13 chevy cruze

[steveo2155]

Looking at a 13 cruze lt1 with 87k for a work commuter. Are there any common problems with this model year or a generally reliable car? Will probably be putting on 10 to 12k a year

[HeySkippyDog]

It's a 10 year old car. Don't pay too much for it.

[LoneDutch]

Ive owned several of these.

http://instagram.com/thelittlemorsel

 

The Cruze in general is notorious for cooling system leaks. Pretty much everything in the engine bay is cheap plastic.

Always watch your coolant level so you catch leaks early. It doesn't have much coolant so it can't afford to loose too much, and the temperature gauge won't budge until coolant temperatures are over 240F, at which point it's too late. 

If it overheats at all, regardless for how long, the cylinder head is toast.

 

Common parts to leak are:

- The overflow reservoir (which was redesigned)

- The oil cooler coolant inlet hose (also redesigned)

- The coolant air bleed hose

- The coolant outlet housing

 

The cooling system can be a pain to burp too.

Early/mid-year 1.4Ts issues with PCV system.

GM corrected the design later on, don't remember the specific year but it wasn't 2013. Make sure you order the most recent part number. At some dealers If you don't ask for the specific part number, they'll sneak you the old part.

Components involved are the:

- intake manifold (28289977) https://www.gmpartsdirect.com/oem-parts/gm-manifold-replaces-part-number-25200449-28289977
- Valve cover (25203036) https://www.gmpartsdirect.com/oem-parts/gm-cover-replaces-part-number-25198877-25203036

- PCV Hose (25193343) https://www.gmpartsdirect.com/oem-parts/gm-positive-crank-ventilation-pcv-valve-pipe-with-bypass-valve-tube-25193343

 

I replace all 3 so I don't have to deal with it later on - its an easy job.

 

1.4T also had issues with the wastegate housing cracking. GM only fixed this for the Encore after the Cruze was discontinued, and its obviously not economic to replace.

This usually doesn't cause a check engine light, but results in a noticeable power loss. On your test drive, if it takes 10-12 seconds to accelerate from 0 to 60, the housing is cracked and I'd avoid it.

 

Other than that, they're remarkably durable cars.

 

 

[Black02Silverado]

My daughter had a 2012 Cruze 1.4L and it was a good little car.  Only issue was the known ones like the valve cover which has a built in PCV valve going bad.  It happened twice.  Once under warranty and once after and I fixed it myself, $50 for a new VC. 

 

Water pump is an issue as well.  Hers went under warranty and was good ever since.  It had 92k on it when we sold it to Carvana for $7k.

 

I have a 2014 Diesel Cruze and love it.  No issues with it and I just replaced the timing belt.  Not a hard job but cost me $400 for all the parts.  Since I was in there I replaced everything like the water pump and pulley's.  It has 109K on it now and love the 49mph hwy it gets.  Some times better depends on traffic and speed.  Around town is 40mpg.

[CamGTP]

I always saw them with minor oil leaks too, but those are usually simple things to fix like a valve cover gasket or oil pan gasket.

[steveo2155]

Well nevermind on that one, it sold before I got a chance to look at it. But I may be looking at a 2011 malibu 2.4 4 cyl with 54000 miles. How would this compare in terms of reliability 

[CamGTP]

Very good cars in my opinion. My parents bought one of the retired fleet/business 2012 Malibu's from my moms work with 99,000 miles on it I think 2 years ago, car has 127,000 on it now. Been a great vehicle, good size and was my dads work car until he retired. It did all freeway everyday, like 50 miles a day. He'd get between 31-33mpg in the summer and 29-30 in the winter months.

 

Very simple cars to work on and parts are cheap. I've replaced all the brakes and both front wheel bearings and did a general tune up on it. The 6 speed auto is smooth.

 

Keep up on maintenance stuff and it should be a good car. Drain and fills on the transmission are very easy and probably the hardest job would be a water pump when it comes to "general" service work.

 

Oh and just so you know, if you get a burned out headlight, the entire bumper must be removed. It's easy but a pain in the ass lol.

Edited September 19, 2022 by CamGTP

[steveo2155]

The malibu got sold before I had a chance to look. Now looking at a 16 cruze limited ls with the 1.8 and a 17 chevy sonic with 1.4 turbo. Both around 50k for miles

[steveo2155]

Now have it narrowed down to a 16 cruze limited 54k or 15 sonic LT with 87k. Both with the 1.8. Leaning towards the sonic because of the much lower price. And that one comes from reputable dealership that includes a lifetime power train warranty. Be using as a work commuter putting on 10 to 15k a year. Anyone have experience with the sonic?