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2013 Chevrolet Cruze Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 587 complaints with NHTSA about the 2013 Chevrolet Cruze, most often about the engine (40% of complaints, typically around 77,000 miles). It is 4th of 10 Cruze model years by number of complaints and has 5 recalls.
Most common 2013 Chevrolet Cruze problems
Engine
233 complaints · 40%Half of these problems showed up before 77,000 miles. Parts named most often: engine, cooling system.
Engine light came on , auto zone ran it and code p0299. States it the turbo/ super charger underboost. 81,000 miles. I have only had this vehicle 18 months. I don't race around town in it.
The contact owns a 2013 Chevrolet Cruze. While driving 65 MPH, the check engine warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that coolant was leaking at the water pump. The water pump was replaced. The issue persisted and the heater and defogger were inoperable. The vehicle…
Electrical
122 complaints · 21%Half of these problems showed up before 44,500 miles. Parts named most often: instrument cluster/panel, ignition, instrument panel.
I bought my 2013 Cruze in june 2014, with around 40k miles on it. In september the car began having issues. At first it was just that the radio and all dash lights would shut off. Then I had multiple service lights that would flash randomly. Those included stabilitrak, traction control, power steering and security…
While driving the lights in the radio began to flash on and off and radio would also come on and off, the windows became stuck while trying to roll them up, lights would go on and off as well.
Transmission
113 complaints · 19%Half of these problems showed up before 37,000 miles. Parts named most often: axle assembly.
Driving the highway at approximately 55 MPH, the check engine light pops on, and the car starts making light noises as if the transmission is having problems pulling. Utilized the onstar button to request a diagnostic, and was informed that the transmission, and the drive train was giving error codes. I was instructed…
Now just purchased the 2013 chevy Cruze second day everything shut down on me took it back and asked for a replacement car because something was wrong with that on explained and video tape it all but they sutton ford told me the car was just updating and its normal. I plead with them and they said no. A week later it…
Other or unspecified
75 complaints · 13%Half of these problems showed up before 76,000 miles.
The exhaust manifold cooks the cylinder head gasket causing oil leaks and turbo failure before 75,000 miles. Overwhelming smell of burnt antifreeze coming from vents due to coolant leak right of the showroom floor. Ranked lowest possible reliability rating 40 of 40
I noticed my car was "sputtering". After multiple attempts trying to find out what was wrong with no attempts all it did was get worse. It felt like my car was suffocating. It got to the point where it was chugging the whole way home from my employment. Opened the hood while it was running and it appeared a spark plug…
Steering
74 complaints · 13%Half of these problems showed up before 37,000 miles.
Now just purchased the 2013 chevy Cruze second day everything shut down on me took it back and asked for a replacement car because something was wrong with that on explained and video tape it all but they sutton ford told me the car was just updating and its normal. I plead with them and they said no. A week later it…
For about 5 miles the warning for power steering was on I would like to report this as others are asking for a recall on this at the time I did not have a problem driving but I am concerned if this happens again the traction light was on at the same time
Stability control
62 complaints · 11%Half of these problems showed up before 65,500 miles.
Intermittently the anti-theft light goes on, without warning at an high speeds or when parked and shuts down all systems, immobilizing the car. This includes the radio, steering, motor. Two days ago I was driving and this happened, the car shut down, I couldn't steer or drive the car, a very dangerous situation. This…
I was turning when the information center went blank and the service power steering light came on. It became very difficult to steer the car. I pulled over, turned the car off, looked unset the hood. When I restarted it was fine. Sporadically over the past several months the info center would blip out and the service…
Brakes
50 complaints · 9%Half of these problems showed up before 20,000 miles. Parts named most often: pedals and linkages, power assist.
We bought this car brand new off the lot and the brakes have squealed since we bought the vehicle feb 2014. We have taken it in several times and they can't find anything wrong, they say it's the type of brakes and sometimes they do squeal especially if humid or wet. Now yesterday someone slammed on their brakes in…
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…
Air bags
49 complaints · 8%Half of these problems showed up before 47,000 miles.
Takata recall. The contact owns a 2013 Chevrolet Cruze. While driving approximately 25 MPH, the air bag sensor indicator illuminated without warning, which was a safety concern. The vehicle was taken to ed bozarth Chevrolet ([phone], located at 2001 s havana st, aurora, co 80014) where it was diagnosed that the…
I was driving home and hit an 8 point buck that weighed about 180lbs head on that caused damage from the middle front center of the car extending to the drivers side of the car and smashing up into the motor. The instrument panel immediately illuminated to service airbag but the airbag never deployed. I was told if I…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2013 Chevrolet Cruze recalls
Electrical: ignition
Risk: If the key is removed without the transmission in park, the vehicle may rollaway as occupants are exiting, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix: Gm will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and if necessary replace the key cylinder lock housing, free of charge. The recall began on october 14, 2016. Owners may contact chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, buick 1-800-521-7300, and gmc 1-800-462-8782. Gm's number for this recall is 50490 and 50491.
