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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
58,000 miles · Aug 5, 2019
Power Train

THE TURBO BOOSTER MALIFUNCTION THE CAR WILL NOT PICK UP SPEED AND TIME WOULD STOP ALL WILL YOU ARE ACCELERATING ON THE GAS

NHTSA ODI #11241672

90,000 miles · Jul 31, 2019
Engine

THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER HAS FAILED TWICE IN THIS CAR, AND THE SECOND TIME IS OUT OF WARRANTY. BOTH FAILURES OCCURRED WITHIN APPROXIMATELY 90K MILES. THE COST TO REPLACE THIS IS ABOUT $1200. THIS CAN BE FINANCIALLY DEVASTATING TO SOME FAMILIES.

NHTSA ODI #11240795

129,100 miles · Jul 22, 2019
Engine

A FEW WEEKS AGO, I EXPERIENCED AN ALERT REGARDING MY ENGINE OVERHEATING (AC OFF DUE TO ENGINE OVER HEAT, ENGINE OVERHEAT IDLE ENGINE). I TURNED MY CAR OFF AND ALLOWED IT TO COOL DOWN BEFORE CONTINUING MY TRAVELS HOME. ONCE I REACHED MY HOME, I SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT AT GRAND PRIZE CHEVROLET IN NANUET, NY FOR THURSDAY, JUNE 27.…

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A FEW WEEKS AGO, I EXPERIENCED AN ALERT REGARDING MY ENGINE OVERHEATING (AC OFF DUE TO ENGINE OVER HEAT, ENGINE OVERHEAT IDLE ENGINE). I TURNED MY CAR OFF AND ALLOWED IT TO COOL DOWN BEFORE CONTINUING MY TRAVELS HOME. ONCE I REACHED MY HOME, I SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT AT GRAND PRIZE CHEVROLET IN NANUET, NY FOR THURSDAY, JUNE 27. THE MECHANICS AT THIS DEALERSHIP FOUND THAT MY WATER PUMP AND HOSES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THIS IS A $1600 JOB, AND I PAID TO HAVE THIS WORK DONE, I WAS NOT ABLE TO PICK MY CAR UP FROM THE DEALER UNTIL JUNE 29. ABOUT TWO WEEKS LATER ON FRIDAY, JULY 12, I RECEIVED THE ENGINE OVERHEATING ALERT ONCE AGAIN. I PROMPTLY CALLED GRAND PRIZE AGAIN, AND SCHEDULED THE EARLIEST APPOINTMENT I COULD. I WAS NOT ABLE TO BRING MY CAR IN TO BE LOOKED AT UNTIL TUESDAY, JULY 16. AGAIN, THE MECHANICS AT THIS DEALERSHIP FOUND A DIFFERENT PROBLEM WITH MY CAR. THEY INFORMED ME THAT THE COOLANT TANK NEEDED TO BE REPLACED ALONG WITH THE RADIATOR CAP. I HAD BOTH OF THESE ITEMS REPLACED AT NO COST. I ASKED THEM TO TEST THE ENGINE ONCE AGAIN TO BE SURE THAT THE PROBLEM HAD BEEN RESOLVED. UPON CHECKING THE ENGINE, THEY FOUND THAT MY ENGINE WAS DAMAGED AND I WOULD EITHER NEED A NEW ENGINE HEAD OR A COMPLETELY NEW ENGINE. I WAS INFORMED THAT A NEW ENGINE HEAD WOULD COST ABOUT $4200 AND A NEW ENGINE WOULD COST ABOUT $8000.

