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2013 Chevrolet Cruze

Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2013 models.

Chevrolet Cruze
Pictured: 2017 Chevrolet Cruze LT in Arctic Blue Metallic, Front Left. Photo: Elise240SX, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Class
Midsize Cars
Body styles
4dr Sedan Ls/Lt/Ltz/Eco
Engines
1.4L 4-cyl turbo, 1.8L 4-cyl
Drivetrain
Front-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
MPG (best)
32 combined · 28 city / 40 hwy
Length
181.5 in
Curb weight
3,102 lb
NHTSA rating
Not rated
Recalls
5 campaigns

Pros & cons

What's good

  • Excellent fuel economyUp to 32 MPG combined — 26% better than the average 2013 midsize car (25.3 MPG).

Watch out for

No weak spots against similar models in the data.

Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 30 similar 2013 models — not a review. How we calculate this →

Overview

The 2013 Chevrolet Cruze is a midsize car offered with 2 engines (1.4L 4-cyl turbo and 1.8L 4-cyl) and front-wheel drive.

It measures about 182 inches long and 71 inches wide on a 106-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 3,102 lb.

EPA rates its most efficient version at 32 MPG combined (28 city / 40 highway), 26% better than the 2013 midsize car average of 25.3 MPG, for an estimated $2,100 a year in fuel.

NHTSA has not published a 5-Star overall rating for this model year.

It has 5 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 450 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the engine.

What changed for 2013

No changes to engines, powertrains, drivetrains, size, EPA ratings or NHTSA crash rating compared with the 2012 Cruze — a carry-over year in the data.

Compared with 2012; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2012 Cruze →

Dimensions & weight

BodyLengthWidthHeightWheelbaseTrack F / RCurb weightWeight F/R
4dr Sedan Ls/Lt/Ltz/Eco181.5 in70.9 in58.3 in105.5 in60.2 / 61 in3,102 lb61/39

Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.

Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →

Engines, MPG & running costs

VersionEngineTransmissionDriveCity / Hwy / Combvs. classFuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Cruze Eco1.4L 4-cyl turboManual 6-spdFront-Wheel Drive28 / 40 / 32+26%$2,100273
Cruze Eco1.4L 4-cyl turboAutomatic 6-spdFront-Wheel Drive26 / 37 / 30+19%$2,250295
Cruze1.4L 4-cyl turboManual 6-spdFront-Wheel Drive26 / 37 / 30+19%$2,250298
Cruze1.4L 4-cyl turboAutomatic (S6)Front-Wheel Drive26 / 36 / 30+19%$2,250300
Cruze1.8L 4-cylManual 6-spdFront-Wheel Drive25 / 35 / 29+15%$2,300309
Cruze1.8L 4-cylAutomatic (S6)Front-Wheel Drive22 / 34 / 26+3%$2,600336
8/10EPA fuel economy score (best version)
8/10EPA greenhouse gas score
Save $1,500Fuel over 5 years vs. average new car
25.3 MPG2013 Midsize Cars average

EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2013 EPA class average. How we calculate this →

Safety ratings & technology

NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2013 Chevrolet Cruze.

Similar 2013 midsize cars

ModelBest MPG / rangeNHTSA overallRecalls
2013 Chevrolet Cruze (this car)32 MPGNot rated5
2013 Toyota Corolla29 MPGNot rated5
2013 Honda Civic44 MPGNot rated0
2013 Honda Accord30 MPGNot rated6
2013 Toyota Camry40 MPGNot rated2
2013 Nissan GT-R19 MPGNot rated0
2013 Toyota Prius50 MPGNot rated4

Recalls (5)

Electrical System › Ignition · Jul 5, 2016

NHTSA campaign 16V502000 · 8,367 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.
Equipment › Electrical · Jul 2, 2014

NHTSA campaign 14V417000 · 2,990 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 Bags · Jun 26, 2014

NHTSA campaign 14V372000 · 29,019 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 Train › Axle Assembly › Axle Shaft · Mar 31, 2014

NHTSA campaign 14V151000 · 174,046 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 Train › Axle Assembly › Axle Shaft · Sep 23, 2013

NHTSA campaign 13V452000 · 3,161 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.
Check your VIN for open recalls at NHTSA ↗

Not every 2013 Chevrolet Cruze is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.

Owner-reported problems

450Complaints to NHTSA since 2015
30Involved a crash
6Involved a fire
20Injuries reported
70,000 miTypical mileage at failure
Engine195
Electrical System100
Unknown Or Other75
Power Train65
Electronic Stability Control (Esc)55
Steering48
Air Bags31
Vehicle Speed Control29
Complaints received per month (last 24 months with reports)
23/07: 223/08: 523/09: 323/10: 123/11: 223/12: 124/01: 424/04: 124/05: 324/06: 124/07: 424/10: 124/11: 325/02: 125/04: 225/05: 125/06: 125/08: 425/10: 125/11: 126/02: 126/06: 126/08: 126/10: 123/0723/1024/0124/0624/1125/0525/1026/06max 5

Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.

Used 2013 Chevrolet Cruze buyer's checklist

  1. Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 5 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
  2. Engine — 195 owner reports. Cold-start the engine, listen for knocking, and watch for warning lights or hesitation on acceleration.
  3. Electrical System — 100 owner reports. Test every window, lock, light, screen and USB port; check the battery age.
  4. Power Train — 65 owner reports. Test-drive through all gears, including reverse; note slipping, harsh or delayed shifts.
  5. Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 70,000 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
  6. Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.

Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2013 Chevrolet Cruze. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.

Other Cruze years

Compare all years →
YearMPG (best)LengthOverallRecallsComplaints
2019 Cruze37183.9 in★★★★★223
2018 Cruze37183.9 in★★★★★3109
2017 Cruze37183.9 inNot rated2201
2016 Cruze34183.9 inNot rated4250
2015 Cruze32181.1 inNot rated4252
2014 Cruze32181.5 inNot rated10643
2012 Cruze32181.5 inNot rated7581
2011 Cruze32181.5 inNot rated7424

Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Chevrolet. How we calculate this →