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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

Steering complaints

74 reports
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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

12,000 miles · Dec 4, 2015
EngineFuel/propulsion SystemSteering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET CRUZE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 75 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AND THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, BUT THE FAILURE WAS UNABLE TO BE DETERMINED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO BE …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET CRUZE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 75 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AND THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, BUT THE FAILURE WAS UNABLE TO BE DETERMINED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO BE SERVICED UNDER A SAFETY RECALL RELATED TO THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM AND THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE WATER PUMP WAS LEAKING AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE TECHNICIAN ALSO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE WATER PUMP HOUSING WAS CRACKED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, BUT WAS NOT REPAIRED. WHEN THE HEATER WAS ACTIVATED, AN ODOR OF ANTIFREEZE AND FUEL EMITTED INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 12,000.

NHTSA ODI #10808389

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

36,900 miles · Jul 20, 2015
Steering

FOR ABOUT 5 MILES THE WARNING FOR POWER STEERING WAS ON I WOULD LIKE TO REPORT THIS AS OTHERS ARE ASKING FOR A RECALL ON THIS AT THE TIME I DID NOT HAVE A PROBLEM DRIVING BUT I AM CONCERNED IF THIS HAPPENS AGAIN THE TRACTION LIGHT WAS ON AT THE SAME TIME

NHTSA ODI #10735085

12,000 miles · Jun 11, 2015
SteeringUnknown Or Other

MY DAUGHTERS CHEVY CRUISE POWER STEERING LIGHT CAME ON AND IT BECAME DIFFICULT FOR IT TO STEER. SHE TURNED IT OFF AND IT WORKED FINE. SHE MADE APPOINTMENT AT DAY CHEVROLET IN MONROEVILLE AND THEY COULD NOT FIND A PROBLEM. ALSO, THEY SAID THAT THEY HAD NEVER HEARD OF SUCH A PROBLEM. AFTER SHE LEFT IT HAPPENED AGAIN. WE GOOGL…

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MY DAUGHTERS CHEVY CRUISE POWER STEERING LIGHT CAME ON AND IT BECAME DIFFICULT FOR IT TO STEER. SHE TURNED IT OFF AND IT WORKED FINE. SHE MADE APPOINTMENT AT DAY CHEVROLET IN MONROEVILLE AND THEY COULD NOT FIND A PROBLEM. ALSO, THEY SAID THAT THEY HAD NEVER HEARD OF SUCH A PROBLEM. AFTER SHE LEFT IT HAPPENED AGAIN. WE GOOGLED THE PROBLEM AND FOUND IT HAS HAPPENED A LOT OF TIMES WHAT SHOULD WE DO? I DON'T WANT MY DAUGHTER IN AN ACCIDENT AND INJURED OR KILLEDTO

NHTSA ODI #10724743

39,592 miles · May 29, 2015
EngineSteering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET CRUZE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED AND THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESTART AFTER MULTIPLE ATTEMPTS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 39,592.

NHTSA ODI #10722278

51,699 miles · Apr 17, 2015
Steering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET CRUZE. WHILE DRIVING AT 25 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 51,699.

NHTSA ODI #10706308

21,000 miles · Apr 1, 2015
Electrical SystemSteering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET CRUZE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 2 MPH AND TRYING TO MAKE A U-TURN, THE POWER STEERING SEIZED AND THE VEHICLE CAME TO STOP. ALL THE WARNING LAMPS ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE VE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET CRUZE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 2 MPH AND TRYING TO MAKE A U-TURN, THE POWER STEERING SEIZED AND THE VEHICLE CAME TO STOP. ALL THE WARNING LAMPS ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 21,000.

NHTSA ODI #10703195

15,000 miles · Oct 27, 2014
Electrical SystemSteering

THERE ARE TIMES WHEN THE CAR WILL SHUT OFF WHILE I AM DRIVING. THE RADIO GOES OFF AND ON, AND THE WARNING OF CHECK STABILITY TRAC, I HAVE VIDEO OF THIS HAPPENING. I HAVE TAKEN IT IN MANY TIMES AND HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT THEY CANNOT DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT BECAUSE THEY CAN REPLICATE WHAT I AM SPEAKING ABOUT. THIS HAS HAPPENED ON MANY O…

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THERE ARE TIMES WHEN THE CAR WILL SHUT OFF WHILE I AM DRIVING. THE RADIO GOES OFF AND ON, AND THE WARNING OF CHECK STABILITY TRAC, I HAVE VIDEO OF THIS HAPPENING. I HAVE TAKEN IT IN MANY TIMES AND HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT THEY CANNOT DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT BECAUSE THEY CAN REPLICATE WHAT I AM SPEAKING ABOUT. THIS HAS HAPPENED ON MANY OCCASIONS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10650554

24,140 miles · Oct 26, 2014
SteeringSuspension

ON JUNE 28, 2014, I BROUGHT MY CHEVY CRUZE TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR A SAFETY RECALL INSPECTION (N140079) TO INSPECT THE FRONT AXLE RIGHT HALF SHAFT. I WAS TOLD MY VEHICLE DID NOT HAVE A FAULTY AXLE AND NO FURTHER ACTION WAS REQUIRED. THEN ON OCTOBER 20, 2014, AS I WAS EXITING A HIGHWAY OFF RAMP AND MERGING ON TO A MAIN ROAD (AT AP…

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ON JUNE 28, 2014, I BROUGHT MY CHEVY CRUZE TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR A SAFETY RECALL INSPECTION (N140079) TO INSPECT THE FRONT AXLE RIGHT HALF SHAFT. I WAS TOLD MY VEHICLE DID NOT HAVE A FAULTY AXLE AND NO FURTHER ACTION WAS REQUIRED. THEN ON OCTOBER 20, 2014, AS I WAS EXITING A HIGHWAY OFF RAMP AND MERGING ON TO A MAIN ROAD (AT APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH) THE VEHICLE STOPPED MOVING FORWARD. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO THE SAME DEALERSHIP THAT PERFORMED THE SAFETY INSPECTION ON JUNE 28TH. THE DEALERSHIP STATED THE CV AXLE WAS BROKEN AND THE SWAY BAR LINK WAS BROKEN IN HALF. THE DEALERSHIP ADMITTED THAT THIS WAS THE SAME PART THAT WAS INSPECTED AND INVOLVED IN THE RECALL. THE DEALERSHIP STATED THAT THE TECHNICIAN WHO INSPECTED THE AXLE ON JUNE 28TH MADE A MISTAKE. THE DEALERSHIP APOLOGIZED AND ASSURED ME THAT THEY WOULD CALL IN ALL OTHER APPLICABLE CUSTOMERS TO HAVE THEIR AXLES RE-INSPECTED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10650142

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.