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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

Vehicle Speed Control complaints

39 reports
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Mileage unknown · Mar 28, 2017
Electronic Stability Control (esc)EngineVehicle Speed Control

3/22 -- ON MY WAY TO WORK (A BRIEF 5-MILE DRIVE), THE 'CHECK ENGINE' LIGHT CAME ON AND A WARNING ABOUT THE STABILITRAK SYSTEM APPEARED ON MY DASHBOARD DISPLAY SCREEN. THE ENGINE POWER WAS AUTOMATICALLY REDUCED, AND MY CAR WOULD NOT GO BEYOND 25-30 MILES PER HOUR. FORTUNATELY, I HAD EXITED THE HIGHWAY AND HAD JUST TURNED LEFT ONT…

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3/22 -- ON MY WAY TO WORK (A BRIEF 5-MILE DRIVE), THE 'CHECK ENGINE' LIGHT CAME ON AND A WARNING ABOUT THE STABILITRAK SYSTEM APPEARED ON MY DASHBOARD DISPLAY SCREEN. THE ENGINE POWER WAS AUTOMATICALLY REDUCED, AND MY CAR WOULD NOT GO BEYOND 25-30 MILES PER HOUR. FORTUNATELY, I HAD EXITED THE HIGHWAY AND HAD JUST TURNED LEFT ONTO A SURFACE STREET. AT THE TIME, IT WAS RAINING, BUT NOT HEAVILY. THIS WAS THE FIRST TIME THAT I HAD STARTED MY CAR THAT DAY, SO THE ENGINE WAS FRESH. I WAS ABLE TO MAKE IT TO WORK; HOWEVER, WHEN I LEFT WORK A COUPLE OF HOURS LATER, THE 'CHECK ENGINE' LIGHT AND STABILITRAK WARNING WERE STILL DISPLAYED. I DROVE STRAIGHT HOME. 3/23 -- WHEN I STARTED MY CAR, THE 'CHECK ENGINE' LIGHT AND STABILITRAK WARNING WERE STILL DISPLAYED. I RAN A COUPLE OF ERRANDS AROUND TOWN, AND NOTHING CHANGED. I DECIDED TO 'REST' MY CAR FOR A DAY OR TWO WHILE I RESEARCHED THE SITUATION AND FIGURED OUT A PLAN. 3/25 -- WHEN I STARTED MY CAR, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS STILL ON, BUT THE STABILITRAK WARNING WAS GONE (I.E., MY DASHBOARD DISPLAY APPEARED AS IT NORMALLY WOULD, EXCEPT FOR THE 'CHECK ENGINE' LIGHT). AFTER I HAD DRIVEN MY CAR TO MAKE A COUPLE OF STOPS AROUND TOWN, THE STABILITRAK LIGHT CAME BACK ON. 3/26 -- THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS DISPLAYED AT ALL WHEN I STARTED MY CAR; I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE MY CAR AROUND TOWN DURING THE MORNING WITH NO WARNING LIGHTS COMING BACK ON. 3/27 -- WHEN I DROVE TO WORK, THE 'CHECK ENGINE' LIGHT AND STABILITRAK WARNING WERE NOT ON WHEN I STARTED MY CAR; HOWEVER, THEY DID CAME BACK ON JUST AS I ARRIVED AT WORK (ABOUT 5 MINUTES AFTER I HAD STARTED MY CAR). FOR SAFETY REASONS, REGARDLESS OF WHETHER THE WARNING LIGHTS ARE DISPLAYED OR NOT, I HAVE TAKEN CARE TO DRIVE ONLY WHEN I ABSOLUTELY NEED TO, ONLY ON SURFACE STREETS, AND WITH MY SPEED AT OR BELOW 25 MPH. THIS IS OBVIOUSLY NOT SUSTAINABLE LONG-TERM.

