2013 Chevrolet Cruze Fuel system Problems

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.

NHTSA ID

11681926

Incident

Aug 12, 2025

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

NHTSA ID

11558464

Incident

Nov 28, 2023

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.

NHTSA ID

11518275

Incident

Apr 21, 2023

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.

NHTSA ID

11517399

Incident

Apr 13, 2023

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.

NHTSA ID

11504477

Incident

Jan 30, 2023

Countless oil leaks - replaced the valve cover /gasket and solenoids and countless other parts to stop the oil leak when it was coming from the intake manifold PVC system - I even replaced the turbocharger.

NHTSA ID

11452058

Incident

Jan 4, 2021

The whole head shot off while driving. Now the car is making a farting noise when I accelerate or if u sit idle for longer than 15 mins. No oil leak but I’m using an additional $200 in oil between oil changes

NHTSA ID

11428069

Incident

Jun 17, 2021

MY 20 YR OLD DAUGHTER BOUGHT THIS CAR IN MAY 2020. SHE HAD IT 1 WEEK AND ENDED UP BROKEN DOWN ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD THE INTERSTATE, 3-1/2 HRS AWAY AT SCHOOL BECAUSE THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER WENT OUT. 2 WEEKS AND A NEW CATALYTIC CONVERTER, I AM ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD BECAUSE SHE COULDN'T STAY AND WAIT FOR IT, AND WE WOULDN'T LET HER TAKE IT UNTIL WE KNEW IT WAS RIGHT. ANOTHER 4 WEEKS LATER, REPLACED THE MOTOR AND CATALYTIC CONVERTER AGAIN, AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES BACK ON WITHIN 2 WEEKS AND LEAVES ME STRANDED ON THE HIGHWAY ONCE AGAIN! THIS TIME THE READING SHOWED ONLY AN O2 SENSOR SO MY HUSBAND CHANGED IT. THE CAR RAN FINE FOR A WHILE, THEN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME BACK ON. NOT LONG AFTER THIS, THE STABILITRAK WARNING LIGHT ALSO CAME ON AND SO THERE ARE 13 ERROR CODES COMING UP! WE HAVE ALWAYS BEEN A CHEVROLET FAMILY, BUT NOT ANYMORE! THIS HAS RUINED US! AND WHEN/IF WE CAN GET IT RUNNING WELL ENOUGH TO GET RID OF IT, IT IS GONE! THE ERROR CODES ATTACHED ARE FROM JULY & SEPTEMBER 2020. I DIDN'T GET A PICTURE THE LAST COUPLE OF TIMES THAT MY HUSBAND CHECKED IT. GENERAL MOTORS THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS. AND THAT'S JUST THE ONES WHO ACTUALLY TAKE THE TIME TO HUNT THE NHTSA DOWN AND FILE A COMPLAINT. NOT EVERYONE WILL DO SO! I PERSONALLY KNOW OF AT LEAST ONE OTHER PERSON IN MY HOMETOWN (OF LESS THAN 20,000) THAT OWNS A 2013 CRUZE THAT IS HAVING THE EXACT SAME PROBLEMS! I KNOW WE ARE JUST LITTLE PEOPLE TO YOU. BUT THESE ARE OUR LIVES! IF WE COULD AFFORD TO DRIVE A HIGH-PRICED, TOP-OF-THE-LINE VEHICLE, TRUST ME, WE WOULD!

