Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (service brakes, ABS, rotors and pads, parking brake).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2013 Chevrolet Cruze owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2013 Chevrolet Cruze. The contact stated while her husband was reversing from a parking space with her in the front passenger seat, he depressed the brake pedal but the brake pedal failed to respond, causing the vehicle to continuously reverse. The contact stated that her husband continuously depressed the brake pedal until it responded; however, the vehicle hit the rear passenger side bumper of a parked unoccupied vehicle. The contact stated that it was a fender bender. The air bags did not deploy. There were no injuries sustained. The contact contacted the police and filed a report. The contact stated that her husband was able to continue driving. The dealer was notified of the failure and an appointment was scheduled for a diagnostic test. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and a case was opened. …
Hi, I have had my car for a total of 8 years so far. It was bought used, in perfect condition in the beginning. Years passed and I have gained many problems down the road. First, the valve had to be replaced, spent a little under $1K, car worked well, until it started leaking coolant. Second, the car started to jerk back if you were passing at least 60mph. You go above 65-70, the car would jerk back to where it felt as if the whole bottom of the car fell off. You could press the gas pedal and it would barely go, it felt as if you were pushing the car with your own hands from the back, as if it lost power to move forward. Third, why does my coolant leak? Why is it that I have to put coolant in it at least every other week? The fan is EXTREMELY loud as well, as if it's overheating.
The contact owns a 2013 Chevrolet Cruze. The contact stated that while at a complete stop with her foot depressed on the brake pedal, the vehicle would intermittently lurch forward without warning. The contact stated that the parking brake was activated to stop the vehicle from inadvertently moving forward. The vehicle was not taken to be serviced or diagnosed. The manufacturer had been notified of the failure and informed her that there were no recalls on the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 85,000.
Check-engine light comes on and stays; after repairs, it keeps flashing. "Traction control" message comes on and stays on. The air conditioning system keeps warning to be turned off, and heats up the car when not turned off. The care drives and dies while driving. The transmission is not consistent, takes much more time to accelerate. Breaks and fan replaced after a year of purchased and about 1,500 dollars have just been spent in repairs and the car still gives a check-engine light, shaking and about to die. Presently not in use. The safety issues for me and my family are high. I recently had to drive it with safety lights on and below 25 miles/hr to and from the mechanic. I have taken the car before two mechanics and it is still not resolved. The car is available for inspection upon your recall.
When switching between drive and reverse, the brakes stop working/lock up. This mainly occurs when parking backward or backing out of parking spot. This has caused a very minor collision with a parked car and the need to use the E-brake on multiple occasions to stop from backing into cars. I have told the dealership about the issue when I first bought the car and they were either not able to reproduce or didn't test it. It has not been inspected that I know of. There was a recall for this exact problem but it is under different VIN numbers. There were no warning lamps or messages when this problem occurs.
I have a powerstop b992l brake shoe and hardware kit. The mfg date is 2023/12/04. The issue is that the drum adjusters are made in a way they do not turn freely, thereby the drums will not adjust. In the diagram pat b will not turn on part a. There are clear witness marks on the inside where the end fits on the ratchet pawl. I have the parts available for inspection as needed and can mail then as well as the box side with their information.
When in reverse on brakes do not engage properly-no braking action.. This same issue was addressed by a recall of 2012 models but GM has not issued a recall for 2013 models even though online research shows this is a common problem.
I was slowing down for stop light and vehicles in front of me. The vehicles in front of me stopped suddenly, and I pressed on the brake pedal, but the vehicle wasn't slowing/stopping; I then pulled the emergency brake handle and my vehicle stopped, but unfortunately it was too late. I was at least 3-5 car lengths away from the vehicle in front of me. I ended up crushing in the grille in which pushed the radiator back and then it broke the thermostat housing and lost antifreeze soon later when driving; all this because of no brakes, and striking the receiver hitch cover on the vehicle in front of me. All in all $2K in damage to my vehicle, and undriveable. The main brakes didn't react upon pressing, this is way weird since I've owned the vehicle since new, to date never noticed anything out of the ordinary. …
The cars first started telling me randomly that it needed service to the stabilitrak and the. Would disappear, the next component was the anti theft activated and after turning car off..next time I tried to turn on, it acted as if battery was dead and locked my key in ignition. Fixed itself a couple hours later. Next time it gave me issues all of these components started to come on at same time while also causing power steering to come on and go out in the middle of driving which could have caused a horrible wreck (didn't thank god) and also started flickering lights inside and outside of car, and the radio turned on and off as well...the car now will not turn on and acts as if battery is dead unless I use cables and have someone jump start my car...it definitely seems to be shorting out like the wiring isn't working the way it should...I have now taken it to auto one and they tested …
I was driving about 35 MPH on a city street when the person in front of me slammed on their brakes the first time I hit the brake and the car stopped the next time I hit the brake it was hard and didn't stop the car causing me to crash into the vehicle in front of me, the air bag did not deploy and I think it should have, causing my head to slam into the steering wheel causing me to bite my tongue in half. I have contact Chevrolet and GM multiple times and they won't do anything they literally have not cared one bit. I believe their is a problem with the braking system or the vacuum system in the brakes and I am not the first person that this has happened to in a Cruze, I looked it up after it happened and I found a few other stories of the same thing happening.
Brake complaints in other Cruze years
Frequently asked questions
How common are brake problems on the 2013 Chevrolet Cruze?
NHTSA has 50 complaints about the brakes of the 2013 Chevrolet Cruze, 9% of the model year's 587 complaints. The component named most often is pedals and linkages (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2013 Chevrolet Cruze brake problems?
No. NHTSA lists no brakes recall for the 2013 Chevrolet Cruze, though it has 5 recalls for other components. 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 Cruze brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 20,000 miles, and 54% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 12 crashes, 1 fire and 5 injuries to brakes 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.