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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

Structure complaints

13 reports
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115,000 miles · Jul 30, 2018
Air BagsStructureCrashInjury

2013 CHEVY CRUZE COLLIDED WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE GOING 30-40MPH HEAD ON. NO AIR BAGS WERE DEPLOYED . AIR BAG SERVICE LIGHT IS NOW ON.

NHTSA ODI #11114473

57,000 miles · May 22, 2016
StructureCrash

THIS CHEV CRUZ RAMMED MY HONDA 2010 CIVIC AT 40+MPH IN THE RIGHT REAR QUARTER PANEL. THE CIVIC WAS TURNING LEFT INTO THE INTERSECTION AND WAS TRAVELING AT APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH. THE CIVIC DEPLOYED 4 AIRBAGS AND DEEMED A TOTAL LOSS WHILE THE CRUZ DID NOT DEPLOY AN AIRBAG AND HAD SLIGHT DAMAGE TO THE FRONT. I DON'T UNDERSTAND THIS…

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THIS CHEV CRUZ RAMMED MY HONDA 2010 CIVIC AT 40+MPH IN THE RIGHT REAR QUARTER PANEL. THE CIVIC WAS TURNING LEFT INTO THE INTERSECTION AND WAS TRAVELING AT APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH. THE CIVIC DEPLOYED 4 AIRBAGS AND DEEMED A TOTAL LOSS WHILE THE CRUZ DID NOT DEPLOY AN AIRBAG AND HAD SLIGHT DAMAGE TO THE FRONT. I DON'T UNDERSTAND THIS AND HAVE INCLUDED PICTURES AND WOULD LIKE YOUR INVESTIGATION AND OPINION IF THE 2013 CRUZ'S AIRBAG IS DEFECTIVE.

NHTSA ODI #10870217

50,000 miles · Jan 10, 2015
Air BagsElectrical SystemStructureCrash

I WAS DRIVING HOME AND HIT AN 8 POINT BUCK THAT WEIGHED ABOUT 180LBS HEAD ON THAT CAUSED DAMAGE FROM THE MIDDLE FRONT CENTER OF THE CAR EXTENDING TO THE DRIVERS SIDE OF THE CAR AND SMASHING UP INTO THE MOTOR. THE INSTRUMENT PANEL IMMEDIATELY ILLUMINATED TO SERVICE AIRBAG BUT THE AIRBAG NEVER DEPLOYED. I WAS TOLD IF I WAS GOING S…

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I WAS DRIVING HOME AND HIT AN 8 POINT BUCK THAT WEIGHED ABOUT 180LBS HEAD ON THAT CAUSED DAMAGE FROM THE MIDDLE FRONT CENTER OF THE CAR EXTENDING TO THE DRIVERS SIDE OF THE CAR AND SMASHING UP INTO THE MOTOR. THE INSTRUMENT PANEL IMMEDIATELY ILLUMINATED TO SERVICE AIRBAG BUT THE AIRBAG NEVER DEPLOYED. I WAS TOLD IF I WAS GOING SLOWER, THE DEER WOULD HAVE WENT THROUGH THE WINDSHIELD. I COULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUSLY HURT SINCE THE AIRBAG DIDN'T DEPLOY. I BOUGHT THIS CAR BRAND NEW WITH ONLY 17 MILES ON IT. I HAVE DRIVEN IT FOR 2 YEARS AND NOW HAVE TO WONDER IF MY FAMILY AND I WERE PUT AT RISK FOR THE LAST TWO YEARS, WHILE TRAVELING TO OHIO, FROM IOWA AND OUT TO BOISE 3 TIMES. OF COURSE I WILL BE TOLD THERE IS NOTHING WRONG AND THE CAR WILL BE REPAIRED, AND I WILL BE FORCED TO CONTINUE DRIVING A CAR THAT I WON'T REALLY FEEL SAFE IN BECAUSE I WON'T KNOW FOR SURE IF THE AIRBAG SYSTEM IS FIXED, AND WILL WORK RIGHT IF THIS UNFORTUNATELY WILL EVER HAPPEN AGAIN. SOMEHOW THIS WILL BE PUSHED UNDER THE RUG AND THERE WILL BE NOTHING I CAN DO ABOUT IT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10671537

2,000 miles · Dec 16, 2014
Air BagsStructureCrash

JUST A SHORT TIME AFTER I BOUGHT THIS CAR, WHICH I LOVE, I HIT A DEER. I WAS GOING 45 MPH AT THE TIME AND THE IMPACT DID $10,000 DAMAGE BUT THE AIR BAG DID NOT GO OFF. THANKFULLY I WAS NOT HURT AND I WAS WEARING MY SEAT BELT. TO THIS DAY THE CAR JUST ISN'T THE SAME. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10664640

