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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 18 of 24

May 29, 2015SteeringEngine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET CRUZE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED AND THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESTART AFTER MULTIPLE ATTEMPTS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 39,592.

NHTSA ODI 10722278

May 9, 2015Tires

WE HAVE APPROXIMATELY 28000 MILES ON OUR 2013 CHEVROLET CRUZE. TODAY, WE WERE RETURNING FROM A TRIP TO SEE FAMILY ABOUT 70 MILES AWAY AND SUFFERED A TIRE FAILURE. THE TIRE RIPPED IN THE SIDEWALL. I REPLACED IT WITH THE SPARE AND DRIVE CAREFULLY AVOIDING HIGHWAYS ON THE ROUTE HOME. UPON ARRIVING, I PROMPTLY CHECKED THE OTHER TIRES. I ALSO SEE SIGNS OF A SIMILAR SIDEWALL FAILURE BEGINNING ON THE OTHER FRONT TIRE! I LUCKILY NOTICED THE TIRE PRESSURE DROPPING AND AVOIDED A BARI ONE BLOWOUT. AFTER SEEING THE OTHER FRONT TIRE I REALIZE WE ARE LUCKY TO HAVE MADE IT HOME AND THE CAR IS PARKED UNTIL MONDAY WHEN I CAN CALL GOODYEAR AND CHEVROLET. WE WERE TRAVELING WITH OUR 7 MONTH OLD SON. I CAN'T BELIEVE THE WE RISKED HIS LIFE WITH THESE TIRES! A QUICK WEB SEARCH SHOWED ISSUES WITH CHEVY VOLTS WITH GOODYEAR ASSURANCE FUEL MAX ALSO. A SIDEWALL ISSUE AS WELL! THIS NEEDS TO BE FIXED BEFORE SOMEONE GETS HURT OR KILLED.

NHTSA ODI 10715497

Apr 23, 2015Electrical systemEngine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET CRUZE. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE RADIO TURNED ON AND OFF INTERMITTENTLY, THE GAUGES FLUCTUATED, AND THE INTERIOR LIGHTS AND HEADLIGHTS TURNED ON AND OFF INTERMITTENTLY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE STALLED. WHEN THE IGNITION WAS TURNED TO THE OFF POSITION, THE KEY DID NOT RELEASE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS UNKNOWN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000.

NHTSA ODI 10712491

Apr 17, 2015Steering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET CRUZE. WHILE DRIVING AT 25 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 51,699.

NHTSA ODI 10706308

Apr 8, 2015Speed controlEquipment Adaptive/mobilityEngine

THE VEHICLE SURGES WHEN FOOT IS ON THE BRAKE & IT IS BECOMING A STRUGGLE TO KEEP IN BRAKE MODE. FEELS AS IF CAR IS GOING TO TAKE OFF. ALSO, WHEN DEFROST IS ON, IT WILL TURN ITSELF OFF WITH WARNING FLASHING 'A/C OFF DUE TO HIGH ENGINE TEMP' AIR CONDITIONING IS NOT EVEN ON...THE HEAT IS. THIS IS AN ONGOING ISSUE THAT GM CANNOT SEEM TO FIND WHAT THE PROBLEM IS. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10704429

Apr 4, 2015Engine & cooling

I HAVE ALWAYS SMELLED SOMETHING STRANGE CIRCULATING IN MY CAR EVER SINCE I FIRST DROVE IT. .MY MOTHER (WHO HAS A 2012 CHEVY CRUISE) WAS RIDING IN MY CAR AND ASKED ME WHAT THE SMELL WAS AND I TOLD HER THAT IT HAS ALWAYS SMELLED LIKE THAT. I REALIZED THAT IT ISN'T A NORMAL SMELL AND REALIZED THAT IT IS MOST LIKELY A ENGINE COOLANT SMELL AND MY BE UNHEALTHY TO BE BREATHING. BROTHER HAS A 2014 CHEVY CRUISE , WE ARE BIG FANS OF THE CRUISE AND I AM DISAPPOINTED TO BE REPORTING THIS. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10703723

