← 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 · Aug 7, 2017
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Steering

MY CHEVY CRUZE STABILITY TRACK CONTROL SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONS AND MY CAR LOSES POWER AND I LOSE STEERING CONTROL AND MUST PULL OVER ON THE FREEWAY. IT HAS HAPPENED 5 TIMES. PLUS MY STEREO GOES OUT. MY CHEVY DEALER SAID IT IS NOT COVERED BECAUSE MY WARRANTY HAS EXPIRED. MUST PAY OVER $400 TO REPAIR THE FAULTY INDICATOR. THIS …

Read full complaint

MY CHEVY CRUZE STABILITY TRACK CONTROL SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONS AND MY CAR LOSES POWER AND I LOSE STEERING CONTROL AND MUST PULL OVER ON THE FREEWAY. IT HAS HAPPENED 5 TIMES. PLUS MY STEREO GOES OUT. MY CHEVY DEALER SAID IT IS NOT COVERED BECAUSE MY WARRANTY HAS EXPIRED. MUST PAY OVER $400 TO REPAIR THE FAULTY INDICATOR. THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY PROBLEM BECAUSE IT CAN HAPPEN WHEN I AM ON THE FREEWAY GOING 65 MPH AND MY CAR DECELERATES DOWN TO 40 MPH AND I COULD CRASH? IT HAS HAPPENED TWICE ON THE FREEWAY AND THREE TIMES ON THE CITY STREET.

NHTSA ODI #11013427

100,000 miles · Jul 28, 2017
Air BagsEngine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2013 CHEVROLET CRUZE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH, THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER (LOWEST PRICE TRANSPORTATION NETWORK IN PLANTATION, FL) WHERE THE TECHNICIAN REFERRED THE VEHICLE TO AN UNKNOWN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO REPAIR THE AIR BAG ISSUE; HOWEVER…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2013 CHEVROLET CRUZE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH, THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER (LOWEST PRICE TRANSPORTATION NETWORK IN PLANTATION, FL) WHERE THE TECHNICIAN REFERRED THE VEHICLE TO AN UNKNOWN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO REPAIR THE AIR BAG ISSUE; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. ADDITIONALLY, THE CYLINDER HEAD GASKET BLEW UP. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A CHEVROLET DEALER IN BELLEGLADE, FLORIDA WHERE THE ENGINE WAS REPAIRED AFTER TWO MONTHS. THE FAILURE RECURRED AND THE VEHICLE WAS RETURNED TO THE BANK. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 100,000.

NHTSA ODI #11011346

Mileage unknown · Jul 26, 2017
Unknown Or Other

HEATER HAS A VERY STRONG ODOR OF COOLANT WHEN TURNED ON THAT I HAVE TO KEEP MY CAR WINDOWS DOWN A LITTLE WHEN USING HEATER. I NOTICED THIS WHEN I ACQUIRED IT FROM MY SON IN JULY OF 2016. HE HAD PURCHASED THIS ONE AND ANOTHER ONE AT THE SAME TIME BRAND NEW IN 2013 AND HAD THIS PROBLEM WITH BOTH CARS.

NHTSA ODI #11010778

Mileage unknown · Jul 26, 2017
Unknown Or Other

AIR CONDITIONING IS NOT WORKING CORRECTLY. IT BLOWS WELL BUT WILL NOT COOL. I CAN FEEL SOME COOLNESS OUT OF PASSENGER SIDE BUT DRIVER SIDE IS HOT AIR. IF YOU TURN THE FAN KNOB TO LOW THEN BOTH SIDES WILL COOL BUT IT IS NOT ENOUGH TO COOL ANYTHING. HAVE HAD IT CHECKED AND THERE IS PLENTY OF COOLANT. IT STARTED JULY OF 2016 SO I D…

Read full complaint

AIR CONDITIONING IS NOT WORKING CORRECTLY. IT BLOWS WELL BUT WILL NOT COOL. I CAN FEEL SOME COOLNESS OUT OF PASSENGER SIDE BUT DRIVER SIDE IS HOT AIR. IF YOU TURN THE FAN KNOB TO LOW THEN BOTH SIDES WILL COOL BUT IT IS NOT ENOUGH TO COOL ANYTHING. HAVE HAD IT CHECKED AND THERE IS PLENTY OF COOLANT. IT STARTED JULY OF 2016 SO I DROVE IT VERY LITTLE IT IS MUCH WORSE THIS SUMMER JULY OF 2017. ITS THE SAME RESULT DRIVING OR STATIONARY. IN THE EARLY MORNING IF IT'S COOL OUTSIDE IT DOES GET COOLER BUT AS THE DAY GETS WARMER SO DOES THE AIR COMING OUT OF THE AIR CONDITIONING VENTS.

NHTSA ODI #11010757

51,000 miles · Jul 18, 2017
Steering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET CRUZE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN ATTEMPTING TO DRIVE, THE VEHICLE HAD A STEERING (STEERING WHEEL WITH A RANCH) AND THE TRACTION WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE STEERING WHEEL WAS LOOSE AND FAILED TO TURN APPROPRIATELY WHEN DESIRED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A CERTIFIED MECHANIC WHO …

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET CRUZE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN ATTEMPTING TO DRIVE, THE VEHICLE HAD A STEERING (STEERING WHEEL WITH A RANCH) AND THE TRACTION WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE STEERING WHEEL WAS LOOSE AND FAILED TO TURN APPROPRIATELY WHEN DESIRED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A CERTIFIED MECHANIC WHO WAS UNABLE TO IDENTIFY THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT THEN CONTACTED THE HEALEY GM DEALER WHERE IT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 51,000.

