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)

74 of 585 complaints match · Steering · clear filters · page 1 of 3

Nov 9, 2025SteeringSpeed control

When I accelerate my rpm goes up but car dosent move as speed says and takes for me to let off the gas to speed up , and my steering when I turn it pulls away n it keep popping up service traction and going off

NHTSA ODI 11698432

Jun 13, 2025SteeringEngine & cooling

The contact owns a 2013 Chevrolet Cruze. The contact stated that while driving 65 MPH, the steering wheel seized, and the vehicle also lost motive power. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was able to be restarted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the electronic control unit module had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 103,212. The VIN was not available.

NHTSA ODI 11666837

May 12, 2024SteeringElectrical systemEngineFire

Car caught on fire under hood

NHTSA ODI 11588307

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

Dec 5, 2023SteeringEngineFuel system

Traction control warning pops up and steering stops, even while driving. Motor shuts down and smells like fuel in water res.

NHTSA ODI 11558464

Sep 11, 2023SteeringEngine & coolingElectrical system

The contact owns a 2013 Chevrolet Cruze. The contact stated while driving approximately 45 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The contact coasted to the side of the road and stopped the vehicle. The contact stated restarted the vehicle after several attempts. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact stated there was white smoke coming from the exhaust. The contact stated that the failure had become a recurring failure. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the water pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that the water pump failed again and was replaced; however, recently the water pump failed again. Additionally, the contact stated that there were electrical failures with the vehicle and the doors failed to lock as needed. The contact also stated that the steering wheel had locked up on several occasions. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.

NHTSA ODI 11543816

Mar 31, 2023SteeringElectrical systemLights

I purchased 2013 chevy cruze in 2021. Starting with steering going out, all electrical power is affected. Radio comes on and off. Light comes on to check stab trak. Engine started while key in ignition but I wasn't in car. I can't afford to get a different car now a days. I'm disabled and need this car to get to my Dr appts But I'm afraid the vehicle will kill me, someone or worse. This vehicle needs a very very serious recall to fix this before someone is killed. That won't work!! FIX IT PLEASE I BEG YOU!!!

NHTSA ODI 11514714

Sep 20, 2022SteeringElectrical systemLights

When i turn left or right stereo shuts off all my warning lights come on and steering gos out.and sometimes it shuts down.Almost got hit a cause it did this .This is a serious safety issue.Nobody can pin point the problem.then a code says open and close drivers window.If i get killed cause this car does this .and getting worse .chevy will be sued .can you get chevy to repair this possible faulty .problem.may a recall in electric system.

NHTSA ODI 11485570

Apr 5, 2021SteeringElectrical systemLights

AT RANDOM TIMES, MY STEREO WILL GO BLANK, NO SOUND, NO BLINKER SOUNDS, NOTHING. AT THE SAME TIME, THE SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL, SERVICE STABITRAX WILL START FLASHING ON AND OFF. MY POWER STEERING WILL CUT OFF AS WELL. THIS WILL HAPPEN A FEW TIMES WHILE DRIVING THEN IT WILL NOT HAPPEN AGAIN. THEN RANDOMLY ON A DIFFERENT DAY, IT WILL HAPPEN AGAIN.

NHTSA ODI 11406478

Mar 28, 2021SteeringElectrical systemEngine

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

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

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

Jun 15, 2019SteeringElectronic Stability Control (esc)

THE CAR WOULD BECOME HARD TO STEER AND CONTROL. ABS AND TRACTION CONTROL IN STABILITY CONTROL WARNING LIGHTS FLASHING. THIS HAPPENS WITHOUT WARNING CAN HAPPEN AT ANY SPEED HIGHWAY ORE CITY. THE TIMES THIS HAS OCCURRED WAS ON THE HIGHWAY. (THIS IS A TSB I LATER FOUND BUT THE COULD EASILY CAUSED A CRASH ON ACCIDENT)

NHTSA ODI 11220346

May 3, 2019Steering

2013 CHEVROLET CRUZE. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO POWER STEERING GOING OUT. *LD *JS

NHTSA ODI 11204617

Mar 22, 2019Steering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET CRUZE. WHILE PARKING THE VEHICLE, THE POWER STEERING WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC REPAIRED THE POWER STEERING. THE DIAGNOSIS INFORMATION WAS NOT PROVIDED. THE DEALER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 39,000. .*BF*JB

NHTSA ODI 11190975

Jan 7, 2019SteeringTransmission & drivetrain

FOR SOME REASON WHEN I DRIVE MY CAR IT STARTS SHAKING SOMETIMES IT HAPPENS WHEN I START DRIVING OR WHEN I BRAKE I TRIED TO FIND THE PROBLEM AND IT LOOKS THAT IT IS THE DRIVE SHAFT. I THOUGH THAT IT IS SOMETHING THAT ONLY HAPPENED TO ME BUT I FOUND OUT THAT THERE ARE MORE CARS INVOLVED IN THAT BUT MY CHEVY CRUZE 2013 LOOKS LIKE IT IS NOT NOT ONE OF THOSE. WHAT CAN I DO ABOUT IT ?

