2013 Chevrolet Cruze electrical system problems

Related recalls

• Recall 16V502000Jul 5, 20168,367 vehicles
  ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION · POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)

  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."

  Risk: If the key is removed without the transmission in PARK, the vehicle may rollaway as occupants are exiting, increasing the risk of injury.

  Remedy: 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.

What owners say

1. Filed Oct 1, 2026TXElectrical SystemEngineTransmission & Drivetrain

   I purchased the car with my student financial aid money as soon as i got 5 car a few blocks away and the car started boiling.then the key ignition system said use pocket transmitter that didn't work .i purchased a new battery i have a mechanic that's why i purchased the car i was confidant je could fix it no matter what the car was3 very unsafe no warming about the temperature gauge then when i was driving the car it stopped suddenly and i checked the fluids put antifreeze…

   NHTSA complaint #11768211 · source
2. Filed Aug 14, 2025189,000 miOKElectrical System

   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.

   NHTSA complaint #11680644 · source
3. Filed Nov 7, 2024WAElectrical System

   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.

   NHTSA complaint #11623982 · source
4. Filed Jan 10, 2024WAElectrical SystemEngine

   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…

   NHTSA complaint #11564586 · source
5. Filed Nov 7, 2023OHAirbagsElectrical SystemOther / Unknown

   I wanted to file this because I feel this a safety concern. My vehicle has always been kept up on maintenance. One day out no where it started acting up my 2013 Chevy Cruze Ls. I had a shop come back after they did a diagnostic that is was a faulty throttle body sensor and Pcv. I have issues with it shutting off and I’ll have to coast it to stop.What I’m not understanding how can there be recalls for my vechicle same problems same make/model but it’s not showing my vehicle…

   NHTSA complaint #11553913 · source
6. Filed Sep 11, 2023130,000 miMIElectrical SystemEngineSteering

   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…

   NHTSA complaint #11543816 · source
7. Filed Mar 31, 2023NCElectrical SystemLightingSteering

   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…

   NHTSA complaint #11514714 · source
8. Filed Jan 30, 2023CAElectrical SystemFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion

   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…

   NHTSA complaint #11504477 · source
9. Filed Jan 11, 2023IDElectrical SystemEngineSuspension

   First incident. 4 hours into 8 hour road trip. Flashing check engine light. Stabilitrack failure. Misfire codes. Took it to 4 different shops in Las Vegas Nevada. Non would complete repair. Took it to dealer in Utah hour and 45 minutes away, jerking missfires loss of power and power steering, dealer offered to do repair for 1800$ :/. Repair completed. Drove 150 miles, codes popped back up to it into mechanic, reported coolant leak and misfires, replaced ign coil. Replaced…

   NHTSA complaint #11501287 · source
10. Filed Dec 11, 2022MNElectrical SystemEngineOther / Unknown

    While driving the light came one engine overheating a/c shut off. There was a leak of coolant. I was stranded on the side of the road. We had it brought to a mechanic. They repaired the problem. Within 3 days it started again, the mechanic thought it was a faulty part so replaced it. After a week it happened again. We had it repaired again. Now 2 months later it is happening again. Once again stranded on the side of the road This has happened 4 times in 2 months and looks to…

    NHTSA complaint #11496978 · source
11. Filed Sep 20, 2022PAElectrical SystemLightingSteering

    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 complaint #11485570 · source
12. Filed Sep 18, 2022OHElectrical SystemOther / UnknownTransmission & Drivetrain

    My car just shut off by itself while I was driving without any warning. My check engine light isn’t on and I just got my car out of the shop a few weeks ago, so I’m not sure why this happened. It is not safe and was definitely scary, being that I am pregnant and also had daughter with me.

    NHTSA complaint #11485045 · source

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology