Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2014 Chevrolet Cruze owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
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. …
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. …
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.
The contact's daughter owns a 2014 Chevrolet Cruze. The contact stated that while her daughter was driving at an undisclosed speed, she heard an abnormal sound emanating from the engine compartment. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that on a separate occasion, while driving at an undisclosed speed, the heater failed to function as intended. After a visual inspection of the engine compartment, the contact observed that the coolant level was abnormally low, and an unknown fluid was leaking. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact had taken the vehicle to an independent mechanic who diagnosed and determined that the water pump had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 32,000.
On May 25, 2026, at approximately 3:30 p.m. Central Time, after the vehicle had been operated under normal conditions and subsequently parked, a fire originated within the vehicle's engine compartment and/or under-hood area. Personnel from the Milwaukee Fire Department responded to the scene and extinguished the fire. An official fire investigation report is pending and is expected to be available within the coming week. The incident has been documented through photographs and video recordings, all of which have been preserved. The vehicle itself remains in its post-fire condition and has been retained for inspection. At this time, the precise cause and origin of the fire have not been determined, of which no warning lamps nor other symptoms of a problem prior to incident.
The contact owns a 2014 Chevrolet Cruze. The contact stated that while his wife was driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power. The traction control and check engine warning lights along with various codes were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. The contact self-diagnosed the vehicle with a cylinder misfire. The contact replaced the ignition coil pack and four spark plugs; however, the failure recurred. The dealer was made aware of the failure but informed the contact that the VIN was not included in a recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and provided the contact with a code to provide to a dealer. The failure mileage was approximately 28,000.
The contact owns a 2014 Chevrolet Cruze. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact continued driving the vehicle with the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact stated that there was white smoke coming from the front of the vehicle. The contact stated that the check engine warning light had started flashing quickly, and the vehicle lost motive power and stalled. The contact was able to drive the vehicle back to the residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 169,000.
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.
The contact owns a 2014 Chevrolet Cruze. The contact stated while driving 70 MPH, she started to smell a burning oil odor inside the cabin of the vehicle. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact stated she turned off the heater to stop the odor from entering the cabin. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with needing the turbo oil feed and return line to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired but was pending repairs. Upon investigation, the contact associated the failure with TSB: PI0851B. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.
The contact owns a 2014 Chevrolet Cruze. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, she heard an abnormal sound emanating from the engine compartment, prompting her to pull to the shoulder of the roadway. After a visual inspection of the engine compartment, the contact observed that the coolant level was abnormally low, and an unknown fluid was leaking. The high engine temperature warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was 160,000.
Engine complaints in other Cruze years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2014 Chevrolet Cruze?
NHTSA has 233 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2014 Chevrolet Cruze, 33% of the model year's 702 complaints. The component named most often is exhaust system › emission control › catalytic convertor (3 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2014 Chevrolet Cruze engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling recall for the 2014 Chevrolet Cruze, though it has 10 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2014 Chevrolet Cruze engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 65,000 miles, and 20% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 6 crashes, 10 fires and 3 injuries to engine & cooling problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
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.