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2013 Chevrolet Cruze: Problems, Recalls and MPG

What this means

NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns for the 2013 Chevrolet Cruze, most recently filed July 2016. Owners have filed 587 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the engine. In NHTSA crash tests it earned 5 stars overall.

Data summary generated from official records. Methodology Data: NHTSA, DOT, EPA · Refreshed Oct 6, 2026
Recalls 5campaigns 2 electrical · 2 power train · 1 air bag Source: NHTSA Complaints 587filed Owner reports, 2010–2019 shown Source: NHTSA ODI Crash tests 5★overall ★★★★★ Frontal 5★ · Side 5★ · Rollover 4★ Source: NHTSA NCAP Fuel economy 32mpg combined $2,041/yr at this week's prices Source: EPA · EIA Specs 1.4 L 4-cyl· 6-speed manual 6 engine and transmission configurations Source: NHTSA vPIC
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Recalls (5)

NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns for the 2013 Chevrolet Cruze. Check whether yours was repaired with NHTSA's free VIN lookup ↗

Only NHTSA and your automaker know whether your specific car was repaired. PlainVIN shows every recall campaign listed for a model year, with the official text and how many cars have been fixed so far.

Check on NHTSA ↗
Listed for 2013 Chevrolet Cruze. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 16V502000 Filed Jul 5, 2016

Key May Be Removed When Not In Park/FMVSS 114

Electrical system · ignition
Official NHTSA text
Summary
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."
Consequence
If the key is removed without the transmission in PARK, the vehicle may rollaway as occupants are exiting, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy
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. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, Buick 1-800-521-7300, and GMC 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 50490 and 50491.
97.9% repairedof 8,367 vehicles
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 16V502000
Listed for 2013 Chevrolet Cruze. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 14V417000 Filed Jul 2, 2014

Engine Block Heater Power Cord Damage

Equipment · electrical
Official NHTSA text
Summary
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.
Consequence
Exposed wires increase the risk of electrical shock and personal injury if the cord is handled while it is plugged in.
Remedy
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. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 14257.
78.8% repairedof 2,990 vehicles
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 14V417000
Listed for 2013 Chevrolet Cruze. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 14V372000 Filed Jun 26, 2014

Driver's Front Air Bag Inflator Rupture

Air bags
Official NHTSA text
Summary
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.
Consequence
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 driver is at an increased risk of injury.
Remedy
GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver side air bag, free of charge. The recall began on June 28, 2014. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 14305.
91.4% repairedof 29,019 vehicles
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 14V372000
Listed for 2013 Chevrolet Cruze. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 14V151000 Filed Mar 31, 2014

Front Right Half Shaft may Fracture

Power train · axle assembly · axle shaft
Official NHTSA text
Summary
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.
Consequence
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.
Remedy
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. Owners may contact Chevrolet at 1-866-694-6546. GM's number for this recall is 14079. This is an expansion of recall 13V-452. NOTE: Some vehicles subject to this recall were subject to the recall campaign initiated in 2013. Some of those vehicles were repaired using defective parts. Those owners will be advised that they must have their vehicles remedied again under this campaign and that having the earlier recall completed did not remedy their vehicles.
95.2% repairedof 174,046 vehicles
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 14V151000
Listed for 2013 Chevrolet Cruze. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 13V452000 Filed Sep 23, 2013

Front Right Half Shaft may Fracture

Power train · axle assembly · axle shaft
Official NHTSA text
Summary
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.
Consequence
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.
Remedy
General Motors has notified owners. Dealers will replace the half shaft assembly, free of charge. The safety recall began on October 15, 2013. Owners may contact General Motors at 1-800-521-7300. This is General Motors campaign number 13276.
95.8% repairedof 3,161 vehicles
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 13V452000

PlainVIN shows public government records for education. It isn't a vehicle inspection or legal advice. Check your own VIN with NHTSA or your dealer.

Which Cruze years had the most recalls?Best & worst years →Every recall for the Chevrolet CruzeAll model years →Where is the VIN on my car?VIN location guide →

Owner complaints (587)

587 complaints filed with NHTSA (owner reports, not verified findings). The engine is mentioned most often.

54involved a crash
8involved a fire
32injuries reported
0deaths reported

As reported by owners in their complaints. These are reports, not NHTSA findings.

