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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.

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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

Electrical System complaints

121 reports
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30,000 miles · Apr 4, 2016
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Steering

2013 CHEVROLET CRUZE ELECTRICAL HAZARD WHICH HAPPENS MOSTLY DURING THE RAIN OR WET ROADS OCCASIONALLY WHILE DRY. MAIN PROBLEM RADIO POWER AND DASH POWER CUT IN AND OUT AND OR FLUCTUATE WHILE DRIVING AND OR APPLYING BRAKES. THE ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING WILL, MOST OF THE TIME, CUT IN AND OUT ALSO WHILE TURNING TURNING KEY OFF AND…

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2013 CHEVROLET CRUZE ELECTRICAL HAZARD WHICH HAPPENS MOSTLY DURING THE RAIN OR WET ROADS OCCASIONALLY WHILE DRY. MAIN PROBLEM RADIO POWER AND DASH POWER CUT IN AND OUT AND OR FLUCTUATE WHILE DRIVING AND OR APPLYING BRAKES. THE ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING WILL, MOST OF THE TIME, CUT IN AND OUT ALSO WHILE TURNING TURNING KEY OFF AND ON AGAIN WHILE STATIONARY MAY FOR A SHORT TIME FIX THIS PROBLEM HOWEVER IT IS NOT A PERM ANY SOULUTION ONLY TEMPORARY AND MY ALSO RESULT IN A TOTAL NO POWER/ NO START CONDITION FOR THE VEHICAL POSSIBLE CAUSE IS LEAK IN THE CAR OR SHIELD IS NOT PROPERLY PROTECTION ELECTRONICS/WIRING ON THE VEHICAL

NHTSA ODI #10853412

36,200 miles · Mar 27, 2016
Electrical System

WHILE DRIVING, THE RADIO SCREEN SHUTS OFF AND ON, SERVICE STABILITRAK WARNING COMES ON FOR 2 SECONDS THEN GOES AWAY. WHILE PARKED, THE TRUNK OPENED AUTOMATICALLY TWICE. DEALERSHIP RESET THE ELECTRICAL AND THE PROBLEM IS STILL OCCURRING. BASED ON MANY OTHER COMPLAINS AND THE PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN RESOLVED, THIS VEHICLE IS A LEMON.…

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WHILE DRIVING, THE RADIO SCREEN SHUTS OFF AND ON, SERVICE STABILITRAK WARNING COMES ON FOR 2 SECONDS THEN GOES AWAY. WHILE PARKED, THE TRUNK OPENED AUTOMATICALLY TWICE. DEALERSHIP RESET THE ELECTRICAL AND THE PROBLEM IS STILL OCCURRING. BASED ON MANY OTHER COMPLAINS AND THE PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN RESOLVED, THIS VEHICLE IS A LEMON. I WANT MY MONEY BACK!

NHTSA ODI #10851836

66,000 miles · Feb 5, 2016
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Engine

INTERMITTENTLY THE ANTI-THEFT LIGHT GOES ON, WITHOUT WARNING AT AN HIGH SPEEDS OR WHEN PARKED AND SHUTS DOWN ALL SYSTEMS, IMMOBILIZING THE CAR. THIS INCLUDES THE RADIO, STEERING, MOTOR. TWO DAYS AGO I WAS DRIVING AND THIS HAPPENED, THE CAR SHUT DOWN, I COULDN'T STEER OR DRIVE THE CAR, A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. THIS HAS ALSO HA…

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INTERMITTENTLY THE ANTI-THEFT LIGHT GOES ON, WITHOUT WARNING AT AN HIGH SPEEDS OR WHEN PARKED AND SHUTS DOWN ALL SYSTEMS, IMMOBILIZING THE CAR. THIS INCLUDES THE RADIO, STEERING, MOTOR. TWO DAYS AGO I WAS DRIVING AND THIS HAPPENED, THE CAR SHUT DOWN, I COULDN'T STEER OR DRIVE THE CAR, A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. THIS HAS ALSO HAPPENED WHEN TRYING TO START THE CAR, THE ANT-THEFT SYSTEM SHUTS DOWN THE CAR. THERE IS NO WAY TO KNOW WHEN THIS WILL HAPPEN. WHEN TAKEN TO AUTO DEALER, THE CAR WORKS FINE. THE CAR HAS 66,000 MILES. THIS HAS HAPPENED AT LEAST 6 TIMES, BUT THE LAST ONE WAS THE WORST, TRAVELLING AT HIGH SPEED AND LOSING CONTROL OF THE CAR. WHAT HAPPENED IS SIMILAR TO WHAT HAPPENED WITH THE IGNITION SWITCH IN COBALTS WHERE THE CAR JUST STOPPED, THAT IS PRETTY MUCH WHAT HAPPENED WITH ME.

NHTSA ODI #10824420

65,000 miles · Jan 6, 2016
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)

IN A CONVERSATION WITH THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT AT STEVE RAYMAN OF SMYRNA, GA HE SAID THE NEGATIVE BATTERY CABLE CAUSED THE PROBLEMS WITH THE INSTRUMENT PANEL, GAUGES, AND THE STEERING WHEEL JERKING TO THE LEFT. I CHOSE TO CONTACT GENERAL MOTORS BECAUSE I JUST COULD NOT BELIEVE A NEGATIVE CABLE COULD CAUSE SUCH PROBLEMS. AS ME…

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IN A CONVERSATION WITH THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT AT STEVE RAYMAN OF SMYRNA, GA HE SAID THE NEGATIVE BATTERY CABLE CAUSED THE PROBLEMS WITH THE INSTRUMENT PANEL, GAUGES, AND THE STEERING WHEEL JERKING TO THE LEFT. I CHOSE TO CONTACT GENERAL MOTORS BECAUSE I JUST COULD NOT BELIEVE A NEGATIVE CABLE COULD CAUSE SUCH PROBLEMS. AS MENTIONED EARLIER, GM PERSONNEL TOLD ME THAT THREE REMEDIES MADE UP SPECIAL COVERAGE 14311' 1, NEGATIVE BATTERY CABLE NEEDS REPLACEMENT. 2. VOLTAGE REGULATOR NEEDS ADJUSTMENT 3. A SCREW NEEDS TO BE TIGHTENED. IN A SECOND CONVERSATION WITH STEVE RAYMAN PERSONNEL AND GM, BOTH SAID IT WAS THE CABLE AND NOT THE VOLTAGE REGULATORS. THE CAR HAD BEEN IN MY GARAGE FOR THE LAST FEW DAYS WITH A DEAD BATTERY. THIS MORNING I JUMP-STARTED THE VEHICLE; SO, WE CAN ASSUME THE ALTERNATOR WAS WORKING PROPERLY BECAUSE THE CAR CONTINUES TO RUN AFTER DISCONNECTING THE BATTERY CABLES. I DROVE TO THE STORE IN ORDER TO PURCHASE AND REPLACE THE BATTERY I NOTICED THE BATTERY VOLTAGE WAS READING 15.1 VOLTS. AFTER REPLACING THE BATTERY, I WAS RETURNING HOME AND NOTICED THE BATTERY VOLTAGE FLUCTUATED FROM 14.7 WHILE IDLING TO 14.8 WHILE DRIVING. MY QUESTION TO YOU THE ALTERNATOR APPEARS TO WORKING CORRECTLY BY PROVIDING ELECTRICAL POWER TO OPERATE THE CAR WHILE USING A DEAD BATTERY. IF THERE WERE A POWER FLUCTUATION, WOULD IT BE REASONABLE TO ASSUME THE VOLTAGE REGULATOR COULD BE THE PROBLEM. COULD ERRATIC VOLTAGE CAUSE THE INSTRUMENTS TO GO HAYWIRE AND COULD LEAD TO THE CAR'S ENGINE TURNING OFF? COULD SUCH AN OCCURRENCE CAUSE A CATASTROPHE ACCIDENT AND RISK THE LIVE OF ALL VEHICLE OCCUPANTS?

