Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
1240–25K
7825–50K
7650–75K
5775–100K
71100–150K
11150K+
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
3,800 miles · Mar 20, 2014
Power Train
THE COMPLAINT IS 1)VEHICLE SURGES WHEN STOPPED AT A SIGNAL OR STOPPED WHILE IN GEAR. EXTRA PRESSURE IS APPLIED TO BRAKE PEDAL OUT OF FEAR IT WILL LUNGE FORWARD. 2)INTERMITTENTLY SURGES DRASTICALLY WHEN YOU REMOVE YOUR FOOT FROM BRAKES. 3)INTERMITTENT HIGH REVVING AND ACCELERATION PROBLEMS. A SERVICE BULLET…
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THE COMPLAINT IS 1)VEHICLE SURGES WHEN STOPPED AT A SIGNAL OR STOPPED WHILE IN GEAR. EXTRA PRESSURE IS APPLIED TO BRAKE PEDAL OUT OF FEAR IT WILL LUNGE FORWARD. 2)INTERMITTENTLY SURGES DRASTICALLY WHEN YOU REMOVE YOUR FOOT FROM BRAKES. 3)INTERMITTENT HIGH REVVING AND ACCELERATION PROBLEMS. A SERVICE BULLETIN WAS PERFORMED IN WHICH REPAIRS WERE MADE TO THE TRANSMISSION. THESE REPAIRS INCREASED THE SYMPTOMS AND MADE IT THE VEHICLE EXTREMELY UNSAFE TO DRIVE. GM ENGINEERS STATE THE CAR IS OK. DOES SOMEONE HAVE DO DIE BEFORE THE PROBLEM IS CORRECTED. A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVE MADE COMPLAINT ON THE EDMONDS.COM WEBSITE. SOMEONE NEED TO LOOK INTO THIS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10573878
22,000 miles · Mar 20, 2014
Air BagsCrashInjury
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET CRUZE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, SHE LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND CRASHED INTO A TELEPHONE POLE BUT THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED A MILD CONCUSSION AND WHIPLASH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE MANU…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET CRUZE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, SHE LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND CRASHED INTO A TELEPHONE POLE BUT THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED A MILD CONCUSSION AND WHIPLASH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 22,000.
NHTSA ODI #10573747
10,400 miles · Mar 18, 2014
Service Brakes
WHILE DRIVING IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC AT APPROXIMATELY 25MPH. THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME SLAMMED ON THEIR BRAKES AND TO AVOID HITTING THEM I SLAMMED ON MY BRAKES. IT TOOK 4-5 SECONDS BEFORE THE BRAKES RESPONDED AFTER PRESSING ALL THE WAY DOWN ON THE PEDAL BASICALLY STANDING ON THE PEDAL. I HAD TO SWERVE INTO THE NEXT LANE TO AVOID HI…
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WHILE DRIVING IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC AT APPROXIMATELY 25MPH. THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME SLAMMED ON THEIR BRAKES AND TO AVOID HITTING THEM I SLAMMED ON MY BRAKES. IT TOOK 4-5 SECONDS BEFORE THE BRAKES RESPONDED AFTER PRESSING ALL THE WAY DOWN ON THE PEDAL BASICALLY STANDING ON THE PEDAL. I HAD TO SWERVE INTO THE NEXT LANE TO AVOID HITTING THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. LUCKILY THERE WERE NO OTHER CARS IN THE OTHER LANE AT THE TIME.. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID THIS IS NOT NORMAL AND TO BRING THE CAR IN. I TOOK IT IN AND THEY SAID THEY COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE BRAKE SYSTEM. I TRIED IT OUT IN MY HOUSING COMPLEX AND ITS STILL DOING THE SAME THING WHEN DRIVING 25MPH AND SLAMMING ON THE BRAKES THIS CAR IS NOT SAFE AND I WILL BE LOOKING INTO REPLACING IT WITH SOMETHING OTHER THAN CHEVY.. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10573230