NHTSA ODI #11233981

3,500 miles · Jul 21, 2019
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE (2013 CHEVROLET CRUZE) IN 2016 AND IT HAD MILEAGE OF 3,500 MILES. LESS THAN A MONTH OF OWNERSHIP AN ALERT SHOWED AND SOUNDED IN THE DASH LIGHTS THAT THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR WAS OPEN WHEN IT WASN'T AND THIS WAS WHILE IN A PARK POSITION AND WHILE IN MOTION ON ANY ROAD. THE ALERT WAS ALMOST CONSTANT S…

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I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE (2013 CHEVROLET CRUZE) IN 2016 AND IT HAD MILEAGE OF 3,500 MILES. LESS THAN A MONTH OF OWNERSHIP AN ALERT SHOWED AND SOUNDED IN THE DASH LIGHTS THAT THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR WAS OPEN WHEN IT WASN'T AND THIS WAS WHILE IN A PARK POSITION AND WHILE IN MOTION ON ANY ROAD. THE ALERT WAS ALMOST CONSTANT SO I BROUGHT IT TO A REPAIR SHOP WHICH REPLACED THE LATCH IN THE DOOR 3 SEPARATE TIMES AND THE PROBLEM STILL OCCURRED. EVENTUALLY I ASKED TO JUST HAVE THE LATCH DISCONNECTED IN THE DOOR BECAUSE NO ONE COULD FIX IT AND STOP THE ALERT AND SOUNDS FROM GOING OFF. SO NOW I HAVE A $300 LATCH DISCONNECTED INSIDE THE DOOR BECAUSE THAT WOULDN'T FIX THE PROBLEM PLUS I HAVE TO MANUALLY LOCK AND UNLOCK THAT DOOR IF I NEED TO USE IT WHEN ALL OF THE OTHER 3 DOORS CAN BE ELECTRONICALLY LOCKED/UNLOCKED WITH THE FOB OR THE LOCK/UNLOCK BUTTON IN THE CAR. NOW A NEW PROBLEM THAT IS CURRENTLY GOING ON IS THE REAR BRAKE LIGHT IN THE BACK WINDSHIELD IS VERY DIM WHILE IN A PARK POSITION OR WHILE IN MOTION DRIVING ON ANY ROAD. IT STILL WORKS BUT IS NOT AS BRIGHT AS IT USED TO BE. IT'S A LIGHT BAR THAT SITS IN THE BACK WINDOW ACTING AS A 3RD BRAKE LIGHT AND IT DOES NOT CONTAIN LIGHT BULBS. ALSO, I'VE HAD A COUPLE OF OTHER ALERTS SHOW UP IN THE DASH FOR A DAY OR MORE WHILE IN A PARK POSITION OR IN MOTION DRIVING ON ANY ROAD AND THEN THEY GO AWAY AFTER A FEW DAYS. I SUSPECT THIS VEHICLE HAS AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM AND I CAN'T AFFORD TO HAVE IT DIAGNOSED.

NHTSA ODI #11233639

Mileage unknown · Jul 16, 2019
Engine

NEEDS BRAND NEW ENGINE. HARD TIME ACCELERATING. SHOP SAYS RODS INSIDE ENGINE ARE BEING KNOCKED AROUND. ONLY 120,000 MILES. HARD TO ACCELERATION AT ANY TIME. ENGINE LIGHT IS SIGNALED.

NHTSA ODI #11232582

120,000 miles · Jul 12, 2019
Engine

THE CAR SAID OVERHEAT-AC OFF CODE- CAR WAS VERY LOW ON COOLANT- TOOK TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD BY THE DEALER THAT THE ENGINE WAS BLOWN AND NOT TO DRIIVE THE CAR- I ASK ABOUT SERVICE BULLETIN- BUT WAS TOLD THIS DID NOT APPLY. I HAD PROBLEM WITH OVERHEATING 18 MONTHS AGO- REPLACED, THERMOSTAT, CANISTER, ETC AS MY EXPENSE.I ASK I…

