This service bulletin provides information on the proper Reflective High Temperature Heat and/or Insulating Tape to use for certain repairs, such as Wiring Harness Repairs.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2013 Chevrolet Cruze electrical problems
severe Owners of the 2013 Chevrolet Cruze have filed 75 NHTSA complaints about the electrical, typically surfacing around 54,995 miles at roughly $850 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See electrical across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
75
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$850
| Model year | electrical complaints |
|---|---|
| 2011 Cruze | 61 |
| 2012 Cruze | 134 |
| 2013 Cruze (this page) | 75 |
| 2014 Cruze | 133 |
| 2015 Cruze | 40 |
| 2016 Cruze | 46 |
| 2017 Cruze | 30 |
4crashes
1fire
When does it fail?
Of the 75 electrical complaints filed for the 2013 Chevrolet Cruze, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 25,000-50,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Owners have filed 75 electrical complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
Among the 8 model years of Chevrolet Cruze in our records for electrical problems, this one ranks #3 by owner-complaint volume.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering electrical on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
The intent of this service bulletin is to identify aftermarket ALDL or DLC interface devices as potential sources for causing multiple customer concerns that do not have other diagnostic methods to identify them.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This service bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on OnStar Module 2G Sunset Information.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This service bulletin provides information to diagnose batteries that have set for a long period of time and/or cold weather climates and testing those batteries.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This bulletin advises the dealers to maintain the vehicle stock on hand by doing a full inspection on the vehicles before being sold (prepping) to the customer.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners describe a pattern of intermittent electrical failures in the 2013 Cruze that range from annoying to life-threatening. The most serious complaints involve sudden complete loss of electrical power while driving—radio, instruments, and steering all go dark for 5–10 minutes, then the car powers back on without explanation. Several owners report losing power and brakes at highway speeds, losing steering control, or having the engine shut down without warning during normal city or highway driving.
A recurring root cause identified by owners is a faulty negative battery cable or poor ground connection. Service bulletins and GM's Special Coverage 14311 acknowledge this problem requires cable replacement, voltage regulator adjustment, and fastener tightening. However, dealers often cannot reproduce the intermittent symptoms, leaving many owners undiagnosed.
Side object detection modules located behind the rear wheels fail after one winter season due to water and salt intrusion. When they fail, electrical faults cascade through the entire vehicle—infotainment screens go dark, turn signals malfunction, heating controls die, and the system becomes unreliable. Multiple owners report spending $1,500 or more on module replacement with no permanent fix.
Other widespread electrical issues include the anti-theft system randomly immobilizing the car at highway speeds, the vehicle self-starting with the key off (creating fire and carbon monoxide hazards), check engine lights that recur within weeks of repair, and starter motors that crank repeatedly without starting. Owners report dealer diagnostic computer cannot identify root causes of these intermittent failures, leaving cars repeatedly stranded and owners thousands of dollars in failed repair attempts.
Same Chevrolet Cruze electrical reports on nearby years: 2011 · 2012 · 2014 · 2015 · 2016
Failure modes owners describe
Negative Battery Cable / Ground Connection Failures
Defective negative battery cable or poor ground connections cause intermittent loss of electrical power, triggering multiple warning lights (Service StabiliTrak, Service Traction Control, Engine Power Reduced) and limp-mode engine power reduction or complete stalling. Affects gauges, instrument panel display, and vehicle control.
When: Various mileages reported; occurs unpredictably while driving or parked
Symptoms owners cite: Service StabiliTrak and traction control warning lights; Engine power reduced / limp mode; Complete loss of throttle response; Instrument cluster messages and derated power; Engine stalls or sudden loss of power; Gauges and instrument panel malfunction; Radio and electrical components cut out
Codes mentioned: Service Battery Terminal warning, Service StabiliTrak, Service Traction Control
Repairs/costs cited: Negative battery cable replacement; reported cost varies; GM Special Coverage 14311 issued for cable replacement, voltage regulator adjustment, and fastener tightening
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: GM Special Coverage 14311 provides cable replacement, voltage regulator adjustment, and screw tightening; some dealers acknowledge issue, others deny knowledge; some service bulletins referenced but warranty may not cover out-of-warranty vehicles
Intermittent Electrical System Dropout / Loss of Electrical Power
Recurring loss of all or multiple electrical systems without warning, causing radio display and controls to go blank, steering to lose power assist, key to stick in ignition, and dashboard warning lights to flash. Car may restart after several minutes. Multiple systems fail simultaneously in cascading fashion.
