2013 Chevrolet Cruze: problems, recalls and reliability
5 recalls and 585 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is engine (27% of complaints); the 2015 model year looks more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · 1 new complaint in the last 90 days · latest recall Jul 2016
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 585 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“When I accelerate my rpm goes up but car dosent move as speed says and takes for me to let off the gas to speed up , and my steering when I turn it pulls away n it keep popping up service traction and going off”Owner report · Steering · Oct 2025
“My car over heats at least over 300 degrees. Afraid that my vehicle is In danger of catching fire due to the high temperature causing tension belt and hose components to melt.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Sep 2025
“I've had the thermostat housing fail twice now. And now it leaking again for the third time!! Now the service stabilitrak light is on, but it only happens when the car is idling. This happened to me before while driving and I replaced the spark plugs and the coil pack. I know on other models the valve cover failed as well but I don't see a recall on that, or the thermostat housing issues.... I just don't get whyyyyy if people are having all the same issues why not recall it!!???”Owner report · Engine · Aug 2025
Show 7 more owner reports
“Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2013 Chevrolet Cruze. The contact discovered a mileage discrepancy after the purchase. The vehicle was a private sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 157,454. The contact later discovered that the title mileage was 189,000.”Owner report · Electrical System · Aug 2025
“The contact owns a 2013 Chevrolet Cruze. The contact stated that while driving 65 MPH, the steering wheel seized, and the vehicle also lost motive power. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was able to be restarted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the electronic control unit module had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 103,212. The VIN was not available.”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Jun 2025
“Check engine light is on and the low fuel efficiency which will cause the system to fail and the vehicle to shut down while driving.”Owner report · Engine · Apr 2025
“The contact owns a 2013 Chevrolet Cruze. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was able to be restarted. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed and determined that the Engine Control Module (ECM) had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 139,000.”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Feb 2025
“Vehicle randomly powers up and tries to start with the key in the ignition. Service theft deterrent message displayed at times while trying to start.”Owner report · Electrical System · Nov 2024
“The engine in my 2013 chevy cruze failed due to the head gasket, and it causes the car to overheat. Chevrolet issued a recall on some 2013 and 2014 Cruze models for head gasket problems. The gasket in these models is known to fail and that can completely destroy the motor. When a head gasket fails that allows the oil and the coolant to mix; and that will destroy the lubrication in your engine and cause the engine to fail. Pepboys repair shop-- has the repair invoice.”Owner report · Engine · Oct 2024
“Have been told it's the catalytic converter but when driving it loses power and stalls. It has almost caused wrecks. Ever since I got this vehicle it's been one thing after another and the more I look online about the issues with my vehicle, the more I realize that thousands and thousands of Chevy Cruze owners are having the same issues. I've had to put two oxygen sensors on it since having it, replaced the turbo, spark plugs, all kinds of parts on this vehicle. They clearly did not make this vehicle safe or reliable”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Jul 2024
When filing, owners marked a crash in 54 of these complaints and injuries in 32 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 5 campaigns
General Motors (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013 and 2014 Chevrolet Cruze vehicles equipped with manual transmissions (MF3/MR5) and manufactured January 24, 2013, through August 1, 2013. On the affected vehicles, the right front half shaft may fracture and separate.
Remedy: General Motors has notified owners. Dealers will replace the half shaft assembly, free of charge. The safety recall began on October 15, 2013. Owners may contact General Motors at 1-800-521-7300. This is General Motors campaign number 13276.
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013 and 2014 Chevrolet Cruze vehicles equipped with a 1.4L turbo engine, and manufactured between November 28, 2012, and March 7, 2014. On the affected vehicles, the right front half shaft may fracture and separate.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the right half shaft, as needed, free of charge. Parts for the remedy are not currently available. GM will send an interim letter to owners in May 2014. A second owner letter will be mailed when parts are available. Owners may contact Chevrolet at 1-866-694-6546. GM's number for this recall is 14079. This is an expansion of recall 13V-452. NOTE: Some vehicles subject to this recall were subject to the recall campaign initiated in 2013. Some of those vehicles were repaired using defective parts. Those owners will be advised that they must have their vehicles remedied again under this campaign and that having the earlier recall completed did not remedy their vehicles.
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Chevrolet Cruze vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the driver's front air bag inflator may have been manufactured with an incorrect part.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver side air bag, free of charge. The recall began on June 28, 2014. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 14305.
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Buick Verano and 2016 Chevrolet Malibu as the electronic park lock lever may allow the ignition key to be removed without the transmission being in PARK. Also, certain 2013 Buick Encore, 2011 Buick Regal, 2013-2014 Buick Verano, 2011-2016 Chevrolet Cruze, 2010-2013 Chevrolet Equinox 2013-2015 Chevrolet Malibu, and 2011-2013 GMC Terrain vehicles may have been serviced with similar defective replacement electronic park lock levers. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 114, "Theft Protection and Rollaway Prevention."
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and if necessary replace the key cylinder lock housing, free of charge. The recall began on October 14, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, Buick 1-800-521-7300, and GMC 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 50490 and 50491.
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Buick Encore all-wheel-drive vehicles manufactured August 23, 2012, to September 9, 2013; Verano vehicles manufactured August 8, 2012, to June 20, 2013; Chevrolet Cruze vehicles manufactured August 7, 2012, to August 16, 2013, and 2012-2014 Chevrolet Sonic vehicles manufactured May 10, 2011, to August 16, 2012 equipped with a Calix oil pan/block heater. In cold temperatures, the insulation on the engine block heater cord can become damaged, allowing the wires to be exposed.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the engine oil pan/block heater cord with a new cord that is rated for temperatures of minus 40 degree Celsius. The recall began in August 2014. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 14257.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 2013 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
How other years compare
Check your exact Cruze by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2013 Chevrolet Cruze reliable?
NHTSA has 585 owner complaints and 5 recall campaigns on record for the 2013 Chevrolet Cruze. The most complained-about area is engine (27% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2013 Chevrolet Cruze problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 55,000 miles or less.
Does the 2013 Chevrolet Cruze have open recalls?
5 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning power train:axle assembly:axle shaft. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.