NHTSA Owner Complaint Log
This page lists owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2013 Chevrolet Cruze. Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA and do not by themselves prove a defect or defect rate.
Data synced from NHTSA on May 4, 2026
The contact owns a 2013 Chevrolet Cruze. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact felt ill and pulled over to the side of the road. The contact stated that a passerby stopped and found the contact unconscious inside the vehicle. The ambulance was called to the scene, and the contact was taken to the hospital. The doctor determined that the contact had 27% of carbon monoxide inside the body. The contact received oxygen to expel the carbon monoxide. The vehicle remained near the walking trail where the contact had pulled over to the side of the road. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. Prior to the issue, while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended while depressing the accelerator pedal and went into LIMP Mode. The contact stopped by Auto Zone for a diagnostic test. The contact was unsure what code was found. The doctor believed that the carbon monoxide poisoning was related to the vehicle. The insurance company was notified, and a claim was filed. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
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
My car over heats at least over 300 degrees. Afraid that my vehicle is In danger of catching fire due to the high temperature causing tension belt and hose components to melt.
I’ve had the thermostat housing fail twice now. And now it leaking again for the third time!! Now the service stabilitrak light is on, but it only happens when the car is idling. This happened to me before while driving and I replaced the spark plugs and the coil pack. I know on other models the valve cover failed as well but I don’t see a recall on that, or the thermostat housing issues…. I just don’t get whyyyyy if people are having all the same issues why not recall it!!???
Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2013 Chevrolet Cruze. The contact discovered a mileage discrepancy after the purchase. The vehicle was a private sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 157,454. The contact later discovered that the title mileage was 189,000.
For the airbag the car was sold to me without a working airbag. It’s in the steering wheel (I have been told this by a Chevrolet dealership) and the part that is broken is the part that will make it inflate in case of crash. This is scary to me. I was just in my first (and hopefully only) accident a month before in a more steely car and while no airbags were deployed it still hurts. The second issue is with the fuel pump or sensor - the coding is very unsure but the dash (including the mechanical gauge) says the car will go from half tank to empty on an 8 mile drive. It has no leaks on the underside and I had it into the mechanic twice. The second time because it stumbled and stalled at a stop light. Before dying - half tank. August 6th they just scanned it with their computer I got no paperwork from them. On the 15th I didn’t get any paperwork either. I will include the shop’s number.
This is the second time that we have experienced over heating issues. Currently the car has been out of commission for over a year and half. Every since we purchased the car used it has over heated. The first time of course the head gasket was blown. We paid $1200 to have it fixed. Still ran hot we replaced the water pump. After a year same issues. Car has been parked as we do not have the money to repair it. I have read about 6 pages of the same complaint. I do believe that it is time for GM to issue a recall. We are currently making payments on a car that we are unable to drive. We have spent almost as much as we paid for the car. Again this is not good. Seems like this car was doomed from the start.
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.
Unknown
Check engine light is on and the low fuel efficiency which will cause the system to fail and the vehicle to shut down while driving.
for some strange reason the engine has 150K miles on it and has been extremely well maintained however there is oil blowby coming from the oil filler cap which coats the entire engine belts will slip and cause drivability issues this oil vapor can also coat the front wheel brake discs and soak the pads causing braking failure to occur GM said they are aware of this problem however they do not have a recall to replace the engine or causing issue with the vehicle and i would be better off buying a new GM vehicle rather then worry about this insignificant issue since no accidents have occurred I Maintain my vehicles to the gills something like this is very concerning since this is my wifes car and out child travels in this car what can the NHTSA do to make GM correct this issue on this chevy cruze?
The contact owns a 2013 Chevrolet Cruze. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was able to be restarted. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed and determined that the Engine Control Module (ECM) had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 139,000.
