2013 Chevrolet Cruze
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Engine is the leading concern among 586 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 4th highest complaint count among 10 Cruze model years with reports.
Of the 2013 reports, 54 involved a crash and 8 involved a fire. 32 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Electrical system, ignitionJul 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."
If the key is removed without the transmission in PARK, the vehicle may rollaway as occupants are exiting, increasing the risk of injury.
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.
Campaign 16V502000 on NHTSA.gov
Equipment, electricalJul 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.
Exposed wires increase the risk of electrical shock and personal injury if the cord is handled while it is plugged in.
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.
Campaign 14V417000 on NHTSA.gov
Air bagsJun 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.
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.
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.
Campaign 14V372000 on NHTSA.gov
Power train, axle assembly, axle shaftMar 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.
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.
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.
Campaign 14V151000 on NHTSA.gov
Power train, axle assembly, axle shaftSep 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.
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.
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.
Campaign 13V452000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: power train
112 reports, newest first. Show all
Power train, Nov 7, 2024
Transmission messed up only own the car for 7 months
Power train, Other or unspecified, Engine, Jun 7, 2024
I own 3 Chevy Cruze, a 2012, 2013 and 2016. They all partial power down or decelerate while driving. The local Chevy dealers has no recalls for this issue or any other for that matter. Please advise
Power train, Service brakes, Visibility/wiper, Sep 5, 2023
ABS system is failure. Stability, traction control. Catalytic converter failure, mileage reading failure.
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Other or unspecified, Sep 4, 2023
Coming home from grocery shopping the night of Sept 3, 2023 the radio kept turning off then coming back on. I was on the highway about 20miles from home radio still turning on and off about every 5mins (go black/blank then light back up) and I had felt when i would accelerate it would as I would slightly go up hill. Once I jad got about 4miles from my house the radio went off once again and dash warning light said "Stabili Trak" and head lights had went off then came back on again. I just was grateful I was not to far from home since it was dark out and the lights were now Turning off too. The next morning (sept 4, 2023)since I did not have another vehicle and my son needed to get to football practice, I drove down the lane of my driveway and the dash warning light kept flashing, the window warning light said turn window on (so I rolled it back up and it turned off), radio kept turning on and off relentlessly, vehicle kept shutting off on me while driving before I even got down my driveway which is about 200 feet. I starred it back up and returned home. I made phones calls to drip it off in sussex NJ at service center where I had bought car as someone followed me(I did not have any problems the hour drive there/40miles) left a message on the voicemail regarding issue, checked to see of recalls though wasn't any. It was not safe to drive the way the car was, just with the only 1 warning dash signal in the middle of driving and headlights stop working them start to couldve caused accident then car turned off while I slowly drove down my driveway doing 7mph as well and I had my son in the car too. Very scary especially driving at night and that happens without much of a warning at 1st.
Power train, Engine, Aug 29, 2023
The Water pump failed causing my car to almost stall out and overheating losing power and almost causing me to get hit
Power train, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Apr 17, 2023
The 2013 Chevy Cruze is prone to overheating and there is always a coolant leak or something related to the coolant/antifreeze that is leaking or not correct. My Chevy Cruze has been leaking coolant profusely and so has my friends who had a Chevy Cruze as well. It is truly a pain to continuously refill the coolant so that the vehicle will not overheat. A recall needs to be in place immediately. I’ve heard this same story on Chevy Cruze a way too many times.
Power train, Jan 27, 2023
The contact owns a 2013 Chevrolet Cruze. The contact stated while her daughter was exiting a parking lot at approximately 5 MPH, and making a right turn, she heard a sharp cracking sound from the passenger’s front side of the vehicle. The contact stated that her daughter drove only a few feet more when the front-end lowered down to the right. The contact’s daughter stated that the passenger’s side front wheel had detached from the vehicle and was laying on the roadway. The contact stated that her daughter was not aware of any warning light being illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who diagnosed and determined that the half shaft had fractured, causing the passenger’s side front wheel to detach from the axle. The vehicle had not been repaired. The contact researched online and related the failure to NHTSA Campaign: 14V151000 (Power Train). The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
Power train, Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Sep 18, 2022
My car just shut off by itself while I was driving without any warning. My check engine light isn’t on and I just got my car out of the shop a few weeks ago, so I’m not sure why this happened. It is not safe and was definitely scary, being that I am pregnant and also had daughter with me.
