Model year guide

2013 Chevrolet Cruze

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 2013 Chevrolet Cruze is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 2,007 on record.

2013 Chevrolet Cruze — representative photo
Representative photo · via Wikimedia Commons

2013 Chevrolet Cruze at a glance

Safety recalls5
Owner complaints584
Overall safety5 / 5 ★
Combined29 mpg
Typical price$10,487

Free: specs, open recalls for that exact car, build sheet and fair price.

2013 Chevrolet Cruze recalls 5

Electrical System:ignition NHTSA Campaign #16V502000 · 05/07/2016

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…

Fix: 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…

Equipment:electrical NHTSA Campaign #14V417000 · 02/07/2014

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 heate…

Fix: 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 1-800-222-1…

Power Train:axle Assembly:axle Shaft NHTSA Campaign #14V151000 · 31/03/2014

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.

Fix: 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 …

Air Bags NHTSA Campaign #14V372000 · 26/06/2014

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.

Fix: 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.

Power Train:axle Assembly:axle Shaft NHTSA Campaign #13V452000 · 23/09/2013

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.

Fix: 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.

Source: U.S. NHTSA. A recall applies to a model year, but only a VIN check shows whether a specific car has had the repair done.

2013 Chevrolet Cruze common problems

The most-reported problem areas from 584 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.

Engine
Listen for knocks or ticking, check for leaks and blue/white exhaust smoke, and make sure it doesn't overheat. No check-engine light should be on.
Steering
Steering should be tight and centered — no play, clunks or wandering. Test at low and highway speed; listen for power-steering whine.
Electrical System
Test every electrical feature: windows, locks, infotainment, charging and all lights. Watch for flickering, dead accessories or warning lights.
Engine And Engine Cooling
Check coolant level and color, look for leaks, and confirm the engine reaches normal temperature without overheating.
Vehicle Speed Control
Test cruise control and throttle response, and watch for any hesitation or unintended acceleration.
Air Bags
Confirm the airbag light turns on then off at startup — if it stays lit there's a fault (costly, and a safety risk). Check for signs of prior deployment.

2013 Chevrolet Cruze safety ratings

Overall★★★★★
Frontal crash★★★★★
Side crash★★★★★
Rollover★★★★★

Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (NCAP), tested as the 2013 Chevrolet Cruze 4 DR FWD. Ratings can differ by body style and drivetrain.

2013 Chevrolet Cruze MPG & running costs

Combined29 mpg
City25 mpg
Highway36 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$2,138

Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov, averaged across trims.

What's a 2013 Chevrolet Cruze worth?

Low
$8,800
Typical price
$10,487
High
$12,300

From 2,001 comparable 2013 Chevrolet Cruze listings.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 2013 Chevrolet Cruze costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$10,690
Fuel only$10,690
Per mile$0.14

How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. There aren't enough comparable listings to estimate depreciation for this model, so it is left out. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.

2013 Chevrolet Cruze trims & engines on record

Trims
1LT · 2LT · LS · LTZ · Eco · LT Fleet · 1LS
Engines
1.4L 4-cyl · 1.8L 4-cyl

2013 Chevrolet Cruze vehicles on record

Other Chevrolet Cruze model years

2013 Chevrolet Cruze — frequently asked questions

Does the 2013 Chevrolet Cruze have any safety recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 5 safety recalls for the 2013 Chevrolet Cruze. Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Whether a specific car still has one open depends on its VIN.

What are the most common problems with the 2013 Chevrolet Cruze?

Based on 584 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are engine, steering, electrical system.

What is the 2013 Chevrolet Cruze safety rating?

NHTSA gives the 2013 Chevrolet Cruze an overall crash-test rating of 5 out of 5 stars (frontal 5★, side 5★, rollover 4★).

What gas mileage does the 2013 Chevrolet Cruze get?

The U.S. EPA rates the 2013 Chevrolet Cruze at about 29 mpg combined (25 city / 36 highway).

How much is a 2013 Chevrolet Cruze worth?

Comparable 2013 Chevrolet Cruze listings run roughly $8,800–$12,300, typically around $10,487 (from 2,001 vehicles).

Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.