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 17 of 24

Dec 26, 2015SteeringElectrical system

THE COMPUTER SYSTEM GOES ON AND OFF AT RANDOM, WHICH CAUSES MALFUNCTIONS IN OTHER AREAS, PARTICULARLY THE POWER STEERING AND SECURITY SYSTEM. MY POWER STEERING HAS GONE OUT MULTIPLES TIMES, CAUSING NEAR ACCIDENTS. THE SECURITY SYSTEM ALSO LOCKED UP DUE TO THE COMPUTER, AND IT TOOK 15 MINUTES TO GET IT STARTED IN THE ARIZONA HEAT. THE POWER STEERING ISSUE IS INCREDIBLY DANGEROUS.

NHTSA ODI 10816281

Dec 10, 2015Engine

VERY STRONG ODOR OF COOLANT INSIDE THE CAR, BROUGHT IT IN TO THE DEALER AND THEY HAVE REPLACED THE WATER PUMP, HEATER CORE, DID A PRESSURE TEST ON THE COOLANT SYSTEM AND DID A SCAB JOB OF RUNNING A HOSE FROM MY RESERVOIR TANK TO UNDER THE CAR. I'M STILL GETTING COOLANT VAPORS INTO THE CAR. DEX-COOL HAS A SAFETY WARNING ABOUT BREATHING ANTIFREEZE VAPORS. INHALATION: AVOID BREATHING VAPORS OR MISTS. HIGHER TEMPERATURES MAY GENERATE VAPOR LEVELS SUFFICIENT TO CAUSE ADVERSE EFFECTS.

NHTSA ODI 10809476

Dec 4, 2015SteeringEngineFuel systemVisibility & wipers

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET CRUZE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 75 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AND THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, BUT THE FAILURE WAS UNABLE TO BE DETERMINED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO BE SERVICED UNDER A SAFETY RECALL RELATED TO THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM AND THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE WATER PUMP WAS LEAKING AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE TECHNICIAN ALSO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE WATER PUMP HOUSING WAS CRACKED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, BUT WAS NOT REPAIRED. WHEN THE HEATER WAS ACTIVATED, AN ODOR OF ANTIFREEZE AND FUEL EMITTED INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 12,000.

NHTSA ODI 10808389

Nov 9, 2015Electrical systemEngine

ENGINE OVERHEATED. TECH FOUND COOLING FAN NOT COMING ON. TECH FOUND COOLING FAN CONNECTOR MELTED. TECH USED POWER PROBE TO SEND 12 VOLTS TO COOLING FAN MOTOR. BLEW THE CIRCUIT BREAKER IN THE PROBE. MOTOR FAULTY. TECH SUGGEST NEW COOLING FAN MOTOR & PIGTAIL ASSEMBLY TO REPAIR. THE ABOVE DESCRIPTION IS WORD FOR WORD FROM THE REPAIR INVOICE. THE REPAIR SHOP ALSO TOLD US THIS WAS A PRETTY SERIOUS DEFECT AND COULD HAVE CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO CATCH ON FIRE.

NHTSA ODI 10789275

Nov 4, 2015Brakes

WE BOUGHT THIS CAR BRAND NEW OFF THE LOT AND THE BRAKES HAVE SQUEALED SINCE WE BOUGHT THE VEHICLE FEB 2014. WE HAVE TAKEN IT IN SEVERAL TIMES AND THEY CAN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG, THEY SAY IT'S THE TYPE OF BRAKES AND SOMETIMES THEY DO SQUEAL ESPECIALLY IF HUMID OR WET. NOW YESTERDAY SOMEONE SLAMMED ON THEIR BRAKES IN FRONT OF ME. LUCKILY I WAS FAR ENOUGH BACK (ABOUT 4 CAR LINKS) THAT I DIDN'T HIT THEM. WHEN I SLAMMED ON MY BRAKES, THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR AND NOTHING HAPPENED! I LET UP AND TRIED AGAIN AND GOT SOME BRAKE, BUT STILL NOT LIKE IT SHOULD. I COULD NOT GET THE PROBLEM TO DUPLICATE, WHEN I TRIED, THE BRAKES WORKED FINE. I WAS DRIVING ON DRY PAVEMENT ON A HIGHWAY AT 45 MPH, THERE WAS NO REASON FOR THIS TO HAPPEN. THE CAR HAS 19870 MILES ON IT. THIS ISSUE COULD HAVE KILLED ME AND LEFT 4 CHILDREN WITH NO MOTHER! I SEE TONS OF ISSUES FOR THIS FROM 2011-2014 CRUZE VEHICLES, WHEN IS CHEVY AND GM GOING TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS INSTEAD OF HIDING UNDER A ROCK AND CALLING US ALL LIARS?! SOMEONE IS GOING TO BE KILLED!

