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)

59 of 585 complaints match · crash/fire/injury only · clear filters · page 1 of 3

May 12, 2024SteeringElectrical systemEngineFire

Car caught on fire under hood

NHTSA ODI 11588307

Oct 31, 2022BrakesCrash

The contact owns a 2013 Chevrolet Cruze. The contact stated while her husband was reversing from a parking space with her in the front passenger seat, he depressed the brake pedal but the brake pedal failed to respond, causing the vehicle to continuously reverse. The contact stated that her husband continuously depressed the brake pedal until it responded; however, the vehicle hit the rear passenger side bumper of a parked unoccupied vehicle. The contact stated that it was a fender bender. The air bags did not deploy. There were no injuries sustained. The contact contacted the police and filed a report. The contact stated that her husband was able to continue driving. The dealer was notified of the failure and an appointment was scheduled for a diagnostic test. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and a case was opened. The approximate failure mileage was 70,000.

NHTSA ODI 11491599

Jul 7, 2022Electrical systemBrakesEngineCrash

Hi, I have had my car for a total of 8 years so far. It was bought used, in perfect condition in the beginning. Years passed and I have gained many problems down the road. First, the valve had to be replaced, spent a little under $1K, car worked well, until it started leaking coolant. Second, the car started to jerk back if you were passing at least 60mph. You go above 65-70, the car would jerk back to where it felt as if the whole bottom of the car fell off. You could press the gas pedal and it would barely go, it felt as if you were pushing the car with your own hands from the back, as if it lost power to move forward. Third, why does my coolant leak? Why is it that I have to put coolant in it at least every other week? The fan is EXTREMELY loud as well, as if it's overheating.

NHTSA ODI 11472763

Feb 26, 2022EngineCrash

Complete engine failure whole driving under normal conditions. Vehicle had all old changes. Engine blown at 98452 miles

NHTSA ODI 11454201

Jan 25, 2022AirbagsCrash1 injury

The contact was riding in a 2013 Chevrolet Cruze. The contact stated that while the driver was driving at an unknown speed, the driver crashed into another vehicle from the driver's side to the other vehicle's rear passenger side due to unable to focus. The contact mentioned the front passenger and the front side passenger air bags were the only air bags that deployed. The contact stated that she was the only one who sustained right wrist, thumb, and burnt arm injuries that needed medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed. The contact was aware that the vehicle was damaged. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The contact was informed the air bags were Takata air bags and the injuries were caused by the air bags. The approximate failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA ODI 11448761

Dec 6, 2021Visibility & wipersCrash

It began raining and turned wipers on and driver side quit working and it was coming a downpour almost. I ended up bumping guard rail causing a few hundred dollars worth of damage to my car

NHTSA ODI 11442882

Oct 18, 2021Crash

The dealership sold my family this vehicle that has been a total loss since 2018. My understanding on why it has a green title is because someone paid out of pocket to cover the repairs. It has also been in 2 other accidents in 2020. The dealership did not make us aware of it and have been avoiding my contact.

NHTSA ODI 11437138

Oct 29, 2020EngineFire1 injury

TL* THE CONTACT CALLED ON BEHALF OF HER SON WHO OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET CRUZE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE HER GRANDDAUGHTER WAS PARKING THE VEHICLE, WHEN SHE SAW SMOKE COMING FROM THE HOOD. THE CONTACT STATED THE DRIVER WAS NOT AWARE IF ANY WARNING LIGHTS WERE ILLUMINATED. THE DRIVER EXITED THE VEHICLE AND WHEN OPENED THE HOOD, SHE SAW FIRE AND SUSTAINED BURNS ON HER RIGHT HAND. THE CONTACT STATED THE DRIVERS STEPFATHER WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE WITH WATER HOSE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CONTACTED BUT WAS NOT AWARE OF THEY FILED A FIRE REPORT. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE DRIVER DID NOT SEEK MEDICAL ATTENTION FOR HER INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DRIVABLE. THE VEHICLE TOWED TO HER RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED AS OF YET. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD BEEN INFORMED OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 137,000. *BF*JB

NHTSA ODI 11366999

Mar 10, 2020SteeringSpeed controlElectronic Stability Control (esc)Crash1 injury

THE STABLIC TRACT, THE ENGINE, THE ENGINE SLOWS DOWN, THE POWER STEERING, THE ENGINE MODULE HAS BLOWED I HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE CAR DAY 1, I BOUGHT FROM JDA AUTOMOTIVE ON GARNERS FERRY ROAD. I HAVE BEEN TAKING CAR TO CHEVROLET IN COLUMBIA,SC HARBISON . THEY REPAIRED RECALLS BUT SOON AS REPAIR THEY SEND A SIGNAL TO CAR TO TEAR UP .THE CAR COME TO COMPLETE STOP CAUSING ME TO NEED NECK BRACE IT ALSO IS TEARING UP THE THREAD ON TIRES. AND PEOPLE ARE BLOWING HORN AND ALSO HITTING ME IN BACK EVERYWHERE I GO I HAVE TO USE EMERGENCY BLINKING LIGHTS.

