What are the most common problems with the 2013 Chevrolet Cruze?

The engine group has the most complaints at 233, followed by the electrical system at 122 and the power train at 113. See the problems section above for what owners describe.

Does the 2013 Chevrolet Cruze have recalls?

Yes. The by-year fact lists 5 recalls for this model year. The Recalls section on this page lists each one.

How many complaints does the 2013 Chevrolet Cruze have?

NHTSA has 587 owner complaints on file. They are unverified reports, and one complaint can name several components.

What gas mileage does the 2013 Chevrolet Cruze get?

See the fuel economy section on this page. It is built from EPA data.

Is the 2013 Chevrolet Cruze a good year to buy?

See the by-year comparison on this page to set 2013 beside the other years of this model. Complaint counts are not adjusted for sales, so read them as a guide only.

2013 Chevrolet Cruze Problems, Recalls and MPG

NHTSA has 587 owner complaints on file for the 2013 Chevrolet Cruze^[1]. The engine group is named more than any other, with 233 complaints^[2].

587owner complaints^[1]

5recalls^[3]

26–32MPG combined (EPA)^[4]

5★NHTSA overall rating^[5]

Problems
Recalls
Fuel economy
Safety
Engine and size
By year
Verdict
FAQ

Most reported problems

Here are the complaint groups owners name, biggest first.

Engine. 233 complaints^[2]. In the stories we read, owners describe coolant smells, a leaking water pump, and the car shutting off when they pull away from a light.
Electrical system. 122 complaints^[6]. Owners describe power steering that cuts out for a short time during a turn, the car shutting off for a moment and restarting, and weak cabin heat with fogging windows.
Power train. 113 complaints^[7]. Owners describe the car lunging forward while stopped with a foot on the brake, and hard jerks when shifting into reverse or drive.
Unknown or other. 75 complaints^[8]. These reports do not fit a single named component group.
Steering. 74 complaints^[9]. Owners describe a notchy or sticky feel at highway speeds that makes small lane corrections hard.
Electronic stability control. 62 complaints^[10].
Brakes. 50 complaints^[11].
Air bags. 49 complaints^[12]. Of these, 32 mention a crash^[12].

Recalls

Newest first. Each recall covers only certain vehicles, so not every 2013 Cruze is necessarily included.

Electrical System › Ignition (16V502), July 2016. About 8,367 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: injury, the car rolling away. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[13]
Equipment › Electrical (14V417), July 2014. About 2,990 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: injury.^[14]
Air Bags (14V372), June 2014. About 29,019 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, injury, an air bag that may not work as intended. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[15]
Power Train › Axle Assembly › Axle Shaft (14V151), March 2014. About 174,046 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, reduced braking, parts separating. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[16]
Power Train › Axle Assembly › Axle Shaft (13V452), September 2013. About 3,161 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, reduced braking, parts separating. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[17]

Fuel economy

EPA ratings depend on the engine and drive. Annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not prices when the car was new.

Version	City / highway / combined MPG	Annual fuel cost
Cruze Eco, 1.4L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic 6-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive^[18]	26 / 37 / 30	$2,250
Cruze, 1.4L 4-cyl turbo, Manual 6-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive^[19]	26 / 37 / 30	$2,250
Cruze Eco, 1.4L 4-cyl turbo, Manual 6-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive^[4]	28 / 40 / 32	$2,100
Cruze, 1.4L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic (S6), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive^[20]	26 / 36 / 30	$2,250
Cruze, 1.8L 4-cyl, Manual 6-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive^[21]	25 / 35 / 29	$2,300
Cruze, 1.8L 4-cyl, Automatic (S6), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive^[22]	22 / 34 / 26	$2,600

Safety ratings

Version	Overall	Frontal	Side	Rollover	Rollover risk
4 DR FWD^[5]	5	5	5	4	10.9%

Engine and size

Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles.

Engine	Horsepower
2013 Chevrolet Cruze with 1.4L 4-cylinder^[23]	138 to 140 hp
2013 Chevrolet Cruze with 1.8L 4-cylinder^[24]	138 to 140 hp

How 2013 compares with other years

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each Cruze model year. The 2013 is highlighted^[3].

Show the numbers

Model year	Complaints	Recalls
2011	732	7
2012	865	7
2013	587	5
2014	702	10
2015	252	4
2016	250	4
2017	201	2
2018	109	3
2019	23	2

NHTSA's counts for the Cruze show 587 complaints and 5 recalls for 2013^[3]. Among the 9 model years listed, 5 have fewer complaints than 2013 and 3 have more^[3]. The fewest complaints are for 2019 (23) and the most are for 2012 (865)^[3]. These counts are not adjusted for sales, so treat them as a rough guide. The chart above shows every year.

Should you buy a used 2013 Cruze?

The 2013 Cruze has a large complaint file, 587 reports in all^[1]. Engine and electrical issues lead the list^[2]^[6]. Steering and power train reports describe things you can feel on a test drive, like a sticky wheel or a lunge at a stop^[7]^[9]. These are unverified owner reports, and the counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold. Check the recall and by-year sections on this page, and ask a seller for service records before you buy.