NHTSA ODI 10788265

Oct 20, 2015AirbagsCrash1 injury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET CRUZE. WHILE DRIVING 65-70 MPH, THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A REAR END COLLISION. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THERE WAS ONE INJURY THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 52,000.

NHTSA ODI 10783701

Sep 23, 2015Brakes

WHEN I SPEED IN THE HIGHWAY I FEEL THAT THE BRAKES ARE SHAKING

NHTSA ODI 10774593

Sep 8, 2015Electrical system

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET CRUZE. WHILE AT A STOP LIGHT AND DEPRESSING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED, BUT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DETERMINED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 47,000.

NHTSA ODI 10762336

Aug 14, 2015Visibility & wipers

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET CRUZE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE GLASS SUN ROOF EXPLODED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE DEALER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 72,686.

NHTSA ODI 10748699

Aug 13, 2015Engine

RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER ON THE EMISSION,TOOK VECHILE TO DEALERSHIP,REPROGRAMMED EMISSION,2 WEEKS LATER ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON VECHILE WAS RUNNING FINE UNTIL RESET OF EMISSION,CALL DEALERSHIP,TOOK CAR IN FOR SECOND REPROGRAMMING,SAME ISSUE WITH ENGINE LIGHT.

NHTSA ODI 10748605

Aug 7, 2015Speed controlElectronic Stability Control (esc)EngineCrashFire

MY VEHICLE LOOSES POWER, ENGINE LEAKS, HAVE A NUMBER OF DIFFERENT PROBLEMS WITH THE KEY IN THE SWITCH....THE VEHICLE STARTED SMOKING AND CAUGHT ON FIRE THAN LOOSES POWER ALL THE TIME. I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE THIS CAR BECAUSE I TRAVEL WITH MY FAMILY I HAVE THREE CHILDREN.

NHTSA ODI 10747079

Aug 1, 2015SteeringElectrical system

I HAD AN ISSUE STARTING THE CAR A WEEK AFTER PURCHASING IT IN FEBRUARY. RANDOM WARNING LIGHTS WOULD TURN ON AND OFF. I READ THROUGH THE OWNERS MANUAL AND IT SAID IT MAY BE A SECURITY ISSUE IF THE KEY ISN'T CLEAN. I CLEANED THE KEY IT SEEMED TO HAVE FIXED THE PROBLEM BUT AFTER A FEW MONTHS IT CAME BACK BRIEFLY AND I'D CLEAN THE KEY AND IT WOULD BE FINE. ON THE MORNING OF JULY 30TH THE CAR GRINDED THE GEARS AND THEN HAD TROUBLE STARTING AS IF THE BATTERY WERE DEAD. THE KEY WAS CLEAN. AFTER A COUPLE TRIES IT STARTED. LATER THAT DAY THE POWER STEERING ALERT CAME ON AND THE ENGINE BOGGED DOWN AND I LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE FOR A BRIEF MOMENT. THE LIGHT WENT BACK OFF AND IT WORKED FINE FOR THE REST OF THE DAY. THE NEXT DAY AFTER RUNNING FINE ALL DAY WHILE ON AN EXIT RAMP OF A HIGHWAY MULTIPLE ALERTS BEGAN GOING OFF AND ALL THE WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON AND A MOMENT LATER THE CAR STALLED. IT WOULD NOT EVEN CRANK TO RESTART. THE REAR CAUTION LIGHTS WOULD NOT WORK UNLESS THE KEY WAS TURNED. THE RADIO AND DASH WORK AND LIGHT UP BUT THE POWER WINDOWS WOULDN'T OPERATE.

