Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
1240–25K
7825–50K
7650–75K
5775–100K
71100–150K
11150K+
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
104,000 miles · Dec 1, 2019
Visibility/wiper
THE WINDSHIELD DEFROST DOES NOT WORK LIKE IT IS SUPPOSED TOO. WHEN I PUT IT ON DEFROST AND THE HEAT ON FULL BLAST, IT WILL ONLY HEAT THE PASSENGERS SIDE OF THE VEHICLE AND NOT THE DRIVERS SIDE OF THE VEHICLE WHICH IS A HUGE SAFETY CONCERN. ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE THERE IS COLD AIR COMING OUT OF THE VENTS WHICH PREVENTS THE DRIVERS …
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THE WINDSHIELD DEFROST DOES NOT WORK LIKE IT IS SUPPOSED TOO. WHEN I PUT IT ON DEFROST AND THE HEAT ON FULL BLAST, IT WILL ONLY HEAT THE PASSENGERS SIDE OF THE VEHICLE AND NOT THE DRIVERS SIDE OF THE VEHICLE WHICH IS A HUGE SAFETY CONCERN. ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE THERE IS COLD AIR COMING OUT OF THE VENTS WHICH PREVENTS THE DRIVERS SIDE OF THE WINDSHIELD TO NOT DEFROST. WHEN I DRIVE, IT ONLY SEEMS TO GET WORST SO I PULL OVER AND TRY TO SCRAPE THE ICE OFF AS BEST AS I CAN SO I CAN PROPERLY SEE. THIS IS A HUGE CONCERN WHEN IT COMES TO UPSTATE NEW YORK WINTERS, ESPECIALLY WHEN WE HAVE ICE STORMS WHICH IS WHEN I FIRST ENCOUNTERED THE ISSUE. IT FAILS TO DEFROST THE INSIDE AND OUTSIDE OF THE WINDSHIELD ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE. THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY CONCERN AS IT IMPAIRS VISIBILITY.
NHTSA ODI #11283162
150,000 miles · Nov 15, 2019
Fuel/propulsion SystemUnknown Or OtherVehicle Speed Control
THE OILS IS LEAKING IS THIS VEHICLE .. AND HOW IT WAS EXPLAINED IS THAT THE OIL IS ALSO LEAKING INTO THE TURBO .. WHICH IS CAUSING OIL TO BASICALLY BE PUSHED OUT INSTEAD OF AIR BEING BROUGHT IN FOR THE CAR TO GO THE CORRECT SPEED AND THE CAR IS UNDRIVEABLE
NHTSA ODI #11280412
104,000 miles · Nov 12, 2019
Unknown Or Other
THE CAR SEEMS TO HAVE BEEN AFFECTED OF ONE SEVERAL ISSUES THAT HAPPENED EARLY ON IN THE PRODUCTION WITH A COOLANT LEAK SMELL PROBLEM IN THE CABIN, PARTICULARLY EVIDENT WHILE BRAKING TO A STOP. THE SMELL SEEMS TO BE LINKED TO A COOLANT LEAK IN THE HEATER CORE OR IN THE CONNECTIONS OF THE PIPES WITH THE EXCHANGER ITSELF. THIS IS D…
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THE CAR SEEMS TO HAVE BEEN AFFECTED OF ONE SEVERAL ISSUES THAT HAPPENED EARLY ON IN THE PRODUCTION WITH A COOLANT LEAK SMELL PROBLEM IN THE CABIN, PARTICULARLY EVIDENT WHILE BRAKING TO A STOP. THE SMELL SEEMS TO BE LINKED TO A COOLANT LEAK IN THE HEATER CORE OR IN THE CONNECTIONS OF THE PIPES WITH THE EXCHANGER ITSELF. THIS IS DANGEROUS AS THE FUMES ARE POSSIBLY SLIGHTLY TOXIC AND, MOREOVER, IT INDICATES A LEAKAGE IN AN AREA AFTER THE FIREWALL THAT CAN LEAD TO SCALDING IF IT GETS IN CONTACT WITH A PERSON. EARLIER EVENTS ON THE CAR HAPPENED IN THE INITIAL PRODUCTION OF THE CRUZE AND TYPICALLY QUITE EARLY IN THE MILEAGE, BUT MY CAR SHOWED IT NOW AT 105000 MILES. AN IMPROVEMENT, BUT EVIDENTLY NOT A FULL FIX.