When: Various mileages; often at traffic lights or while parked; may occur during highway driving
Symptoms owners cite: Radio display goes blank; radio turns on and off; All electrical systems lose power simultaneously; Key becomes stuck in ignition; Clicking sound with no electrical activity; Power steering lost; Infotainment screen goes dark; Gauges and speedometer fail; All warning lights illuminate at once; Car powers back up after 5-10 minutes; Multiple random dashboard alerts (e.g., open/close driver window)
Codes mentioned: Service StabiliTrak, Multiple cascading fault codes
Repairs/costs cited: Root cause often undiagnosed; replaced body modules behind rear wheels (location prone to water and salt ingress); total repair costs reported at $1,500 and higher; multiple modules may need replacement
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: GM customer care denies knowledge of recurring electrical problems; dealers perform electrical reset with no lasting resolution; modules reportedly fail after one winter season
Side Object Detection Modules Failure
Body-mounted side object detection modules (located behind rear wheels in bumper cover area) fail due to water and salt intrusion. Failure causes cascading electrical system malfunctions affecting multiple vehicle systems including turn signals, dash controls, fuel calculations, MyLink infotainment screen, radio, heating controls, and navigation.
When: One winter season; modules replaced under warranty but fail again after mileage or warranty expiration
Symptoms owners cite: Service Side Detection System error messages; MyLink screen blank; Service Parking Assist message on dash; Radio dials and controls non-functional; Heating controls inoperable; Navigation screen dead; Turn signal issues; Fuel gauge and MPG calculations incorrect; Cascading failures throughout electrical system
Codes mentioned: Service Side Detection System
Repairs/costs cited: Two modules replaced once under warranty; modules cost thousands to replace when out of warranty; modules located behind rear wheels in bumper cover area, poorly sealed against water and salt
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: GM denies this is a known concern; no warranty extension or recall issued; owner responsible for full cost of replacement
Engine Stalling and Power Loss at Idle or During Driving
Engine stalls without warning while idling at traffic lights or driving at various speeds. Vehicle loses power steering and brakes when stalling occurs, creating dangerous loss of control. Some cases involve ignition coil wire fretting (TSB #16-NA-015), others show no diagnostic codes. Stalling may occur multiple times over years of ownership.
When: At idle and highway speeds; some cases at 30,000 to 145,000 miles; recurring over months or years
Symptoms owners cite: Engine stalls without warning; Loss of power steering; Loss of power brakes; Complete loss of vehicle control; No check engine light in some cases; Repeated stalling intermittently; Vehicle uncontrollable at high speed
Codes mentioned: TSB #16-NA-015 - Engine Stall or Stumble, Ignition Coil Wire Fretting, No codes in some cases
Repairs/costs cited: Ignition coil wire and fretting repaired per TSB; some stalls undiagnosed despite dealer visits; multiple repair attempts without resolution
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: TSB #16-NA-015 issued 1-21-2016 for 2011-2014 model years but treated as advisory, not recall; GM has not issued safety recall despite known issue
Radiator / Coolant System Overheating and Leaks
Vehicle runs hot repeatedly with dashboard warnings to turn off AC or engine. Multiple cooling system components replaced (thermostat, water pump, radiator, hoses) but overheating persists. Engine has blown head gaskets on both original and replacement engines due to overheating.
When: Can occur within 1 mile of driving; recurring throughout ownership; second replacement engine failed after 54,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Engine runs hot on every drive over 1 mile; Dashboard warning 'Turn A/C off and idle engine' or 'Turn off engine due to high temperature'; Blown head gaskets; Water mixed into oil; Coolant leaks; Extremely loud cooling fan; Coolant level drops every 1-2 weeks
Repairs/costs cited: Thermostat, water pump, radiator, and hoses replaced; two complete engines replaced (one at 96,000 miles under warranty, second at 150,000 miles without warranty coverage); high repair costs
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer replaced first engine under warranty; denied warranty coverage on second replacement engine despite only 67,000 miles on replacement unit; no extended coverage offered
Coolant Odor from Heater Vents
Strong smell of coolant or antifreeze emits from heating vents when heater is on, especially at high temperature settings. Smell persists across multiple seasons. Coolant level drops unexpectedly. Owners report receiving GM letters about coolant loss but dealer finds no problems.
