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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

What owners actually said

586 reports
Mileage unknown · Jun 9, 2020
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Engine

I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR MULTIPLE TIMES TO GET IT FIXED. AS I AM DRIVING THE CAR THE RADIO TURNS OFF. THEN THE ENGINE ITSELF TURNS OFF. NOT ONLY THAT, AS I AM DRIVING IT THE STEERING WHEEL STOPS WORKING AND THE CAR COMPLETELY SHUTS OFF. I HAVE SPENT OVER 7,000 DOLLARS IN REPAIRS AND I CAN NO LONGER AFFORD FOR REPAIRS. NO ONE SEEMS T…

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I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR MULTIPLE TIMES TO GET IT FIXED. AS I AM DRIVING THE CAR THE RADIO TURNS OFF. THEN THE ENGINE ITSELF TURNS OFF. NOT ONLY THAT, AS I AM DRIVING IT THE STEERING WHEEL STOPS WORKING AND THE CAR COMPLETELY SHUTS OFF. I HAVE SPENT OVER 7,000 DOLLARS IN REPAIRS AND I CAN NO LONGER AFFORD FOR REPAIRS. NO ONE SEEMS TO KNOW WHAT THE PROBLEM IS. I WOULD REALLY LIKE TO OPEN AN INVESTIGATION ON THIS CAR AS MY LIFE SEEMS TO BE THREATENED AND NO ONE CAN TELL ME WHY THE CAR GOES ON AND OFF WHILE IN DRIVE. I ALMOST GOT IN A MAJOR HIGHWAY ACCIDENT BECAUSE IT TURNED OFF WHILE I WAS DRIVING 60 MILES PER HOUR ON A BUSY HIGHWAY. PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS PROBLEM AND HELP ME GET BACK TO A NORMAL CAR. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING FOR ALMOST A 2 YEARS NOW. *TR

NHTSA ODI #11328051

140,000 miles · Jun 9, 2020
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Engine

I HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT ISSUES WITH THE CAR SINCE I'VE HAD IT AND FIXED EVERYTHING THAT WAS WRONG WITH IT THE PALM CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP THAT SAID WAS WRONG WITH IT AND YET NOTHING HAS BEEN RESOLVED MY STABILITRAK CONTROL SERVICE SYSTEM LIGHT CAME ON ALONG WITH THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AS THEY ARE FLASHING. I'M HAVING A VERY HARD T…

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I HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT ISSUES WITH THE CAR SINCE I'VE HAD IT AND FIXED EVERYTHING THAT WAS WRONG WITH IT THE PALM CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP THAT SAID WAS WRONG WITH IT AND YET NOTHING HAS BEEN RESOLVED MY STABILITRAK CONTROL SERVICE SYSTEM LIGHT CAME ON ALONG WITH THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AS THEY ARE FLASHING. I'M HAVING A VERY HARD TIME GETTING TRACTION I HAVE A 1 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER AND I DON'T FEEL THAT THIS CAR IS SAFE FOR HER. I WANT THIS ISSUE LOOKED INTO I HAVE SPENT MONEY THAT I DON'T HAVE TO JUST TRY TO RESOLVE THE PROBLEM AND YET IT'S NOT FIXED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #11328021

91,300 miles · Apr 30, 2020
Electronic Stability Control (esc)

SERVICE STABLI TRAC AND SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL COME ON. CAR IS 'CHUGGING' WHEN IN MOTION AND THEN DIES. IGNITION COIL GET BURNT OUT. THIS IS NOW THE 3RD TIME IN A MONTH.

NHTSA ODI #11322896

175,000 miles · Apr 17, 2020
Seat Belts

MY DRIVERS SIDE SEAT BELT LIGHT WOULD BLINK OCCASIONALLY AS I WAS DRIVING THINKING MY SEAT BELT WAS NOT LATCHING HOWEVER, IT WAS AND I CLEANED IT AS BEST AS I COULD. STILL WOULD COME ON, BLINKS, TURNS OFF, COMES ON AND THE SOUND WILL EVEN SOUND TO PUT MY SEAT BELT ON. ALL THIS WHILE THE CAR IS IN MOTION, WHETHER I'M DRIVING SLO…

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MY DRIVERS SIDE SEAT BELT LIGHT WOULD BLINK OCCASIONALLY AS I WAS DRIVING THINKING MY SEAT BELT WAS NOT LATCHING HOWEVER, IT WAS AND I CLEANED IT AS BEST AS I COULD. STILL WOULD COME ON, BLINKS, TURNS OFF, COMES ON AND THE SOUND WILL EVEN SOUND TO PUT MY SEAT BELT ON. ALL THIS WHILE THE CAR IS IN MOTION, WHETHER I'M DRIVING SLOWLY OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY OR DOWN THE INTERSTATE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #11321420

122,000 miles · Apr 8, 2020
Unknown Or Other

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.