18,000 miles · Dec 15, 2014
Air BagsStructureCrash

THE ROAD WAS ICY AND I SLAMMED INTO BACK OF DUMP TRUCK THAT ALREADY CRASHED INTO FENCE OF CEMETERY,AND MY AIR BAGS NEVER DEPLOYED (I COULDV'E BEEN SERIOUSLY HURT) BUT I WASN'T. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10664450

18,000 miles · Dec 15, 2014
StructureCrash

ROAD WAS ICY AND I SLID INTO A DUMP TRUCK THAT HAD ALREADY CRASHED INTO CEMETERY FENCE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10664448

35,000 miles · Dec 12, 2014
Air BagsExterior LightingStructureCrashInjury

TRAVELING WEST AND AN EAST BOUND VEHICLE TURNED IN FRONT OF ME. THE OTHER DRIVER WAS TICKET FOR FAILURE TO YIELD AND ACCIDENT CAUSING BODILY INJURY. MY AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY I SUSTAINED INJURIES TO MY CHEST, HIT MY HEAD ON DRIVERS SIDE WINDOW AND MY LEFT SHOULD AND RIBS WERE THROWN IN TO THE DOOR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10663948

600 miles · Nov 5, 2014
Engine And Engine CoolingStructure

I PURCHASED MY VEHICLE IN SEP 2013, APPROX NOV 2013 I BEGAN HAVING A HORRIBLE STRONG ODOR COMING FROM MY VEHICLE. WE SEARCHED TO SEE IF AN ANIMAL WAS IN IT. I THOUGHT MAYBE IT WAS MY SON'S FEET & MADE HIM CHANGE SOCKS. IT GOT WORSE & WAS REALLY STRONG WHEN DEFROST, HEAT & VENT WERE ON. I TOOK IT IN TO THE DEALERSHIP & THEY LOOKE…

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I PURCHASED MY VEHICLE IN SEP 2013, APPROX NOV 2013 I BEGAN HAVING A HORRIBLE STRONG ODOR COMING FROM MY VEHICLE. WE SEARCHED TO SEE IF AN ANIMAL WAS IN IT. I THOUGHT MAYBE IT WAS MY SON'S FEET & MADE HIM CHANGE SOCKS. IT GOT WORSE & WAS REALLY STRONG WHEN DEFROST, HEAT & VENT WERE ON. I TOOK IT IN TO THE DEALERSHIP & THEY LOOKED AT IT, OF COURSE THAT DAY THEY COULDN'T GET THE SMELL TO OCCUR ALTHOUGH IT DID ON THE WAY THERE. I WENT A COUPLE MORE WEEKS & IT GOT WORSE. FINALLY, I TOOK THE CAR IN FOR OIL MAINTENANCE & ADVISED AGAIN THAT THE SMELL WAS HORRIBLE. THE SERVICE MANAGER AT THE TIME SAID IT WAS A COMMON CHEVROLET PROBLEM. THERE IS A LEDGE UNDER THE HOOD, UNDER THE WINDOW & CONDENSATION FROM DEFROST OR RAIN, ETC. SITS & DOESN'T DRAIN CAUSING THE WATER TO MILDEW & BECOME STAGNANT. HE TOLD ME TO LEAVE THE CAR RUNNING WITH MY VENT ON HIGH (& NOT SIT IN THE CAR), SPRAY LYSOL AND LET IT RUN FOR ABOUT 5 MIN, IT KILLS THE BACTERIA. I HAD TO DO THIS EVERY NIGHT FOR ALMOST 3 WEEKS DURING THE COLD WINTER MONTHS. I TOOK IT BACK & TOLD THEM IT WAS RIDICULOUS I WASN'T GOING TO CONTINUE DOING THIS FOR THE LIFE OF THE VEHICLE. WHEN I TOOK IT BACK SOMEONE ELSE WAS THERE & SD THE DEALERSHIP HAD REC'D NOTICE THAT THERE WAS A PART THAT COULD BE PUT ON IT, SO THEY SENT ME ON MY WAY WAITING FOR A LOANER VEHICLE THEN THEY WOULD FIX IT. THEY FINALLY "PUT THE PART ON" I WAS ADVISED BY ANOTHER DEALER IT WASN'T A PART THEY JUST HAD TO FLIP A SWITCH THE PART WAS ON THE VEHICLE. THE NEXT DAY I GOT IN MY CAR & BLOWERS WERE RUNNING. I CALLED & WAS ADVISED THAT WAS WHAT THE PART DID, SO NOW THE SMELL WAS LIKE ROTTEN MAPLE SYRUP. DURING THE DRY SUMMER MONTHS THE SMELL WAS NOT THERE, BUT NOW THAT FALL/WINTER IS COMING THE SMELL IS BACK & I HAVE A CALL IN TO GET THIS AND OTHER MAJOR ISSUED FIXED AGAIN. THIS CAN'T BE HEALTHY ESPECIALLY FOR MY BOYS WHO HAVE SEVERE ALLERGIES TO MOLD. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10652703

