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 2017 Chevrolet Cruze owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2017 Chevrolet Cruze. The contact stated that while driving approximately 40-45 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated and the vehicle decelerated to 30-35 MPH. Additionally, the vehicle made abnormal rattling sounds and failed to exceed 30-35 MPH. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the knock sensors needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred two months later. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, where the knock sensors and the engine were replaced; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken to a second dealer, Zimbrick Chevrolet Service (1877 W Main St #200, Sun Prairie, WI 53590), where the knock sensors and the knock sensors terminal were replaced; however, the failure recurred. …
The contact owns a 2017 Chevrolet Cruze. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle hesitated and was slow to accelerate. The stabili-trak control warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle was slow to respond while driving uphill. There was an abnormal popping sound coming from the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the fuel injector needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken back to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the coil pack, turbo boost, spark plugs, an oil change, ABS, brake booster, and air flow sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who informed the contact that the failure was due to the low turbo boost. …
The contact owns a 2017 Chevrolet Cruze. The contact stated that while idling or while driving at various speeds, the vehicle would hesitate while attempting to accelerate. The check engine warning light illuminated and turbocharger under boost message was displayed. The failure recurred several times. The failure was independently corrected after driving for a while; however, the self-correction was intermittent. The contact stated that whenever the vehicle failed to self-correct the contact would have the vehicle towed. The vehicle had been taken to several independent mechanics who diagnosed the turbocharger under boost had failed and needed to be replaced along with an unknown part. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 123,370.
The contact owns a 2017 Chevrolet Cruze. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 60 MPH, the engine started to misfire. The contact stated that the vehicle was hesitating while depressing the accelerator pedal. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle stalled while driving into the driveway; however, the vehicle was able to restart. The contact stated that she attempted to call a local Chevrolet dealer however, her calls were not returned. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who stated that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 35,000. The VIN was not available.
The contact owns a 2017 Chevrolet Cruze. The contact stated while driving 25 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and the spark plugs and ignition coils were replaced; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was diagnosed, and the contact was informed that there was a misfire in cylinder #1. The vehicle was taken to another independent mechanic and the contact was informed that the piston was fractured, and the engine block needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 65,000.
The contact owns a 2017 Chevrolet Cruze. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was displayed on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the contact was informed that the O2 sensor was defective and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was the repaired; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken back to the same dealer two additional times for the same repair however, the failure persisted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was given credit towards another vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 4,378.
The contact owns a 2017 Chevrolet Cruze. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the door latches independently unlocked and locked. Additionally, the contact stated that the failure had occurred with all four doors. The contact stated that the RPM occasionally increased unintendedly. The contact stated that the failure was intermittent. The vehicle was taken to the dealer twice; however, the failure was not duplicated. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 16,994.
The contact owns a 2017 Chevrolet Cruze. The contact stated the service stability trac and check engine warning lights were illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the spark plugs, turbo boost sensor, and mass air flow sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred a week later. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 90,761.
I should have filed a complaint here after the catastrophic failure. The next time I may not be so lucky and it could cause loss of life. I was driving at approx. 65 MPH on the frwy when bang! An explosion under my hood that caused my car to jump over a lane, I slammed on the breaks, swerved but couldn't push the brake pedal down anymore. It felt hard and would barely move. i had no way to slowdown or stop! And traffic infront of me was slowing fast. I put all my weight on that pedal even tried pumping it, but it would only move alittle. Luckily the car in front sped up just enough for me to swerve onto the shoulder. As I slowed i could depress pedal alittle if I stood up on it out of my seat but stopping distance was like 15ft while maybe going 15 mph. This all happened in a matter of minutes i still dont know how I was able to avoid an accident. The engine sounded really rough. …
Recently my car's check engine light and the message "Service Stabilitrak" started coming up on my car, then my car started shaking while idling. I quickly took the car to my mechanic who assessed it, replaced my spark plugs, which did not solve the issue, and recommended I go to the dealership. In between these appointments my car was consistently shaking while idling and I would have difficulties accelerating especially after coming to a complete stop and often while making turns, this worsened after adding fuel to my car. The nearest Chevrolet dealership did a compression test and found that the psi in cylinder 1 was only 85, while the rest of the cylinders are 180 psi. They reported "internal engine damage causing misfire on cylinder 1" and quoted the repairs and replacement engine at $9500, almost double the value of the car if the engine was working. …
Engine complaints in other Cruze years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2017 Chevrolet Cruze?
NHTSA has 76 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2017 Chevrolet Cruze, 38% of the model year's 201 complaints. The component named most often is engine › gasoline › turbo/supercharger (2 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2017 Chevrolet Cruze engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling recall for the 2017 Chevrolet Cruze, though it has 2 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 2017 Chevrolet Cruze engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 35,000 miles, and 38% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 3 fires and 2 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.