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2013 Chevrolet Cruze engine problems

233 complaints (40% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 77,000. 8 crashes reported.

owner complaints
233
of this car's complaints
40%
typical mileage
77,000
crashes
8
recalls
0

Which part fails

  • Engine: engine control module (ecu/ECM)
    2
  • Engine: solenoid/actuator
    1
  • Cooling system: hoses/lines/piping/fittings
    1
  • Cooling system
    1

At what mileage

Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.

0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+

Chevrolet Cruze engine problems in other years

201120122013201420152016201720182019

Specific symptoms reported on the 2013 Chevrolet Cruze engine

Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.

Check engine light 67Overheating 59Loss of power 36Stalling 33Engine failure 23Won't start 12Knocking 8Misfire 6Oil consumption 5

Related recalls

No recalls on record for this model year.

What 2013 Chevrolet Cruze owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Oct 1, 2026 · Electrical, Engine · TX

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 fix it no matter what the car was3 very unsafe no warming about the temperature gauge then when I was driving the car it stopped suddenly and I checked the fluids put antifreeze and oil the car engine was so hot it damaged the heater bypass hose.I really needed my transportation I go school was a out to get a job I'm homeless I was going to a shelter for help but if I get a job I can afford rent.I am going through it. I am depressed the dealer said he don't know why the car keeps getting hot then my mechanic said the wasn't coming on in time . There were no leaks but antifreeze disappeared.then white smoke came from the engine and in seconds the car vindicates it was over heating when the cars fluid were checked I purchased a new battery the lughts and radio worked but the key ignition system was dead and said use pocket transmitter.the dealer said car is sold as is.

Filed Aug 29, 2026 · Acceleration, Engine · FL

I’d like to report this vehicle and its engine as I did not know I could before we have had this car since 2015 This engine has chronic repeated issues that Chevy would patch once under “special coverages” or “extended warranty” and it fails again and again but they only honor it 1 time even if it fails yet again due to bad engineering or design flaws. This car has had 3 water pumps 5 water outlets- I eventually had to buy an off market alternative to stop this from failing, 2 (about to be 3) valve covers because the PCV valve is a chronic failure on the system cause oil to bypass into the intake and feed back into the turbo but it’s built into the valve cover instead of a separate piece like other engines. This car with the 1.4 L turbo is not safe or reliable to be on the road. The cruise control will work 1 maybe 2 times in a drive cycle then refuse to work again with no rhyme or reason and they cannot find the issue. This car has left me stranded many of times and is not trust worthy to be sold to someone else and Chevy will not honor the fact it’s a failing engine. Could this be looked into I know I have had this car a long time it is just now at 120k miles all these problems started before 100k miles and are reoccurring.

Filed Jun 25, 2026 · Brakes, Electrical · NM

Hh

Filed Feb 26, 2026 · Engine · AK

The contact owns a 2013 Chevrolet Cruze. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact felt ill and pulled over to the side of the road. The contact stated that a passerby stopped and found the contact unconscious inside the vehicle. The ambulance was called to the scene, and the contact was taken to the hospital. The doctor determined that the contact had 27% of carbon monoxide inside the body. The contact received oxygen to expel the carbon monoxide. The vehicle remained near the walking trail where the contact had pulled over to the side of the road. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. Prior to the issue, while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended while depressing the accelerator pedal and went into LIMP Mode. The contact stopped by Auto Zone for a diagnostic test. The contact was unsure what code was found. The doctor believed that the carbon monoxide poisoning was related to the vehicle. The insurance company was notified, and a claim was filed. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

Filed Oct 17, 2025 · Engine · CA

My car over heats at least over 300 degrees. Afraid that my vehicle is In danger of catching fire due to the high temperature causing tension belt and hose components to melt.

Filed Aug 30, 2025 · Engine · WA

I’ve had the thermostat housing fail twice now. And now it leaking again for the third time!! Now the service stabilitrak light is on, but it only happens when the car is idling. This happened to me before while driving and I replaced the spark plugs and the coil pack. I know on other models the valve cover failed as well but I don’t see a recall on that, or the thermostat housing issues…. I just don’t get whyyyyy if people are having all the same issues why not recall it!!???

Filed Aug 11, 2025 · Engine · FL

This is the second time that we have experienced over heating issues. Currently the car has been out of commission for over a year and half. Every since we purchased the car used it has over heated. The first time of course the head gasket was blown. We paid $1200 to have it fixed. Still ran hot we replaced the water pump. After a year same issues. Car has been parked as we do not have the money to repair it. I have read about 6 pages of the same complaint. I do believe that it is time for GM to issue a recall. We are currently making payments on a car that we are unable to drive. We have spent almost as much as we paid for the car. Again this is not good. Seems like this car was doomed from the start.

Filed Jun 13, 2025 · Engine, Steering · 103,212 miles · NY

The contact owns a 2013 Chevrolet Cruze. The contact stated that while driving 65 MPH, the steering wheel seized, and the vehicle also lost motive power. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was able to be restarted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the electronic control unit module had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 103,212. The VIN was not available.

Filed May 31, 2025 · Engine · IN

Unknown

Filed Apr 24, 2025 · Engine · OR

for some strange reason the engine has 150K miles on it and has been extremely well maintained however there is oil blowby coming from the oil filler cap which coats the entire engine belts will slip and cause drivability issues this oil vapor can also coat the front wheel brake discs and soak the pads causing braking failure to occur GM said they are aware of this problem however they do not have a recall to replace the engine or causing issue with the vehicle and i would be better off buying a new GM vehicle rather then worry about this insignificant issue since no accidents have occurred I Maintain my vehicles to the gills something like this is very concerning since this is my wifes car and out child travels in this car what can the federal safety agency do to make GM correct this issue on this chevy cruze?

Questions about the 2013 Chevrolet Cruze engine

Does the 2013 Chevrolet Cruze have engine problems?

Owners have filed 233 complaints about the engine of the 2013 Chevrolet Cruze, 40% of all its complaints, more than any other problem.

At what mileage do 2013 Chevrolet Cruze engine problems start?

The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 77,000 miles.

Was there a recall on the 2013 Chevrolet Cruze engine?

There is no recall for this problem on this model year.

What year does the Chevrolet Cruze have bad engine?

The Chevrolet Cruze model years with the most engine complaints are 2012 (308 complaints), 2011 (295 complaints) and 2014 (235 complaints).

Other 2013 Chevrolet Cruze problems

Electrical 122Transmission 113Steering 74Driver assistance 63Brakes 50Airbags 49Acceleration 39Visibility 33Fuel system 32Body 13Lights 11Suspension 8Seat belts 4Wheels 4Tires 3Locks 2Seats 1

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