Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (fuel pump, injectors, fuel tank, hybrid and EV propulsion).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2013 Chevrolet Cruze owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
For the airbag the car was sold to me without a working airbag. It's in the steering wheel (I have been told this by a Chevrolet dealership) and the part that is broken is the part that will make it inflate in case of crash. This is scary to me. I was just in my first (and hopefully only) accident a month before in a more steely car and while no airbags were deployed it still hurts. The second issue is with the fuel pump or sensor - the coding is very unsure but the dash (including the mechanical gauge) says the car will go from half tank to empty on an 8 mile drive. It has no leaks on the underside and I had it into the mechanic twice. The second time because it stumbled and stalled at a stop light. Before dying - half tank. August 6th they just scanned it with their computer I got no paperwork from them. On the 15th I didn't get any paperwork either. I will include the shop's number.
I have replaced the pvc valve cover 3times and the engine coolant housing 4 times with in 2years. The vehicle still leaks coolant even though all hoses connections and reservoir has been replaced. The ground cable has been replaced twice. The car warning dash comes on saying "service traction control" abs? The radio shuts off as well as all stereo lighting. When vehicle is at a stop it sometimes kicks, I thought I got tapped from the back that's how much of a jolt it does but no vehicle behind me. It's also sluggish when taking off.
The 2013 Chevy Cruze is prone to overheating and there is always a coolant leak or something related to the coolant/antifreeze that is leaking or not correct. My Chevy Cruze has been leaking coolant profusely and so has my friends who had a Chevy Cruze as well. It is truly a pain to continuously refill the coolant so that the vehicle will not overheat. A recall needs to be in place immediately. I've heard this same story on Chevy Cruze a way too many times.
The whole head shot off while driving. Now the car is making a farting noise when I accelerate or if u sit idle for longer than 15 mins. No oil leak but I'm using an additional $200 in oil between oil changes
Countless oil leaks - replaced the valve cover /gasket and solenoids and countless other parts to stop the oil leak when it was coming from the intake manifold PVC system - I even replaced the turbocharger.
My 20 yr old daughter bought this car in May 2020. She had it 1 week and ended up broken down on the side of the road the interstate, 3-1/2 hrs away at school because the catalytic converter went out. 2 weeks and a new catalytic converter, I am on the side of the road because she couldn't stay and wait for it, and we wouldn't let her take it until we knew it was right. Another 4 weeks later, replaced the motor and catalytic converter again, and the check engine light comes back on within 2 weeks and leaves me stranded on the highway once again! This time the reading showed only an o2 sensor so my husband changed it. The car ran fine for a while, then the check engine light came back on. Not long after this, the stabilitrak warning light also came on and so there are 13 error codes coming up! We have always been a Chevrolet family, but not anymore! This has ruined us! …
My 20 yr old daughter bought this car in May 2020. She had it 1 week and ended up broken down on the side of the road the interstate, 3-1/2 hrs away at school because the catalytic converter went out. 2 weeks and a new catalytic converter, I am on the side of the road because she couldn't stay and wait for it, and we wouldn't let her take it until we knew it was right. Another 4 weeks later, replaced the motor and catalytic converter again, and the check engine light comes back on within 2 weeks and leaves me stranded on the highway once again! This time the reading showed only an o2 sensor so my husband changed it. The car ran fine for a while, then the check engine light came back on. Not long after this, the stabilitrak warning light also came on and so there are 13 error codes coming up! We have always been a Chevrolet family, but not anymore! This has ruined us! …
While my son was driving the car on the highway the engine started to smoke. He pulled over and turned off the car. He waited 10 mintues and started the car to head back home. When he arrived home liquid was leaking out the car and the car had smoke coming from the engine. At this time the check engine light was on. GM had sent a recall notice in the mail (n202299080), a couple of days prior. I called them on Monday and they told me to take it to a dealer. I called the local Chevy dealer and told them about the recall notice. He told me to bring it in. I called a tow truck driver and left the car at the Chevy dealer. Ater they had the car for two weeks, they explained that it will be $2000 to fix the vehicle, even though there are currently 4 recalls on the vehicle. I called GM several times to ask how are they going to rectify this, with no call-back. …
Starting at 20-30K miles, service stabilitrak would come on and check engine light would blink for 30 seconds. After shutting of the car the service light would go off. Each time I took it to a dealership the code was clear and they weren't able to find out what was wrong. I got charged for $180 for checking up and not having a problem once. All the other times I brought in the vehicle they found something wrong and didn't charge me. Finally over the couple years I owned the vehicle and now at 80K miles, the service stabilitrak light had been coming on more and more, I finally got it to come on and got an appointment right away. I took it in and they took 2 days to find out that all my spark plugs and my coil pack was rusted and corroded. It cost $700. I live in california there is no salt on the roads and I don't live by the ocean. This should not have happened.
I had my spark plugs changed the day before on the 7/06/2018 as I was driving on highway to take my granddaughter to central state university my car started to sound like a bird when I press on the accelerator it started to singing. So I made it back home, but sound it had picked up, so I called back to machanic and they told me to bring it back in and they checked and said it was my water pump I believe. Because of where it was dripping. They told me what it will cost to get it fixed, they told me to keep some water in as well antifreeze. So that what I did, but I don't have money to get it fixed right now. The first picture is what they fixed where it shows the solid black cap, they replaced a gasket but I don't know if theu silled right to keep it leaking or something behind where you put motor oil in. The picture shows where it is dripping down.
Fuel System complaints in other Cruze years
Frequently asked questions
How common are fuel system problems on the 2013 Chevrolet Cruze?
NHTSA has 32 complaints about the fuel & propulsion system of the 2013 Chevrolet Cruze, 5% of the model year's 587 complaints. The component named most often is delivery › fuel pump (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2013 Chevrolet Cruze fuel system problems?
No. NHTSA lists no fuel & propulsion system recall for the 2013 Chevrolet Cruze, though it has 5 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2013 Chevrolet Cruze fuel system problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 58,000 miles, and 30% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 0 fires and 0 injuries to fuel & propulsion system problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
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.