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.
Other or unspecified, Feb 7, 2017
MY FIRST OIL CHANGE AFTER BUYING MY CAR THERE WAS A PROBLEM TAKING THE OIL PLUG OUT. I TOOK IT TO LAKE CHEVROLET IN DEVILS LAKE ND THEY PUT IN A NEW PLUG. NOW WHEN I HAD A OIL CHANGE THEY DETECTED A HAIRLINE CRACK I HAVE A APPOINTMENT TODAY TO FIX THIS.
Air bags, Electronic stability control (ESC), Service brakes, Jan 21, 2017, crash
"TAKATA RECALL" WE WERE GOING TO CHURCH ON SUNDAY MORNING , IT WAS A RAINING DAY , I WAS DRIVING AT 35-38 MPH IN A ZONE 40 MPH . I WAS APPROACHING TO A CURVE WHEN I INTENDED TO BRAKE, THE CAR SLIPPED TO THE LEFT ALL THE WAY , IT DONT BRAKED, IT DONT TURN ON THE SENSOR TO STABILIZE THE CAR AND THE MOST IMPORTANT , ANY OF THE AIR BAGS IN THE LEFT SIDE , IT DONT CAME OUT . THIS IS THE POLICE ACCIDENT REPORT CASE # HC170007937.
Electrical system, Jan 13, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET CRUZE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START AND THE KEY FAILED TO RELEASE FROM THE IGNITION SWITCH. THE FAILURE RECURRED TWICE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,200. ...UPDATED 03/08/17 *BF *CN
Engine, Jan 2, 2017
WHILE DRIVING CAR MESSAGE CENTER SAYS ENGINE OVERHEATED, PLEASE IDLE ENGINE. AFTER EXAMINING VEHICLE, FIND THERE WAS NO COOLANT IN VEHICLE. BEFORE COOLANT GETS TO EMPTY THERE SHOULD BE A LOW COOLANT WARNING TO PREVENT THE VEHICLE FROM BEING OVERHEATED. NO LOW COOLANT WARNING. FILLED UP COOLANT
Power train, Electrical system, Dec 29, 2016
AT RANDOM CAR WILL IDLE UP AND DOWN AND RPMS WILL JUMP. THIS HAPPENS WHEN JUST CRANKED AND AFTER DRIVEN AND SITTING STILL IN IDLE. ALSO, AT RANDOM WHEN TRYING TO CRANK THE CAR IT SEEMS TO GET STUCK AND I WILL HAVE TO RETURN THE IGNITION IN ORDER TO GET THE MOTOR TO FULLY TURN OVER.
Other or unspecified, Dec 17, 2016
THE CAR WAS PARKED. I STARTED IT AND 2 MINUTES LATER I GOT 3 MESSAGES "ENGINE POWER IS REDUCED" "SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL" "SERVICE STABILI TRAK" AND THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, IT WOULDN'T GO MORE THAN 5MPH. SO THEN I PARKED AGAIN, THANK GOD I DIDN'T EVEN LEAVE THE PARKING LOT OF THAT BUILDING. SO THEN I TURNED IT OFF AND LET IT REST FOR ABOUT 10 MINUTES AND THEN STARTED IT BACK ON AND THE MESSAGES DISAPPEARED AND IT WAS RUNNING "FINE" THE GAS PEDAL FELT A LITTLE HARD WHEN TRYING TO ACCELERATE. NEXT DAY SAME THING BUT THIS TIME WHILE I WAS ON THE HIGH WAY, I USE I-88 TO GO TO WORK EVERY DAY AND THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS, GOING FROM 65-70 MPH TO 10 MPH AND IF SOMEONE WOULD'VE BEEN BEHIND ME THEY COULD'VE HIT ME. THIS IS VERY SCARY AND SOMETIMES I WORK LATE SHIFTS AND WITH THIS COLD WEATHER HAVING TO TURN THE ENGINE OFF FOR IT TO "RUN" AGAIN IS HORRIBLE. I WAS FREEZING TO DEATH. I HAVE READ HUNDREDS OF COMMENTS FROM PEOPLE WHO HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM AND SAME CODES, AND I THINK GM SHOULD HAVE A RECALL FOR THIS, BECAUSE IT'S A MANUFACTURER PROBLEM AND THEY SHOULD FIX IT. TODAY I AM TAKING IT TO A CHEVY DEALER AND SEE WHAT HAPPENS. HOPEFULLY THIS HELPS TO HAVE ENOUGH PROOF OF THIS ISSUE.
