2013 Chevrolet Cruze: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2013 Chevrolet Cruze: 5 recalls, 587 owner complaints and up to 30 mpg combined.

Recalls
5 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Transmission & drivetrain Vehicle recall #13V452000 · 2013 · 3,161 vehicles
What's wrong: On the affected vehicles, the right front half shaft May fracture and separate.
Why it matters: 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.
The fix: General motors has notified owners. Dealers will replace the half shaft assembly, free of charge. The safety recall began on October 15, 2013.
Transmission & drivetrain Vehicle recall #14V151000 · 2014 · 174,046 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: 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.
The 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 owners in May 2014. A second owner letter will be mailed when parts are available.
Airbags Vehicle recall #14V372000 · 2014 · 29,019 vehicles
What's wrong: In the affected vehicles, the driver's front air bag inflator May have been manufactured with an incorrect part.
Why it matters: 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…
The fix: Gm will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver side air bag, free of charge. The recall began on June 28, 2014.
Equipment Vehicle recall #14V417000 · 2014 · 2,990 vehicles
What's wrong: In cold temperatures, the insulation on the engine block heater cord can become damaged, allowing the wires to be exposed.
Why it matters: Exposed wires increase the risk of electrical shock and personal injury if the cord is handled while it is plugged in.
The 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.
Electrical, Transmission & drivetrain Vehicle recall #16V502000 · 2016 · 8,367 vehicles
What's wrong: 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…
Why it matters: If the key is removed without the transmission in park, the vehicle May rollaway as occupants are exiting, increasing the risk of injury.
The 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.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 8 mention a fire, 32 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Engine (212): the most common themes are leaks (59), warning light on (58), stalls / loses power (42).
- Electrical (122): the most common themes are electrical failure (38), stalls / loses power (34).
- Transmission & drivetrain (113): the most common themes are hard / delayed shifting (23), stalls / loses power (21), warning light on (21).
- Other / unknown (75): the most common themes are leaks (16), warning light on (8).
The 2013 Chevrolet Cruze has 587 owner complaints, ranking #4 of 10 Cruze model years for complaints (1.6× the average Cruze year). Complaints peaked in 2014 (108 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 4 years old, at a median of 51,000 miles. Neighboring years: 2012 (865 complaints, 7 recalls), 2014 (702 complaints, 10 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.4 L 4-cyl turbo | Manual 6-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 26 | 37 | 30 | Regular |
| 1.4 L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (S6) | Front-Wheel Drive | 26 | 36 | 30 | Regular |
| 1.8 L 4-cyl | Manual 6-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 25 | 35 | 29 | Regular |
| 1.8 L 4-cyl | Automatic (S6) | Front-Wheel Drive | 22 | 34 | 26 | Regular |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 2013 Chevrolet Cruze.
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Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
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FAQ
Does the 2013 Chevrolet Cruze have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 5 vehicle recalls for the 2013 Chevrolet Cruze. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 2013 Chevrolet Cruze problems?
Owners have filed 587 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are engine (212), electrical (122), transmission & drivetrain (113).
What gas mileage does the 2013 Chevrolet Cruze get?
EPA ratings run up to 30 mpg combined (1.4 L, Manual 6-spd), across 4 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 2013 Chevrolet Cruze repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.