2013 Chevrolet Cruze Power Train Problems
Owners have filed 113 complaints with NHTSA about power train problems on the 2013 Chevrolet Cruze, 19% of all complaints for this model year. Half of the reports with a mileage happened before 39,603 miles. The words owners use most often: “front axle” (8% of reports).
- 113power train complaints
- 39,603median miles at failure
- 1mention a crash
- 0mention an injury
- 3related recalls
- 35%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
What owners describe
Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.
- Front axle: mentioned in 9 of 113 complaints (8%)
- Traction control: mentioned in 9 of 113 complaints (8%)
At what mileage do power train problems happen?
Based on 76 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 113 complaints, 1 mention a crash.
Chevrolet Cruze power train complaints by model year
| Model year | Power Train complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 Cruze | 8 | 35% | 63,029 |
| 2018 Cruze | 23 | 21% | 51,864 |
| 2017 Cruze | 39 | 19% | 32,695 |
| 2016 Cruze | 31 | 12% | 48,000 |
| 2015 Cruze | 37 | 15% | 59,213 |
| 2014 Cruze | 97 | 14% | 44,750 |
| 2013 Cruze | 113 | 19% | 39,603 |
| 2012 Cruze | 137 | 16% | 57,340 |
| 2011 Cruze | 193 | 26% | 57,718 |
| 2010 Cruze | 1 | 50% | 30,000 |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (3)
Electrical system:ignition; power train:automatic transmission:control module (tcm/pcm/tecm)
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.
Power train:axle assembly:axle shaft
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
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.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
I purchased the car with my student financial aid money as soon as i got 5 car a few blocks away and the car started boiling.then the key ignition system said use pocket transmitter that didn't work .i purchased a new battery i have a mechanic that's why i purchased the car i was confidant je could…
Transmission messed up only own the car for 7 months
I own 3 Chevy Cruze, a 2012, 2013 and 2016. They all partial power down or decelerate while driving. The local Chevy dealers has no recalls for this issue or any other for that matter. Please advise
Frequently asked questions
Do all 2013 Chevrolet Cruzes have power train problems?
No. NHTSA has 113 owner complaints about power train for the 2013 Chevrolet Cruze (19% of the 587 complaints for this model year). Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the 2013 Chevrolet Cruze power train?
Yes: 3 safety recalls list power train. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
At what mileage do power train problems start?
The median reported mileage is 39,603 miles: half of the reports with a mileage came before that.
What do owners say about power train problems on the 2013 Chevrolet Cruze?
The most frequent phrase is “front axle”, in 9 of 113 complaints, followed by “traction control” (9).
Other 2013 Chevrolet Cruze problems
See all 2013 Chevrolet Cruze problems or power train problems across all Cruze years.