2013 Chevrolet Cruze cruise control problems
severe 20 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $600 · see cruise control across all vehicles →
Among the 8 model years of Chevrolet Cruze in our records for cruise control problems, this one ranks #3 by owner-complaint volume.
The failure pattern owners describe
Buyer takeaway: The 2013 Cruze consistently shows electrical or sensor-related control issues ranging from cruise control malfunction to sudden power loss and unintended acceleration—problems that can occur early in ownership and persist despite dealership repairs. Buy only if you can inspect service records and verify any power/acceleration issues have been permanently resolved, not just masked.
Owners of the 2013 Chevy Cruze are reporting a cluster of powertrain and control problems that begin early and recur even after attempts at repair. The most frequent complaint is sudden loss of engine power—the engine drops to idle, refusing to accelerate beyond 5–25 mph, with the check engine light and "Reduce Engine Power" message appearing on the dash. Owners have had to restart the engine or reset the vehicle computer roadside to regain function. Throttle body sensors and ECMs have been replaced under warranty, but the issue returns.
Many owners describe intermittent stabilitrak and traction control warnings paired with power loss, sometimes accompanied by unresponsive power steering. Dealership diagnostics often find nothing. Cruise control malfunction is also reported—the vehicle pulses and taps the throttle repeatedly once engaged and will not stop until cruise is shut off.
Unintended acceleration appears in several narratives: vehicles lurch forward at traffic lights, accelerate when brakes are applied, or accelerate without pedal input when shifting gears. One owner reported a collision into a parking sign due to continued acceleration during braking.
Hesitation and jerking on acceleration rounds out the pattern—the vehicle pauses, then jolts forward suddenly. Most of these issues are intermittent, making dealer diagnosis difficult. Some owners report the problems persisting after multiple dealership visits and repairs.
Same Chevrolet Cruze cruise control reports on nearby years: 2011 · 2012 · 2014
Failure modes owners describe
Cruise control malfunction - oscillating throttle
When cruise control is engaged, the vehicle exhibits a tapping/pulsing sensation as if the throttle is being repeatedly tapped and released. The behavior persists until cruise control is disengaged or the vehicle is stopped.
When: Early ownership; occurs within minutes of engaging cruise control
Symptoms owners cite: Tapping and releasing of throttle; Vehicle pulses repeatedly; Uncontrollable oscillation until cruise control is turned off
Sudden loss of engine power
Engine power is suddenly lost or severely reduced, leaving the vehicle at idle with no acceleration capability. Check engine light comes on, often accompanied by 'Reduce Engine Power' message on display. Symptoms are intermittent and sometimes require turning off the engine and restarting or resetting the vehicle computer.
When: Occurs at various mileages and driving speeds (reported at 2–75 mph, 4,000–70,000 miles)
Symptoms owners cite: Sudden power loss; Inability to accelerate beyond 5–25 mph; Check engine light; Reduce engine power message; No stabilitrak warning in some cases; Engine jumps and decelerates when attempting higher speeds; Engine idles with no acceleration response
Codes mentioned: P-2135 (throttle body sensor)
Repairs/costs cited: Throttle body replacement reported; ECM replacement attempted in one case without permanent fix
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Warranty coverage for throttle body replacement noted; manufacturer notified and cases opened in multiple complaints
Stabilitrak and traction control warnings with power loss
Service stabilitrak, service traction control, and ABS warnings appear on the dashboard, often alongside check engine light and reduce engine power message. The vehicle decelerates and steering may become unresponsive. Warnings can be intermittent—appearing, clearing, and reappearing unpredictably.
When: Early in ownership and at higher mileages; intermittent pattern
Symptoms owners cite: Stabilitrak warning light; Service traction control light; Service stabilitrak message; Reduced engine power; ABS warning; Vehicle deceleration; Power steering unresponsiveness; Intermittent warning pattern
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership diagnostics often show no issues; ECM replacement attempted in at least one case without resolving the problem
Unintended acceleration and forward lurching
Vehicle accelerates without driver input or continues to accelerate when brakes are applied. Forward lurches occur at traffic lights, when shifting into reverse or drive, or while braking. One incident resulted in a collision with a parking sign.
When: At low speeds (2 mph while parking, at traffic lights); early ownership (4,000–5,000 miles reported)
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle accelerates without pedal input; Continued acceleration when brake is applied; Forward lurching at traffic lights; Acceleration when shifting gears; Vehicle difficult to control with brakes
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership unable to duplicate the problem in several cases
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer notified of incidents; one police report filed
Hesitation and jerking during acceleration
Vehicle hesitates or jerks when accelerating from a stop or merging onto highways. The hesitation is followed by a sudden jolt and rapid acceleration. Behavior is intermittent and difficult to reproduce.
When: Intermittent; reported at various points in ownership
Symptoms owners cite: Hesitation during acceleration; Pause before responding to throttle input; Sudden jolting acceleration after hesitation; Difficulty entering highway
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership unable to duplicate; no computer issues found
Synthesized from 20 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 0 most recent
Common questions
How serious is the cruise control problem on the 2013 Chevrolet Cruze?
It's a meaningful issue. 20 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $600.
At what mileage does the cruise control typically fail?
Across the 16 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most cruise control failures cluster between 27,554 and 87,900 miles, with the median around 70,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 27,554; a quarter make it past 87,900. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $600 for cruise control repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to cruise control?
No active recalls currently cover cruise control issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.