Every safety complaint, recall and defect investigation the US government
holds on this vehicle.
Owners have filed 97 safety complaints
about the 2013 Chevrolet Captiva with the US government. Of those, 1 describes a crash, 4 mention a fire, 2 people were injured and no death is recorded. No recall campaign has been matched to this year, make and model.
The most complained-about system is the engine,
named in 48 complaints, 49% of the total.
The typical failure was reported at 77,500 miles,
the median across the 84
complaints that gave
an odometer reading.
Compiled from NHTSA's complaint, recall and investigation files
· Covers August 2014 to June 2023 · How this is counted
What is on file
97 complaints on file
97
Complaints
1
Describe a crash
4
Mention fire
2
People injured
0
Deaths
A complaint is an unverified account by the person who filed it, not a
finding of fault. One complaint is one ODI number, which is how NHTSA counts
them.
No recall campaign was matched to this year, make and model. That is not
the same as a clean vehicle: recalls are issued against production
ranges, and the only reliable check is your own VIN.
Which system owners named
Complaints naming each system
ENGINE 48 · 49%
48 49%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 31 · 32%
31 32%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 16 · 16%
16 16%
POWER TRAIN 9 · 9%
9 9%
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) 7 · 7%
7 7%
STEERING 5 · 5%
5 5%
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 4 · 4%
4 4%
SERVICE BRAKES 4 · 4%
4 4%
STRUCTURE 4 · 4%
4 4%
AIR BAGS 2 · 2%
2 2%
EXTERIOR LIGHTING 2 · 2%
2 2%
PARKING BRAKE 2 · 2%
2 2%
01938
One complaint can name several systems, so these add up to more than 97.
When the complaints arrived
By the year NHTSA received them
By the year NHTSA received them, which is not the year the failures
happened. They peaked in 2019 at 26.
This is the year the complaint was filed, not the year the failure
happened. The range runs from 2014 to 2023.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA New Car Assessment Program
NHTSA crashes a car into a barrier and a pole and measures what
happens to the dummies inside. This is what it awarded the 2013 Chevrolet CAPTIVA, and it is a separate
question from what owners report going wrong later.
Test
SUV AWD
SUV FWD
Overall
Not rated
Not rated
Frontal crash
Not rated
Not rated
Frontal, driver
Not rated
Not rated
Frontal, passenger
Not rated
Not rated
Side crash
Not rated
Not rated
Side barrier
Not rated
Not rated
Side pole
Not rated
Not rated
Rollover
Chance of rollover
15.9%
18.5%
Stability control standard Forward collision warning standard Lane departure warning standard
A rating belongs to a tested body style and drivetrain, not to the model as a whole, which is why more than one is listed.
A dash means NHTSA did not rate that test for this vehicle.
In owners’ own words
Quoted from the complaint file
Quoted from NHTSA's complaint file. These are unverified accounts by the
people who filed them, not findings of fault.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
2 injured · fire · 110,000 miles
DURING THE LAST WEEK OF MAY 2019 RADIO TURNING ON/OFF INTERMITTENTLY - THOUGHT IT WAS ISSUE WITH RADIO STATION, BUT ON-LINE CHEVY FORUMS INDICATE IT IS A SIGN OF LARGER ELECTRICAL ISSUES. JUNE 1, 2019, ENTERING VEHICLE AFTER DINNER OUT, INTERIOR LIGHTS WERE FLICKERING; DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEED AT NIGHT WITH AC & CRUISE CONTROL ON THERE WAS A SUDDEN NOXIOUS ODOR IRRITATING TO EYES, NOSE, AND THROAT (2 PEOPLE ILL); HEADLIGHTS FLICKERING; OPENED WINDOWS TO VENTILATE; MADE IT HOME (~12 MILES); ALL LIGHTS - EXTERIOR AND INTERIOR - STILL FLICKERING UPON ARRIVAL HOME; STILL A STRONG NOXIOUS ODOR - STRONGER ON INTERIOR DRIVER SIDE OF VEHICLE; INTERNET SEARCH OF SYMPTOMS INDICATED DRIVER VISOR MIGHT …
NHTSA complaint 11217426, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.
ENGINE
fire · towed · 115,000 miles
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET CAPTIVA. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED SMOKE UNDERNEATH THE HOOD AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT ALSO OBSERVED OIL SPILLING OUT FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE AND THE TAIL PIPE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED HOME. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 115,000.
