2014 Chevrolet Cruze Problems & Complaints

Use caution1.6× as many complaints as a typical year of the Cruze at the same age

Owners have filed 702 complaints about the 2014 Chevrolet Cruze with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. That is 1.6× as many as a typical Cruze model year at the same age — above average, so look closely at the problem areas below before you buy. The most reported problem area is the engine & cooling (233 complaints, typically around 65,000 miles). 10 recalls cover this model year.

702complaints
10recalls
70crashes
17fires
57injuries
0deaths

Most common 2014 Chevrolet Cruze problems

Share of the 702 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.

Chevrolet Cruze complaints by model year

20112012201320142015201620172018201973286558770225225020110923
Owner complaints per model year, Chevrolet Cruze. Colour = our verdict for that year (red: avoid, orange: caution, green: better than average, blue: too new).

Best Cruze years: 2019, 2018, 2017. Years to avoid: 2012, 2011, 2014. Compare all years →

2014 Chevrolet Cruze recalls (10)

Air bags › Side/window

NHTSA recall 25V-764 · Nov 6, 2025 · 2,099 vehicles

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

NHTSA recall 23V-870 · Dec 21, 2023 · 20,712 vehicles

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

NHTSA recall 23V-674 · Sep 20, 2023 · 9,264 vehicles

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.

Electrical system › Ignition

NHTSA recall 16V-502 · Jul 5, 2016 · 8,367 vehicles

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Buick Verano and 2016 Chevrolet Malibu as the electronic park lock lever may allow the ignition key to be removed without the transmission being in PARK.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and if necessary replace the key cylinder lock housing, free of charge. The recall began on October 14, 2016.

Steering

NHTSA recall 15V-442 · Jul 10, 2015 · 10 vehicles

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 Chevrolet Cruze vehicles manufactured November 8, 2013, to March 12, 2015, and 2015 Chevrolet Volt vehicles manufactured April 11, 2014.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the steering gear assembly, free of charge. The recall began on July 28, 2015. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020.

Equipment › Electrical

NHTSA recall 14V-417 · Jul 2, 2014 · 2,990 vehicles

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Buick Encore all-wheel-drive vehicles manufactured August 23, 2012, to September 9, 2013; Verano vehicles manufactured August 8, 2012, to June 20, 2013; Chevrolet Cruze vehicles manufactured August 7, 2012, to August 16, 2013, and 2012-2014 Chevrolet Sonic…

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the engine oil pan/block heater cord with a new cord that is rated for temperatures of minus 40 degree Celsius. The recall began in August 2014.

Show 4 more recalls

Air bags

NHTSA recall 14V-372 · Jun 26, 2014 · 29,019 vehicles

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Chevrolet Cruze vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the driver's front air bag inflator may have been manufactured with an incorrect part.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver side air bag, free of charge. The recall began on June 28, 2014. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020.

Power train › Axle assembly › Axle shaft

NHTSA recall 14V-151 · Mar 31, 2014 · 174,046 vehicles

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013 and 2014 Chevrolet Cruze vehicles equipped with a 1.4L turbo engine, and manufactured between November 28, 2012, and March 7, 2014. On the affected vehicles, the right front half shaft may fracture and separate.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the right half shaft, as needed, free of charge. Parts for the remedy are not currently available. GM will send an interim letter to owners in May 2014.

Power train › Automatic transmission

NHTSA recall 14V-092 · Feb 21, 2014 · 355 vehicles

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2014 Buick Regal, LaCrosse, Verano, and Enclave, and Chevrolet Impala, Malibu, Cruze, and Traverse, and GMC Acadia vehicles equipped with automatic transmissions.

Remedy: General Motors will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace any affected transmission shift cable adjusters, free of charge. The recall began on April 10, 2014.

Power train › Axle assembly › Axle shaft

NHTSA recall 13V-452 · Sep 23, 2013 · 3,161 vehicles

General Motors (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013 and 2014 Chevrolet Cruze vehicles equipped with manual transmissions (MF3/MR5) and manufactured January 24, 2013, through August 1, 2013. On the affected vehicles, the right front half shaft may fracture and separate.

Remedy: General Motors has notified owners. Dealers will replace the half shaft assembly, free of charge. The safety recall began on October 15, 2013. Owners may contact General Motors at 1-800-521-7300.

