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)

13 of 585 complaints match · Brakes · crash/fire/injury only · clear filters

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

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

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

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

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 27, 2014AirbagsBrakesCrash

A VEHICLE PULLED OUT OF A PARKING LOT IN FRONT OF ME AND WHEN TRYING TO BRAKE, THE BRAKES LOCKED UP AND AT IMPACT OF THE HEAD ON COLLISION MY AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY! *TR

NHTSA ODI 10606453

Jun 18, 2014SteeringAirbagsBrakesCrash1 injury

THE DRIVER WAS TRAVELING ON A TWO LANE HIGHWAY IN BALDWIN COUNTY, ALABAMA, WHEN SHE APPROACHED A RIGHT HAND CURVE (WHICH THE DRIVER WAS FULLY AWARE OF). DRIVER APPLIED BRAKES SO AS TO SLOW DOWN TO NEGOTIATE THIS CURVE, BUT WHEN THE DRIVER APPLIED THE BRAKES, THEY DID NOT RESPOND. ADDITIONALLY, THE VEHICLE APPEARED TO LOSE POWER STEERING FUNCTION. IT APPEARED THAT THE VEHICLE LOST POWER, SIMILAR IN NATURE TO THE MOST RECENT IGNITION DEFECTS ON OTHER GM VEHICLES. DUE TO LOSS OF BRAKING ABILITY, THE VEHICLE WENT STRAIGHT OFF ROADWAY AND CRASHED CAUSING SIGNIFICANT PERSONAL INJURY TO THE DRIVER. FURTHER, THE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY. WE CONTACTED GM, AND AGREED TO ALLOW GM REPRESENTATIVES INVESTIGATE THE INCIDENT BY DOWNLOADING THE ESIS INFORMATION, WITH THE AGREEMENT THAT GM WOULD PROVIDE THE OWNER WITH THE RESULTS OF SAID INVESTIGATION IN A READILY UNDERSTANDABLE FORMAT. AFTER DOWNLOADING THE INFORMATION, GM DENIED ANY LIABILITY FOR THE INCIDENT, AND REFUSED TO PROVIDE THE OWNER WITH THE RESULTS OF ITS INVESTIGATION IN A FORMAT THAT WAS READILY UNDERSTANDABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS RECENTLY PURCHASED NEW, AND HAD NO PRIOR ISSUES. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10604304

Dec 4, 2013Electrical systemBrakesFire

AFTER CHANGING OIL FILTER, OIL SPRAYED IN ENGINE COMPARTMENT APPROXIMATELY 10 MINUTES INTO DRIVE, CAUSING A FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. ALL OCCUPANTS WERE SAFE, BUT THE DAMAGE IS EXPENSIVE. WIRING HARNESSES, AS WELL AS MASTER CYLINDER WERE MELTED. THE TOP MOUNTED FILTER IS A PLEATED CARTRIDGE THAT SNAPS INTO A THREADED PLASTIC OIL FILTER CAP. A BLUE O-RING, INCLUDED WITH THE FILTER, SLIPS OVER THE PLASTIC OIL FILTER CAP, PAST THE THREADS. THE ISSUE SEEMS TO THAT TWO "GROOVES" EXIST AFTER THE THREADS TOWARDS THE END BY THE FLANGE. IF THE O-RING IS PLACED IN THE WRONG LOCATION (I.E. ALL THE WAY TO THE END) THIS PROVIDES AN INADEQUATE SEAL, POSING A FIRE HAZARD AS DESCRIBED ABOVE. CORRECT PROCEDURE IS TO APPLY THE BLUE O-RING ON THE SECOND TO LAST GROOVE IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE THREADS. BASICALLY, IF AFTER TIGHTENING THE OIL FILTER ASSEMBLY THE BLUE O-RING IS VISIBLE, IT'S IN THE WRONG LOCATION. SOURCE: LOCAL DEALER. THIS IS NOT RELATED TO THE PLASTIC SHIELD MODIFICATION ADVISED IN A PREVIOUS SERVICE BULLETIN FROM GM REGARDING THE 2011-12 MODEL YEARS. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10554773

Dec 3, 2013SteeringFuel systemBrakesCrash

BACKING OUT OF DRIVE--SEAT BELT ON-CAR SPED UP AT RAPID ACCELERATION--NO CONTROL-RAN INTO TELEPHONE POLE--BRAKED NO RESULTS. CAR CIRCLED IN ROAD AND CROSSED ROAD--TRIED SHIFTING. NO RESULT TURNED OFF IGNITION JUST AS CAR WAS TO STRIKE A BIG TREE . CAR STOPPED. PASSENGER SIDE OF CAR BADLY DAMAGED WHERE I HIT POLE. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10554584

Sep 25, 2013BrakesCrash

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET CRUZ. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKES FAILED TO ENGAGE AND CAUSED THE CONTACT TO CRASH INTO THE REAR OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE BRAKE FAILURE WAS EXPERIENCED TWICE. THE DEALER TEST DROVE THE VEHICLE AND WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 500 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 900.

NHTSA ODI 10545318

Jul 8, 2013BrakesEngineCrash

I HAD THE VEHICLE SERVICED FOR OIL CHANGE AND TIRE ROTATION ON MAY 25. A FEW DAYS LATER, APPROXIMATELY JUNE 1, I NOTICED THE VEHICLE WAS VERY HARD TO STOP WHEN BACKING OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY (HAD TO PUSH DOWN VERY HARD ON THE BRAKES WHICH DID NOT SEEM TO GO TO THE FLOOR). I ALSO NOTICED THAT WHILE I WAS STOPPED AT RED LIGHTS OR BEHIND OTHER VEHICLES THE CAR WOULD LUNGE FORWARD--NOT ENOUGH TO HIT SOMEONE BECAUSE I NOTICED IT AS SOON AS IT HAPPENED. ABOUT TWO WEEKS LATER I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP, JEFF WYLER CHEVROLET EASTGATE, AND ADVISED THEM OF THE PROBLEM. SOMEONE TEST DROVE THE CAR WITH ME IN THE PASSENGER SEAT, AND HE INFORMED ME THAT HE COULD FIND NOTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR. I DO NOT KNOW IF HE CHECKED ANYTHING ELSE WHILE I WAS IN THE WAITING ROOM. AT MY REQUEST, HE PROVIDED ME WITH A PRINTOUT DOCUMENTING THE VISIT. ON JULY 7, 2013, WHILE MY DAUGHTER WAS PULLING THE VEHICLE INTO OUR GARAGE, THE BRAKES FAILED AND SHE HIT MY GRANDDAUGHTER BICYCLE WHICH, IN TURN, WENT THROUGH THE DRYWALL AT THE END OF THE GARAGE. I HAVE FOUR CHILDREN LIVING AT THE HOUSE INCLUDING AN 8 AND 10 YEAR OLD. THERE IS ALSO A SIGN ON OUR STREET INDICATING A DEAF CHILD LIVES ON THE STREET (WE HAVE ONLY LIVED THERE SINCE NOV. 2012). WE ARE VERY FORTUNATE THAT A CHILD HAS NOT BEEN INJURED. THERE IS NO WAY TO ALERT THE DEAF CHILD THAT THE CAR IS COMING THEIR WAY SINCE THEY CANNOT HEAR THE HORN. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10523701

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 →