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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

Power Train complaints

112 reports
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69,234 miles · Oct 26, 2016
Power Train

WHILE ACCELERATING ON CITY STREETS, THE TRANSMISSION WENT INTO THE FOURTH GEAR AND HESITATED TO GO ANY FASTER. I THEN STOPPED ACCELERATING BUT THEN THE TRANSMISSION SLAMMED INTO THE THIRD GEAR AND REVVED HIGH UNTIL I PUSHED ON THE BRAKES AND THE TRANSMISSION SLAMMED BACK INTO THE FOURTH GEAR. THIS ISN'T THE FIRST OCCURRENCE. I H…

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WHILE ACCELERATING ON CITY STREETS, THE TRANSMISSION WENT INTO THE FOURTH GEAR AND HESITATED TO GO ANY FASTER. I THEN STOPPED ACCELERATING BUT THEN THE TRANSMISSION SLAMMED INTO THE THIRD GEAR AND REVVED HIGH UNTIL I PUSHED ON THE BRAKES AND THE TRANSMISSION SLAMMED BACK INTO THE FOURTH GEAR. THIS ISN'T THE FIRST OCCURRENCE. I HAVEN'T TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR SERVICING.

NHTSA ODI #10919163

61,000 miles · Sep 13, 2016
Power Train

STOPPED ON HILL CAR IN DRIVE AFTER A FEW SECONDS STARTS ROLLING BACKWARDS.

NHTSA ODI #10906019

81,000 miles · Sep 13, 2016
EnginePower Train

ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON , AUTO ZONE RAN IT AND CODE P0299. STATES IT THE TURBO/ SUPER CHARGER UNDERBOOST. 81,000 MILES. I HAVE ONLY HAD THIS VEHICLE 18 MONTHS. I DON'T RACE AROUND TOWN IN IT.

NHTSA ODI #10905995

42,000 miles · Sep 7, 2016
Electrical SystemPower Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET CRUZE. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED WITH THE KEY REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION, IT ROLLED AWAY TWICE WITHIN 24 HOURS. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V502000 …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET CRUZE. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED WITH THE KEY REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION, IT ROLLED AWAY TWICE WITHIN 24 HOURS. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V502000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, POWER TRAIN). THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 42,000.

NHTSA ODI #10904523

Mileage unknown · Jul 16, 2016
Electronic Stability Control (esc)EnginePower Train

STABILITRAK CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TURNED ON CAR OVERHEATED AND THE CAR SLOWED DOWN AND TURNED OFF WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY IN COULDN'T RESTART THE CAR HAD IT TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY WANTED TO CHARGE FOR REPAIRS WHICH WE ARE NOT GOING TO PAY FOR MANUFACTURING DEFECTS I HAVE A 2013 CHEVY CRUISE.

NHTSA ODI #10885216

45,000 miles · May 17, 2016
Power Train

MY 2013 CHEVY CRUZE ALMOST GOT ME IN A REALLY BAD ACCIDENT. IT STARTED WHEN DRIVING ABOUT 20 MPH (TRANSMISSION IS IN D) THE CAR STARTED TO LOOSE POWER FELT LIKE ITS STALLING, RPM DROPPED THEN SUDDENLY STARTED GOING INTO REVERSE WHILE THE TRANSMISSION IS STILL ON D I ALMOST HIT THE CAR BEHIND ME. I STEPPED ON MY BREAKS AND I PUT…

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MY 2013 CHEVY CRUZE ALMOST GOT ME IN A REALLY BAD ACCIDENT. IT STARTED WHEN DRIVING ABOUT 20 MPH (TRANSMISSION IS IN D) THE CAR STARTED TO LOOSE POWER FELT LIKE ITS STALLING, RPM DROPPED THEN SUDDENLY STARTED GOING INTO REVERSE WHILE THE TRANSMISSION IS STILL ON D I ALMOST HIT THE CAR BEHIND ME. I STEPPED ON MY BREAKS AND I PUT THE TRANSMISSION IN PARK BUT THE CAR SURGED FORWARD IN WHICH I ALMOST HIT THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. I'VE TAKEN THIS CAR SEVERAL TIMES TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR TRANSMISSION SHIFTING PROBLEMS BUT I FELT THAT IT WAS NOT COMPLETELY FIXED. THE DEALER ALWAYS TELLS ME THAT THERES NOTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR. BUT NOW THAT I'VE ALMOST HIT 2 CARS YESTERDAY WITHOUT ANY REASON, I FEEL THAT THE CAR IS COMPLETELY UNSAFE TO DRIVE AND MY WIFE EVEN TOLD ME THAT SHE WILL NEVER DRIVE THIS CAR AGAIN. IT'S JUST SAD TO BE HAVING THIS MANY PROBLEMS ON A CAR WITH LESS THAN 50K MILESYESTERDAY MY 2013 CHEVY CRUZE ALMOST GOT ME IN A REALLY BAD ACCIDENT. IT STARTED WHEN DRIVING ABOUT 20 MPH (TRANSMISSION IS IN D) THEN THE CAR STARTED TO LOOSE POWER FELT LIKE ITS STALLING THE RPM DROPPED THEN SUDDENLY STARTED GOING INTO REVERSE WHILE THE TRANSMISSION IS STILL ON D I ALMOST HIT THE CAR BEHIND ME. SO I STEPPED ON MY BREAKS THEN TRY TO SWITCH GEARS ALL OF A SUDDEN THE CAR STARTED TO GO FORWARD EVEN THOUGH THE CAR IS IN PARK IN WHICH THIS TIME I ALMOST HIT THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. I'VE TAKEN THIS CAR SEVERAL TIMES TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR TRANSMISSION SHIFTING PROBLEMS BUT I FELT THAT IT WAS NOT COMPLETELY FIXED. THE DEALER ALWAYS TELLS ME THAT THERES NOTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR. BUT NOW THAT I'VE ALMOST HIT 2 CARS YESTERDAY WITHOUT ANY REASON, I FEEL THAT THE CAR IS COMPLETELY UNSAFE TO DRIVE AND MY WIFE EVEN TOLD ME THAT SHE WILL NEVER DRIVE THIS CAR AGAIN. IT'S JUST SAD TO BE HAVING THIS MANY PROBLEMS ON A CAR WITH LESS THAN 50K MILES

