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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 · Feb 7, 2017
Unknown Or Other

MY FIRST OIL CHANGE AFTER BUYING MY CAR THERE WAS A PROBLEM TAKING THE OIL PLUG OUT. I TOOK IT TO LAKE CHEVROLET IN DEVILS LAKE ND THEY PUT IN A NEW PLUG. NOW WHEN I HAD A OIL CHANGE THEY DETECTED A HAIRLINE CRACK I HAVE A APPOINTMENT TODAY TO FIX THIS.

NHTSA ODI #10949969

61,538 miles · Jan 21, 2017
Air BagsElectronic Stability Control (esc)Service BrakesCrash

"TAKATA RECALL" WE WERE GOING TO CHURCH ON SUNDAY MORNING , IT WAS A RAINING DAY , I WAS DRIVING AT 35-38 MPH IN A ZONE 40 MPH . I WAS APPROACHING TO A CURVE WHEN I INTENDED TO BRAKE, THE CAR SLIPPED TO THE LEFT ALL THE WAY , IT DONT BRAKED, IT DONT TURN ON THE SENSOR TO STABILIZE THE CAR AND THE MOST IMPORTANT , ANY OF THE AI…

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"TAKATA RECALL" WE WERE GOING TO CHURCH ON SUNDAY MORNING , IT WAS A RAINING DAY , I WAS DRIVING AT 35-38 MPH IN A ZONE 40 MPH . I WAS APPROACHING TO A CURVE WHEN I INTENDED TO BRAKE, THE CAR SLIPPED TO THE LEFT ALL THE WAY , IT DONT BRAKED, IT DONT TURN ON THE SENSOR TO STABILIZE THE CAR AND THE MOST IMPORTANT , ANY OF THE AIR BAGS IN THE LEFT SIDE , IT DONT CAME OUT . THIS IS THE POLICE ACCIDENT REPORT CASE # HC170007937.

NHTSA ODI #10946881

3,200 miles · Jan 13, 2017
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET CRUZE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START AND THE KEY FAILED TO RELEASE FROM THE IGNITION SWITCH. THE FAILURE RECURRED TWICE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,200. ...UPDATED …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET CRUZE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START AND THE KEY FAILED TO RELEASE FROM THE IGNITION SWITCH. THE FAILURE RECURRED TWICE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,200. ...UPDATED 03/08/17 *BF *CN

NHTSA ODI #10945183

84,733 miles · Jan 2, 2017
Engine

WHILE DRIVING CAR MESSAGE CENTER SAYS ENGINE OVERHEATED, PLEASE IDLE ENGINE. AFTER EXAMINING VEHICLE, FIND THERE WAS NO COOLANT IN VEHICLE. BEFORE COOLANT GETS TO EMPTY THERE SHOULD BE A LOW COOLANT WARNING TO PREVENT THE VEHICLE FROM BEING OVERHEATED. NO LOW COOLANT WARNING. FILLED UP COOLANT

NHTSA ODI #10939119

130,000 miles · Dec 29, 2016
Electrical SystemPower Train

AT RANDOM CAR WILL IDLE UP AND DOWN AND RPMS WILL JUMP. THIS HAPPENS WHEN JUST CRANKED AND AFTER DRIVEN AND SITTING STILL IN IDLE. ALSO, AT RANDOM WHEN TRYING TO CRANK THE CAR IT SEEMS TO GET STUCK AND I WILL HAVE TO RETURN THE IGNITION IN ORDER TO GET THE MOTOR TO FULLY TURN OVER.

NHTSA ODI #10938461

86,000 miles · Dec 17, 2016
Unknown Or Other

THE CAR WAS PARKED. I STARTED IT AND 2 MINUTES LATER I GOT 3 MESSAGES "ENGINE POWER IS REDUCED" "SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL" "SERVICE STABILI TRAK" AND THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, IT WOULDN'T GO MORE THAN 5MPH. SO THEN I PARKED AGAIN, THANK GOD I DIDN'T EVEN LEAVE THE PARKING LOT OF THAT BUILDING. SO THEN I TURNED IT OFF AND LET IT…

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THE CAR WAS PARKED. I STARTED IT AND 2 MINUTES LATER I GOT 3 MESSAGES "ENGINE POWER IS REDUCED" "SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL" "SERVICE STABILI TRAK" AND THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, IT WOULDN'T GO MORE THAN 5MPH. SO THEN I PARKED AGAIN, THANK GOD I DIDN'T EVEN LEAVE THE PARKING LOT OF THAT BUILDING. SO THEN I TURNED IT OFF AND LET IT REST FOR ABOUT 10 MINUTES AND THEN STARTED IT BACK ON AND THE MESSAGES DISAPPEARED AND IT WAS RUNNING "FINE" THE GAS PEDAL FELT A LITTLE HARD WHEN TRYING TO ACCELERATE. NEXT DAY SAME THING BUT THIS TIME WHILE I WAS ON THE HIGH WAY, I USE I-88 TO GO TO WORK EVERY DAY AND THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS, GOING FROM 65-70 MPH TO 10 MPH AND IF SOMEONE WOULD'VE BEEN BEHIND ME THEY COULD'VE HIT ME. THIS IS VERY SCARY AND SOMETIMES I WORK LATE SHIFTS AND WITH THIS COLD WEATHER HAVING TO TURN THE ENGINE OFF FOR IT TO "RUN" AGAIN IS HORRIBLE. I WAS FREEZING TO DEATH. I HAVE READ HUNDREDS OF COMMENTS FROM PEOPLE WHO HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM AND SAME CODES, AND I THINK GM SHOULD HAVE A RECALL FOR THIS, BECAUSE IT'S A MANUFACTURER PROBLEM AND THEY SHOULD FIX IT. TODAY I AM TAKING IT TO A CHEVY DEALER AND SEE WHAT HAPPENS. HOPEFULLY THIS HELPS TO HAVE ENOUGH PROOF OF THIS ISSUE.