I am writing to express my concern regarding a serious issue with my 2013 Chevrolet Cruze. Recently, I noticed that my car's engine was overheating, which I initially thought was due to a problem with the coolant or radiator. However, on [XXX], my vehicle suddenly broke down while I was driving on the highway. I had my car towed to a mechanic, who informed me that this particular model of the Chevrolet Cruze, specifically from the years 2011-2015, is known to have severe engine overheating problems. The mechanic also mentioned that in cases like mine, the engine is often seized and sent to the junkyard. After researching further and reading through numerous online reviews from other Cruze owners, I discovered that engine overheating is a common and recurring issue for many of them. This leads me to believe that this problem may be more widespread and could potentially be a defect in the design or manufacturing of the engine. Given the severity of this issue and the impact it has on vehicle safety, I kindly request that you consider issuing a recall for the engines in the 2011-2015 Chevrolet Cruze models, similar to the actions taken for other vehicle recalls, such as the Hyundai Sonata. I hope that Chevrolet will take steps to address this issue and ensure that owners like myself do not have to face costly repairs or the loss of their vehicle due to an engine failure that appears to be inherent in these models. I would greatly appreciate your attention to this matter and hope for a positive resolution, such as a recall or another form of support for owners dealing with this serious engine problem. Thank you for your time and consideration. Sincerely [XXX] , [XXX] 2013 Chevrolet Cruze LT Plate - [XXX] Vin - [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Vehicle randomly powers up and tries to start with the key in the ignition. Service theft deterrent message displayed at times while trying to start.
Transmission messed up only own the car for 7 months
The engine in my 2013 chevy cruze failed due to the head gasket, and it causes the car to overheat. Chevrolet issued a recall on some 2013 and 2014 Cruze models for head gasket problems. The gasket in these models is known to fail and that can completely destroy the motor. When a head gasket fails that allows the oil and the coolant to mix; and that will destroy the lubrication in your engine and cause the engine to fail. Pepboys repair shop-- has the repair invoice.
Broken blend door in hvac box. No heat to defrost windows.
Have been told it’s the catalytic converter but when driving it loses power and stalls. It has almost caused wrecks. Ever since I got this vehicle it’s been one thing after another and the more I look online about the issues with my vehicle, the more I realize that thousands and thousands of Chevy Cruze owners are having the same issues. I’ve had to put two oxygen sensors on it since having it, replaced the turbo, spark plugs, all kinds of parts on this vehicle. They clearly did not make this vehicle safe or reliable
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.
I own 3 Chevy Cruze, a 2012, 2013 and 2016. They all partial power down or decelerate while driving. The local Chevy dealers has no recalls for this issue or any other for that matter. Please advise
Coolant loss and overheating requiring additional coolant. Warning of possible power loss due to overheating.
Car caught on fire under hood
Everything thing on this engine has failed. Oil and coolant leaks just keep happening now the head gasket started leaking.
There is a leak that is causing the coolant reservoir tank to empty every couple of days. It appears that the coolant fumes are going inside the car. It has been taken to the repair shop on several occasions and has had the coolant reservoir replaced. However, the problems persists and the coolant fumes are making me ill from inhaling them. The car was taking in to a Chevrolet dealer December 2023 for an oil change and the service technician stated my car was “fine”. I asked about any possible leaks as I have observed spots in my parking spot. He assured me there were no problems with my car, but I persisted. He printed the service log and he determined the staff who completed the oil change had in fact noticed a leak, but the guy at the desk assured me there was not a problem. A few weeks have gone by and coolant continues to leak and the fumes are getting inside the cabin of the car. They are most noticeable when use the heater or the AC and the fumes can also be observed when I exit the car.
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
Traction control warning pops up and steering stops, even while driving. Motor shuts down and smells like fuel in water res.
Recall Bulletin: 14371B; water pump leaked causing a crack in the coolant reservoir, The dealership in charge of repair stated that the leak caused permanent engine damage and was now undrivable and needed a new engine. Coolant (anti-freeze) is very hazardous to your health and a coolant leak can cause your engine to overheat and cause damage to your vehicle (including reduced power to your engine). No, the temperature gauge remained at a neutral to cool temp at all times, despite the dealership claiming that the engine was running hot and therefore causing the damage (engine damage = unable to retain pressure).
