Complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | vs. typical* | Recalls | Top problem | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 23 | −94% | 2 | Transmission | Good |
| 2018 | 109 | −77% | 3 | Engine | Good |
| 2017 | 201 | −64% | 2 | Engine | Good |
| 2016 | 250 | −57% | 4 | Engine | Good |
| 2015 | 252 | −58% | 4 | Engine | Good |
| 2014 | 702 | 1.6× | 10 | Engine | Caution |
| 2013 | 587 | 1.2× | 5 | Engine | Average |
| 2012 | 865 | 2.1× | 7 | Engine | Avoid |
| 2011 | 732 | 1.7× | 7 | Engine | Caution |
* Complaints compared with the median Cruze year at the same age, so new and old years are judged fairly. How this works.
Most common Chevrolet Cruze problems
Latest Chevrolet Cruze recalls
Air bags › Side/window
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2014 Buick Verano and Chevrolet Cruze vehicles. 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.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the left and/or right-side RRAB modules, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 5, 2025.
Air bags › Side/window
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2014 Buick Verano and Chevrolet Cruze vehicles. 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.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the left and/or right-side RRAB modules as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 22, 2024.
Air bags › Side/window
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2014 Buick Verano and Chevrolet Cruze vehicles. 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.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the left and/or right-side RRAB modules, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 12, 2024.
Power train › Automatic transmission
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Chevrolet Cruze and Buick LaCrosse, 2018-2020 Chevrolet Equinox, Chevrolet Traverse and GMC Terrain, 2018 Chevrolet Malibu, 2019-2020 Buick Encore, Buick Enclave, Cadillac XT4, Chevrolet Blazer and GMC Acadia, and 2020 Cadillac XT6 vehicles.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the start-stop transmission accumulator and replace it if any bolts are missing, free of charge. The recall began December 15, 2020.
Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Disc › Caliper
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Chevrolet Equinox, Impala, Cruze, Volt and Bolt EV vehicles, GMC Terrain vehicles, Buick Lacrosse and Regal vehicles, Cadillac XTS and XTS Professional vehicles and 2018 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will bleed the vehicle's brake system, free of charge. The recall began October 11, 2018.
Frequently asked questions
What years of the Chevrolet Cruze should you avoid?
2012, 2011 and 2014 — these years have the most complaints relative to other Cruze years at the same age, led by engine & cooling problems in the 2012.
What is the best year for the Chevrolet Cruze?
2019 has the fewest complaints compared with other Cruze years at the same age, followed by 2018 and 2017. Newer years can look better simply because fewer complaints have come in yet, so we compare like with like.
What are the most common Chevrolet Cruze problems?
Across all years, owners report the most problems with the engine & cooling (1,391), electrical system (760) and transmission & drivetrain (678). Engine complaints peak in the 2012 model year.
How many recalls has the Chevrolet Cruze had?
26 recalls across 2011–2019. The model year with the most is 2014. See all Chevrolet Cruze recalls by year.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.