NHTSA ID

11398919

Incident

May 15, 2020

Mileage

125,000 mi

MY 20 YR OLD DAUGHTER BOUGHT THIS CAR IN MAY 2020. SHE HAD IT 1 WEEK AND ENDED UP BROKEN DOWN ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD THE INTERSTATE, 3-1/2 HRS AWAY AT SCHOOL BECAUSE THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER WENT OUT. 2 WEEKS AND A NEW CATALYTIC CONVERTER, I AM ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD BECAUSE SHE COULDN'T STAY AND WAIT FOR IT, AND WE WOULDN'T LET HER TAKE IT UNTIL WE KNEW IT WAS RIGHT. ANOTHER 4 WEEKS LATER, REPLACED THE MOTOR AND CATALYTIC CONVERTER AGAIN, AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES BACK ON WITHIN 2 WEEKS AND LEAVES ME STRANDED ON THE HIGHWAY ONCE AGAIN! THIS TIME THE READING SHOWED ONLY AN O2 SENSOR SO MY HUSBAND CHANGED IT. THE CAR RAN FINE FOR A WHILE, THEN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME BACK ON. NOT LONG AFTER THIS, THE STABILITRAK WARNING LIGHT ALSO CAME ON AND SO THERE ARE 13 ERROR CODES COMING UP! WE HAVE ALWAYS BEEN A CHEVROLET FAMILY, BUT NOT ANYMORE! THIS HAS RUINED US! AND WHEN/IF WE CAN GET IT RUNNING WELL ENOUGH TO GET RID OF IT, IT IS GONE! THE ERROR CODES ATTACHED ARE FROM JULY & SEPTEMBER 2020. I DIDN'T GET A PICTURE THE LAST COUPLE OF TIMES THAT MY HUSBAND CHECKED IT. GENERAL MOTORS THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS. AND THAT'S JUST THE ONES WHO ACTUALLY TAKE THE TIME TO HUNT THE NHTSA DOWN AND FILE A COMPLAINT. NOT EVERYONE WILL DO SO! I PERSONALLY KNOW OF AT LEAST ONE OTHER PERSON IN MY HOMETOWN (OF LESS THAN 20,000) THAT OWNS A 2013 CRUZE THAT IS HAVING THE EXACT SAME PROBLEMS! I KNOW WE ARE JUST LITTLE PEOPLE TO YOU. BUT THESE ARE OUR LIVES! IF WE COULD AFFORD TO DRIVE A HIGH-PRICED, TOP-OF-THE-LINE VEHICLE, TRUST ME, WE WOULD!

NHTSA ID

11398916

Incident

May 15, 2020

Mileage

125,000 mi

CAR HAS LEAKED OIL AND COOLANT SINCE I GOT IT. CONSTANTLY OVER HEATS. LOSS OF POWER. ENGINE REVS AND JUMPS. CONSTANT REPLACEMENTS NOTHING WORKS.

NHTSA ID

11396986

Incident

Feb 14, 2019

Mileage

90,000 mi

THE CAR HAS SOME KIND OF ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT GOES ON AND I TAKE THE CAR BACK TO THE DEALER AND GET PROBLEMS FIXED, AND WITHIN A MONTH THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AGAIN, AND THERE ARE NEW PROBLEMS WITH THE CAR. WHEN THOSE PROBLEMS GET FIXED, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AGAIN WITHIN A MONTH. THIS IS A CYCLE THAT KEEPS GOING. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AT DIFFERENT TIMES, USUALLY WHILE DRIVING. I BELIEVE THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM IS CAUSING CASCADING FAILURES IN DIFFERENT SYSTEMS.

NHTSA ID

11385527

Incident

Jul 27, 2016

Mileage

40,000 mi

STARTING SMELLING A VERY STRONG SMELL EVERYTIME I WOULD TURN ON THE HEATER AND AIR. HAD THIS SMELL ONE TIME BEFORE AND COST ME RIGHT AT $700.00 DOLLARS TO FIX. NOW THIS IS GOING TO COST ME RIGHT AT $1500.00 DOLLARS TO FIX. THE SMELL IS MAKING ME SICK TO MY STOMACH. CAN'T BELEIVE THIS IS HAPPENING.

NHTSA ID

11383546

Incident

Dec 1, 2020

Mileage

114,445 mi

WHILE DRIVING IN THE CITY STREET THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND STARTED FLASHING. THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT CAME ON FOLLOWED BY A MESSAGE IN THE DASHBOARD STATING 'STABILITYTACK' WAS NOT WORKING. THE VEHICLE THEN BEGAN SHAKING AND WAS NOT ABLE TO SHIFT GEARS PROPERLY. THE RPM WAS HAVING TO REV HARDER THAN USUAL TO KEEP THE VEHICLE UP TO SPEED. I HAD TO PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE STREET AND TURN THE CAR OFF. NEITHER IDLING OR SHUTTING OF THE VEHICLE HELPED WITH THE PROBLEM.

