RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER ON THE EMISSION,TOOK VECHILE TO DEALERSHIP,REPROGRAMMED EMISSION,2 WEEKS LATER ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON VECHILE WAS RUNNING FINE UNTIL RESET OF EMISSION,CALL DEALERSHIP,TOOK CAR IN FOR SECOND REPROGRAMMING,SAME ISSUE WITH ENGINE LIGHT.
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
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.
What owners actually said
586 reportsMY VEHICLE LOOSES POWER, ENGINE LEAKS, HAVE A NUMBER OF DIFFERENT PROBLEMS WITH THE KEY IN THE SWITCH....THE VEHICLE STARTED SMOKING AND CAUGHT ON FIRE THAN LOOSES POWER ALL THE TIME. I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE THIS CAR BECAUSE I TRAVEL WITH MY FAMILY I HAVE THREE CHILDREN.
I HAD AN ISSUE STARTING THE CAR A WEEK AFTER PURCHASING IT IN FEBRUARY. RANDOM WARNING LIGHTS WOULD TURN ON AND OFF. I READ THROUGH THE OWNERS MANUAL AND IT SAID IT MAY BE A SECURITY ISSUE IF THE KEY ISN'T CLEAN. I CLEANED THE KEY IT SEEMED TO HAVE FIXED THE PROBLEM BUT AFTER A FEW MONTHS IT CAME BACK BRIEFLY AND I'D CLEAN THE …
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I HAD AN ISSUE STARTING THE CAR A WEEK AFTER PURCHASING IT IN FEBRUARY. RANDOM WARNING LIGHTS WOULD TURN ON AND OFF. I READ THROUGH THE OWNERS MANUAL AND IT SAID IT MAY BE A SECURITY ISSUE IF THE KEY ISN'T CLEAN. I CLEANED THE KEY IT SEEMED TO HAVE FIXED THE PROBLEM BUT AFTER A FEW MONTHS IT CAME BACK BRIEFLY AND I'D CLEAN THE KEY AND IT WOULD BE FINE. ON THE MORNING OF JULY 30TH THE CAR GRINDED THE GEARS AND THEN HAD TROUBLE STARTING AS IF THE BATTERY WERE DEAD. THE KEY WAS CLEAN. AFTER A COUPLE TRIES IT STARTED. LATER THAT DAY THE POWER STEERING ALERT CAME ON AND THE ENGINE BOGGED DOWN AND I LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE FOR A BRIEF MOMENT. THE LIGHT WENT BACK OFF AND IT WORKED FINE FOR THE REST OF THE DAY. THE NEXT DAY AFTER RUNNING FINE ALL DAY WHILE ON AN EXIT RAMP OF A HIGHWAY MULTIPLE ALERTS BEGAN GOING OFF AND ALL THE WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON AND A MOMENT LATER THE CAR STALLED. IT WOULD NOT EVEN CRANK TO RESTART. THE REAR CAUTION LIGHTS WOULD NOT WORK UNLESS THE KEY WAS TURNED. THE RADIO AND DASH WORK AND LIGHT UP BUT THE POWER WINDOWS WOULDN'T OPERATE.
I HAVE BEEN HAVING AN ISSUE WITH MY VEHICLE ON AND OFF. IT SEEMS TO BE HAPPENING MORE OFTEN NOW. WHEN I SHIFT MY VEHICLE INTO PARK AND TURN OFF MY CAR USING THE PUSH TO START BUTTON, A MESSAGE ON THE DASHBOARD SHOWS UP THAT SAYS "SHIFT TO PARK" EVEN THOUGH I ALREADY SHIFTED IT TO PARK. I HAVE TRIED RESTARTING IT AND TRYING TO GE…
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I HAVE BEEN HAVING AN ISSUE WITH MY VEHICLE ON AND OFF. IT SEEMS TO BE HAPPENING MORE OFTEN NOW. WHEN I SHIFT MY VEHICLE INTO PARK AND TURN OFF MY CAR USING THE PUSH TO START BUTTON, A MESSAGE ON THE DASHBOARD SHOWS UP THAT SAYS "SHIFT TO PARK" EVEN THOUGH I ALREADY SHIFTED IT TO PARK. I HAVE TRIED RESTARTING IT AND TRYING TO GET THE MESSAGE TO DISAPPEAR TRYING TO SEE IF THE EMERGENCY BREAK WAS THE ISSUE. I BELIEVE THIS HAS SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE GEAR SHIFTER AND AM AFRAID THAT THIS COULD CREATE A SAFETY CONCERN THE LONGER IT CONTINUES BECAUSE MY DASHBOARD SEEMS TO BE DISPLAYING AN INACCURATE MESSAGE. I TRIED TO SEARCH FOR RECALLS ON MY VEHICLE BUT DID NOT FIND ANY FOR THIS ISSUE; HOWEVER, I FOUND A RECALL ON THE 2014 CHEVROLET CRUZE (RECALL# 14048) THAT SEEMS TO BE A SIMILAR ISSUE THAT I AM EXPERIENCING WITH MY VEHICLE WHICH IS THE SAME MAKE AND MODEL BUT JUST A YEAR OLDER. I HAVE ALSO FOUND PLENTY OF COMPLAINTS ONLINE FROM OTHER 2013 CRUZE OWNERS AND BELIEVE THAT THE RECALL SHOULD APPLY TO THE 2013 MODEL AS WELL.