NHTSA ODI 11317420

Feb 20, 2020AirbagsCrash

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET CRUZE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE SHE WAS DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 40-45 MPH, SHE HIT A DEER AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THIS FAILURE OCCURRED IN 2018 HOWEVER RECENTLY HER HUSBAND WAS DRIVING AT 70 MPH, HIT A DEER IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HOOD WHICH THEN ROLLED OVER ONTO THE PASSENGER SIDE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAGS ALSO FAILED TO DEPLOY IN THIS INCIDENT AS THE DAMAGE WAS A HUGE DENT IN THE HOOD AND FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED AND CONTACT WAS NOT INJURED. THE INSURANCE COMPANY WAS CONTACTED AS THE VEHICLE WAS AWAITING INSPECTION. THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN CONTACTED YET. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 165,000.

NHTSA ODI 11310328

Aug 27, 2019EngineFire

I WAS SITTING IN MY VEHICLE WITH THE ENGINE RUNNING AND THE AIR CONDITIONER ON, SINCE IT IS AUGUST AND VERY HOT IN LAS VEGAS. I HAD BEEN IN MY VEHICLE FOR APPROXIMATELY FIVE MINUTES ABOUT TO LEAVE WHEN MY AIR CONDITIONER STOPPED BLOWING COLD AIR. I SMELT AN ELECTRICAL SMELL IN COMING THROUGH THE VENTS. THEN MY CAR SHUT OFF AND SMOKE BEGAN POURING OUT FROM UNDERNEATH THE HOOD. I QUICKLY EXITED MY VEHICLE AND CALLED THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. WITHIN A COUPLE MINUTES, THE ENTIRE FRONT OF MY VEHICLE WAS IN ENGULFED IN FLAMES. I HAVE NOT DONE ANY MECHANICAL MAINTENANCE OR WORK TO MY VEHICLE RECENTLY. I HAD MY OIL CHANGED APPROXIMATELY 1000 MILES AGO. I HAD NOT HAD ANY PROBLEMS WITH MY VEHICLE UNTIL IT CAUGHT ON FIRE SPONTANEOUSLY AND RANDOMLY WITHOUT WARNING.

NHTSA ODI 11246707

Jun 3, 2019Transmission & drivetrainAirbagsElectronic Stability Control (esc)Crash

MY CAR IS A DANGER THE ENGINE POWER SLOWS DOWN WHEN DRIVING CAUSING ANOTHER TO HIT IN THE BACK POWER STEERING LIGHT DISPLAYS, STABILIZE TRACT AND ENGINE POWER, I HAVE ALREADY HAD ONE HIT AND RUN ACCIDENT.I TOOK CAR TO CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP HARBISON RD COLUMBIA SC THEY JUST HALF REPAIR IT SOMEONE MAY DIE IF CAR CONTINUE TO POWER DOWN.

NHTSA ODI 11217617

May 17, 2019AirbagsCrash1 injury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET CRUZE. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS MAKING A LEFT TURN, A SECOND VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE OF HER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED FROM THE SCENE. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED AN INJURED RIGHT SHOULDER, WRIST, AND BACK THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE MANUFACTURER AND LOCAL DEALER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 73,000.

NHTSA ODI 11208217

Apr 24, 2019AirbagsBrakesCrash3 injuries

I WAS DRIVING ABOUT 35 MPH ON A CITY STREET WHEN THE PERSON IN FRONT OF ME SLAMMED ON THEIR BRAKES THE FIRST TIME I HIT THE BRAKE AND THE CAR STOPPED THE NEXT TIME I HIT THE BRAKE IT WAS HARD AND DIDN'T STOP THE CAR CAUSING ME TO CRASH INTO THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME, THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY AND I THINK IT SHOULD HAVE, CAUSING MY HEAD TO SLAM INTO THE STEERING WHEEL CAUSING ME TO BITE MY TONGUE IN HALF. I HAVE CONTACT CHEVROLET AND GM MULTIPLE TIMES AND THEY WON'T DO ANYTHING THEY LITERALLY HAVE NOT CARED ONE BIT. I BELIEVE THEIR IS A PROBLEM WITH THE BRAKING SYSTEM OR THE VACUUM SYSTEM IN THE BRAKES AND I AM NOT THE FIRST PERSON THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED TO IN A CRUZE, I LOOKED IT UP AFTER IT HAPPENED AND I FOUND A FEW OTHER STORIES OF THE SAME THING HAPPENING.

NHTSA ODI 11203353

Jul 30, 2018AirbagsBody & structureCrash1 injury

2013 CHEVY CRUZE COLLIDED WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE GOING 30-40MPH HEAD ON. NO AIR BAGS WERE DEPLOYED . AIR BAG SERVICE LIGHT IS NOW ON.

