IllustrationJUST A SHORT TIME AFTER I BOUGHT THIS CAR, WHICH I LOVE, I HIT A DEER. I WAS GOING 45 MPH AT THE TIME AND THE IMPACT DID $10,000 DAMAGE BUT THE AIR BAG DID NOT GO OFF. THANKFULLY I WAS NOT HURT AND I WAS WEARING MY SEAT BELT. TO THIS DAY THE CAR JUST ISN'T THE SAME. *TR
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 →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Cruze years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
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 reportsTHE ROAD WAS ICY AND I SLAMMED INTO BACK OF DUMP TRUCK THAT ALREADY CRASHED INTO FENCE OF CEMETERY,AND MY AIR BAGS NEVER DEPLOYED (I COULDV'E BEEN SERIOUSLY HURT) BUT I WASN'T. *TR
ROAD WAS ICY AND I SLID INTO A DUMP TRUCK THAT HAD ALREADY CRASHED INTO CEMETERY FENCE. *TR
TRAVELING WEST AND AN EAST BOUND VEHICLE TURNED IN FRONT OF ME. THE OTHER DRIVER WAS TICKET FOR FAILURE TO YIELD AND ACCIDENT CAUSING BODILY INJURY. MY AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY I SUSTAINED INJURIES TO MY CHEST, HIT MY HEAD ON DRIVERS SIDE WINDOW AND MY LEFT SHOULD AND RIBS WERE THROWN IN TO THE DOOR. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET CRUZE. AFTER INSERTING THE KEY IN THE IGNITION SWITCH, THE VEHICLE TURNED ON INDEPENDENTLY. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTED INDEPENDENTLY FROM DRIVE INTO NEUTRAL ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET CRUZE. AFTER INSERTING THE KEY IN THE IGNITION SWITCH, THE VEHICLE TURNED ON INDEPENDENTLY. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTED INDEPENDENTLY FROM DRIVE INTO NEUTRAL ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. MAILED OUT 01/13/15*LJ
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET CRUZE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE SPEED REDUCED WITHOUT WARNING AND THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO ACCELERATE. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER AND RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AND THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE HAD TO RESET THE COMPUTER AND WAS ABL…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET CRUZE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE SPEED REDUCED WITHOUT WARNING AND THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO ACCELERATE. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER AND RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AND THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE HAD TO RESET THE COMPUTER AND WAS ABLE TO ACCELERATE THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 41,300.
WHILE DRIVING MY CAR WITH THE HEATER ON AND THE DIAL SET AT HIGH THE CAR DEVELOPED A HORRIBLE ANIT FREEZE SMELL. IT WAS SO BAD I HAD TO OPEN THE WINDOWS TO GET THE SMELL OUT OF THE CAR. IT DID NOT HELP WHEN I TURNED THE HEATER TO A LOWER SETTING. THIS PROBLEM SEEMS TO OCCUR MORE OFTEN WHEN THE HEATER IS SET ON HIGH. I TOOK IT TO…
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WHILE DRIVING MY CAR WITH THE HEATER ON AND THE DIAL SET AT HIGH THE CAR DEVELOPED A HORRIBLE ANIT FREEZE SMELL. IT WAS SO BAD I HAD TO OPEN THE WINDOWS TO GET THE SMELL OUT OF THE CAR. IT DID NOT HELP WHEN I TURNED THE HEATER TO A LOWER SETTING. THIS PROBLEM SEEMS TO OCCUR MORE OFTEN WHEN THE HEATER IS SET ON HIGH. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER BECAUSE I RECEIVED A LETTER FROM CHEVY STATING THERE MAY BE A PROBLEM WITH A COOLENT LEAK AROUND THE WATER PUMP. THEY SAID THEY FOUND A LEAKING RETURN HOSE THAT GOES TO THE TANK AND REPLACED IT. IT DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. I STILL SMELL ANTIFREEZE AND SOMETIMES IT IS SO BAD IT MAKES ME FEEL SICK. ITS HORRIBLE AND IF THEY CANT FIGURE THIS OUT I WILL HAVE NO CHOICE BUT TO GET RID OF THIS CAR! *TR
COMING TO STOP LIGHT DOING ONLY 15 MPH FROM WHERE I WAS COMING FROM AND ALL ELECTRICAL WENT DOWN. THE RADIO WAS STILL ON BUT COULDN'T : TURN UP/DOWN MUSIC, USE ANY CONTROLS ON STEERING WHEEL, THE INFOTAINMENT SCREEN WAS BLACK. HAD TO TURN THE CAR OFF AT A STOP LIGHT AND IT DIDN'T WANT TO START UNTIL I DID IT TWICE. AFTER THAT IT…
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COMING TO STOP LIGHT DOING ONLY 15 MPH FROM WHERE I WAS COMING FROM AND ALL ELECTRICAL WENT DOWN. THE RADIO WAS STILL ON BUT COULDN'T : TURN UP/DOWN MUSIC, USE ANY CONTROLS ON STEERING WHEEL, THE INFOTAINMENT SCREEN WAS BLACK. HAD TO TURN THE CAR OFF AT A STOP LIGHT AND IT DIDN'T WANT TO START UNTIL I DID IT TWICE. AFTER THAT IT WAS FINE AND HASN'T DONE IT SINCE- BUT NOW I SEE OTHERS ARE HAVING SAME ISSUES. ALSO, NOTICE THE LIGHTS INSIDE DO SOMETIMES GET BRIGHTER THEN DULLER ON THEIR OWN- EVERYTHING INCLUDING THE DASHBOARD AND INFOTAINMENT CENTER. CAR ALSO DOES HAVE AN ODOR WITH THE HEAT ON. *TR
VEHICLE SURGES WHEN CAR IS IN IDLE POSITION (BREAKING). THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT IN AN ACCIDENT, HOWEVER DURING A SURGE THE CAR BUMPER WENT OVER A PARKING BLOCK THAT HAD A TIE ROD STICKING UP. WHEN I BACKED UP THE CAR, IT PULLED THE DRIVERS SIDE BUMPER AWAY FROM THE FRONT END. ALSO, AN ENGINE LIGHT GOES ON WHEN THE WINDOW DEFROSTE…
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VEHICLE SURGES WHEN CAR IS IN IDLE POSITION (BREAKING). THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT IN AN ACCIDENT, HOWEVER DURING A SURGE THE CAR BUMPER WENT OVER A PARKING BLOCK THAT HAD A TIE ROD STICKING UP. WHEN I BACKED UP THE CAR, IT PULLED THE DRIVERS SIDE BUMPER AWAY FROM THE FRONT END. ALSO, AN ENGINE LIGHT GOES ON WHEN THE WINDOW DEFROSTER IS ON, STATING THAT THE AC IS BEING SHUT OFF (AC IS NOT ON, THE HEATER IS) AND SHUTS DOWN THE HVAC SYSTEM. *TR
DASH LIGHTS AND RADIO FLASHING OFF AND ON, NO SOUND WHEN SIGNAL IS ON. *TR
Official recalls
516V502000 · 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
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.