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Glam Monitor

Do Chevy Cruze have a lot of problems?

Author

Isabella Ramos

Updated on June 11, 2026

Most owners of the Chevy Cruze tend to bring in their cars for unscheduled repairs 0.4 times a year with a 12% probability of having a severe problem. Meanwhile, the 2016 and 2017 Cruze redesigns received the highest reliability scores from J.D. Power, with both model years earning 88 points out of 100.

Is Chevy Cruze a reliable car?

The Chevrolet Cruze Reliability Rating is 4.0 out of 5.0, which ranks it 26th out of 36 for compact cars. The average annual repair cost is $545 which means it has lower than average ownership costs. The frequency and severity of repairs are both fairly average when compared with all other vehicles.

What goes wrong with Chevy Cruze?

Out of these vehicles, the 2016 Chevy Cruze has the most issues. The most prominent is engine problems, followed closely by electrical issues. Still, these problems seem minor in comparison to the Chevy Cruze years we recommend you stay away from for the best results.

Do Chevy Cruze have transmission problems?

It's a type of car problem that's not hard to notice. 2017 Chevrolet Cruze transmission problems could include shifting delays, grinding when accelerating, a feeling of shakiness, or whistling noises or a burning smell coming from beneath the hood.

What year was the worst Chevy Cruze?

At present, the NHTSA has reported 683 complaints and seven recalls for the 2011 Cruze, and 789 complaints and seven recalls issued for the 2012 model. Because of this, early years of the Cruze should be avoided–specifically 2011 through 2014 models.

37 related questions found

How long does a Chevy Cruze motor last?

The Chevy Cruze is a robust compact car that can last between 200,000 – 250,000 miles when driven conservatively and properly maintained. Based on driving 15,000 miles per year, you can expect the Chevy Cruze to last 13 – 17 years before breaking down or requiring uneconomical repairs.

Why is the Chevy Cruze so cheap?

There are many Chevrolet Cruze sedans available at a very affordable price in the Indian market. Why getting sold at such low prices? Well, because the Chevrolet brand has closed down its shop in India the prices of the Cruze in the used car markets are depreciating faster than ever.

What are the most common problems with a 2014 Chevy Cruze?

2014 Chevy Cruze problems and more

  • Leaking water pumps. For starters, the 1.4-liter-engine models exhibited instances of leaking water pumps. ...
  • Defective PCV diaphragms. Owners also reported defective PCV diaphragms in the valve cover. ...
  • Oil leaks. ...
  • Faulty ignition coils. ...
  • Loose negative battery cables.

Do 2016 Chevy Cruze have a lot of problems?

The 2016 Chevy Cruze was given only an “average” reliability rating of three out of five by J.D. Power and is the subject of 70 NHTSA complaints for its engine and 50 for its electrical components.

What year Chevy Cruze have transmission problems?

Some owners of the 2011-2016 Cruze redesigns have complained about their transmissions slipping and shifting hard when changing gears. These issues may be caused by faulty software.

Do Chevy Cruze have engine problems?

About 51% of all reported Chevrolet Cruze problems are in and around the engine. With such a volume of issues, comes diversity. In this case, many ways your Cruze engine can turn into a hassle. Other engine issues include spontaneous stalling, rough idling, backfiring at idle, and more.

Why was the Chevy Cruze discontinued?

Is It Really Discontinued? Yes, Chevy has discontinued the production of the Cruze compact sedan. Rather than replacing their compact sedan, Chevy chose to focus instead on developing its more popular lineup of SUVs and trucks.

Which Chevy Cruze is the best?

Which Model Year of the Chevrolet Cruze Is Best? The Cruze's first generation spans the 2011 through 2015 model years, of which the 2013 to 2015 models are the best. These vehicles have a better reputation for reliability, and they offer more safety features like a rearview camera and blind spot monitoring.

Is the Chevy Cruze a lemon?

Among all the lemon law cases landing on my desk regularly, the Chevy Cruze is without a doubt one of the top lemon vehicles with plenty of customers asking for our help.

What problems do 2017 Chevy Cruze have?

While infrequent, some 2017 Cruzes struggle with worrying electrical hiccups, like the instrument cluster going out, the engine stalling, or the backup camera freezing. Over 100,000 Chevy Cruze's between the model years 2016-2018 were recalled for a potential fuel leak, which could create a serious fire hazard.

What is the most common problems with 2011 Chevy Cruze?

The 2011 Cruze problems include jerky acceleration and electrical system flaws. Transmission failures are the most common problem. Failures happen around 65,000 miles, and require a complete replacement. Frequent engine problems are also noted, including issues with the throttle body and intake manifold.

Is Chevrolet Cruze expensive to maintain?

Overall - the Chevrolet Cruze has yearly car maintenance costs total to $545 .

Is it good to buy Chevrolet car?

Yes, they are! Chevrolet cars are absolutely reliable. Atleast more than the top-selling brand in India for sure! You can still buy a used Chevy and drive in peace without worrying about service or breakdowns!

What does a Chevy Cruze cost?

2019 Chevy Cruze Price and Trim Options. How much is a Chevy Cruze? The starting price is $17,995 MSRP, and the top trim will have a starting price of $23,530 MSRP.

Is a Malibu bigger than a Cruze?

The Malibu is quite a bit larger, with nearly 20 extra inches in both length and height. The Malibu also has 15.8 cubic feet in trunk volume, compared to a smaller capacity of 14.8 cubic feet in the Cruze. Overall, the mid-size Malibu is a larger model than the compact Cruze.

Is the 2015 Chevy Cruze a reliable car?

How Reliable Is the 2015 Chevrolet Cruze? J.D. Power gives the Cruze a predicted reliability rating of three out of five, which is about average.

Is the 2016 Chevy Cruze reliable?

How Reliable Is the 2016 Chevrolet Cruze? The 2016 Cruze has a reliability rating of three out of five from J.D. Power. This is an average score across the automotive market, but it's a bit below average for the class. Rivals like the Kia Forte and Toyota Corolla have slightly higher reliability scores of 3.5.

How reliable is a 2012 Chevy Cruze?

J.D. Power gives the 2012 Cruze a reliability rating of three out of five, which is about average.

Are Chevy Cruze fast?

The 2019 Chevrolet Cruze is a refined small car. It maneuvers well and offers a smooth ride. It's not as athletic as a Mazda, but the Cruze's sharp steering and nimble handling provide a feeling of composure. This is not one of the faster cars in the class, but it's zippy enough for most driving situations.

What are the most common problems with 2012 Chevy Cruze?

The biggest issue with the Cruze is that they leak, a lot. They have oil leaks from the engine, the transmission, and oil lines throughout the engine compartment. They also are known to have coolant leaks at the thermostat housing and on the lines that run back to the radiator.