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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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36,000 miles · Oct 18, 2014
Steering

I WAS ON MY WAY HOME FROM WORK YESTERDAY AND WHEN I WENT TO MAKE A RIGHT TURN, THE SCREEN WENT OUT AGAIN....WHICH IS FINE. WE CAN ALL LIVE WITHOUT AUDIO AND A FANCY SCREEN IN OUR CARS, BUT AS SOON AS THE SCREEN WENT OUT THE POWER STEERING AND STABILITRAK LIGHTS BOTH CAME ON AND MY POWER STEERING COMPLETELY WENT OUT IN MY CAR WHI…

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I WAS ON MY WAY HOME FROM WORK YESTERDAY AND WHEN I WENT TO MAKE A RIGHT TURN, THE SCREEN WENT OUT AGAIN....WHICH IS FINE. WE CAN ALL LIVE WITHOUT AUDIO AND A FANCY SCREEN IN OUR CARS, BUT AS SOON AS THE SCREEN WENT OUT THE POWER STEERING AND STABILITRAK LIGHTS BOTH CAME ON AND MY POWER STEERING COMPLETELY WENT OUT IN MY CAR WHILE I WAS TURNING. I ALMOST HIT A CONCRETE WALL AND THE CARS THAT WERE WAITING FOR THEIR TURN TO GO IN THE ONCOMING TRAFFIC LANES. IT WAS BAD ENOUGH THAT I HAD THAT ISSUE BUT OF COURSE, THERE'S MORE. WE LIVE ON AN ARMY BASE - FORT SILL, IN OKLAHOMA - WE HAVE TO STOP AT THE GATE TO GET ON BASE AND SHOW OUR IDS TO GET HOME. I STOPPED AT THE GATE AND TALKED WITH THE GUARD FOR A MINUTE, SHOWED MY ID AND WENT ON WITH MY BUSINESS.. I STARTED TO DRIVE AWAY AND MY CAR WENT CRAZY AGAIN. I LOST ALL POWER STEERING AGAIN AND ALL OF MY LIGHTS FLICKERED ON AND OFF FOR THREE MINUTES, INSIDE LIGHTS AND OUTSIDE TOO. THE CAR STARTED JERKING LIKE IT WAS TRYING TO CUT OFF, IT FINALLY STOPPED AND I MADE IT HOME BUT I REFUSE TO DRIVE THIS CAR AGAIN. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10648569

36,809 miles · Oct 14, 2014
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Power TrainSteering

NOW JUST PURCHASED THE 2013 CHEVY CRUZE SECOND DAY EVERYTHING SHUT DOWN ON ME TOOK IT BACK AND ASKED FOR A REPLACEMENT CAR BECAUSE SOMETHING WAS WRONG WITH THAT ON EXPLAINED AND VIDEO TAPE IT ALL BUT THEY SUTTON FORD TOLD ME THE CAR WAS JUST UPDATING AND ITS NORMAL. I PLEAD WITH THEM AND THEY SAID NO. A WEEK LATER IT KEPT SHUTTI…

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NOW JUST PURCHASED THE 2013 CHEVY CRUZE SECOND DAY EVERYTHING SHUT DOWN ON ME TOOK IT BACK AND ASKED FOR A REPLACEMENT CAR BECAUSE SOMETHING WAS WRONG WITH THAT ON EXPLAINED AND VIDEO TAPE IT ALL BUT THEY SUTTON FORD TOLD ME THE CAR WAS JUST UPDATING AND ITS NORMAL. I PLEAD WITH THEM AND THEY SAID NO. A WEEK LATER IT KEPT SHUTTING OFF I TOOK IT BACK AGAIN SAMETHING 3 WEEKS ALL ELECTRICAL SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVIN ON EXPRESSWAY CAR SHUT DOWN WHILE DRIVING COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED TOOK CAR BACK 10/8 THEY SAID TO BRING IT BACK ON MONDAY WHICH IT CAUSED IT TO BE PASSED 30 DAY NO REPLACEMENT CAR AND NOW WARRANTY EXPIRED THEY WANT ME TO PAY .THEY HAS THE CAR NOW JUST PURCHASED 9/10. LIGHTS COME ON BRAKELIGHT SERVICE STABILITITRAK COMES ON THE CAR SHUTS DOWN WHILE DRIVING DO NOT WANT THIS CAR LIFE THREATENING FOR ME AND KIDS. ALSO HAVING PROBLEMS WITH STEERING TOOK IT BACK SECOND DAY OF PURCHASED CLAIMED THEY FIXED IT BUT HAPPENING AGAIN. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10644447

20,000 miles · Sep 26, 2014
Steering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET CRUZE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AND EXCESSIVE FORCE WAS USED TO MANEUVER THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,000.

