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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
45,000 miles · Jun 2, 2016
Electronic Stability Control (esc)

ALL THE ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS GOING OFF FOR NO REASON. KEY STUCK IN IGNITION AND CAR WILL NOT START. JUST LIKE MOST OTHER COMPLAINTS WITH THIS CAR MOSTLY ELECTRICAL. I JUST GOT THIS CAR FOR MY 16 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER. VERY SCARY THAT THERE IS NOT A RECALL ON THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM AND THE DEALERS DOES NOT KNOW WHAT IS GOING ON VERY …

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ALL THE ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS GOING OFF FOR NO REASON. KEY STUCK IN IGNITION AND CAR WILL NOT START. JUST LIKE MOST OTHER COMPLAINTS WITH THIS CAR MOSTLY ELECTRICAL. I JUST GOT THIS CAR FOR MY 16 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER. VERY SCARY THAT THERE IS NOT A RECALL ON THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM AND THE DEALERS DOES NOT KNOW WHAT IS GOING ON VERY DISAPPOINTING. AND THIS HAS HAPPENED SITTING STILL AND IN MOTION LIKE THE CAR HAS A MIND OF ITS OWN.

NHTSA ODI #10872178

45,000 miles · May 25, 2016
Service Brakes

BRAKE PEDAL BECOMES DIFFICULT OR IMPOSSIBLE TO COMPRESS RESULTING IN DIFFICULTY BRINGING THE VEHICLE TO A COMPLETE STOP. SEEMS TO OCCUR AT LOW SPEEDS. THERE HAVE BEEN 4-5 OCCURRENCES IN THE LAST 3-4 MONTHS. BRINGING VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR EVALUATION. CAR HAS 45000 MILES.

NHTSA ODI #10870900

75,687 miles · May 23, 2016
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Service BrakesSteering

LATELY I'VE BEEN NOTICING THE TOUCH SCREEN RADIO TO FLICKER AND COMPLETELY LOSE POWER. I FIGURE IT WAS JUST A GLITCH WITH THE ALL THE TECHNOLOGY THAT THIS CAR HAS. WELL, THE SERVICE ANTITHEFT DETERRENT SYSTEM CONTINUES TO COME ON, BUT GOES AWAY. CAR IS FINE. LAST SATURDAY MY CAR WOULDN'T START UNTIL THE 3RD TRY. THE CAR COMPLETE…

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LATELY I'VE BEEN NOTICING THE TOUCH SCREEN RADIO TO FLICKER AND COMPLETELY LOSE POWER. I FIGURE IT WAS JUST A GLITCH WITH THE ALL THE TECHNOLOGY THAT THIS CAR HAS. WELL, THE SERVICE ANTITHEFT DETERRENT SYSTEM CONTINUES TO COME ON, BUT GOES AWAY. CAR IS FINE. LAST SATURDAY MY CAR WOULDN'T START UNTIL THE 3RD TRY. THE CAR COMPLETELY SHUT OFF, ABSOLUTELY NO POWER, KEY WOULDN'T COME OUT OF THE IGNITION. AFTER 15 MINUTES IT STARTED, THE RADIO FLICKER. ON MY WAY TO WORK, THE RADIO KEPT CUTTING OUT THEN AS I WAS SLOWING DOWN TO TURN, MY STEERING AND BRAKES GAVE OUT, NEARLY CAUSING A HUGE COLLISION! THIS SEEMS TO BE A VERY COMMON THING WITH THE 2013 CRUZE LT. CHEVY NEEDS TO DO SOMETHING! I DO NOT FEEL SAFE IN THIS CAR ANYMORE! NO ONE SEEMS TO KNOW THE PROBLEM? IT'S LIFE OR DEATH HERE, I TRAVEL A LOT FOR WORK AND GET ON BUSY HIGHWAYS. HOW MANY INJURIES OR DEATHS DO YOU NEED TO CORRECT THIS MAJOR PROBLEM?

NHTSA ODI #10870450

57,000 miles · May 22, 2016
StructureCrash

THIS CHEV CRUZ RAMMED MY HONDA 2010 CIVIC AT 40+MPH IN THE RIGHT REAR QUARTER PANEL. THE CIVIC WAS TURNING LEFT INTO THE INTERSECTION AND WAS TRAVELING AT APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH. THE CIVIC DEPLOYED 4 AIRBAGS AND DEEMED A TOTAL LOSS WHILE THE CRUZ DID NOT DEPLOY AN AIRBAG AND HAD SLIGHT DAMAGE TO THE FRONT. I DON'T UNDERSTAND THIS…

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THIS CHEV CRUZ RAMMED MY HONDA 2010 CIVIC AT 40+MPH IN THE RIGHT REAR QUARTER PANEL. THE CIVIC WAS TURNING LEFT INTO THE INTERSECTION AND WAS TRAVELING AT APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH. THE CIVIC DEPLOYED 4 AIRBAGS AND DEEMED A TOTAL LOSS WHILE THE CRUZ DID NOT DEPLOY AN AIRBAG AND HAD SLIGHT DAMAGE TO THE FRONT. I DON'T UNDERSTAND THIS AND HAVE INCLUDED PICTURES AND WOULD LIKE YOUR INVESTIGATION AND OPINION IF THE 2013 CRUZ'S AIRBAG IS DEFECTIVE.

