repaired · 2018 Q1
Electrical system: ignition
Risk. If the key is removed without the transmission in PARK, the vehicle may rollaway as occupants are exiting, increasing the risk of injury.
2013 Chevrolet CruzeProblems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 587 owner complaints about the 2013 Chevrolet Cruze, most often about the engine. It is covered by 5 safety recalls, and for recall 14V-417 the manufacturer reports only 79% of affected cars repaired.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through October 1, 2026. Updated daily. Photo: Elise240SX, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Complaints by system
Where the 2013 Chevrolet Cruze has problems
587 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
212Engine12 crash/fire/injury
122Electrical system6 crash/fire/injury
113Power train1 crash/fire/injury
74Steering5 crash/fire/injury
62Electronic stability control (ESC)5 crash/fire/injury
49Air bags
45Service brakes
39Vehicle speed control
29Fuel/propulsion system
11818 other systems19 crash/fire/injury
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 212 | 12 |
| Electrical system | 122 | 6 |
| Power train | 113 | 1 |
| Steering | 74 | 5 |
| Electronic stability control (ESC) | 62 | 5 |
| Air bags | 49 | 32 |
| Service brakes | 45 | 12 |
| Vehicle speed control | 39 | 4 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 29 | 0 |
| 18 other systems | 118 | 19 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
5 recalls
2013 Chevrolet Cruze recalls and how many were fixed
Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
repaired · 2015 Q4
Equipment: electrical
Risk. Exposed wires increase the risk of electrical shock and personal injury if the cord is handled while it is plugged in.
repaired · 2015 Q3
Air bags
Risk. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's air bag, the air bag's inflator may rupture and the air bag may not inflate.
repaired · 2015 Q4
Axle assembly: axle shaft
Risk. If the half shaft fractures and separates while driving, the vehicle would lose power and coast to a stop.
Show 1 more recall
repaired · 2016 Q1
Axle assembly: axle shaft
Risk. If the half shaft fractures and separates while driving, the vehicle would lose power and coast to a stop.
Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Chevrolet.
Mileage at failure
When do engine problems start?
85kmiles, median
Based on the odometer reading in 125 engine complaints. 64% were reported before 100,000 miles.
23under 30k miles80under 100k miles45100k miles or more
Best & worst years
2013 vs. every other Cruze year
Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Cruze median. How we score
'11'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19
- Avoid
- Caution
- Solid
- Best
- Not rated
NHTSA crash tests
2013 Chevrolet Cruze safety ratings
2013 Chevrolet Cruze 4 DR FWD in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.
★★★★★
Frontal crash★★★★★
Side barrier★★★★★
Side pole★★★★★
- Rollover: 4 stars (10.9% risk)
- Stability control: Standard
- Forward collision warning: No
- Lane departure warning: No
In owners' words
What Cruze owners report
Recent engine complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
I PURCHASED THE CAR WITH MY STUDENT FINANCIAL AID MONEY AS SOON AS I GOT 5 CAR A FEW BLOCKS AWAY AND THE CAR STARTED BOILING.THEN THE KEY IGNITION SYSTEM SAID USE POCKET TRANSMITTER THAT DIDN'T WORK.I PURCHASED A NEW BATTERY I HAVE A MECHANIC THAT'S WHY I PURCHASED THE CAR I WAS CONFIDANT JE COULD…
I’d like to report this vehicle and its engine as I did not know I could before we have had this car since 2015 This engine has chronic repeated issues that Chevy would patch once under “special coverages” or “extended warranty” and it fails again and again but they only honor it 1 time even if it…
The contact owns a 2013 Chevrolet Cruze. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact felt ill and pulled over to the side of the road. The contact stated that a passerby stopped and found the contact unconscious inside the vehicle. The ambulance was called to the scene,…
Own a 2013 Cruze?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.