NHTSA ODI #10865352

100 miles · Mar 30, 2016
Power Train

SINCE PURCHASE OF THE VEHICLE BRAND NEW IN 2013, CLUTCH HAS REPEATEDLY SMELLED LIKE BURNING CLUTCH AT RANDOM TIMES WHILE DRIVING IN 5TH AND 6TH GEAR AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. THE DEALERSHIPS CLAIM THIS IS NORMAL. AT ABOUT 50K MILES WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AT 60MPH IN 6TH GEAR FOR A PERIOD OF ABOUT 30 MINUTES, I STARTED SMELLING TH…

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SINCE PURCHASE OF THE VEHICLE BRAND NEW IN 2013, CLUTCH HAS REPEATEDLY SMELLED LIKE BURNING CLUTCH AT RANDOM TIMES WHILE DRIVING IN 5TH AND 6TH GEAR AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. THE DEALERSHIPS CLAIM THIS IS NORMAL. AT ABOUT 50K MILES WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AT 60MPH IN 6TH GEAR FOR A PERIOD OF ABOUT 30 MINUTES, I STARTED SMELLING THE CLUTCH BURNING EVEN THOUGH I WASN'T SHIFTING AND DIDN'T HAVE MY FOOT ON THE CLUTCH. WHEN IT CAME TIME TO EXIT THE FREEWAY AND SWITCH GEARS THE CLUTCH WENT TO THE FLOOR AND I COULDN'T SHIFT INTO OTHER GEARS. I HAD TO PULL OVER AND TAKE MY CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP BY SHIFTING WHEN THE GEARS SYNCED. THE DEALERSHIP, KEYS CHEVROLET, IN VAN NUYS, TOLD ME I WAS RIDING THE CLUTCH AND CAUSED IT TO MELT AND WOULDN'T LISTEN TO ME ABOUT WHAT REALLY HAPPENED. MY LAST VEHICLE WAS A 1997 VW JETTA AND I TOOK THE ORIGINAL CLUTCH TO 157K MILES BEFORE TRADING IN FOR THIS CHEVY AND THE CLUTCH WAS STILL GOOD. I'VE BEEN A VALET FOR YEARS AND AN AUCTION COORDINATOR, I DON'T RIDE THE CLUTCH AND I CAN DRIVE ANY VEHICLE PROFESSIONALLY. THE 2013 CHEVY CRUZE LS HAS PROBLEMS. AFTER LOOKING ON THE CRUZETALK FORUMS, MANY MEMBERS HAVE FOUND THAT THE AMOUNT OF TRANSMISSION FLUID CHEVROLET PUTS INTO THEIR TRANSMISSIONS, ABOUT 2 QUARTS, IS NOT ENOUGH FOR 5TH AND 6TH GEAR AND THEY RECOMMEND PUTTING IN 2.5 QUARTS. CHEVROLET DENIES THERE IS A PROBLEM EVEN THOUGH THEY CAUSED MY CLUTCH TO MELT AND COST ME $1,800 TO FIX IT.

NHTSA ODI #10852497

42,000 miles · Jan 25, 2016
Power TrainService BrakesVehicle Speed Control

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET CRUZE. WHILE DRIVING AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER. THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, BUT THE VEHICLE HESITATED BEFORE ACCELERATING. IN ADDITION, WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IDLING, THE ABS AND MULTIPLE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCAS…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET CRUZE. WHILE DRIVING AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER. THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, BUT THE VEHICLE HESITATED BEFORE ACCELERATING. IN ADDITION, WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IDLING, THE ABS AND MULTIPLE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 42,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10822068

70,000 miles · Jul 16, 2015
Power Train

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.

NHTSA ODI #10734594

30 miles · Jun 21, 2015
Power Train

THE CAR BOGS DOWN IN FIRST GEAR, THIS IS A MANUAL TRANSMISSION, CAR HAS POOR POWER. THIS ALSO GIVES THE AUTOMATICS POOR POWER. THE SPARK PLUGS ARE NOT GAPPED OUT OF FACTORY. I JOINED CRUZETALK FORUMS AND MANY PEOPLE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. 2013 CRUZE LS MT IS SUPPOSED TO HAVE .028 GAP SPARK PLUGS. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND TOLD …

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THE CAR BOGS DOWN IN FIRST GEAR, THIS IS A MANUAL TRANSMISSION, CAR HAS POOR POWER. THIS ALSO GIVES THE AUTOMATICS POOR POWER. THE SPARK PLUGS ARE NOT GAPPED OUT OF FACTORY. I JOINED CRUZETALK FORUMS AND MANY PEOPLE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. 2013 CRUZE LS MT IS SUPPOSED TO HAVE .028 GAP SPARK PLUGS. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND TOLD THEM. THEY RETURNED IT IN AN HOUR AND SAID THEY REGAPPED THEM FOR ME. THE PROBLEM PERSISTED. I BOUGHT THE TOOLS AND TOOK THEM OUT AND THEY WERE SET TO .025, .021, .023, .025. THE PLUGS ARE WAY OFF MARK AND THE DEALERSHIP LIED. I REGAPPED THEM TO .028 AND THE CAR NEVER RAN BETTER.

NHTSA ODI #10726398

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.