Apr 3, 2015AirbagsSeat beltsCrash2 injuries

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2013 CHEVROLET CRUZE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE CAUSING THE FRONT END TO CRASH INTO THE REAR OF A THIRD VEHICLE. NEXT, A FOURTH VEHICLE MADE CONTACT WITH THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE CAUSING THE FRONT END TO CRASH INTO THE VEHICLE A SECOND TIME. DURING THE INCIDENT, THE SEAT BELTS MALFUNCTIONED AND DID NOT SECURE THE OCCUPANTS. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY ALTHOUGH THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE TO THE FRONT END AND WAS DESTROYED. DURING THE INCIDENT, THE CHECK AIR BAG WARNING SENSOR ILLUMINATED AND A STRANGE ODOR WAS PRESENT INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED A CONCUSSION, HEAD, NECK, AND UPPER TORSO INJURIES. THE PASSENGER SUFFERED A CONCUSSION, HEAD, NECK, AND BACK INJURIES. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS REQUIRED AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000.

NHTSA ODI 10703463

Apr 3, 2015Electrical system

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET CRUZE. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE GAUGES AND THE METERS ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL FAILED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PARKING ASSIST, SERVICE BATTERY TERMINAL WAS DISPLAYED ACROSS THE MESSAGE BOARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE BATTERY CABLE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THAT BOTH SIDE OBJECT DETECTION SYSTEMS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 56,000.

NHTSA ODI 10703513

Apr 1, 2015SteeringElectrical system

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET CRUZE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 2 MPH AND TRYING TO MAKE A U-TURN, THE POWER STEERING SEIZED AND THE VEHICLE CAME TO STOP. ALL THE WARNING LAMPS ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 21,000.

NHTSA ODI 10703195

Mar 25, 2015Engine & cooling

THE CAR JERKS CONTINOUSLY WHOLE SITTING AT RED LIGHTS AND STOP SIGNS. IT'S SO BAD THAT IT FEELS LIKE IT WILL HIT THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME IF I DON'T HAVE MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10701541

Mar 18, 2015Electrical systemSpeed control

2013 CHEVROLET CRUZE. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE SHUTTING OFF MOMENTARILY, WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL SET. *SMD

NHTSA ODI 10683334

Mar 16, 2015SuspensionTiresWheels

VEHICLE BEGAN WITH SQUEAKING NOISE AS I DROVE HOME AND WHEN HAVING IT CHECKED OUT, I WAS TOLD I NEEDED NEW STRUTS AND THE TIRES HAD WORN OUT DUE TO STRUTS. THE VEHICLE IS A 2013 CHEVROLET CRUZE LT WITH GOOD DRIVING AND 37,000-40,000 HIGHWAY MILES. NEVER HAD STRUTS WEAR OUT ON A VEHICLE THIS EARLY. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10694616

Mar 12, 2015Transmission & drivetrain

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET CRUZE. WHILE AT A COMPLETE STOP ON AN INCLINE, THE VEHICLE ROLLED BACKWARDS UNEXPECTEDLY WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHENEVER THE VEHICLE WAS ON AN INCLINE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS EQUIPPED WITH A SECOND GENERATION TRANSMISSION WHICH EXHIBITED THE CHARACTERISTICS THAT WERE NORMAL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 11,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI 10693811

Mar 6, 2015Electrical systemEquipment

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET CRUZE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A WARRANTY LETTER FROM THE MANUFACTURER FOR THE BATTERY CONNECTIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE AIR CONDITIONING FAILED. THE DEALER COULD NOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 35,000.

NHTSA ODI 10692560

Mar 2, 2015Visibility & wipers

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET CRUZE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DEFROSTER FAILED TO OPERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE BLEND DOOR FAILED TO OPEN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 44,300. UPDATED 4/16/15*CN UPDATED 04/21/15*JB

NHTSA ODI 10691398

Feb 19, 2015Electrical system

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET CRUZE. WHEN THE KEY WAS IN THE OFF POSITION, THE VEHICLE STARTED INDEPENDENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 39,000. UPDATED 04/06/15*LJ

