Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power steering, steering column, rack and pinion).
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's daughter owns a 2014 Chevrolet Cruze. The contact stated that his daughter called him while at a stoplight to inform him that the vehicle lost power steering without warning. The contact informed his daughter to restart the vehicle while at the stoplight and to park the vehicle so that he could meet her. The contact arrived at the scene to inspect the vehicle and found no fault with the vehicle. The contact followed his daughter to her destination without further incident. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and provided a case number. The contact was also informed that a representative would call him for further assistance. The contact received a call back from a representative who left a message asking how he would like to resolve the matter. The contact had yet to respond to the manufacturer. …
The contact owns a 2014 Chevrolet Cruze. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle radio will go in and out and the steering wheel would become hard to maneuver. The contact stated that it felt as if the vehicle had lost power however, the vehicle was still running. The contact stated that no warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where no failure could be diagnosed as the failure could not be duplicated. The contact stated that OnStar was also unable to diagnose the failure. The contact stated that the battery cables were replaced however, the failure continued. The contact stated that she believed that the dealer contacted the manufacturer as she was told by the dealer that they had spoken to an engineer. The failure mileage was approximately 57,000.
I financed my car through drivetime in june 2019 and from the time i got the car i have been having electrical issues. My car has also been in a really bad accident prior to me purchasing it and when i tried to return it. They just kept telling me to go to pep boys because I had a 60 day warranty to fix any issues. I should not have had to take my car to any mechanic if I got it from a dealership. I now have really mad transmissin issues and I havent even had the car for 3 years. I believe this company sold me a lemon and i dont know how to prove it. I dont have the money to fix all the issues.
For about a year now my 2014 Chevy Cruze's steering wheel will lock up for a few seconds while I am driving (at speeds up to 80MPH) - which is extremely dangerous. When this happens, several lights will then pop up on my dashboard and messages are shown saying "service power steering" "service traction control". The radio turns off, the lights inside the car turn off, and the back up camera stops working. The engine light has been on and will not go off. I have already replaced the transmission and the starter as well as the fuel pump. I was told by my mechanic to just get rid of the car as it has way too many issues to even attempt repairing. I once ran over a curb and popped a tire when the steering wheel locked up. Every time I start my car there is a message that say "roll down driver window and roll back up" which I do not understand. This seems to be happening to several people. …
My car often loses power unexpectedly in the middle of a turn in an intersection and once while exiting a busy road. Twice it has died upon arrival at destinations and yet the battery has indicated when tested as fully charged. The key indicator is the radio system turns off for a second or two and then automatically restarts and the car with it. When this occurs the car is unable to be driven as the wheel will not turn. I have informed the local Chevy dealership near me and test was done with no error codes reported. What I have had to do is remove the battery cable and replace it and it seems to make the car work for a little longer until it starts the process again with the radio. I had work done to repair the window motor and that is when I first notified Chevy (I will have to locate the date). …
Several times the steering wheel mechanism locked up while driving and I was unable to steer it momentarily. During that time several warning lamp indicators intermittently illuminated, and the radio shorted, and the instrument panel flashed or blacked out. Also, there is a coolant leak. I have the vehicle at the dealership repair center and they haven't reproduced the above problems, but did find a problem with a engine coolant leak from the water pump and a radiator hose in which they are repairing.
The steering wheel keeps locking up while driving fast/slow or turning. Everything shuts off, then back on and all codes flash. My car literally locks up, it's really unsafe when I can't control the vehicle. Almost hit another car, due to steering wheel locking up. Only thing I was told at the Chevy dealer house was there were no recalls. So they wouldn't look unless they got to charge me. This issue started happening about five months ago. And I drive like a grandma.
This morning, I was making a right turn into a neighborhood when I hit a small hole in the road and the car turned off. It alerted me that it was power steering and airbags. Now when I drive into my driveway it may turn off because of the curb, when I turn into work it may turn off because there is a small area where the road has small holes.
Tl* the contact owned a 2014 Chevrolet Cruze. While driving 25 MPH, the vehicle pulled to the left and all the instrument panel indicators illuminated. The contact lost control of the vehicle and crashed into another vehicle. The air bags deployed. A police report was filed. The contact sustained injuries to the head, fractured ribs on the left side, and injuries to the left leg and arm. Medical attention was required. The vehicle was towed to a recovery company. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or independent mechanic for diagnostic testing or repairs. The vehicle was considered a total loss. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 35,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2014 Chevrolet Cruze. While making a left turn, the brakes failed to engage when the brake pedal was depressed and a loss of steering power was experienced . The contact crashed into a guardrail. There were no injuries and a police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a dealer where it was diagnosed, but the failure cause could not be determined. The VIN was included in NHTSA campaign number: 15V442000 (steering). The vehicle was repaired under the recall. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 45,070.
Related recalls
Steering
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.
Steering complaints in other Cruze years
Frequently asked questions
How common are steering problems on the 2014 Chevrolet Cruze?
NHTSA has 93 complaints about the steering of the 2014 Chevrolet Cruze, 13% of the model year's 702 complaints. The component named most often is linkages › tie rod assembly (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2014 Chevrolet Cruze steering problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 15V-442 (steering, Jul 10, 2015). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2014 Chevrolet Cruze steering problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 54,000 miles, and 31% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 10 crashes, 1 fire and 11 injuries to steering 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.