What 585 owners told NHTSA about the 2013 Chevrolet Cruze Limited

Countless oil leaks - replaced the valve cover /gasket and solenoids and countless other parts to stop the oil leak when it was coming from the intake manifold PVC system - I even replaced the turbocharger.

NHTSA ODI 11452058

The car keeps telling me it’s overheating but it is not and it’s leaking out antifreeze

NHTSA ODI 11451683

After MANY repairs, kept my car WELL maintained. I've had MANY issues with the thermostats (replaced over 5 times) replaced sensors multiple times, replaced hoses and belts according to manufacturers recommendation. Replaced the valve cover. I now have a blown head gasket. I never drove my car without coolant, car had not overheated but the head gasket blew.

NHTSA ODI 11450075

I bought this car approximately three months ago. It was a huge financial decision but one that had to be made for the safety of myself and my daughter. After doing much research there were no major mechanical recalls and the safety ratings were good so it seemed to be a reliable and safe choice. I was getting home one afternoon and when I put the car in park, smoke just started billowing out from under the hood. So I went to take a look and there was fluid leaked everywhere. At first I thought it was oil as I had just had my oil changed so I took it back to the mechanic for further inspection and he informed me it was the coolant outtake housing. He even said to me that they get so many cars like mine, Chevy Cruz’s, that come in with the same issue. I would also like to mention that when I bought the car it only had 62,000 miles and when this occurred it was at about 71,000. So I went online to do some research about the part and cost of labor and came across so many of the same complaints. There were even posts about this part on a discussion board on the GM website.

NHTSA ODI 11449077

The vehicle keeps going to A/C off due to vehicle running hot. I've gone to the dealer and various shops had the water pump, hoses, outlet housing, thermostat replaced. I still smell coolant leaking and burning off when I open the hood I see the engine and catalytic converter wet and drying off as the wetness evaporates; the smell stays inside the car. The effects of smelling coolant has to be toxic, has any studies been done on long term effects of smelling coolant? I spend a minimum of 3 hours a day in traffic. The problem started around 100k. I also have oil leaking on right axel and somewhere on the engine. I've noticed the1.4l turbo has the same problems why are there recalls on the 1.4L but not the 1.8L? I'm paying out of pocket to get the same repairs done, if the vehicle is unsafe for the 1.4L it should be unsafe for the 1.8L

NHTSA ODI 11445713

Check-engine light comes on and stays; after repairs, it keeps flashing. "Traction control" message comes on and stays on. The air conditioning system keeps warning to be turned off, and heats up the car when not turned off. The care drives and dies while driving. The transmission is not consistent, takes much more time to accelerate. Breaks and fan replaced after a year of purchased and about 1,500 dollars have just been spent in repairs and the car still gives a check-engine light, shaking and about to die. Presently not in use. The safety issues for me and my family are high. I recently had to drive it with safety lights on and below 25 miles/hr to and from the mechanic. I have taken the car before two mechanics and it is still not resolved. The car is available for inspection upon your recall.

NHTSA ODI 11438153

Car is leaking oil and coolant. They are mixing and running into the engine.thermostat housing needs replaced.

NHTSA ODI 11437062

TSB # 16-NA-015 ENGINE STALL OR STUMBLE,IGNITION COIL WIRE FRETTING.I CAN NOT FIGURE OUT WHY THIS IS NOT A SAFETY RECALL.OTHER THAN G.M. NOT INTERESTED IN BEING RESPONSIBLE. MY CAR STALLED WHILE DRIVING AND I HAD NO BRAKES AND NO STEERING.IT DONT TAKE A LOT OF THINKING AS TO WHAT CAN AND WILL HAPPEN WITHOUT BRAKES AND STEERING.MY CAR WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THE ABOVE ISSUE WAS CONFIRMED.THE TSB WAS ISSUED 1-21-2016 AND ALL 2011-2014 MAY BE AFFECTED.PLEASE ADVISE ME WITH A FOLLOW UP ON THIS MAJOR PROBLEM. THIS IS MY SECOND REPORT ON THIS WITH NO RESPONSE.THIS WONT GO AWAY BY IGNORING THE ISSUE.LETS TAKE CARE OF THIS BEFORE ACCIDENTS.

NHTSA ODI 11437005

Loss of power when driving

NHTSA ODI 11436710

Coolant keeps having leaks after going to dealership to replace it. It had the same problem and dealer said it’s not covered now have to pay 800 dollars for same issue 5 months later. Coolant system not working might blow engine. Happens randomly when driving to warning lights come up and a lot of smoke starts coming out of car.

