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
586 reports, newest first.
Engine, Apr 23, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET CRUZE. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO OVERHEAT AND "AIR CONDITIONER TURNING OFF DUE TO VEHICLE OVERHEATING" DISPLAYED. THE CONTACT PARKED THE VEHICLE, OPENED THE HOOD TO ALLOW THE ENGINE TO COOL DOWN, AND ADDED COOLANT. THE VEHICLE DROVE NORMALLY THE NEXT DAY, BUT OVERHEATED AGAIN DURING THE EVENING HOURS. WHEN THE FAILURE RECURRED, THE STABILIZER INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO RESTART AND WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT RESEARCHED THE FAILURE ONLINE AND FOUND NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V452000 (POWER TRAIN) AS A POSSIBLE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE, BUT THE VIN WAS EXCLUDED FROM THE RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,357.
Engine, Apr 11, 2018
I WAS DRIVING ON THE BOULEVARD AND STOPPED AT THE RED LIGHT ONCE IT GOT GREEN THE CAR TURNED OFF ON ME HAD TO PUT IT IN PARK AND RESTARTED THE CAR TO WORK AGAIN.
Power train, Engine, Apr 11, 2018
MY 2013 CHEVY CRUZE THAT HAD 80000 MILES ON IT HEAD GASKETS ARE BLOWN OUT ALONG WITH THE BOLTS AND COOLING SYSTEM. UPON REVIEWING OTHER COMPLAINTS AND SPEAKING TO OTHERS THIS SEEMS TO BE A PROBLEM. THE CAR HAD REGULAR TUNE-UPS AND OIL CHANGES ALONG WITH A ENGINE FLUSH. I HAVE ATTACHED A COPY OF THE ESTIMATE TO REPAIR THE GASKETS. THE SHOP ALSO INFORMED ME THAT IF I WANTED THE COOLANT SYSTEM FIXED AND IT IS ON RECALL THAT THEY WOULD FIX AROUND THE COOLANT SYSTEM ...SEND THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP TO REPAIR THE RECALL AND SEND THE CAR BACK TO THEM TO FINISH REPAIRS. I HAVE ONLY HAD THE CAR 4 YEARS AND WHEN I PURCHASED IT THE CAR ONLY HAD 10000 MILES AND FOR THIS TO HAPPEN THIS EARLY IN A CAR IS A PROBLEM.
Steering, Electrical system, Electronic stability control (ESC), Apr 10, 2018
CAR SHUTS OFF COMPLETELY.AFTER 10 MINUTES WILL RESTART.STEERING LOCKS UP WHILE DRIVNG.STABLI CONTROL COMES ON.LOSS OF ALMOST AL L POWER.HAPPEN IN DRIVEWAY.WHILE DRIVING TURNING .LOSS OF POWER SO THAT CAR WONT MOVE.
Vehicle speed control, Engine, Mar 19, 2018
WHEN DRIVING THE CAR IT LOSES POWER WE HAD IT PUT ON A COMPUTER TO DIAGNOSE THE ISSUES AND ITS THE TURBO. HOWEVER IVE SEEN THERE IS RECALLS FOR THIS. WE HAVE BOUGHT THIS CAR USED WITH ONLY 54,000 MILES ON IT. WE HAD ONE RECALL FIXED ALREADY THAT THE DEALERSHIP WE GOT IT FROM WAS ONCE FIXED BECAUSE OF THIS ISSUE. HOWEVER I DON'T BELIEVE THAT AND NOW IM NOT BELIEVING THIS WAS FIXED EITHER. WE HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT ISSUES WITH THIS CAR AND ITS GETTING RIDICULOUS
Steering, Mar 16, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET CRUZE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE STABILITY CONTROL SYSTEM WARNING INDICATOR STARTED TO FLASH AND THE POWER STEERING ABILITY DID NOT RESPOND. THE CONTACT REGAINED CONTROL AFTER APPROXIMATELY FIVE SECONDS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED APPROXIMATELY TEN OTHER TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 79,158.
Electrical system, Service brakes, Mar 14, 2018, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET CRUZE. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IDLING AT A RED LIGHT, IT LOST POWER AND THE BRAKES FAILED. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO THE PRECEDING VEHICLE. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO PARADISE CHEVROLET (6350 LELAND ST, VENTURA, CA 93003). THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED THE SAME FAILURE INTERMITTENTLY FOR FOUR YEARS. THE VEHICLE WAS NEVER DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000.