11,260 miles · Mar 15, 2014
Power Train
FRONT AXLE BROKE IN THE CENTER OF VEHICLE WHEN DRIVING IN HEAVY TRAFFIC. ALL FORWARD MOTION QUIT. UNABLE TO MOVE VEHICLE, YET, WHEN GEAR SHIFT IN PARK, VEHICLE WOULD ROLL. CAR IS TEN MONTHS OLD. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10572595
9,000 miles · Mar 14, 2014
Air BagsEngineCrashFire
I PURCHASED A 2013 CHEVY CRUZE IN JUNE, 2013. IN NOVEMBER OF THE SAME YEAR, I STRUCK A DEER ON A RURAL STRETCH OF INTERSTATE HIGHWAY AT HIGH SPEED (70MPH). AT THIS POINT THERE WERE ROUGHLY 9,000 MILES ON IT. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, BUT I WAS UNHARMED. THE IMPACT CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO DO A 180 DEGREE ROLL ONTO THE SHOULDER, …
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I PURCHASED A 2013 CHEVY CRUZE IN JUNE, 2013. IN NOVEMBER OF THE SAME YEAR, I STRUCK A DEER ON A RURAL STRETCH OF INTERSTATE HIGHWAY AT HIGH SPEED (70MPH). AT THIS POINT THERE WERE ROUGHLY 9,000 MILES ON IT. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, BUT I WAS UNHARMED. THE IMPACT CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO DO A 180 DEGREE ROLL ONTO THE SHOULDER, AT WHICH POINT I EXITED THE VEHICLE TO SEE THE AREA NEAR THE BATTERY SMOKING WITH A SMALL FLAME COMING OUT OF IT. WITHIN MINUTES, AND BEFORE EMERGENCY VEHICLES COULD ARRIVE THE FRONT OF THE CAR WAS FULLY ENGULFED IN FLAMES. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10572498
Mileage unknown · Mar 14, 2014
EngineSteeringVehicle Speed Control
IN APRIL OF 2013 MY 2013 CHEVY CRUZE SHUT OFF WHILE ATTEMPTING TO DRIVE OFF FROM A RED LIGHT THAT JUST TURNED GREEN, AS SOON AS I STEPPED ON THE GAS PEDAL THE CAR JUST SHUT OFF. THERE WERE NO OTHER VEHICLES BEHIND ME SO I IMMEDIATELY TRIED TURNING THE CAR ON BUT I HAD TO PUT IT PARK THEN START IT AGAIN AND CONTINUED EN ROUTE AN…
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IN APRIL OF 2013 MY 2013 CHEVY CRUZE SHUT OFF WHILE ATTEMPTING TO DRIVE OFF FROM A RED LIGHT THAT JUST TURNED GREEN, AS SOON AS I STEPPED ON THE GAS PEDAL THE CAR JUST SHUT OFF. THERE WERE NO OTHER VEHICLES BEHIND ME SO I IMMEDIATELY TRIED TURNING THE CAR ON BUT I HAD TO PUT IT PARK THEN START IT AGAIN AND CONTINUED EN ROUTE AND DID NOT THINK ANYTHING OF IT. THIS HAPPENED TWICE WITHIN THE NEXT FEW MONTHS. THE FOURTH INCIDENT I HAD A CAR FULL OF FAMILY MEMBER AND WE WERE GETTING ON THE FREEWAY ON RAMP SLOWING TO COME TO A STOP WHEN THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN SO AS SOON AS I STEPPED ON THE GAS PEDAL THE CAR SHUT DOWN AND I HAD NO CONTROL AND WAS ALMOST HIT FROM BEHIND LUCKILY THERE WAS NO CAR IN THE LANE OVER SO THE TRUCK BEHIND ME SWERVED INTO THE NEXT LANE AND I ONCE AGAIN PUT THE CAR IN PARK STARTED AGAIN AND IMMEDIATELY CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND TOOK THE VEHICLE INTO THE DEALERSHIP. I WAS TOLD BY THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT A FEW WEEKS LATER THAT THEY FIGURED THE PROBLEM WAS A LOW OCTANE GAS AND I JUST NEEDED TO START USING CHEVRON ONLY AND THEY WOULD GIVE ME $250 IN CHEVRON GAS CARDS. I REFUSED TO PICK UP THE CAR BECAUSE I ALREADY ONLY USED CHEVRON GAS IN THE VEHICLE SINCE I PURCHASED IT IN DECEMBER 2012 WITH ONLY 3 MILES. AFTER 2 MONTHS OF ARGUING BACK IN FORTH ABOUT THEM NOT HAVING A FIX FOR THE CAR I RETURNED THE RENTAL AND PURCHASED A DIFFERENT VEHICLE ELSEWHERE AND FILED A COMPLAINT WITH GM WHICH ALSO GAVE ME THE RUN AROUND ABOUT THE VEHICLE BEING FIXED WHEN IT WASN'T EVER WORKED ON TO THIS DAY THEY HAVE THE CAR AND I AM NOW IN COLLECTIONS AND CONTINUING THIS HEADACHE WITH GM. THEY SAID ITS NOT A RECALL BUT I HAVE SPOKEN TO SEVERAL OTHER PEOPLE INCLUDING THE RENTAL COMPANY THAT HAS HAD THE CHEVY CRUZE SHUT OFF ON THEM AS WELL. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10569350
