Chevrolet Cruze years to avoid (and the best years)
3,716 NHTSA owner complaints and 26 recalls across 9 model years, 2011 to 2019. Built from NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, generated October 26, 2026.
- 3,716complaints
- 26recalls
- 292reported crashes
- 83reported fires
- 200reported injuries
- 3reported deaths
Which Chevrolet Cruze years should you avoid?
By NHTSA owner complaints, the Chevrolet Cruze years to avoid are 2012, 2011, 2014 and 2013. The typical Chevrolet Cruze year has 251 complaints on file.
- 2012: 865 complaints, 3.4 times the typical year. Most complaints name the engine (36% of complaints) and the electrical system (23% of complaints).
- 2011: 732 complaints, 2.9 times the typical year. Most complaints name the engine (40% of complaints) and the transmission and drivetrain (26% of complaints).
- 2014: 702 complaints, 2.8 times the typical year. Most complaints name the engine (33% of complaints) and the electrical system (27% of complaints).
- 2013: 586 complaints, 2.3 times the typical year. Most complaints name the engine (40% of complaints) and the electrical system (21% of complaints).
What are the best Chevrolet Cruze years?
The Chevrolet Cruze years with the fewest complaints on file are the 2019 (21), 2017 (201) and 2016 (249). Model years after 2023 are left out: they have not been on the road long enough to compare.
NHTSA does not publish sales figures, so these are complaint counts, not a rate per car on the road. A year that sold more cars collects more complaints, and older years have had longer to collect them.
Every model year
| Year | Complaints | vs typical year | Recalls | Crashes | Injuries | Our read | Most reported |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 21 | 0.1× | 2 | 4 | 3 | Few red flags | Transmission and drivetrain |
| 2018 | 109 | 0.4× | 3 | 17 | 7 | Some concerns to check | Engine |
| 2017 | 201 | 0.8× | 2 | 8 | 5 | Few red flags | Engine |
| 2016 | 249 | 1.0× | 4 | 19 | 14 | Few red flags | Engine |
| 2015 | 251 | 1.0× | 4 | 20 | 13 | Few red flags | Engine |
| 2014 | 702 | 2.8× | 10 | 70 | 57 | Approach with caution | Engine |
| 2013 | 586 | 2.3× | 5 | 54 | 32 | Approach with caution | Engine |
| 2012 | 865 | 3.4× | 7 | 62 | 30 | Approach with caution | Engine |
| 2011 | 732 | 2.9× | 7 | 38 | 39 | Approach with caution | Engine |
Most reported problem areas
Share of the 746 complaints sorted by system, all years together.
- Engine & powertrain436 (58%)
- Electrical & infotainment72 (10%)
- Brakes69 (9%)
- Other systems65 (9%)
- Steering, suspension & tires37 (5%)
Recalls (26)
Airbags · 25V764000 · Nov 2025 · model year 2014
An inflator that ruptures may partially inflate the air bag and cause sharp metal fragments to enter or exit the vehicle, increasing the risk of an injury.
Airbags · 23V870000 · Dec 2023 · model year 2014
An inflator that ruptures may partially inflate the air bag and cause sharp metal fragments to enter or exit the vehicle, increasing the risk of an injury.
Airbags · 23V674000 · Sep 2023 · model year 2014
An inflator that ruptures may partially inflate the air bag and cause sharp metal fragments to enter or exit the vehicle, increasing the risk of an injury.
Transmission · 20V668000 · Oct 2020 · model years 2018, 2019
Missing bolts on the start-stop accumulator endcap could result in a transmission oil leak and may progress to a loss of propulsion, increasing the risk of a crash. A transmission fluid leak in the presence of an ignition source may increase the risk of fire.
Brakes · 18V576000 · Aug 2018 · model years 2018, 2019
A reduction of braking performance can increase the risk of a crash.
Fuel system · 18V304000 · May 2018 · model years 2016, 2017, 2018
A fuel leak, in the presence of an ignition source, increases the risk of a fire.
Safety · 17V057000 · Jan 2017 · model years 2016, 2017
In a crash, the seat-backs for the front seats may break, increasing the risk of injury to the occupants.
Electrical system · 16V502000 · Jul 2016 · model years 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016
If the key is removed without the transmission in PARK, the vehicle may rollaway as occupants are exiting, increasing the risk of injury.