NHTSA ODI #10870217

45,000 miles · May 17, 2016
Power Train

MY 2013 CHEVY CRUZE ALMOST GOT ME IN A REALLY BAD ACCIDENT. IT STARTED WHEN DRIVING ABOUT 20 MPH (TRANSMISSION IS IN D) THE CAR STARTED TO LOOSE POWER FELT LIKE ITS STALLING, RPM DROPPED THEN SUDDENLY STARTED GOING INTO REVERSE WHILE THE TRANSMISSION IS STILL ON D I ALMOST HIT THE CAR BEHIND ME. I STEPPED ON MY BREAKS AND I PUT…

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MY 2013 CHEVY CRUZE ALMOST GOT ME IN A REALLY BAD ACCIDENT. IT STARTED WHEN DRIVING ABOUT 20 MPH (TRANSMISSION IS IN D) THE CAR STARTED TO LOOSE POWER FELT LIKE ITS STALLING, RPM DROPPED THEN SUDDENLY STARTED GOING INTO REVERSE WHILE THE TRANSMISSION IS STILL ON D I ALMOST HIT THE CAR BEHIND ME. I STEPPED ON MY BREAKS AND I PUT THE TRANSMISSION IN PARK BUT THE CAR SURGED FORWARD IN WHICH I ALMOST HIT THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. I'VE TAKEN THIS CAR SEVERAL TIMES TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR TRANSMISSION SHIFTING PROBLEMS BUT I FELT THAT IT WAS NOT COMPLETELY FIXED. THE DEALER ALWAYS TELLS ME THAT THERES NOTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR. BUT NOW THAT I'VE ALMOST HIT 2 CARS YESTERDAY WITHOUT ANY REASON, I FEEL THAT THE CAR IS COMPLETELY UNSAFE TO DRIVE AND MY WIFE EVEN TOLD ME THAT SHE WILL NEVER DRIVE THIS CAR AGAIN. IT'S JUST SAD TO BE HAVING THIS MANY PROBLEMS ON A CAR WITH LESS THAN 50K MILESYESTERDAY MY 2013 CHEVY CRUZE ALMOST GOT ME IN A REALLY BAD ACCIDENT. IT STARTED WHEN DRIVING ABOUT 20 MPH (TRANSMISSION IS IN D) THEN THE CAR STARTED TO LOOSE POWER FELT LIKE ITS STALLING THE RPM DROPPED THEN SUDDENLY STARTED GOING INTO REVERSE WHILE THE TRANSMISSION IS STILL ON D I ALMOST HIT THE CAR BEHIND ME. SO I STEPPED ON MY BREAKS THEN TRY TO SWITCH GEARS ALL OF A SUDDEN THE CAR STARTED TO GO FORWARD EVEN THOUGH THE CAR IS IN PARK IN WHICH THIS TIME I ALMOST HIT THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. I'VE TAKEN THIS CAR SEVERAL TIMES TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR TRANSMISSION SHIFTING PROBLEMS BUT I FELT THAT IT WAS NOT COMPLETELY FIXED. THE DEALER ALWAYS TELLS ME THAT THERES NOTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR. BUT NOW THAT I'VE ALMOST HIT 2 CARS YESTERDAY WITHOUT ANY REASON, I FEEL THAT THE CAR IS COMPLETELY UNSAFE TO DRIVE AND MY WIFE EVEN TOLD ME THAT SHE WILL NEVER DRIVE THIS CAR AGAIN. IT'S JUST SAD TO BE HAVING THIS MANY PROBLEMS ON A CAR WITH LESS THAN 50K MILES

NHTSA ODI #10865352

60,050 miles · May 7, 2016
Electrical SystemEngineFuel/propulsion System

CAR'S ENGINE STOPPED RUNNING UNEXPECTEDLY DUE TO BLOWN FUEL PUMP FUSE WHILE TRAVELING AT 30 M.P.H IN CLEAR WEATHER, DURING THE DAY, ON PAVED DOWNTOWN ORLANDO STREET. WHEN ENGINE DIED, LOST POWER STEERING AND POWER BREAKS, VERY DIFFICULT TO CONTROL AND ALMOST GOT INTO AN ACCIDENT. DEALER DIAGNOSED THE ISSUE AS A COIL PACK PROB…

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CAR'S ENGINE STOPPED RUNNING UNEXPECTEDLY DUE TO BLOWN FUEL PUMP FUSE WHILE TRAVELING AT 30 M.P.H IN CLEAR WEATHER, DURING THE DAY, ON PAVED DOWNTOWN ORLANDO STREET. WHEN ENGINE DIED, LOST POWER STEERING AND POWER BREAKS, VERY DIFFICULT TO CONTROL AND ALMOST GOT INTO AN ACCIDENT. DEALER DIAGNOSED THE ISSUE AS A COIL PACK PROBLEM AND REPLACED THE COIL PACK AT A COST OF $534.00. I AM NOT SURE HOW THE COIL PACK THAT HOLDS THE SPARK PLUGS WOULD CAUSE THE FUEL PUMP FUSE TO BLOW.

