2013 Chevrolet CAPTIVA: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
97 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
77,500 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2013 model year. Data snapshot: . 84 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 48 of 97 complaints (49.5%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Engine operation | 13 | 13.4% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 11 | 11.3% |
| Braking behavior | 10 | 10.3% |
| Steering behavior | 5 | 5.2% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 1.0% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 1.0% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Engine | 48 |
| Electrical System | 30 |
| Unknown Or Other | 16 |
| Power Train | 9 |
| Electronic Stability Control (Esc) | 7 |
| Steering | 5 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 4 |
| Service Brakes | 4 |
Engine: 48; Electrical System: 30; Unknown Or Other: 16; Power Train: 9; Electronic Stability Control (Esc): 7; Steering: 5; Fuel/Propulsion System: 4; Service Brakes: 4
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 5 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 14 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 17 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 24 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 21 |
| 150,000 and above | 3 |
Under 25,000: 5; 25,000 to 49,999: 14; 50,000 to 74,999: 17; 75,000 to 99,999: 24; 100,000 to 149,999: 21; 150,000 and above: 3
75,000 to 99,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (24). 13 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2014 | 1 |
| 2015 | 12 |
| 2016 | 9 |
| 2017 | 10 |
| 2018 | 21 |
| 2019 | 26 |
| 2020 | 10 |
| 2021 | 3 |
| 2022 | 2 |
| 2023 | 3 |
2014: 1; 2015: 12; 2016: 9; 2017: 10; 2018: 21; 2019: 26; 2020: 10; 2021: 3; 2022: 2; 2023: 3
Pattern summary
Engine leads the component reports. Engine operation appears in 13 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 11 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 10 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10619038 · 2014-08-05 (August 5, 2014)
WHEN USING THE VISOR TO BLOCK THE SUN FROM MY SIDE WINDOW, IT HITS ME IN THE HEAD EVERY TIME I TURN THE WHEEL. IT DOESN'T HAVE TO BE A SHARP OR FAST TURN IN ORDER FOR IT TO MOVE AND HIT ME. NO IT DOESN'T HURT, HOWEVER IT IS VERY DISTRACTING ESPECIALLY GOING UP AN ON-RAMP THAT IS FORTY FEET IN THE AIR! MY EYES ARE SENSITIVE AND ANY DIRECT SUNLITE IS PAINFUL TO ME. IT'S HARD TO BELIEVE CHEVY EXPECTS ME TO PUT A PIECE OF PAPER IN THE WINDOW TO BLOCK THE SUN RATHER THAN FIX THE PROBLEM. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE WE BOUGHT IT AND THEY S…
Owner-reported narrative. 25,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10619038 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10681364 · 2015-02-04 (February 4, 2015)
SINCE MY 2013 CHEVY CAPTIVA TOOK THE PLACE OF THE SATURN VUE WHEN SATURN SHUT DOWN. HOW CAN I BE SURE THAT SINCE MY CAPTIVA IS EXCLUSIVELY SOLD TO FLEET CONSUMERS THAT MY VEHICLE IS NOT BEING OVERLOOKED ON THIS IGNITION SWITCH RECALL PROGRAM SINCE IT IS ALMOST IDENTICAL TO THE PONTIAC G5 AND CHEVY COBALT IGNITION SWITCH? *TR
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10681364 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10683352 · 2015-02-13 (February 13, 2015)
JANUARY 2, I WAS DRIVING ON I95 AT 60 MILES AN HOUR, ANOTHER CAR GOT FLAT TIERS AND LOST CONTROL, SUDDENLY MADE A U TURN AND IMPACTED ME FRONT TO FRONT, MY AIR BAGS DIDN'T DEPLOYED, CALLED CAR MAKER AND THEY HAVE NO RE-CALLS AND NO TAKING ANY ACTIONS ABOUT MY REPORT. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 32,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10683352 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10730708 · 2015-06-26 (June 26, 2015)