Steering, Electrical system, Electronic stability control (ESC), Nov 30, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET CRUZE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STABILITY CONTROL WARNING INDICATOR FLASHED, THE RADIO SHORTED, AND VARIOUS WARNING INDICATORS FLASHED. THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED EACH TIME THE FAILURES OCCURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO WAS UNABLE TO REPLICATE AND DIAGNOSE THE FAILURES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 25,000.
Other or unspecified, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Nov 19, 2016
TAKATA RECALL SMOKING IN MOTION.ALTERNATOR AND GENERATOR AND TURNING.
Power train, Nov 14, 2016
MY TRANSMISSION STARTED SLIPPING WHILE DRIVING TO WORK ON THE HIGHWAY AT 70 MPH. THE CAR GAVE ME 2 WARNINGS, ONE FOR THE TRACTION CONTROL NEEDING SERVICED AND ONE FOR THE TRANSMISSION NEEDING SERVICED. I DROVE THE CAR TO MY DEALER EXPLAINED THE PROBLEM TO THE DEALER AND STATED THAT I DIDN'T THINK I WAS GOING TO MAKE IT TO THEM. THE DEALERSHIP SERVICE CENTER LET THE CAR SIT FOR A FEW HOURS AND THEN CHECKED FOR CODES AND MYSTERIOUSLY COULD NOT FIND ANY PROBLEM. THE PROBLEM ALWAYS STARTS WHEN THE VEHICLE IS GOING UP HILL, THE TRANSMISSION LIGHTS STARTS BLINKING, THE CAR STARTS SPUTTERING AND I LOSE SPEED VERY UNSAFE IN TRAFFIC! WHEN SITTING AT A STOP LIGHT WITH THE BRAKE PEDAL MASHED TO THE FLOOR THE CAR LUNGES FORWARD. I HAVE SEARCHED ONLINE FOR SIMILAR PROBLEMS AND HAVE FOUND THAT MANY CRUZE OWNERS ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM AND GM REFUSES TO HELP THERE DOES SEEM TO BE AN ASSOCIATED RECALL BUT IT DOESN'T STATE THE TRANSMISSION PROBLEM IN THE DISCRIPTION. (NHTSA 16V502000) POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM, PCM). THE SERVICE CENTERS CAN'T FIX THE PROBLEM BECAUSE THE CAR IS NOT SHOWING ANY CODES WHEN THEY CHECK AND I'M ALWAYS SENT HOME.
Power train, Oct 26, 2016
WHILE ACCELERATING ON CITY STREETS, THE TRANSMISSION WENT INTO THE FOURTH GEAR AND HESITATED TO GO ANY FASTER. I THEN STOPPED ACCELERATING BUT THEN THE TRANSMISSION SLAMMED INTO THE THIRD GEAR AND REVVED HIGH UNTIL I PUSHED ON THE BRAKES AND THE TRANSMISSION SLAMMED BACK INTO THE FOURTH GEAR. THIS ISN'T THE FIRST OCCURRENCE. I HAVEN'T TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR SERVICING.
Suspension, Oct 13, 2016
JUST BOUGHT THE VEHICLE AND WAS DRIVING AND KEPT HEARING A CLUNKING NOISE IN THE FRONT END AND NOTICED THE FROM ROTORS WAS INDICATING REPLACEMENT SO TOOK BACKTO DEALER AND THEY ALSO FOUND THAT THE FRONT STABILIZER LINK ON DRIVERS SIDE WAS SNAPPED IN HALF CAUSING OUTER TIE ROD NEEDING REPLACEMENT AND COULD OF CAUSED A CRASH AS YOU WOULD LOSE CONTROL OF VEHICLE ONCE OUTER TIR ROD DISCONNECTED.