Power train, Other or unspecified, Engine, Jun 26, 2022
I just bought the car and it is over heating and the turbo is acting up high RPMs and not shifting correctly and shakes at 60 mph
Power train, Other or unspecified, Engine, Dec 31, 2021
The vehicle keeps going to A/C off due to vehicle running hot. I've gone to the dealer and various shops had the water pump, hoses, outlet housing, thermostat replaced. I still smell coolant leaking and burning off when I open the hood I see the engine and catalytic converter wet and drying off as the wetness evaporates; the smell stays inside the car. The effects of smelling coolant has to be toxic, has any studies been done on long term effects of smelling coolant? I spend a minimum of 3 hours a day in traffic. The problem started around 100k. I also have oil leaking on right axel and somewhere on the engine. I've noticed the1.4l turbo has the same problems why are there recalls on the 1.4L but not the 1.8L? I'm paying out of pocket to get the same repairs done, if the vehicle is unsafe for the 1.4L it should be unsafe for the 1.8L
Power train, Service brakes, Engine, Oct 25, 2021
Check-engine light comes on and stays; after repairs, it keeps flashing. "Traction control" message comes on and stays on. The air conditioning system keeps warning to be turned off, and heats up the car when not turned off. The care drives and dies while driving. The transmission is not consistent, takes much more time to accelerate. Breaks and fan replaced after a year of purchased and about 1,500 dollars have just been spent in repairs and the car still gives a check-engine light, shaking and about to die. Presently not in use. The safety issues for me and my family are high. I recently had to drive it with safety lights on and below 25 miles/hr to and from the mechanic. I have taken the car before two mechanics and it is still not resolved. The car is available for inspection upon your recall.
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Engine, Oct 13, 2021
Loss of power when driving
Power train, Apr 8, 2021
MY VEHICLE STARTED LOSING PRESSURE UPON HAVING IT CHECKED I WAS INFORMED THAT THE TURBINE IN THE ENGINE WAS DEFECTIVE AND BLOWING OUT THE OLD FROM MY INJUN MY CAR IS RENDERED USELESS DUE TO THE FACT THAT THIS TURBINE WAS PART OF CHEVY'S RECALL IN MY CAR HAVING BEEN AT CHEVY DEALERSHIPS IT WAS NEVER ADDRESSED. I NEED MY CAR FIXED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE IT IS MY ONLY MEANS OF TRANSPORTATION.
Power train, Other or unspecified, Engine, Apr 4, 2021
I HAVE A 2013 CHEVY CRUZE 1.4L TURBO. THE PAST MONTH OR SO WHEN I AM DRIVING ON AN INCLINE OR HILL IT LOSES POWER AND THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT AND STABILITY CONTROL LIGHT COMES ON AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT FLASHES. ABOUT A WEEK AGO I WAS COMING HOME FROM CLASS AND MY CAR LOST POWER AND ALMOST GOT SMASHED BY A SEMI AND TODAY IT LOST POWER AND ALMOST GOT REAR ENDED. HAVE HAD SEVERAL MECHANICS LOOK AT IT AND THEY CAN FIND THE PROBLEM.
Power train, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Nov 13, 2020
RECALL: N202299080 THE CRACKS IN THE FAULTY PCV VALVE PREVENTED PROPER AIR INTAKE AND PRESSURIZATION TO AND FROM THE INTAKE ENGINE. BECAUSE THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN OPERATING UNDER THESE STRENUOUS IMPROPER CONDITIONS, THE TURBO HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO SPOOL PROPERLY IN ACCORDANCE WITH ITS DESIGN AND HAS ALSO BECOME DEFECTIVE/IN NEED OF REPLACEMENT. FAULTY PRESSURIZATION DOES NOT ONLY AFFECT THE PCV VALVE, BUT THE COMPONENTS ON EITHER SIDE OF THE VALVE AND THEIR PROCESSES AS WELL. MY 2013 CHEVY CRUZE NOT ONLY STALLS IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET, BUT DIES THERE AND IS A HUGE SAFETY HAZARD TO BOTH MY FAMILY AND THOSE WE SHARE THE ROAD WITH. THIS VEHICLE HAS NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT OR HAD ANY OTHER COMPLICATIONS, EXCEPT FOR THIS FAULTY PCV VALVE. THE CONDITION HAS EXPOSED MY TURBO AND ENGINE TO IRREGULAR UNWARRANTED PROPULSION MECHANISMS. GM IS HOPING WE'RE IGNORANT ENOUGH TO COVER THOSE COSTS ON OUR OWN. THIS IS WRONG. THEIR FAULTY PART TRIGGERED A SERIES OF SAFETY HAZARDS AND COMPLICATIONS. THEY NEED TO BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE, WE CANNOT SIT BACK OR TURN A BLIND EYE IN THEIR DIRECTION. WE NEED TO STAND UP FOR EACH OTHER AND SPEAK OUT. THANK YOU FOR MAKING OUR SAFETY CONCERNS YOUR PRIORITY!
