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, Feb 26, 2014
I WAS MAKING A RIGHT TURN WHEN THERE WAS A NOISE SIMILAR TO A TIMING BELT FAILURE FROM UNDER THE ENGINE AND THE CAR APPEARED TO LOSE POWER. I PULLED OVER AND LOOKED UNDER THE VEHICLE BUT THERE WAS NO SIGN OF DAMAGE. I RESTARTED THE ENGINE AND PUT IT IN DRIVE AND THE NOISE RECURRED. I DECIDED TO CALL A TOW TRUCK TO TAKE THE CAR TO THE DEALER WE BOUGHT IT FROM IN AUGUST 2013. THE DEALER FOUND A BROKEN/SEPARATED FRONT RIGHT AXLE. THE CAR IS AN AUTOMATIC. THE DEALER REPLACE THE AXLE. I AM WRITING THIS TO REPORT THE INCIDENT AS THE CAR IS VIRTUALLY BRAND NEW. I HAVE NO COMPLAINTS WITH THE DEALER. *TR
Power train, Jan 21, 2014
CAR HAD LOUD NOISE DRIVING THROUGH AN INTERSECTION AND LOST GEAR. TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT GO INTO GEAR OR PARK. *TR
Power train, Oct 31, 2013
DRIVING THE HIGHWAY AT APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT POPS ON, AND THE CAR STARTS MAKING LIGHT NOISES AS IF THE TRANSMISSION IS HAVING PROBLEMS PULLING. UTILIZED THE ONSTAR BUTTON TO REQUEST A DIAGNOSTIC, AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE TRANSMISSION, AND THE DRIVE TRAIN WAS GIVING ERROR CODES. I WAS INSTRUCTED TO GET THE CAR INTO THE DEALER FOR SERVICE WITHIN SEVEN DAYS. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN IN FOR SERVICE THE VERY NEXT MORNING BY 7:45 AM. WAS INFORMED THAT THE WORK TO CORRECT WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THE DRIVE TRAIN/TRANSMISSION WARRANTY, AND BECAUSE OF THE EXISTENCE OF AN INTERNAL BULLETIN THE OUTPUT SPEED SENSOR IN THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED. THE CAR WAS SOLD TO ME WITH A 100,000 MILE TRANSMISSION AND DRIVE-TRAIN WARRANTY. I WAS FORCED TO PAY THE TAXES OF $ 14.09. *TR
Power train, Oct 21, 2013
STOPPED AT STOP LIGHT ON SLIGHT INCLINE. RELEASED BRAKE PEDAL AND VEHICLE ROLLED BACKWARD, NEARLY STRIKING VEHICLE BEHIND ME. TOOK VEHICLE BACK TO DEALER AND WAS TOLD THIS WAS NORMAL. EXPERIENCED SAME CONDITIONS ON INCLINE SEVERAL MORE TIMES. TOOK TO DIFFERENT CHEVROLET DEALER AND WAS TOLD THIS WAS NORMAL. CONTACTED GM AND RECEIVED CALL BACK. THEY SPOKE WITH SERVICE MANAGER AND ASKED ME TO TAKE IT BACK IN. I TOOK SERVICE MANAGER WITH ME AND PERFORMED SAME ACTIVITY TWICE. VEHICLE ROLLED BACKWARDS WHILE IN DRIVE AFTER STOPPING ON INCLINE AND RELEASING BRAKE. WHILE ROLLING BACKWARDS THE TRANSMISSION JUMPED AND THE VEHICLE DIED. HAPPENED BOTH TIMES. I TALKED TO GM CORPORATE CUSTOMER SERVICE SEVERAL MORE TIMES. SERVICE MANAGER ASKED ME TO BRING VEHICLE BACK IN TODAY (OCT. 21). I REPORTED SAME STORY AND LEFT VEHICLE AT DEALER. THEY CALLED ME BACK AND SAID EVERYTHING WAS NORMAL. I TALKED TO GM AGAIN AND REPORTED EVERYTHING. CALLED MY AUTO INSURANCE COMPANY AND REPORTED ISSUE. THIS ISSUE CONTINUES TO OCCUR AND I AM FEARFUL THAT THE VEHICLE MAY ROLL BACKWARDS INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE OR A PEDESTRIAN. I CAN ANTICIPATE THIS CONDITION WITH A MANUAL TRANSMISSION AND A CLUTCH, BUT CAN NOT SAFELY HAVE ONE FOOT ON THE BRAKE AND THE OTHER ON THE GAS WITH AN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. *TR
Power train, Sep 18, 2013
WHILE STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT, I KEPT FEELING THE VEHICLE SURGE AS IF IT WERE TRYING TO DRIVE FORWARD EVEN THOUGH I HAD MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE SURGE GOT TO THE POINT WHERE I HAD TO PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL JUST TO STOP IT. WHEN I PUT THE CAR BACK IN DRIVE WITH MY FOOT STILL ON THE BRAKES, THE VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD AND ALMOST HIT THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. THIS SURGE WAS HAPPENING ON AND OFF BUT I HAVE STARTED TO NOTICE IT HAPPENING MORE OFTEN NOW.