When: Whenever heater is turned on; persists over months and years
Symptoms owners cite: Strong coolant or antifreeze smell from vents; Coolant level drops 3+ inches in overflow tank; Smell continues despite seasonal changes
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer checked for problem but reported nothing found; coolant level monitoring required
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: GM issued letter about possible coolant loss but cause not identified or repaired by dealers
Check Engine Light and Multiple Cascading Fault Codes
Check engine light comes on repeatedly, sometimes within days or weeks of repairs. Multiple different fault codes occur in cascading fashion. Owners report 13+ error codes appearing after repairs for catalytic converter, O2 sensor, and engine replacement. Electrical system suspected as root cause triggering multiple sensors.
When: Can occur within 2 weeks of repair; recurring pattern over months
Symptoms owners cite: Check engine light comes on repeatedly; Multiple different fault codes appearing; 13+ error codes simultaneously; Codes reappear after expensive repairs; New codes appear each time old ones are fixed
Codes mentioned: P0420 - Catalytic Converter efficiency (multiple replacements), O2 sensor codes (replaced multiple times), U0100 - Lost Communication with Engine Control Module, P2099 - Post Catalyst Fuel Trim System (reoccurred after 1.5 years)
Repairs/costs cited: Catalytic converter replaced twice; O2 sensor replaced; engine replaced; coil packs replaced; none resolve cascading codes permanently
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No extended coverage or recalls issued despite widespread cascading failure pattern
Loss of Throttle Response and Limp-Mode Power Reduction
Vehicle suddenly loses ability to accelerate or maintain speed, causing dramatic power loss and slow-down on highways. Car enters limp mode with engine power severely reduced. Dangerous situation at highway speeds. Throttle becomes completely unresponsive to pedal input.
When: Can occur at highway speed (55-70 mph); intermittently at various speeds
Symptoms owners cite: Complete loss of throttle response; Engine power reduced / limp mode activation; Severe power loss on highway; Vehicle slows from 70 mph to 5 mph; Throttle pedal unresponsive; Cannot accelerate or maintain speed; RPM shoots up during acceleration attempt; Slow to pick up speed after stops
Codes mentioned: Service StabiliTrak, Service Traction Control, Engine Power Reduced
Repairs/costs cited: Battery cable replacement addressed some cases; throttle body sensor and PCV valve replaced in others; root cause varies
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Some owners report GM acknowledgment of known issue through special coverage; others report no assistance
Vehicle Self-Starting with Key Off or in Ignition
Vehicle attempts to start itself or continues running with key in the off position and removed from ignition while parked in garage or driveway. Engine can run unattended, creating fire and carbon monoxide poisoning hazard. Problem intermittent and unpredictable.
When: Multiple instances over weeks or months; began around 70,000 miles in one case
Symptoms owners cite: Engine starts itself with key in off position; Engine runs unattended in closed garage; Lights and electrical systems activate with key off; Starter engages continuously on some start attempts; Engine continues to run after key removed from ignition
Repairs/costs cited: No repairs documented; problem not resolved
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: GM acknowledged this is same symptom as ignition switch recall vehicles but refused to service vehicles not on official recall list; treated as non-issue
Starter Engagement Failure (Extends Cranking)
When starting vehicle from stationary position, starter engages and runs without starting engine. Must turn off ignition and retry; second attempt usually succeeds. Occurs from all positions (flat parking, hills, angles).
When: Recurring on startup; happens regularly
Symptoms owners cite: Starter runs without engine starting; Prolonged cranking required; Second start attempt usually succeeds; No engine start on first crank
Repairs/costs cited: No repairs documented
Anti-Theft System Malfunction - Random Immobilization
Anti-theft light activates without warning and immobilizes vehicle by shutting down radio, steering, engine, and other critical systems. Occurs at high speeds or when parked. Vehicle becomes completely uncontrollable. Problem intermittent and unpredictable.
When: Multiple instances; at least 6 times reported; one critical incident at high speed
Symptoms owners cite: Anti-theft light activates without warning; All systems shut down immediately; Radio stops working; Steering becomes non-functional; Engine shuts down; Complete loss of vehicle control at highway speeds; Can happen during start attempt
Repairs/costs cited: No permanent repairs documented; problem persists after dealer service visits
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No assistance provided; similar to ignition switch recall problem but vehicle not on recall list
Radio and Infotainment System Failures
Radio screen flickers or goes completely blank. Radio turns on and off randomly. Infotainment display and controls become unresponsive. Screen goes dark while key is in ignition. Issues occur intermittently and unpredictably.