Power train, Electronic stability control (ESC), Engine, Oct 21, 2020
MY CAR KEPT SAYING "AC OFF DUE TO HIGH ENGINE HEAT" EVEN THOUGH MY CAR WAS NOT READING HOT WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. THEN THE CAR WOULD START SMOKING AND BLOW A HOSE AND LIQUID WOULD BE EVERYWHERE. I HAD A BRAND NEW THERMOSTATE PUT IN AND IT STILL DOES THE SAME THING. ALSO A PREVIOUS RECALL ABOUT HOW THE TIRE COULD SEPRATE "TIRE ROD" IS STILL DOING IT AGAIN. I HAD 3 TRANSAXLE SEALS AND A TRANSMISSION SEAL, A MOTOR BLOWER FOR THE A.C ALL REPLACED WITHIN THE FIRST YEAR (STILL UNDER WARRENTY) OF OWNING THIS CAR. THE STABILITY TRACK WILL SHOW UP ON THE SCREEN. BUT I'M TIRED OF WORRYING WHEN MY CAR WILL WANT TO JUST RANDOMLY BLOW HOSES AND START SMOKING AND LEAVE ME STRANDED ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD! I BOUGHT A CHEAP CAR TO GET ME TO WORK AND MY CRUZE IS SITTING!!
Power train, Wheels, Other or unspecified, Jul 28, 2020
I WAS JUST DRIVING ALONG UNDER NORMAL DRIVING WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN MY RPMS WENT ALL THE WAY UP AND THE CAR WASN'T GOING ANYWHERE BUT COSTING TO A STOP ALONG WITH A LOUD BANGING SOUND. I WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 28MPH ON A STREET
Power train, Electronic stability control (ESC), Engine, Jun 18, 2020
THIS ISSUE HAS BEEN ONGOING SINCE LAST YEAR. I HAVE BEEN GETTING MESSAGES ON MY DASH WITH ERRORS SUCH AS SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL/SERVICE STABILITRAK. THE CAR SLOWS DOWN TO 5 SPEED AND IT STALLS /JERK WHEN DRIVING. THIS IS NOT SAFE AND I ALMOST GOT INTO AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE OF IT. THIS VEHICLE IS NOT SAFE. TOOK MY CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR A DIAGNOSIS CHECK AND WAS TOLD NOTHING SHOWED UP BUT A LOW BATTERY. I GOT THAT FIXED AND THE CAR IS STILL HAVING THE SAME ISSUE. WHEN DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY/STREETS/EXPRESSWAYS WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN MY CAR DECELERATED AND I GOT THE MESSAGE ENGINE POWER HAS BEEN REDUCED/SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL/SERVICE STABILITRAK AS WELL AS MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. BECAUSE OF THIS, I WAS FORCED TO PULLOVER WHILE ALMOST BEING HIT BY OTHER VEHICLES. THIS WAS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AND SCARY FOR ME BECAUSE I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT HAPPENED AND IT COULD HAVE COST ME MY LIFE, AS WELL AS OTHERS. I HAVE TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO CHEVY AND FIRESTONE AUTO COMPLETE AND NO ONE KNOWS WHY THIS IS HAPPENING. *TR
Power train, Electrical system, Feb 26, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET CRUZE. THE CONTACT STATED AFTER SHIFTING TO PARK AND EXITED THE VEHICLE, IT BEGAN TO ROLL AWAY WHILE THE KEY WAS REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT HAD TO QUICKLY RE-ENTER THE VEHICLE AND DEPRESS THE EMERGENCY BRAKE IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE FROM ROLLING AWAY. SHORTLY AFTER THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AND THE FAILURE REOCCURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A LOCAL DEALER OR INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TEST. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 34,000. THE CONTACT REFERENCED THE FAILURE TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V502000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, POWER TRAIN).
