2013 Chevrolet Cruze: Antifreeze odor from vents
Common wear/failure (not a recall)
Symptoms
Owners of the 2013 Cruze report: antifreeze odor from vents. CarComplaints.com lists 5 owner complaints, average mileage 31,200 miles.
NHTSA has 34 owner complaints for the 2013 Cruze in this area. Examples:
- NHTSA complaint ODI #11536584 (filed 08/04/2023): “My car constantly has coolant and oil leaks, a/c getting clogged , car is stalling while i drive if shutz off when i drive in stop and go traffic and will roll backwards if on a hill . car constantly overheats. turbo keep going out as well . car currently isn…”
- NHTSA complaint ODI #11523486 (filed 05/23/2023): “At approximately 144,000 miles my cruze began overheating. i already replaced the thermostat at 100k upgrading to metal housing. i took my cruze back to the dealership where i bought it to have it repaired and after spending 1400 on repairs, i continued to get…”
Likely causes
Sources do not establish a single root cause; diagnosis is needed. Owner-reported fixes are listed below.
Fix, in plain English
Most common owner-reported solutions on CarComplaints.com: replace hose (1 reports). Check for open recalls and extended warranty coverage with a dealer before paying out of pocket.
DIY difficulty: Pro
Opening the A/C system requires refrigerant recovery equipment, and US EPA Section 609 certification is required to service vehicle A/C for compensation. (Our assessment.)
Cost
CarComplaints.com owners report a typical repair cost of about $650 (owner-reported average, not a quote).
Typical parts (search links, no affiliate codes)
AutoZone · O'Reilly · Advance · RockAuto
Sources
Page last updated .