Chevrolet Cruze problems
584 owners have filed defect reports on this one. That's not a small number. No active recalls — patterns come from the complaint record.
Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.
Repair exposure runs above average — only with money set aside and eyes open.
- Engine: 118 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 46,000–110,357 mi
- Electrical system: 74 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 36,000–90,000 mi
- Reliability score 7.0/10 — around the segment average
Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.
Top trouble spots 8 categories with 3+ complaints
What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
The vehicle keeps going to A/C off due to vehicle running hot. I've gone to the dealer and various shops had the water pump, hoses, outlet housing, thermostat replaced. I still smell coolant leaking and burning off when I open the hood I see the engine and catalytic converter…
My vehicle was not filed in the recall list but has the same issue as a drive train recall (13v452000). My vehicle when shifting gears completely lost power and no longer goes into 5th or 6th gear. I have taken it to the dealership like gm asked me but unfortunately they…
The car has some kind of electrical problems. The check engine light goes on and I take the car back to the dealer and get problems fixed, and within a month the check engine light comes on again, and there are new problems with the car. When those problems get fixed, the check…
At random car will idle up and down and rpms will jump. This happens when just cranked and after driven and sitting still in idle. Also, at random when trying to crank the car it seems to get stuck and I will have to return the ignition in order to get the motor to fully turn…
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
Common questions
Is the 2013 Chevrolet Cruze reliable?
Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 7.0 out of 10 based on 584 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2013 Chevrolet Cruze is generally a sound vehicle. The areas to watch are listed in the top problem section above — most are budget items, not deal-breakers.
Should you avoid the 2013 Chevrolet Cruze?
The 2013 Chevrolet Cruze is a higher-risk ownership prospect. Repair exposure runs above average — only with money set aside and eyes open. The record behind that call: Engine: 118 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 46,000–110,357 mi; Electrical system: 74 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 36,000–90,000 mi; Reliability score 7.0/10 — around the segment average. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
What's the most common problem on the 2013 Chevrolet Cruze?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is engine, with 118 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 78,911 miles. Average repair cost runs about $3,100 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The engine is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $3,100 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 78,911 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.
How do I check if my Chevrolet Cruze has open recalls?
Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.
Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2013 Chevrolet Cruze?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 584 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $3,100, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.