Exterior lighting · 16V498000 · Jul 2016 · model year 2016
Without the identification code, the headlights may be improperly aimed during service, reducing nighttime visibility and increasing the risk of a crash.
Seat belts · 15V876000 · Dec 2015 · model year 2015
An insufficiently torqued bolt may prevent the seat belt from holding the required load in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Steering · 15V442000 · Jul 2015 · model years 2014, 2015
Separation of the tie rod from the steering gear could result in the loss of steering, increasing the risk of a crash.
Safety · 15V113000 · Feb 2015 · model year 2015
If the parking brake bracket separates, the parking brake may not hold the vehicle, increasing the risk of a vehicle roll away and a crash.
Safety · 14V417000 · Jul 2014 · model years 2013, 2014
Exposed wires increase the risk of electrical shock and personal injury if the cord is handled while it is plugged in.
Airbags · 14V372000 · Jun 2014 · model years 2013, 2014
In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's air bag, the air bag's inflator may rupture and the air bag may not inflate. The rupture could cause metal fragments to strike and potentially seriously injure the vehicle occupants. Additionally, if the air bag does not inflate, the driver is at an increased risk of injury.
Airbags · 14V300000 · Jun 2014 · model year 2012
If the bar and terminals are contacting each other at the time of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, that air bag will not deploy, increasing the driver's risk of injury.
Transmission · 14V151000 · Mar 2014 · model years 2013, 2014
If the half shaft fractures and separates while driving, the vehicle would lose power and coast to a stop. If a vehicle with a fractured half shaft is parked without the parking brake applied, the vehicle could move unexpectedly. Either condition increases the risk of a crash.
Transmission · 14V092000 · Feb 2014 · model year 2014
If a vehicle's shift cable disengages from the transmission shift lever, a driver may be unable to shift gear positions and the indicated shift position may not represent the gear position the vehicle is in. Should a disengagement occur while the vehicle is being driven, when the driver goes to stop and park the vehicle, the driver may be able to shift the lever to the "PARK" position, but the vehicle transmission may not be in the "PARK" gear position. If the vehicle is not in the "PARK" position there is a risk the vehicle will roll away as the driver and other occupants exit the vehicle or anytime thereafter. A vehicle rollaway increases the risk of injury to exiting occupants and bystanders.
Transmission · 13V452000 · Sep 2013 · model years 2013, 2014
If the half shaft fractures and separates while driving, the vehicle would lose power and coast to a stop. If a vehicle with a fractured half shaft is parked without the parking brake applied, the vehicle could move unexpectedly. Either condition increases the risk of a crash.
Brakes · 13V360000 · Aug 2013 · model years 2011, 2012
A loss of braking assistance will require extra pedal force and/or distance to bring the vehicle to a stop, increasing the risk of a crash.
Airbags · 13V023000 · Jan 2013 · model year 2012
If the bar and terminals are contacting each other at the time of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, that air bag will not deploy, increasing the driver's risk of injury.
Airbags · 12V522000 · Oct 2012 · model year 2012
If the bar and terminals are contacting each other at the time of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal airbag, that airbag will not deploy, increasing the driver's risk of injury.
Fuel system · 12V289000 · Jun 2012 · model years 2011, 2012
THE FUEL TANK COULD COME LOOSE IN A CRASH, POSSIBLY ALLOWING FUEL TO LEAK FROM THE TANK. A FUEL LEAK IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
Engine · 12V288000 · Jun 2012 · model years 2011, 2012
EITHER CONDITION COULD RESULT IN AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE, POSSIBLY CAUSING INJURY OR DEATH.
Transmission · 11V273000 · May 2011 · model year 2011
THE DRIVER MAY NOT BE ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AND THE VEHICLE COULD ROLL AWAY AFTER THE DRIVER HAS EXITED THE VEHICLE, RESULTING IN A POSSIBLE CRASH WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.
Steering · 11V270000 · May 2011 · model year 2011
THIS COULD ALLOW THE SHAFTS TO SEPARATE, RESULTING IN THE LOSS OF STEERING. LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Steering · 11V221000 · Apr 2011 · model year 2011
SHOULD THE STEERING WHEEL DETACH FROM THE STEERING COLUMN WHILE DRIVING, THE DRIVER COULD LOSE THE ABILITY TO STEER THE VEHICLE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.