2013 Chevrolet Cruze

The Verdict

Worst problem area

Engine

Engine leads by volume: 232 of 586 complaints (40%) mention it. Complaints mentioning Airbags & Restraints include more reported injuries (29) than those mentioning any other identified area.

Complaints filed fell from 865 in 2012 to 586 in 2013.

Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology

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Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History

Fuel cost, fuel economy, and complaint history by model-yearScroll sideways to see all 5 years. Fuel figures show the range across trims for years with more than one EPA-rated configuration.
Category20112012201320142015vs. 2013 Midsize Cars
Annual fuel cost ($)1,950–2,4001,950–2,4001,950–2,4001,950–2,8001,950–2,800
Combined MPG26–3226–3226–3226–3226–32
City / Highway MPG22–28 / 34–4022–28 / 34–4022–28 / 34–4022–28 / 34–4422–28 / 34–44
CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi)278–342278–342273–336273–336272–336
Complaints filed732865586702251Not compared
Recalls issued775104Not compared
Crash-involved complaints3862547020Not compared
Fire-involved complaints20188174Not compared
Injuries reported3930325713Not compared
Deaths reported20000Not compared
Configurations compared56677

Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.

Common questions

How many recalls does the 2013 Chevrolet Cruze have?

5 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Sep 16, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.

What is the most common complaint about the 2013 Chevrolet Cruze?

Engine: 232 of 586 NHTSA complaints (40%) mention it.

What gas mileage does the 2013 Chevrolet Cruze get?

EPA rates it 26–32 MPG combined across 6 configurations.

How much does it cost to fuel a 2013 Chevrolet Cruze?

EPA estimates $1,950–$2,400 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.

EPA-Rated Configurations (6)

Every EPA-rated configuration on this page, one row each.A number tagged (low) or (high) is this page’s own cost-table figure of that name, above.
ConfigurationTransmissionCylindersDisplacementDrivetrainFuel TypeVehicle ClassCityHighwayCombinedAnnual Fuel CostCO₂
Configuration 1Automatic 6-spd41.4LFront-Wheel DriveRegularMidsize Cars26 mpg37 mpg30 mpg$2,100295 g/mi
Configuration 2Manual 6-spd41.4LFront-Wheel DriveRegularMidsize Cars26 mpg37 mpg30 mpg$2,100298 g/mi
Configuration 3Manual 6-spd41.4LFront-Wheel DriveRegularMidsize Cars28 mpg (high)40 mpg (high)32 mpg (high)$1,950 (low)273 g/mi (low)
Configuration 4Automatic (S6)41.4LFront-Wheel DriveRegularMidsize Cars26 mpg36 mpg30 mpg$2,100300 g/mi
Configuration 5Manual 6-spd41.8LFront-Wheel DriveRegularMidsize Cars25 mpg35 mpg29 mpg$2,150309 g/mi
Configuration 6Automatic (S6)41.8LFront-Wheel DriveRegularMidsize Cars22 mpg (low)34 mpg (low)26 mpg (low)$2,400 (high)336 g/mi (high)

Complaints by Category

Complaints by category, in the same fixed order on every page
CategoryComplaintsCrash-InvolvedFire-InvolvedInjuriesDeaths
Engine2328720
Transmission & Drivetrain1121000
Fuel System321000
Electrical1214200
Brakes10716260
Steering744120
Suspension, Wheels & Tires131010
Airbags & Restraints50321290
Driver Assistance & Speed Control404110
Body, Seats & Latches1611040
Visibility & Lighting422010
Other772100

A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.

Recalls (5)

  • POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM); ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION · Campaign 16V502000 · Jul 5, 2016

    Defect: 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."

    Consequence: If the key is removed without the transmission in PARK, the vehicle may rollaway as occupants are exiting, increasing the risk of injury.

    Remedy: 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 service at 1-800-222-1020, Buick 1-800-521-7300, and GMC 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 50490 and 50491.

  • EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL · Campaign 14V417000 · Jul 10, 2014

    Defect: 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.

    Consequence: Exposed wires increase the risk of electrical shock and personal injury if the cord is handled while it is plugged in.

    Remedy: 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. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 14257.

  • AIR BAGS · Campaign 14V372000 · Jun 26, 2014

    Defect: 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.

    Consequence: 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. The rupture could cause metal fragments to strike and potentially seriously injure the vehicle occupants. Additionally, if the air bag does not inflate, the driver is at an increased risk of injury.

    Remedy: 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 number for this recall is 14305.

  • POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY:AXLE SHAFT · Campaign 14V151000 · Mar 31, 2014

    Defect: 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.

    Consequence: If the half shaft fractures and separates while driving, the vehicle would lose power and coast to a stop. If a vehicle with a fractured half shaft is parked without the parking brake applied, the vehicle could move unexpectedly. Either condition increases the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: 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 owners in May 2014. A second owner letter will be mailed when parts are available. Owners may contact Chevrolet at 1-866-694-6546. GM's number for this recall is 14079. This is an expansion of recall 13V-452. NOTE: Some vehicles subject to this recall were subject to the recall campaign initiated in 2013. Some of those vehicles were repaired using defective parts. Those owners will be advised that they must have their vehicles remedied again under this campaign and that having the earlier recall completed did not remedy their vehicles.

  • POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY:AXLE SHAFT · Campaign 13V452000 · Oct 21, 2013

    Defect: 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.

    Consequence: If the half shaft fractures and separates while driving, the vehicle would lose power and coast to a stop. If a vehicle with a fractured half shaft is parked without the parking brake applied, the vehicle could move unexpectedly. Either condition increases the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: 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. This is General Motors campaign number 13276.