Power train, Service brakes, Aug 25, 2013
I DECIDED TO TRADE IN MY MALIBU AND LEASE A 2013 CRUZE FROM GLOBAL CHEVROLET, RT.22, NORTH PLAINFIELD, NJ. IN MARCH OF 2013. I BEGAN NOTICING THE PROBLEM WITHIN A FEW WEEKS. IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC, THE CAR LUNGES FORWARD AS YOU ARE SWITCHING FROM THE BRAKE TO THE ACCELERATOR. WHILE BRAKING, THE BRAKES SEEM TO FREEZE UP AND THE CAR KEEPS ROLLING, AT TIMES 20 FEET BEFORE STOPPING. I HAD THE CAR INSPECTED BY THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY TEST DROVE THE VEHICLE AND SAID THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG; "NEW TECHNOLOGY, COMPUTERS, DOWNSHIFTING" IS HOW THEY EXPLAINED IT. I KEEP A LOG IN MY CAR TO RECORD EACH TIME THIS OCCURS, AS IT DOES NOT HAPPEN EVERY DAY. HOWEVER, IT HAPPENS ENOUGH THAT I AM CONCERNED THAT EVENTUALLY THIS SITUATION WILL CAUSE AN ACCIDENT AND SERIOUS INJURY. IT WOULDN'T SURPRISE ME THAT IN THE NEAR FUTURE THERE WILL BE A RECALL REGARDING THIS PROBLEM OR I SINCERELY HOPE THERE WILL BE. *TR
Power train, Service brakes, Aug 16, 2013
I PURCHASED A 2013 CHEVY CRUZE ON MAY 13, 2013 TEST DROVE THE CAR AND BRAKES WENT TO THE FLOOR. SALESPERSON REFERRED IT TO THE MECHANIC. I DIDN'T EVEN MAKE IT OFF THE CAR LOT. HE SAID HE BLED THE BRAKES AND ALL IS WELL...STILL HAD TROUBLE WITH THE BRAKES AFTER I WAS AT A STOP SIGN AND MY CAR LUNGES FORWARD. I PRESSED ON BRAKES HARDER TO STOP. TOOK CAR BACK ON THE 28TH AND TOLD MECHANIC WHAT HAPPENED AND HE AGAIN CHECKED THE CAR OUT AND SAID HE COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR. HE SAID HE TESTED ANOTHER NEW MODEL AND SAID HE HAD NO PROBLEMS WITH THAT CAR. THESE MECHANICS ARE IGNORING ANY CONCERN BUYERS HAVE... PUTTING OUR LIVES AND FAMILY MEMBERS IN DANGER. THE ABOVE INCIDENT HAS HAPPENED AGAIN ON OCCASION AND THE FACT THAT THESE MECHANICS TALK DOWN TO YOU AND MAKE YOU FEEL "PLAIN STUPID" HAS PROMPT ME TO INITIATE THIS COMPLAINT IN HOPES SOMETHING GETS DONE. *TR
Power train, Service brakes, Aug 11, 2013
WHEN THE VEHICLE IS IN DRIVE AND STOPPED EITHER AT A RED LIGHT OR STOPPING TO MAKE A TURN THE VEHICLE FEELS LIKE IT'S MOVING FORWARD (LUNGING FORWARD) THIS OCCURS WHEN THE BREAK IS COMPLETELY PRESSED DOWN AND THE CAR IS IN DRIVE. THE RPM GAGE WILL FLICKER UP AND DOWN AS THIS IS OCCURRING. I HAVE TAKING IT TO THE DEALER SHIP AND THEY SAID THEY COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH MY CAR. I FEEL THIS CAR IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE BECAUSE IT MIGHT CAUSE AN ACCIDENT ONE DAY. WHEN IT DOES THIS AND IM STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT I WILL HAVE TO PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL OR PARK TO GET IT TO STOP DOING THIS. IT DOESN'T HAPPEN ALL THE TIME WHEN IM DRIVING BUT IT'S OCCURRING MORE COMMONLY. *TR
