2013 Chevrolet Cruze Problems

Above Average Complaints

Real NHTSA owner complaints for the 2013 Chevrolet Cruze.

20122014
Complaints
931
Crashes
90
Fires
15
Injuries
51
Fatalities
Recalls
5

Worst 2013 Chevrolet Cruze Problems

Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.

#1209 complaints

Engine Problems

Avg mileage:76,033 mi
Crash-related:8
Fires:7
#2116 complaints

Electrical Faults

Avg mileage:62,296 mi
Crash-related:4
Fires:2
#3111 complaints

Transmission / Drivetrain

Avg mileage:58,105 mi
Crash-related:1
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All Problems by Category

Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2013 Chevrolet Cruze.

Engine Problems
209
complaints
Crashes
8
Fires
7
Avg Miles
76,033
Electrical Faults
116
complaints
Crashes
4
Fires
2
Avg Miles
62,296
Transmission / Drivetrain
111
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
58,105
Steering Defects
74
complaints
Crashes
4
Fires
1
Avg Miles
55,277
Electronic Stability Control
62
complaints
Crashes
5
Fires
1
Avg Miles
107,600
Airbags
49
complaints
Crashes
32
Fires
1
Avg Miles
56,895
Brakes
44
complaints
Crashes
11
Fires
1
Avg Miles
30,265
Unintended Acceleration
37
complaints
Crashes
4
Fires
1
Avg Miles
78,602
Fuel System
29
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
63,094
Wipers & Visibility
22
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
66,914
Engine & Cooling
19
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
46,526
Headlight/Taillight Failures
11
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
22,646
Body Structure
11
complaints
Crashes
11
Fires
Avg Miles
34,000
Suspension Failures
8
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
43,035
Seat Belt Issues
4
complaints
Crashes
3
Fires
Avg Miles
Visibility
4
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Visibility:Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System
4
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Wheel Issues
4
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Hydraulic Brakes
3
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
Tire Defects
3
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Traction Control System
3
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Instrument Cluster
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Engine Control Module (Ecu/Ecm)
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Gasoline Fuel System
2
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
Structural Problems
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Back Over Prevention: Sensing System: Camera
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Electrical System:Ignition
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Electrical System:Instrument Panel:Speedometer/Odometer
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles

Search Owner Complaints

Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2013 Chevrolet Cruze. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.

Recalls for 2013 Chevrolet Cruze

5 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting ~217,583 vehicles.

16V502000Electrical System:ignition · Power Train:automatic Transmission:control Module (tcm/pcm/tecm)
~8,367 affected

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."

14V417000Equipment:electrical
~2,990 affected

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.

14V372000Airbags
~29,019 affected

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.

14V151000Power Train:axle Assembly:axle Shaft
~174,046 affected

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.

13V452000Power Train:axle Assembly:axle Shaft
~3,161 affected

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.

Other Chevrolet Cruze Years

2013 Chevrolet Cruze — FAQ

Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.

Is the 2013 Chevrolet Cruze reliable?
Verdict: Above Average Complaints. The 2013 Chevrolet Cruze has 931 NHTSA complaints, 90 crash-related, and 5 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Engine Problems with 209 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 2013 Chevrolet Cruze?
Top reported problems: Engine Problems (209 complaints, avg 76,033 mi); Electrical Faults (116 complaints, avg 62,296 mi); Transmission / Drivetrain (111 complaints, avg 58,105 mi). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
At what mileage do problems start on the 2013 Chevrolet Cruze?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 65,473 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
How safe is the 2013 Chevrolet Cruze?
NHTSA complaints for the 2013 Chevrolet Cruze include 90 crash-related reports, 15 fire reports, 51 injuries, and 0 fatalities. These are owner-reported incidents, not official crash-test ratings — a complaint being filed doesn't confirm a defect, but clusters around specific components are worth investigating.
Does the 2013 Chevrolet Cruze have any recalls?
Yes — 5 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 217,583 vehicles. Recalls are free to fix at the dealer. Always verify by VIN whether the specific car you're looking at has had its recalls addressed.
Should I buy a 2013 Chevrolet Cruze?
Slightly worse than average. Most owners are fine; problem clusters are concentrated around specific components. Check the issues table below and match against the specific car's mileage.

Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.

Wider context: See the full Chevrolet Cruze reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.

Check Your Specific 2013 Chevrolet Cruze

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