NHTSA ODI 10689400

Feb 12, 2015Transmission & drivetrain

2013 CHEVROLET CRUZE HAS SURGE. IT FEELS SIGNIFICANTLY WORSE IN HER VEHICLE AT 40,000 MILES. ..UPDATED 02/12/15*BF

NHTSA ODI 10683328

Feb 9, 2015Electrical system

RADIO WILL SHUT OFF AND TURN BACK ON. IF BLINKER IS ACTIVATED AT TIME THE BLINKER WILL ALSO QUIT WORKING. I CAN GO AN ENTIRE TRIP WITHOUT IT DOING IT, OR IT CAN HAPPEN EVERY MINUTE OR SO REPEATEDLY IN A TRIP. THIS IS NOT SAFE. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10682222

Jan 23, 2015Electrical system

WHILE DRIVING THE LIGHTS IN THE RADIO BEGAN TO FLASH ON AND OFF AND RADIO WOULD ALSO COME ON AND OFF, THE WINDOWS BECAME STUCK WHILE TRYING TO ROLL THEM UP, LIGHTS WOULD GO ON AND OFF AS WELL. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10678539

Jan 20, 2015Electrical system

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET CRUZE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH WITH THE HEATING SYSTEM ACTIVATED, THERE WAS A ODOR OF FUMES EMITTING FROM THE VENTS. THE FAILURE RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ODI 10676661

Jan 19, 2015Speed controlEngine

WHILE I WAS STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT ALL OF A SUDDEN I RECEIVED THE FOLLOWING WARNINGS: STABILITRAC LIGHT, SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT, THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE REDUCE ENGINE POWER WARNING. EVEN THOUGH THE WARNING STATED REDUCE ENGINE POWER, I COULDN'T DRIVE THE CAR. I TURNED THE CAR OFF TWICE, STILL NO POWER WHEN I APPLIED MY FOOT TO THE GAS PEDAL. I CALLED ON-STAR AND HAD MY CAR TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE THROTTLE BODY WAS REPLACED ON MY CAR, WHICH WAS COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. I NOTICED FROM SEVERAL COMPLAINT SITES THAT THE INCIDENT WITH SUDDEN LOSS OR REDUCED ENGINE POWER IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE CRUZE. I'M A LITTLE AFRAID TO DRIVE MY CAR NOW FOR FEAR THAT THE INCIDENT WILL HAPPEN AGAIN AT A BUSY INTERSECTION. I HOPE THE PROBLEM WITH MY CAR IS RESOLVED WITH THE REPLACEMENT OF THE THROTTLE BODY. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10676539

Jan 10, 2015Electrical systemAirbagsBody & structureCrash

I WAS DRIVING HOME AND HIT AN 8 POINT BUCK THAT WEIGHED ABOUT 180LBS HEAD ON THAT CAUSED DAMAGE FROM THE MIDDLE FRONT CENTER OF THE CAR EXTENDING TO THE DRIVERS SIDE OF THE CAR AND SMASHING UP INTO THE MOTOR. THE INSTRUMENT PANEL IMMEDIATELY ILLUMINATED TO SERVICE AIRBAG BUT THE AIRBAG NEVER DEPLOYED. I WAS TOLD IF I WAS GOING SLOWER, THE DEER WOULD HAVE WENT THROUGH THE WINDSHIELD. I COULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUSLY HURT SINCE THE AIRBAG DIDN'T DEPLOY. I BOUGHT THIS CAR BRAND NEW WITH ONLY 17 MILES ON IT. I HAVE DRIVEN IT FOR 2 YEARS AND NOW HAVE TO WONDER IF MY FAMILY AND I WERE PUT AT RISK FOR THE LAST TWO YEARS, WHILE TRAVELING TO OHIO, FROM IOWA AND OUT TO BOISE 3 TIMES. OF COURSE I WILL BE TOLD THERE IS NOTHING WRONG AND THE CAR WILL BE REPAIRED, AND I WILL BE FORCED TO CONTINUE DRIVING A CAR THAT I WON'T REALLY FEEL SAFE IN BECAUSE I WON'T KNOW FOR SURE IF THE AIRBAG SYSTEM IS FIXED, AND WILL WORK RIGHT IF THIS UNFORTUNATELY WILL EVER HAPPEN AGAIN. SOMEHOW THIS WILL BE PUSHED UNDER THE RUG AND THERE WILL BE NOTHING I CAN DO ABOUT IT. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10671537