Visibility/wiper, Mar 14, 2018
DURING THE WINTER THE DEFROSTER WILL NOT CLEAR ANY OF THE WINDOWS, FRONT AND SIDE. HAPPENS WHEN TEMPERATURE IS AT 34 DEGREES AND BELOW. PUT SYSTEM IN DEFROST + HEAT FEET FRONT WINDSHIELD AND ALL SIDE WINDOWS FOG UP. PLACE IN DEFROST ONLY CLEARS WINDSHIELD NOT SIDE TOTAL, NO CLEAR IN BACK SIDE WINDOWS. HAVE TO RUN FAN ON ALMOST FULL WHEN IN DEFROST ONLY. HAPPENS IN MOTION AND STATIC. FIRST DEALER WOULD NOT FIX, SECOND DEALER HAS BEEN WORKING ON IT FOR 4 YEARS
Electronic stability control (ESC), Engine, Mar 7, 2018
I WENT TO THE DEALERSHIP SERVICE CENTER WHERE I BOUGHT MY CAR BECAUSE MY STABILITRAK WAS TURNING ON AND OFF ON THEIR SELF SI I REPORT IT AND WHEN I WAS THERE THEY TOLD ME MY COOLANT HAD A LEAKING AND NEED TO BE REPLACED AS LONG SOME HOSE AND OTHER PARTS AS WATER PUMP THAT A WAS ALSO UNDER A RECALL TO BUT THEY CHARGED ME $ 697.95 WHERE THEY SHOULDN'T CUZ I WAS A RECALL COVER UNDER SPECIAL WARRANTY MY CAR HAVE SO I REPORT IT TO GM WHERE AN INVESTIGATION IS BEING DONE TO THEY CAN REFUND MY MONEY AND I HAVE PROOF OF ALL WAS DONE TO MY CAR BECAUSE I FEEL IS AN ABUSED TOWARD CHEVROLET JERSEY CITY, NJ DOINGVTHIS TO ME AND IMAGINE HOW MANY THEY ALREADY HAD DONE IT. SOMETHING NEED TO BE DONE IMMEDIATELY... IF PAPERWORK NEED TO BE PROVIDE I HAVE IT TO BE FAX.
Other or unspecified, Mar 5, 2018
WHILE DRIVING IN MOTION GOING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AT 65 MPH CAR LOST ALL POWER ALL OF SUDDEN, THIS ALSO HAPPENED WHILE SITTING AT A STOP LIGHT TOTAL LOSS OF POWER. THIS IS SERIOUS IT STALLS IN MIDDLE OF THE ROAD AND IT MAY OR MAYNOT START BACK UP.
Other or unspecified, Feb 28, 2018
CONSUMER COMPLAINT. NOXIOUS ODOR FROM HEATER. CAUSES NASAL DISCOMFORT AND COUGHING FORCING MANUAL SHUTDOWN OF HEATER. HEATER IS OUTGASSING A CLOYINGLY SWEET SMELL THAT IS WIDELY DISCUSSED IN INTERNET FORUMS WITH NO SOLUTION. *JS
Power train, Electrical system, Feb 27, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET CRUZE. WHEN THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO TURN OFF THE VEHICLE, IT FAILED TO TURN OFF. IN ORDER TO TURN OFF THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT HAD TO TAKE THE GEAR SHIFTER OUT OF THE PARK POSITION THREE TIMES AND THEN PLACE IT BACK IN PARK. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 51,000.
Electronic stability control (ESC), Traction control system, Engine, Feb 16, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET CRUZE. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE RESTARTED ITSELF IMMEDIATELY. IN ADDITION, THE ELECTRONIC STABILITY AND TRACTION CONTROL WARNING INDICATORS DISPLAYED TEMPORARILY. PELLEGRINO CHEVROLET IN WESTVILLE, NEW JERSEY WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS NO LONGER UNDER RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 97,000.
Other or unspecified, Feb 8, 2018
RADIATOR LEEKING FLUID CAR OVER HEATING. WHEN CKED SAID THE PROBLEM WAS INTERNAL. THEN I HAVE TO PAY FOR EVERTHING THAT WAS CAUSED BY PROBLEM THAT WAS NOT UNDER WARRANTY. THEY WANT ME 2 PAY FOR HOSE AND OTHER THINGS, ALMOST $200. THE PROBLEM STARTED AFTER I HAD AN OIL CHANGE AT THIS LOCATION. MY HEATER WAS NOT GETTING HOT AND WHEN I CKED NO FLUID N RADIATOR. SO I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP, THEY DIDN'T TELL ME THAT WAS NOT PART OF 24 POINTS CHECK UNTIL TODAY. MY COMPLAINT IS WE HAVE 2 PAY FOHEY. WANT 2 LET U KNOW I WILL NOT BE THERE 2MORROW MORNING. HAVE 2 TAKE MY CAR 2 SHOP. DEPEND ON HOW LONG IT TAKE 2 FIX. WILL GET RENTAL, BUT WILL NOT KNOW TILL THEY CK IT OUT. WILL GIVE U A CALL WHEN I FIND OUT.R EVERYTHING THAT WAS CAUSED BY PROBLEM. IF IT IS A RECALL PROBLEM EVERYTHING THAT IT TAKE TO REPAIR SHOULD BE COVER. I AM AN CAREGIVE( CNA) NEED MY CAR FOR WORK INWHICH I HAVE MISSED 2 DAYS BECAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM THEN STILL HQVE 2 COME OUT OF MY POCKET. NOT SURE IF THIS PROBLEM HAVE DAMAGED MY MOTOR OR NOT.
Visibility/wiper, Feb 6, 2018
DEFROST IS NOT WORKING. I BELIEVE THE MODE VALVE LEVER IS BROKEN.
