Print this page

4.4

definitely annoying
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
25,276 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2013 Chevrolet Cruze engine problems

engine problem

Find something helpful? Spread the word.
Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2013 Chevrolet Cruze:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

2013 Chevrolet Cruze Owner Comments

problem #16

Feb 282022

Cruze

  • 144,813 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2013 Chevrolet Cruze. The contact stated the vehicle was overheating and suddenly stalling. The contact had to wait a while for the vehicle to cool down before being able to restart the vehicle to continue driving. The contact stated that the overheating alarm and idle engine chime was audible. The contact stated that the message to turn off the A/C was displayed even though the A/C was not activated. The contact took the vehicle to a certified mechanic who replaced the thermostat and 3 coolant temperature sensors and the housing. The failure persisted. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 144,813.

- Stone Mountain, GA, USA

problem #15

Jun 152018

Cruze

  • 77,000 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Chevrolet Cruze. On several occasions, while the vehicle was being driven, the 'air conditioner turning off due to high engine temperature' warning message illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and it was diagnosed that the thermostat needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. Currie motors Chevrolet (8401 roosevelt rd, forest park, il 60130, (708) 771-2600) was contacted, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The approximate failure mileage was 77,000.

- Forest Park, IL, USA

problem #14

Sep 262017

Cruze

  • miles
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.

- Little Rock, AR, USA

problem #13

May 072017

Cruze

  • 15,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2013 Chevrolet Cruze. While driving 17 mph, the "engine overheating" warning indicator illuminated. The contact drove to an auto parts store where an employee attempted to add coolant, and noticed that the texture and color of the coolant in the vehicle was wrong. The vehicle was towed to the contact's home. A dealer was contacted and stated that the vehicle was not involved in a recall. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and also stated that the vehicle was not involved in a recall. The vehicle was then taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that coolant was leaking from the water pump. The vehicle was repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 15,000.

- Rialto, CA, USA

problem #12

Jun 012013

Cruze 4-cyl

  • 800 miles
I have always smelled something strange circulating in my car ever since I first drove it..my mother (who has a 2012 Chevy cruise) was riding in my car and asked me what the smell was and I told her that it has always smelled like that. I realized that it isn't a normal smell and realized that it is most likely a engine coolant smell and my be unhealthy to be breathing. Brother has a 2014 Chevy cruise, we are big fans of the cruise and I am disappointed to be reporting this.

- Goleta, CA, USA

problem #11

Jan 052015

Cruze

  • miles
The car jerks continously whole sitting at red lights and stop signs. It's so bad that it feels like it will hit the car in front of me if I don't have my foot on the brake.

- Orlando, FL, USA

problem #10

Oct 302014

Cruze 4-cyl

  • 13,500 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

While driving my car with the heater on and the dial set at high the car developed a horrible anit freeze smell. It was so bad I had to open the windows to get the smell out of the car. It did not help when I turned the heater to a lower setting. This problem seems to occur more often when the heater is set on high. I took it to the dealer because I received a letter from Chevy stating there may be a problem with a coolent leak around the water pump. They said they found a leaking return hose that goes to the tank and replaced it. It did not fix the problem. I still smell antifreeze and sometimes it is so bad it makes me feel sick. Its horrible and if they cant figure this out I will have no choice but to get rid of this car!

- Camby, IN, USA

problem #9

Nov 152013

Cruze 4-cyl

  • 600 miles
I purchased my vehicle in Sep 2013, approx Nov 2013 I began having a horrible strong odor coming from my vehicle. We searched to see if an animal was in it. I thought maybe it was my son's feet & made him change socks. It got worse & was really strong when defrost, heat & vent were on. I took it in to the dealership & they looked at it, of course that day they couldn't get the smell to occur although it did on the way there. I went a couple more weeks & it got worse. Finally, I took the car in for oil maintenance & advised again that the smell was horrible. The service manager at the time said it was a common Chevrolet problem. There is a ledge under the hood, under the window & condensation from defrost or rain, etc. Sits & doesn't drain causing the water to mildew & become stagnant. He told me to leave the car running with my vent on high (& not sit in the car), spray lysol and let it run for about 5 min, it kills the bacteria. I had to do this every night for almost 3 weeks during the cold winter months. I took it back & told them it was ridiculous I wasn't going to continue doing this for the life of the vehicle. When I took it back someone else was there & sd the dealership had rec'd notice that there was a part that could be put on it, so they sent me on my way waiting for a loaner vehicle then they would fix it. They finally "put the part on" I was advised by another dealer it wasn't a part they just had to flip a switch the part was on the vehicle. The next day I got in my car & blowers were running. I called & was advised that was what the part did, so now the smell was like rotten maple syrup. During the dry summer months the smell was not there, but now that fall/winter is coming the smell is back & I have a call in to get this and other major issued fixed again. This can't be healthy especially for my boys who have severe allergies to mold.

- Kingfisher, OK, USA

problem #8

Oct 012014

Cruze

  • 46,000 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Chevrolet Cruze. The contact stated tha ta coolant odor emitted into the vehicle whenever the heat was turned on. The contact stated that the check coolant warning light was illuminated. After inspecting the vehicle, the contact noticed that the coolant reservoir was full and that the light only illuminated when the heat was turn on. The vehicle was taken to a dealer for a diagnosis. The technician was unable to locate the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the problem. The approximate failure mileage was 46,000.