NHTSA ODI #10818340

36,200 miles · Dec 26, 2015
Electrical SystemSteeringUnknown Or Other

THE COMPUTER SYSTEM GOES ON AND OFF AT RANDOM, WHICH CAUSES MALFUNCTIONS IN OTHER AREAS, PARTICULARLY THE POWER STEERING AND SECURITY SYSTEM. MY POWER STEERING HAS GONE OUT MULTIPLES TIMES, CAUSING NEAR ACCIDENTS. THE SECURITY SYSTEM ALSO LOCKED UP DUE TO THE COMPUTER, AND IT TOOK 15 MINUTES TO GET IT STARTED IN THE ARIZONA HEAT…

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THE COMPUTER SYSTEM GOES ON AND OFF AT RANDOM, WHICH CAUSES MALFUNCTIONS IN OTHER AREAS, PARTICULARLY THE POWER STEERING AND SECURITY SYSTEM. MY POWER STEERING HAS GONE OUT MULTIPLES TIMES, CAUSING NEAR ACCIDENTS. THE SECURITY SYSTEM ALSO LOCKED UP DUE TO THE COMPUTER, AND IT TOOK 15 MINUTES TO GET IT STARTED IN THE ARIZONA HEAT. THE POWER STEERING ISSUE IS INCREDIBLY DANGEROUS.

NHTSA ODI #10816281

53,529 miles · Nov 9, 2015
Electrical SystemEngineUnknown Or Other

ENGINE OVERHEATED. TECH FOUND COOLING FAN NOT COMING ON. TECH FOUND COOLING FAN CONNECTOR MELTED. TECH USED POWER PROBE TO SEND 12 VOLTS TO COOLING FAN MOTOR. BLEW THE CIRCUIT BREAKER IN THE PROBE. MOTOR FAULTY. TECH SUGGEST NEW COOLING FAN MOTOR & PIGTAIL ASSEMBLY TO REPAIR. THE ABOVE DESCRIPTION IS WORD FOR WORD FROM THE REP…

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ENGINE OVERHEATED. TECH FOUND COOLING FAN NOT COMING ON. TECH FOUND COOLING FAN CONNECTOR MELTED. TECH USED POWER PROBE TO SEND 12 VOLTS TO COOLING FAN MOTOR. BLEW THE CIRCUIT BREAKER IN THE PROBE. MOTOR FAULTY. TECH SUGGEST NEW COOLING FAN MOTOR & PIGTAIL ASSEMBLY TO REPAIR. THE ABOVE DESCRIPTION IS WORD FOR WORD FROM THE REPAIR INVOICE. THE REPAIR SHOP ALSO TOLD US THIS WAS A PRETTY SERIOUS DEFECT AND COULD HAVE CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO CATCH ON FIRE.

NHTSA ODI #10789275

47,000 miles · Sep 8, 2015
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET CRUZE. WHILE AT A STOP LIGHT AND DEPRESSING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED, BUT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DETERMINED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET CRUZE. WHILE AT A STOP LIGHT AND DEPRESSING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED, BUT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DETERMINED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 47,000.

NHTSA ODI #10762336

28,098 miles · Aug 1, 2015
Electrical SystemSteering

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.

NHTSA ODI #10745493

44,400 miles · Jul 21, 2015
Electrical System

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.

NHTSA ODI #10735622

36,000 miles · Jun 9, 2015
Electrical System

MY CRUZE DIED ON THE RESTAURANT PARKING LOT IN THE MIDLE OF THE BUSY FRIDAY. CAME OUT TO DRIVE , PUT THE KEY IN TO THE IGNITION, TURNED TO START AND "BOOM" EVERYTHING WENT OUT. NO POWER WAS COMMING TO ANY LITTLE OR VITAL COMPONENT OF THE CAR! CHECKED THE BATTERY - WAS GOOD! TRYED TO PULL THE KEY OUT - NO WAY! IT WAS ALMOST LIKE…

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MY CRUZE DIED ON THE RESTAURANT PARKING LOT IN THE MIDLE OF THE BUSY FRIDAY. CAME OUT TO DRIVE , PUT THE KEY IN TO THE IGNITION, TURNED TO START AND "BOOM" EVERYTHING WENT OUT. NO POWER WAS COMMING TO ANY LITTLE OR VITAL COMPONENT OF THE CAR! CHECKED THE BATTERY - WAS GOOD! TRYED TO PULL THE KEY OUT - NO WAY! IT WAS ALMOST LIKE GLUED INSIDE THE IGNITION LOCK! EVERYTHING REMAINED DARK FOR SOME TIME, I COULD NOT RETRIVE A SINGLE SIGNAL SO HAD TO TOW TO NEAREST CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP. NO WORD ON IT YET!

NHTSA ODI #10724187

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.