NHTSA ODI #11320522

995,861 miles · Mar 10, 2020
Electronic Stability Control (esc)SteeringVehicle Speed ControlCrashInjury

THE STABLIC TRACT, THE ENGINE, THE ENGINE SLOWS DOWN, THE POWER STEERING, THE ENGINE MODULE HAS BLOWED I HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE CAR DAY 1, I BOUGHT FROM JDA AUTOMOTIVE ON GARNERS FERRY ROAD. I HAVE BEEN TAKING CAR TO CHEVROLET IN COLUMBIA,SC HARBISON . THEY REPAIRED RECALLS BUT SOON AS REPAIR THEY SEND A SIGNAL TO CAR TO TEA…

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THE STABLIC TRACT, THE ENGINE, THE ENGINE SLOWS DOWN, THE POWER STEERING, THE ENGINE MODULE HAS BLOWED I HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE CAR DAY 1, I BOUGHT FROM JDA AUTOMOTIVE ON GARNERS FERRY ROAD. I HAVE BEEN TAKING CAR TO CHEVROLET IN COLUMBIA,SC HARBISON . THEY REPAIRED RECALLS BUT SOON AS REPAIR THEY SEND A SIGNAL TO CAR TO TEAR UP .THE CAR COME TO COMPLETE STOP CAUSING ME TO NEED NECK BRACE IT ALSO IS TEARING UP THE THREAD ON TIRES. AND PEOPLE ARE BLOWING HORN AND ALSO HITTING ME IN BACK EVERYWHERE I GO I HAVE TO USE EMERGENCY BLINKING LIGHTS.

NHTSA ODI #11317420

104,203 miles · Mar 10, 2020
Unknown Or Other

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?

NHTSA ODI #11317331

34,000 miles · Feb 26, 2020
Electrical SystemPower Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET CRUZE. THE CONTACT STATED AFTER SHIFTING TO PARK AND EXITED THE VEHICLE, IT BEGAN TO ROLL AWAY WHILE THE KEY WAS REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT HAD TO QUICKLY RE-ENTER THE VEHICLE AND DEPRESS THE EMERGENCY BRAKE IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE FROM ROLLING AWAY. SHORTLY…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET CRUZE. THE CONTACT STATED AFTER SHIFTING TO PARK AND EXITED THE VEHICLE, IT BEGAN TO ROLL AWAY WHILE THE KEY WAS REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT HAD TO QUICKLY RE-ENTER THE VEHICLE AND DEPRESS THE EMERGENCY BRAKE IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE FROM ROLLING AWAY. SHORTLY AFTER THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AND THE FAILURE REOCCURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A LOCAL DEALER OR INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TEST. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 34,000. THE CONTACT REFERENCED THE FAILURE TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V502000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, POWER TRAIN).

NHTSA ODI #11311586

165,000 miles · Feb 20, 2020
Air BagsCrash

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET CRUZE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE SHE WAS DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 40-45 MPH, SHE HIT A DEER AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THIS FAILURE OCCURRED IN 2018 HOWEVER RECENTLY HER HUSBAND WAS DRIVING AT 70 MPH, HIT A DEER IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HOOD WHICH THEN ROLLED …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET CRUZE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE SHE WAS DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 40-45 MPH, SHE HIT A DEER AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THIS FAILURE OCCURRED IN 2018 HOWEVER RECENTLY HER HUSBAND WAS DRIVING AT 70 MPH, HIT A DEER IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HOOD WHICH THEN ROLLED OVER ONTO THE PASSENGER SIDE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAGS ALSO FAILED TO DEPLOY IN THIS INCIDENT AS THE DAMAGE WAS A HUGE DENT IN THE HOOD AND FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED AND CONTACT WAS NOT INJURED. THE INSURANCE COMPANY WAS CONTACTED AS THE VEHICLE WAS AWAITING INSPECTION. THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN CONTACTED YET. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 165,000.

NHTSA ODI #11310328

100,000 miles · Feb 18, 2020
EngineFuel/propulsion SystemPower Train

THE INTAKE MANIFOLD BECAME CRACKED AND I HAVE RESEARCHED IT HAS BEEN AN ISSUE FOR MANY CHEVY CRUZE BETTWEEN THE YEARS OF 2011-2014. THE VEHICLE HAS A INCREASED AIR FLOW THE RESULTS IN A POOR AIR TO FUEL MIXTUE INSIDE THE COMBUSTION CHAMBER, ALSO ALLOWS OIL TO BLOWBY. THE ISSUE WITH THE INTAKE HAS CAUSED INCREASED OIL CONSUMPTIO…

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THE INTAKE MANIFOLD BECAME CRACKED AND I HAVE RESEARCHED IT HAS BEEN AN ISSUE FOR MANY CHEVY CRUZE BETTWEEN THE YEARS OF 2011-2014. THE VEHICLE HAS A INCREASED AIR FLOW THE RESULTS IN A POOR AIR TO FUEL MIXTUE INSIDE THE COMBUSTION CHAMBER, ALSO ALLOWS OIL TO BLOWBY. THE ISSUE WITH THE INTAKE HAS CAUSED INCREASED OIL CONSUMPTION/ BURNING, RESULTED IN A LOSS OF POWER UPON FIRST TAKE OFF FROM STOP LIGHT. THIS ISSUE HAS CAUSED THE COMPUTER TO ADJUST THE TIMING MORE THAN THE MANUFACTURER ALLOWED LIMIT WHICH HAS RESULTED IN A BENT VALVE AND BAD TIMING

NHTSA ODI #11309988

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.