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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.

About this comparison →

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

What owners actually said

586 reports
137,000 miles · Oct 29, 2020
EngineFireInjury

TL* THE CONTACT CALLED ON BEHALF OF HER SON WHO OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET CRUZE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE HER GRANDDAUGHTER WAS PARKING THE VEHICLE, WHEN SHE SAW SMOKE COMING FROM THE HOOD. THE CONTACT STATED THE DRIVER WAS NOT AWARE IF ANY WARNING LIGHTS WERE ILLUMINATED. THE DRIVER EXITED THE VEHICLE AND WHEN OPENED THE HOOD, SHE …

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TL* THE CONTACT CALLED ON BEHALF OF HER SON WHO OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET CRUZE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE HER GRANDDAUGHTER WAS PARKING THE VEHICLE, WHEN SHE SAW SMOKE COMING FROM THE HOOD. THE CONTACT STATED THE DRIVER WAS NOT AWARE IF ANY WARNING LIGHTS WERE ILLUMINATED. THE DRIVER EXITED THE VEHICLE AND WHEN OPENED THE HOOD, SHE SAW FIRE AND SUSTAINED BURNS ON HER RIGHT HAND. THE CONTACT STATED THE DRIVERS STEPFATHER WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE WITH WATER HOSE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CONTACTED BUT WAS NOT AWARE OF THEY FILED A FIRE REPORT. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE DRIVER DID NOT SEEK MEDICAL ATTENTION FOR HER INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DRIVABLE. THE VEHICLE TOWED TO HER RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED AS OF YET. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD BEEN INFORMED OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 137,000. *BF*JB

NHTSA ODI #11366999

Mileage unknown · Oct 26, 2020
Engine

I HAVE AN 2013 CHEVY CRUZE 2LT 1.4L ENGINE. I DISCOVERED AN OIL LEAK UPON MY LAST OIL CHANGE AT 55,000 MILES. RECENTLY I DISCOVERED A SECOND OIL LEAK AT THE VALVE COVER AT 60,000 MILES. I TOOK IT TO THE CHEVY DEALERSHIP TO HAVE DIAGNOSED AND THEY CONFIRMED A MULTI LOCATION OIL LEAK, ONE AT THE CAM COVER AND THE SECOND AT THE VAL…

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I HAVE AN 2013 CHEVY CRUZE 2LT 1.4L ENGINE. I DISCOVERED AN OIL LEAK UPON MY LAST OIL CHANGE AT 55,000 MILES. RECENTLY I DISCOVERED A SECOND OIL LEAK AT THE VALVE COVER AT 60,000 MILES. I TOOK IT TO THE CHEVY DEALERSHIP TO HAVE DIAGNOSED AND THEY CONFIRMED A MULTI LOCATION OIL LEAK, ONE AT THE CAM COVER AND THE SECOND AT THE VALVE COVER. SINCE THIS VEHICLE IS UNDER STANDARD MILEAGE FOR THE AGE, THIS SEEMS TO BE AN INDICATION OF DEFECT AND NOT UNDER NORMAL MAINTENANCE. I AM LOOKING TO HAVE THIS COVERED BY GM UNDER EXTENDED SPECIAL PARTS WARRANTY LIKE THE WATER PUMP IS COVERED. I ALSO HAD A OIL COOLER FAIL AND A WATER OUTLET ASSEMBLY FAIL AT 40,000 JUST OUTSIDE OF THE FACTORY WARRANTY, BUT THAT JUST HAPPENED TO BE COVERED UNDER EXTENDED WARRANTY BUT DOES NOT CHANGE THE FACT THAT ANOTHER FAILURE HAPPENED IN TWO'S. I HAVE A CASE # WITH GM AND IT IS [XXX]CAM SHAFT COVER SEAL AND VALVE COVER GASKET FAILURE. FEEL FREE TO CALL ME, [XXX] AT [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ODI #11366462

130,990 miles · Oct 22, 2020
Unknown Or Other

WHENEVER I REFUEL MY CAR I HAVE TO REV THE ENGINE FOR A COUPLE MINUTES OTHERWISE THE CAR WILL DIE.

NHTSA ODI #11365792

120,000 miles · Oct 21, 2020
Electronic Stability Control (esc)EnginePower Train

MY CAR KEPT SAYING "AC OFF DUE TO HIGH ENGINE HEAT" EVEN THOUGH MY CAR WAS NOT READING HOT WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. THEN THE CAR WOULD START SMOKING AND BLOW A HOSE AND LIQUID WOULD BE EVERYWHERE. I HAD A BRAND NEW THERMOSTATE PUT IN AND IT STILL DOES THE SAME THING. ALSO A PREVIOUS RECALL ABOUT HOW THE TIRE COULD SEPRATE "…

