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#BS-2013-CHECRU-1A1D2013 Chevrolet Cruze
Based on reports from 930 owners and 5 recalls for this exact model.
Preliminary Verdict
Red Flag
Based on 930 complaints, 90 crashes, 15 fires, and 5 recalls. Complaint rate is 2.5x the class average.
Top reported problems
complete loss of electrical
11 complaints • Severity 8.7/10
antifreeze odor from vents
5 complaints • Severity 8.8/10
transmission went out
3 complaints • Severity 8.7/10
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Mechanic Inspection Checklist
227 owners reported engine issues — failures commonly reported around 52K miles.
Failure Timeline by Mileage
Peak failure range: 0–30K miles (214 reports) • Median: 52K miles
30,000-Mile Cost Projection
Best Case
Most Likely
Worst Case
Top cost driver: Engine (227 reports).
Also in your report
Owner Intelligence
AI-synthesized themes from real complaints
Buyer Lot Checklist
Questions, test drive checks, walk-away triggers
Negotiation Talking Points
Data-backed dollar deductions
Buy / Skip Verdict
Final recommendation with conditions
Where the complaints fall
2013 Chevrolet Cruze: Known Issues & Problem Areas
Engine Issues
Engine complaints account for 24% of all reports filed for the 2013 Chevrolet Cruze, with 227 owners filing complaints with NHTSA. The median mileage at time of complaint is 52,000 miles, suggesting issues tend to surface around the 52K-mile mark.
Electrical Issues
Electrical complaints account for 12% of all reports filed for the 2013 Chevrolet Cruze, with 116 owners filing complaints with NHTSA. Owners should pay attention to electrical-related symptoms during test drives and pre-purchase inspections.
Drivetrain Issues
Drivetrain complaints account for 12% of all reports filed for the 2013 Chevrolet Cruze, with 111 owners filing complaints with NHTSA. Owners should pay attention to drivetrain-related symptoms during test drives and pre-purchase inspections.
Steering Issues
Steering complaints account for 8% of all reports filed for the 2013 Chevrolet Cruze, with 74 owners filing complaints with NHTSA. Owners should pay attention to steering-related symptoms during test drives and pre-purchase inspections.
Data sourced from NHTSA owner complaints and community reports. The full report analyzes severity, repair costs, and failure patterns for each category.
Complaint trend by year
Complaints filed with NHTSA by year for the 2013 Chevrolet Cruze. Recent trend: decreasing.
Don't negotiate blind — know what this car costs to own
Repair costs • Negotiation scripts • Mechanic checklist • Buy/skip verdict
Recall History (5 recalls)
POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY:AXLE SHAFT
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.
POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY:AXLE SHAFT
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.
AIR BAGS
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.
EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL
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.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
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."
Recall severity analysis & seller scripts
The full report rates each recall's severity and gives you scripts for asking the seller about recall completion.
The worst model year for the Chevrolet Cruze is the 2017 — worth knowing if you're cross-shopping years. The biggest problem area is engine.
2013 Chevrolet Cruze vs. Class Average (Midsize Cars)
This vehicle
930
Class avg
378
2.5x the class average — significantly more complaints than typical midsize cars vehicles.
Complaint counts correlate with sales volume — popular vehicles naturally generate more reports. The full report normalizes for this.
About this data
NHTSA Complaints
Federal database of owner-filed safety complaints. 930 records for this vehicle.
NHTSA Recalls
Manufacturer-issued safety recalls. 5 recalls found for this vehicle.
Repair Cost Data
Real-world repair costs from owner reports and independent databases.
Other Chevrolet Cruze Model Years
View all Chevrolet Cruze years →2013 Chevrolet Cruze: Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most common problem with the 2013 Chevrolet Cruze?
Is the 2013 Chevrolet Cruze reliable?
How much does it cost to fix 2013 Chevrolet Cruze problems?
Does the 2013 Chevrolet Cruze have any recalls?
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What’s in the full report?
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Get the Full 2013 Chevrolet Cruze Report
10 sections of AI analysis based on 930 owner reports. Know before you buy.