Chevrolet Cruze reliability and problems by year
Owners have filed 3,723 complaints about the Chevrolet Cruze with NHTSA since 2010, most often about engine and electrical system. Chevrolet has filed 21 warranty extensions and 25 service campaigns for it, and there are 26 safety recalls on file.
From NHTSA's public data files, downloaded 2026-10-10.
How reliable is the Chevrolet Cruze? What NHTSA's records show
We don't give the Cruze a reliability score. NHTSA publishes complaint counts but no sales figures, so complaints can't be turned into a rate or compared between models. Here is what's on file for model years 2010 on.
- Owner complaints
- 3,723
- Filed with NHTSA, all model years
- Warranty extensions
- 21
- Filed by Chevrolet
- Service campaigns
- 25
- Filed by Chevrolet
- Safety recalls
- 26
- Each covers part of the model
Every model year compared
Complaints rise with how many were sold and how long they've been on the road, so a newer or rarer year will show fewer. Compare years of the Cruze with each other.
| Year | Complaints | Most named | Recalls | Warranty / campaigns |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 23 | Transmission and drivetrain (35%) | 2 | 4 |
| 2018 | 109 | Engine (25%) | 3 | 6 |
| 2017 | 201 | Engine (36%) | 2 | 6 |
| 2016 | 250 | Engine (41%) | 4 | 13 |
| 2015 | 252 | Engine (39%) | 4 | 19 |
| 2014 | 702 | Engine (31%) | 10 | 21 |
| 2013 | 587 | Engine (36%) | 5 | 18 |
| 2012 | 865 | Engine (31%) | 7 | 17 |
| 2011 | 732 | Engine (35%) | 7 | 19 |
| 2010 | 2 | Transmission and drivetrain (50%) | 0 | 3 |
Look up one model year, or a VIN
See the complaints, recalls and warranty extensions for a single Cruze model year, with the typical mileage when owners reported each problem.
Acknowledged by Chevrolet
Warranty extensions and service campaigns Chevrolet filed with NHTSA for the Cruze, in its own words. A warranty extension means Chevrolet pays for the repair beyond the normal warranty.
- Warranty extensionMay 2024· Body and structure· model years 2017–2019
This service bulletin provides information about GM Accessories - Dealer-Installed, Repaired or Replaced During Warranty Coverage Period.
- Warranty extensionJul 2020· Electrical system· model years 2011–2014
Special Coverage - Certain 2014 model year Buick Encore, 2011 - 2014 model year Chevrolet Cruze, 2012 - 2014 model year Chevrolet Sonic, and 2014 model year Chevrolet TRAX vehicles, equipped with a 1.4L Engine (RPO LUJ or LUV), may have a condition where cracks can develop in…
- Warranty extensionSep 2019· Engine and cooling· model years 2016
N192210240 - Special Coverage Adjustment - Certain vehicles shown above, may have a condition that could cause the evaporative emissions purge valve to not fully close.
- Warranty extensionJul 2019· Engine and cooling· model years 2015–2016
N192210230 - Special Coverage - Some 2015-2016 Chevrolet Cruze and 2015 Chevrolet Sonic vehicles equipped with a 1.4L engine may have a condition where cracks can develop in the diaphragm of the Positive Crankcase Ventilation (PCV) pressure regulator valve.
- Warranty extensionApr 2019· Electrical system· model years 2013–2016
N172097060 - Special Coverage Adjustment. Certain vehicles may have a condition where the Side Blind Zone Alert (SBZA) modules may fail or malfunction due to water intrusion.
- Warranty extensionNov 2017· Engine and cooling· model years 2014–2015
29400 01 - Special Coverage. On certain vehicles that are equipped with a diesel engine (RPO LML/LGH/LUZ), a malfunction-indicator light (MIL) may illuminate due to an offset in the temperature sensor in the diesel-emission-reduction fluid (DEF) tank reservoir or increased DEF…
- Warranty extensionNov 2017· Fuel system (diesel)· model years 2014–2015
Condition On certain 2013-2015 model year Chevrolet Express, Chevrolet Silverado HD, GMC Savana, GMC Sierra HD, and 2014-2015 model year Chevrolet Cruze vehicles that are equipped with a diesel engine (RPO LML/LGH/LUZ), a malfunction-indicator light (MIL) may illuminate due to…
- Warranty extensionNov 2016· Fuel system (diesel)· model years 2014–2015
29400 Special Coverage. Certain vehicles that are equipped with a diesel engine (RPO LML/LGH/LUZ), a malfunction-indicator light (MIL) may illuminate due to an offset in the temperature sensor in the diesel-emission-reduction fluid (DEF) tank reservoir or increased DEF…
- Warranty extensionOct 2016· Engine and cooling· model years 2014–2016
16018 - Special Coverage. A diagnostic trouble code P24AE, P24AF, P24C6 or P24C7 may set on some of these vehicles as a result of exhaust particulate sensor failure caused by either sensor contamination or sensor damage from humidity in the exhaust.