NHTSA ODI #10935944

25,000 miles · Nov 30, 2016
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Steering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET CRUZE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STABILITY CONTROL WARNING INDICATOR FLASHED, THE RADIO SHORTED, AND VARIOUS WARNING INDICATORS FLASHED. THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED EACH TIME THE FAILURES OCCURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO WAS UNABLE TO REPLICATE AND DIAGNOSE THE …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET CRUZE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STABILITY CONTROL WARNING INDICATOR FLASHED, THE RADIO SHORTED, AND VARIOUS WARNING INDICATORS FLASHED. THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED EACH TIME THE FAILURES OCCURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO WAS UNABLE TO REPLICATE AND DIAGNOSE THE FAILURES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 25,000.

NHTSA ODI #10928715

5 miles · Nov 19, 2016
EngineFuel/propulsion SystemUnknown Or Other

TAKATA RECALL SMOKING IN MOTION.ALTERNATOR AND GENERATOR AND TURNING.

NHTSA ODI #10927081

131,000 miles · Nov 14, 2016
Power Train

MY TRANSMISSION STARTED SLIPPING WHILE DRIVING TO WORK ON THE HIGHWAY AT 70 MPH. THE CAR GAVE ME 2 WARNINGS, ONE FOR THE TRACTION CONTROL NEEDING SERVICED AND ONE FOR THE TRANSMISSION NEEDING SERVICED. I DROVE THE CAR TO MY DEALER EXPLAINED THE PROBLEM TO THE DEALER AND STATED THAT I DIDN'T THINK I WAS GOING TO MAKE IT TO THEM. …

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MY TRANSMISSION STARTED SLIPPING WHILE DRIVING TO WORK ON THE HIGHWAY AT 70 MPH. THE CAR GAVE ME 2 WARNINGS, ONE FOR THE TRACTION CONTROL NEEDING SERVICED AND ONE FOR THE TRANSMISSION NEEDING SERVICED. I DROVE THE CAR TO MY DEALER EXPLAINED THE PROBLEM TO THE DEALER AND STATED THAT I DIDN'T THINK I WAS GOING TO MAKE IT TO THEM. THE DEALERSHIP SERVICE CENTER LET THE CAR SIT FOR A FEW HOURS AND THEN CHECKED FOR CODES AND MYSTERIOUSLY COULD NOT FIND ANY PROBLEM. THE PROBLEM ALWAYS STARTS WHEN THE VEHICLE IS GOING UP HILL, THE TRANSMISSION LIGHTS STARTS BLINKING, THE CAR STARTS SPUTTERING AND I LOSE SPEED VERY UNSAFE IN TRAFFIC! WHEN SITTING AT A STOP LIGHT WITH THE BRAKE PEDAL MASHED TO THE FLOOR THE CAR LUNGES FORWARD. I HAVE SEARCHED ONLINE FOR SIMILAR PROBLEMS AND HAVE FOUND THAT MANY CRUZE OWNERS ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM AND GM REFUSES TO HELP THERE DOES SEEM TO BE AN ASSOCIATED RECALL BUT IT DOESN'T STATE THE TRANSMISSION PROBLEM IN THE DISCRIPTION. (NHTSA 16V502000) POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM, PCM). THE SERVICE CENTERS CAN'T FIX THE PROBLEM BECAUSE THE CAR IS NOT SHOWING ANY CODES WHEN THEY CHECK AND I'M ALWAYS SENT HOME.

NHTSA ODI #10925772

69,234 miles · Oct 26, 2016
Power Train

WHILE ACCELERATING ON CITY STREETS, THE TRANSMISSION WENT INTO THE FOURTH GEAR AND HESITATED TO GO ANY FASTER. I THEN STOPPED ACCELERATING BUT THEN THE TRANSMISSION SLAMMED INTO THE THIRD GEAR AND REVVED HIGH UNTIL I PUSHED ON THE BRAKES AND THE TRANSMISSION SLAMMED BACK INTO THE FOURTH GEAR. THIS ISN'T THE FIRST OCCURRENCE. I H…

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WHILE ACCELERATING ON CITY STREETS, THE TRANSMISSION WENT INTO THE FOURTH GEAR AND HESITATED TO GO ANY FASTER. I THEN STOPPED ACCELERATING BUT THEN THE TRANSMISSION SLAMMED INTO THE THIRD GEAR AND REVVED HIGH UNTIL I PUSHED ON THE BRAKES AND THE TRANSMISSION SLAMMED BACK INTO THE FOURTH GEAR. THIS ISN'T THE FIRST OCCURRENCE. I HAVEN'T TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR SERVICING.

NHTSA ODI #10919163

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.