Full defect summary
General motors llc (gm) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 buick verano and 2016 chevrolet malibu as the electronic park lock lever may allow the ignition key to be removed without the transmission being in park. Also, certain 2013 buick encore, 2011 buick regal, 2013-2014 buick verano, 2011-2016 chevrolet cruze, 2010-2013 chevrolet equinox 2013-2015 chevrolet malibu, and 2011-2013 gmc terrain vehicles may have been serviced with similar defective replacement electronic park lock levers. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard (fmvss) number 114, "theft protection and rollaway prevention."
Equipment: electrical
Risk: Exposed wires increase the risk of electrical shock and personal injury if the cord is handled while it is plugged in.
Fix: Gm will notify owners, and dealers will replace the engine oil pan/block heater cord with a new cord that is rated for temperatures of minus 40 degree celsius. The recall began in august 2014. Owners may contact buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300 or chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. Gm's number for this recall is 14257.
Full defect summary
General motors llc (gm) is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 buick encore all-wheel-drive vehicles manufactured august 23, 2012, to september 9, 2013; verano vehicles manufactured august 8, 2012, to june 20, 2013; chevrolet cruze vehicles manufactured august 7, 2012, to august 16, 2013, and 2012-2014 chevrolet sonic vehicles manufactured may 10, 2011, to august 16, 2012 equipped with a calix oil pan/block heater. In cold temperatures, the insulation on the engine block heater cord can become damaged, allowing the wires to be exposed.
Air bags
Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's air bag, the air bag's inflator may rupture and the air bag may not inflate. The rupture could cause metal fragments to strike and potentially seriously injure the vehicle occupants. Additionally, if the air bag does not inflate, the driver is at an increased risk of injury.
Fix: Gm will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver side air bag, free of charge. The recall began on june 28, 2014. Owners may contact chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. Gm's number for this recall is 14305.
Full defect summary
General motors llc (gm) is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 chevrolet cruze vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the driver's front air bag inflator may have been manufactured with an incorrect part.
Transmission: axle shaft
Risk: If the half shaft fractures and separates while driving, the vehicle would lose power and coast to a stop. If a vehicle with a fractured half shaft is parked without the parking brake applied, the vehicle could move unexpectedly. Either condition increases the risk of a crash.
Fix: Gm will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the right half shaft, as needed, free of charge. Parts for the remedy are not currently available. Gm will send an interim letter to owners in may 2014. A second owner letter will be mailed when parts are available. Owners may contact chevrolet at 1-866-694-6546. Gm's number for this recall is 14079. This is an expansion of recall 13v-452. Note: some vehicles subject to this recall were subject to the recall campaign initiated in 2013. Some of those vehicles were repaired using defective parts. Those owners will be advised that they m
Full defect summary
General motors llc (gm) is recalling certain model year 2013 and 2014 chevrolet cruze vehicles equipped with a 1.4l turbo engine, and manufactured between november 28, 2012, and march 7, 2014. On the affected vehicles, the right front half shaft may fracture and separate.
Transmission: axle shaft
Risk: If the half shaft fractures and separates while driving, the vehicle would lose power and coast to a stop. If a vehicle with a fractured half shaft is parked without the parking brake applied, the vehicle could move unexpectedly. Either condition increases the risk of a crash.
Fix: General motors has notified owners. Dealers will replace the half shaft assembly, free of charge. The safety recall began on october 15, 2013. Owners may contact general motors at 1-800-521-7300. This is general motors campaign number 13276.
Full defect summary
General motors (gm) is recalling certain model year 2013 and 2014 chevrolet cruze vehicles equipped with manual transmissions (mf3/mr5) and manufactured january 24, 2013, through august 1, 2013. On the affected vehicles, the right front half shaft may fracture and separate.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
Questions about the 2013 Chevrolet Cruze
- What are the most common problems with the 2013 Chevrolet Cruze?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: engine (233 complaints, typically around 77,000 miles); electrical (122 complaints, typically around 44,500 miles); transmission (113 complaints, typically around 37,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2013 Chevrolet Cruze have?
- 5 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from July 5, 2016 (electrical). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2013 a bad year for the Chevrolet Cruze?
- It is 4th of 10 Cruze model years by number of complaints, with 587 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.