NHTSA ODI #10639260

34,000 miles · Aug 31, 2014
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Steering

I BOUGHT MY 2013 CRUZE LTZ ABOUT THREE MONTHS AGO AND I WAS SURE THAT IT WAS THE PERFECT CAR, NOW, I'M FULLY AWARE THAT I WAS WRONG.. I GOT IN MY CAR TO LEAVE FOR WORK ON AUGUST 1, 2014 AND WHEN I STARTED MY CAR, THE ON DASH MAINTENANCE REMINDERS ALL WENT CRAZY TELLING ME TO "SERVICE POWER STEERING" AND "SERVICE STABILITRAK".. I…

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I BOUGHT MY 2013 CRUZE LTZ ABOUT THREE MONTHS AGO AND I WAS SURE THAT IT WAS THE PERFECT CAR, NOW, I'M FULLY AWARE THAT I WAS WRONG.. I GOT IN MY CAR TO LEAVE FOR WORK ON AUGUST 1, 2014 AND WHEN I STARTED MY CAR, THE ON DASH MAINTENANCE REMINDERS ALL WENT CRAZY TELLING ME TO "SERVICE POWER STEERING" AND "SERVICE STABILITRAK".. I KNEW THIS COULDN'T BE RIGHT SO I TURNED OFF THE ENGINE AND RESTARTED THE CAR, THE SCREEN WENT CRAZY AGAIN WITH THE SERVICE NOTIFICATIONS. I DIDN'T HAVE TIME TO HAVE IT CHECKED OUT BEFORE WORK SO I WENT AHEAD WITH MY DAY, I GOT ALL THE WAY TO THE INTERSTATE (WHICH IS ABOUT A MILE AND A HALF FROM MY DRIVEWAY) AND NOTICED THE STEERING WAS GETTING STIFF SO I PULLED OVER AND RESTARTED THE CAR AGAIN AND THE LIGHTS DIDN'T COME BACK ON SO I, AGAIN, WENT ON ABOUT MY DAY... ISSUE NUMBER TWO-- ABOUT THREE DAYS LATER, AND EVERY DAY SINCE, MY ON DASH TOUCH SCREEN GOES COMPLETELY BLACK, WHICH WOULDN'T BOTHER ME SO BAD IF IT DIDN'T MAKE ALL OF THE "SERVICE" LIGHTS COME BACK ON. I DON'T "NEED" A TOUCH SCREEN BUT IT WOULD BE REALLY NICE IF I DIDN'T FEEL LIKE I WAS DRIVING A TICKING TIME BOMB EVERY DAY SINCE THE VEHICLE CLEARLY HAS WIRING ISSUES. NOW, IF I TOUCH THE BRAKES OR ROLL DOWN A WINDOW, THE SCREEN GOES COMPLETELY BLACK, THE DASH LIGHTING FLICKERS AND THE SERVICE LIGHTS COME ON. I'VE BEEN SEARCHING FORUMS FOR ALMOST A MONTH AND IT SEEMS THAT NUMEROUS PEOPLE ARE HAVING THESE ISSUES, NOT ONLY MYSELF. I'M SO DISAPPOINTED WITH MY PURCHASE, ITS ALMOST UNREAL.. THE PERFECT CAR, IN THE PERFECT COLOR WITH MORE RECALLS (AND OTHER ISSUES THAT HAVEN'T BEEN RECALLED) THAN I EVEN KNOW HOW TO DEAL WITH IT. NEVER AGAIN WILL I BUY A CHEVROLET VEHICLE. IT IS OUT OF CONTROL TO NOT BE ABLE TO FEEL SAFE IN A VEHICLE THAT YOU'VE WORKED EXTREMELY HARD TO GET. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10629658

22,000 miles · Jun 21, 2014
Steering

OVER 30 DAYS AGO I RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR MY CAR. THE CAR WAS TAKEN TO THE CHEVY GARAGE TO BE FIXED BUT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. I DROVE THIS CAR FOR 30 DAYS WITH A BAD AXLE AND THE GARAGE KNEW THIS. I WAS STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT AT A BUSY INTERSECTION AND WHEN THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN I PROCEEDED TO GO BUT MY CAR ONLY …

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OVER 30 DAYS AGO I RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR MY CAR. THE CAR WAS TAKEN TO THE CHEVY GARAGE TO BE FIXED BUT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. I DROVE THIS CAR FOR 30 DAYS WITH A BAD AXLE AND THE GARAGE KNEW THIS. I WAS STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT AT A BUSY INTERSECTION AND WHEN THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN I PROCEEDED TO GO BUT MY CAR ONLY DRIFTED THROUGH THE INTERSECTION. IT SOUNDED LIKE THE ENTIRE FRONT END FELL OUT FROM UNDER THE CAR. I HAD MY 6 MONTH OLD GRANDDAUGHTER WITH ME WHILE I WAS GOING TO PICK UP MY 6 YEAR OLD GRANDDAUGHTER FROM SCHOOL. WE SAT RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE INTERSECTION WHILE PEOPLE DROVE BY SWEARING AND SIGNING TO ME UNTIL 3 KIND GENTLEMEN PUSHED ME OUT OF THE WAY. THE CHEVY GARAGE CAME AND PICKED ME AND MY CAR UP BUT THEY HAVE HAD MY CAR FOR 3 WEEKS NOW BECAUSE PARTS ARE UNAVAILABLE AND THEY DON'T KNOW WHEN THEY WILL RECEIVE THEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10604923

