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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
107,000 miles · Dec 31, 2017
Unknown Or OtherVisibility/wiper

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 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.

NHTSA ODI #11057795

Mileage unknown · Dec 30, 2017
Electronic Stability Control (esc)EngineSuspension

DRIVING AND WHEN I HIT A BUM THE CAR STARTED TO GO SLOWLY

NHTSA ODI #11057513

12,903 miles · Dec 9, 2017
Service Brakes

ENGAGE BRAKES AND THEY GRAB THEN RELEASE PULSATES CANT SEEM TO STOP ON ROADS LAST 2 TIMES LITTLE SNOW IN MOTION SLOW JUST STARTED DOING THIS CAR ACTS LIKE ITS JUMPING UP AND DOWN WHEN TRYING TO BRAKE ALSO NOTED REAR BRAKE LITE IN DARK IS FLICKERING WHEN I APPLY THE BRAKE PEDAL WHEN SITTING

NHTSA ODI #11053607

75,890 miles · Dec 4, 2017
EngineFuel/propulsion SystemUnknown Or Other

THE RIGHT FRONT HALF SHAFT MAY FRACTURE AND SEPARATE WHILE DRIVING, POTENTIALLY CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO LOSE POWER AND COAST TO A STOP

NHTSA ODI #11052229

Mileage unknown · Nov 30, 2017
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Engine And Engine CoolingService Brakes, Hydraulic

I AM WRITING ASKING FOR YOU TO LOOK INTO WHAT I CALL ENDANGERING TO MOTORIST IN OUR STATE, MORE SO OF A DANGER TO ME. I AM FORCED TO DRIVE W/ SOMETHING CONNECTED TO MY BODY, VEHICLE, OR ANYTHING THEY CAN POSSIBLY CONNECT TO A TOOL UTILIZED BY OUR LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES. THE TOOL IS USED TO DO UNDERCOVER WORK/INVESTIGATIONS WHI…

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I AM WRITING ASKING FOR YOU TO LOOK INTO WHAT I CALL ENDANGERING TO MOTORIST IN OUR STATE, MORE SO OF A DANGER TO ME. I AM FORCED TO DRIVE W/ SOMETHING CONNECTED TO MY BODY, VEHICLE, OR ANYTHING THEY CAN POSSIBLY CONNECT TO A TOOL UTILIZED BY OUR LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES. THE TOOL IS USED TO DO UNDERCOVER WORK/INVESTIGATIONS WHICH I WAS TOLD IT'S USED BY SPECIAL INVESTIGATIONS FOR THE POLICE DEPARTMENT. AS I AM DRIVING, I HAVE TO TELL THEM WHILE DRIVING NOT TO PUT THAT ON MY CAR, MOVE THAT OFF MY BRAKES (WHICH SOMETIMES MY VEHICLE WOULDN'T STOP I HAD TO PRESS DOWN ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR FOR IT TO STOP AND MY BRAKES AREN'T BAD, THEY EVEN HAVE SOMETHING SETUP TO WHEN I AM BREAKING, SLOWING DOWN AND ABOUT TO TURN THAT IT LOCKS UP MY BREAKS AND CAUSES THE CARE TO DO SOMETHING LIKE A JERK THING OR INSTANT STOP, THEY HAVE MOVED IT TO THE BACK OF MY CAR WHICH MOVES THE OPPOSITE WAY MY VEHICLE IS BEING STEERED AND IT SPINS OUT ONLY ON ONE TIRE). THEY HAVE CREATED AN ILLEGAL SETUP WHICH HAS DAMAGED MY VEHICLE THAT'S BEING REPAIRED TODAY. WHEN DRIVING THEY PLACE IT MY BRAKES WHICH SOMETIMES DON'T STOP, THEY HAVE OTHERS DRIVING AT THE SAME TIME AS I AM AND IT EFFECTS THE DRIVING OF OTHERS, THEY MOVE MY VEHICLE WHICH IS STEERED THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION I AM CONTROLLING IT, IT CAN CAUSE YOU TO CRASH, IT'S HUGE DISTRACTION. THE OTHER MOTORIST ON THE ROAD AS I AM HAVE TRIED HELPING SOME HAVE ADMITTED TO DRIVING W/ THIS CONNECTED TO THEM PURPOSELY AND ARE TO INTENTIONALLY CAUSE AN ACCIDENT, THEY SAID IT'S A "GAME". WITH THE HELP OF SOME FROM THE LITTLE ROCK POLICE DEPARTMENT, AND FBI THEY ARE GIVEN THE WHERE ABOUT OF CERTAIN INDIVIDUALS AND THEY ARE TO CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. THE SETUP ALONE CAN CAUSE YOU TO CRASH. I HAVE MOTORIST WHO SPOKE UP AND TRIED HELPING ME AS I AM ON THE HIGHWAY AND THOSE WHO ARE CONTROLLING IT, WHICH ARE INDIVIDUALS WHO WORK FOR OUR LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT.

