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)

50 of 585 complaints match · Brakes · clear filters · page 1 of 2

Jun 25, 2026Electrical systemBrakesEngine

Hh

NHTSA ODI 11746413

Jul 2, 2024Brakes

I have a powerstop b992l brake shoe and hardware kit. The mfg date is 2023/12/04. The issue is that the drum adjusters are made in a way they do not turn freely, thereby the drums will not adjust. In the diagram pat b will not turn on part a. There are clear witness marks on the inside where the end fits on the ratchet pawl. I have the parts available for inspection as needed and can mail then as well as the box side with their information.

NHTSA ODI 11598242

Jan 31, 2024SteeringLightsBrakes

The cars first started telling me randomly that it needed service to the stabilitrak and the. Would disappear, the next component was the anti theft activated and after turning car off..next time I tried to turn on, it acted as if battery was dead and locked my key in ignition. Fixed itself a couple hours later. Next time it gave me issues all of these components started to come on at same time while also causing power steering to come on and go out in the middle of driving which could have caused a horrible wreck (didn’t thank god) and also started flickering lights inside and outside of car, and the radio turned on and off as well…the car now will not turn on and acts as if battery is dead unless I use cables and have someone jump start my car…it definitely seems to be shorting out like the wiring isn’t working the way it should…I have now taken it to auto one and they tested battery and altinater and said both were in great condition, so I researched and have seen that my car make and model years from 2011-2015 have a recall on the negative battery cable not being crimped right enough but my car specifically isn’t included because it is past its warranty…which I’m sorry is ridiculous in every way no matter any warranty this was a mistake made by the manufacturer and it should be corrected on every car that is included in the years they specifically stated themselves they failed to do correctly when made…my car behaving this way and putting me and my family in danger is nothing that is our fault but the manufacturers and it should 100% be covered…I’m currently waiting to have it looked at by mechanic to reconfirm what I already know, and will know shortly that it is indeed the negative battery cable..I need this covered and corrected by dealer near me

NHTSA ODI 11568925

Sep 5, 2023Transmission & drivetrainBrakesVisibility & wipers

ABS system is failure. Stability, traction control. Catalytic converter failure, mileage reading failure.

NHTSA ODI 11542801

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

Aug 12, 2022Brakes

When switching between drive and reverse, the brakes stop working/lock up. This mainly occurs when parking backward or backing out of parking spot. This has caused a very minor collision with a parked car and the need to use the E-brake on multiple occasions to stop from backing into cars. I have told the dealership about the issue when I first bought the car and they were either not able to reproduce or didn't test it. It has not been inspected that I know of. There was a recall for this exact problem but it is under different VIN numbers. There were no warning lamps or messages when this problem occurs.

NHTSA ODI 11479011

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

Nov 8, 2021Brakes

The contact owns a 2013 Chevrolet Cruze. The contact stated that while at a complete stop with her foot depressed on the brake pedal, the vehicle would intermittently lurch forward without warning. The contact stated that the parking brake was activated to stop the vehicle from inadvertently moving forward. The vehicle was not taken to be serviced or diagnosed. The manufacturer had been notified of the failure and informed her that there were no recalls on the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 85,000.

NHTSA ODI 11439730

Oct 25, 2021Transmission & drivetrainBrakesEngine

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

May 18, 2021Brakes

When in reverse on brakes do not engage properly-no braking action.. This same issue was addressed by a recall of 2012 models but GM has not issued a recall for 2013 models even though online research shows this is a common problem.

NHTSA ODI 11417613

Jun 11, 2020Brakes

BRAKE PROBLEM CAN ALWAYS STOP THE CAR MAY REQUIRE INCREASED PEDAL EFFORT. THE PROBLEM COME ON GO. IF I HAVE AN EMERGENCY IT WILL NOT STOP. THERE IS A RECALL ON THIS. *TR

NHTSA ODI 11328423

Dec 5, 2019SteeringBrakesEngine

WHILE DRIVING AND IN MOTION THE VEHICLE SHUTS OFF. AFTER SHUTTING OFF THE ABS MALFUNCTIONS AND THE STEERING MALFUNCTIONS. THIS HAS HAPPENED TWICE NOW, BOTH ON CITY STREETS. ONCE DISABLED THE VEHICLE WILL NOT RESTART ON IT'S OWN; IT DOESN'T EVEN TURN OVER. THE VEHICLE WILL, HOWEVER, RESTART IF JUMP STARTED. THE FIRST OCCURRENCE PRESENTED WITH A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT THAT CODED AS A FAULTY CAM SHAFT SENSOR. THIS WAS REPLACED AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WENT AWAY. THE SECOND OCCURRENCE PRESENTED WITH NO LIGHTS OR WARNINGS. BOTH THE BATTERY AND ALTERNATOR WERE TESTED AND ARE FUNCTIONING.