NHTSA ODI #10968978

2 miles · Mar 6, 2017
Electronic Stability Control (esc)EngineVehicle Speed Control

I HAVE TWO COMPLAINTS ON MY VEHICLE, 1.SEVERAL TIMES THE VEHICLE WENT INTO A LOSS OF ENGINE POWER MODE WHERE IT WAS IN AN IDLE POSITION WITH NO ABILITY TO ACCELERATE, THE DISPLAY SHOWED LOSS OF ENGINE POWER, NO STABILTRACK AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. THE VEHICLE WOULD TRANSITION TO A LOSS OF POWER MODE ON THE MAIN ROAD, I HAD TO TUR…

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I HAVE TWO COMPLAINTS ON MY VEHICLE, 1.SEVERAL TIMES THE VEHICLE WENT INTO A LOSS OF ENGINE POWER MODE WHERE IT WAS IN AN IDLE POSITION WITH NO ABILITY TO ACCELERATE, THE DISPLAY SHOWED LOSS OF ENGINE POWER, NO STABILTRACK AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. THE VEHICLE WOULD TRANSITION TO A LOSS OF POWER MODE ON THE MAIN ROAD, I HAD TO TURN THE ENGINE OFF, WAIT ABOUT 60 SECONDS AND RESTART, MY POWER WAS RESTORED, THIS HAPPENED ON 3 OCCASIONS. 2. THE SECOND COMPLAINT IS REGARDING THE LOW COOLANT LEVEL, I BROUGHT THE VEHICLE TO A CERTIFIED DEALER AND THEY PUT THE COOLANT SYSTEM UNDER PRESSURE AND DETECTED NO LEAK, THEY ADDED COOLANT SINCE IT WAS VERY LOW AND ASKED ME TO LEAVE THE CAR WITH THEM FOR A DAY OR TWO AND SUGGESTED IT MAY BE THE RADIATOR. I REFUSED AND ASKED THEM TO ADD A DYE TO THE SYSTEM THAT WOULD INDICATE THE LEAK PATH AND I WOULD RETURN THE NEXT DAY, THEY REFUSED.

NHTSA ODI #10958749

99,000 miles · Aug 25, 2016
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Vehicle Speed Control

THIS IS A RECURRING ISSUE THAT HAS BEEN GOING ON WITH MY CAR SINCE THE LIGHTS CAME ON THE FIST TIME. THE DEALERSHIP ACTS AS IF I DON'T KNOW WHAT I AM TALKING ABOUT. I HAVE WASTED SO MUCH GAS AND I TRANSPORT CHILDREN WITH AUTISM AT TIMES IN VA DC AND MD. I HAVE CONSISTENTLY COMPLAINED ABOUT THE STICKING THROTTLE OR ENGINE MISFIR…

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THIS IS A RECURRING ISSUE THAT HAS BEEN GOING ON WITH MY CAR SINCE THE LIGHTS CAME ON THE FIST TIME. THE DEALERSHIP ACTS AS IF I DON'T KNOW WHAT I AM TALKING ABOUT. I HAVE WASTED SO MUCH GAS AND I TRANSPORT CHILDREN WITH AUTISM AT TIMES IN VA DC AND MD. I HAVE CONSISTENTLY COMPLAINED ABOUT THE STICKING THROTTLE OR ENGINE MISFIRE. PLEASE I FEAR FOR THE SAFETY OF MY CLIENTS AND MY FAMILY.

NHTSA ODI #10898517

70,000 miles · Aug 24, 2016
Vehicle Speed Control

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET CRUZE. UPON ACCELERATION, THE VEHICLE HESITATED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED, BUT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS INTERMITTENT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET CRUZE. UPON ACCELERATION, THE VEHICLE HESITATED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED, BUT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS INTERMITTENT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.

NHTSA ODI #10898266

52,719 miles · Jul 6, 2016
EngineVehicle Speed Control

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET CRUZE. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH AND ACCELERATING, THE TACHOMETER SHOWED THAT THE RPM WAS RED-LINED; HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESPOND. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO BE DIAGNOSED. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, WHILE STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT WITH THE BRAKE PEDAL DEPRESSED, THE VEHICLE LUNGED FORWARD…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET CRUZE. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH AND ACCELERATING, THE TACHOMETER SHOWED THAT THE RPM WAS RED-LINED; HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESPOND. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO BE DIAGNOSED. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, WHILE STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT WITH THE BRAKE PEDAL DEPRESSED, THE VEHICLE LUNGED FORWARD. THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 52,719.