Air bags, Oct 5, 2016, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET CRUZE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 50 MPH IN INCLEMENT WEATHER, ANOTHER VEHICLE ATTEMPTED TO SWITCH INTO THE CONTACT'S LANE. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT HYDROPLANED AND SPUN MULTIPLE TIMES CRASHING INTO SEVERAL TREES BUT THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED BACK, NECK AND SHOULDER INJURIES AS WELL AS BRUISES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED FROM THE CRASH SCENE TO AN IMPOUND LOT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Steering, Electrical system, Electronic stability control (ESC), Sep 22, 2016
ROUGHLY 6 WEEKS AFTER PURCHASING THIS VEHICLE, I STARTED HAVING INCIDENTS WHERE THE RADIO WOULD CUT OUT FOR 2-3 SECONDS AND THE INFOTAINMENT SCREEN WOULD GO BLANK. AT THE SAME TIME, THE "SERVICE STABILITRAK" MESSAGE MOMENTARILY APPEARS ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THERE ISN'T A TREND TO WHEN THIS HAPPENS. SOMETIMES IT WON'T HAPPEN FOR A WEEK, OTHER TIMES IT WILL HAPPEN MULTIPLE TIMES IN A SINGLE DRIVE. LAST WEEK, THIS HAPPENED AND I ALSO LOST POWER STEERING AND COULD NOT STEER FOR WHAT FELT LIKE A COUPLE SECONDS. BASED ON THE CHEVROLET CRUZE CUSTOMER FORUM, THIS IS A FAIRLY COMMON PROBLEM AND OTHER'S HAVE ALSO LOST POWER STEERING PULLING OUT OF A PARKING LOT. THERE IS NOT A RECALL FOR MY SPECIFIC VEHICLE OR A PERMANENT CORRECTIVE ACTION THAT I'VE FOUND. IT HAS BECOME A SAFETY CONCERN AND GM SHOULD TAKE RESPONSIBILITY AND RECALL THE AFFECTED VEHICLES BEFORE POWER STEERING IS LOST AT HIGHER SPEEDS.
Steering, Electrical system, Electronic stability control (ESC), Sep 15, 2016
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE POWER STABILITY FLASHES THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM RESETS AND IF DRIVING YOU LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE.
Power train, Sep 13, 2016
STOPPED ON HILL CAR IN DRIVE AFTER A FEW SECONDS STARTS ROLLING BACKWARDS.
Power train, Engine, Sep 13, 2016
ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON , AUTO ZONE RAN IT AND CODE P0299. STATES IT THE TURBO/ SUPER CHARGER UNDERBOOST. 81,000 MILES. I HAVE ONLY HAD THIS VEHICLE 18 MONTHS. I DON'T RACE AROUND TOWN IN IT.
Power train, Electrical system, Sep 7, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET CRUZE. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED WITH THE KEY REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION, IT ROLLED AWAY TWICE WITHIN 24 HOURS. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V502000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, POWER TRAIN). THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 42,000.
Other or unspecified, Service brakes, Sep 5, 2016
OWNER DRIVES THE VEHICLE FOR 10 MILES OR GREATER AND AFTER PARKING FOR SEVERAL MINUTES THE VEHICLE HAS A BURNING SMELL INSIDE. IT REMAINS FOR DAYS AT A TIME EVEN IF THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DRIVEN. THIS HAS OCCURRED SINCE OWNERSHIP. SECOND PROBLEM; BRAKES LOCK UP AFTER THE CAR IS WASHED AND PARKED FOR A FEW MINUTES. REMEDY IS TO STEP ON THE ACCELERATOR WITH THE VEHICLE IN GEAR (DRIVE OR REVERSE) AND PREPARE TO BRAKE IMMEDIATELY. IT TOOK 1000 RPM'S TO GET THE BRAKES RELEASED THIS TIME. IT HAPPENS EACH TIME THE CAR IS WASHED IN A STATIONARY POSITION. MILEAGE IS 27,000.
Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Electronic stability control (ESC), Aug 25, 2016
THIS IS A RECURRING ISSUE THAT HAS BEEN GOING ON WITH MY CAR SINCE THE LIGHTS CAME ON THE FIST TIME. THE DEALERSHIP ACTS AS IF I DON'T KNOW WHAT I AM TALKING ABOUT. I HAVE WASTED SO MUCH GAS AND I TRANSPORT CHILDREN WITH AUTISM AT TIMES IN VA DC AND MD. I HAVE CONSISTENTLY COMPLAINED ABOUT THE STICKING THROTTLE OR ENGINE MISFIRE. PLEASE I FEAR FOR THE SAFETY OF MY CLIENTS AND MY FAMILY.
Vehicle speed control, Aug 24, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET CRUZE. UPON ACCELERATION, THE VEHICLE HESITATED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED, BUT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS INTERMITTENT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.
Other or unspecified, Aug 22, 2016
I NOTICED MY CAR WAS "SPUTTERING". AFTER MULTIPLE ATTEMPTS TRYING TO FIND OUT WHAT WAS WRONG WITH NO ATTEMPTS ALL IT DID WAS GET WORSE. IT FELT LIKE MY CAR WAS SUFFOCATING. IT GOT TO THE POINT WHERE IT WAS CHUGGING THE WHOLE WAY HOME FROM MY EMPLOYMENT. OPENED THE HOOD WHILE IT WAS RUNNING AND IT APPEARED A SPARK PLUG WAS ARCHING. AFTER REMOVING THE COIL PACK TO GET TO THE SPARK PLUGS ONE OF THE BOOTS COMPLETELY FELL APART WHILE TRYING TO REMOVE IT. IT WAS THEN THE COILS WERE LOOKED AT, 3 OUT OF 4 WERE CORROSION AND SO WE'RE THERE CASINGS. THE WHOLE SECTION NOW NEEDS TO BE REPLACED ON A CAR WITH LESS THAN 80,000 MILES.
Engine, Aug 17, 2016
THERE HAVE BEEN TWO TIMES WHEN I HAVE BEEN PULLING OUT OF A PARKING LOT AND THE ENGINE DIED. NOTHING SHOWED ON DASH. I PUT THE CAR IN PARK AND RESTARTED AND IT STARTED BACK UP. TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER AND THEY INDICATED THAT THERE WEREN'T ANY CODES SHOWING AND IF IT HAPPENED AGAIN TO BRING THE CAR BACK. HAPPENED AGAIN LAST NIGHT, SAME SITUATION. NOTHING SHOWING ON DASH. ALSO SOMETIMES SEEMS TO HESITATE WHEN ACCELERATING.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Aug 16, 2016
LESS THAN 2 MONTHS AFTER THE WARRANTY EXPIRED THE WINDOW REGULATOR CENTER PIECE ON THE DRIVERS SIDE BROKE WHEN USING THE POWER WINDOW CONTROL TO ROLL THE WINDOW BACK UP. THIS VEHICLE HAS NO CIRCUMSTANCES THAT WOULD CAUSE THIS PART TO FAIL BESIDES IT BEING A FAULTY PART. THE WINDOW IS STUCK IN THE DOWN POSITION AND THE PART HAS TO BE ORDERED FROM OUT OF STATE. THE REPAIR COST IS IN EXCESS OF $300 WHICH I SHOULD BE REIMBURSED FOR. THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY AT A DRIVE THROUGH WINDOW AT THE TIME OF FAILURE.
Air bags, Aug 2, 2016, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET CRUZE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, A SECOND VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE AND CAUSED SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SUSTAINED NECK, BACK, AND HEAD INJURIES, WHICH REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 72,000.
Other or unspecified, Aug 1, 2016
THE TURBO STARTED GIVING PROBLEMS AT UNDER 40,000 MILES LIGHT CAME ON ON THE HIGHWAY