NHTSA ODI 11435287

The whole head shot off while driving. Now the car is making a farting noise when I accelerate or if u sit idle for longer than 15 mins. No oil leak but I’m using an additional $200 in oil between oil changes

NHTSA ODI 11428069

IN REGARDS TO TSB # 16-NA-015 ENGINE STALL OR STUMBLE. IGNITION COIL WIRE FRETTING.THIS PROBLEM IS DANGEROUS AND CAN HAPPEN AT ANY GIVEN TIME WHILE DRIVING WITHOUT WARNING AND DTC CODES. (CHECK ENGINE LIGHT) . WHEN THE CARS STALL YOU HAVE NO POWER STEERING AND NO POWER BRAKES AND COULD AND WILL CAUSE AN ACCIDENT IF IT HAS`NT HAPPENED AS OF YET .RESULTING IN INJURY AND OR DEATH. WITH MINIMAL RESEARCH I HAVE FOUND THIS IS A KNOWN AND ONGOING GLOBAL ISSUE THAT G.M. HAS KNOWN ABOUT SINCE 1-21-2016.ALL THESE CARS NEED TO BE RECALLED AND REPAIRED PRIOR TO ANYBODY LOSING THERE LIFE.

NHTSA ODI 11421944

THE PROBLEM I'M HAVING IS WHEN I HAVE MY HEAT TURNED ON I WILL GET A SMELL OF LIKE BURNT OIL COMING THROUGH MY AIR VENTS. I WAS TOLD IT WAS SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE CRANKSHAFT BUT THE LAST TIME I WAS TOLD IT WAS SOMETHING WITH THE VALVE COVER GASKET. I CAN SMELL IT MORE ONCE I HAVE COME TO A STOP AFTER DRIVING.

NHTSA ODI 11415775

I HAVE A 2013 CHEVY CRUZE 1.4L TURBO. THE PAST MONTH OR SO WHEN I AM DRIVING ON AN INCLINE OR HILL IT LOSES POWER AND THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT AND STABILITY CONTROL LIGHT COMES ON AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT FLASHES. ABOUT A WEEK AGO I WAS COMING HOME FROM CLASS AND MY CAR LOST POWER AND ALMOST GOT SMASHED BY A SEMI AND TODAY IT LOST POWER AND ALMOST GOT REAR ENDED. HAVE HAD SEVERAL MECHANICS LOOK AT IT AND THEY CAN FIND THE PROBLEM.

NHTSA ODI 11406347

IT'S BEEN SITTING FOR AWHILE NOW. I'VE REPLACED THE ENGINE, THE BATTERY, THE ALTERNATOR, THE STARTER, THE THERMOSTAT AND THE TENSIONER BELT. ALL BRAND NEW AND IT'S STILL NOT STARTING UP . IT ACTS LIKE IT WANTS TO START OVER BUT DOESN'T, EVEN WITHOUT THE KEYS IN IGNITION, IF I HOOK UP SPARK PLUGS IT ACTS LIKE IT WANTS TO START EVEN WITHOUT THE KEYS IN IGNITION

NHTSA ODI 11405268

I WAS DRIVING ON A RESIDENTIAL STREET AND NOTICED MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT APPEAR AND WENT AND GOT A CHECK ENGINE DIAGNOSIS DONE AND POPPED AS A CODE P2076 WHICH IS THE INTAKE MANIFOLD TUNING VALVE POSITION SENSOR/ SWITCH CIRCUIT RANGE/PERFORMANCE. WHICH ISN'T THE FIRST TIME THIS HAS CAME ON. WHEN I FIRST BOUGHT THE CAR FROM THE DEALERSHIP IT HAPPENED TWICE BEFORE AND WAS COVERED BY THE WARRANTY BUT NOW I'M SURPASSED THE WARRANTY AND JUST FEEL LIKE THIS SHOULDN'T BE AN ISSUE ONCE AGAIN.

