A 2013 Chevy Cruze is an attractive buy thanks to its myriad of features at an affordable price. However, this model year carries five recalls and hundreds of complaints–with some problems being quite concerning.
Key Points
- The 2013 Chevrolet Cruze received five recalls and 495 complaints per the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). But the compact car did not face any NHTSA investigations.
- Two recalls involving 177,000 vehicles have been issued against a potentially failing front right half shaft. If it fails while driving the car will lose power, and if parked without the emergency brake on, can possibly roll away.
- A defective electronic park lock lever, poorly insulated engine block heater cord, and a faulty airbag inflator led to the compact car’s three other recalls.
- Reported problems include engine overheating and sudden loss of power, along with rough gear shifts and unintended rollaway.
- Complaints have also been registered over coolant leaks, wire fretting, power steering failure, and airbag malfunction.
2013 Chevy Cruze is Prone to Overheating and Loss of Power
The 2013 Chevy Cruze has nearly 260 complaints about its engine and powertrain. Per the NHTSA, much of the complaints are regarding the engine losing power. Owners report their car slowing down and stalling without any warning. The reason can be a faulty throttle body sensor, water pump, or even the PCV valve. Technicians have found that cracks in the PCV prevent air from getting in and out of the engine, causing severe turbo underboost.
Overheating issues aren’t uncommon either. Several owners have been left stranded with not many options but to sit and let the engine cool. Oil and coolant leaks were also frequent, courtesy of a blown valve cover gasket.
Other engine-related problems include a malfunctioning catalytic converter and oxygen sensor, along with oil cooler leaks, and a faulty thermostat. The latter two cause the air conditioning unit to randomly turn off.
Wire fretting is also quite common, particularly near the ignition coils. On top of that, a recall was initiated against the poorly insulated engine block heater cord. Per the NHTSA, exposed wires increase the risk of electrical shock and personal injury if the cord is handled while plugged in.
2013 Cruze Powertrain Issues Include Unintended Rollaways and Rough Shifting, Gets Three Recalls
According to the owners, if the key is removed without the transmission in “Park,” the vehicle tends to roll away. GM issued a recall that fixes the car’s defective electronic park lock levers, which happened to cause the problem.
A total of 177,000 vehicles are subjected to two recalls regarding a fractured front right half shaft. Per the NHTSA, if the half shaft fractures and separates while driving, the car would lose power and coast to a stop. Also, if a vehicle with a fractured half shaft is parked without the parking brake applied, it could move unexpectedly.
Reports of rough shifting and grinding sounds from the transmission are also common. Although not an OEM solution, adding a few extra quarts of transmission fluid over the recommended amount has improved things. By doing so, drivers claim better clutch life and smoother shifts.
Perhaps more concerning than rough shifts would be the car lunging forwards, especially in stop-and-go traffic. According to the technicians, the cause can range from a malfunctioning transmission control module to worn clutch plates or something as small as a clogged air flow sensor.
In addition to these, a few owners have experienced the CV joints leaking quite badly. Although, it’s far less common than the rest of the problems.
2013 Cruze Also Faces Stereo Problems, Power Steering Failure, and Airbag Malfunction
The Cruze’s electrical system has garnered quite a few complaints. The majority of which are regarding warning lights popping up unexpectedly. Along with this, the dashboard displays error codes like “Check Transmission” and “Key Not Detected.” The car’s stereo also shuts off for no particular reason. Dealerships have found the control module to be the culprit. However, it’s an out of the pocket fix and usually costs between $700 and $1,500.
Power steering failure is yet another concern. Many owners have experienced steering lock or partial failure in the middle of the freeway. Luckily, there are no reports of any injuries.
A faulty ignition switch has led to the key getting stuck inside the assembly. Drivers were unable to turn off the car unless they pulled out the battery cords. Additionally, reports of the car failing to start have also caused quite a bit of inconvenience. As a temporary solution, re-attaching the battery’s negative terminal does fix it. However, after a while, the problem seems to reappear.
There are about 50 complaints and a recall regarding the airbags. In the event of a crash, the driver-side airbag inflator may rupture and could cause metal fragments to strike and potentially injure the occupants. The recall has affected around 29,000 cars.
The complaints prove to be far too alarming. Some owners found the airbag impact sensors to fail, while others reported total airbag malfunction. Drivers claim the airbags failed to deploy during a crash, leading to severe injuries.
Although Problems Exist, the Chevy Cruze is Still a Decent Commuter
Out of the several thousand units sold, only 500 or so customers found the Cruze problematic. That’s not to say it’s super reliable either. The airbag recall is worrying, and the notion of a failing engine and transmission is not very reassuring as well. That said, the Chevy Cruze is a fairly economical A to B car that comes with a lot of features at an affordable price. Before you go ahead and buy one, we recommend having a mechanic diagnose the car to ensure peace of mind and trouble-free ownership.
Photos: Chevrolet