Is the 2013 Chevrolet CRUZE reliable?

The 2013 Chevrolet CRUZE has 931 complaints filed with NHTSA (2.4x the segment average). Our reliability verdict: below-average. Most common issue: ENGINE problems.

What are common problems with the 2013 Chevrolet CRUZE?

Top problems: ENGINE (233 complaints, avg repair $500); ELECTRICAL (120 complaints, avg repair $500); TRANSMISSION (112 complaints, avg repair $500). Issues typically appear around 50K miles.

Are there any recalls on the 2013 Chevrolet CRUZE?

Yes, there are 5 recall(s): ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION, EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL, POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY:AXLE SHAFT, AIR BAGS, POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY:AXLE SHAFT. Contact any Chevrolet dealer to verify if recalls have been completed on your specific vehicle.

How much does it cost to fuel a 2013 Chevrolet CRUZE?

The 2013 Chevrolet CRUZE gets 29 MPG combined. At current US average gas prices, driving 12,000 miles per year costs roughly $1655. See the interactive fuel cost calculator on this page for state-specific pricing.

How much does it cost to insure a 2013 Chevrolet CRUZE?

Estimated US average full-coverage insurance for the 2013 Chevrolet CRUZE is approximately $1,346/year (sedan-compact class). Actual quotes vary heavily by state, driver age, driving record, and credit — see the interactive insurance estimator on this page for state-specific pricing.

2013 Chevrolet CRUZE

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Below Average

Quick Summary

The 2013 Chevrolet CRUZE has 931 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 2.4x the segment average of 391. The most common issue is engine problems (25% of all complaints), specifically: best way to describe what happened was when i was sitting at the stop sign behind someone, with foot on the brake pedal, my car went forward about a foot or so, no gas acceleration from myself, i don't know if the gas was auto controlled, but i felt like i wasn't pushing on the brake enough even tho. There are 5 recalls issued for this model year. ⚠️ 14 fire reports filed.

14 fire reports 68 crash reports 39 injuries

931

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

5/5

Safety Stars

2.4x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

ENGINE

233 complaints

25%

• BEST WAY TO DESCRIBE WHAT HAPPENED WAS WHEN I WAS SITTING AT THE STOP SIGN BEHIND SOMEONE, WITH FOOT ON THE BRAKE PEDAL, MY CAR WENT FORWARD ABOUT A FOOT OR SO, NO GAS ACCELERATION FROM MYSELF, I DON'T KNOW IF THE GAS WAS AUTO CONTROLLED, BUT I FELT LIKE I WASN'T PUSHING ON THE BRAKE ENOUGH EVEN THO
• I HAD THE VEHICLE SERVICED FOR OIL CHANGE AND TIRE ROTATION ON MAY 25. A FEW DAYS LATER, APPROXIMATELY JUNE 1, I NOTICED THE VEHICLE WAS VERY HARD TO STOP WHEN BACKING OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY (HAD TO PUSH DOWN VERY HARD ON THE BRAKES WHICH DID NOT SEEM TO GO TO THE FLOOR). I ALSO NOTICED THAT WHILE I WAS
• TOOK THE CAR TO DEALER FOR CAR WASH ,AFTER DOING COMPLIMENTARY MULTI POINT INSPECTION THEY CALLED ME AND TOLD ME MY WATER PUMP WAS LEAKING.THEY REPLACED THE WATER PUMP ON A CAR WITH ONLY 10801 MILES. *TR

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500🔥 7 fire reports💥 8 crashes

“BEST WAY TO DESCRIBE WHAT HAPPENED WAS WHEN I WAS SITTING AT THE STOP SIGN BEHIND SOMEONE, WITH FOOT ON THE BRAKE PEDAL, MY CAR WENT FORWARD ABOUT A FOOT OR SO, NO GAS ACCELERATION FROM MYSELF, I DON'T KNOW IF THE GAS WAS AUTO CONTROLLED, BUT I FELT LIKE I WASN'T PUSHING ON THE BRAKE ENOUGH EVEN THO”

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2013 Chevrolet CRUZE

Based on 650 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 51K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 0-30K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage

0-30K

214

30-60K

145

60-100K

168

100-150K

110

150-200K

200K+

TRANSMISSION

In line with typicalmedian 37K mi · 75 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

STEERING

In line with typicalmedian 37K mi · 61 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

AIR BAGS

In line with typicalmedian 47K mi · 41 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

BRAKES

In line with typicalmedian 20K mi · 37 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

SPEED CONTROL

In line with typicalmedian 49K mi · 29 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

FUEL SYSTEM

In line with typicalmedian 58K mi · 23 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

Mileage figures are self-reported by owners in NHTSA complaint filings. Peak bucket = the mileage range with the most complaints for that component; it reflects when owners noticed and reported problems, not necessarily when the fault first occurred.