AIRBAG INFORMATION LIGHT SAYS 'AIRBAG OFF' WHEN MY 105-POUND WIFE OCCUPYS THE SEAT. THE LOCAL DEALER TELLS ME YOU HAVE TO WEIGH 130 POUNDS TO ACTIVATE THE AIRBAG.
MULTIPLE TIMES, ABOUT 6 TIMES NOW. WITH KEY IN IGNITION BUT CAR TURNED OFF, AND I MADE SURE CAR WAS OFF, CAR INGINE TRIES TO START UP.
FOR ABOUT 5 MILES THE WARNING FOR POWER STEERING WAS ON I WOULD LIKE TO REPORT THIS AS OTHERS ARE ASKING FOR A RECALL ON THIS AT THE TIME I DID NOT HAVE A PROBLEM DRIVING BUT I AM CONCERNED IF THIS HAPPENS AGAIN THE TRACTION LIGHT WAS ON AT THE SAME TIME
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET CRUZE. WHILE PARKING, THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF INTERMITTENTLY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS INVALID. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.
THE BRAKES DO NOT WORK AFTER STARING CAR. IN REVERSE AFTER YOU TAKE CAR OUT OF GEAR. VERY LIMITED BRAKEING TO STOP THE CAR. THIS HAS BEEN A PREVIOUS RECALL IN BOTH THE 2011, 2012 YEAR MODELS. SEEMS TO BE A ISSUE ON 2013 MODEL YEAR AS WELL. IT HAPPED AS SOON AS THE BUMPER TO BUMPER WARRANTY RAN OFF. DEALERS WANT TO CHARGE A …
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THE BRAKES DO NOT WORK AFTER STARING CAR. IN REVERSE AFTER YOU TAKE CAR OUT OF GEAR. VERY LIMITED BRAKEING TO STOP THE CAR. THIS HAS BEEN A PREVIOUS RECALL IN BOTH THE 2011, 2012 YEAR MODELS. SEEMS TO BE A ISSUE ON 2013 MODEL YEAR AS WELL. IT HAPPED AS SOON AS THE BUMPER TO BUMPER WARRANTY RAN OFF. DEALERS WANT TO CHARGE A STEEP PRICE TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. I FEEL LIKE THIS IS A VERY IMPORTANT AND VERY DANGEROUS ISSUE THAT CHEVROLET NEEDS TO ADDRESS AS WELL IN THE 2013 YEAR MODEL.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2013 CHEVROLET CRUZE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE DRIVER LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND CRASHED INTO A GUARDRAIL CAUSING SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE TO THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. DURING THE CRASH, THE DRIVER SUSTAINED A RIGHT HIP INJURY, THE FRONT PASSENGER SUSTAINED A …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2013 CHEVROLET CRUZE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE DRIVER LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND CRASHED INTO A GUARDRAIL CAUSING SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE TO THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. DURING THE CRASH, THE DRIVER SUSTAINED A RIGHT HIP INJURY, THE FRONT PASSENGER SUSTAINED A RIGHT ARM, RIGHT HIP, AND RIGHT KNEE INJURY. THE REAR PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANT SUSTAINED A MINOR HEAD INJURY. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS NOT RECEIVED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 37,000.
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.
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