NHTSA ODI 10745493

Jul 30, 2015

I HAVE BEEN HAVING AN ISSUE WITH MY VEHICLE ON AND OFF. IT SEEMS TO BE HAPPENING MORE OFTEN NOW. WHEN I SHIFT MY VEHICLE INTO PARK AND TURN OFF MY CAR USING THE PUSH TO START BUTTON, A MESSAGE ON THE DASHBOARD SHOWS UP THAT SAYS "SHIFT TO PARK" EVEN THOUGH I ALREADY SHIFTED IT TO PARK. I HAVE TRIED RESTARTING IT AND TRYING TO GET THE MESSAGE TO DISAPPEAR TRYING TO SEE IF THE EMERGENCY BREAK WAS THE ISSUE. I BELIEVE THIS HAS SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE GEAR SHIFTER AND AM AFRAID THAT THIS COULD CREATE A SAFETY CONCERN THE LONGER IT CONTINUES BECAUSE MY DASHBOARD SEEMS TO BE DISPLAYING AN INACCURATE MESSAGE. I TRIED TO SEARCH FOR RECALLS ON MY VEHICLE BUT DID NOT FIND ANY FOR THIS ISSUE; HOWEVER, I FOUND A RECALL ON THE 2014 CHEVROLET CRUZE (RECALL# 14048) THAT SEEMS TO BE A SIMILAR ISSUE THAT I AM EXPERIENCING WITH MY VEHICLE WHICH IS THE SAME MAKE AND MODEL BUT JUST A YEAR OLDER. I HAVE ALSO FOUND PLENTY OF COMPLAINTS ONLINE FROM OTHER 2013 CRUZE OWNERS AND BELIEVE THAT THE RECALL SHOULD APPLY TO THE 2013 MODEL AS WELL.

NHTSA ODI 10745112

Jul 27, 2015Airbags

AIRBAG INFORMATION LIGHT SAYS 'AIRBAG OFF' WHEN MY 105-POUND WIFE OCCUPYS THE SEAT. THE LOCAL DEALER TELLS ME YOU HAVE TO WEIGH 130 POUNDS TO ACTIVATE THE AIRBAG.

NHTSA ODI 10743922

Jul 21, 2015Electrical system

MULTIPLE TIMES, ABOUT 6 TIMES NOW. WITH KEY IN IGNITION BUT CAR TURNED OFF, AND I MADE SURE CAR WAS OFF, CAR INGINE TRIES TO START UP.

NHTSA ODI 10735622

Jul 20, 2015Steering

FOR ABOUT 5 MILES THE WARNING FOR POWER STEERING WAS ON I WOULD LIKE TO REPORT THIS AS OTHERS ARE ASKING FOR A RECALL ON THIS AT THE TIME I DID NOT HAVE A PROBLEM DRIVING BUT I AM CONCERNED IF THIS HAPPENS AGAIN THE TRACTION LIGHT WAS ON AT THE SAME TIME

NHTSA ODI 10735085

Jul 16, 2015Transmission & drivetrain

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET CRUZE. WHILE PARKING, THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF INTERMITTENTLY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS INVALID. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.

NHTSA ODI 10734594

Jun 30, 2015AirbagsCrash2 injuries

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2013 CHEVROLET CRUZE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE DRIVER LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND CRASHED INTO A GUARDRAIL CAUSING SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE TO THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. DURING THE CRASH, THE DRIVER SUSTAINED A RIGHT HIP INJURY, THE FRONT PASSENGER SUSTAINED A RIGHT ARM, RIGHT HIP, AND RIGHT KNEE INJURY. THE REAR PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANT SUSTAINED A MINOR HEAD INJURY. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS NOT RECEIVED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 37,000.

