CAR HAS LEAKED OIL AND COOLANT SINCE I GOT IT. CONSTANTLY OVER HEATS. LOSS OF POWER. ENGINE REVS AND JUMPS. CONSTANT REPLACEMENTS NOTHING WORKS.
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.
Engine complaints
211 reportsI HAVE HAD AN ISSUE WITH THE VALVE COVER GASKET NEEDING TO BE REPLACE DUE TO OIL LEAKAGE TWICE WITHIN A YEAR. I WILL START NOTICING BURT OIL SMELL ONLY ON THE INSIDE OF THE CAR THROUGH THE AIR VENTS. THERE HAVNT BEEN ANY LEAKAGE ON THE GROUND AS FAR AS I SEE. THIS CAN'T POSSIBLY BE NORMAL. I CURRENTLY HAVE TO PUT MY CAR IN THE S…
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I HAVE HAD AN ISSUE WITH THE VALVE COVER GASKET NEEDING TO BE REPLACE DUE TO OIL LEAKAGE TWICE WITHIN A YEAR. I WILL START NOTICING BURT OIL SMELL ONLY ON THE INSIDE OF THE CAR THROUGH THE AIR VENTS. THERE HAVNT BEEN ANY LEAKAGE ON THE GROUND AS FAR AS I SEE. THIS CAN'T POSSIBLY BE NORMAL. I CURRENTLY HAVE TO PUT MY CAR IN THE SHOP FOR THIS ISSUE.
THE CAR HAS SOME KIND OF ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT GOES ON AND I TAKE THE CAR BACK TO THE DEALER AND GET PROBLEMS FIXED, AND WITHIN A MONTH THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AGAIN, AND THERE ARE NEW PROBLEMS WITH THE CAR. WHEN THOSE PROBLEMS GET FIXED, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AGAIN WITHIN A MONTH. THIS IS…
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THE CAR HAS SOME KIND OF ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT GOES ON AND I TAKE THE CAR BACK TO THE DEALER AND GET PROBLEMS FIXED, AND WITHIN A MONTH THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AGAIN, AND THERE ARE NEW PROBLEMS WITH THE CAR. WHEN THOSE PROBLEMS GET FIXED, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AGAIN WITHIN A MONTH. THIS IS A CYCLE THAT KEEPS GOING. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AT DIFFERENT TIMES, USUALLY WHILE DRIVING. I BELIEVE THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM IS CAUSING CASCADING FAILURES IN DIFFERENT SYSTEMS.
VEHICLE LEAKS COOLANT FROM WATER PUMP AND THERMOSTAT
[XXX]. I HAVE HAD PROBLEMS OVERHEATING. I CHANGED THE HOSES, THERMOSTAT, THERM. HOUSING, 3 SENSORS, WATER PUMP, SPARK PLUGS, COOLANT. NOW MY CAR WILL NOT EVEN START. IT CRANKS BUT WILL NOT FIRE. WHAT CAN I DO. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
JUNE 2020 - CAR BEGAN POPPING UP WITH THE ALERT "A/C OFF DUE TO HIGH ENGINE TEMP" - UPON CHECKING THE CAR HAD COOLANT SO REPLACED THE THERMOSTAT. JULY 2020 THE ISSUE KEPT OCCURRING AND I BEGAN HAVING TO PUT COOLANT IN THE VEHICLE EVERY FEW DAYS. TOOK TO ANOTHER SHOP WHO SAID IT WAS LEAKING FROM A HOSE - REPLACED HOSES. AUG 2020 …
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JUNE 2020 - CAR BEGAN POPPING UP WITH THE ALERT "A/C OFF DUE TO HIGH ENGINE TEMP" - UPON CHECKING THE CAR HAD COOLANT SO REPLACED THE THERMOSTAT. JULY 2020 THE ISSUE KEPT OCCURRING AND I BEGAN HAVING TO PUT COOLANT IN THE VEHICLE EVERY FEW DAYS. TOOK TO ANOTHER SHOP WHO SAID IT WAS LEAKING FROM A HOSE - REPLACED HOSES. AUG 2020 - ISSUE CONTINUED AND THEN STOPPED HOLDING WATER ALL TOGETHER - HAD TO REPLACE WATER PUMP, REZ, THERMOSTAT, AND VARIOUS BELTS/HOSES - DROVE THE CAR FOR THREE DAYS WHEN THE MESSAGE POPPED UP AGAIN. TOOK IT BACK TO THE SHOP AND WAS TOLD THAT (DESPITE IT BEING 1 OWNER CAR) "SOMEONE" HAD PUT STOP LEAK IN IT AND IT MADE THE THERMOSTAT STICK. THEY FLUSHED THE ENGINE AND REPLACED THE THERMOSTAT AGAIN AND THE CAR DROVE FOR 1 WEEK BEFORE THE ISSUE KEPT OCCURRING. THIS TIME IT STARTED HAVING TROUBLE CRANKING AND CAUSED A BLOWN HEAD GASKET. SO NOW AFTER 8 MONTHS AND $3,500 I HAVE REPLACED EVERYTHING THAT COULD POSSIBLY MAKE IT OVERHEAT/HAVE A COOLANT ISSUE AND HAD THE ENTIRE ENGINE REBUILT - HOPEFULLY THIS TIME IT FIXES THE ISSUE. THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE AND NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED.
