2013 Chevrolet Cruze: problems, recalls and what it’s worth
Known weak spot on this generation: 1.4L turbo — coolant leaks, PCV, valve cover. 5 recall campaigns to confirm with a dealer. A lot of owner complaints, 40% about engine & cooling.
Low coolant, a sweet smell, a vacuum whistle at idle that changes when you open the oil cap. A new valve cover / cooling parts on record is a plus.
Known problems on the 2013 Chevrolet Cruze
1.4L turbo — coolant leaks, PCV, valve cover $400–$1,600 to fix
The 1.4T leaks coolant from thermostat housings, the water-outlet, and the reservoir, and its integrated PCV diaphragm in the valve cover fails (a whistle, rough idle, high oil consumption). Common enough to expect on a neglected one.
Check for: Low coolant, a sweet smell, a vacuum whistle at idle that changes when you open the oil cap. A new valve cover / cooling parts on record is a plus.
Basis: NHTSA complaints; GM TSBs; widely-documented on Gen1 1.4T
Known patterns for this year and model, not findings about one car. A well-kept example may already have had the fix. Costs are rough US shop prices.
2013 Chevrolet Cruze recalls
NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns for the 2013 Chevrolet Cruze. Repairs are free at a dealer for the brand, and a dealer can confirm by VIN which were already done.
- Electrical
If the key is removed without the transmission in PARK, the vehicle may rollaway as occupants are exiting, increasing the risk of injury.
Details 16V502000
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."
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.
- Transmission & drivetrain
If the half shaft fractures and separates while driving, the vehicle would lose power and coast to a stop.
Details 14V151000
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 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.
- Airbags
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.
Details 14V372000
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.
- Equipment
Exposed wires increase the risk of electrical shock and personal injury if the cord is handled while it is plugged in.
Details 14V417000
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.
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.
- Transmission & drivetrain
If the half shaft fractures and separates while driving, the vehicle would lose power and coast to a stop.
Details 13V452000
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.
2013 Chevrolet Cruze safety investigations and free repairs
No open safety investigations.
Free repairs to ask about (warranty extensions):
- Engine: - Certain 2014 model year Buick Encore, 2011 - 2014 model year Chevrolet Cruze, 2012 - 2014 model year Chevrolet Sonic, and 2014 model year Chevrolet…
- Screen and audio: Certain vehicles may have a condition where the Side Blind Zone Alert (SBZA) modules may fail or malfunction due to water intrusion.
- Transmission: The accelerator pedal can break at the stalk just below the housing due to the driver entering or exiting the vehicle with their foot resting on the accelerator pedal.
- Warranty extension: This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have a Diagnostic Trouble Code B101D stored in Telematics Communication Interface Control Module.
- Battery: On certain 20112015 model year chevrolet cruze vehicles, the negative battery cable terminal clamp may have an insufficient crimp at the battery negative terminal.
3 more in the full VIN report.
A dealer for the brand can check these by VIN.
Source: NHTSA, Sep 24, 2026.
2013 Chevrolet Cruze safety and fuel
From NHTSA’s crash tests and the EPA’s fueleconomy.gov.
What owners complain about
586 complaints filed with NHTSA for this year and model, which is a lot.
Share of complaints that mention each area. One complaint can mention several.
Other Chevrolet Cruze years
Printable inspection checklist · Out-the-door price calculator