2013 Chevrolet Cruze Engine
Owner-reported problems and safety issues filed with NHTSA. Review common failures, severity levels, and complaint trends over time.
Complaint Timeline
Chronological view of owner reports
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.
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.
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?
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.
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.
Coolant loss and overheating requiring additional coolant. Warning of possible power loss due to overheating.
Everything thing on this engine has failed. Oil and coolant leaks just keep happening now the head gasket started leaking.
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
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).
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.
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.
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.
The contact owns a 2013 Chevrolet Cruze. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle failed to properly accelerate while the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the RPM was rising. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be repaired. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and suggested a full diagnostic test be performed. The failure mileage was unknown.
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.
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!
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!
At approximately 144,000 miles my cruze began overheating. I already replaced the thermostat at 100k upgrading to metal housing. I took my cruze back to the dealership where I bought it to have it repaired and after spending 1400 on repairs, I continued to get a warning light coming on stating ac off due to high engine temp, but the engine is not over heating! As soon as I turn the car over the message comes on. There is no way it’s overheating when it has been sitting for over 12 hours! I have had multiple houses replaced, the coolant resivoir, etc. I keep taking it to the shop for them to tell me the same thing that there is nothing wrong. After replacing a sensor the message disappeared and this lasted about 3 weeks but it has now returned. I have taken AMAZING care of this car. I have always changed the oil exactly when I was supposed to and I have always been good to it. I see that there are other recalls for Chevy Cruze same year model and I strongly suggest that mine should be included!! Please help!! I cannot afford any more trips to the shop and I certainly can’t afford another car right now!
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.
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 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
The contact owns a 2013 Chevrolet Cruze. The contact stated that soon after she purchased the vehicle while driving at an undisclosed speed, she noticed a white cloud of smoke coming from the hood of the vehicle. Upon inspecting the vehicle, the contact noticed smoke by the reservoir tank. The contact also noticed a leak coming from engine. The contact then stated that she noticed a burning odor throughout the vehicle. Additionally, the contact stated that anti-freeze leaked from two separate unknown parts of the hose and at the same time, there was a burning odor at the rear passenger’s side tire. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the rear passenger’s side brake failed and needed to be replaced. The rear passenger’s side brake was replaced however, the failure recurred three times. Additionally, the contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, she heard a ticking sound in the engine. The check engine warning light intermittently illuminated. On a separate occasion, the contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle, the engine failed to turn over. The contact stated that another vehicle was able to jumpstart the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer nor the manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 127,830.
The car keeps telling me it’s overheating but it is not and it’s leaking out antifreeze
Cracks in the diaphragm may have developed in the positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) pressure regulator valve . This has caused my engine to run rough , especially when idle and have the engine trouble code for the fuel trim lean (PO171) displayed . I’ve noticed this recall in other 2013 Chevrolet Cruze but there is none for my VIN.
The contact owns a 2013 Chevrolet Cruze. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH, she noticed smoke coming out from underneath the hood of the vehicle. A message indicating that coolant was overheating was displayed. The contact veered to side of the road. The contact stated that her friend's father, an independent mechanic, met her on the side of the road and upon inspecting under the hood, he noticed that coolant was leaking, and the coolant hoses were fractured. The contact was able to drive to her residence, where the coolant hoses were replaced; however, the failure reoccurred three months later. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 105,000.
The car overheated constantly and was taken to a mechanic everytime. Mechanic tried a few things and to no avail. Warped head replaced and it continued to do it. Replaced the entire motor and the second motor now wont even start after it overheated. We had many people look at it and no one could figure out what the problem was. The car would turn off at times or lock up and you would have to pull off road https://www.cruzetalk.com/threads/engine-overheating-coolant-engine-not-starting.123329/ https://repairpal.com/have-2013-chevy-cruze-car-overheated-last-night-wont-start-help-please-593 https://www.vehiclehistory.com/questions/what-are-some-of-the-2013-chevy-cruze-overheating-problems-230053 https://www.edmunds.com/chevrolet/cruze/2013/consumer-reviews/ According to a ranking of 87 Chevrolet generations by their reliability ratings on ChevroletProblems.com, the first-generation Chevy Cruze sedans from 2011 to 2015 ranked dead last. What Chevy Cruze problems make this car the worst Chevrolet model to buy? https://www.motorbiscuit.com/why-the-cruze-is-the-worst-chevy-vehicle-to-buy/ "Coolant leaks related to engine and lower transmission. Found immediately after warranty ran out. Later incident, coolant reservoir emptied resulting from a leak." Anonymous, WI (2013 Chevrolet Cruze LS 1.4-L 4 Cyl turbo)https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/chevrolet/cruze/2013/reliability/#body_integrity
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The 2013 Chevrolet Cruze has 112 Engine complaints on file. 2 crashes have been reported. Review the timeline above for detailed owner experiences.