NHTSA ODI 11405169

HAS AN INTERNAL ENGINE AND COOLING PROBLEMS EXHAUST GAS ENTERING THE COOLING SYSTEM I BELIEVE HE KNEW ABOUT THIS ISSUE AND STILL SOLD ME THE CAR ANYWAY. I TOLD HIM THAT THE WATER IN THE TANK WAS BUBBLING AND HE SAID NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH THE CAR. AND NOW THE ENGINE GASKET IS BLOWN AND THE CAR IS OVERHEATING

NHTSA ODI 11404334

MY 20 YR OLD DAUGHTER BOUGHT THIS CAR IN MAY 2020. SHE HAD IT 1 WEEK AND ENDED UP BROKEN DOWN ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD THE INTERSTATE, 3-1/2 HRS AWAY AT SCHOOL BECAUSE THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER WENT OUT. 2 WEEKS AND A NEW CATALYTIC CONVERTER, I AM ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD BECAUSE SHE COULDN'T STAY AND WAIT FOR IT, AND WE WOULDN'T LET HER TAKE IT UNTIL WE KNEW IT WAS RIGHT. ANOTHER 4 WEEKS LATER, REPLACED THE MOTOR AND CATALYTIC CONVERTER AGAIN, AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES BACK ON WITHIN 2 WEEKS AND LEAVES ME STRANDED ON THE HIGHWAY ONCE AGAIN! THIS TIME THE READING SHOWED ONLY AN O2 SENSOR SO MY HUSBAND CHANGED IT. THE CAR RAN FINE FOR A WHILE, THEN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME BACK ON. NOT LONG AFTER THIS, THE STABILITRAK WARNING LIGHT ALSO CAME ON AND SO THERE ARE 13 ERROR CODES COMING UP! WE HAVE ALWAYS BEEN A CHEVROLET FAMILY, BUT NOT ANYMORE! THIS HAS RUINED US! AND WHEN/IF WE CAN GET IT RUNNING WELL ENOUGH TO GET RID OF IT, IT IS GONE! THE ERROR CODES ATTACHED ARE FROM JULY & SEPTEMBER 2020. I DIDN'T GET A PICTURE THE LAST COUPLE OF TIMES THAT MY HUSBAND CHECKED IT. GENERAL MOTORS THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS. AND THAT'S JUST THE ONES WHO ACTUALLY TAKE THE TIME TO HUNT THE NHTSA DOWN AND FILE A COMPLAINT. NOT EVERYONE WILL DO SO! I PERSONALLY KNOW OF AT LEAST ONE OTHER PERSON IN MY HOMETOWN (OF LESS THAN 20,000) THAT OWNS A 2013 CRUZE THAT IS HAVING THE EXACT SAME PROBLEMS! I KNOW WE ARE JUST LITTLE PEOPLE TO YOU. BUT THESE ARE OUR LIVES! IF WE COULD AFFORD TO DRIVE A HIGH-PRICED, TOP-OF-THE-LINE VEHICLE, TRUST ME, WE WOULD!

NHTSA ODI 11398916

MY 20 YR OLD DAUGHTER BOUGHT THIS CAR IN MAY 2020. SHE HAD IT 1 WEEK AND ENDED UP BROKEN DOWN ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD THE INTERSTATE, 3-1/2 HRS AWAY AT SCHOOL BECAUSE THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER WENT OUT. 2 WEEKS AND A NEW CATALYTIC CONVERTER, I AM ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD BECAUSE SHE COULDN'T STAY AND WAIT FOR IT, AND WE WOULDN'T LET HER TAKE IT UNTIL WE KNEW IT WAS RIGHT. ANOTHER 4 WEEKS LATER, REPLACED THE MOTOR AND CATALYTIC CONVERTER AGAIN, AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES BACK ON WITHIN 2 WEEKS AND LEAVES ME STRANDED ON THE HIGHWAY ONCE AGAIN! THIS TIME THE READING SHOWED ONLY AN O2 SENSOR SO MY HUSBAND CHANGED IT. THE CAR RAN FINE FOR A WHILE, THEN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME BACK ON. NOT LONG AFTER THIS, THE STABILITRAK WARNING LIGHT ALSO CAME ON AND SO THERE ARE 13 ERROR CODES COMING UP! WE HAVE ALWAYS BEEN A CHEVROLET FAMILY, BUT NOT ANYMORE! THIS HAS RUINED US! AND WHEN/IF WE CAN GET IT RUNNING WELL ENOUGH TO GET RID OF IT, IT IS GONE! THE ERROR CODES ATTACHED ARE FROM JULY & SEPTEMBER 2020. I DIDN'T GET A PICTURE THE LAST COUPLE OF TIMES THAT MY HUSBAND CHECKED IT. GENERAL MOTORS THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS. AND THAT'S JUST THE ONES WHO ACTUALLY TAKE THE TIME TO HUNT THE NHTSA DOWN AND FILE A COMPLAINT. NOT EVERYONE WILL DO SO! I PERSONALLY KNOW OF AT LEAST ONE OTHER PERSON IN MY HOMETOWN (OF LESS THAN 20,000) THAT OWNS A 2013 CRUZE THAT IS HAVING THE EXACT SAME PROBLEMS! I KNOW WE ARE JUST LITTLE PEOPLE TO YOU. BUT THESE ARE OUR LIVES! IF WE COULD AFFORD TO DRIVE A HIGH-PRICED, TOP-OF-THE-LINE VEHICLE, TRUST ME, WE WOULD!

