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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
112,000 miles · Oct 13, 2016
Suspension

JUST BOUGHT THE VEHICLE AND WAS DRIVING AND KEPT HEARING A CLUNKING NOISE IN THE FRONT END AND NOTICED THE FROM ROTORS WAS INDICATING REPLACEMENT SO TOOK BACKTO DEALER AND THEY ALSO FOUND THAT THE FRONT STABILIZER LINK ON DRIVERS SIDE WAS SNAPPED IN HALF CAUSING OUTER TIE ROD NEEDING REPLACEMENT AND COULD OF CAUSED A CRASH AS YO…

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JUST BOUGHT THE VEHICLE AND WAS DRIVING AND KEPT HEARING A CLUNKING NOISE IN THE FRONT END AND NOTICED THE FROM ROTORS WAS INDICATING REPLACEMENT SO TOOK BACKTO DEALER AND THEY ALSO FOUND THAT THE FRONT STABILIZER LINK ON DRIVERS SIDE WAS SNAPPED IN HALF CAUSING OUTER TIE ROD NEEDING REPLACEMENT AND COULD OF CAUSED A CRASH AS YOU WOULD LOSE CONTROL OF VEHICLE ONCE OUTER TIR ROD DISCONNECTED.

NHTSA ODI #10915731

50,000 miles · Oct 5, 2016
Air BagsCrashInjury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET CRUZE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 50 MPH IN INCLEMENT WEATHER, ANOTHER VEHICLE ATTEMPTED TO SWITCH INTO THE CONTACT'S LANE. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT HYDROPLANED AND SPUN MULTIPLE TIMES CRASHING INTO SEVERAL TREES BUT THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED BACK, NE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET CRUZE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 50 MPH IN INCLEMENT WEATHER, ANOTHER VEHICLE ATTEMPTED TO SWITCH INTO THE CONTACT'S LANE. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT HYDROPLANED AND SPUN MULTIPLE TIMES CRASHING INTO SEVERAL TREES BUT THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED BACK, NECK AND SHOULDER INJURIES AS WELL AS BRUISES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED FROM THE CRASH SCENE TO AN IMPOUND LOT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10913892

38,000 miles · Sep 22, 2016
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Steering

ROUGHLY 6 WEEKS AFTER PURCHASING THIS VEHICLE, I STARTED HAVING INCIDENTS WHERE THE RADIO WOULD CUT OUT FOR 2-3 SECONDS AND THE INFOTAINMENT SCREEN WOULD GO BLANK. AT THE SAME TIME, THE "SERVICE STABILITRAK" MESSAGE MOMENTARILY APPEARS ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THERE ISN'T A TREND TO WHEN THIS HAPPENS. SOMETIMES IT WON'T HAPPEN F…

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ROUGHLY 6 WEEKS AFTER PURCHASING THIS VEHICLE, I STARTED HAVING INCIDENTS WHERE THE RADIO WOULD CUT OUT FOR 2-3 SECONDS AND THE INFOTAINMENT SCREEN WOULD GO BLANK. AT THE SAME TIME, THE "SERVICE STABILITRAK" MESSAGE MOMENTARILY APPEARS ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THERE ISN'T A TREND TO WHEN THIS HAPPENS. SOMETIMES IT WON'T HAPPEN FOR A WEEK, OTHER TIMES IT WILL HAPPEN MULTIPLE TIMES IN A SINGLE DRIVE. LAST WEEK, THIS HAPPENED AND I ALSO LOST POWER STEERING AND COULD NOT STEER FOR WHAT FELT LIKE A COUPLE SECONDS. BASED ON THE CHEVROLET CRUZE CUSTOMER FORUM, THIS IS A FAIRLY COMMON PROBLEM AND OTHER'S HAVE ALSO LOST POWER STEERING PULLING OUT OF A PARKING LOT. THERE IS NOT A RECALL FOR MY SPECIFIC VEHICLE OR A PERMANENT CORRECTIVE ACTION THAT I'VE FOUND. IT HAS BECOME A SAFETY CONCERN AND GM SHOULD TAKE RESPONSIBILITY AND RECALL THE AFFECTED VEHICLES BEFORE POWER STEERING IS LOST AT HIGHER SPEEDS.

NHTSA ODI #10908669

74,000 miles · Sep 15, 2016
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Steering

WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE POWER STABILITY FLASHES THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM RESETS AND IF DRIVING YOU LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE.

NHTSA ODI #10906825

61,000 miles · Sep 13, 2016
Power Train

STOPPED ON HILL CAR IN DRIVE AFTER A FEW SECONDS STARTS ROLLING BACKWARDS.

NHTSA ODI #10906019

81,000 miles · Sep 13, 2016
EnginePower Train

ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON , AUTO ZONE RAN IT AND CODE P0299. STATES IT THE TURBO/ SUPER CHARGER UNDERBOOST. 81,000 MILES. I HAVE ONLY HAD THIS VEHICLE 18 MONTHS. I DON'T RACE AROUND TOWN IN IT.

NHTSA ODI #10905995

42,000 miles · Sep 7, 2016
Electrical SystemPower Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET CRUZE. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED WITH THE KEY REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION, IT ROLLED AWAY TWICE WITHIN 24 HOURS. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V502000 …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET CRUZE. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED WITH THE KEY REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION, IT ROLLED AWAY TWICE WITHIN 24 HOURS. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V502000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, POWER TRAIN). THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 42,000.

NHTSA ODI #10904523

Mileage unknown · Sep 5, 2016
Service BrakesUnknown Or Other

OWNER DRIVES THE VEHICLE FOR 10 MILES OR GREATER AND AFTER PARKING FOR SEVERAL MINUTES THE VEHICLE HAS A BURNING SMELL INSIDE. IT REMAINS FOR DAYS AT A TIME EVEN IF THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DRIVEN. THIS HAS OCCURRED SINCE OWNERSHIP. SECOND PROBLEM; BRAKES LOCK UP AFTER THE CAR IS WASHED AND PARKED FOR A FEW MINUTES. REMEDY IS …

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OWNER DRIVES THE VEHICLE FOR 10 MILES OR GREATER AND AFTER PARKING FOR SEVERAL MINUTES THE VEHICLE HAS A BURNING SMELL INSIDE. IT REMAINS FOR DAYS AT A TIME EVEN IF THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DRIVEN. THIS HAS OCCURRED SINCE OWNERSHIP. SECOND PROBLEM; BRAKES LOCK UP AFTER THE CAR IS WASHED AND PARKED FOR A FEW MINUTES. REMEDY IS TO STEP ON THE ACCELERATOR WITH THE VEHICLE IN GEAR (DRIVE OR REVERSE) AND PREPARE TO BRAKE IMMEDIATELY. IT TOOK 1000 RPM'S TO GET THE BRAKES RELEASED THIS TIME. IT HAPPENS EACH TIME THE CAR IS WASHED IN A STATIONARY POSITION. MILEAGE IS 27,000.

NHTSA ODI #10903643

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

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.