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.
Service brakes, Engine, Jul 8, 2013, crash
I HAD THE VEHICLE SERVICED FOR OIL CHANGE AND TIRE ROTATION ON MAY 25. A FEW DAYS LATER, APPROXIMATELY JUNE 1, I NOTICED THE VEHICLE WAS VERY HARD TO STOP WHEN BACKING OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY (HAD TO PUSH DOWN VERY HARD ON THE BRAKES WHICH DID NOT SEEM TO GO TO THE FLOOR). I ALSO NOTICED THAT WHILE I WAS STOPPED AT RED LIGHTS OR BEHIND OTHER VEHICLES THE CAR WOULD LUNGE FORWARD--NOT ENOUGH TO HIT SOMEONE BECAUSE I NOTICED IT AS SOON AS IT HAPPENED. ABOUT TWO WEEKS LATER I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP, JEFF WYLER CHEVROLET EASTGATE, AND ADVISED THEM OF THE PROBLEM. SOMEONE TEST DROVE THE CAR WITH ME IN THE PASSENGER SEAT, AND HE INFORMED ME THAT HE COULD FIND NOTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR. I DO NOT KNOW IF HE CHECKED ANYTHING ELSE WHILE I WAS IN THE WAITING ROOM. AT MY REQUEST, HE PROVIDED ME WITH A PRINTOUT DOCUMENTING THE VISIT. ON JULY 7, 2013, WHILE MY DAUGHTER WAS PULLING THE VEHICLE INTO OUR GARAGE, THE BRAKES FAILED AND SHE HIT MY GRANDDAUGHTER BICYCLE WHICH, IN TURN, WENT THROUGH THE DRYWALL AT THE END OF THE GARAGE. I HAVE FOUR CHILDREN LIVING AT THE HOUSE INCLUDING AN 8 AND 10 YEAR OLD. THERE IS ALSO A SIGN ON OUR STREET INDICATING A DEAF CHILD LIVES ON THE STREET (WE HAVE ONLY LIVED THERE SINCE NOV. 2012). WE ARE VERY FORTUNATE THAT A CHILD HAS NOT BEEN INJURED. THERE IS NO WAY TO ALERT THE DEAF CHILD THAT THE CAR IS COMING THEIR WAY SINCE THEY CANNOT HEAR THE HORN. *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Jun 17, 2013
2013 CHEVROLET CRUZE. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE SUDDEN ACCELERATION WHEN BRAKING. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED WHILE HE THOUGHT HE WAS STOPPED IN A PARKING LOT, WAITING FOR THE LIGHT TO CHANGE, HE APPARENTLY STEPPED ON THE BRAKES AS WELL AS THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO MOVE INTO THE INTERSECTION. APPARENTLY, HE APPLIED MORE FORCE TO THE ACCELERATOR, THAN THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE CONSUMER BELIEVED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS RAISED TOO HIGH OFF THE FLOOR.
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
Service brakes, May 28, 2013
I HAVE SEVERAL INCIDENTS THAT HAVE HAD OCCURRED IN A BRAND NEW 2013 CHEVY CRUZE WITH 7000 WHEN THE FIRST INCIDENT OCCURRED.. 1) THE BRAKE PEDAL TRAVELS TOO FAR BEFORE THE BRAKES ENGAGE. 2) I WAS BACKING OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY AND HAD NO BRAKES. I PUSHED THE PEDAL TO THE FLOOR AND THE BREAKS DIDN??T RESPOND. THE CAR KEPT ROLLING. I FEEL THAT THIS IS AN EXTREMELY SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. I TOOK IT TO THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT 3 TIMES FOR THEM TO FIX IT. I HAD TO USE A LOAN CAR FOR 5 DAYS, AND WHEN I BROUGHT IT SEEMED LIKE THEY WOULDN'T BELIEVED WHAT I WAS SAYING. APPARENTLY THE PROBLEMS WAS FIXED, BUT A MONTH AND A HALF AFTER 3) AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, A LOUD SQUEAKING NOISE WAS EMITTED FROM THE VEHICLE WHEN ENGAGING THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE TECHNICIAN DUPLICATED THE PROBLEM; HOWEVER, HE WAS UNABLE TO PROVIDE A REMEDY REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT AND HASN'T SOLVED THE ISSUE. AFTER 6 DAYS OF HAVING A LOAN CAR THE PROBLEM WAS NOT SOLVE. NEITHER THE MANAGERS OR CHEVROLET THE COMPANY HAVE HELP ME SOLVING THE PROBLEM. I THINK CHEVROLET IS HIDING THE FACT THERE IS AN ISSUE. I SEE A LOT OF OTHER PEOPLE COMPLAIN ABOUT THE BRAKES ON CRUZETALK.COM. I AM STUDENT AND FULL TIME WORKER AND TRAVEL IN PARKWAYS ALL THE TIME AND I DON??T FELL SAFE DRIVING THE CAR ANYMORE. AFTER BRINGING MY CAR BACK 4 TIMES ALREADY AND LEAVING IT THERE FOR FEW DAYS I ASKED THE DEALER AND THE COMPANY TO GIVE ME MY MONEY BACK ON THE CAR. IT SEEMS LIKE IF THEY DON'T WANT TO DEAL WITH THE PROBLEM AND DON'T CARE ABOUT CUSTOMERS SAFETY. PLEASE HELP ME! *TR