NHTSA ODI 11287025

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

Feb 10, 2019Speed controlElectronic Stability Control (esc)Brakes

WHILE DRIVING THE CAR ON AN OFF RAMP THE DISPLAY PANEL SHOWED 3 WARNING LIGHT, ABS, TRACTION CONTROL, AND BRAKE. THE COMMUNICATION PANEL, WHERE THE SPEED AND ALL COMMUNICATIONS ABOUT THE CAR ARE GIVEN, THEN SAID REDUCED ENGINE POWER AND MY CAR SLOWED DOWN AND MY POWER STEERING STOPPED WORKING. THE PANEL THEN ALSO SAID SERVICE STABILITRAK AND SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL. IT HAS HAPPENED MORE THAN ONCE SINCE I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE AND THE DEALER REPLACED THE THE ECM A FEW YEARS AGO AND IT HASN'T FIXED THE ISSUE AS IT STILL OCCURS. THE MOST RECENT EVENT HAPPENED LAST WEEK.

NHTSA ODI 11176001

Oct 2, 2018Brakes

THE VEHICLE WILL OCASSIONALLY NOT STOP WHEN PRESSURE IS APPLIED TO THE BRAKES. I HAVE NOTICED IT OCCURS MOST OFTEN WHEN THE VEHICLE IS IN REVERSE. THE BRAKE PEDAL ALSO GETS HARD. IT DOES NOT OCCUR ALL THE TIME.

NHTSA ODI 11132928

Jun 15, 2018BrakesElectrical system

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET CRUZE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER ONTO THE SHOULDER AND TURNED OFF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER (BUD CHEVROLET BUICK IN ST MARYS, OHIO, 419-954-0649) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE DRIVER ASSIST MODULES IN THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE WERE FAULTY AND CAUSED THE BLACKOUT ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. ON ANOTHER OCCASION, WHILE PULLING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND FELT VERY STIFF. THE SAME DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKE VACUUM PUMP NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THE FAILURES WERE BEING REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 72,000. *TT

NHTSA ODI 11102186

Jun 14, 2018Brakes

I BOUGHT A 2013 CHEVY CRUZE A YEAR AGO. THE BRAKES FAIL WHEN CAR IS IN REVERSE AND THE BRAKE PEDAL GETS HARD. IT HAPPENS INTERMITTENTLY BUT I'VE TAKEN IT TO THE DEALERSHIP TWICE AND THEY COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG. I'M AFRAID FOR MY SON TO CONTINUE TO DRIVE THIS VEHICLE. THERE ARE NO RECALLS BUT AN INTERNET SEARCH SAYS THERE ARE MANY BRAKE PROBLEMS WITH ALL CRUZES. NOT HAPPY I MADE THIS PURCHASE AND WILL BE TRADING THIS IN IF THE NEXT SERVICE APPT DOESNT FIND ANYTHING WRONG.

NHTSA ODI 11101780

Jun 4, 2018Brakes

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET CRUZE. WHILE REVERSING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, BUT FAILED TO ENGAGE. IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE, THE EMERGENCY BRAKE HAD TO BE APPLIED. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER (DAY'S CHEVROLET, 3693 COBB PARKWAY NW, ACWORTH, GA 30101, 678-269-6042) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKE BOOSTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,930. *TT

NHTSA ODI 11099547

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

Dec 9, 2017Brakes

ENGAGE BRAKES AND THEY GRAB THEN RELEASE PULSATES CANT SEEM TO STOP ON ROADS LAST 2 TIMES LITTLE SNOW IN MOTION SLOW JUST STARTED DOING THIS CAR ACTS LIKE ITS JUMPING UP AND DOWN WHEN TRYING TO BRAKE ALSO NOTED REAR BRAKE LITE IN DARK IS FLICKERING WHEN I APPLY THE BRAKE PEDAL WHEN SITTING

NHTSA ODI 11053607

Nov 30, 2017BrakesEngine & coolingElectronic Stability Control (esc)

