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2013 Chevrolet Captiva

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2013 Chevrolet Captiva do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 65.

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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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

84 reports with mileage · 13 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 48 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 31 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 9 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

1 crash reports4 fire reports1 injury reports

What owners actually said

97 reports
Mileage unknown · Feb 6, 2019
Engine

THERE WAS A FAULT IN THE ENGINE THAT MADE OIL LEAK ALL OVER THE ENGINE AND FRIED IT. IT STOPPED WORKING WHILE I WAS DRIVING IT AND MY SON WAS IN THE CAR. THE CAR THEN STARTED SMOKING AND MY STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP. WE COULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUSLY HURT. WHEN I GOT IT LOOKED AT THE MECHANIC SAID THAT IT WAS A FAULT IN THE ENGINE AND…

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THERE WAS A FAULT IN THE ENGINE THAT MADE OIL LEAK ALL OVER THE ENGINE AND FRIED IT. IT STOPPED WORKING WHILE I WAS DRIVING IT AND MY SON WAS IN THE CAR. THE CAR THEN STARTED SMOKING AND MY STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP. WE COULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUSLY HURT. WHEN I GOT IT LOOKED AT THE MECHANIC SAID THAT IT WAS A FAULT IN THE ENGINE AND WAS UNAVOIDABLE AND WAS NOT MY FAULT BUT THE MANUFACTURERS FAULT. HE ALSO SAID THAT HE HAD EIGHT OTHER PEOPLE COME IN WITH THE EXACT SAME ISSUE AND THE SAME ENGINE AS MINE.

NHTSA ODI #11174892

76,000 miles · Feb 5, 2019
Electrical SystemSteering

I WAS DRIVING AROUND A CURVE AND IT JUST SHUT OFF. I COULDNT STEER OR DO ANYTHING

NHTSA ODI #11174566

115,000 miles · Jan 22, 2019
Engine

THE SPECIAL WARRANTY CAMPAIGN NUMBER 14882. I WAS TOLD SINCE MY VIN WASN'T PART OF IT WHEN I CALLED CORPORATE THAT THERE IS A CHANCE I WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE COST. IT'S AT THE DEALER RIGHT NOW AS MY MECHANIC RESEARCH ALL THIS WHEN I WOUND UP HAVING OIL COMING OUT OF MY EXHAUST AND WHEN I OPENED MY HOOD IT WAS SMOKING AFTE…

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THE SPECIAL WARRANTY CAMPAIGN NUMBER 14882. I WAS TOLD SINCE MY VIN WASN'T PART OF IT WHEN I CALLED CORPORATE THAT THERE IS A CHANCE I WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE COST. IT'S AT THE DEALER RIGHT NOW AS MY MECHANIC RESEARCH ALL THIS WHEN I WOUND UP HAVING OIL COMING OUT OF MY EXHAUST AND WHEN I OPENED MY HOOD IT WAS SMOKING AFTER IT WAS JUST FIXED FOR AN OIL LEAK 3 WEEKS AGO. MY MECHANIC REFUSED TO TOUCH IT AS WHEN HE FURTHER RESEARCH HE FOUND WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS A RESULT OF THIS CAMPAIGN NUMBER 14882. I AM VERY UPSET AS I WAS NEVER INFORM OF THIS SPECIAL WARRANTY (TECHNICALLY I FEEL IT SHOULD BE A RECALL) MY SUV HAS ALL THE QUALIFICATIONS SO I AM PUZZLED WHY A VIN WOULD HAVE ANYTHING TO DO WITH IT! IF MY YOUNG SON WAS IN THE CAR WITH ME AND I WASN'T BEING AWARE WHO KNOWS IF SOMETHING WORSE COULD HAVE HAPPENED! THIS HAPPENED ON 1/21/19 WHEN IT WAS 5 DEGREES OUTSIDE ON MY WAY TO WORK. ISN'T THE SAFETY OF YOUR CONSUMERS A PRIORITY. I AM SO UPSET, DISTRAUGHT AND ANGRY THAT IS WAS ISSUE WAS KNOWN BACK IN 2015 AND I HAD NO CLUE. THEN I AM BEING TREATED AND TOLD THAT THERE'S A CHANCE I WILL BE RESPONSIBLE. HOW IS THAT FAIR??? I WANT ANSWERS I WAS ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY CALLED THE GARDEN STATE PARKAWAY LUCKILY I WAS ABLE TO GET TO SAFETY ONCE I SAW WHITE SMOKE COMING OUT OF MY BACK AND HOOD. IF YOU CAN LOOK CLOSELY AT THE BACK OF MY CAR YOU CAN SEE OIL ALL OVER IT FROM THE EXHAUST. THE DAY BEFORE WHEN I WENT TO WORK I WAS FINE. I AM SCARED TO DRIVE THIS SUV AND WHAT ELSE AM I NOT BEING NOTIFIED ABOUT I HAD PROBLEMS WITH EXHAUST MANIFOLD 3 TIMES THAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. ARE THESE ALL RELATED IF SO HOW DO I GET REIMBURSED FOR THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS? I SHOULDN'T BE TREATED LIKE DIRT INSTEAD I SHOULD BE TREATED WITH RESPECT ESPECIALLY WHEN I HAVE THIS ISSUE UNDER THIS SPECIFIC SPECIAL WARRANTY!