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THE CAR SAID OVERHEAT-AC OFF CODE- CAR WAS VERY LOW ON COOLANT- TOOK TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD BY THE DEALER THAT THE ENGINE WAS BLOWN AND NOT TO DRIIVE THE CAR- I ASK ABOUT SERVICE BULLETIN- BUT WAS TOLD THIS DID NOT APPLY. I HAD PROBLEM WITH OVERHEATING 18 MONTHS AGO- REPLACED, THERMOSTAT, CANISTER, ETC AS MY EXPENSE.I ASK IF THIS WAS RELATED AND WAS TOLD NO. I RESEARCHED PROBLEMS AND FOUND MANY ABOUT ENGINE AND COOLING PROBLEMS. THE DEALER HAS MADE NO EFFORT TO HELP RESOLVE THE ISSUE. I TRIED TO HAVE CAR TRANSFERRED TO A DIFFERENT BRANCH OF DEALERSHIP TO HAVE PROBLEM EVALUATED- I WAS INFORMED BY SALESMAN THAT THE DEALER REFUSED TO TRANSFER THE CAR TO HAVE IT CHECKED. HIS SEEMS VERY ODD. I CALLED GMC- CHEVROLET DIVISION BUT HAVE NOT GOTTEN A RESPONSE. THE DEALER WANTS ME TO TRADE IN CAR FOR A DIFFERENT ONE AND WILL OFFER ME $300-$600. WHICH IS RIDICULOUS. AFTER I TRADE IN THE CAR-NO ONE CAN CHECK IT- THE CAR STILL RUNS BUT I AM AFRAID TO GET STUCK.

NHTSA ODI #11231511

52,000 miles · Jun 15, 2019
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Steering

THE CAR WOULD BECOME HARD TO STEER AND CONTROL. ABS AND TRACTION CONTROL IN STABILITY CONTROL WARNING LIGHTS FLASHING. THIS HAPPENS WITHOUT WARNING CAN HAPPEN AT ANY SPEED HIGHWAY ORE CITY. THE TIMES THIS HAS OCCURRED WAS ON THE HIGHWAY. (THIS IS A TSB I LATER FOUND BUT THE COULD EASILY CAUSED A CRASH ON ACCIDENT)

NHTSA ODI #11220346

90,475 miles · Jun 3, 2019
Air BagsElectronic Stability Control (esc)Power TrainCrash

MY CAR IS A DANGER THE ENGINE POWER SLOWS DOWN WHEN DRIVING CAUSING ANOTHER TO HIT IN THE BACK POWER STEERING LIGHT DISPLAYS, STABILIZE TRACT AND ENGINE POWER, I HAVE ALREADY HAD ONE HIT AND RUN ACCIDENT.I TOOK CAR TO CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP HARBISON RD COLUMBIA SC THEY JUST HALF REPAIR IT SOMEONE MAY DIE IF CAR CONTINUE TO POWER D…

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MY CAR IS A DANGER THE ENGINE POWER SLOWS DOWN WHEN DRIVING CAUSING ANOTHER TO HIT IN THE BACK POWER STEERING LIGHT DISPLAYS, STABILIZE TRACT AND ENGINE POWER, I HAVE ALREADY HAD ONE HIT AND RUN ACCIDENT.I TOOK CAR TO CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP HARBISON RD COLUMBIA SC THEY JUST HALF REPAIR IT SOMEONE MAY DIE IF CAR CONTINUE TO POWER DOWN.

NHTSA ODI #11217617

90,000 miles · May 30, 2019
Air BagsElectrical SystemEngine

CAR HAS BEEN RETURNED TO DEALER FOR REPAIRS CONCERNING THE MOTOR AND ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS. THEY HAVE NOT BEEN SERVICED OUTSIDE OF THE DEALERSHIP. CAR FREQUENTLY QUITS AND HAS TO BE JUMPSTARTED.

NHTSA ODI #11216971

93,000 miles · May 29, 2019
Engine

MULTIPLE COOLANT ISSUES. BOUGHT 2/2019, TOOK IT BACK TO THE SHOP FOR COOLANT ISSUES IN 3/2019 AND DISCOVERED ITS LEAKING COOLANT AGAIN. FROM THE ENGINE COOLANT WATER OUTLET.

NHTSA ODI #11210704

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.