When: Intermittently while driving or parked; can occur at traffic lights or highway speeds
Symptoms owners cite: Radio screen flickers; Radio turns on and off randomly; Infotainment display goes blank; Radio dials non-functional; Screen unresponsive to controls; OnStar and USB device connections drop; Phone chargers and accessories lose power
Repairs/costs cited: Electrical reset performed with temporary or no resolution
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: OnStar diagnosis runs show no faults; dealers cannot diagnose intermittent issues
Interior Lighting Fluctuation
Dashboard lights, dome lights, and interior illumination dim and brighten on their own without any control input. Occurs intermittently and unpredictably.
When: Intermittently while driving or parked
Symptoms owners cite: Dash lights dim or brighten on their own; Interior lights fluctuate in brightness; Headlights turn on and off intermittently; All interior lighting affected simultaneously
Repairs/costs cited: No repairs documented
Heater Blend Door Actuator Failure
Plastic gear in heater blend door actuator strips out, preventing blend door from cycling between windshield defrost, dash vents, and floor vents. When stuck in defrost mode, owner cannot adjust airflow. Creates visibility safety hazard in cold and rainy weather by preventing windshield defrosting.
When: Across various mileages; reported as design flaw affecting multiple vehicles
Symptoms owners cite: Blend door will not cycle; Cannot switch between defrost, dash vents, and floor vents; Windshield cannot be defogged or defrosted; Stuck in one position, usually defrost; Poor visibility in cold or rainy weather
Repairs/costs cited: Actuator replacement required; repair quotes range from $800 to $1,500
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No recall issued; GM has not acknowledged as design defect despite hundreds of owner complaints and online forum discussions
Vehicle Jerking and Stumbling Under Load
Vehicle jerks, lurches, or stumbles forward while stopped at red lights or when braking, even with foot firmly on brake pedal. Feels like vehicle has been tapped from behind. Occurs when accelerating from stops or slow speeds. Vehicle feels sluggish picking up speed after deceleration or turns.
When: Recurring at traffic lights and during acceleration from stops
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle jerks or lurches forward at traffic lights; Jerking while braking with foot on pedal; Feels like rear-end impact when stopped; Sluggish acceleration from stops; Slow pickup after turns; Feels like engine misfire or sticking throttle
Repairs/costs cited: Throttle body sensor and PCV valve replacement attempted
Battery and Charging System Failures
Battery dies despite being tested as good. Jump-starting allows vehicle to run but battery will not hold charge. Vehicle fails to start without jumper cables. Multiple instances of car not starting after sitting.
When: Intermittently over vehicle ownership; can occur after short parking periods
Symptoms owners cite: Dead battery after sitting; Battery voltage reading high (15.1 volts); Voltage fluctuation during driving (14.7-14.8 volts); Battery will not start vehicle without jump; Clicking sound on start attempt
Repairs/costs cited: Battery replacement; alternator tested and appears to function correctly; voltage regulator may be issue but not definitively diagnosed
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: GM Special Coverage 14311 includes voltage regulator adjustment option
Ignition Timing / Engine Misfire and Power Loss
Engine experiences misfire, stumble, stall, or hesitation while driving. Check engine light comes on with engine running rough. Ignition coil issues can cause stalling and loss of power. Vehicle loses power without warning.
When: Various mileages; can occur at startup or while driving
Symptoms owners cite: Engine misfire; Check engine light blinking; Engine stumbles or hesitates; Engine runs rough; Sticking throttle
Codes mentioned: TSB #16-NA-015 - Ignition Coil Wire Fretting
Repairs/costs cited: Ignition coil and wiring replaced per TSB
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: TSB #16-NA-015 issued but not made into recall
Cooling Fan Malfunction and Electrical Fire Hazard
Cooling fan fails to activate when engine overheats. Fan connector melts due to electrical fault. Fan motor is faulty and draws excessive current, blowing circuit breaker. Creates fire hazard.
