Problems owners report
Complaints filed with NHTSA about the 2013 Chevrolet Cruze, by the system named in each complaint. One complaint can name several.
- Engine212
- Electrical system122
- Power train113
- Unknown or other75
- Steering74
- Electronic stability control (esc)62
- Air bags49
- Service brakes45
- Vehicle speed control39
- Fuel/propulsion system29
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026 · 32 injuries and 0 deaths reported
Compared with other years
NHTSA ODI complaints by model year
Fatal crashes in the US
From 2020 to 2023, 115 2013 Cruze vehicles were involved in crashes on US public roads in which someone died; 71 people died inside them, and 14 of the vehicles rolled over. This is a count, not a crash rate: it grows with the number of cars on the road.
NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), crash years 2020–2023 (public domain)
New York safety inspections
At its first New York inspection the 2013 Chevrolet Cruze failed the safety check 2.40% of the time — 1% more often than the average 2013 passenger car (2.38%). Median odometer at inspection: 102,898 miles.
NY DMV Vehicle Inspections (vezn-fmmk), initial inspections since Aug 2021 · how we count
Registered new in Europe in 2013
31,487 new Chevrolet Cruze cars were registered in the EU, Norway and Iceland in 2013; the largest markets were Germany (6,249), Spain (4,989), Poland (3,601).
- Average mass
- 1,536 kg
- Average power
- 105 kW
- Fuel type recorded
- Diesel 52% · Petrol 46% · LPG 2.7%
European Environment Agency, CO₂ emissions from new passenger cars · averages weighted by registrations; CO₂ is the type-approval value; fuel type as recorded at registration, where many non-plug-in hybrids appear as petrol · re-use permitted with acknowledgement
Engines
The most common engines in 2013 Chevrolet Cruze cars on Dutch roads are the 1.4 petrol (103 kW, 138 hp), 1.8 petrol (104 kW, 139 hp) and 1.6 petrol (91 kW, 122 hp).
| Engine | Power | Cars |
|---|---|---|
| 1.4 petrol | 103 kW 138 hp | 84 |
| 1.8 petrol | 104 kW 139 hp | 62 |
| 1.6 petrol | 91 kW 122 hp | 57 |
RDW Open Data (CC0): registered passenger cars and their fuel data · engine size rounded to 0.1 litre, net maximum power · versions with at least 20 cars
In the Netherlands
210 first registered in 2013 are on Dutch roads; 17% arrived later as imports. Median list price when new: €26,664.
Most common APK defects
- Bandenspanning niet op juiste waarde150
- Richtingaanwijzers kleur wijkt af/niet toegestaan91
- Overmatige vloeistoflekkage overige vloeistoffen81
- Kentekenplaatverlichting werkt niet (goed) / ontbreekt76
- Band onvoldoende profiel58
- Dimlicht onjuist afgesteld53
- Stadslicht werkt niet (goed)48
- Rem- of parkeerremkabel / buitenkabel ondeugdelijk38
Colours
RDW Open Data: registered vehicles and APK defects (CC0) · defect descriptions in the RDW's Dutch wording
In the United Kingdom
1,068 cars built in 2013 were licensed for the road at the end of 2025, and 87 more were declared off the road (SORN).
Department for Transport and DVLA, vehicle licensing statistics (table VEH0124, year of manufacture) · Open Government Licence v3.0
MOT test results in Great Britain
In 2023, 1,349 of these cars first registered in 2013 took their annual MOT test. 62% passed first time; among all cars first registered in 2013 the figure was 68%.
| Failed on | These cars | All cars from 2013 |
|---|---|---|
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 16.9% | 12.5% |
| Suspension | 13.7% | 10.4% |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 7.1% | 2.7% |
| Visibility | 6.8% | 4.7% |
| Brakes | 6.6% | 6.8% |
| Tyres | 5.6% | 6.7% |
DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results, 2023 (Department for Transport) · Open Government Licence v3.0 · first tests only; a fix made at the test station within the hour still counts as a fail
In Finland
463 of these cars first registered in 2013 were in use in Finland on 30 Jun 2026, with an average of 181,000 km on the odometer at their last inspection.
Traficom (Finnish Transport and Communications Agency), open data on vehicles in use · CC BY 4.0
In New Zealand
1 2013 cars are on the New Zealand register; 100% arrived as used imports, 0% were sold new in New Zealand.
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi, Motor Vehicle Register (March 2026) · CC BY 4.0
Crash-test ratings
NHTSA 5-star results for 1 variant; 1 of 1 rated variants score five stars overall. Rollover risk is the estimated chance of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.
| Variant | Overall | Rollover risk |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 Chevrolet Cruze 4 DR FWD | ★★★★★ | 10.9 % |
- Electronic stability control
- Standard
- Forward collision warning
- No
- Lane departure warning
- No
- Best overall rating
- 5 / 5
NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), api.nhtsa.gov · US federal work, public domain
Fuel consumption
Official Canadian test results for 6 variants: combined 7.1–8.8 L/100 km (about 27–33 mpg US), CO₂ 163–202 g/km.