What 2014 Chevrolet Cruze owners say

Engine & cooling all 233 →

The contact owned a 2014 Chevrolet Cruze. The contact stated that while driving 62 mph when the contact noticed other drivers flashing their lights, therefore, they decided to pull over to the side of the road. When they pulled over they noticed that there was smoke coming through the vents of the vehicle. The vehicle's touchscreen on the dashboard that controls the radio as well as a few other functions went blank and the actual physical rubber parts of the screen began to melt. The contact turned off the vehicle and got out of the vehicle when the vehicle suddenly caught on actual fire. The fire department extinguished what was left of the fire after the contact's efforts. A police report was filed. The contact had received a burn to their arm. There was no medical attention needed. The vehicle was towed and deemed totaled. The contact had not spoken to the dealership. …

148,000 miles · Aug 2021 · fire · 1 injury

The contact owns a 2014 Chevrolet Cruze. The contact stated while driving approximately 35 MPH, the vehicle unintendedly accelerated. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact had taken the vehicle to an independent mechanic who diagnosed and determined that the catalytic converter and the up and down screen sensors needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. Additionally, the vehicle had started to overheat. The contact stated that the temperature gauge was in the red zone. The contact stopped the vehicle and became aware that the coolant reservoir was almost empty. The contact added almost a gallon of coolant. The contact stated that the coolant leaked out onto the driveway. The contact had taken the vehicle to a dealer, and it was determined that the water pump needed to be replaced. The water pump was replaced. …

105,000 miles · Jun 2023

Electrical system all 187 →

The contact owned a 2014 Chevrolet Cruze. The contact stated that while driving 45 MPH, a Chevrolet Impala crashed into the rear of the vehicle, causing the vehicle to fishtail and flip over several times and land upside down in the woods. The contact stated that the air bags deployed and exploded. The contact stated that the air bags obstructed the exit out of the vehicle. There was an unknown yellow warning light illuminated. There was a strong fuel odor coming from the vehicle. The driver was able to exit the vehicle through the rear window. The contact sustained injuries to the head, a gash on the leg, and had shrapnel embedded in the skin. Medical attention was provided. The driver was emotionally distraught. A Police report was filed. Upon research, the contact determined that the failure might be associated with NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V372000 (Air Bags). …

14,000 miles · Jul 2025 · crash · 1 injury

I remote started my car using the factory installed remote starter, and approximately 5 minutes later I heard my car alarm start going off, so I went to investigate and when I opened the drivers side door, my car was filled with smoke and flames were coming up from the front passenger footwell, underneath the dash where the HVAC blower motor is located. I closed the drivers door and rushed inside to grab a fire extinguisher, but within those 10 seconds I was away, the fire has more than tripled in size. So when I opened the passenger door to use the extinguisher, the fire had grown out of control. With the fire put out, I started looking around and noticed that the engine bay for the car still has rubber hoses and pieces of plastic that are fully intact and haven't been burned, yet the interior of the car is completely gone. …

Nov 2025 · fire

Transmission & drivetrain all 97 →

The contact owns a 2014 Chevrolet Cruze. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the door locks were opening and closing independently. The contact stated that the instrument cluster was also flashing several unknown warning lights. The contact stated that the heater and the A/C were also functioning independently. The contact stated that the failure was intermittent at first but became a constant failure. Additionally, the contact stated that the transmission occasionally slipped out of gear, almost causing the vehicle to stall, making the steering wheel difficult to turn. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a local dealer or independent mechanic to be diagnosed or repaired. The contact replaced the 12-Volt battery and the fuse box; however, the failure reoccurred. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 177,000.

177,000 miles · Dec 2023

The contact owns a 2014 Chevrolet Cruze. The contact stated that while driving at various highway speeds, the vehicle would independently enter into limp mode and downshift as the service traction control, service stabilitrak, reduced engine power, and the check engine warning lights were illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle would not shift out of first gear once the failure occurred. The contact had taken the vehicle to the dealer on multiple occasions and each time the dealer was unable to duplicate the failure. The manufacturer had been notified of the failure. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 30,000.

Automatic transmission · 30,000 miles · Nov 2017

2014 Chevrolet Cruze engines & fuel economy

EngineTransmissionDriveMPG city / hwy / combined
2.0L 4-cyl turbo diesel6-speed automaticFWD27 / 44 / 32
1.4L 4-cyl turbo6-speed manualFWD28 / 40 / 32
1.4L 4-cyl turbo6-speed automaticFWD26 / 37 / 30
1.8L 4-cyl6-speed manualFWD25 / 35 / 29
1.8L 4-cyl6-speed automaticFWD22 / 34 / 26

EPA ratings. Class: Midsize car.

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2014 Chevrolet Cruze a good car?

Based on 702 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2014 Cruze rates use caution: 1.6× as many complaints as a typical year of the Cruze at the same age. It is one of the Cruze years we suggest avoiding. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.

What is the most common problem with the 2014 Chevrolet Cruze?

The engine & cooling — 233 complaints, 33% of all complaints for this model year, most often about exhaust system › emission control › catalytic convertor. Next are the electrical system (187) and transmission & drivetrain (97).

How many recalls does the 2014 Chevrolet Cruze have?

There are 10 recalls for the 2014 Chevrolet Cruze, the most recent from November 6, 2025 (side/window). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.

What are the best and worst years of the Chevrolet Cruze?

The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2019, 2018 and 2017. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2012, 2011 and 2014. See the full Chevrolet Cruze years comparison.

At what mileage do 2014 Chevrolet Cruze problems happen?

The median mileage reported in complaints is about 53,000 miles; 46% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.

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.