2013 Chevrolet Cruze problems and recalls

Owners have filed 586 complaints on the 2013 Chevrolet Cruze, and NHTSA has issued 5 recalls. The most cited component is the Engine (211 complaints).

586
Complaints
5
Recalls
54
Crash reports
8
Fire reports
32
Injuries
84.7
Severity index

Severity index 84.7 High. The index weights crashes, fires, injuries and fatalities per 100 complaints. How it is calculated.

Middle half of all tracked vehiclesThis vehicle: 84.7p25 46p75 80cleanestworst
Severity index against the quartile range for all tracked vehicles.

Ranked 35 of 145 by severity index among 2013 vehicles with at least 40 complaints, highest first. 76% of those vehicles scored lower. Full 2013 ranking.

Components cited in complaints

EngineEngine: 211 complaints (36.0%)211 36%Electrical SystemElectrical System: 121 complaints (20.6%)121 21%Power TrainPower Train: 112 complaints (19.1%)112 19%Unknown Or OtherUnknown Or Other: 75 complaints (12.8%)75 13%SteeringSteering: 74 complaints (12.6%)74 13%Electronic Stability Co…Electronic Stability Control (Esc): 62 complaints (10.6%)62 11%Service BrakesService Brakes: 50 complaints (8.5%)50 9%Air BagsAir Bags: 49 complaints (8.4%)49 8%
A single complaint can cite more than one component, so shares total over 100%.
ComponentComplaintsShare of complaints citing it
ENGINE21136.0%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM12120.6%
POWER TRAIN11219.1%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER7512.8%
STEERING7412.6%
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)6210.6%
SERVICE BRAKES508.5%
AIR BAGS498.4%

Complaints filed per year

0551102013: 292014: 1082015: 482016: 472017: 542018: 802019: 542020: 472021: 292022: 302023: 292024: 172025: 112026: 3 (partial year)1314108151617181920212223242526
Complaints by the calendar year they were filed. The hatched bar is the current year to date.
YearComplaints
201329
2014108
201548
201647
201754
201880
201954
202047
202129
202230
202329
202417
202511
2026 (year to date)3
Filings in 2023 to 2025 ran 0.5x those in 2020 to 2022 (57 against 106).

Recall campaigns

CampaignReportedComponentSummary
16V50200005/07/2016ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITIONGeneral 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, 2013-20
14V41700002/07/2014EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICALGeneral 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 Augu
14V15100031/03/2014POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY:AXLE SHAFTGeneral 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.
14V37200026/06/2014AIR BAGSGeneral 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.
13V45200023/09/2013POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY:AXLE SHAFTGeneral 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.

Other Chevrolet Cruze model years

Severity index for every other model year on file. Compare all 8 years side by side.

Source. NHTSA public complaint and recall APIs (api.nhtsa.gov), retrieved 2026-09-02. Complaints are unverified consumer reports. Totals vary with units sold and years on the road. Not affiliated with NHTSA or any manufacturer.