NHTSA ODI #10883080

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

53,000 miles · Aug 7, 2015
Electronic Stability Control (esc)EngineVehicle Speed ControlCrashFire

MY VEHICLE LOOSES POWER, ENGINE LEAKS, HAVE A NUMBER OF DIFFERENT PROBLEMS WITH THE KEY IN THE SWITCH....THE VEHICLE STARTED SMOKING AND CAUGHT ON FIRE THAN LOOSES POWER ALL THE TIME. I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE THIS CAR BECAUSE I TRAVEL WITH MY FAMILY I HAVE THREE CHILDREN.

NHTSA ODI #10747079

7,500 miles · Apr 8, 2015
EngineEquipment Adaptive/mobilityVehicle Speed Control

THE VEHICLE SURGES WHEN FOOT IS ON THE BRAKE & IT IS BECOMING A STRUGGLE TO KEEP IN BRAKE MODE. FEELS AS IF CAR IS GOING TO TAKE OFF. ALSO, WHEN DEFROST IS ON, IT WILL TURN ITSELF OFF WITH WARNING FLASHING 'A/C OFF DUE TO HIGH ENGINE TEMP' AIR CONDITIONING IS NOT EVEN ON...THE HEAT IS. THIS IS AN ONGOING ISSUE THAT GM CANNOT SE…

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THE VEHICLE SURGES WHEN FOOT IS ON THE BRAKE & IT IS BECOMING A STRUGGLE TO KEEP IN BRAKE MODE. FEELS AS IF CAR IS GOING TO TAKE OFF. ALSO, WHEN DEFROST IS ON, IT WILL TURN ITSELF OFF WITH WARNING FLASHING 'A/C OFF DUE TO HIGH ENGINE TEMP' AIR CONDITIONING IS NOT EVEN ON...THE HEAT IS. THIS IS AN ONGOING ISSUE THAT GM CANNOT SEEM TO FIND WHAT THE PROBLEM IS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10704429

Mileage unknown · Mar 18, 2015
Electrical SystemVehicle Speed Control

2013 CHEVROLET CRUZE. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE SHUTTING OFF MOMENTARILY, WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL SET. *SMD

NHTSA ODI #10683334

27,554 miles · Jan 19, 2015
EngineVehicle Speed Control

WHILE I WAS STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT ALL OF A SUDDEN I RECEIVED THE FOLLOWING WARNINGS: STABILITRAC LIGHT, SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT, THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE REDUCE ENGINE POWER WARNING. EVEN THOUGH THE WARNING STATED REDUCE ENGINE POWER, I COULDN'T DRIVE THE CAR. I TURNED THE CAR OFF TWICE, STILL NO POWER WHEN I…

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WHILE I WAS STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT ALL OF A SUDDEN I RECEIVED THE FOLLOWING WARNINGS: STABILITRAC LIGHT, SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT, THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE REDUCE ENGINE POWER WARNING. EVEN THOUGH THE WARNING STATED REDUCE ENGINE POWER, I COULDN'T DRIVE THE CAR. I TURNED THE CAR OFF TWICE, STILL NO POWER WHEN I APPLIED MY FOOT TO THE GAS PEDAL. I CALLED ON-STAR AND HAD MY CAR TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE THROTTLE BODY WAS REPLACED ON MY CAR, WHICH WAS COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. I NOTICED FROM SEVERAL COMPLAINT SITES THAT THE INCIDENT WITH SUDDEN LOSS OR REDUCED ENGINE POWER IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE CRUZE. I'M A LITTLE AFRAID TO DRIVE MY CAR NOW FOR FEAR THAT THE INCIDENT WILL HAPPEN AGAIN AT A BUSY INTERSECTION. I HOPE THE PROBLEM WITH MY CAR IS RESOLVED WITH THE REPLACEMENT OF THE THROTTLE BODY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10676539

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.