The Used Car Index

2013 Chevrolet Cruze problems

NHTSA lists 587 complaints for the 2013 Chevrolet Cruze, 54 of them mention a crash and 8 mention a fire. 25 complaints mention an injury, with 32 injuries and 0 deaths reported.

Data build 2026-10-09.

NHTSA lists this vehicle as CHEVROLET CRUZE.

At a glance

Complaints
587
With crash
54
With fire
8
With injury (complaints)
25
Injuries
32
Deaths
0
Recalls
5
Do not drive recalls
0
Park outside recalls
0
Recall potential units (maximum)
174,046
Investigations
0
Open investigations
0
Manufacturer communications
1,883

Complaints per 100k sold: 236.48. Units sold: 248,224; sales year: 2013; basis: calendar_year_us_sales_proxy_for_model_year. goodcarbadcar.net.

Where the complaints are

Top systems
SystemComplaintsShare of this vehicle's complaints
ENGINE21236.1%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM12220.8%
POWER TRAIN11319.3%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER7512.8%
STEERING7412.6%
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)6210.6%
AIR BAGS498.3%
SERVICE BRAKES457.7%
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL396.6%
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM294.9%
Top subsystems
SystemSubsystemComplaints
STRUCTUREBODY11
VISIBILITYDEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM5
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLINGENGINE3
ELECTRICAL SYSTEMINSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL2
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLINGCOOLING SYSTEM2
BACK OVER PREVENTIONSENSING SYSTEM1
ELECTRICAL SYSTEMIGNITION1
ELECTRICAL SYSTEMINSTRUMENT PANEL1
EQUIPMENTAPPLIANCE1
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINEDELIVERY1

One complaint can name several systems, so shares can add to more than 100 percent.

Model-generated complaint tags

These labels are model-generated, not NHTSA data.

Failure modes
LabelCountShare of taggedMean confidence
loss of control16427.9%0.83
electrical electronic10718.2%0.81
mechanical failure9716.5%0.84
fire or overheating6410.9%0.83
fluid or fuel leak579.7%0.82
restraint or airbag396.6%0.92
noise or comfort315.3%0.78
unclear183.1%0.91
visibility or lighting81.4%0.85
structural or corrosion20.3%0.58
Severities
LabelCountShare of taggedMean confidence
moderate35861.0%0.82
low15125.7%0.71
high7212.3%0.88
critical30.5%0.74
none30.5%0.94

Model: typesafe/jev-1.13-20260917; schema version: tag-v1. 587 tagged complaints of 587 complaints (100.0%).

Confidence is the model's own probability for the label it chose (0 to 1), not accuracy.

Model-generated labels on tagged complaints only. Model years 2013 and newer are tagged in full; 2012 in part (see tagged_share); earlier model years have no tags. NHTSA's own flags remain separate in the complaints block.

Recalls

See new recalls and investigations this week.

5 recalls.

16V502000

Date: 2016-07-05. Systems: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, POWER TRAIN.

Defect: 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 T (excerpt)

Consequence: If the key is removed without the transmission in PARK, the vehicle may rollaway as occupants are exiting, increasing the risk of injury. (excerpt)

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. (excerpt)

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

14V417000

Date: 2014-07-02. Systems: EQUIPMENT.

Defect: 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 (excerpt)

Consequence: Exposed wires increase the risk of electrical shock and personal injury if the cord is handled while it is plugged in. (excerpt)

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. (excerpt)

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

14V372000

Date: 2014-06-26. Systems: AIR BAGS.

Defect: 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.

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

14V151000

Date: 2014-03-31. Systems: POWER TRAIN.

Defect: 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. (excerpt)

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. (excerpt)

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 1 (excerpt)

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

13V452000

Date: 2013-09-23. Systems: POWER TRAIN.

Defect: 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.

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

Investigations

0 investigations; 0 open.

Manufacturer communications

1,883 manufacturer communications.

Communications by system
SystemCount
EQUIPMENT816
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM367
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING203
POWER TRAIN167
ENGINE166
EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY104
WHEELS68
UNKNOWN OR OTHER66

11037555

Date: 2026-09-26. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: UNKNOWN OR OTHER.

This PI provides Diagnostics tips on how the LIN bus works and how to diagnosis it.

11037253

Date: 2026-09-04. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: UNKNOWN OR OTHER.

This preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into Technical Assistance.

11030974

Date: 2026-04-01. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: UNKNOWN OR OTHER.

This preliminary information communicates information about how to determine if a wheel and tires size change is available.

11030091

Date: 2026-03-09. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: UNKNOWN OR OTHER.

This preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into Technical Assistance.

11030092

Date: 2026-03-09. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: UNKNOWN OR OTHER.

This Preliminary information communicates the steps on how to save a GDS2 Session Log and upload to a Technical Assistance Case in CX Connect.

11027601

Date: 2026-01-08. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: UNKNOWN OR OTHER.

This preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into Technical Assistance.

11025755

Date: 2025-11-20. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: UNKNOWN OR OTHER.

This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have had multiple repair attempts that are being performed on customera s vehicles that exhibit vibration conditions without utilizing the support of General Motors Technical Assistance Center. If

11023091

Date: 2025-09-09. Type: Other. Systems: UNKNOWN OR OTHER.

New Vehicle Monitoring Programs Section in IVH

11022084

Date: 2025-08-14. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: UNKNOWN OR OTHER.

This preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into Technical Assistance.

11021792

Date: 2025-08-07. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: UNKNOWN OR OTHER.

This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have an intermittent no crank, no start, or start stall concern with the security light coming on. Technician may find Diagnostic Trouble Codes B3055, B3060, B3935, C0750, C0755, C0760, C0765, and/o

Notes on this record

  • Complaints from the API and bulk file are merged and deduplicated by ODI number; the API alone misses records.
  • System and subsystem counts are numbers of distinct complaints, recalls or communications that name them. One record can name several systems, so shares across systems can add to more than 100 percent; a single share never exceeds 100 percent.
  • Recalls are counted once per campaign, investigations once per action and manufacturer communications once per NHTSA id, even when NHTSA lists several model names for the same record.
  • A sales denominator is a calendar-year proxy, not the population of vehicles still in use. Rates are copied from verified pipeline output.

Other names NHTSA uses

None listed.

Matched NHTSA models

Matched labels and complaints
NHTSA model labelComplaints
CRUZE587

Same model, other years

All model years | All Chevrolet models

Other Chevrolet models, 2013

Sources

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