Most common 2013 Chevrolet Cruze problems
Share of the 587 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Chevrolet Cruze complaints by model year
Best Cruze years: 2019, 2018, 2017. Years to avoid: 2012, 2011, 2014. Compare all years →
2013 Chevrolet Cruze recalls (5)
Electrical system › Ignition
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.
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.
Equipment › Electrical
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…
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.
Air bags
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.
Power train › Axle assembly › Axle shaft
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.
Power train › Axle assembly › Axle shaft
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.
What 2013 Chevrolet Cruze owners say
Engine & cooling all 233 →
The contact owns a 2013 Chevrolet Cruze. The contact stated that soon after she purchased the vehicle while driving at an undisclosed speed, she noticed a white cloud of smoke coming from the hood of the vehicle. Upon inspecting the vehicle, the contact noticed smoke by the reservoir tank. The contact also noticed a leak coming from engine. The contact then stated that she noticed a burning odor throughout the vehicle. Additionally, the contact stated that anti-freeze leaked from two separate unknown parts of the hose and at the same time, there was a burning odor at the rear passenger's side tire. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the rear passenger's side brake failed and needed to be replaced. The rear passenger's side brake was replaced however, the failure recurred three times. …
The contact owns a 2013 Chevrolet Cruze. The contact stated while driving approximately 45 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The contact coasted to the side of the road and stopped the vehicle. The contact stated restarted the vehicle after several attempts. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact stated there was white smoke coming from the exhaust. The contact stated that the failure had become a recurring failure. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the water pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that the water pump failed again and was replaced; however, recently the water pump failed again. Additionally, the contact stated that there were electrical failures with the vehicle and the doors failed to lock as needed. …
Electrical system all 122 →
The contact owns a 2013 Chevrolet Cruze. The contact stated while driving approximately 45 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The contact coasted to the side of the road and stopped the vehicle. The contact stated restarted the vehicle after several attempts. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact stated there was white smoke coming from the exhaust. The contact stated that the failure had become a recurring failure. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the water pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that the water pump failed again and was replaced; however, recently the water pump failed again. Additionally, the contact stated that there were electrical failures with the vehicle and the doors failed to lock as needed. …
Hi, I have had my car for a total of 8 years so far. It was bought used, in perfect condition in the beginning. Years passed and I have gained many problems down the road. First, the valve had to be replaced, spent a little under $1K, car worked well, until it started leaking coolant. Second, the car started to jerk back if you were passing at least 60mph. You go above 65-70, the car would jerk back to where it felt as if the whole bottom of the car fell off. You could press the gas pedal and it would barely go, it felt as if you were pushing the car with your own hands from the back, as if it lost power to move forward. Third, why does my coolant leak? Why is it that I have to put coolant in it at least every other week? The fan is EXTREMELY loud as well, as if it's overheating.
Transmission & drivetrain all 113 →
The contact owns a 2013 Chevrolet Cruze. The contact stated while her daughter was exiting a parking lot at approximately 5 MPH, and making a right turn, she heard a sharp cracking sound from the passenger's front side of the vehicle. The contact stated that her daughter drove only a few feet more when the front-end lowered down to the right. The contact's daughter stated that the passenger's side front wheel had detached from the vehicle and was laying on the roadway. The contact stated that her daughter was not aware of any warning light being illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who diagnosed and determined that the half shaft had fractured, causing the passenger's side front wheel to detach from the axle. The vehicle had not been repaired. …
The vehicle keeps going to A/C off due to vehicle running hot. I've gone to the dealer and various shops had the water pump, hoses, outlet housing, thermostat replaced. I still smell coolant leaking and burning off when I open the hood I see the engine and catalytic converter wet and drying off as the wetness evaporates; the smell stays inside the car. The effects of smelling coolant has to be toxic, has any studies been done on long term effects of smelling coolant? I spend a minimum of 3 hours a day in traffic. The problem started around 100k. I also have oil leaking on right axel and somewhere on the engine. I've noticed the1.4l turbo has the same problems why are there recalls on the 1.4L but not the 1.8L? I'm paying out of pocket to get the same repairs done, if the vehicle is unsafe for the 1.4L it should be unsafe for the 1.8L
2013 Chevrolet Cruze engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.4L 4-cyl turbo | 6-speed manual | FWD | 28 / 40 / 32 |
| 1.4L 4-cyl turbo | 6-speed automatic | FWD | 26 / 37 / 30 |
| 1.8L 4-cyl | 6-speed manual | FWD | 25 / 35 / 29 |
| 1.8L 4-cyl | 6-speed automatic | FWD | 22 / 34 / 26 |
EPA ratings. Class: Midsize car.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2013 Chevrolet Cruze a good car?
Based on 587 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2013 Cruze rates average: 1.2× as many complaints as a typical year of the Cruze at the same age. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2013 Chevrolet Cruze?
The engine & cooling — 233 complaints, 40% of all complaints for this model year, most often about engine › engine control module (ecu/ecm). Next are the electrical system (122) and transmission & drivetrain (113).
How many recalls does the 2013 Chevrolet Cruze have?
There are 5 recalls for the 2013 Chevrolet Cruze, the most recent from July 5, 2016 (ignition). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Chevrolet Cruze?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2019, 2018 and 2017. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2012, 2011 and 2014. See the full Chevrolet Cruze years comparison.
At what mileage do 2013 Chevrolet Cruze problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 51,000 miles; 49% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.