Problems · by component

2013 Chevrolet Cruze air bags problems

49 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2013 Chevrolet Cruze cite air bags, 8% of all 587 complaints for this model year. NHTSA also lists 1 recall on this component.

Complaints
49
8% of all complaints
Crashes
32
Reported by owners
Fires
1
Reported by owners
Injuries
29
Reported by owners
01 —Owner reports

What owners say about the air bags

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“For the airbag the car was sold to me without a working airbag. It’s in the steering wheel (I have been told this by a Chevrolet dealership) and the part that is broken is the part that will make it inflate in case of crash. This is scary to me. I was just in my first (and hopefully only) accident a month before in a more steely car and while no airbags were deployed it still hurts. The second issue is with the fuel pump or sensor - the coding is very unsure but the dash (including the mechanical gauge) says the car will go from half tank to empty on an 8 mile drive. It has no leaks on the underside and I had it into the mechanic twice. The second time because it stumbled and stalled at a stop light. Before dying - half tank. August 6th they just scanned it with their computer I got no paperwork from them. On the 15th I didn’t get any paperwork either. I will include the shop’s number.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 20, 2025Air bags, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11681926
“I wanted to file this because I feel this a safety concern. My vehicle has always been kept up on maintenance. One day out no where it started acting up my 2013 Chevy Cruze Ls. I had a shop come back after they did a diagnostic that is was a faulty throttle body sensor and Pcv. I have issues with it shutting off and I’ll have to coast it to stop.What I’m not understanding how can there be recalls for my vechicle same problems same make/model but it’s not showing my vehicle matching up with my Vin #.I do have all the supporting documents and paperwork stating these issues.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 7, 2023Electrical system, Air bags, Unknown or otherODI 11553913
“Water pump, cooling system. There’s a recall on this system already but not for my vin. The service bulletin describes 100% off issues im having yes manufacture will not help because my vin isn’t attached to service bulletin. Car over heat constantly, I’ve pretty much replaced the entire cooling system twice now. Airbags also faulty. The entire passenger side of vehicle was hit by fedex truck not long after being rear-ended and an adjuster claiming car 95% totaled,( yet still ended up rebuilding it) no airbags deployed in both situations”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 30, 2022Air bags, EngineODI 11458995
“The contact was riding in a 2013 Chevrolet Cruze. The contact stated that while the driver was driving at an unknown speed, the driver crashed into another vehicle from the driver's side to the other vehicle's rear passenger side due to unable to focus. The contact mentioned the front passenger and the front side passenger air bags were the only air bags that deployed. The contact stated that she was the only one who sustained right wrist, thumb, and burnt arm injuries that needed medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed. The contact was aware that the vehicle was damaged. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The contact was informed the air bags were Takata air bags and the injuries were caused by the air bags. The approximate failure mileage was unknown.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 25, 2022Air bagsCrash reportedODI 11448761
“THE CAR AT RANDOM WILL HAVE A MESSAGE COME UP THAT SAYS AIRBAG SENSOR. THE CAR SHUTS DOWN ON YOU AND WILL NOT START UNTIL CAR IS PUT IN PARK, RAISE HOOD, THEN ROLL DOWN DRIVER WINDOW IN TRAFFIC. THIS SOMETIMES WORK FIRST TRY BUT NOT ALWAYS. THIS CAUSE A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE. IF THE AIRBAG DEPLOYS I COULD POTENTIALLY BE LEFT PARALYZED. SINCE I'VE HAD A CERVICAL FUSION”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 28, 2021Air bagsODI 11390500
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET CRUZE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 68 MPH, THE DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S SIDE SIDE-CURTAIN AIR BAGS INADVERTENTLY DEPLOYED, WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INVOLVED IN A CRASH. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN BACK TO THE RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AMERICAN CHEVROLET (4742 MCHENRY AVE, MODESTO, CA 95356, 209-575-1606) TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS NO MERIT FOR A CLAIM FOR RESTITUTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BY EMAIL HOWEVER, NO ADDITIONAL ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 17, 2020Air bagsODI 11375065

Showing 6 of 49 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Related recalls

1 recall on this component

Air bags

Free remedy

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Chevrolet Cruze vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the driver's front air bag inflator may have been manufactured with an incorrect part.

Air bagsReported Jun 26, 2014NHTSA 14V372000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 10, 2026

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.