INSIDE OF THE CAR THROUGH THE AIR VENTS. THERE HAVNT BEEN ANY LEAKAGE ON THE GROUND AS FAR AS I SEE. THIS CAN'T POSSIBLY BE NORMAL. I CURRENTLY HAVE TO PUT MY CAR IN THE S…

Read full complaint

I HAVE HAD AN ISSUE WITH THE VALVE COVER GASKET NEEDING TO BE REPLACE DUE TO OIL LEAKAGE TWICE WITHIN A YEAR. I WILL START NOTICING BURT OIL SMELL ONLY ON THE INSIDE OF THE CAR THROUGH THE AIR VENTS. THERE HAVNT BEEN ANY LEAKAGE ON THE GROUND AS FAR AS I SEE. THIS CAN'T POSSIBLY BE NORMAL. I CURRENTLY HAVE TO PUT MY CAR IN THE SHOP FOR THIS ISSUE.

NHTSA ODI #11388119

40,000 miles · Dec 29, 2020
Electrical SystemEngineFuel/propulsion System

THE CAR HAS SOME KIND OF ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT GOES ON AND I TAKE THE CAR BACK TO THE DEALER AND GET PROBLEMS FIXED, AND WITHIN A MONTH THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AGAIN, AND THERE ARE NEW PROBLEMS WITH THE CAR. WHEN THOSE PROBLEMS GET FIXED, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AGAIN WITHIN A MONTH. THIS IS…

Read full complaint

THE CAR HAS SOME KIND OF ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT GOES ON AND I TAKE THE CAR BACK TO THE DEALER AND GET PROBLEMS FIXED, AND WITHIN A MONTH THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AGAIN, AND THERE ARE NEW PROBLEMS WITH THE CAR. WHEN THOSE PROBLEMS GET FIXED, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AGAIN WITHIN A MONTH. THIS IS A CYCLE THAT KEEPS GOING. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AT DIFFERENT TIMES, USUALLY WHILE DRIVING. I BELIEVE THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM IS CAUSING CASCADING FAILURES IN DIFFERENT SYSTEMS.

NHTSA ODI #11385527

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.