2013 Chevrolet Cruze Problems, Recalls & Reliability
934 owner complaints sit in the federal file for the 2013 Chevrolet Cruze, alongside 5 recall campaigns and 0 defect investigations. It scores 76/100 on the trouble index — one of the years to avoid for this model. Engine leads the reports, typically around 81,000 miles.
Avoid this year if you can. The 2013 Chevrolet Cruze sits at the top of this model's complaint rankings. Quieter picks in the same family: 2018–2019.
Avoid
Where 2013 sits among all Cruze years
What owners report
“Been hearing ticking noise coming from the engine. Check engine light is on. Code p0234”— owner report to NHTSA, 2013 Cruze
“While driving the vehicle power stability flashes the electrical system resets and if driving you lose control of the vehicle.”— owner report to NHTSA, 2013 Cruze
“While driving, power steering locked up, car turned off and then back on. The radio turned off and then back on and close driver window lit up. This has happened on 4 different occasions now. Steering locked up while on i-95. Radio on and off while turning onto highway and window message while car…”— owner report to NHTSA, 2013 Cruze
“Takata recall a few months after i purchased this vehicle the check engine light came on then it goes off the last few months it's back on and makes a noise when the air conditioning system is on.”— owner report to NHTSA, 2013 Cruze
“While driving on the highway steering locked up. Two day after power steering light and stabilltrak lights were on”— owner report to NHTSA, 2013 Cruze
“The vehicle will ocassionally not stop when pressure is applied to the brakes. I have noticed it occurs most often when the vehicle is in reverse. The brake pedal also gets hard. It does not occur all the time.”— owner report to NHTSA, 2013 Cruze
Mileage when trouble shows up
Among the 615 reports that include an odometer reading, problems most often appear around 54,995 miles. Half of those reports fall between 23,000 and 90,000 miles — a useful range to weigh against the mileage of the exact car you're looking at.
Recalls (5)
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…
Fix: 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…
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…
Fix: 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.…
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.
Fix: 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…
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…
Fix: 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…
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…
Fix: 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.…
Technical service bulletins
1,882 manufacturer communications — service bulletins, the biggest share on electrical and engine — are on file for the 2013 Chevrolet Cruze. A TSB is factory repair guidance, not a recall — the repair is not automatically free.
Complaint history for this model year
When owners filed their reports — a long tail means problems kept surfacing for years.
Questions buyers ask
Is the 2013 Chevrolet Cruze reliable?
The 2013 Chevrolet Cruze drew 934 complaints in federal safety records — one of the years to avoid for this model. Its trouble index is 76/100, scored against the model's worst year (2012).
What are the most common 2013 Chevrolet Cruze problems?
The top reported problems for the 2013 Chevrolet Cruze are engine (234 complaints), other (142), and electrical (132).
At what mileage do 2013 Chevrolet Cruze problems show up?
Owners most often report 2013 Chevrolet Cruze problems around 54,995 miles. Half of all reports that include an odometer reading fall between 23,000 and 90,000 miles.
Does the 2013 Chevrolet Cruze have recalls?
5 recall campaigns apply to the 2013 Chevrolet Cruze. Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer.
Every number on this page is a count of records in the federal complaint, recall, and investigation files published by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation. Check any specific vehicle's open recalls by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.