NHTSA ODI #11171506

110,000 miles · Jan 8, 2019
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET CAPTIVA. WHILE THE CONTACT'S HUSBAND WAS DRIVING 55 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT AN UNKNOWN GASKET FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MIL…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET CAPTIVA. WHILE THE CONTACT'S HUSBAND WAS DRIVING 55 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT AN UNKNOWN GASKET FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 110,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #11165923

90,000 miles · Dec 26, 2018
Electrical SystemEngine

WHILE DRIVING MY CHEVY CAPTIVA ON THE FREEWAY THE VEHICLE SHUTOFF UNEXPECTEDLY AND I WAS ALMOST INVOLVED IN A CAR ACCIDENT WITH MY PREGNANT WIFE. ON OTHER OCCASIONS WHILE DRIVING THE SAME THING HAPPENED. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO SHOPS TO GET IT LOOKED AT AND THEY CAN'T SEEM TO GET TO THE PROBLEM. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON THEN …

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WHILE DRIVING MY CHEVY CAPTIVA ON THE FREEWAY THE VEHICLE SHUTOFF UNEXPECTEDLY AND I WAS ALMOST INVOLVED IN A CAR ACCIDENT WITH MY PREGNANT WIFE. ON OTHER OCCASIONS WHILE DRIVING THE SAME THING HAPPENED. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO SHOPS TO GET IT LOOKED AT AND THEY CAN'T SEEM TO GET TO THE PROBLEM. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON THEN TURNS OFF. I AM WORRIED THAT THIS VEHICLE WILL CAUSE MY DEATH. I CALLED GM BUT THEY CAN'T SEEM TO GIVE ME A STRAIGHT ANSWER AND WANT TO CHARGE ME FOR SOMETHING THAT THEY DIDN'T BUILT CORRECTLY. I HAVE SEEN MULTIPLE POST OF THE SAME THREAT ONLINE OF THE VEHICLE DOING THE EXACT SAME THING AND GM IS NOT TAKING THE MATTER SERIOUSLY.

NHTSA ODI #11163567

10 miles · Dec 11, 2018
EngineUnknown Or OtherVisibility/wiper

I HAVE HAD THE 2013 CHEVY CAPTIVA SPORT FOR ALMOST 6 MONTHS. AFTER I HAVE BEEN DRIVING FOR ABOUT 30 MINUTES AND STOP AT A RED LIGHT/STOP SIGN. IT EITHER SHUTS OFF OR BEGINS TO SHAKE FORWARD AND BACKWARD. IT DOES NOT MATTER IF I AM IN A LITTLE TOWN, HIGHWAY, INTERSTATE, ETC., IT DOES THE SAME THING. MY WIPER WARNING LIGHT AND SOU…

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I HAVE HAD THE 2013 CHEVY CAPTIVA SPORT FOR ALMOST 6 MONTHS. AFTER I HAVE BEEN DRIVING FOR ABOUT 30 MINUTES AND STOP AT A RED LIGHT/STOP SIGN. IT EITHER SHUTS OFF OR BEGINS TO SHAKE FORWARD AND BACKWARD. IT DOES NOT MATTER IF I AM IN A LITTLE TOWN, HIGHWAY, INTERSTATE, ETC., IT DOES THE SAME THING. MY WIPER WARNING LIGHT AND SOUND ALONG WITH MY BATTERY LIGHT, AND RANDOM INDICATOR LIGHTS AND SOUNDS GO OFF RANDOMLY. THE ONLY ACCURATE LIGHTS ARE THE SEATBELT AND DOOR AJAR INDICATOR LIGHTS. WHEN THE HEATER OR AC IS ON THE VEHICLE SHAKES MORE. WHEN MY BATTERY LIGHT IS ON, I CANNOT TURN MY HIGH BEAMS ON. THE ECO SYSTEM DOES NOT WORK AT ALL. THE KEY GETS STUCK WHEN IT WANTS TOO. NO SPECIFIC TIME OF DAY OR TIME TRAVELED. THE STEERING WHEEL GETS STUCK RANDOMLY WHEN I MAKE A SHARP TURN. THE TURNING SIGNAL HAS ITS FREQUENT MOMENT WHEN IT WILL NOT TURN OFF. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS ROAD HAZARD FOR OTHER DRIVERS. MOST OF THESE DEFECTS OCCUR TWICE A WEEK.