WHILE DRIVING IN THE CITY STREET THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND STARTED FLASHING. THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT CAME ON FOLLOWED BY A MESSAGE IN THE DASHBOARD STATING 'STABILITYTACK' WAS NOT WORKING. THE VEHICLE THEN BEGAN SHAKING AND WAS NOT ABLE TO SHIFT GEARS PROPERLY. THE RPM WAS HAVING TO REV HARDER THAN USUAL TO KEEP THE …
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WHILE DRIVING IN THE CITY STREET THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND STARTED FLASHING. THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT CAME ON FOLLOWED BY A MESSAGE IN THE DASHBOARD STATING 'STABILITYTACK' WAS NOT WORKING. THE VEHICLE THEN BEGAN SHAKING AND WAS NOT ABLE TO SHIFT GEARS PROPERLY. THE RPM WAS HAVING TO REV HARDER THAN USUAL TO KEEP THE VEHICLE UP TO SPEED. I HAD TO PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE STREET AND TURN THE CAR OFF. NEITHER IDLING OR SHUTTING OF THE VEHICLE HELPED WITH THE PROBLEM.
THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD COOKS THE CYLINDER HEAD GASKET CAUSING OIL LEAKS AND TURBO FAILURE BEFORE 75,000 MILES. OVERWHELMING SMELL OF BURNT ANTIFREEZE COMING FROM VENTS DUE TO COOLANT LEAK RIGHT OF THE SHOWROOM FLOOR. RANKED LOWEST POSSIBLE RELIABILITY RATING 40 OF 40
RECALL: N202299080 THE CRACKS IN THE FAULTY PCV VALVE PREVENTED PROPER AIR INTAKE AND PRESSURIZATION TO AND FROM THE INTAKE ENGINE. BECAUSE THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN OPERATING UNDER THESE STRENUOUS IMPROPER CONDITIONS, THE TURBO HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO SPOOL PROPERLY IN ACCORDANCE WITH ITS DESIGN AND HAS ALSO BECOME DEFECTIVE/IN NEED…
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RECALL: N202299080 THE CRACKS IN THE FAULTY PCV VALVE PREVENTED PROPER AIR INTAKE AND PRESSURIZATION TO AND FROM THE INTAKE ENGINE. BECAUSE THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN OPERATING UNDER THESE STRENUOUS IMPROPER CONDITIONS, THE TURBO HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO SPOOL PROPERLY IN ACCORDANCE WITH ITS DESIGN AND HAS ALSO BECOME DEFECTIVE/IN NEED OF REPLACEMENT. FAULTY PRESSURIZATION DOES NOT ONLY AFFECT THE PCV VALVE, BUT THE COMPONENTS ON EITHER SIDE OF THE VALVE AND THEIR PROCESSES AS WELL. MY 2013 CHEVY CRUZE NOT ONLY STALLS IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET, BUT DIES THERE AND IS A HUGE SAFETY HAZARD TO BOTH MY FAMILY AND THOSE WE SHARE THE ROAD WITH. THIS VEHICLE HAS NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT OR HAD ANY OTHER COMPLICATIONS, EXCEPT FOR THIS FAULTY PCV VALVE. THE CONDITION HAS EXPOSED MY TURBO AND ENGINE TO IRREGULAR UNWARRANTED PROPULSION MECHANISMS. GM IS HOPING WE'RE IGNORANT ENOUGH TO COVER THOSE COSTS ON OUR OWN. THIS IS WRONG. THEIR FAULTY PART TRIGGERED A SERIES OF SAFETY HAZARDS AND COMPLICATIONS. THEY NEED TO BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE, WE CANNOT SIT BACK OR TURN A BLIND EYE IN THEIR DIRECTION. WE NEED TO STAND UP FOR EACH OTHER AND SPEAK OUT. THANK YOU FOR MAKING OUR SAFETY CONCERNS YOUR PRIORITY!
THE COOLANT IS LEAKING, MY ENGINE LIGHT TURNED ON WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON A CITY STREET AND IT SAID MY ENGINE WAS HIGH IN TEMPERATURE.
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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