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2013 Chevrolet Cruze recalls & problems

The 2013 Chevrolet Cruze has 5 safety recalls and 587 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is engine (212 complaints).

Recalls5safety recalls
Complaints587filed by owners
Crashes · fires54 · 8reported in complaints
NHTSA overall5 ★crash-test stars
2013 Chevrolet Cruze in an NHTSA crash test
NHTSA crash test

Safety recalls

Electrical systemJul 5, 2016

Ignition

Recall 16V5020008,367 vehicles

Problem
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."
Risk
If the key is removed without the transmission in PARK, the vehicle may rollaway as occupants are exiting, increasing the risk of injury.
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 is 50490 and 50491.

Components: Electrical system › Ignition; Power train › Automatic transmission › Control module (tcm/pcm/tecm)

EquipmentJul 2, 2014

Electrical

Recall 14V4170002,990 vehicles

Problem
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.
Risk
Exposed wires increase the risk of electrical shock and personal injury if the cord is handled while it is plugged in.
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 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 14257.
Air bagsJun 26, 2014

Air bags

Recall 14V37200029,019 vehicles

Problem
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.
Risk
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.
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 trainMar 31, 2014

Axle assembly › Axle shaft

Recall 14V151000174,046 vehicles

Problem
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.
Risk
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.
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 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.
Power trainSep 23, 2013

Axle assembly › Axle shaft

Recall 13V4520003,161 vehicles

Problem
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.
Risk
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.
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.

Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

Crash test ratings

2013 Chevrolet Cruze 4 DR FWD

Overall★★★★★
Frontal crash★★★★★
Side crash★★★★★
Rollover★★★★★
Rollover risk10.9%
2013 Chevrolet Cruze NHTSA side crash test
NHTSA side barrier crash test
2013 Chevrolet Cruze NHTSA side pole crash test
NHTSA side pole crash test

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.

Fuel economy

Cruze Eco

32mpg combined
City / highway28 / 40 mpg
FuelRegular Gasoline

1.4 L · 4 cyl · Manual 6-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,100/year to fuel

Cruze Eco

30mpg combined
City / highway26 / 37 mpg
FuelRegular Gasoline

1.4 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 6-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,250/year to fuel

Cruze

30mpg combined
City / highway26 / 37 mpg
FuelRegular Gasoline

1.4 L · 4 cyl · Manual 6-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,250/year to fuel

Cruze

30mpg combined
City / highway26 / 36 mpg
FuelRegular Gasoline

1.4 L · 4 cyl · Automatic (S6) · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,250/year to fuel

Cruze

29mpg combined
City / highway25 / 35 mpg
FuelRegular Gasoline

1.8 L · 4 cyl · Manual 6-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,300/year to fuel

Cruze

26mpg combined
City / highway22 / 34 mpg
FuelRegular Gasoline

1.8 L · 4 cyl · Automatic (S6) · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,600/year to fuel

EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.

What owners report

Problem areaComplaintsCrashesFiresInjuriesTypical mileage*
Engine21287284,733 mi
Electrical systemInstrument cluster/panel; Ignition12242045,000 mi
Power trainAxle assembly › Axle shaft11310039,603 mi
Unknown or other7521075,890 mi
Steering7441236,854 mi
Electronic stability control (esc)6251167,000 mi
Air bags493212947,000 mi
Service brakes45111512,903 mi
Vehicle speed controlCruise control3941150,859 mi
Fuel/propulsion system2900060,525 mi
Engine and engine coolingEngine › Engine control module (ecu/ecm); Cooling system2400041,811 mi
Visibility/wiper2210075,000 mi

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.