Jan 9, 2015Transmission & drivetrainElectrical system

I BOUGHT MY 2013 CRUZE IN JUNE 2014, WITH AROUND 40K MILES ON IT. IN SEPTEMBER THE CAR BEGAN HAVING ISSUES. AT FIRST IT WAS JUST THAT THE RADIO AND ALL DASH LIGHTS WOULD SHUT OFF. THEN I HAD MULTIPLE SERVICE LIGHTS THAT WOULD FLASH RANDOMLY. THOSE INCLUDED STABILITRAK, TRACTION CONTROL, POWER STEERING AND SECURITY SYSTEM. AT ONE POINT, WHILE DRIVING IN A PARKING LOT, MY POWER STEERING COMPLETELY LOCKED UP. MY CAR EVENTUALLY STOPPED STARTING. I WAS STRANDED AT SCHOOL AND HAD TO CALL A TOW TRUCK. WHEN THIS HAPPENED, MY KEY ACTUALLY GOT STUCK IN THE IGNITION. I WAS ABLE TO JUMP THE CAR AFTER SEVERAL MINUTES OF TRYING, BUT IT WOULD NOT KEEP POWER. I HAD IT TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP, BUT THEY WERE NOT ABLE TO FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH IT (NO CODES EVEN CAME UP ON THE COMPUTER) AND IT RAN JUST FINE FOR THEM. I DROVE THE CAR HOME, AND THE NEXT DAY HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. THIS TIME AFTER ABOUT 30 MINUTES OF TRYING TO GET THE CAR TO START, IT DID, SO I DROVE IT STRAIGHT TO A CHEVY SHOP. AGAIN, THEY COULDN'T FIND ANY CODES, BUT SAID THEY REPLACED SOME WIRING AND CLEARED THE COMPUTER. I DIDN'T HAVE ANYMORE PROBLEMS UNTIL LAST WEEK, WHEN IT ALL STARTED HAPPENING AGAIN. I'VE HAD THE POWER STEERING LOCK UP ON ME IN THE MIDDLE OF AN INTERSECTION! THE WEIRD THING IS, WHEN MY CAR DOESN'T WANT TO START, ALL I HAVE TO DO IS USE THE LITTLE ELECTRICAL KNOB THAT MOVES THE DRIVERS SIDE SEAT BACK AND FORTH, AND EVERYTHING FIRES UP. GM NEEDS TO FIGURE THIS OUT BECAUSE IT'S BOUND TO KILL SOMEONE! *TR

NHTSA ODI 10671428

Dec 30, 2014Transmission & drivetrain

MY VEHICLE WAS NOT FILED IN THE RECALL LIST BUT HAS THE SAME ISSUE AS A DRIVE TRAIN RECALL (13V452000). MY VEHICLE WHEN SHIFTING GEARS COMPLETELY LOST POWER AND NO LONGER GOES INTO 5TH OR 6TH GEAR. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE DEALERSHIP LIKE GM ASKED ME BUT UNFORTUNATELY THEY INFORMED ME THAT MY CLUTCH WAS NOT COVERED. TO ME THIS IS A BIG SAFETY ISSUES THAT COULD HAVE RESULTED IN MY FAMILY AND I BEING SERIOUSLY INJURED IF I WAS IN A DIFFERENT SITUATION. I WOULD LIKE TO SEE MY VEHICLE BE FIXED LIKE ALL THE OTHER VEHICLES THAT WAS RECALLED WITH THIS SAME ISSUES, I DON'T SEE WHY IF THE ISSUES ISN'T DIFFERENT WHY MY VEHICLE SHOULD BE EXCLUDED. *JS

NHTSA ODI 10669178

Dec 16, 2014AirbagsBody & structureCrash

JUST A SHORT TIME AFTER I BOUGHT THIS CAR, WHICH I LOVE, I HIT A DEER. I WAS GOING 45 MPH AT THE TIME AND THE IMPACT DID $10,000 DAMAGE BUT THE AIR BAG DID NOT GO OFF. THANKFULLY I WAS NOT HURT AND I WAS WEARING MY SEAT BELT. TO THIS DAY THE CAR JUST ISN'T THE SAME. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10664640

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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 →