Most-reported components

Complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2013 Chevrolet Cruze, by component (top 10). One complaint can list several components, so these add up to more than 587.Source: NHTSA ODI owner complaints · Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 · Report a data error

How 2013 compares with other Cruze years

Best and worst Cruze years →
2 732 865 587 702 252 250 201 109 22
2010201120122013201420152016201720182019
This year (2013)Other yearsStill collecting reports

Counts are owner reports, not failure rates. Higher sales years tend to draw more reports. Owners are still filing reports for recent model years, so these counts will grow. Source: NHTSA ODI, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.

Crash tests: 5 stars overall

Overall★★★★★
Frontal crashDriver 5★ · Passenger 4★★★★★★
Side crashDriver 5★ · Passenger 5★★★★★★
Side pole★★★★★
RolloverRollover risk 10.9%★★★★☆
Front seat of a modern car with the seat belt buckled across the passenger seat
Compare fairly. Compare stars only between vehicles of similar size and weight. Ratings apply to the tested configuration.

Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (NCAP), 2013 Chevrolet Cruze 4 dr fwd, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.

Fuel economy: up to 32 mpg combined

32
mpg combined
28
city
40
highway
EPA annual fuel cost
$2,100
CO₂ tailpipe
273 g/mi
EPA class
Midsize Cars

What it costs you to run

$2,041per year
$170per month
469gallons a year

Miles ÷ 32 mpg × $4.354 (EIA US average regular, week of Oct 5, 2026, all taxes included). Source: EPA · EIA.

EPA label estimates from lab tests; your mileage will vary.

Specs by configuration

2013 Chevrolet Cruze configurations with EPA data
Engine · transmissionDriveCity / Hwy / CombEPA $/yrCO₂ g/mi
1.4 L 4-cyl · 6-speed manualFront-Wheel Drive28 / 40 / 32$2,100273
1.4 L 4-cyl · 6-speed automaticFront-Wheel Drive26 / 37 / 30$2,250295
1.4 L 4-cyl · 6-speed manualFront-Wheel Drive26 / 37 / 30$2,250298
1.4 L 4-cyl · 6-speed automaticFront-Wheel Drive26 / 36 / 30$2,250300
1.8 L 4-cyl · 6-speed manualFront-Wheel Drive25 / 35 / 29$2,300309
1.8 L 4-cyl · 6-speed automaticFront-Wheel Drive22 / 34 / 26$2,600336

Source: EPA fuel economy data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026. Configurations are listed when EPA and NHTSA records match.

Used blue SUV on a sunny dealer lot with its hood open and a clipboard on the fender

Looking at a 2013 Cruze for sale?

Print a one-page buyer's checklist: each recall campaign with a box to tick when the seller shows proof of repair, the top complaint areas to inspect, crash stars, MPG, and a link back to this page.

All Cruze years

Where to next

Which Cruze years drew the fewest complaints?Best & worst years →2014 Chevrolet Cruze report702 complaints · 10 campaigns →2012 Chevrolet Cruze report865 complaints · 7 campaigns →Have a VIN? Decode itVIN decoder →

2013 Chevrolet Cruze FAQ

How many recalls does the 2013 Chevrolet Cruze have?

NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns: 16V502000 (electrical), 14V417000 (electrical), 14V372000 (air bag), 14V151000 (power train), 13V452000 (power train). Use NHTSA's VIN lookup to see whether a specific car was repaired.

What are the most common 2013 Chevrolet Cruze problems?

Owners filed 587 complaints with NHTSA. Engine (212), Electrical system (122), Power train (113) are mentioned most. These are owner reports, not verified findings.

What mpg does the 2013 Chevrolet Cruze get?

EPA rates the 1.4 L 4-cyl · 6-speed manual version at 28 city, 40 highway and 32 combined mpg. Other configurations are listed in the fuel economy section.

What safety rating did the 2013 Chevrolet Cruze get?

NHTSA rated the 2013 Chevrolet Cruze 4 dr fwd 5 stars overall, with 5 stars frontal, 5 stars side and 4 stars rollover (10.9% rollover risk).

How does the 2013 Cruze compare with other years?

Among the 2010–2019 Chevrolet Cruze model years at least five years old, the 2010 drew the fewest complaints (2) and the 2012 the most (865). The 2013 drew 587. Counts are owner reports, not failure rates.

How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes

Processing

  • Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
  • Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.

Limitations

  • Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
  • Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
  • Recent model years are still collecting reports.

Review

Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.

Changelog

  • 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.
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