2013 Chevrolet Cruze Electrical System Problems
The 2013 Chevrolet Cruze logged 126 electrical system complaints, 22% of its 586 total complaints, with a median failure mileage of 42,800 miles. Five crashes, two fires, and one injury are tied to this component, though the sole related recall targets a different vehicle's ignition lock.
- Electrical System complaints
- 126
- 22% of 586
- Crashes reported
- 5
- Fires reported
- 2
- Injuries reported
- 1
- Median mileage
- 42,800 mi
- Related recalls
- 1
Typical electrical symptoms owners report
- Owners report sudden loss of power steering assist during turns or highway driving, lasting about 30 seconds before returning.
- Some describe the vehicle losing power while idling at a stoplight, followed by brake failure and a collision with the vehicle ahead.
- Several report dim or shaded-looking headlights and windshields that made nighttime visibility poor, especially on curves and hills.
- One owner reported an engine compartment fire linked to wiring harnesses melting after an oil filter issue sprayed oil near electrical components.
- Others noticed fluctuating gauges, weak heater output, and fogged-up windows and instrument panels.
When 2013 Chevrolet Cruze electrical complaints were filed
First complaint Nov 13, 2013, latest Jun 25, 2026.
Electrical System recalls for the 2013 Chevrolet Cruze
- NHTSA 16V502000Jul 5, 2016Electrical System8,367 vehicles
Electrical system:ignition
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Buick Verano and 2016 Chevrolet Malibu as the electronic park lock lever may allow the ignition key to be removed without the transmission being in PARK. Also, certain 2013 Buick Encore, 2011 Buick Regal, 2013-2014 Buick Verano, 2011-2016 Chevrolet Cruze, 2010-2013 Chevrolet Equinox 2013-2015 Chevrolet Malibu, and 2011-2013 GMC Terrain vehicles may have been serviced with similar defective replacement electronic park lock levers. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 114, "Theft Protection and Rollaway Prevention."
Risk: If the key is removed without the transmission in PARK, the vehicle may rollaway as occupants are exiting, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and if necessary replace the key cylinder lock housing, free of charge. The recall began on October 14, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, Buick 1-800-521-7300, and GMC 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 50490 and 50491.
Electrical System complaints by Cruze model year
Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.
Frequently asked questions
- How many electrical system complaints does NHTSA have for the 2013 Chevrolet Cruze?
- NHTSA lists 126 electrical system complaints for the 2013 Chevrolet Cruze, which is 22% of the 586 total complaints filed for that model year.
- Is there a recall for electrical problems on the 2013 Chevrolet Cruze?
- One related recall (campaign 16V502000) appears in the data, but it covers the electronic park lock lever on 2016-2017 Buick Verano and 2016 Chevrolet Malibu, not the 2013 Cruze directly.
- At what mileage do electrical problems typically show up on the 2013 Cruze?
- The median mileage at failure for electrical system complaints is 42,800 miles.
- Have electrical issues on the 2013 Cruze caused crashes or fires?
- NHTSA data tied to this component lists 5 crashes, 2 fires, and 1 injury for the 2013 Chevrolet Cruze.
- How does the 2013 Cruze compare to other years for electrical complaints?
- The 2013 model's 126 electrical complaints (22% share) are close to 2012's 201 complaints (23% share) and lower than 2014's 197 complaints (28% share), the highest share in the range shown.