Broken mode select gear. Unable to change the heat to defrost and the windshield will not clear in cold weather.
Vehicle, when parked in garage with key in the ignition, will start all by itself. There have been several times in the past when I could hear the car attempt to start itself unsuccessfully in the garage as well. I run down to remove the key from the ignition when this happens. Idling engine in an enclosed garage can lead to carbon monoxide poisoning to home owner and occupants. Removing key from ignition when parked alleviates problem however this has happened several times now both in and out of garage. One owner vehicle since new, no other keys or objects on key ring/fob when this has happened. Vehicle has 75k miles. Problem began at around 70k miles. Car has been garaged and well cared-for it’s entire life.
The car overheated in the Spring of 2023 and was towed to a repair shop. The shop determined the thermostat went bad. It was replaced. The car broke down on the interstate on October 1 and had to be towed again. The shop determined the head gasket had blown due to coolant and oil mixed in cylinders. They advised the head gasket could be sent to a machine shop to repair (at a cost of $3k), but no guarantee it won't happen again due to the history of the 2013 Chevy Cruze engines. The recommended replacing the engine instead at a cost of $6,000.
Coming home from grocery shopping the night of Sept 3, 2023 the radio kept turning off then coming back on. I was on the highway about 20miles from home radio still turning on and off about every 5mins (go black/blank then light back up) and I had felt when i would accelerate it would as I would slightly go up hill. Once I jad got about 4miles from my house the radio went off once again and dash warning light said "Stabili Trak" and head lights had went off then came back on again. I just was grateful I was not to far from home since it was dark out and the lights were now Turning off too. The next morning (sept 4, 2023)since I did not have another vehicle and my son needed to get to football practice, I drove down the lane of my driveway and the dash warning light kept flashing, the window warning light said turn window on (so I rolled it back up and it turned off), radio kept turning on and off relentlessly, vehicle kept shutting off on me while driving before I even got down my driveway which is about 200 feet. I starred it back up and returned home. I made phones calls to drip it off in sussex NJ at service center where I had bought car as someone followed me(I did not have any problems the hour drive there/40miles) left a message on the voicemail regarding issue, checked to see of recalls though wasn't any. It was not safe to drive the way the car was, just with the only 1 warning dash signal in the middle of driving and headlights stop working them start to couldve caused accident then car turned off while I slowly drove down my driveway doing 7mph as well and I had my son in the car too. Very scary especially driving at night and that happens without much of a warning at 1st.
ABS system is failure. Stability, traction control. Catalytic converter failure, mileage reading failure.
Was driving engine started to rattle, smoke out the tail pipe, check engine came on with a code that reports a rattle, with loss of engine power in the middle of the road nearly causing an accident. Mechanic reported internal engine failure. Oil and timing belt was change recently at direction of the maintenance schedule.
The contact owns a 2013 Chevrolet Cruze. The contact stated that after his wife exited the vehicle and closed the front passenger’s side door, all the doors were erroneously locked, leaving the couple stranded outside of the vehicle. The tow truck service was called to the scene and was able the unlock the doors. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer and local dealer were not contacted. The failure mileage was 85,000.
2013 chevy cruze has so many coolant leaks coming from different locations. This vehicle should be on recall for this major problem. It is basically a lemon but doesn't quite meet requirements for lemon. So close though
For the last couple of months my Chevy Cruze LT 1.4L turbo engine has been having severe cooling issues making my car overheat in a little amount of time. I drive 20 minutes back and forth to work and everytime I get to work or get home from work I find myself having to fill up with antifreeze again and again and again. I’ve replaced the water pump and multiple hoses. And now I have to replace more hoses.