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MY CAR KEPT SAYING "AC OFF DUE TO HIGH ENGINE HEAT" EVEN THOUGH MY CAR WAS NOT READING HOT WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. THEN THE CAR WOULD START SMOKING AND BLOW A HOSE AND LIQUID WOULD BE EVERYWHERE. I HAD A BRAND NEW THERMOSTATE PUT IN AND IT STILL DOES THE SAME THING. ALSO A PREVIOUS RECALL ABOUT HOW THE TIRE COULD SEPRATE "TIRE ROD" IS STILL DOING IT AGAIN. I HAD 3 TRANSAXLE SEALS AND A TRANSMISSION SEAL, A MOTOR BLOWER FOR THE A.C ALL REPLACED WITHIN THE FIRST YEAR (STILL UNDER WARRENTY) OF OWNING THIS CAR. THE STABILITY TRACK WILL SHOW UP ON THE SCREEN. BUT I'M TIRED OF WORRYING WHEN MY CAR WILL WANT TO JUST RANDOMLY BLOW HOSES AND START SMOKING AND LEAVE ME STRANDED ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD! I BOUGHT A CHEAP CAR TO GET ME TO WORK AND MY CRUZE IS SITTING!!

NHTSA ODI #11365663

103,000 miles · Sep 21, 2020
Electronic Stability Control (esc)EngineFuel/propulsion System

WHILE MY SON WAS DRIVING THE CAR ON THE HIGHWAY THE ENGINE STARTED TO SMOKE. HE PULLED OVER AND TURNED OFF THE CAR. HE WAITED 10 MINTUES AND STARTED THE CAR TO HEAD BACK HOME. WHEN HE ARRIVED HOME LIQUID WAS LEAKING OUT THE CAR AND THE CAR HAD SMOKE COMING FROM THE ENGINE. AT THIS TIME THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON. GM HAD SENT …

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WHILE MY SON WAS DRIVING THE CAR ON THE HIGHWAY THE ENGINE STARTED TO SMOKE. HE PULLED OVER AND TURNED OFF THE CAR. HE WAITED 10 MINTUES AND STARTED THE CAR TO HEAD BACK HOME. WHEN HE ARRIVED HOME LIQUID WAS LEAKING OUT THE CAR AND THE CAR HAD SMOKE COMING FROM THE ENGINE. AT THIS TIME THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON. GM HAD SENT A RECALL NOTICE IN THE MAIL (N202299080), A COUPLE OF DAYS PRIOR. I CALLED THEM ON MONDAY AND THEY TOLD ME TO TAKE IT TO A DEALER. I CALLED THE LOCAL CHEVY DEALER AND TOLD THEM ABOUT THE RECALL NOTICE. HE TOLD ME TO BRING IT IN. I CALLED A TOW TRUCK DRIVER AND LEFT THE CAR AT THE CHEVY DEALER. ATER THEY HAD THE CAR FOR TWO WEEKS, THEY EXPLAINED THAT IT WILL BE $2000 TO FIX THE VEHICLE, EVEN THOUGH THERE ARE CURRENTLY 4 RECALLS ON THE VEHICLE. I CALLED GM SEVERAL TIMES TO ASK HOW ARE THEY GOING TO RECTIFY THIS, WITH NO CALL-BACK. THE VEHICLE IS STILL AT THE CHEVY DEALERSHIP.

NHTSA ODI #11360321

Mileage unknown · Sep 20, 2020
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)

STABILITRAK AND BRAKE MALFUNCTION

NHTSA ODI #11360111

123,000 miles · Sep 16, 2020
Electrical SystemEngine

ENGINE OVERHEATING AFTER 10 MINUTES OF DRIVING, CAR ENGINE USED TO STOP WHILE DRIVING AND HAVE MULTIPLE REPAIRS TO FIX VEHICLE AFTER MY MOM PASSED. I HAVE SPENT OVER $5,000 IN REPAIRS EASILY FOR THIS VEHICLE AND SAME ISSUE AND NOT EVEN CHEVY DEALERSHIP ABLE TO FIX

NHTSA ODI #11355347

100,000 miles · Sep 10, 2020
Electronic Stability Control (esc)

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET CRUZE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE STARTED TO VIBRATE AND SHAKE ABNORMALLY. DURING THE FAILURE, THE STABILI-TRAC AND CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHTS WERE ILLUMINATED. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURES WERE NOT DETERMINED. THE LOCAL DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NO…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET CRUZE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE STARTED TO VIBRATE AND SHAKE ABNORMALLY. DURING THE FAILURE, THE STABILI-TRAC AND CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHTS WERE ILLUMINATED. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURES WERE NOT DETERMINED. THE LOCAL DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

NHTSA ODI #11354235

Mileage unknown · Sep 4, 2020
Engine

CONTINUAL ISSUES WITH ANTIFREEZE LEAKING - EVEN AFTER MULTIPLE SERVICES FROM DEALER

NHTSA ODI #11353155

103,495 miles · Aug 11, 2020
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Engine

THE STABILITY CONTROL GOES OFF DUE TO A AIR LEAK IN THE AIR VALVE CAUSING LOSE OF STEERING POWER WHICH HAS OCCURED WHILE DRIVING THE STEERING WHEEL BECOMES IMPOSSIBLE TO STEER WHEN THIS HAPPENS

NHTSA ODI #11348535

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.