2013 Chevrolet Cruze: fire, smoke or burning smell

Filed Oct 1, 2026 · Electrical, Engine · TX

I purchased the car with my student financial aid money as soon as I got 5 car a few blocks away and the car started boiling.then the key ignition system said use pocket transmitter that didn't work .I purchased a new battery I have a mechanic that's why I purchased the car I was confidant je could fix it no matter what the car was3 very unsafe no warming about the temperature gauge then when I was driving the car it stopped suddenly and I checked the fluids put antifreeze and oil the car engine was so hot it damaged the heater bypass hose.I really needed my transportation I go school was a out to get a job I'm homeless I was going to a shelter for help but if I get a job I can afford rent.I am going through it. I am depressed the dealer said he don't know why the car keeps getting hot then my mechanic said the wasn't coming on in time . There were no leaks but antifreeze disappeared.then white smoke came from the engine and in seconds the car vindicates it was over heating when the cars fluid were checked I purchased a new battery the lughts and radio worked but the key ignition system was dead and said use pocket transmitter.the dealer said car is sold as is.

Filed May 12, 2024 · Electrical, Engine · CA · fire

Car caught on fire under hood

Filed Sep 11, 2023 · Electrical, Engine · 130,000 miles · MI

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 also stated that the steering wheel had locked up on several occasions. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.

Filed Jan 20, 2023 · Engine · 127,830 miles · CA

The contact owns a 2013 Chevrolet Cruze. The contact stated that soon after she purchased the vehicle while driving at an undisclosed speed, she noticed a white cloud of smoke coming from the hood of the vehicle. Upon inspecting the vehicle, the contact noticed smoke by the reservoir tank. The contact also noticed a leak coming from engine. The contact then stated that she noticed a burning odor throughout the vehicle. Additionally, the contact stated that anti-freeze leaked from two separate unknown parts of the hose and at the same time, there was a burning odor at the rear passenger’s side tire. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the rear passenger’s side brake failed and needed to be replaced. The rear passenger’s side brake was replaced however, the failure recurred three times. Additionally, the contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, she heard a ticking sound in the engine. The check engine warning light intermittently illuminated. On a separate occasion, the contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle, the engine failed to turn over. The contact stated that another vehicle was able to jumpstart the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer nor the manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 127,830.

Filed Nov 8, 2022 · Engine · 105,000 miles · RI

The contact owns a 2013 Chevrolet Cruze. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH, she noticed smoke coming out from underneath the hood of the vehicle. A message indicating that coolant was overheating was displayed. The contact veered to side of the road. The contact stated that her friend's father, an independent mechanic, met her on the side of the road and upon inspecting under the hood, he noticed that coolant was leaking, and the coolant hoses were fractured. The contact was able to drive to her residence, where the coolant hoses were replaced; however, the failure reoccurred three months later. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 105,000.

Filed Sep 1, 2021 · CA

There is a consistent plastic burning smell, usually when the AC or heater is on. I have replaced the AC unit, and this still happens. Smoke sometimes appears on the driver's side through the vents. I have taken the vehicle in a few times for this, and they can never find anything. The last repairs I had done replaced wires, pipes, and connectors.

Filed Oct 29, 2020 · Engine · 137,000 miles · SC · fire · 1 injury

Tl* the contact called on behalf of her son who owns a 2013 chevrolet cruze. The contact stated while her granddaughter was parking the vehicle, when she saw smoke coming from the hood. The contact stated the driver was not aware if any warning lights were illuminated. The driver exited the vehicle and when opened the hood, she saw fire and sustained burns on her right hand. The contact stated the drivers stepfather was able to extinguished the fire with water hose. The fire department was contacted but was not aware of they filed a fire report. A police report was not filed. The driver did not seek medical attention for her injuries. The vehicle was not drivable. The vehicle towed to her residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired as of yet. A dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer had been informed of failure. The failure mileage was approximately 137,000. *bf

Filed Sep 21, 2020 · Driver assistance, Engine · 103,000 miles · NC

While my son was driving the car on the highway the engine started to smoke. He pulled over and turned off the car. He waited 10 mintues and started the car to head back home. When he arrived home liquid was leaking out the car and the car had smoke coming from the engine. At this time the check engine light was on. Gm had sent a recall notice in the mail (n202299080), a couple of days prior. I called them on monday and they told me to take it to a dealer. I called the local chevy dealer and told them about the recall notice. He told me to bring it in. I called a tow truck driver and left the car at the chevy dealer. Ater they had the car for two weeks, they explained that it will be $2000 to fix the vehicle, even though there are currently 4 recalls on the vehicle. I called gm several times to ask how are they going to rectify this, with no call-back. The vehicle is still at the chevy dealership.

Filed Aug 27, 2019 · Engine · 130,000 miles · NV · fire

I was sitting in my vehicle with the engine running and the air conditioner on, since it is august and very hot in las vegas. I had been in my vehicle for approximately five minutes about to leave when my air conditioner stopped blowing cold air. I smelt an electrical smell in coming through the vents. Then my car shut off and smoke began pouring out from underneath the hood. I quickly exited my vehicle and called the fire department. Within a couple minutes, the entire front of my vehicle was in engulfed in flames. I have not done any mechanical maintenance or work to my vehicle recently. I had my oil changed approximately 1000 miles ago. I had not had any problems with my vehicle until it caught on fire spontaneously and randomly without warning.

Filed Aug 20, 2018 · Engine · 91,000 miles · AL

Vehicle was in motion and came to a stop in the street. Smoke coming from underhood very hard almost look to be on fire. Oil spill everywhere. Car is in shop now. They said it is a turbo issue, which he said is very common on the cruze. Could cause engine damage.

Filed Oct 17, 2017 · Engine · 100,000 miles · IL

I have a leak in my coolant system. Since I've gotten the car in october 2016, I've experienced a weird burning smell, before I had even discovered what the issue was. In june 2017, my engine overheated due to a malfunction in my coolant system. As a result, I had my coolant flange replaced. A few days later, my car began to smoke and my engine went idle. The coolant leaks from the flange and the reservoir often. Sometimes, it leaks as I drive, other times, it'll be parked and leak out when idle. I never use my air conditioning or heat anymore due to the burning smell of the coolant. I had my coolant flange replaced a second time. My car was down for 3 months and I just got it repaired again. Last week, october 10, 2017, my car began to smoke again, my engine went idle, and when I popped the hood, the coolant had leaked out completely. Any time it has overheated and the engine when idle, I've been on the freeway, driving at least 60 MPH or on the street, driving at least 30 MPH. More recently, when it overheated, the car had been idle for 2 hours and then 5 mins into me driving it, it happened. I was driving down a dark highway, going about 25 MPH. Before the engine overheated, I had 65% oil life and afterwards, I had 0% oil life. My uncle had just added coolant to my reservoir the day before, but it leaked out completely. Luckily, I was not alone this time. I'm always cautious that my engine will blow out when I drive it. My mechanic informed me to be sure that I always had coolant and water in my trunk at all times, in case it leaks out. I travel 40 mins to work every other day and it's quite frightening, knowing that at any time, my engine may overheat again, due to the coolant leak. I'm almost positive that there's a recall for this issue, but I need confirmation. I have not received a recall notice, but I've done research..

Filed Jun 24, 2017 · Engine · 32,000 miles · IL · crash · fire

Got into a very minor fender bender and the car went up in flames. Air bags never deployed because I wasn't going fast enough. But yet my car burned.