Power train, Service brakes, Engine, Jun 4, 2013
BEST WAY TO DESCRIBE WHAT HAPPENED WAS WHEN I WAS SITTING AT THE STOP SIGN BEHIND SOMEONE, WITH FOOT ON THE BRAKE PEDAL, MY CAR WENT FORWARD ABOUT A FOOT OR SO, NO GAS ACCELERATION FROM MYSELF, I DON'T KNOW IF THE GAS WAS AUTO CONTROLLED, BUT I FELT LIKE I WASN'T PUSHING ON THE BRAKE ENOUGH EVEN THOUGH I WAS, I DID SOME INVESTIGATING AND I READ ONLINE THAT OTHER PEOPLE HAVE BEEN HAVING SIMILAR ISSUES WITH THEIR 2013 CHEVY CRUZE. *TR
Power train, Fuel/propulsion system, May 16, 2013
WHILE AT A STOP, MY CAR WILL LURCH FORWARD, LIKE SOMEONE IS PUSHING IT FROM BEHIND. LUCKILY I HAVE MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE AND IT DOESN'T MOVE FORWARD. THIS HAS HAPPENED ABOUT 4 TIMES THIS PAST MONTH SINCE I'VE HAD THE CAR. *TR
Power train, Apr 29, 2013
ON APRIL 27, 2013, WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PARK MY CAR I PUT THE CAR IN REVERSE GEAR AND ALL OF A SUDDEN THE CAR JERKED IN THE REVERSE SO HARD THAT IF A CAR WAS DIRECTED BEHIND ME PARKED I WOULD HAVE HIT IT AND DAMAGED BOTH CARS. THEN, THE CAR JERKED FORWARD WHEN I SWITCH GEARS TO DRIVE FORWARD AND THEN THE CAR STARTED MAKING A LOUD CLICKING SOUND. THEN BEFORE THAT! I HAD A PROBLEM ON 4/19/2013 TRYING TO REVERSE INTO ANOTHER PARKING AREA AND THE CAR DID PRETTY MUCH THE SAME THINGS AS IT DID ON APRIL 27TH. ALSO, SOMETIMES WHEN I PRESS ON MY BRAKES, COMING TO A FULL STOP, THE CAR WILL LOUNGE FORWARD WHILE PRESSING ON BRAKE. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS OCCURRENCES. I HAVE NOT CONTACT THE DEALER AS OF YET. BUT, I INTEND TOO ASAP. I HAVE ALSO CHECKED FOR ANY RECALLS, AND THERE ARE NONE YET AS OF 2013, BUT THERE ARE A COUPLE OF COMPLAINTS ONLY. 2012 CRUZE HAD SEVERAL AIRBAG, AND ENGINE ISSUES. PLEASE ADVISE! THANK YOU *TR
Power train, Apr 5, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET CRUZE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO COME TO A COMPLETE STOP WITH THE BRAKES ENGAGED, THE VEHICLE LUNGED FORWARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 660 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 1,002. *TR