NHTSA ODI #11279638
70,000 miles · Nov 3, 2019
Air Bags
MY SERVICE AIR BAGS SENSOR IS ON AND THE AIRBAGS HAVE TURNED OFF FOR THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE CAR.
NHTSA ODI #11277792
58,000 miles · Nov 1, 2019
Engine
THE SENSOR STATED TURN OFF THE AC DUE THE ENGINE TEMPERATURE , THE MOTOR FAN RUNS AS IF THE CAR IS RUNNING HOT
NHTSA ODI #11277508
18,000 miles · Oct 24, 2019
Power Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET CRUZE. WHILE THE CONTACT'S WIFE WAS DRIVING 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE HESITATED, JERKED, AND FAILED TO MOVE BEFORE SPONTANEOUSLY ACCELERATING. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BOB BELL NISSAN (7900 EASTERN AVE, BALTIMORE, MD 21224, (410) 288-2500) TO BE DIAGNO…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET CRUZE. WHILE THE CONTACT'S WIFE WAS DRIVING 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE HESITATED, JERKED, AND FAILED TO MOVE BEFORE SPONTANEOUSLY ACCELERATING. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BOB BELL NISSAN (7900 EASTERN AVE, BALTIMORE, MD 21224, (410) 288-2500) TO BE DIAGNOSED, BUT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 18,000.
NHTSA ODI #11270604
75,000 miles · Oct 22, 2019
Air Bags
AIRBAG LIGHTS CAME ON, AIRBAG SENSOR HAS TO BE REPLACED. I PAID OVER $800 AND THE PART HAS BEEN ON ORDER FOR A MONTH!
NHTSA ODI #11270116
70,000 miles · Oct 21, 2019
Power Train
TRANSMISSION FAILURE AT 70,000 MILES.
NHTSA ODI #11269842
96,826 miles · Oct 18, 2019
Air Bags
DROVE TO WORK IN THE MORNING AS USUAL WITH NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS, CAR SAT IN THE PARKING DURING THE DAY WENT OUT TO DRIVE HOME AT THE END OF THE DAY AND THE AIR BAG TROUBLE LIGHT IN ON. TOOK CAR THE GM DEALERSHIP TO HAVE THE CODE DIAGNOSED AND DEALERSHIP INFORMS ME THAT THE AIRBAG AND CONNECTING AIRBAG HARNESS WILL NEED TO BE …
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DROVE TO WORK IN THE MORNING AS USUAL WITH NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS, CAR SAT IN THE PARKING DURING THE DAY WENT OUT TO DRIVE HOME AT THE END OF THE DAY AND THE AIR BAG TROUBLE LIGHT IN ON. TOOK CAR THE GM DEALERSHIP TO HAVE THE CODE DIAGNOSED AND DEALERSHIP INFORMS ME THAT THE AIRBAG AND CONNECTING AIRBAG HARNESS WILL NEED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO THE FACT THE AIRBAG WILL NOT RECALIBRATE AND IS NOT COMMUNICATING WITH THE COMPUTER.
NHTSA ODI #11269480
75,000 miles · Oct 15, 2019
Visibility/wiper
WHEN THE CLIMATE CONTROL SYSTEM IS PLACED IN DEFROST MODE THE AIR DOES NOT BLOW OUT THE DEFROSTER VENTS AND THE WINDSHIELD DOES NOT CLEAR. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD ESPECIALLY IN MICHIGAN WITH ALL THE WEATHER CHANGES. THERE ARE MANY REPORTS ON LINE WITH VIDEOS OF A GEAR ON THE DEFROST DOOR STRIPPED/BROKEN, THESE REPORTS GO BACK YE…
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WHEN THE CLIMATE CONTROL SYSTEM IS PLACED IN DEFROST MODE THE AIR DOES NOT BLOW OUT THE DEFROSTER VENTS AND THE WINDSHIELD DOES NOT CLEAR. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD ESPECIALLY IN MICHIGAN WITH ALL THE WEATHER CHANGES. THERE ARE MANY REPORTS ON LINE WITH VIDEOS OF A GEAR ON THE DEFROST DOOR STRIPPED/BROKEN, THESE REPORTS GO BACK YEARS TO CURRENT. SEEMS GM DOES NOT PLAN TO AUTHORIZE A RECALL FOR THIS SAFETY ISSUE. I CHECKED WITH LOCAL CHEVY DEALER AND CHEVY CUSTOMER SERVICE WAS TOLD THERE IS NO RECALL RELATED TO THIS ISSUE.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
2013 Chevrolet Cruze Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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