NHTSA ODI 11114473

Jul 20, 2018Electrical systemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Crash

"TAKATA RECALL"- THE DASH LIGHTS CUT OFF WHILE DRIVING. THE STREERING WHEEL LOCKS UP WHILE THE CAR IN DRIVING AT 70MPH. MESSASGE ABOUT THE ELECTRICAL STABILITY CONTROL POPS UP.

NHTSA ODI 11112755

Apr 23, 2018EngineFire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET CRUZE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE JERKED AND THE TRACTION AND ENGINE INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT ALSO NOTICED SMOKE OCCASIONALLY UNDERNEATH THE HOOD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE CYLINDER MISFIRED AND THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REBUILT OR REPLACED. THE TECHNICIAN REFERRED THE CONTACT TO THE DEALER (WALKER CHEVROLET, 3940 CAROTHERS PKWY, FRANKLIN, TN 37067, 615-538-5184) WHERE IT WAS ALSO DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REBUILT OR REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER REFERRED THE CONTACT TO NHTSA. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 72,000. *TT CONSUMER STATED CRACKED TURBO IS OCCURING IN THIS VEHICLES ALSO TURBO AND CATALTIC CONVERTER WENT OUT 2 WEEKS LATER UPDATED 6/15/18*JB

NHTSA ODI 11089688

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

Nov 24, 2017AirbagsCrash

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2013 CHEVROLET CRUZE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE IN FRONT ABRUPTLY STOPPED CAUSING THE CONTACT TO CRASH INTO THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES SUSTAINED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO BETTEN BAKER CHEVROLET BUICK DEALER LOCATED AT 930 O'MALLEY DR, COOPERSVILLE, MI 49404 WHERE THE AIR BAG FAILURE WAS UNABLE TO BE DETERMINED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 34,897.

NHTSA ODI 11048201

Nov 18, 2017AirbagsSeat beltsCrash1 injury

I WAS STOPPED IN HIGHWAY TRAFFIC AND REAR-ENDED (I'VE ATTACHED THE CRASH REPORT FROM THE IN STATE POLICE). MY SEAT BELT DID NOT ENGAGE AND MY AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY CAUSING ME TO HIT MY HEAD ON THE STEERING WHEEL RESULTING IN ABRASIONS AND TWO BLACK EYES. THIS SEEMS TO BE EITHER A SERIOUS DESIGN PROBLEM OR A MANUFACTURER DEFECT. REGARDLESS, THE SENSORS THAT CAUSE THE SEAT BELT TO LOCK SHOULD NOT BE IN THE FRONT OF THE CAR AS THEY THEN PROVIDE NO PROTECTION FROM A REAR END COLLISION.

NHTSA ODI 11047218

Jun 24, 2017EngineCrashFire

GOT INTO A VERY MINOR FENDER BENDER AND THE CAR WENT UP IN FLAMES. AIR BAGS NEVER DEPLOYED BECAUSE I WASN'T GOING FAST ENOUGH. BUT YET MY CAR BURNED.

NHTSA ODI 11001176

May 17, 2017BrakesCrash1 injury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2013 CHEVROLET CRUZE. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS APPLIED BUT FAILED TO RESPOND. THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DIFFICULT TO DEPRESS AND DID NOT MOVE. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED. BRUISES TO THE FACE, NECK, AND LEG. ADDITIONALLY THE DRIVER'S LEFT HAND WAS OVEREXTENDED. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS RECEIVED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 38,042.

NHTSA ODI 10986179

Jan 21, 2017AirbagsElectronic Stability Control (esc)BrakesCrash

"TAKATA RECALL" WE WERE GOING TO CHURCH ON SUNDAY MORNING , IT WAS A RAINING DAY , I WAS DRIVING AT 35-38 MPH IN A ZONE 40 MPH . I WAS APPROACHING TO A CURVE WHEN I INTENDED TO BRAKE, THE CAR SLIPPED TO THE LEFT ALL THE WAY , IT DONT BRAKED, IT DONT TURN ON THE SENSOR TO STABILIZE THE CAR AND THE MOST IMPORTANT , ANY OF THE AIR BAGS IN THE LEFT SIDE , IT DONT CAME OUT . THIS IS THE POLICE ACCIDENT REPORT CASE # HC170007937.

NHTSA ODI 10946881

Oct 5, 2016AirbagsCrash1 injury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET CRUZE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 50 MPH IN INCLEMENT WEATHER, ANOTHER VEHICLE ATTEMPTED TO SWITCH INTO THE CONTACT'S LANE. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT HYDROPLANED AND SPUN MULTIPLE TIMES CRASHING INTO SEVERAL TREES BUT THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED BACK, NECK AND SHOULDER INJURIES AS WELL AS BRUISES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED FROM THE CRASH SCENE TO AN IMPOUND LOT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI 10913892

Aug 2, 2016AirbagsCrash2 injuries

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET CRUZE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, A SECOND VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE AND CAUSED SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SUSTAINED NECK, BACK, AND HEAD INJURIES, WHICH REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 72,000.

NHTSA ODI 10892452

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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 →