I AM WRITING ASKING FOR YOU TO LOOK INTO WHAT I CALL ENDANGERING TO MOTORIST IN OUR STATE, MORE SO OF A DANGER TO ME. I AM FORCED TO DRIVE W/ SOMETHING CONNECTED TO MY BODY, VEHICLE, OR ANYTHING THEY CAN POSSIBLY CONNECT TO A TOOL UTILIZED BY OUR LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES. THE TOOL IS USED TO DO UNDERCOVER WORK/INVESTIGATIONS WHICH I WAS TOLD IT'S USED BY SPECIAL INVESTIGATIONS FOR THE POLICE DEPARTMENT. AS I AM DRIVING, I HAVE TO TELL THEM WHILE DRIVING NOT TO PUT THAT ON MY CAR, MOVE THAT OFF MY BRAKES (WHICH SOMETIMES MY VEHICLE WOULDN'T STOP I HAD TO PRESS DOWN ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR FOR IT TO STOP AND MY BRAKES AREN'T BAD, THEY EVEN HAVE SOMETHING SETUP TO WHEN I AM BREAKING, SLOWING DOWN AND ABOUT TO TURN THAT IT LOCKS UP MY BREAKS AND CAUSES THE CARE TO DO SOMETHING LIKE A JERK THING OR INSTANT STOP, THEY HAVE MOVED IT TO THE BACK OF MY CAR WHICH MOVES THE OPPOSITE WAY MY VEHICLE IS BEING STEERED AND IT SPINS OUT ONLY ON ONE TIRE). THEY HAVE CREATED AN ILLEGAL SETUP WHICH HAS DAMAGED MY VEHICLE THAT'S BEING REPAIRED TODAY. WHEN DRIVING THEY PLACE IT MY BRAKES WHICH SOMETIMES DON'T STOP, THEY HAVE OTHERS DRIVING AT THE SAME TIME AS I AM AND IT EFFECTS THE DRIVING OF OTHERS, THEY MOVE MY VEHICLE WHICH IS STEERED THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION I AM CONTROLLING IT, IT CAN CAUSE YOU TO CRASH, IT'S HUGE DISTRACTION. THE OTHER MOTORIST ON THE ROAD AS I AM HAVE TRIED HELPING SOME HAVE ADMITTED TO DRIVING W/ THIS CONNECTED TO THEM PURPOSELY AND ARE TO INTENTIONALLY CAUSE AN ACCIDENT, THEY SAID IT'S A "GAME". WITH THE HELP OF SOME FROM THE LITTLE ROCK POLICE DEPARTMENT, AND FBI THEY ARE GIVEN THE WHERE ABOUT OF CERTAIN INDIVIDUALS AND THEY ARE TO CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. THE SETUP ALONE CAN CAUSE YOU TO CRASH. I HAVE MOTORIST WHO SPOKE UP AND TRIED HELPING ME AS I AM ON THE HIGHWAY AND THOSE WHO ARE CONTROLLING IT, WHICH ARE INDIVIDUALS WHO WORK FOR OUR LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT.

NHTSA ODI 11057608

Jul 10, 2017Electrical systemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Brakes

SINCE PURCHASING MY CAR IT HAS DONE STRANGE THINGS WITH WHAT I THOUGHT WAS THE BREAKS. WHEN STOPPING AT A LIGHT ETC.. THE CAR WILL JUMP FORWARD.. SOMETIMES ONLY ONCE AND OTHERS IT DOES IT OVER AND OVER UNTIL I ACCELERATE AGAIN. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I PURCHASED IT. DAVID MAUS IN SANDFORD FL. THE SERVICE TECH TOOK A RIDE WITH ME.. HE STATED THAT HE'S HEARD THIS FROM OTHER CHEVY CRUZE OWNERS AND IT'S JUST WHAT THESE CARS DO. IT DID DEMONSTRATE THE JUMPING, THRUSTING FORWARD WHILE THE SERVICE TECH WAS DRIVING. I WAS NOT HAPPY WITH THIS ANSWER BUT BELIEVED HE KNEW WHAT HE WAS TALKING ABOUT. YESTERDAY I GET IN MY CAR AND IT WILL HARDLY GO. THE SERVICE STABILTACK LIGHT WAS ON. THEN EVERY LIGHT ON THE DASH CAME ON. OBVIOUSLY I UNDERSTAND THINGS GO BAD ON CARS AS IT'S 4 YEARS OLD. BUT AFTER READING HUNDREDS OF THESE COMPLAINTS ONLINE I BELIEVE THIS IS A PROBLEM WITH THESE CARS THAT CAN BE DANGEROUS. AND IT'S UNBELIEVABLE TO ME THAT THERE IS NO RECALL AFTER ALL THE REPORTS AND COMPLAINTS. WHEN IT JUMPS HOPS THRUST FORWARD YOU NEVER KNOW IF IT'S GOING TO BE A LITTLE OR A LOT. THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN ONGOING WITH NO HELP FROM THE CERTIFIED MECHANICS. I PUT THE DATE AS 2013 BECAUSE AS I SAID IT'S BEEN ON GOING AND NOW IT'S COMPLETELY BROKEN. WHICH COULD HAVE BEEN PREVENTED HAD THE MECHANICS HELPED ME IN 2013

NHTSA ODI 11003990

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

Sep 5, 2016Brakes

OWNER DRIVES THE VEHICLE FOR 10 MILES OR GREATER AND AFTER PARKING FOR SEVERAL MINUTES THE VEHICLE HAS A BURNING SMELL INSIDE. IT REMAINS FOR DAYS AT A TIME EVEN IF THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DRIVEN. THIS HAS OCCURRED SINCE OWNERSHIP. SECOND PROBLEM; BRAKES LOCK UP AFTER THE CAR IS WASHED AND PARKED FOR A FEW MINUTES. REMEDY IS TO STEP ON THE ACCELERATOR WITH THE VEHICLE IN GEAR (DRIVE OR REVERSE) AND PREPARE TO BRAKE IMMEDIATELY. IT TOOK 1000 RPM'S TO GET THE BRAKES RELEASED THIS TIME. IT HAPPENS EACH TIME THE CAR IS WASHED IN A STATIONARY POSITION. MILEAGE IS 27,000.

NHTSA ODI 10903643

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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 →