Is the 2013 Chevrolet Cruze a bad year?
585 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine complaints: 231, 3× a quiet Cruze year.
Keep it, but watch the engine
The engine draws 3× the complaints of a quiet Cruze year, spread over 42k–110k miles, so there's no single mileage to plan around.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2013 Cruze owners report, by mileage
Each system owners named in five or more complaints, with the mileage range where the middle half of those complaints were filed. Read at 80,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| EngineSTANDS OUT | 229 (39%) | 40k–110k miles · around this mileage | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| Stability controlSTANDS OUT | 62 (11%) | 52k–97k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Air bags | 49 (8%) | 18k–90k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Speed control | 39 (7%) | 11k–85k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Visibility and wipers | 33 (6%) | 43k–88k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Fuel system | 30 (5%) | 29k–87k miles · around this mileage | Fuel pump replacement $220–$1,500 · Fuel injector replacement (one injector) $300–$1,200 |
| Electrical systemSTANDS OUT | 121 (21%) | 30k–77k miles · mostly behind | 12-volt battery replacement $100–$400 · Starter motor replacement $350–$1,200 |
| Transmission and drivetrainSTANDS OUT | 112 (19%) | 7k–78k miles · mostly behind | CV axle / CV joint replacement (one side) $300–$1,500 · Automatic transmission replacement $2,500–$7,000 |
| SteeringSTANDS OUT | 74 (13%) | 21k–56k miles · mostly behind | Steering rack and pinion replacement $700–$2,100 |
| Brakes | 50 (9%) | 5k–55k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Body structure | 13 (2%) | 12k–51k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Exterior lighting | 11 (2%) | 19k–75k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Suspension | 8 (1%) | too few with a mileage | — |
Bills are typical US ranges from the sources named in the tool (J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, CarParts.com and others), printed only for systems that stand out or sit at or ahead of 80,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 585 complaints: 54 mention a crash · 8 mention a fire · 25 report an injury · 20 say the car was towed.
5 complaints were filed in the last 12 months, the newest in Oct 2026.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
In owners' own words
My 2013 chevy Cruze that had 80000 miles on it head gaskets are blown out along with the bolts and cooling system.
Exact same coolant system problems as in the earlier model chevy Cruze recalls. Faulty coolant system, specifically a leaking water pump, inaccurate thermostat and leaking coolant feed and return lines to the turbocharger.
Vehicle dormant water inlet, dormant water outlet and reservoir hose are all faulty. Car will leak coolant due to all three issues.
Unedited excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, chosen by mileage (nearest 80,000 miles), not by content. Unverified.
Recalls for the 2013 Chevrolet Cruze: 5
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. If the key is removed without the transmission in PARK, the vehicle may rollaway as occupants are exiting, increasing the risk of injury.
In cold temperatures, the insulation on the engine block heater cord can become damaged, allowing the wires to be exposed. Exposed wires increase the risk of electrical shock and personal injury if the cord is handled while it is plugged in.
In the affected vehicles, the driver's front air bag inflator may have been manufactured with an incorrect part. 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.
On the affected vehicles, the right front half shaft may fracture and separate. 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.
On the affected vehicles, the right front half shaft may fracture and separate. 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.
A recall may cover only some cars of a model year; the campaign size counts every model and year it lists. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls: dealers fix open recalls free.
Service bulletins from Chevrolet: 569
Repair instructions Chevrolet sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2013 Chevrolet Cruze. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
Normal transmission shift condition and the delay in throttle response when the throttle plate is opened rapidly and advises the customer that it is normal…
Guidelines to replace Oil Cooler, Oil Cooler Lines and Oil Tank if the engine was replaced where large amounts of debris has flowed throughout the oiling system
Internal Engine Noise or Damage After Oil Filter Replacement
Possible oil consumption and//or leaks
Neighbouring years
2012 Cruze: 864 complaints, keep it, but watch the engine · 2014 Cruze: 704 complaints, keep it, but watch the engine.
Every Chevrolet Cruze year
2010 · 2011 · 2012 · 2013 · 2014 · 2015 · 2016 · 2017 · 2018 · 2019 · All Cruze years side by side
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Questions
Is the 2013 Chevrolet Cruze a bad year?
585 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine complaints: 231, 3× a quiet Cruze year. At 80,000 miles the tool says: Keep it, but watch the engine. The engine draws 3× the complaints of a quiet Cruze year, spread over 42k–110k miles, so there's no single mileage to plan around.
What are the most common problems with the 2013 Chevrolet Cruze?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: engine (229), stability control (62), air bags (49), speed control (39), visibility and wipers (33). Half of the engine complaints were filed between 42k–110k miles.
How many recalls does the 2013 Chevrolet Cruze have?
5 recall campaigns list this model year: Transmission and drivetrain (NHTSA 16V-502), Equipment (NHTSA 14V-417), Air bags (NHTSA 14V-372), Transmission and drivetrain (NHTSA 14V-151) and more. A recall may cover only some cars; check by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Method: counts of unverified owner complaints filed with NHTSA, compared only with other years of the same model (sales volumes are unknown, so no failure rate is computed). A system stands out at 40+ complaints and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share across every vehicle of that model year. The mileage range is the 25th to 75th percentile of the mileages owners reported. Data received by NHTSA through November 5, 2026. Repair prices are typical US ranges from named sources, not quotes. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Check this car at your own mileage.