41,000 miles · Mar 11, 2014
Steering
WHILE ACCELERATING FROM A FULL STOP, FELT THE VEHICLE LOSE POWER AND HEARD LOUD NOISES COMING FROM UNDER THE CAR. CAME TO A FULL STOP IN THE MIDDLE OF A BUSY ROAD. TURNED OFF THE CAR. TURNED IT BACK ON AND ATTEMPTED TO MOVE THE CAR TO NO AVAIL. PUT THE CAR IN PARK AND THE CAR STARTED TO ROLL BACKWARDS. CAR HAD TO GET TOWED. CHEV…
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WHILE ACCELERATING FROM A FULL STOP, FELT THE VEHICLE LOSE POWER AND HEARD LOUD NOISES COMING FROM UNDER THE CAR. CAME TO A FULL STOP IN THE MIDDLE OF A BUSY ROAD. TURNED OFF THE CAR. TURNED IT BACK ON AND ATTEMPTED TO MOVE THE CAR TO NO AVAIL. PUT THE CAR IN PARK AND THE CAR STARTED TO ROLL BACKWARDS. CAR HAD TO GET TOWED. CHEVY DEALERSHIP STATES THE FRONT RIGHT AXLE SNAPPED. IN PROCESS OF BEING REPLACED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10568575
15,000 miles · Mar 5, 2014
Visibility
WHEN DRIVING I KEEP SMELLING AN ODOR COMING FROM THE VENTING SYSTEM WHEN THE HEAT IS ON. AT TIMES THE ODOR IS STRONGER THAN OTHER TIMES, AND EVEN NAUSEATING AT TIMES. I KEEP TELLING DEALERSHIP THAT IT IS A CHEMICAL SMELL. FINALLY AFTER HAVING MY CAR IN SHOP TWICE THEY SAID THAT CHEVY DID A BULLETIN ON A "HEATING BOX" AND THAT …
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WHEN DRIVING I KEEP SMELLING AN ODOR COMING FROM THE VENTING SYSTEM WHEN THE HEAT IS ON. AT TIMES THE ODOR IS STRONGER THAN OTHER TIMES, AND EVEN NAUSEATING AT TIMES. I KEEP TELLING DEALERSHIP THAT IT IS A CHEMICAL SMELL. FINALLY AFTER HAVING MY CAR IN SHOP TWICE THEY SAID THAT CHEVY DID A BULLETIN ON A "HEATING BOX" AND THAT IT IS TOO HOT AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. WE WILL SEE IF THAT IS WHAT IT IS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10567164
10 miles · Feb 27, 2014
Exterior LightingVisibility
LIMITED VISIBILITY AT NIGHT, (SHADED WINDSHIELD) WITH NO ARTIFICIAL LIGHTING (STREET LIGHTS) ESPECIALLY BAD ON CURVES AND HILLS. SEE LINK HTTP://YOUTU.BE/BLU0J2BNG5O
NHTSA ODI #10567187
2,400 miles · Feb 26, 2014
Power Train
I WAS MAKING A RIGHT TURN WHEN THERE WAS A NOISE SIMILAR TO A TIMING BELT FAILURE FROM UNDER THE ENGINE AND THE CAR APPEARED TO LOSE POWER. I PULLED OVER AND LOOKED UNDER THE VEHICLE BUT THERE WAS NO SIGN OF DAMAGE. I RESTARTED THE ENGINE AND PUT IT IN DRIVE AND THE NOISE RECURRED. I DECIDED TO CALL A TOW TRUCK TO TAKE THE CA…
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I WAS MAKING A RIGHT TURN WHEN THERE WAS A NOISE SIMILAR TO A TIMING BELT FAILURE FROM UNDER THE ENGINE AND THE CAR APPEARED TO LOSE POWER. I PULLED OVER AND LOOKED UNDER THE VEHICLE BUT THERE WAS NO SIGN OF DAMAGE. I RESTARTED THE ENGINE AND PUT IT IN DRIVE AND THE NOISE RECURRED. I DECIDED TO CALL A TOW TRUCK TO TAKE THE CAR TO THE DEALER WE BOUGHT IT FROM IN AUGUST 2013. THE DEALER FOUND A BROKEN/SEPARATED FRONT RIGHT AXLE. THE CAR IS AN AUTOMATIC. THE DEALER REPLACE THE AXLE. I AM WRITING THIS TO REPORT THE INCIDENT AS THE CAR IS VIRTUALLY BRAND NEW. I HAVE NO COMPLAINTS WITH THE DEALER. *TR
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
2013 Chevrolet Cruze Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year