NHTSA ODI 10731239

Jun 30, 2015Brakes

THE BRAKES DO NOT WORK AFTER STARING CAR. IN REVERSE AFTER YOU TAKE CAR OUT OF GEAR. VERY LIMITED BRAKEING TO STOP THE CAR. THIS HAS BEEN A PREVIOUS RECALL IN BOTH THE 2011, 2012 YEAR MODELS. SEEMS TO BE A ISSUE ON 2013 MODEL YEAR AS WELL. IT HAPPED AS SOON AS THE BUMPER TO BUMPER WARRANTY RAN OFF. DEALERS WANT TO CHARGE A STEEP PRICE TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. I FEEL LIKE THIS IS A VERY IMPORTANT AND VERY DANGEROUS ISSUE THAT CHEVROLET NEEDS TO ADDRESS AS WELL IN THE 2013 YEAR MODEL.

NHTSA ODI 10731381

Jun 26, 2015BrakesCrash

I WAS SLOWING DOWN FOR STOP LIGHT AND VEHICLES IN FRONT OF ME. THE VEHICLES IN FRONT OF ME STOPPED SUDDENLY, AND I PRESSED ON THE BRAKE PEDAL, BUT THE VEHICLE WASN'T SLOWING/STOPPING; I THEN PULLED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE HANDLE AND MY VEHICLE STOPPED, BUT UNFORTUNATELY IT WAS TOO LATE. I WAS AT LEAST 3-5 CAR LENGTHS AWAY FROM THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME. I ENDED UP CRUSHING IN THE GRILLE IN WHICH PUSHED THE RADIATOR BACK AND THEN IT BROKE THE THERMOSTAT HOUSING AND LOST ANTIFREEZE SOON LATER WHEN DRIVING; ALL THIS BECAUSE OF NO BRAKES, AND STRIKING THE RECEIVER HITCH COVER ON THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME. ALL IN ALL $2K IN DAMAGE TO MY VEHICLE, AND UNDRIVEABLE. THE MAIN BRAKES DIDN'T REACT UPON PRESSING, THIS IS WAY WEIRD SINCE I'VE OWNED THE VEHICLE SINCE NEW, TO DATE NEVER NOTICED ANYTHING OUT OF THE ORDINARY. NOW, THE WEATHER WAS "HOT", IT WAS AROUND 95F AND HUMID, THE PAVEMENT WAS DRY WITHOUT RAIN. OF COURSE THE POLICE OFFICER THAT DID THE REPORT SAID THAT ALOT OF THESE MINOR FENDER BENDERS HAPPEN AT THIS SET OF STOP LIGHTS DAILY/WEEKLY DUE TO THE LIGHTS BEING TOO QUICK, AND DISTRACTED IN A HURRY DRIVERS; AND I WAS JUST A VICTIM OF CIRCUMSTANCE, BUT MY BRAKES FAILED ALSO. I AM A FAN OF THE CHEVROLET CRUZE, BUT "WOW" THIS HAPPENED, AND POSSIBLY THE BEGINNING OF ANOTHER RECALL FOR A FAULTY BRAKE/ABS SYSTEM SINCE THE EMERGENCY BRAKES DID WORK (DRUM BRAKES). THE INSURANCE COMPANY DID SAY THAT THE CAR WILL BE RAN THROUGHT THE SHOP TO CHECK THE BRAKE SYSTEM.

NHTSA ODI 10730582

Jun 21, 2015Transmission & drivetrain

THE CAR BOGS DOWN IN FIRST GEAR, THIS IS A MANUAL TRANSMISSION, CAR HAS POOR POWER. THIS ALSO GIVES THE AUTOMATICS POOR POWER. THE SPARK PLUGS ARE NOT GAPPED OUT OF FACTORY. I JOINED CRUZETALK FORUMS AND MANY PEOPLE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. 2013 CRUZE LS MT IS SUPPOSED TO HAVE .028 GAP SPARK PLUGS. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND TOLD THEM. THEY RETURNED IT IN AN HOUR AND SAID THEY REGAPPED THEM FOR ME. THE PROBLEM PERSISTED. I BOUGHT THE TOOLS AND TOOK THEM OUT AND THEY WERE SET TO .025, .021, .023, .025. THE PLUGS ARE WAY OFF MARK AND THE DEALERSHIP LIED. I REGAPPED THEM TO .028 AND THE CAR NEVER RAN BETTER.