Power train, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Feb 18, 2020
THE INTAKE MANIFOLD BECAME CRACKED AND I HAVE RESEARCHED IT HAS BEEN AN ISSUE FOR MANY CHEVY CRUZE BETTWEEN THE YEARS OF 2011-2014. THE VEHICLE HAS A INCREASED AIR FLOW THE RESULTS IN A POOR AIR TO FUEL MIXTUE INSIDE THE COMBUSTION CHAMBER, ALSO ALLOWS OIL TO BLOWBY. THE ISSUE WITH THE INTAKE HAS CAUSED INCREASED OIL CONSUMPTION/ BURNING, RESULTED IN A LOSS OF POWER UPON FIRST TAKE OFF FROM STOP LIGHT. THIS ISSUE HAS CAUSED THE COMPUTER TO ADJUST THE TIMING MORE THAN THE MANUFACTURER ALLOWED LIMIT WHICH HAS RESULTED IN A BENT VALVE AND BAD TIMING
Power train, Feb 3, 2020
A/C OFF DUE TO HIGH ENGINE TEMP WARNING ON THE DASH. TRIED RESETTING ECU, DIDN'T WORK. NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON. CHANGED BOTH COOLANT SENSORS AND STILL BROKEN. REPLACED OLD BROKEN THERMOSTAT WITH A NEW FACTORY SENSOR, AND 4 MONTHS LATER IT'S ALREADY BROKEN.
Power train, Electrical system, Air bags, Dec 8, 2019
CHEVY CRUZE 2013 LTZ TURBO, I HAVE THE PAPERWORK STATING IT IS TURBO. I TOOK IT TO A DEALERSHIPS BECAUSE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I WAS TOLD IT WAS FINE. THEY CLEARED EVERYTHING. I HAVE BEEN TOLD DIFFERENT THINGS WHETHER IT HAS TURBO OR NOT. THE TURBO WAS SUPPOSEDLY CHECKED SEVERAL TIMES SINCE I BOUGHT IT. THE MECHANIC AT DEALERSHIP SAID IT DID NOT HAVE TURBO. I ASKED THE HEAD MECHANIC TO DRIVE THE CAR WITH ME IN IT. HE DID, THE HEAD MECHANIC CONVINCED ME IT HAD TURBO AND IT WAS WORKING FINE, I SAID IT DOESN'T ACT LIKE IT TO ME, HE SAID THIS IS ALL ITS GOT AND THAT'S IT, THE CAR IS FINE. THE HEAD MECHANIC SAID IT WAS FINE, I SAID SOMETHING IS NOT RIGHT, HE CONVINCED EVERYTHING WAS AND TO PUSH THE CLEAR BUTTON WHEN IT WOULD BE AND IT WOULD BE FINE. THIS HAPPENED BETWEEN 2014 AND 2018 THIS HAS HAPPENED OVER THE YEARS. I WAS TOLD TO BASICALLY TOUCH THE CLEAR BUTTON. CODES STARTED TO POP UP; IT STARTED WITH THE WINDOW. I WAS TOLD TO HIT CLEAR BUTTON WHEN THIS HAPPENS, SO I DID. THEN CHECK ENGINE CODES POP UP ON DASH SAYING: ROLE WINDOW DOWN AND BACK UP, CHECK TRANSMISSION, KEY REMOTE NOT DETECTED, START WITH REMOTE START, CHECK AIR BAGS, IT HAS DONE THIS OFF AND ON FOR A SEVERAL YEARS, OFF AND ON . NOW THIS WEEK IT GOT REALLY BAD TO THE POINT THE CAR JUST SHUTS OFF, THEN IT WILL NOT START, UNTIL I TOUCH THE CLEAR BUTTON OR I HAVE TO UNHOOK THE BATTERY OTHERWISE THE DASH WILL NOT TURN OFF AND I CAN'T START IT. I TOOK IT TO HAVE CODES CHECKED AND MASS FLOW SENSOR , THEN IT SAID VAPOR CANISTER PURGE VALVE THEN MAP SENSOR, I REPLACED ALL, THE CAR STILL ACTS THE SAME. CODES STILL APPEAR ON DASH. START THE CAR IT SEEMS OK, THEN YOU DRIVE IT AND THE ENGINE JUST SHUTS OFF AND CODES START TO APPEAR AGAIN. SHOULD THIS BE CHECKED INTO. I CAN'T FIND RECORDS, I WILL TRY, BUT I CAN TELL YOU DEALERSHIPS.
Power train, Oct 24, 2019
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.
Power train, Oct 21, 2019
TRANSMISSION FAILURE AT 70,000 MILES.
Power train, Aug 5, 2019
THE TURBO BOOSTER MALIFUNCTION THE CAR WILL NOT PICK UP SPEED AND TIME WOULD STOP ALL WILL YOU ARE ACCELERATING ON THE GAS