Recalls (5)

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION05/07/2016

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 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.

Fuel Cost Calculator for 2013 Chevrolet CRUZE

Live EIA prices

Annual miles driven: 12,000

Your state (affects local gasoline price)

Per year

$1,656

Per month

$138

Per mile

13.8¢

MPG

City driving (worst-case MPG)

$2,182/yr

Highway driving (best-case MPG)

$1,298/yr

Based on EPA fuel-economy ratings and EIA weekly retail prices (2026-07-20). Real-world cost varies with driving style, trim/engine, terrain, and traffic.

5-Year Gas Price History

EIA weekly retail data · 2021 → today

Show:

Current

$4.00

5-year low

$2.78

5-year high

$5.01

Since 2021

+27%

Source: US Energy Information Administration weekly retail gasoline prices.

Estimated Insurance Cost for 2013 Chevrolet CRUZE

Estimate only, not a quote. Modeled from NAIC + HLDI averages for a hypothetical 35-year-old driver with clean record + full coverage. Your actual quote depends heavily on your age, driving history, credit, ZIP code, and insurer.

Your state (affects local premium average)

Full coverage / year

$1,346

Full coverage / month

$112

Liability only / year

$565

vs US avg

-20%

How this estimate is calculated

US base full-coverage premium$1674

× state (US)1.00x

× vehicle class (sedan-compact)0.93x

× theft risk1.00x

× safety rating0.94x

× vehicle age0.92x

= Full coverage estimate$1346

Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.

Maintenance & Warranty

Recommended Chevrolet CRUZE Service Intervals

Oil change

8K mi / 12 mo

Tire rotation

8K mi

Brake fluid

36 months

Transmission fluid

45K mi

Engine coolant

150K mi

Spark plugs

100K mi

Cabin air filter

23K mi

Engine air filter

45K mi

Differential (AWD/4WD)

45K mi

GM Oil Life System dynamically calculates oil change interval. DEXOS-approved oil required.

"Severe service" conditions (heavy towing, extreme temps, city stop-and-go) typically halve these intervals. Always consult your vehicle's owner's manual for the authoritative schedule.

Chevrolet New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage

Bumper-to-bumper (basic)

3 yr / 36K mi

Powertrain

5 yr / 60K mi

Hybrid/EV battery

8 yr / 100K mi

Corrosion (rust perforation)

6 yr / 100K mi

Roadside assistance

5 yr / 60K mi

These are the terms for a new Chevrolet. If you're buying a used 2013 CRUZE, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Chevrolet dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.

Estimated Repair Costs

ENGINE(~50K mi)

$500

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)

$500

TRANSMISSION(~50K mi)

$500

OTHER(~50K mi)

$500

STEERING(~50K mi)

$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 931 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
ENGINE: BEST WAY TO DESCRIBE WHAT HAPPENED WAS WHEN I WAS SITTING AT THE STOP SIGN BEHIND SOMEONE, WITH FOOT ON THE BRAKE PEDAL, MY CAR WENT FORWARD ABOUT A FOOT OR SO, NO GAS ACCELERATION FROM MYSELF, I DON'T KNOW IF THE GAS WAS AUTO CONTROLLED, BUT I FELT LIKE I WASN'T PUSHING ON THE BRAKE ENOUGH EVEN THO
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ELECTRICAL: AFTER CHANGING OIL FILTER, OIL SPRAYED IN ENGINE COMPARTMENT APPROXIMATELY 10 MINUTES INTO DRIVE, CAUSING A FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. ALL OCCUPANTS WERE SAFE, BUT THE DAMAGE IS EXPENSIVE. WIRING HARNESSES, AS WELL AS MASTER CYLINDER WERE MELTED. THE TOP MOUNTED FILTER IS A PLEATED CARTRIDGE
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
TRANSMISSION: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET CRUZE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO COME TO A COMPLETE STOP WITH THE BRAKES ENGAGED, THE VEHICLE LUNGED FORWARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
OTHER: CAR WAS JERKING, THEN STALLED, THEN STABLITRACK AND TRACTION CONTROL WARNING LIGHT CAME ON. *TR
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
RECALLS: Verify all 5 recalls have been completed — free at any Chevrolet dealer
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)