5,000 miles · Jun 18, 2014
Air BagsService BrakesSteeringCrashInjury

THE DRIVER WAS TRAVELING ON A TWO LANE HIGHWAY IN BALDWIN COUNTY, ALABAMA, WHEN SHE APPROACHED A RIGHT HAND CURVE (WHICH THE DRIVER WAS FULLY AWARE OF). DRIVER APPLIED BRAKES SO AS TO SLOW DOWN TO NEGOTIATE THIS CURVE, BUT WHEN THE DRIVER APPLIED THE BRAKES, THEY DID NOT RESPOND. ADDITIONALLY, THE VEHICLE APPEARED TO LOSE POW…

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THE DRIVER WAS TRAVELING ON A TWO LANE HIGHWAY IN BALDWIN COUNTY, ALABAMA, WHEN SHE APPROACHED A RIGHT HAND CURVE (WHICH THE DRIVER WAS FULLY AWARE OF). DRIVER APPLIED BRAKES SO AS TO SLOW DOWN TO NEGOTIATE THIS CURVE, BUT WHEN THE DRIVER APPLIED THE BRAKES, THEY DID NOT RESPOND. ADDITIONALLY, THE VEHICLE APPEARED TO LOSE POWER STEERING FUNCTION. IT APPEARED THAT THE VEHICLE LOST POWER, SIMILAR IN NATURE TO THE MOST RECENT IGNITION DEFECTS ON OTHER GM VEHICLES. DUE TO LOSS OF BRAKING ABILITY, THE VEHICLE WENT STRAIGHT OFF ROADWAY AND CRASHED CAUSING SIGNIFICANT PERSONAL INJURY TO THE DRIVER. FURTHER, THE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY. WE CONTACTED GM, AND AGREED TO ALLOW GM REPRESENTATIVES INVESTIGATE THE INCIDENT BY DOWNLOADING THE ESIS INFORMATION, WITH THE AGREEMENT THAT GM WOULD PROVIDE THE OWNER WITH THE RESULTS OF SAID INVESTIGATION IN A READILY UNDERSTANDABLE FORMAT. AFTER DOWNLOADING THE INFORMATION, GM DENIED ANY LIABILITY FOR THE INCIDENT, AND REFUSED TO PROVIDE THE OWNER WITH THE RESULTS OF ITS INVESTIGATION IN A FORMAT THAT WAS READILY UNDERSTANDABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS RECENTLY PURCHASED NEW, AND HAD NO PRIOR ISSUES. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10604304

32,000 miles · Jun 8, 2014
Electrical SystemSteering

RADIO SHUTS ON AND OFF AT RANDOM, PROBLEM WORSENS AND STARTS TO INCLUDE SERVICE WARNINGS INCLUDING SERVICE STABILITRAK AND SERVICE SECURITY SYSTEM, POWER STEERING STOPS WORKING AT RANDOM, ALSO HAVE ISSUES STARTING THE CAR ON OCCASION. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10596922

40,000 miles · May 9, 2014
Electrical SystemSteering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET CRUZ. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS AND MAKING A TURN, THE VEHICLE WOULD SUDDENLY SHUT OFF FOR APPROXIMATELY 3 SECONDS BEFORE RESTARTING. THE CONTACT ALSO INDICATED THAT IN A SEPARATE INCIDENT THE POWER STEERING MALFUNCTIONED MAKING THE STEERING WHEEL VERY DIFFICULT TO…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET CRUZ. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS AND MAKING A TURN, THE VEHICLE WOULD SUDDENLY SHUT OFF FOR APPROXIMATELY 3 SECONDS BEFORE RESTARTING. THE CONTACT ALSO INDICATED THAT IN A SEPARATE INCIDENT THE POWER STEERING MALFUNCTIONED MAKING THE STEERING WHEEL VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR WAS THE VEHICLE REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000. RK

NHTSA ODI #10587501

1,000 miles · May 9, 2014
Steering

AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS (BETWEEN 60 AND 75) THERE IS A "NOTCHY" TUG TO THE STEERING WHEEL. SEEMS TO HAPPEN DRIVING STRAIGHT. HAVE TO GIVE THE WHEEL A LITTLE PRESSURE IN A TURN TO GET IT TO UNLOCK POSITION AND MAKE IT ABLE TO TURN. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10587420

23,000 miles · May 4, 2014
Electrical SystemSteering

INTERMITTENT ELECTRICAL PROBLEM. POWER STEERING SHUT OFF DURING TURN. LACK OF POWER STEERING LASTED APPROXIMATELY 30 SECONDS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10586476

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.