2013 Chevrolet Cruze: Transmission went out
Common wear/failure (not a recall)
Symptoms
Owners of the 2013 Cruze report: transmission went out. CarComplaints.com lists 3 owner complaints, average mileage 46,050 miles.
NHTSA has 113 owner complaints for the 2013 Cruze in this area. Examples:
- NHTSA complaint ODI #11768211 (filed 10/01/2026): “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 pur…”
- NHTSA complaint ODI #11624046 (filed 11/07/2024): “Transmission messed up only own the car for 7 months…”
Likely causes
Sources do not establish a single root cause; diagnosis is needed. Owner-reported fixes are listed below.
Fix, in plain English
Most common owner-reported solutions on CarComplaints.com: dealership replacing transmission (2 reports). Check for open recalls and extended warranty coverage with a dealer before paying out of pocket.
DIY difficulty: Pro
Diagnosis needs a scan tool; repair or replacement needs a lift, transmission jack and the manufacturer's fluid fill/relearn procedure. (Our assessment.)
Cost
CarComplaints.com owners report a typical repair cost of about $4,350 (owner-reported average, not a quote).
Typical parts (search links, no affiliate codes)
AutoZone · O'Reilly · Advance · RockAuto
Sources
Estimated repair cost: transmission replacement (automatic or CVT, remanufactured unit)
Average shop cost
$835
Range $400–$1,390 (labor)
4.0–10.0 h × $100–$139/h estimated shop labor rate
Parts not included.
Average mobile mechanic cost
$1,255
Range $600–$2,085 (labor)
Shop labor × 1.5 (mobile convenience premium)
Parts not included.
Estimates only, not a quote. Actual prices vary by vehicle, shop and location. See the estimate for your city → · About this repair and its cost
Same repair on other models: 2015 Dodge Durango: Transmission failure · 2015 Jeep Cherokee: Transmission failure check engine light on · 2016 Subaru Forester: Transmission failure · 2018 Nissan Sentra: CVT failure · 2019 Nissan Pathfinder: Check engine light came on transmission failure · 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe: Transmission failure
Page last updated .