- Warranty extensionAug 2016· Transmission and drivetrain· model years 2010–2016
38170 - Special Coverage. The accelerator pedal can break at the stalk just below the housing due to the driver entering or exiting the vehicle with their foot resting on the accelerator pedal.
- Warranty extensionJul 2015· Transmission and drivetrain· model years 2011–2012
14773 - special coverage. Some 2011-2012 Model year chevrolet cruze vehicles equipped with a 1.8L engine may be missing a shift-cable grommet at the transmission end due to contact with engine coolant from a leaking thermostat housing.
- Warranty extensionJun 2015· Parking brake· model years 2010–2012
14748A - special coverage (revised population). GM has received a small number of reports regarding 2010 (non north american), 2011 And 2012 Model year chevrolet cruze vehicles equipped with a manual transmission (rpo MZ0, MF3 or MR5) experiencing unintended movement after being…
- Warranty extensionJun 2015· Electrical system· model years 2011–2015
14311B - special coverage (revised warranty information). On certain 20112015 Model year chevrolet cruze vehicles, the negative battery cable terminal clamp may have an insufficient crimp at the battery negative terminal.
- Warranty extensionJun 2015· Parking brake· model years 2011–2012
14748 - special coverage. GM has received a small number of reports regarding 2011-2012 Model year chevrolet cruze vehicles equipped with a manual transmission (rpo MZ0, MF3 or MR5) experiencing unintended movement after being parked on an inclined surface.
- Warranty extensionJun 2015· Steering· model years 2011–2014
14232A - special coverage (warranty transaction information revised).
- Warranty extensionJun 2015· Electrical system· model years 2011–2015
14311A - special coverage (revised service procedure). On certain 20112015 Model year chevrolet cruze vehicles, the negative battery cable terminal clamp may have an insufficient crimp at the battery negative terminal.
- Warranty extensionJun 2015· Electrical system· model years 2011–2015
Special coverage regarding certain models experiencing negative battery cable terminal clamp may have incorrect crimp at the battery negative terminal. *lj updated 11/6/15. *pe updated 11/12/15.
- Warranty extensionJan 2015· Engine· model years 2011–2014
14371B - special coverage (labor code revised). Some 2011-2014 Model year chevrolet cruze vehicles and some 2012-2014 Chevrolet sonic vehicles with the 1.4L engine may have an engine coolant leak from the water pump.
- Warranty extensionJan 2015· Engine· model years 2011–2014
14371A - special coverage (revised warranty information). Some vehicles with the 1.4L engine may have an engine coolant leak from the water pump.
- Warranty extensionNov 2014· Steering· model years 2011–2014
14232 - special coverage. Some vehicles may have increased friction in the steering system.
- Warranty extensionNov 2014· Transmission and drivetrain· model years 2011–2014
Special Coverage Adjustment ? Power Steering Stick-Slip
- Service campaignJun 2025· Other or unspecified· model years 2018–2019
Amendments to the Song-Beverly Act (SBA) California warranty law provides vehicle owners with an opportunity to submit a written notice to GM before filing a lawsuit seeking a vehicle repurchase.
- Service campaignJun 2025· Other or unspecified· model years 2018–2019
Amendments to the Song-Beverly Act (SBA) California warranty law provides vehicle owners with an opportunity to submit a written notice to GM before filing a lawsuit seeking a vehicle repurchase.
- Service campaignAug 2024· Electrical system· model years 2010–2019
Vehicle Wide Programming (VWP) is a new process to update software on GM Vehicles.
- Service campaignSep 2019· Body and structure· model years 2016–2017
N192265370 - Customer Satisfaction Program. Certain vehicles may accumulate water in the rear compartment battery tub.
- Service campaignAug 2019· Electrical system· model years 2017–2018
N192218430 - Customer Satisfaction Program. During service, certain vehicles equipped with OnStar (RPO UE1), may have received an incorrect and partially programmed/configured replacement OnStar module.
- Service campaignMar 2019· Fuel system· model years 2018
N182199610 - Customer Satisfaction Program. Certain vehicles may have a condition in which the high-pressure fuel pump may crack and potentially leak fuel.
- Service campaignDec 2017· Transmission and drivetrain· model years 2017
16156 Customer Satisfaction Program. Certain vehicles, equipped with a 6?Speed automatic transmission (RPO MNU), may have a condition in which one of the transmission mount strut bracket fasteners may not have been tightened to the proper torque value.