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2013 Chevrolet Cruze?: The engine group has the most complaints at 233^[2], followed by the electrical system at 122^[6] and the power train at 113^[7]. See the problems section above for what owners describe.
Does the 2013 Chevrolet Cruze have recalls?: Yes. The by-year fact lists 5 recalls for this model year^[3]. The Recalls section on this page lists each one.
How many complaints does the 2013 Chevrolet Cruze have?: NHTSA has 587 owner complaints on file^[1]. They are unverified reports, and one complaint can name several components.
What gas mileage does the 2013 Chevrolet Cruze get?: See the fuel economy section on this page. It is built from EPA data.
Is the 2013 Chevrolet Cruze a good year to buy?: See the by-year comparison on this page to set 2013 beside the other years of this model. Complaint counts are not adjusted for sales, so read them as a guide only^[1].

Keep exploring

Other model years of the Chevrolet Cruze

2011 732 complaints, 7 recalls
2012 865 complaints, 7 recalls
2013 this page
2014 702 complaints, 10 recalls
2015 252 complaints, 4 recalls
2016 250 complaints, 4 recalls
2017 201 complaints, 2 recalls
2018 109 complaints, 3 recalls

Compare all model years of the Chevrolet Cruze

Other Chevrolet models from 2013

2013 Chevrolet Equinox 751 complaints, 2 recalls
2013 Chevrolet Malibu 924 complaints, 11 recalls

All Chevrolet models

Similar cars from 2013: midsize cars

2013 Honda Accord 1,437 complaints, 6 recalls
2013 Hyundai Elantra 1,345 complaints, 4 recalls
2013 Kia Optima 1,441 complaints, 10 recalls
2013 Lexus GS 48 complaints, 3 recalls
2013 Lincoln MKZ 122 complaints, 12 recalls
2013 Nissan Maxima 62 complaints, 0 recalls

All midsize cars we cover

Facts and sources

NHTSA has 587 owner complaints on file for the 2013 Chevrolet Cruze (54 mention a crash, 8 a fire, 32 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
233 complaints name the engine component group (8 crashes, 7 fires, 2 injuries, median mileage at failure 77,000). NHTSA vehicle records
Owner complaints and recalls for every Chevrolet Cruze model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
EPA rating for Cruze Eco, 1.4L 4-cyl turbo, Manual 6-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 28 city / 40 highway / 32 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,100. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4 DR FWD: overall 5 stars, frontal 5 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 10.9%. NHTSA vehicle records
122 complaints name the electrical system component group (4 crashes, 2 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 44,700). NHTSA vehicle records
113 complaints name the power train component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 37,206). NHTSA vehicle records
75 complaints name the unknown or other component group (2 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 75,890). NHTSA vehicle records
74 complaints name the steering component group (4 crashes, 1 fires, 2 injuries, median mileage at failure 36,809). NHTSA vehicle records
62 complaints name the electronic stability control (esc) component group (5 crashes, 1 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 65,500). NHTSA vehicle records
50 complaints name the brakes component group (12 crashes, 1 fires, 5 injuries, median mileage at failure 19,870). NHTSA vehicle records
49 complaints name the air bags component group (32 crashes, 1 fires, 29 injuries, median mileage at failure 47,000). NHTSA vehicle records
Recall 16V502, filed July 5, 2016: Electrical System › Ignition. NHTSA recall database
Recall 14V417, filed July 2, 2014: Equipment › Electrical. NHTSA recall database
Recall 14V372, filed June 26, 2014: Air Bags. NHTSA recall database
Recall 14V151, filed March 31, 2014: Power Train › Axle Assembly › Axle Shaft. NHTSA recall database
Recall 13V452, filed September 23, 2013: Power Train › Axle Assembly › Axle Shaft. NHTSA recall database
EPA rating for Cruze Eco, 1.4L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic 6-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 26 city / 37 highway / 30 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,250. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
EPA rating for Cruze, 1.4L 4-cyl turbo, Manual 6-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 26 city / 37 highway / 30 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,250. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
EPA rating for Cruze, 1.4L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic (S6), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 26 city / 36 highway / 30 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,250. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
EPA rating for Cruze, 1.8L 4-cyl, Manual 6-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 25 city / 35 highway / 29 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,300. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
EPA rating for Cruze, 1.8L 4-cyl, Automatic (S6), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 22 city / 34 highway / 26 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,600. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
EPA Test Car List, 2013 Chevrolet Cruze with 1.4L 4-cylinder: rated 138 to 140 hp depending on version. www.epa.gov
EPA Test Car List, 2013 Chevrolet Cruze with 1.8L 4-cylinder: rated 138 to 140 hp depending on version. www.epa.gov

Complaints submitted to NHTSA by owners; unverified reports, one complaint can name several components. Complaint counts are not normalized by sales; compare years of the same model, not different models. EPA annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new. Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles. Dimensions are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.

2013 Chevrolet Cruze: problems, recalls and fuel economy