My car constantly has coolant and oil leaks, a/c getting clogged , car is stalling while I drive if shutz off when I drive in stop and go traffic and will roll backwards if on a hill . Car constantly overheats. Turbo keep going out as well . Car currently isn’t running
I was on my way home, its a 15 minute drive, I was about 5 minutes from home, I was on 279 North doing 50 mph, no warning at all the gas pedal started to lock, then the brakes and steering wheel. Next thing I sern was a flame out of my exhaust and smoke under my hood. I thought the car was going to burn up. No check engine light came on, no warning lights, NOTHING, had to get it towed off the highway. My Car only has 50,000 miles on it. This happened on the highway, luckily it was around 11pm and not ti busy, & could of been deadly. My engine blew the pistons out of it from what Im told! Safety Hazard!
The Water pump failed causing my car to almost stall out and overheating losing power and almost causing me to get hit
The contact owns a 2013 Chevrolet Cruze. The contact stated while driving at various speeds on several occasions, the vehicle started shaking and the engine overheated. The contact veered to the side of the road and antifreeze was added to the reservoir. Additionally, the contact stated that the vehicle was leaking antifreeze while parked or while driving. The check engine warning light was illuminated and cleared independently when the engine cooled down. The vehicle was towed to a dealer where it was diagnosed that an unknown part needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but the failure persisted. The manufacturer was notified of the issue. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000.
This car has had many heating/cooling issues. Coolant leaks is a constant. From having vacuum leaks to thermostat housing issues. Constantly having to add coolant. I've read this is a common issue with Sonics and Cruzes. Our other car is a Sonic with the same issued. We always have a certified mechanic do the repair but same thing happens. Help!
Thermostat keeps alerting me that it's overheating, while constantly guzzling anti-freeze and water. There's no obvious leak, completely dry under the car. The car will shut its self off.
The 2013 Chevy Cruze is prone to overheating and there is always a coolant leak or something related to the coolant/antifreeze that is leaking or not correct. My Chevy Cruze has been leaking coolant profusely and so has my friends who had a Chevy Cruze as well. It is truly a pain to continuously refill the coolant so that the vehicle will not overheat. A recall needs to be in place immediately. I’ve heard this same story on Chevy Cruze a way too many times.
The 2013 Chevy Cruze is prone to overheating and there is always a coolant leak or something related to the coolant/antifreeze that is leaking or not correct. My Chevy Cruze has been leaking coolant profusely and so has my friends who had a Chevy Cruze as well. It is truly a pain to continuously refill the coolant so that the vehicle will not overheat. A recall needs to be in place immediately. I’ve heard this same story on Chevy Cruze a way too many times.
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!!!
The contact leased a 2013 Chevrolet Cruze. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, an alert appeared on the instrument panel indicating that the engine had overheated and to stop the vehicle. The contact stopped the vehicle and waited for approximately 10 minutes; however, after starting to drive, the warning light returned. The contact stated that smoke started coming from under the hood. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed and the contact was informed that the thermostat housing and coolant hose needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed that the VIN was not included in a recall and advised to call the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000.
valve cover gasket had to be replaced at about 65,00 miles. Multiple leaks from various locations Water pump leaked engine coolant aat 75,000 miles.
I have a blown gasket which is causing my engine to run hot which i can’t afford because the cost of fixing is very high , Also could cause my transmission to blow , car constantly runs hot, also jerks very hard
My coolant is leaking again. I have been having headache. I didn’t know that it was leaking again. I repaired last before this incident. Nov 2021. Something is wrong.
I have replaced the pvc valve cover 3times and the engine coolant housing 4 times with in 2years. The vehicle still leaks coolant even though all hoses connections and reservoir has been replaced. The ground cable has been replaced twice. The car warning dash comes on saying "service traction control" abs? The radio shuts off as well as all stereo lighting. When vehicle is at a stop it sometimes kicks, I thought I got tapped from the back that's how much of a jolt it does but no vehicle behind me. It's also sluggish when taking off.