NHTSA complaint 11175064. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
fire · 70,000 miles
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET CAPTIVA. THE CONTACT DROVE THE VEHICLE AND PARKED IT FOR SEVERAL HOURS. UPON RETURNING TO THE VEHICLE, THE INTERIOR WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED DUE TO FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT OCCUPIED DURING THE FIRE AND NO INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED. THE FIRE WAS ALREADY OUT WHEN THE CONTACT RETURNED TO THE VEHICLE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TOWED AND WAS AWAITING CLAIM ADJUSTMENTS FROM THE CONTACT'S INSURANCE COMPANY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.
NHTSA complaint 10899562. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
fire · 99,800 miles
WHILE I WAS DRIVING TO WORK ON THE HIGHWAY MY CAR CAUGHT ON FIRE THROUGH THE LEFT PASSENGER DOOR SPEAKER. I PULLED OVER AND GOT STUCK IN THE FLAMING CAR BECAUSE THE SEAT BELTS WOULD NOT RELEASE. AFTER A WHILE I WAS ABLE TO GET OUT, AND CALL THE FIRE STATION THEY CAME AND OUT THE FIRE; THEY SAID THE WIRE THAT CONNECTS TO THE SPEAKER WAS THE MAIN CAUSES OF THE FIRE. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY CLAIMED NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH IT, IT JUST HAPPENED. NOW I'M STUCK WITH A CAR THAT I'M AFRAID TO DRIVE BECAUSE MY LIFE IS NOT ONLY AT RISK OF A CAR ACCIDENT BUT NOW ALSO AN UNKNOWN CAUSE OF ANOTHER POTENTIALLY FIRE.
NHTSA complaint 11000962. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.
ENGINE
The contact owns a 2013 Chevrolet Captiva. The contact stated that the cruise control intermittently failed to operate as needed. Additionally, the contact stated that the vehicle was consuming an excessive amount of oil and that there was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who was unable to duplicate the failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
NHTSA complaint 11524850. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Key will lock in ignition and vehicle will not start. Happens intermittently. Battery is fine, alternator is fine, dealership replaced ignition when purchased which helped for about a year, but the problem continues to become more frequent. Rattling the battery fixes the problem, but only temporarily.
NHTSA complaint 11517065. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.
ENGINE
103,416 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Chevrolet Captiva. The contact stated while driving at an unknown speed, the vehicle was making abnormal sounds. The dealer was contacted and stated that the vehicle was consuming an excessive amount of oil. The contact was informed to closely monitor the oil level. On another occasion, the vehicle stalled and was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the timing chain had failed and bent the valves. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The manufacturer was contacted and stated that the vehicle was no longer under warranty. No additional …
NHTSA complaint 11507305, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Continus electric drop causing different systems to lose power, fail, or temporarly disable including but not limited to traction control, emergency break, radio and lights. After researching the problem in various forums I noted many owners facing the same problem over various years with no clear solution.
NHTSA complaint 11477573. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.
STEERING
170,386 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Chevrolet Captiva. The contact stated that while his brother was driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering column knuckle detached, causing the steering wheel to become inoperable. The dealer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to the manufacturer for assistance. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 170,386. Car was serviced on 12/5/2019 for a KIA warrantied repair; timing belt replacement causing engine failure. The representative restated again that KIA would not repair the car. Consumer stated vehicle sustained a rod …
NHTSA complaint 11452545, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
towed · 92,000 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Chevrolet Captiva. The contact stated that on multiple occasions after inserting the key into the ignition switch, the ignition switch would not turn, and the engine could not be started. Also, the key would remain stuck inside the ignition switch and could not be removed. The vehicle was towed to a local service center who replaced the ignition switch, but the failure continued to occur. The local dealer and manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 92,000.
NHTSA complaint 11441995. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.
If this is your car and a dealer keeps failing to fix it, your state's
lemon law may require the manufacturer to replace it or buy it back. How
many repair attempts it takes, and how long you have to file, is set by
the state you bought in and by nothing on this page.
Complaints: NHTSA's ODI
complaint file, published October 2, 2026. One
complaint is one ODI number, which is how NHTSA counts them.
Recalls: NHTSA's recall
campaign API, no campaign on file for this vehicle.
Investigations: NHTSA's ODI
investigation file, published October 2, 2026.
A complaint is one owner's account and has not been verified by NHTSA or by
us. A vehicle with more complaints is not necessarily worse: models that
sold in larger numbers collect more of them. How this is counted.
G
Compiled and maintained by guarledes Independent developer and analyst