IllustrationTHE INTAKE MANIFOLD IS BAD ON A CAR THAT HAS 58,000 MILES ON IT. EVERY MECHANIC WE TOOK IT TOOK SAID IT'S A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS CAR. THE CAR HAS NO GET UP AND GO AND IT IDLES HARD.
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
What owners actually said
586 reportsMODE DOOR ACTUATOR WILL NOT DIRECT AIR TO WINDSHIELD. THEREFORE WILL NOT DEFROST WINDSHIELD.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET CRUZE. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS UNDERGOING ROUTINE SERVICE, THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC DISCOVERED COOLANT LEAKING FROM THE THERMOSTAT HOUSING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER (KEYES CHEVROLET, 5949 VAN NUYS BLVD, VAN NUYS, CA) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE THERMOSTAT AND COOLANT PIPE SEAL …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET CRUZE. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS UNDERGOING ROUTINE SERVICE, THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC DISCOVERED COOLANT LEAKING FROM THE THERMOSTAT HOUSING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER (KEYES CHEVROLET, 5949 VAN NUYS BLVD, VAN NUYS, CA) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE THERMOSTAT AND COOLANT PIPE SEAL NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE, BUT NO ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 33,000.
VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION AND CAME TO A STOP IN THE STREET. SMOKE COMING FROM UNDERHOOD VERY HARD ALMOST LOOK TO BE ON FIRE. OIL SPILL EVERYWHERE. CAR IS IN SHOP NOW. THEY SAID IT IS A TURBO ISSUE, WHICH HE SAID IS VERY COMMON ON THE CRUZE. COULD CAUSE ENGINE DAMAGE.
I SMELLED GAS LEAKING AND WHEN I LOOKED UNDER THE HOOD WITH THE ENGINE RUNNING I SAW GAS SPRAYING THE BACK OF MY CAR. IT APPEARED TO BE LEAKING FROM THE HOSE WHERE THE CONNECTER WAS NEXT TO WHAT MAY BE THE FUEL FILTER. THIS CAR IS 5 YEARS OLD WITH 30,375 MILES. I WAS TOLD THE PART IS ON THE NATIONAL BACK ORDER LIST WITH NO IDEA…
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I SMELLED GAS LEAKING AND WHEN I LOOKED UNDER THE HOOD WITH THE ENGINE RUNNING I SAW GAS SPRAYING THE BACK OF MY CAR. IT APPEARED TO BE LEAKING FROM THE HOSE WHERE THE CONNECTER WAS NEXT TO WHAT MAY BE THE FUEL FILTER. THIS CAR IS 5 YEARS OLD WITH 30,375 MILES. I WAS TOLD THE PART IS ON THE NATIONAL BACK ORDER LIST WITH NO IDEAL WHEN IT WILL BE AVAILABLE.
WHILE DRIVING A FEW TIMES CAR HAS STOPPED ON ME AND COUKD HAVE CAUSED AN ACCIDENT WHILE I WAS IN MOTION CAR JUST CEASED.
HI I WAS HAVING PROBLEMS WITH MY TURBO AND I SEEN THAT GENERAL MOTORS HAD A RECALL IN 2014 ON CHEVY CRUZES TURBO I DIDN'T KNOW HAVE MY CAR AROUND THAT TIME AND I DON'T EVEN KNOW IF THERE WAS PREVIOUS OWNERS GOT THE RECALL BUT I READ ONLINE GENERAL MOTORS STOP SELLING THESE VEHICLES FOR A WHILE BECAUSE THE SAME ISSUES BUT THEY H…
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HI I WAS HAVING PROBLEMS WITH MY TURBO AND I SEEN THAT GENERAL MOTORS HAD A RECALL IN 2014 ON CHEVY CRUZES TURBO I DIDN'T KNOW HAVE MY CAR AROUND THAT TIME AND I DON'T EVEN KNOW IF THERE WAS PREVIOUS OWNERS GOT THE RECALL BUT I READ ONLINE GENERAL MOTORS STOP SELLING THESE VEHICLES FOR A WHILE BECAUSE THE SAME ISSUES BUT THEY HAVE A RECALL ON IT'S THE SAME ISSUE I AM HAVING TROUBLE WITH ON MY 2013 CHEVY CRUZE AND THE CAR IS NOT BACK THAT BUY WARRANTY BECAUSE IT'S 6 YEARS OLD THE TURBO OF THE CAR HAS A WHOLE CAR SMOKING YOU TURN IT ON IT FEELS LIKE THE WHOLE CAR IS GOING TO BLOW UP JON HALL TO GET DIAGNOSTIC WHICH IS $100 BUT I HAD ALREADY GOT IT DONE GNOSTICS FROM AUTOZONE BUT JON HALL CHEVROLET DON'T GO BY ANOTHER DIAGNOSTIC WHICH BOTH CAME OUT TO THE SAME THERE ARE A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVING THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM THAT I AM HAVING GENERAL MOTORS BUT ALL THE VEHICLES ALL BUT BUT IT SEEMS AS IF CRUZES FELL THROUGH THE CRACKS IF YOU LOOK OUT ON THE ROAD THAT'S ALL YOU SEE IS TURBO CRUZES THE VEHICLE WAS SO EASY GIVING AWAY UNTIL EVERYBODY GOT ONE THE FAX SO I GUESS YOU JUST VICTIMS AT THE TIME I WAS JUST THANKFUL TO HAVE A CAR NO MATTER IF IT IS A 2013 THE PRICE TO FIX THAT TURBO IS RIDICULOUS JON HALL THEM CHARGE YOU FOR LABOR FEE 400 BUCKS I DON'T HAVE ENOUGH MONEY TO EVEN GET TO THE TURBO NOW THAT MY CAR IS HAVING TURBO FAILURE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET CRUZE. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, THE FAN UNDERNEATH THE HOOD CONTINUOUSLY RAN AND THE "AIR CONDITIONER OFF TO HIGH ENGINE TEMPERATURE" INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE THERMOSTAT AND THE COOLING SENSOR WERE REPLACED. THE FAILURE RECURRED S…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET CRUZE. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, THE FAN UNDERNEATH THE HOOD CONTINUOUSLY RAN AND THE "AIR CONDITIONER OFF TO HIGH ENGINE TEMPERATURE" INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE THERMOSTAT AND THE COOLING SENSOR WERE REPLACED. THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE DEALER WAS NOT CALLED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 80,000. THE VIN WAS NOT PROVIDED.
FRONT TURN SIGNAL BULB LENS COVERS HAVE MELTED. DEALER CLAIMS HE HASN'T SEEN PROBLEM BEFORE AND WANTS $500 TO REPLACE ENTIRE HOUSING UNIT. HAS TO BE PLENTY OF THESE PROBLEMS OUT THERE.
2013 CHEVY CRUZE COLLIDED WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE GOING 30-40MPH HEAD ON. NO AIR BAGS WERE DEPLOYED . AIR BAG SERVICE LIGHT IS NOW ON.
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.