Home · 2013 Chevrolet Cruze Limited · Complaints

What 585 owners told NHTSA about the 2013 Chevrolet Cruze Limited

These are the actual owner complaints behind this car’s reliability verdict, filed with the federal government, unedited. They’re unverified reports, not confirmed defects: read them as leads for your pre-purchase inspection, not a diagnosis.

All (585)Crash / fire / injury (59)Engine (210)Electrical system (121)Transmission & drivetrain (112)Steering (74)Electronic Stability Control (esc) (62)Brakes (50)Airbags (49)Speed control (38)Visibility & wipers (33)Fuel system (32)

Newest first · 585 complaints · page 12 of 24

Apr 11, 2018Transmission & drivetrainEngine

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.

NHTSA ODI 11084586

Apr 11, 2018Engine

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.

NHTSA ODI 11084659

Apr 10, 2018SteeringElectrical systemElectronic Stability Control (esc)

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.

NHTSA ODI 11084414

Mar 19, 2018Speed controlEngine

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

NHTSA ODI 11080139

Mar 16, 2018Steering

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.

NHTSA ODI 11079737

Mar 14, 2018Visibility & wipers

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

NHTSA ODI 11079135

Mar 14, 2018Electrical systemBrakesCrash

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.

NHTSA ODI 11079167

Mar 7, 2018Electronic Stability Control (esc)Engine

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.

NHTSA ODI 11076740

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.

NHTSA ODI 11076329

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

NHTSA ODI 11075908

Feb 27, 2018Transmission & drivetrainElectrical system

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.

NHTSA ODI 11075328

Feb 16, 2018Electronic Stability Control (esc)Traction Control SystemEngine

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.

NHTSA ODI 11073278

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.

NHTSA ODI 11071701

Feb 6, 2018Visibility & wipers

DEFROST IS NOT WORKING. I BELIEVE THE MODE VALVE LEVER IS BROKEN.

NHTSA ODI 11067176

Feb 5, 2018SteeringElectronic Stability Control (esc)

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.

NHTSA ODI 11066926

Feb 5, 2018Engine

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.

NHTSA ODI 11067157

Feb 1, 2018Transmission & drivetrainElectrical systemElectronic Stability Control (esc)

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

NHTSA ODI 11066477

Jan 28, 2018SteeringTransmission & drivetrain

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?

NHTSA ODI 11065552

Jan 25, 2018Electrical system

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.

NHTSA ODI 11064812

Jan 18, 2018Electrical system

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.

NHTSA ODI 11063529

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.

NHTSA ODI 11062481

Jan 12, 2018Transmission & drivetrain

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

NHTSA ODI 11062524

Jan 8, 2018Speed controlElectronic Stability Control (esc)Engine

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.

NHTSA ODI 11061166

Jan 4, 2018Electrical systemEngine

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.

NHTSA ODI 11058604

Dec 31, 2017Visibility & wipers

THE DEFROST DOESN'T WORK ON THE DRIVERS SIDE. WHEN I TURN THE SETTINGS TO DEFROST, THE FACE VENTS TURN ON FULL POWER. IVE TRIED ALL OF THE DIFFERENT SETTINGS (FACE, FEET, FACE AND FEET, DEFROST AND FEET, ETC) AND THE DEFROST WONT WORK ON ANY OF THEM. THIS CAUSES MY WINDOW TO FOG UP AND ICE OVER ON THE DRIVERS SIDE. WHILE IM DRIVING! ITS NOT ONLY ANNOYING , IT'S EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AND UNSAFE WHEN DRIVIG DURING THE WINTER MONTHS. THERE IS NOTHING IN THE VENTS. I CHECKED. I TRIED TO TAKE PICTURES TO SHOW HOW I HAVE NO VISIBILITY. IT'S ALOT WORSE IN PERSON.

NHTSA ODI 11057795

← NewerOlder →

Working with the data? Download all 585 complaints as CSV · fetched from NHTSA July 26, 2026

How to use these: a complaint is one owner’s report, filed voluntarily and published unverified. Patterns matter more than any single story. If several owners describe the same failure at similar mileage, put that system at the top of your pre-purchase inspection list. Back to the full 2013 Chevrolet Cruze Limited verdict →