Two problems related to automatic transmission control module have been reported for the 2013 Chevrolet Cruze. The most recently reported issues are listed below. Please also check out the statistics and reliability analysis of the 2013 Chevrolet Cruze based on all problems reported for the 2013 Cruze.
At first, I started the car one day and the engine light came up and as I tried to put the transmission in d the "d" light started flashing (not steady as normal) and there was some noise from the transmission. I put it back to "p" and turned the car off and started it again. Then it acted normally. Later on, it happened suddenly while I was driving (the transmission snapped and the "d" light started flashing). I took it to the dealer for diagnosis, and they found that the transmission control module (tcm) was defective. I searched online and found that there were many recalls on the tcm for 2012 & 2013 chevy Cruze, but mine was not identified in those recalls as per the dealer. I was under the impression that gm will investigate the case and feed me back, but I found out today that they do not do investigations unless it comes from the NHTSA.
My transmission started slipping while driving to work on the highway at 70 mph. The car gave me 2 warnings, one for the traction control needing serviced and one for the transmission needing serviced. I drove the car to my dealer explained the problem to the dealer and stated that I didn't think I was going to make it to them. The dealership service center let the car sit for a few hours and then checked for codes and mysteriously could not find any problem. The problem always starts when the vehicle is going up hill, the transmission lights starts blinking, the car starts sputtering and I lose speed very unsafe in traffic! when sitting at a stop light with the brake pedal mashed to the floor the car lunges forward. I have searched online for similar problems and have found that many Cruze owners are having the same problem and gm refuses to help there does seem to be an associated recall but it doesn't state the transmission problem in the discription. (NHTSA 16v502000) power train:automatic transmission:control module (tcm, pcm). The service centers can't fix the problem because the car is not showing any codes when they check and I'm always sent home.