NHTSA ODI 11164984

Nov 15, 2018Steering

WHILE MAKING RIGHT TURN IN CITY, CAR JERKED, ALMOST LOST CONTROL AND "SERVICE POWER STEERING" LIGHT CAME ON, THEN CAR RECOVERED AND WAS DRIVEN HOME

NHTSA ODI 11151690

Oct 29, 2018SteeringTransmission & drivetrainElectronic Stability Control (esc)

VEHICLE SHUTS OFF WHILE DRIVING LOSING COMPLETE POWER AND STEERING! SO DANGEROUS AND DEADLY! TAKING THE CAR IN TODAY, CAR ALSO RIDING ROUGH AND MISFIRING. ALL MAINTENANCE DONE EVERY 3,000 MILES. THIS CAR HAS HAD ONE PROBLEM AFTER ANOTHER AND THIS LAST ONE COULD HAVE KILLED MY TEENAGER DAUGHTER! IT STOPPED ON HER 5 TIMES ON THE FREEWAY!

NHTSA ODI 11143855

Oct 1, 2018SteeringElectrical system

I WAS MAKING A LEFT TURN AND THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED AND THE RADIO TURNED OFF, I BARELY MADE IT BEFORE GETTING HIT. THE STEERING WHEEL UNLOCKED AND I TURNED INTO THE FIRST PLACE I COULD. I TURNED THE CAR OFF AND TRIED TO START IT BUT THE BRAKE WAS LOCKED AND NOTHING WAS TURNING ON WHEN I PUSHED THE BUTTON. TRIED A FEW TIMES AND NOTHING. WHILE SITTING THERE FOR ABOUT 5 MINUTES THE WHOLE DASH CAME ON AND I WAS ABLE TO START THE CAR. THE RADIO HAD BEEN TURNING ON AND OFF A FEW TIMES ON THIS DRIVE BEFORE THIS HAPPENED. BUT THE RADIO HAS BEEN DOING THIS FOR SOME TIME .

NHTSA ODI 11132799

Sep 26, 2018Steering

STEERING RANDOMLY COMPLETELY LOCKED IN MOTION. SEEMINGLY RANDOM ELECTRICAL PROBLEM REMEDIED ON ITS OWN AND REQUIRED SERVICE TECHNICIAN TO CHECK IT OUT TO ASSES SAFETY. CANT BE SURE OF THE SAFETY OF MY VEHICLE NOW.

NHTSA ODI 11131818

Jul 27, 2018SteeringElectrical systemEngine

CAR WOULDN'T START. GOT A "SERVICE STEERING COLUMN LOCK" ON THE DASH. WAS ABLE TO START THE CAR AFTER A PERIOD OF TIME. BUT ENGINE START AND STOP STILL SOUNDS BAD.

NHTSA ODI 11114075

Apr 10, 2018SteeringElectrical systemElectronic Stability Control (esc)

CAR SHUTS OFF COMPLETELY.AFTER 10 MINUTES WILL RESTART.STEERING LOCKS UP WHILE DRIVNG.STABLI CONTROL COMES ON.LOSS OF ALMOST AL L POWER.HAPPEN IN DRIVEWAY.WHILE DRIVING TURNING .LOSS OF POWER SO THAT CAR WONT MOVE.

NHTSA ODI 11084414

Mar 16, 2018Steering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET CRUZE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE STABILITY CONTROL SYSTEM WARNING INDICATOR STARTED TO FLASH AND THE POWER STEERING ABILITY DID NOT RESPOND. THE CONTACT REGAINED CONTROL AFTER APPROXIMATELY FIVE SECONDS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED APPROXIMATELY TEN OTHER TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 79,158.

NHTSA ODI 11079737

Feb 5, 2018SteeringElectronic Stability Control (esc)

POWER STEERING WENT OUT WHILE MAKING A TURN IN A PARKING LOT AND BOTH POWER STEERING LIGHT, AND STABILI TRAK LIGHT CAME ON. I COULD BARELY CONTROL THE STEERING WHEEL. LATER THAT DAY CAR WAS BACK TO NORMAL.

NHTSA ODI 11066926

Jan 28, 2018SteeringTransmission & drivetrain

THE DEALER SAYS THAT THE RIGHT CV JOINT IS LEAKING. ALSO MY STEERING WHEEL HAS A SMALL CATCH IN IT WHEN WE ARE DRIVING, WONDERING IF THESE ARE RELATED?

NHTSA ODI 11065552

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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 →