NHTSA ID

11375135

Incident

Nov 17, 2020

Mileage

91,400 mi

RECALL: N202299080 THE CRACKS IN THE FAULTY PCV VALVE PREVENTED PROPER AIR INTAKE AND PRESSURIZATION TO AND FROM THE INTAKE ENGINE. BECAUSE THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN OPERATING UNDER THESE STRENUOUS IMPROPER CONDITIONS, THE TURBO HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO SPOOL PROPERLY IN ACCORDANCE WITH ITS DESIGN AND HAS ALSO BECOME DEFECTIVE/IN NEED OF REPLACEMENT. FAULTY PRESSURIZATION DOES NOT ONLY AFFECT THE PCV VALVE, BUT THE COMPONENTS ON EITHER SIDE OF THE VALVE AND THEIR PROCESSES AS WELL. MY 2013 CHEVY CRUZE NOT ONLY STALLS IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET, BUT DIES THERE AND IS A HUGE SAFETY HAZARD TO BOTH MY FAMILY AND THOSE WE SHARE THE ROAD WITH. THIS VEHICLE HAS NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT OR HAD ANY OTHER COMPLICATIONS, EXCEPT FOR THIS FAULTY PCV VALVE. THE CONDITION HAS EXPOSED MY TURBO AND ENGINE TO IRREGULAR UNWARRANTED PROPULSION MECHANISMS. GM IS HOPING WE'RE IGNORANT ENOUGH TO COVER THOSE COSTS ON OUR OWN. THIS IS WRONG. THEIR FAULTY PART TRIGGERED A SERIES OF SAFETY HAZARDS AND COMPLICATIONS. THEY NEED TO BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE, WE CANNOT SIT BACK OR TURN A BLIND EYE IN THEIR DIRECTION. WE NEED TO STAND UP FOR EACH OTHER AND SPEAK OUT. THANK YOU FOR MAKING OUR SAFETY CONCERNS YOUR PRIORITY!

NHTSA ID

11374493

Incident

Jan 4, 2020

WHILE MY SON WAS DRIVING THE CAR ON THE HIGHWAY THE ENGINE STARTED TO SMOKE. HE PULLED OVER AND TURNED OFF THE CAR. HE WAITED 10 MINTUES AND STARTED THE CAR TO HEAD BACK HOME. WHEN HE ARRIVED HOME LIQUID WAS LEAKING OUT THE CAR AND THE CAR HAD SMOKE COMING FROM THE ENGINE. AT THIS TIME THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON. GM HAD SENT A RECALL NOTICE IN THE MAIL (N202299080), A COUPLE OF DAYS PRIOR. I CALLED THEM ON MONDAY AND THEY TOLD ME TO TAKE IT TO A DEALER. I CALLED THE LOCAL CHEVY DEALER AND TOLD THEM ABOUT THE RECALL NOTICE. HE TOLD ME TO BRING IT IN. I CALLED A TOW TRUCK DRIVER AND LEFT THE CAR AT THE CHEVY DEALER. ATER THEY HAD THE CAR FOR TWO WEEKS, THEY EXPLAINED THAT IT WILL BE $2000 TO FIX THE VEHICLE, EVEN THOUGH THERE ARE CURRENTLY 4 RECALLS ON THE VEHICLE. I CALLED GM SEVERAL TIMES TO ASK HOW ARE THEY GOING TO RECTIFY THIS, WITH NO CALL-BACK. THE VEHICLE IS STILL AT THE CHEVY DEALERSHIP.

NHTSA ID

11360321

Incident

Sep 2, 2020

Mileage

103,000 mi

THE INTAKE MANIFOLD BECAME CRACKED AND I HAVE RESEARCHED IT HAS BEEN AN ISSUE FOR MANY CHEVY CRUZE BETTWEEN THE YEARS OF 2011-2014. THE VEHICLE HAS A INCREASED AIR FLOW THE RESULTS IN A POOR AIR TO FUEL MIXTUE INSIDE THE COMBUSTION CHAMBER, ALSO ALLOWS OIL TO BLOWBY. THE ISSUE WITH THE INTAKE HAS CAUSED INCREASED OIL CONSUMPTION/ BURNING, RESULTED IN A LOSS OF POWER UPON FIRST TAKE OFF FROM STOP LIGHT. THIS ISSUE HAS CAUSED THE COMPUTER TO ADJUST THE TIMING MORE THAN THE MANUFACTURER ALLOWED LIMIT WHICH HAS RESULTED IN A BENT VALVE AND BAD TIMING

NHTSA ID

11309988

Incident

Oct 1, 2019

Mileage

100,000 mi

THE OILS IS LEAKING IS THIS VEHICLE .. AND HOW IT WAS EXPLAINED IS THAT THE OIL IS ALSO LEAKING INTO THE TURBO .. WHICH IS CAUSING OIL TO BASICALLY BE PUSHED OUT INSTEAD OF AIR BEING BROUGHT IN FOR THE CAR TO GO THE CORRECT SPEED AND THE CAR IS UNDRIVEABLE