| Variant | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cruze Eco · Mid-size · Regular gasoline | 8.4 | 5.6 | 7.1 |
| Cruze Eco · Mid-size · Regular gasoline | 9.1 | 6.0 | 7.7 |
| Cruze · Mid-size · Regular gasoline | 9.1 | 6.3 | 7.8 |
| Cruze · Mid-size · Regular gasoline | 9.1 | 6.3 | 7.8 |
| Cruze · Mid-size · Regular gasoline | 9.5 | 6.5 | 8.1 |
| Cruze · Mid-size · Regular gasoline | 10.5 | 6.7 | 8.8 |
Litres per 100 km. Natural Resources Canada, Fuel consumption ratings (open.canada.ca) · Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls in Canada
6 Transport Canada recalls for the 2013 Chevrolet Cruze.
| 2015303 6 Jul 2015 | Steering On certain vehicles, the inner tie rod attachment to the steering gear may not have been tightened to specification. With this condition, the tie rod can separ… |
| 2014274 3 Jul 2014 | Accessories On certain vehicles, insulation on the engine block heater power cord may become damaged if the cord is handled during very cold days (temperatures below -25C).… |
| 2014250 26 Jun 2014 | Airbag On certain vehicles, the driver's (frontal) airbag inflator was built with an incorrect part which could cause the inflator to rupture during a deployment. In … |
| 2014100 31 Mar 2014 | Powertrain On certain vehicles, the passenger side halfshaft could fracture and separate. If this were to occur while the vehicle is being driven, it could result in a los… |
| 2014016 21 Jan 2014 | Seats And Restraints Certain vehicles may not comply with the requirements of Canada Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 202 - Head Restraints. If subjected to load in the highest adjustm… |
| 2013323 25 Sept 2013 | Powertrain On certain vehicles equipped with manual transmissions, the passenger side halfshaft could fracture and separate. If this were to occur while the vehicle is bei… |
Transport Canada Vehicle Recalls Database · Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls
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."
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.
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.
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.
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.
Whether a recall was fixed on a particular car is known only to the manufacturer: check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
NHTSA recalls · summaries in NHTSA's own words
Service bulletins
What Chevrolet told its dealers about the 2013 Chevrolet Cruze: known faults, fixes and updates.
| Bulletin | Summary |
|---|---|
| 11011989 | This service bulletin provides information on the harmful effects of ethylene glycol in transmission fluid. |
| 11011805 | This Preliminary information communicates a GM part number forreflective high temperature heat or insulating tape when repairing wiring harnesses. |
| 11011782 | This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about the use of J-35616-64B terminal test probe, replacement terminals, and terminated leads. The J-35616-64B is the latest test probe released for checking tension or probing the .64 series terminals. The test probe terminal has been released in the terminal repair kit (J-38125-620H) located in Lear Tray 7 part number 963716-2. There are 5 terminated leads in a package part number is 13505346, which can be ordered through your normal General Motors Customer Care and Aftersales parts channel. |
| 11011709 | This bulletin advises the dealers to maintain the vehicle stock on hand by doing a full inspection on the vehicles before being sold (prepping) to the customer. |
| 11011444 | This Preliminary information communicates to the dealer a process for accessing the procedure to add attachments to a GM technical assistance case using the dealer case management tool. |
| 11011205 | This informational bulletin explains Unscheduled Supplemental Services and the importance of GM Simplified Maintenance Schedules. |
| 11010651 | This service bulletin informs the technician of an alternate lift procedure that has been developed when the lift plate does not fit the top of the transmission case for 6T30, 6T35, 6T40, 6T45, and 6T50 Transmissions. |
| 11010545 | This service bulletin provides information on key code security rules and information on GM keycode look-up applications (U.S). |
| 11010491 | This warranty administration bulletin provides policy information for GM courtesy transportation and roadside assistance programs. |
| 11010490 | This service bulletin provides guidelines and diagnostic/repair information to technicians regarding vehicle engine oil consumption. |
| 11010421 | This warranty administration bulletin provides policy information on the requirements for 12V battery testing and warranty replacements. |
| 11009764 | This service bulletin provides information on Concerns or Questions Regarding Installation of Dealer Installed Accessories. |
| 11009756 | This bulletin provides information on Policies Applicable to All U.S. Dealers for Engine and Transmission Assembly Replacement Under Warranty, Policy or Customer Enthusiasm and information on Submission of Warranty Transaction in Global Warranty Management. |
| 11009532 | This service bulletin provides information for maintenance cleaning of the fuel injectors and gasoline detergent additive. |
| 11009531 | This service bulletin provides information for maintenance cleaning of the fuel injectors and gasoline detergent additive. |
| 11009170 | This Preliminary information communicates additional information on how a LIN bus operates and diagnostic tips when working on a LIN bus. |
| 11009156 | This Preliminary Information communicates to the dealer the process for downloading or updating operating software for the Tire Pressure Monitor, Active Fuel Injector tester, multi media tester, PICO Scope, GR8 starting/charging tester and Vehicle Data Recorder tools, giving website address and step by step instructions to complete the update. |
| 11009088 | This service bulletin provides information on some vehicles that may rock or move slightly forward or rearward while in Park at start up after cold soak. This condition may be accompanied by a clunk noise. This is a slight movement that is more often seen visually, rather than felt, when viewed from the outside and using the auto-start feature, if equipped. |
| 11009039 | This warranty administration bulletin provides policy information, proper labor operation selection and causal part identification for warranty transactions (U.S. Only). |
| 11008986 | This Preliminary information communicatesdirection and examples when diagnosing multiple DTCs, one of which includes U**** Byte 71 DTC. |
| 11008956 | This service bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on When and How to Submit a Field Product Report (FPR) (U.S. and Canada Dealers Only). |
| 11008906 | This service bulletin provides graphics, information and guidelines for engine component wear to assist service personnel as a guideline to perform necessary engine repairs and prevent unnecessary engine replacement. |
| 11008898 | The bulletin provides direction on how to locate the Temporary Service Part (TSP) form in GlobalConnect. |
| 11007936 | This service bulletin provides information to dealership personnel on diagnosis and replacement of shock absorber and strut due to fluid leak. |
| 11007935 | This service bulletin provides information to dealership personnel on diagnosis and replacement of shock absorber and strut due to fluid leak. |
NHTSA manufacturer communications (public domain)