NHTSA ODI #10863731

45,000 miles · May 4, 2016
Unknown Or Other

2013 CEVY CRUZE RECEIVING "SERVICE SIDE DETECTION SYSTEM" MESSAGE WHEN TAKEN TO DEALERSHIP WAS INFORMED THAT DUE TO FAULTY MODULE DESIGN WATER GETS INTO MODULE ANS SIDE DETECTION SYSTEM WILL NO LONGER WORKED DUE TO THE FACT CAR WAS JUST OUT OF WARRANTY WAS QUOTED $700+ TO FIX.

NHTSA ODI #10863156

12,000 miles · Apr 19, 2016
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET CRUZE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH,THE VEHICLE SLOWED DOWN AND DID NOT ACCELERATE. WHEN THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO BACK OUT OF THE GARAGE, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT MOVE OCCASIONALLY. AN UNKNOWN WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFI…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET CRUZE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH,THE VEHICLE SLOWED DOWN AND DID NOT ACCELERATE. WHEN THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO BACK OUT OF THE GARAGE, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT MOVE OCCASIONALLY. AN UNKNOWN WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 12,000.

NHTSA ODI #10860314

30,000 miles · Apr 4, 2016
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Steering

2013 CHEVROLET CRUZE ELECTRICAL HAZARD WHICH HAPPENS MOSTLY DURING THE RAIN OR WET ROADS OCCASIONALLY WHILE DRY. MAIN PROBLEM RADIO POWER AND DASH POWER CUT IN AND OUT AND OR FLUCTUATE WHILE DRIVING AND OR APPLYING BRAKES. THE ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING WILL, MOST OF THE TIME, CUT IN AND OUT ALSO WHILE TURNING TURNING KEY OFF AND…

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2013 CHEVROLET CRUZE ELECTRICAL HAZARD WHICH HAPPENS MOSTLY DURING THE RAIN OR WET ROADS OCCASIONALLY WHILE DRY. MAIN PROBLEM RADIO POWER AND DASH POWER CUT IN AND OUT AND OR FLUCTUATE WHILE DRIVING AND OR APPLYING BRAKES. THE ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING WILL, MOST OF THE TIME, CUT IN AND OUT ALSO WHILE TURNING TURNING KEY OFF AND ON AGAIN WHILE STATIONARY MAY FOR A SHORT TIME FIX THIS PROBLEM HOWEVER IT IS NOT A PERM ANY SOULUTION ONLY TEMPORARY AND MY ALSO RESULT IN A TOTAL NO POWER/ NO START CONDITION FOR THE VEHICAL POSSIBLE CAUSE IS LEAK IN THE CAR OR SHIELD IS NOT PROPERLY PROTECTION ELECTRONICS/WIRING ON THE VEHICAL

NHTSA ODI #10853412

25,000 miles · Mar 30, 2016
EngineFuel/propulsion System

STARTING AT 20-30K MILES, SERVICE STABILITRAK WOULD COME ON AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WOULD BLINK FOR 30 SECONDS. AFTER SHUTTING OF THE CAR THE SERVICE LIGHT WOULD GO OFF. EACH TIME I TOOK IT TO A DEALERSHIP THE CODE WAS CLEAR AND THEY WEREN'T ABLE TO FIND OUT WHAT WAS WRONG. I GOT CHARGED FOR $180 FOR CHECKING UP AND NOT HAVING A …

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STARTING AT 20-30K MILES, SERVICE STABILITRAK WOULD COME ON AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WOULD BLINK FOR 30 SECONDS. AFTER SHUTTING OF THE CAR THE SERVICE LIGHT WOULD GO OFF. EACH TIME I TOOK IT TO A DEALERSHIP THE CODE WAS CLEAR AND THEY WEREN'T ABLE TO FIND OUT WHAT WAS WRONG. I GOT CHARGED FOR $180 FOR CHECKING UP AND NOT HAVING A PROBLEM ONCE. ALL THE OTHER TIMES I BROUGHT IN THE VEHICLE THEY FOUND SOMETHING WRONG AND DIDN'T CHARGE ME. FINALLY OVER THE COUPLE YEARS I OWNED THE VEHICLE AND NOW AT 80K MILES, THE SERVICE STABILITRAK LIGHT HAD BEEN COMING ON MORE AND MORE, I FINALLY GOT IT TO COME ON AND GOT AN APPOINTMENT RIGHT AWAY. I TOOK IT IN AND THEY TOOK 2 DAYS TO FIND OUT THAT ALL MY SPARK PLUGS AND MY COIL PACK WAS RUSTED AND CORRODED. IT COST $700. I LIVE IN CALIFORNIA THERE IS NO SALT ON THE ROADS AND I DON'T LIVE BY THE OCEAN. THIS SHOULD NOT HAVE HAPPENED.

NHTSA ODI #10852509

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.