Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2013 Chevrolet Captiva owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2013 Chevrolet Captiva. The contact stated that on multiple occasions after inserting the key into the ignition switch, the ignition switch would not turn, and the engine could not be started. Also, the key would remain stuck inside the ignition switch and could not be removed. The vehicle was towed to a local service center who replaced the ignition switch, but the failure continued to occur. The local dealer and manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 92,000.
UNKNOWN, several times between my husband or myself while driving down the road and on the interstate, the vehicle would just completely shut off no lights, no brakes no nothing. We purchased the vehicle used so we thought that it had something to do with some minor maintenance but this first occurred only after having the vehicle for two weeks. We've taken the vehicle back to where we purchased it, they could not find any issues with the vehicle and taken it to other locations with no luck on solving issue. The vehicle does not give any signs or warning when it will shut down while drive. Here recently when using the turn signals, switching on high beams, or even turning on the radio causes the vehicle shut down.
Continus electric drop causing different systems to lose power, fail, or temporarly disable including but not limited to traction control, emergency break, radio and lights. After researching the problem in various forums I noted many owners facing the same problem over various years with no clear solution.
Key will lock in ignition and vehicle will not start. Happens intermittently. Battery is fine, alternator is fine, dealership replaced ignition when purchased which helped for about a year, but the problem continues to become more frequent. Rattling the battery fixes the problem, but only temporarily.
While I was driving to work on the highway my car caught on fire through the left passenger door speaker. I pulled over and got stuck in the flaming car because the seat belts would not release. After a while I was able to get out, and call the fire station they came and out the fire; they said the wire that connects to the speaker was the main causes of the fire. I took the car to the dealership and they claimed nothing was wrong with it, it just happened. Now I'm stuck with a car that I'm afraid to drive because my life is not only at risk of a car accident but now also an unknown cause of another potentially fire.
Tl* the contact owns a 2013 Chevrolet Captiva. The contact drove the vehicle and parked it for several hours. Upon returning to the vehicle, the interior was completely destroyed due to fire. The vehicle was not occupied during the fire and no injuries were sustained. The fire was already out when the contact returned to the vehicle. A police report was filed. The vehicle was not towed and was awaiting claim adjustments from the contact's insurance company. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 70,000.
During the last week of May 2019 radio turning on/off intermittently - thought it was issue with radio station, but on-line Chevy forums indicate it is a sign of larger electrical issues. June 1, 2019, entering vehicle after dinner out, interior lights were flickering; driving at highway speed at night with ac & cruise control on there was a sudden noxious odor irritating to eyes, nose, and throat (2 people ill); headlights flickering; opened windows to ventilate; made it home (~12 miles); all lights - exterior and interior - still flickering upon arrival home; still a strong noxious odor - stronger on interior driver side of vehicle; internet search of symptoms indicated driver visor might be extremely hot - went out to check and it was very hot - even after sitting while we did internet search; further internet search indicates many Chevy Captiva owners complaining of similar …
Tl* the contact owns a 2013 Chevrolet Captiva. While driving 35 MPH, the vehicle stalled without warning. In addition, the ignition key remained stuck in the vehicle during the failure. The contact was able to restart the vehicle after depressing the power button on the driver's seat of the vehicle. Furthermore, the vehicle hesitated while driving. The brake light and the park assist light illuminated without warning. The service traction control light illuminated as well. The vehicle was taken to be repaired, but the dealer could not duplicate the issue. The issue recurred after it was diagnosed that the ground wire became loose and a new module was installed on another occasion. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was approximately 53,500. Updated 08/31/16 consumer stated vehicle would shut off completely when in park. …
I own a 2013 Captiva, on a regular basis I turn off the vehicle and am unable to take the key out of the ignition. This has been happening for around 6 months. I read many, many complaints about this issue and just want it fixed, however my car is out of warranty @ a little over 70000 miles on it. This isn't something I should have to pay to get fixed if I can sit here on my computer and read about it happening to others 100's if not 1000's of times! There are also points were the engine just about stalls out, it happens mostly when just parked but there are times that it seems to act like it will die when drivin. Not to mention it always momentarily loses power when accelerating, usually around 20 miles an hour. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2013 Chevrolet Captiva. On several occasions, the vehicle failed to start. The contact also stated that it was difficult to remove the key from the ignition. Furthermore, while driving over rugged terrain, several warning indicators, including the parking brake and coolant became illuminated. The contact was concerned that the failure was due to an electrical fault. On several occasions when the vehicle failed to start, the contact's spouse tapped the fuse panel and the vehicle started and function as intended. The contact was then able to remove the key from the ignition. The vehicle was not taken to be diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the failures were intermittent. The dealer was not notified. The manufacturer was notified of the failures. The approximate failure mileage was 112,000.
Electrical complaints in other Captiva years
Frequently asked questions
How common are electrical problems on the 2013 Chevrolet Captiva?
NHTSA has 31 complaints about the electrical system of the 2013 Chevrolet Captiva, 32% of the model year's 97 complaints. The component named most often is ignition (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2013 Chevrolet Captiva electrical problems?
No. NHTSA lists no electrical system recall for the 2013 Chevrolet Captiva. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2013 Chevrolet Captiva electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 76,000 miles, and 4% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 3 fires and 2 injuries to electrical system problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.