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 driving approximately 45 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The contact coasted to the side of the road and stopped the vehicle. The contact stated restarted the vehicle after several attempts. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact stated there was white smoke coming from the exhaust. The contact stated that the failure had become a recurring failure. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the water pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that the water pump failed again and was replaced; however, recently the water pump failed again. Additionally, the contact stated that there were electrical failures with the vehicle and the doors failed to lock as needed. …
The contact owns a 2013 Chevrolet Cruze. The contact stated that while driving 65 MPH, the steering wheel seized, and the vehicle also lost motive power. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was able to be restarted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the electronic control unit module had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 103,212. The VIN was not available.
I purchased 2013 chevy cruze in 2021. Starting with steering going out, all electrical power is affected. Radio comes on and off. Light comes on to check stab trak. Engine started while key in ignition but I wasn't in car. I can't afford to get a different car now a days. I'm disabled and need this car to get to my Dr appts But I'm afraid the vehicle will kill me, someone or worse. This vehicle needs a very very serious recall to fix this before someone is killed. That won't work!! FIX IT PLEASE I BEG YOU!!!
When i turn left or right stereo shuts off all my warning lights come on and steering gos out.and sometimes it shuts down.Almost got hit a cause it did this .This is a serious safety issue.Nobody can pin point the problem.then a code says open and close drivers window.If i get killed cause this car does this .and getting worse .chevy will be sued .can you get chevy to repair this possible faulty .problem.may a recall in electric system.
When I accelerate my rpm goes up but car dosent move as speed says and takes for me to let off the gas to speed up , and my steering when I turn it pulls away n it keep popping up service traction and going off
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 …
Steering locked up while driving down road. Causing an accident. While driving at about 35mph. Steering wheel locked up on me and I could not turn at a curve causing me to slam on brakes and slid off of a dirt road into a ditch and tree lined area. Do have police report as well.
The driver was traveling on a two lane highway in baldwin county, alabama, when she approached a right hand curve (which the driver was fully aware of). Driver applied brakes so as to slow down to negotiate this curve, but when the driver applied the brakes, they did not respond. Additionally, the vehicle appeared to lose power steering function. It appeared that the vehicle lost power, similar in nature to the most recent ignition defects on other GM vehicles. Due to loss of braking ability, the vehicle went straight off roadway and crashed causing significant personal injury to the driver. Further, the airbag did not deploy. We contacted GM, and agreed to allow GM representatives investigate the incident by downloading the esis information, with the agreement that GM would provide the owner with the results of said investigation in a readily understandable format. …
I had an issue starting the car a week after purchasing it in February. Random warning lights would turn on and off. I read through the owners manual and it said it May be a security issue if the key isn't clean. I cleaned the key it seemed to have fixed the problem but after a few months it came back briefly and I'd clean the key and it would be fine. On the morning of July 30th the car grinded the gears and then had trouble starting as if the battery were dead. The key was clean. After a couple tries it started. Later that day the power steering alert came on and the engine bogged down and I lost control of the vehicle for a brief moment. The light went back off and it worked fine for the rest of the day. The next day after running fine all day while on an exit ramp of a highway multiple alerts began going off and all the warning lights came on and a moment later the car stalled. …
Lately I've been noticing the touch screen radio to flicker and completely lose power. I figure it was just a glitch with the all the technology that this car has. Well, the service antitheft deterrent system continues to come on, but goes away. Car is fine. Last Saturday my car wouldn't start until the 3rd try. The car completely shut off, absolutely no power, key wouldn't come out of the ignition. After 15 minutes it started, the radio flicker. On my way to work, the radio kept cutting out then as I was slowing down to turn, my steering and brakes gave out, nearly causing a huge collision! This seems to be a very common thing with the 2013 Cruze lt. Chevy needs to do something! I do not feel safe in this car anymore! No one seems to know the problem? It's life or death here, I travel a lot for work and get on busy highways. …
Steering complaints in other Cruze years
Frequently asked questions
How common are steering problems on the 2013 Chevrolet Cruze?
NHTSA has 74 complaints about the steering of the 2013 Chevrolet Cruze, 13% of the model year's 587 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2013 Chevrolet Cruze steering problems?
No. NHTSA lists no steering 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 steering problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 37,000 miles, and 34% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 4 crashes, 1 fire and 2 injuries to steering 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.