MY VEHICLE'S (2013 CHEVY CAPTIVA SPORT) SERVICE AIR BAG LIGHT HAS COME ON FOR THE THIRD TIME SINCE MAY 1, 2015. I TOOK IT TO THE CHEVY DEALER AFTER THE FIRST TIME BUT THEY COULDN'T DETERMINE THE CAUSE. 2ND INCIDENT I CONTACTED ONSTAR -DIAGNOSTIC SHOWED "COMPUTER MALFUNCTION" WITH THE AIR BAG. THE PASSENGER PRESENCE MODULE WAS REPLACED ON 6-16-15. TODAY, 3RD INCIDENT, 6-26-15. CONTACTED ONSTAR-DIAGNOSTIC SHOWED "GENERAL COMPUTER MALFUNCTION". I DO NOT FEEL CONFIDENT THAT MY AIR BAGS WILL FUNCTION PROPERLY IF NEEDED. I WILL BE TALKING TO THE SERV…
Owner-reported narrative. 23,525 miles reported. Look up ODI 10730708 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10732788 · 2015-07-08 (July 8, 2015)
WHEN TRYING TO START THE VEHICLE THE KEY WON'T TURN TO START THE CAR. HAS HAPPENED AT LEAST 12 TIMES. CALLED AAA TO START IT. MECHANIC HAD HARD TIME STARTING THE VEHICLE. HAS TO PUSH ON BRAKE SO HARD THAT I CAN'T DO IT. HE SAID THIS SHOULD NOT BE HAPPENING. HE HAD DIFFICULT TIME. I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE THE CAR. I WANT THIS REPORTED AND SOMETHING DONE. SOMETHING IS DEFECTIVE. ALSO THE BUMPER PAINT IS ALL CHIPPED WHERE IT ATTACHES TO THE BODY THE WHOLE WAY AROUND ON ONE BUMPER. THIS IS A DEFECT ALSO. NO WAY SHOULD THESE TWO PROBLEMS BE HAPPENING!! …
Owner-reported narrative. 15,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10732788 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10743523 · 2015-07-26 (July 26, 2015)
ONGOING SPORADIC PROBLEM - IGNITION SWITCH LOCKS AND AM UNABLE TO TURN KEY TO START VEHICLE. CALLED DEALERSHIP BEFORE THE VEHICLE WENT OUT OF WARRANTEE AND WAS TOLD THEY COULDN'T FIX AND DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEMS UNLESS THEY PROBLEM HAPPENED WHILE IT WAS AT THE DEALERSHIP. SOMETIMES IT TAKES UP TO 20 MINUTES TO GET THE KEY TO TURN.
Owner-reported narrative. 35,090 miles reported. Look up ODI 10743523 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10761977 · 2015-09-07 (September 7, 2015)
TWO PROBLEMS: FIRST THE IGNITION SWITCH FROZE. COULD NOT TURN OFF CAR. HAD TO GET IT TOWED TO DEALER. THEY FINALLY REPAIRED THAT, NEXT, THE TRANSMISSION FROZE. THAT WAS A FEW WEEKS LATER. THEY SUPPOSEDLY FIXED THAT. LAST WEEK THE TRANSMISSION FROZE AGAIN. TOWED TO DEALER, THEY SAID THEY FIXED, GOT IT BACK FRIDAY. FROZE AGAIN TODAY AND WE HAVE HAD IT TOWED TO DEALER. WHAT IF IT FREEZES WHILE IN DRIVE? WHAT IF IGNITION FREEZES WHILE CAR IS ON AND CANNOT TURN IT OFF??
Owner-reported narrative. 28,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10761977 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10786290 · 2015-10-27 (October 27, 2015)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET CAPTIVA. THE CONTACT POWERED OFF THE VEHICLE AND, MOMENTS LATER, IT FAILED TO START. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY WAS STUCK IN THE IGNITION SWITCH. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING, BUT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 68,000. ...UPDATED 02/19/16 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED OTHER THAN A SLIGHT WHINE COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. *JS
Owner-reported narrative. 68,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10786290 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
0 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
No recall campaigns are recorded in this snapshot.