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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
79,158 miles · Mar 16, 2018
Steering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET CRUZE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE STABILITY CONTROL SYSTEM WARNING INDICATOR STARTED TO FLASH AND THE POWER STEERING ABILITY DID NOT RESPOND. THE CONTACT REGAINED CONTROL AFTER APPROXIMATELY FIVE SECONDS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED APPROXIMATELY TEN OTHER TIMES…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET CRUZE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE STABILITY CONTROL SYSTEM WARNING INDICATOR STARTED TO FLASH AND THE POWER STEERING ABILITY DID NOT RESPOND. THE CONTACT REGAINED CONTROL AFTER APPROXIMATELY FIVE SECONDS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED APPROXIMATELY TEN OTHER TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 79,158.

NHTSA ODI #11079737

30,000 miles · Mar 14, 2018
Electrical SystemService BrakesCrash

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET CRUZE. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IDLING AT A RED LIGHT, IT LOST POWER AND THE BRAKES FAILED. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO THE PRECEDING VEHICLE. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO PARADISE CHEVROLET …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET CRUZE. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IDLING AT A RED LIGHT, IT LOST POWER AND THE BRAKES FAILED. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO THE PRECEDING VEHICLE. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO PARADISE CHEVROLET (6350 LELAND ST, VENTURA, CA 93003). THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED THE SAME FAILURE INTERMITTENTLY FOR FOUR YEARS. THE VEHICLE WAS NEVER DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000.

NHTSA ODI #11079167

5,000 miles · Mar 14, 2018
Visibility/wiper

DURING THE WINTER THE DEFROSTER WILL NOT CLEAR ANY OF THE WINDOWS, FRONT AND SIDE. HAPPENS WHEN TEMPERATURE IS AT 34 DEGREES AND BELOW. PUT SYSTEM IN DEFROST + HEAT FEET FRONT WINDSHIELD AND ALL SIDE WINDOWS FOG UP. PLACE IN DEFROST ONLY CLEARS WINDSHIELD NOT SIDE TOTAL, NO CLEAR IN BACK SIDE WINDOWS. HAVE TO RUN FAN ON ALMOST F…

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DURING THE WINTER THE DEFROSTER WILL NOT CLEAR ANY OF THE WINDOWS, FRONT AND SIDE. HAPPENS WHEN TEMPERATURE IS AT 34 DEGREES AND BELOW. PUT SYSTEM IN DEFROST + HEAT FEET FRONT WINDSHIELD AND ALL SIDE WINDOWS FOG UP. PLACE IN DEFROST ONLY CLEARS WINDSHIELD NOT SIDE TOTAL, NO CLEAR IN BACK SIDE WINDOWS. HAVE TO RUN FAN ON ALMOST FULL WHEN IN DEFROST ONLY. HAPPENS IN MOTION AND STATIC. FIRST DEALER WOULD NOT FIX, SECOND DEALER HAS BEEN WORKING ON IT FOR 4 YEARS

NHTSA ODI #11079135

Mileage unknown · Mar 7, 2018
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Engine

I WENT TO THE DEALERSHIP SERVICE CENTER WHERE I BOUGHT MY CAR BECAUSE MY STABILITRAK WAS TURNING ON AND OFF ON THEIR SELF SI I REPORT IT AND WHEN I WAS THERE THEY TOLD ME MY COOLANT HAD A LEAKING AND NEED TO BE REPLACED AS LONG SOME HOSE AND OTHER PARTS AS WATER PUMP THAT A WAS ALSO UNDER A RECALL TO BUT THEY CHARGED ME $ 697.9…

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I WENT TO THE DEALERSHIP SERVICE CENTER WHERE I BOUGHT MY CAR BECAUSE MY STABILITRAK WAS TURNING ON AND OFF ON THEIR SELF SI I REPORT IT AND WHEN I WAS THERE THEY TOLD ME MY COOLANT HAD A LEAKING AND NEED TO BE REPLACED AS LONG SOME HOSE AND OTHER PARTS AS WATER PUMP THAT A WAS ALSO UNDER A RECALL TO BUT THEY CHARGED ME $ 697.95 WHERE THEY SHOULDN'T CUZ I WAS A RECALL COVER UNDER SPECIAL WARRANTY MY CAR HAVE SO I REPORT IT TO GM WHERE AN INVESTIGATION IS BEING DONE TO THEY CAN REFUND MY MONEY AND I HAVE PROOF OF ALL WAS DONE TO MY CAR BECAUSE I FEEL IS AN ABUSED TOWARD CHEVROLET JERSEY CITY, NJ DOINGVTHIS TO ME AND IMAGINE HOW MANY THEY ALREADY HAD DONE IT. SOMETHING NEED TO BE DONE IMMEDIATELY... IF PAPERWORK NEED TO BE PROVIDE I HAVE IT TO BE FAX.

NHTSA ODI #11076740

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

51,000 miles · Feb 27, 2018
Electrical SystemPower Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET CRUZE. WHEN THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO TURN OFF THE VEHICLE, IT FAILED TO TURN OFF. IN ORDER TO TURN OFF THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT HAD TO TAKE THE GEAR SHIFTER OUT OF THE PARK POSITION THREE TIMES AND THEN PLACE IT BACK IN PARK. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET CRUZE. WHEN THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO TURN OFF THE VEHICLE, IT FAILED TO TURN OFF. IN ORDER TO TURN OFF THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT HAD TO TAKE THE GEAR SHIFTER OUT OF THE PARK POSITION THREE TIMES AND THEN PLACE IT BACK IN PARK. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 51,000.

NHTSA ODI #11075328

97,000 miles · Feb 16, 2018
Electronic Stability Control (esc)EngineTraction Control System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET CRUZE. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE RESTARTED ITSELF IMMEDIATELY. IN ADDITION, THE ELECTRONIC STABILITY AND TRACTION CONTROL WARNING INDICATORS DISPLAYED TEMPORARILY. PELLEGRINO CHEVROLET IN WESTVILLE, NEW JERSEY WAS MADE AWAR…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET CRUZE. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE RESTARTED ITSELF IMMEDIATELY. IN ADDITION, THE ELECTRONIC STABILITY AND TRACTION CONTROL WARNING INDICATORS DISPLAYED TEMPORARILY. PELLEGRINO CHEVROLET IN WESTVILLE, NEW JERSEY WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS NO LONGER UNDER RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 97,000.

NHTSA ODI #11073278

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

127,000 miles · Feb 6, 2018
Visibility/wiper

DEFROST IS NOT WORKING. I BELIEVE THE MODE VALVE LEVER IS BROKEN.

NHTSA ODI #11067176

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.