36,000 miles · Nov 4, 2014
Air BagsEngineStructureCrashInjury

I WAS STOPPED AT A STOP SIGN GETTING READY TO CROSS OVER HWY TO GO NORTH BOUND. A TRUCK CAME OUT OF NOWHERE AND HIT MY DRIVER SIDE FRONT END. MY AIR BAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY. I GOOGLED IT AND SAW THERE IS A RECALL ON MY VEHICLE FOR AIR BAG. I JUST BOUGHT THE CAR 2 WEEKS AGO. SHOULDN'T THE DEALER BE RESPONSIBLE FOR FIXING RECALLS BEFOR…

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I WAS STOPPED AT A STOP SIGN GETTING READY TO CROSS OVER HWY TO GO NORTH BOUND. A TRUCK CAME OUT OF NOWHERE AND HIT MY DRIVER SIDE FRONT END. MY AIR BAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY. I GOOGLED IT AND SAW THERE IS A RECALL ON MY VEHICLE FOR AIR BAG. I JUST BOUGHT THE CAR 2 WEEKS AGO. SHOULDN'T THE DEALER BE RESPONSIBLE FOR FIXING RECALLS BEFORE SELLING THE CAR EVEN IT IS USED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10652435

25,000 miles · Jun 16, 2014
Air BagsStructureCrashInjury

WE WERE DRIVING HOME ON A HIGHWAY AT DARK WHEN WE HIT A BLACK ANGUS BULL WHICH WAS APPROXIMATELY 1000 POUNDS. IMMEDIATELY AFTER WE HIT IT, IT ROLLED UP ONTO THE PASSENGER SIDE AND CRASHED THRU THE WINDSHIELD INJURING MYSELF (THE PASSENGER IN THE FRONT). MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING AND WE ALSO HAD TWO PASSENGERS IN THE BACK OF THE CAR…

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WE WERE DRIVING HOME ON A HIGHWAY AT DARK WHEN WE HIT A BLACK ANGUS BULL WHICH WAS APPROXIMATELY 1000 POUNDS. IMMEDIATELY AFTER WE HIT IT, IT ROLLED UP ONTO THE PASSENGER SIDE AND CRASHED THRU THE WINDSHIELD INJURING MYSELF (THE PASSENGER IN THE FRONT). MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING AND WE ALSO HAD TWO PASSENGERS IN THE BACK OF THE CAR BUT THEY WERE NOT INJURED. I HAD MULTIPLE FACIAL INJURIES AND GLASS CHARD INJURES AND WAS TAKEN BY AMBULANCE TO A HOSPITAL WHERE I WAS INPATIENT FOR 10 DAYS, 5 OF THOSE IN INTENSIVE CARE. THE MOST SEVERE OF MY INJURIES WERE FRACTURE OF MY ORBITAL FLOOR, FRACTURE OF MY NASAL BONE, FRACTURE OF MY MALAR AND MAXILLARY BONES, OPEN WOUND TO MY LIP AND MULTIPLE BRUISES AND CUTS. ALL FOUR OF US WERE WEARING OUR SEAT BELTS AND OUT OF 10 AIRBAGS THAT THE CAR HAD, NOT ONE WENT OFF. THE FRONT END OF THE CAR WAS SEVERELY DAMAGED AND WE LOST POWER TO THE CAR AS SOON AS WE HIT THE COW (NO FLASHERS, LIGHTS, ETC) OUR CAR WAS TOTALED AND WE NOW HAVE MULTIPLE MEDICAL BILLS TO ACCOUNT FOR. OUR CONCERN WAS THAT WE BOUGHT THE CAR NEW AND IT WAS ADVERTISED AS HAVING TEN AIRBAGS FOR SAFETY. AFTER HITTING A 1000 POUND BULL AT 60 MPH, WHY DID NOT ONE AIR BAG GO OFF? *TR

NHTSA ODI #10598679

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.