NHTSA ODI 10726398

Jun 21, 2015Visibility & wipers

AFTER USING THE AIR CONDITIONER, EVEN FOR JUST A COUPLE MINUTES, AND TURNING IT OFF, THE WINDOWS BECOME FOGGED UP AND THE AIR IS VERY STUFFY AND WONT GO AWAY FOR AT LEAST HALF AN HOUR WITH ALL THE WINDOWS OPEN AND AIR BLOWING THROUGH THE SYSTEM.

NHTSA ODI 10726396

Jun 21, 2015Transmission & drivetrain

EVEN WITH THE CLUTCH FULLY DEPRESSED, THERE IS OFTEN GRINDING BETWEEN GEARS, ESPECIALLY IN 1ST TO 2ND GEAR. I'VE BEEN EXPERIENCING THIS SINCE AT LEAST AROUND 5K MILES AND HAVE TOLD CHEVY ABOUT IT SINCE THEN. THEY REFUSED TO INSPECT IT. ALSO SOMETIMES WHEN DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY UP A HILL IN 4TH, 5TH, OR 6TH GEAR I WILL SMELL THE CLUTCH. FINALLY AT 65K MILES WHILE DRVING ON THE FREEWAY WITHOUT MY FOOT ON THE CLUTCH, DRIVING A SMOOTH 65 MPH FOR ABOUT 20 MINUTES, STARTED SMELLING THE CLUTCH, THEN THE CLUTCH STOPPED WORKING AND WOULD PUSH TO THE FLOOR AND I COULDN'T CHANGE GEARS. THE DEALERSHIP SAID THE CLUTCH MELTED BECAUSE I WAS RIDING THE CLUTCH. I CAN'T BELIEVE THEY BLAMED IT ON ME. I WASN'T EVEN USING THE CLUTCH. IT HAS ALWAYS HAD PROBLEMS SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR BRAND NEW AND NOBODY WOULD LISTEN TO ME.

NHTSA ODI 10726397

Jun 11, 2015Steering

MY DAUGHTERS CHEVY CRUISE POWER STEERING LIGHT CAME ON AND IT BECAME DIFFICULT FOR IT TO STEER. SHE TURNED IT OFF AND IT WORKED FINE. SHE MADE APPOINTMENT AT DAY CHEVROLET IN MONROEVILLE AND THEY COULD NOT FIND A PROBLEM. ALSO, THEY SAID THAT THEY HAD NEVER HEARD OF SUCH A PROBLEM. AFTER SHE LEFT IT HAPPENED AGAIN. WE GOOGLED THE PROBLEM AND FOUND IT HAS HAPPENED A LOT OF TIMES WHAT SHOULD WE DO? I DON'T WANT MY DAUGHTER IN AN ACCIDENT AND INJURED OR KILLEDTO

NHTSA ODI 10724743

Jun 9, 2015Electrical system

MY CRUZE DIED ON THE RESTAURANT PARKING LOT IN THE MIDLE OF THE BUSY FRIDAY. CAME OUT TO DRIVE , PUT THE KEY IN TO THE IGNITION, TURNED TO START AND "BOOM" EVERYTHING WENT OUT. NO POWER WAS COMMING TO ANY LITTLE OR VITAL COMPONENT OF THE CAR! CHECKED THE BATTERY - WAS GOOD! TRYED TO PULL THE KEY OUT - NO WAY! IT WAS ALMOST LIKE GLUED INSIDE THE IGNITION LOCK! EVERYTHING REMAINED DARK FOR SOME TIME, I COULD NOT RETRIVE A SINGLE SIGNAL SO HAD TO TOW TO NEAREST CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP. NO WORD ON IT YET!

NHTSA ODI 10724187

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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 →