NHTSA ID

11280412

Incident

Nov 13, 2019

Mileage

150,000 mi

OUT OF NO WHERE THE ENGINE STARTS TO SPUTTER WHILE SITTING IN IDLE ON THE 2013 CHEVROLET CRUZE. IT IS THE VALVE COVER, LETTING IN TOO MUCH AIR TO THE FUEL SYSTEM CAUSING THE ENGINE TO SPUTTER TO TRY TO CORRECT WHICH, IF NOT TAKEN CARE OF IMMEDIATELY, CAUSES THE CRANK SHAFT TO GO BAD WHICH MAKES YOUR CAR SOUND LIKE YOU SHOULD BE ON THE JETSONS. THERE ARE A NUMBER OF THIS SAME COMPLAINT OVER THE INTERNET AND WANTED TO MAKE YOU AWARE AS I AM NOW HAVING THIS SAME ISSUE.

NHTSA ID

11244519

Incident

Jul 31, 2019

Mileage

61,000 mi

WOW THIS IS THE BAD CAR EVER I HAVE A LOT FIRST AIR FLOW SENSOR BAD PVC VALVE 2 TIMES NEW

NHTSA ID

11145147

Incident

Feb 19, 2017

THE INTAKE MANIFOLD IS BAD ON A CAR THAT HAS 58,000 MILES ON IT. EVERY MECHANIC WE TOOK IT TOOK SAID IT'S A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS CAR. THE CAR HAS NO GET UP AND GO AND IT IDLES HARD.

NHTSA ID

11124375

Incident

Aug 8, 2018

Mileage

58,000 mi

I SMELLED GAS LEAKING AND WHEN I LOOKED UNDER THE HOOD WITH THE ENGINE RUNNING I SAW GAS SPRAYING THE BACK OF MY CAR. IT APPEARED TO BE LEAKING FROM THE HOSE WHERE THE CONNECTER WAS NEXT TO WHAT MAY BE THE FUEL FILTER. THIS CAR IS 5 YEARS OLD WITH 30,375 MILES. I WAS TOLD THE PART IS ON THE NATIONAL BACK ORDER LIST WITH NO IDEAL WHEN IT WILL BE AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID

11118978

Incident

Aug 6, 2018

Mileage

30,375 mi

WHILE DRIVING A FEW TIMES CAR HAS STOPPED ON ME AND COUKD HAVE CAUSED AN ACCIDENT WHILE I WAS IN MOTION CAR JUST CEASED.

NHTSA ID

11118176

Incident

Jul 11, 2018

Mileage

4 mi

I HAD MY SPARK PLUGS CHANGED THE DAY BEFORE ON THE 7/06/2018 AS I WAS DRIVING ON HIGHWAY TO TAKE MY GRANDDAUGHTER TO CENTRAL STATE UNIVERSITY MY CAR STARTED TO SOUND LIKE A BIRD WHEN I PRESS ON THE ACCELERATOR IT STARTED TO SINGING. SO I MADE IT BACK HOME, BUT SOUND IT HAD PICKED UP, SO I CALLED BACK TO MACHANIC AND THEY TOLD ME TO BRING IT BACK IN AND THEY CHECKED AND SAID IT WAS MY WATER PUMP I BELIEVE. BECAUSE OF WHERE IT WAS DRIPPING. THEY TOLD ME WHAT IT WILL COST TO GET IT FIXED, THEY TOLD ME TO KEEP SOME WATER IN AS WELL ANTIFREEZE. SO THAT WHAT I DID, BUT I DON'T HAVE MONEY TO GET IT FIXED RIGHT NOW. THE FIRST PICTURE IS WHAT THEY FIXED WHERE IT SHOWS THE SOLID BLACK CAP, THEY REPLACED A GASKET BUT I DON'T KNOW IF THEU SILLED RIGHT TO KEEP IT LEAKING OR SOMETHING BEHIND WHERE YOU PUT MOTOR OIL IN. THE PICTURE SHOWS WHERE IT IS DRIPPING DOWN.

NHTSA ID

11112943

Incident

Jul 7, 2018

Mileage

70 mi

THE RIGHT FRONT HALF SHAFT MAY FRACTURE AND SEPARATE WHILE DRIVING, POTENTIALLY CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO LOSE POWER AND COAST TO A STOP

NHTSA ID

11052229

Incident

Nov 25, 2017

Mileage

75,890 mi

TAKATA RECALL SMOKING IN MOTION.ALTERNATOR AND GENERATOR AND TURNING.

NHTSA ID

10927081

Incident

May 4, 2015

Mileage

5 mi