- Le Center, MN, USA

problem #7

Jun 072014

Cruze

  • 15,000 miles
There are three problems affecting my car. I took it in to the dealer on June 7, 2014. My car was experiencing the fan turning on abruptly and picking up all types of debris from under the car, the ac also began blowing hot air, and the thermometer to measure outside temperature was not accurate. They identified all three problems. The ac and fan were linked to the compressor not working, and the thermometer needed an update. I was told they did the update and that they would have to special order the compressor and would call me within 3 days to come back so they could install it. We are at the end of the month and I have yet to receive a call I have called them twice already and they do not have an answer as to when the part will arrive. The thermometer is still not working, I have no ac. I am disappointed as all this is covered under warranty and I am stuck with a car with no ac which is pretty bad considering we are in the summer months, I am afraid to have my children in the car with me if I have to drive on the freeway because I cannot roll the windows down and the temperature in the car becomes too hot.

- Oakland, CA, USA

problem #6

Oct 292013

Cruze

  • 72 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I have notified dealer [xxx]; 613 paseo de onate; espanola, nm 87532; tel 505-753-7481; 1-800-430-2356; fax 1-505-753-7481 of a sweet burning smell when I first purchased car. I have not smelled that odor since I bought the car new in November 2013. I have read the albuquerque journal as well as the wall street journal and have seen recalls for front wheel drive axles cracking. Today's wall street journal says select 2013-2014 have defective airbags that could deploy with the ignition on or off. I purchased this car understanding that it was Chevrolet best selling and safe car with 10 airbags and 5 star rating for safety. My niece is 21 and her daughter (my god child) is 13 months of age. These are scary recall's when children or young responsible adults are in my 2013 Chevrolet Cruze eco. This does not give me peace of mind and I want to make sure my car is registered through NHTSA. Our family has been through enough deaths with our immediate family. Safety is more important than any amount of money. Help keep families safe and protected. Information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Hernandez, NM, USA

problem #5

May 062014

Cruze 4-cyl

  • 37,623 miles
Faulty thermostat. Fan starts running shortly after driving, temperature gauge does not register a temperature, coolant good, radiator good, oil good. Short distance later, receive a message "A/C off due to high engine temp". called my dealership and they informed me that they replace thermostats in Cruze vehicles all of the time due to this problem.

- Rushsylvania, OH, USA

problem #4

Mar 012013

Cruze 4-cyl

  • 19,000 miles
I live in a cold climate. While driving I get a very strong odor of anti-freeze or motor fumes that are inside the cab of the vehicle. It doesn't matter if the heater fan is on or off, the odor still gets inside the car. I have had it to the Chevy dealer that I purchased the car from and was first told there was nothing wrong. The second time they replaced the inside cab filter, which isn't covered by the warranty, and it still smells. My commute to work is 1 hour and within 10 miles I have been getting sick to my stomach and headaches. The car is going back to garage again today for the 3rd time and I am predicting they will again charge us to replace something that won't fix the problem or simply tell us that nothing is wrong.

- Houtzdale, PA, USA

problem #3

Jan 292014

Cruze 4-cyl

  • miles
Letter from congressman johnson on behalf of constituent re 2013 Chevy Cruze. The consumer stated there was very little heat in the vehicle. The temperature gauge fluctuated, and the windows and instrument panel would fog up. Updated 04/28/14

- Richmond, OH, USA

problem #2

Jun 032013

Cruze 4-cyl

  • 15,000 miles
2013 Chevy Cruze 1lt with the 1.4 turbo engine. I have actually owned two of these cars, the first was a 2011. The complaint is about both and I suspect is the same in every one of these cars that have the 1.4 turbo. My complaint is about a possible health hazard with these vehicles. They emit antifreeze fumes constantly and GM is now claiming that this is normal and they will not fix it. Shortly after I purchased the 2011 model I began to notice the smell of hot antifreeze every time I would drive the vehicle, I took it in for service several times and they done everything possible to fix it with no luck. Finally after about two years of dealing with this I got tired of it and traded it off for a 2013 same model. I know that sounds stupid and was but my reasoning was that I loved the car and thought that surely GM had corrected this issue by now(I was very wrong). Shortly after my purchase of the 2013 I began to smell the antifreeze again and again began the process with GM to get it fixed but as before, no luck. Finally after fighting with it for several months GM has called me back and said that the smell is normal operation for this vehicle. According to them the water pump is designed to leak a small amount and the leakage is caught in a retention chamber built into the water pump them evaporated out via the heat of the engine causing the constant smell. This is ridiculous! I strongly believe that sniffing these hot antifreeze fumes all the time can't be good for you and will in the long term cause health issues. With this answer I ask GM to take the car back or at least let me trade it for another model but they are unwilling to help me any more. I know that this problem is wide spread, not just with my vehicle. If you go to cruzetalk.com and research this you will find hundreds of other people with the same complaint. Thank you for looking into this for us.

- Winchester, KY, USA

problem #1

Nov 152013

Cruze

  • 20,000 miles
Noticed a coolant (antifreeze) odor when the heat is on. I don't notice it all the time, some days there's a stronger odor than others. Plenty of info on other websites with same issue. (cruzetalk.com)

- Brooklyn, CT, USA

Not what you are looking for?