- Service campaignJun 2017· Electrical system· model years 2015
15086A - Customer Satisfaction Program. On certain passenger cars and light duty trucks, equipped with Gen 10 OnStar®, the embedded phone flash memory chip may become corrupted, causing the OnStar® system to become inoperative.
- Service campaignApr 2017· Electrical system· model years 2016–2017
16147 01 - Customer Satisfaction Program. On certain vehicles, the center high mount stop lamp (CHMSL) fasteners may back off over time and cause a water leak, allowing water to flow into the rear compartment battery tub.
What owners report most
The parts of the car owners named in their complaints, across every Cruze model year. Unverified, and not a failure rate.
- Engine1,260 (34%)
- Electrical system760 (20%)
- Transmission and drivetrain679 (18%)
- Other or unspecified469 (13%)
- Steering369 (10%)
- Stability control344 (9%)
- Brakes299 (8%)
- Airbags179 (5%)
Safety recalls
26 recalls cover at least one Cruze model year. Each covers a range of VINs, not every car. Check one car at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
The left and/or right-side roof-rail air bag (RRAB) inflators located on the roof rails above the headliner, may rupture at the inflator weld joint.
The left and/or right-side roof-rail air bag (RRAB) inflators may rupture at the inflator weld joint. This recall is an expansion of Recall 23V-674.
The left and/or right-side roof-rail air bag (RRAB) inflators located on the roof rails above the headliner, may rupture at the inflator weld joint.
The start/stop accumulator endcap may have missing bolts.
The rear brake caliper pistons may have an insufficient coating causing gas pockets to form, potentially reducing rear brake performance.
The vehicles may leak gasoline following a rear-impact crash and a rollover.
A bracket used in the driver or front passenger seat-back recliner mechanism may have been incorrectly welded to the seat-back frame, as a result, in the event of a crash, the head-restraints may not function properly.
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…
The headlight assemblies are not marked with a three-digit identifier code used to properly aim the headlights.
In the affected vehicles, one of the driver-side seat belt assembly bolts may not be properly tightened.
In the affected vehicles, the inner tie rod may not be tightened to specification allowing the tie rod to separate from the steering gear.
The left-rear or right-rear parking brake cable brackets may not have been properly fastened during the assembly process.
In cold temperatures, the insulation on the engine block heater cord can become damaged, allowing the wires to be exposed.
In the affected vehicles, the driver's front air bag inflator may have been manufactured with an incorrect part.
The driver side frontal air bag has a shorting bar which may intermittently contact the air bag terminals.
And 11 more recalls on NHTSA.
NHTSA investigations
Defect investigations NHTSA opened. Many close without a recall.
- RQ13002Recall query· opened May 2013, closed Jul 2014· Airbags· model years 2012
Air Bag Non-deployment
Led to recall 13V023000.
- AQ12002Audit query· opened Oct 2012, closed Oct 2014· Engine and cooling· model years 2011–2012
Chapman Chevrolet / Cruze Engine Recall
- PE12010Preliminary evaluation· opened Mar 2012, closed Jul 2012· Engine· model years 2011–2012
Engine compartment fire
Led to recall 12V288000.
NHTSA's own page for the 2019 Chevrolet Cruze has the complaint text and every document.
Common questions
Is the Chevrolet Cruze reliable?
We don't score reliability: NHTSA publishes complaint counts but no sales figures, so complaints can't be turned into a rate or compared between models. What's on file for model years 2010 on: 3,723 owner complaints, 21 warranty extensions and 25 service campaigns Chevrolet filed, and 26 safety recalls. The model years with the most complaints are 2012 (865), 2011 (732), 2014 (702). Whether a known problem was fixed on one car is what its service records show.
What are the most common problems with the Chevrolet Cruze?
Across every model year since 2010, owners' complaints to NHTSA most often name engine (34%), electrical system (20%), transmission and drivetrain (18%). Chevrolet has filed 21 warranty extensions covering the Cruze, listed on this page.
Which Cruze model years have the most complaints?
2012 (865), 2011 (732), 2014 (702). Complaint counts rise with how many were sold and how long they've been on the road, so compare years of the Cruze with each other rather than with other models.
Has Chevrolet extended the warranty on the Cruze?
Yes: body and structure (model years 2017–2019); electrical system (model years 2011–2014); engine and cooling (model years 2016), and 18 more. A dealer does a covered repair for free within the extended time or mileage.
How do I check recalls on a Cruze?
Enter the car's 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. That answers for one vehicle; the 26 recalls listed here are for the model, and each covers only part of it.