NHTSA ODI 11398919

CAR HAS LEAKED OIL AND COOLANT SINCE I GOT IT. CONSTANTLY OVER HEATS. LOSS OF POWER. ENGINE REVS AND JUMPS. CONSTANT REPLACEMENTS NOTHING WORKS.

NHTSA ODI 11396986

I HAVE HAD AN ISSUE WITH THE VALVE COVER GASKET NEEDING TO BE REPLACE DUE TO OIL LEAKAGE TWICE WITHIN A YEAR. I WILL START NOTICING BURT OIL SMELL ONLY ON THE INSIDE OF THE CAR THROUGH THE AIR VENTS. THERE HAVNT BEEN ANY LEAKAGE ON THE GROUND AS FAR AS I SEE. THIS CAN'T POSSIBLY BE NORMAL. I CURRENTLY HAVE TO PUT MY CAR IN THE SHOP FOR THIS ISSUE.

NHTSA ODI 11388119

THE CAR HAS SOME KIND OF ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT GOES ON AND I TAKE THE CAR BACK TO THE DEALER AND GET PROBLEMS FIXED, AND WITHIN A MONTH THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AGAIN, AND THERE ARE NEW PROBLEMS WITH THE CAR. WHEN THOSE PROBLEMS GET FIXED, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AGAIN WITHIN A MONTH. THIS IS A CYCLE THAT KEEPS GOING. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AT DIFFERENT TIMES, USUALLY WHILE DRIVING. I BELIEVE THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM IS CAUSING CASCADING FAILURES IN DIFFERENT SYSTEMS.

NHTSA ODI 11385527

VEHICLE LEAKS COOLANT FROM WATER PUMP AND THERMOSTAT

NHTSA ODI 11383775

[XXX]. I HAVE HAD PROBLEMS OVERHEATING. I CHANGED THE HOSES, THERMOSTAT, THERM. HOUSING, 3 SENSORS, WATER PUMP, SPARK PLUGS, COOLANT. NOW MY CAR WILL NOT EVEN START. IT CRANKS BUT WILL NOT FIRE. WHAT CAN I DO. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ODI 11382717

JUNE 2020 - CAR BEGAN POPPING UP WITH THE ALERT "A/C OFF DUE TO HIGH ENGINE TEMP" - UPON CHECKING THE CAR HAD COOLANT SO REPLACED THE THERMOSTAT. JULY 2020 THE ISSUE KEPT OCCURRING AND I BEGAN HAVING TO PUT COOLANT IN THE VEHICLE EVERY FEW DAYS. TOOK TO ANOTHER SHOP WHO SAID IT WAS LEAKING FROM A HOSE - REPLACED HOSES. AUG 2020 - ISSUE CONTINUED AND THEN STOPPED HOLDING WATER ALL TOGETHER - HAD TO REPLACE WATER PUMP, REZ, THERMOSTAT, AND VARIOUS BELTS/HOSES - DROVE THE CAR FOR THREE DAYS WHEN THE MESSAGE POPPED UP AGAIN. TOOK IT BACK TO THE SHOP AND WAS TOLD THAT (DESPITE IT BEING 1 OWNER CAR) "SOMEONE" HAD PUT STOP LEAK IN IT AND IT MADE THE THERMOSTAT STICK. THEY FLUSHED THE ENGINE AND REPLACED THE THERMOSTAT AGAIN AND THE CAR DROVE FOR 1 WEEK BEFORE THE ISSUE KEPT OCCURRING. THIS TIME IT STARTED HAVING TROUBLE CRANKING AND CAUSED A BLOWN HEAD GASKET. SO NOW AFTER 8 MONTHS AND $3,500 I HAVE REPLACED EVERYTHING THAT COULD POSSIBLY MAKE IT OVERHEAT/HAVE A COOLANT ISSUE AND HAD THE ENTIRE ENGINE REBUILT - HOPEFULLY THIS TIME IT FIXES THE ISSUE. THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE AND NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED.

NHTSA ODI 11375277