When: Engine overheating incident
Symptoms owners cite: Engine overheating; Cooling fan does not activate; Cooling fan connector melted; Fan motor faulty; Circuit breaker blown when testing fan
Repairs/costs cited: Cooling fan motor and pigtail assembly replacement required; repair shop noted this was serious defect with fire hazard
Oil Filter Installation Fire Hazard
Oil filter O-ring placed in wrong location during maintenance, causing inadequate seal. Oil sprayed into engine compartment after 10 minutes of driving, starting engine fire. Wiring harnesses and master cylinder melted. Plastic oil filter cap has grooves that can trap O-ring in wrong position if technician not careful.
When: After oil filter change
Symptoms owners cite: Oil spray in engine compartment; Engine fire started; Melted wiring harnesses; Melted master cylinder
Repairs/costs cited: Oil filter assembly and O-ring replacement with correct installation procedure; extensive engine compartment repair for fire damage
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer acknowledged issue and provided correct O-ring placement procedure; not a recall but design flaw in filter cap
Airbag Non-Deployment in Collision
Vehicle involved in head-on collision with large animal at highway speed with substantial impact damage. Service Airbag message appeared on instrument panel but airbag did not deploy. Driver could have suffered serious injury if airbag had not failed.
When: During vehicle collision
Symptoms owners cite: Service Airbag message displayed; Airbag did not deploy despite impact
Codes mentioned: Service Airbag
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle will be repaired but owner cannot confirm if airbag system is truly fixed
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer will repair but no investigation or recall action
Door Latch Sensor Malfunction - Rear Driver Door
Rear driver-side door latch sensor malfunction causes constant false warning that door is open when it is actually closed. Alert sounds and displays continuously while parked and while driving. Problem persists after three separate latch replacements by repair shop.
When: Within one month of vehicle purchase (3,500 miles)
Symptoms owners cite: Constant false door open alert and sound; Alert occurs while parked and while driving; Alert almost constant with no resolution
Repairs/costs cited: Door latch replaced 3 times; latch eventually disconnected ($300 cost) to stop alerts; owner now must manually lock/unlock rear door instead of using FOB or electronic controls
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No solution provided; repair shop unable to fix underlying sensor problem
Rear Brake Light Dimming
Third brake light in rear window becomes very dim over time. Light still functions but is noticeably less bright than originally. Brake light bar has no replaceable bulbs and is solid-state component.
When: Develops over time of ownership
Symptoms owners cite: Rear brake light (third light in rear window) very dim; Light still functions but significantly reduced brightness
Repairs/costs cited: Light bar is non-serviceable unit; full replacement likely needed
Power Window Regulator Failure
Power window regulator center piece breaks when raising driver-side window. Window becomes stuck in down position. Part must be ordered from out of state.
When: Less than 2 months after warranty expired
Symptoms owners cite: Window regulator center piece breaks; Window stuck in down position; Power window will not operate
Repairs/costs cited: Window regulator replacement required; repair cost exceeds $300
Dash Gauge and Instrument Panel Malfunction
Gauges on instrument panel fail or fluctuate. Odometer and speedometer stop working. Fuel gauge becomes inaccurate. Multiple gauge issues occur simultaneously.
When: While driving at various speeds
Symptoms owners cite: Gauges fail while driving; Speedometer stops working; Odometer non-functional; Fuel gauge inaccurate or non-functional; MPG calculation incorrect; Multiple gauges affected at once
Repairs/costs cited: Battery cable replacement or module replacement addressed in some cases
Synthesized from 75 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 2 most recent
The car has some kind of electrical problems. The check engine light goes on and I take the car back to the dealer and get problems fixed, and within a month the check engine light comes on again, and there are new problems with the car. When those problems get fixed, the check engine light comes on again within a month. This is a cycle that keeps going. The check engine light comes on at…
While driving the light came one engine overheating a/c shut off. There was a leak of coolant. I was stranded on the side of the road. We had it brought to a mechanic. They repaired the problem. Within 3 days it started again, the mechanic thought it was a faulty part so replaced it. After a week it happened again. We had it repaired again. Now 2 months later it is happening again. Once…
Had electrical trouble with your 2013 Chevrolet Cruze?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the electrical problem on the 2013 Chevrolet Cruze?
It's a meaningful issue. 75 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $850.
At what mileage does the electrical typically fail?
Across the 53 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most electrical failures cluster between 36,000 and 90,000 miles, with the median around 54,995. A quarter of owners report trouble before 36,000; a quarter make it past 90,000. 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 $850 for electrical 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 electrical?
No active recalls currently cover electrical 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.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2013/Chevrolet/Cruze.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.