Structure, May 18, 2013
SIMPLY GETTING INTO THE CAR AS GETTING INTO ANY CAR. UNDER PORTION OF DASH SO LOW IT CAUSED ABRASION AND BRUISING TO RIGHT SHIN UPON ENTRY. VERY PAINFUL AND UNNECESSARY. SOME MODIFICATION NEEDS TO BE MADE TO ALLOW FOR A DIMINUTIVE PERSON WITH LONG LEGS TO ENTER CAR SAFELY. THIS HAPPENED ABOUT FIFTEEN MINUTES AGO (9 A.M.) AND I AM STILL REELING FROM THE PAIN OF IT. THE INJURY WAS QUICK AND WITHOUT NOTICE, SO THE IMPACT IS SUDDEN AND UNEXPECTED. NOTES: HEIGHT 5'1" LEG LENGTH 32" AT INSEAM THIS IS A RENTAL CAR (ENTERPRISE). LICENSE PLATE [XXX] [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *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
Service brakes, May 10, 2013
BRAKE PEDAL TRAVELS TOO FAR BEFORE BRAKES ENGAGE. BRAKE PEDAL NEARLY TO FLOOR WHEN STOPPING AT ANY SPEED. DEALER DID NOT RESOLVE PROBLEM, SAID THERE WERE NO SERVICE BULLETINS REGARDING THE PROBLEM. THIS IS A BRAND NEW CAR. DEALER PLACED BRIGHT ORANGE STICKER IN DOORJAM WHICH STATES IF CAR IS IN ACCIDENT TO CALL THEM. I COULD NOT MAKE THIS UP! SEE MANY OTHER POSTS REGARDING THIS PROBLEM. I WOULD LIKE THE MASTER BRAKE CYLINDER REPLACED ON ALL THESE COMPLAINTS OF SOFT BRAKE PEDALS ON NEW CARS. *TR
Steering, Vehicle speed control, Wheels, Electronic stability control (ESC), May 2, 2013
AFTER DRIVING THIS VEHICLE FOR 660 MILES, I'VE NOTICED THAT THERE'S A GRINDING OR KNOCKING FEELING ON THE ACCELERATOR. I FIRST NOTICED IT WHILE PULLING IT OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY. I FELT A KNOCKING ON THE ACCELERATOR. IT'S NOT WEATHER SENSITIVE AND GIVES THE SAME FEELING REGARDLESS OF SPEED. IT'S NO PREDICTABLE FOR THE KNOCKING FEELING I GET ON THE ACCELERATOR. I DRIVE ON HIGHWAY FOR MUCH OF MY TIME AND NOTICE THE FEELING SIMILAR TO MY OLD CAR WHEN THE BEARINGS STARTED TO GO BAD. IT SEEMS AS THOUGH IT'S COMING FROM THE FRONT LEFT SIDE. I HAVE REPORTED THIS TO MY DEALER AND THEY QUICKLY HAVE LOOKED AT IT AS WELL AS TAKING IT FOR A DRIVE. AFTER CHECKING THE CAR OVER NOTHING HAS BEEN FOUND TO BE WRONG. IT IS NOW DOCUMENTED WITH THE DEALER. CURRENTLY I HAVE OVER 1K MILES ON IT AND SEEMS TO HAVE GOTTEN WORSE. *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
Steering, Feb 3, 2013
AFTER DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 90 MILES AT FREEWAY SPEEDS, THE STEERING BECOMES "NOTCHY". MINOR STEERING CORRECTIONS BECOME ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE SINCE THE STEERING WHEEL WILL ONLY MOVE IN FINITE INCREMENTS SO DRIVING THE CAR BECOMES DIFFICULT, EVEN DANGEROUS SINCE IT IS NOT POSSIBLE TO POSITION IT PROPERLY IN THE TRAFFIC LANE. WEATHER OR TEMPERATURE DOES NOT SEEM TO AFFECT THE PROBLEM. THE CAR STEERS PROPERLY ON SHORT TRIPS BUT ON A REGULAR, WEEKLY TRIP I MAKE, THE PROBLEM ALWAYS OCCURS AFTER ABOUT 90 MILES. AFTER THE CAR IS STOPPED (AT THE 130 MILE MARK) FOR A COUPLE HOURS, THE PROBLEM DOES NOT REOCCUR AT START-UP. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED AND CANNOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM--BUT HASN'T DRIVEN THE CAR FOR MORE THAN A MILE OR SO.