NHTSA ODI #11006144

71,000 miles · Jul 18, 2017
Electrical SystemSteering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET CRUZE. WHILE DRIVING 18 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AND THE WRENCH WARNING SENSOR INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. SHORTLY AFTER, THE STEERING WHEEL RETURNED TO NORMAL AND THE CONTACT REGAINED CONTROL. IN ADDITION, OTHER ERROR WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMIANTED AS THE WINDOW ROLLED UP AND DOWN. THE MAN…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET CRUZE. WHILE DRIVING 18 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AND THE WRENCH WARNING SENSOR INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. SHORTLY AFTER, THE STEERING WHEEL RETURNED TO NORMAL AND THE CONTACT REGAINED CONTROL. IN ADDITION, OTHER ERROR WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMIANTED AS THE WINDOW ROLLED UP AND DOWN. THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 71,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #11006085

200 miles · Jul 10, 2017
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Service Brakes

SINCE PURCHASING MY CAR IT HAS DONE STRANGE THINGS WITH WHAT I THOUGHT WAS THE BREAKS. WHEN STOPPING AT A LIGHT ETC.. THE CAR WILL JUMP FORWARD.. SOMETIMES ONLY ONCE AND OTHERS IT DOES IT OVER AND OVER UNTIL I ACCELERATE AGAIN. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I PURCHASED IT. DAVID MAUS IN SANDFORD FL. THE SERVICE TECH TOOK A R…

Read full complaint

SINCE PURCHASING MY CAR IT HAS DONE STRANGE THINGS WITH WHAT I THOUGHT WAS THE BREAKS. WHEN STOPPING AT A LIGHT ETC.. THE CAR WILL JUMP FORWARD.. SOMETIMES ONLY ONCE AND OTHERS IT DOES IT OVER AND OVER UNTIL I ACCELERATE AGAIN. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I PURCHASED IT. DAVID MAUS IN SANDFORD FL. THE SERVICE TECH TOOK A RIDE WITH ME.. HE STATED THAT HE'S HEARD THIS FROM OTHER CHEVY CRUZE OWNERS AND IT'S JUST WHAT THESE CARS DO. IT DID DEMONSTRATE THE JUMPING, THRUSTING FORWARD WHILE THE SERVICE TECH WAS DRIVING. I WAS NOT HAPPY WITH THIS ANSWER BUT BELIEVED HE KNEW WHAT HE WAS TALKING ABOUT. YESTERDAY I GET IN MY CAR AND IT WILL HARDLY GO. THE SERVICE STABILTACK LIGHT WAS ON. THEN EVERY LIGHT ON THE DASH CAME ON. OBVIOUSLY I UNDERSTAND THINGS GO BAD ON CARS AS IT'S 4 YEARS OLD. BUT AFTER READING HUNDREDS OF THESE COMPLAINTS ONLINE I BELIEVE THIS IS A PROBLEM WITH THESE CARS THAT CAN BE DANGEROUS. AND IT'S UNBELIEVABLE TO ME THAT THERE IS NO RECALL AFTER ALL THE REPORTS AND COMPLAINTS. WHEN IT JUMPS HOPS THRUST FORWARD YOU NEVER KNOW IF IT'S GOING TO BE A LITTLE OR A LOT. THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN ONGOING WITH NO HELP FROM THE CERTIFIED MECHANICS. I PUT THE DATE AS 2013 BECAUSE AS I SAID IT'S BEEN ON GOING AND NOW IT'S COMPLETELY BROKEN. WHICH COULD HAVE BEEN PREVENTED HAD THE MECHANICS HELPED ME IN 2013

NHTSA ODI #11003990

32,000 miles · Jun 24, 2017
EngineUnknown Or OtherCrashFire

GOT INTO A VERY MINOR FENDER BENDER AND THE CAR WENT UP IN FLAMES. AIR BAGS NEVER DEPLOYED BECAUSE I WASN'T GOING FAST ENOUGH. BUT YET MY CAR BURNED.

NHTSA ODI #11001176

Mileage unknown · Jun 16, 2017
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Steering

WHILE DRIVING, POWER STEERING LOCKED UP, CAR TURNED OFF AND THEN BACK ON. THE RADIO TURNED OFF AND THEN BACK ON AND CLOSE DRIVER WINDOW LIT UP. THIS HAS HAPPENED ON 4 DIFFERENT OCCASIONS NOW. STEERING LOCKED UP WHILE ON I-95. RADIO ON AND OFF WHILE TURNING ONTO HIGHWAY AND WINDOW MESSAGE WHILE CAR WAS STATIONARY.

NHTSA ODI #10995650

34,000 miles · Jun 6, 2017
Unknown Or Other

MY IGNITION KEY BROKE OFF DURING DRIVING. THE CAR WAS SHUT OFF AND I COULD HAVE DIED BY HITTING THE RAILING. I CALLED MY LOCAL DEALERSHIP AND THE SERVICE LADY SAID SHE HAS SEEN THIS HAPPEN MANY TIMES. THE KEYS METAL BROKE OFF. THE KEYS ARE MADE OF SOME KIND OF CHEAP METAL. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZZARD. PLEASE HELP THOSE ON THE ROAD…

Read full complaint

MY IGNITION KEY BROKE OFF DURING DRIVING. THE CAR WAS SHUT OFF AND I COULD HAVE DIED BY HITTING THE RAILING. I CALLED MY LOCAL DEALERSHIP AND THE SERVICE LADY SAID SHE HAS SEEN THIS HAPPEN MANY TIMES. THE KEYS METAL BROKE OFF. THE KEYS ARE MADE OF SOME KIND OF CHEAP METAL. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZZARD. PLEASE HELP THOSE ON THE ROAD AVOID A CATASTOPHY.

NHTSA ODI #10993411

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.