NHTSA ODI #11057608

Mileage unknown · Nov 24, 2017
Air BagsCrash

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2013 CHEVROLET CRUZE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE IN FRONT ABRUPTLY STOPPED CAUSING THE CONTACT TO CRASH INTO THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES SUSTAINED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO BETTEN BAKER CHEVROLET B…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2013 CHEVROLET CRUZE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE IN FRONT ABRUPTLY STOPPED CAUSING THE CONTACT TO CRASH INTO THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES SUSTAINED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO BETTEN BAKER CHEVROLET BUICK DEALER LOCATED AT 930 O'MALLEY DR, COOPERSVILLE, MI 49404 WHERE THE AIR BAG FAILURE WAS UNABLE TO BE DETERMINED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 34,897.

NHTSA ODI #11048201

Mileage unknown · Nov 18, 2017
Air BagsSeat BeltsCrashInjury

I WAS STOPPED IN HIGHWAY TRAFFIC AND REAR-ENDED (I'VE ATTACHED THE CRASH REPORT FROM THE IN STATE POLICE). MY SEAT BELT DID NOT ENGAGE AND MY AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY CAUSING ME TO HIT MY HEAD ON THE STEERING WHEEL RESULTING IN ABRASIONS AND TWO BLACK EYES. THIS SEEMS TO BE EITHER A SERIOUS DESIGN PROBLEM OR A MANUFACTURER DEFECT…

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I WAS STOPPED IN HIGHWAY TRAFFIC AND REAR-ENDED (I'VE ATTACHED THE CRASH REPORT FROM THE IN STATE POLICE). MY SEAT BELT DID NOT ENGAGE AND MY AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY CAUSING ME TO HIT MY HEAD ON THE STEERING WHEEL RESULTING IN ABRASIONS AND TWO BLACK EYES. THIS SEEMS TO BE EITHER A SERIOUS DESIGN PROBLEM OR A MANUFACTURER DEFECT. REGARDLESS, THE SENSORS THAT CAUSE THE SEAT BELT TO LOCK SHOULD NOT BE IN THE FRONT OF THE CAR AS THEY THEN PROVIDE NO PROTECTION FROM A REAR END COLLISION.

NHTSA ODI #11047218

54,786 miles · Nov 18, 2017
Engine

MY OIL FEED LINE MELTED AND NOW OIL IS EVERYWHERE. I'M CONFUSED ON WHY THEY WOULD MAKE SOMETHING OUT OF PLASTIC BUT HAVE HOT PRESSURIZED OIL FLOW THROUGH IT.

NHTSA ODI #11047124

76,000 miles · Nov 2, 2017
EnginePower Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET CRUZE. THE CONTACT NOTICED A LEAK COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO CHEVROLET OF SPARTANBURG (1051 ASHEVILLE HWY, SPARTANBURG, SC 29303) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE FAILURE WAS NORMAL. THE DEALER STATED THAT COOLANT WAS LEAKING INTO THE RELEASE VALVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. T…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET CRUZE. THE CONTACT NOTICED A LEAK COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO CHEVROLET OF SPARTANBURG (1051 ASHEVILLE HWY, SPARTANBURG, SC 29303) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE FAILURE WAS NORMAL. THE DEALER STATED THAT COOLANT WAS LEAKING INTO THE RELEASE VALVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 76,000.

NHTSA ODI #11042770

106,000 miles · Oct 24, 2017
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET CRUZE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DON BROWN CHEVROLET IN SAINT LOUIS, MISSOURI WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TURBO ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND STAT…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET CRUZE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DON BROWN CHEVROLET IN SAINT LOUIS, MISSOURI WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TURBO ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE TURBO ASSEMBLY RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 106,000.

NHTSA ODI #11039383

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.