Engine, Feb 5, 2018
I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE GM LOOK OVER THE COOLING SYSTEM FOR THE 2013 CHEVY CRUZES. I HAVE REPLACED THE COOLANT RESERVOIR , TOP HOSE AND CAP ON MINE. THE PROBLEM IM HAVING IS A LEAKING HOSE SOMEWHERE AND I AM SMELLING COOLANT COMING THROUGH THE VENTS WHEN I HAVE THE AC ON OR OFF AND HEATER THE SAME WAY. PLEASE PUT THE CRUZES ON RECALL GM AND SEE IF ANYONE IS HAVING THE SAME THING I AM.
Steering, Electronic stability control (ESC), Feb 5, 2018
POWER STEERING WENT OUT WHILE MAKING A TURN IN A PARKING LOT AND BOTH POWER STEERING LIGHT, AND STABILI TRAK LIGHT CAME ON. I COULD BARELY CONTROL THE STEERING WHEEL. LATER THAT DAY CAR WAS BACK TO NORMAL.
Power train, Electrical system, Electronic stability control (ESC), Feb 1, 2018
HELLO, THIS SUNDAY MY 2013 CHEVY CRUZE WHILE DRIVING AN ALERT CAME UP SAYING THAT ENGINE POWER REDUCED AND OTHER NOTICES. THE RESULT WAS THAT THE CAR LOST POWER. THANKFULLY I WAS ON A SIDE STREET AT THE TIME AT A SLOW SPEED. MOST OF MY DRIVING IS ON THE HIGHWAY AND IF THIS WOULD HAVE OCCURRED AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS WHICH DID OCCUR TO SOME PEOPLE WHO POSTED ON CHEVY FORUMS IT COULD BE FATAL. GM WILL NOT ACKNOWLEDGE THIS ISSUE AND WOULD NOT COVER THE COST TO REPAIR IT. THERE ARE MANY DISCUSSIONS ABOUT THIS ISSUE AT THIS GOOGLE SEARCH HTTPS://WWW.GOOGLE.COM/SEARCH?Q=CHEVY+CRUZE+THROTTLE+BODY+REDUCED+POWER&OQ=CHEVY+CRUZE+THROTTLE+BODY&AQS=CHROME.1.69I57J69I59J0L4.5323J0J7&SOURCEID=CHROME&IE=UTF-8 I FEEL LIKE GM SHOULD TAKE CARE OF THIS AND A RECALL SHOULD BE ISSUED SO THAT THIS DOES NOT CAUSE SERIOUS ACCIDENTS FOR OTHERS. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).' *PM
Steering, Power train, Jan 28, 2018
THE DEALER SAYS THAT THE RIGHT CV JOINT IS LEAKING. ALSO MY STEERING WHEEL HAS A SMALL CATCH IN IT WHEN WE ARE DRIVING, WONDERING IF THESE ARE RELATED?
Electrical system, Jan 25, 2018
WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AT 70MPH ALL ELECTRONICS IN THE CAR QUIT WORKING. NO SPEEDOMETER, ODOMETER, ETC. ALL WARNING LIGHTS LIT UP ON THE DASH. RADIO AND HEAT QUIT WORKING. STEERING BECAME MORE DIFFICULT. TURN SIGNALS QUIT WORKING. VEHICLE IS IN THE SHOP AND THEY HAVE REPLACED 2 MODULES AND ARE NOW GETTING INTO THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. COST IS CURRENTLY AT $1500 AND ISSUE IS STILL NOT RESOLVED.
Electrical system, Jan 18, 2018
WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT APPROX. 65-70MPH ALL GAUGES WENT DEAD. RADIO CUT OFF, HEAT SHUT OFF. NO SPEEDOMETER. ALL WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON THE DASH. CAR WAS DRIVABLE BUT HAD NO TURN SIGNALS, ETC. HEAT AND RADIO WOULD COME ON FOR A FEW MINUTES THEN CUT OFF AGAIN. ONCE PARKED, THE CAR WOULD NOT START AGAIN.
Power train, Jan 12, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET CRUZE. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY, THE TRANSMISSION JERKED WHEN IT SHIFTED GEARS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER (SYMDOM CHEVROLET, 369 N UNION RD, EVANSVILLE, WI 53536, (608) 882-4803) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS FAULTY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000. *TT *TR
Other or unspecified, Jan 12, 2018
CHEVY CRUZE 1.8 LITER MANUAL TRANSMISSION. 2013. HAD RECALL FOR HIGH TEMP FOR CATALYTIC CONVERTER. MANUFACTURER RESET COMPUTER AS RECALL REQUIRED. NOW, THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER HAS STOPPED WORKING. ENGINE LIGHT ON.
Vehicle speed control, Electronic stability control (ESC), Engine, Jan 8, 2018
I WAS DRIVING MY CAR ON CITY STREET WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN, IT LOST ALL POWER. THE CAR SLOWED DOWN AND I WAS STUCK IN A TURNING LANE AT A BUSY INTERSECTION.
Electrical system, Engine, Jan 4, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET CRUZE. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE CONTACT REMOVED AND RECONNECTED THE BATTERY CABLE IN ORDER FOR THE VEHICLE TO FUNCTION. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 145,000.