NHTSA ODI #11160670

80,000 miles · Dec 6, 2018
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET CAPTIVA. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR A ROUTINE OIL CHANGE AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE ENGINE OIL WAS LOW. THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED AGAIN 1,500 MILES LATER AND THE OIL WAS LOW AGAIN; HOWEVER, THERE WAS NO INDICATION OF AN OIL LEAK. THE CONTACT CALLED LARRY H MILL…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET CAPTIVA. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR A ROUTINE OIL CHANGE AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE ENGINE OIL WAS LOW. THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED AGAIN 1,500 MILES LATER AND THE OIL WAS LOW AGAIN; HOWEVER, THERE WAS NO INDICATION OF AN OIL LEAK. THE CONTACT CALLED LARRY H MILLER CHEVROLET MURRAY (5500 S. STATE STREET, MURRAY, UT 84107, (801) 264-3220) AND WAS INFORMED TO SCHEDULE A SERVICE APPOINTMENT. THE CONTACT WAS REFERRED TO THE MANUFACTURER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO NHTSA. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.

NHTSA ODI #11156649

100,000 miles · Dec 4, 2018
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET CAPITIVA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE SHOOK WHILE AT A STOP AND THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO CLIFT BUICK GMC (517-759-1361, LOCATED AT 1115 S MAIN ST, ADRIAN, MI 49221) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE VEHICLE CONSUMED TOO MUCH OIL AND THERE WAS MOI…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET CAPITIVA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE SHOOK WHILE AT A STOP AND THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO CLIFT BUICK GMC (517-759-1361, LOCATED AT 1115 S MAIN ST, ADRIAN, MI 49221) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE VEHICLE CONSUMED TOO MUCH OIL AND THERE WAS MOISTURE IN THE OIL. THE TECHNICIAN ALSO DIAGNOSED THAT THE PVC GAUGE AND THE PISTON NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL. THE CONTACT WAS REFERRED TO NHTSA. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 100,000.

NHTSA ODI #11155990

78,000 miles · Nov 12, 2018
EngineVisibility/wiper

WHILE DRIVING MY VEHICLE ON THE HIGHWAY WHILE IT WAS RAINING I HEARD A NOISE AND MY PASSENGER SIDE WIPER STOPPED WORKING. THIS SOUNDS LIKE A PROBLEM THAT WAS INVOLVED ON 2013 EQUINOX (CAPTIVA PROBABLY USES MANY OF THE SAME COMPONENTS). NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 16V582000 - GM'S RECALL NUMBER FOR THIS IS 25302. LUCKILY THE DRIV…

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WHILE DRIVING MY VEHICLE ON THE HIGHWAY WHILE IT WAS RAINING I HEARD A NOISE AND MY PASSENGER SIDE WIPER STOPPED WORKING. THIS SOUNDS LIKE A PROBLEM THAT WAS INVOLVED ON 2013 EQUINOX (CAPTIVA PROBABLY USES MANY OF THE SAME COMPONENTS). NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 16V582000 - GM'S RECALL NUMBER FOR THIS IS 25302. LUCKILY THE DRIVER SIDE WIPER CONTINUED TO OPERATE PROPERLY. THIS IS DEFINITELY A SAFETY HAZARD AND SHOULD BE COVERED BY GM AND IF THE REPAIR HAS ALREADY BEEN MADE, SHOULD BE REIMBURSED BY GM. I AM PRESENTLY WORKING ON GETTING THE PROBLEM FIXED. I ALSO EXPERIENCED AS MANY OTHERS HAVE (LOTS OF COMPLAINTS ONLINE) ABOUT AN OIL PROBLEM WITH THE ECOTEC 2.4 ENGINE. LIKE MANY OTHERS WHO EXPERIENCED STALLING PROBLEMS, WHEN I TOOK MY VEHICLE TO MY MECHANIC THEY FOUND OUT I WAS OUT OF OIL. (09/21/2018) NOW I AM CONSTANTLY CHECKING THE OIL LEVEL IN MY VEHICLE. THIS IS ALSO A MAJOR PROBLEM THAT RELATES TO SAFETY AND BY VIEWING THE MANY COMPLAINTS ON LINE, IT SEEMS AS THOUGH GM HAS NO INTENTION OF DOING ANYTHING ABOUT IT. PRESENT MILEAGE ON VEHICLE IS 78,000. IT'S A NICE VEHICLE, BUT THESE SERIOUS PROBLEMS NEED TO BE DEALT WITH BY THE MANUFACTURER.

NHTSA ODI #11150923

102,955 miles · Oct 29, 2018
Electrical SystemEngineFuel/propulsion System

CAR HAS STALLED OUT 7 TIMES IN A MONTH. DEALER SHIP CANT FIND WHAT THE PROBLEM IS HAVE TOWED IT 7 TIMES. THE CAR STALL WITH NO WARNING OR LIGHT. CALL GM THEY CANT DO ANYTHING. CAR STALLED WHILE DRIVING THIS IS UNSAFE

NHTSA ODI #11143892

Official recalls

0

No recalls in this snapshot.

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.