Reliability
Chevrolet

Cruze (1st)

2011-2019 · Compact Sedan · 8 engines
3,711 NHTSA Complaints
26 Recalls
83 Fire Reports
291 Crash Reports
Data covers 2 NHTSA model names
CRUZECRUZE LIMITED
Inspection checklist

Reliability Score

4.9 / 10

Reliability score

More owner complaints than similar compact sedans

The class average is 7.0. Based on complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the engine, transmission or drivetrain.

Complaints of oil consumption, fuel in the oil or overheating run well above similar vehicles. They set this score.

Owners filed 1,910 powertrain complaints. A typical compact sedan fleet of this size and age would have drawn about 1,816.

Scores this low have often eased: the three years after looked about 1.5 points better in the typical case.

Breakdown
Complaints overall1,910 complaints against about 1,816 for similar vehicles
6.9
Last three years212 complaints against about 408 for similar vehicles
8.4
Engine, transmission or drive unit failed or replaced196 complaints against about 359 for similar vehicles
8.4
Oil consumption, fuel in the oil or overheating328 complaints against about 150 for similar vehicles
4.7

Each line scores one view of the same complaints the same way, so the lines overlap. The mark on each bar is the class average. A line needs 20 expected complaints to show a number.

By model year
  • 20113.1
  • 20124.0
  • 20133.1
  • 20145.5
  • 20154.8
  • 20166.3
  • 20178.4
  • 20188.9
  • 20199.0

Similar vehicles are others in the same class, compared at the same age and in the same years. The score counts complaints owners filed with NHTSA, per vehicle built, which is different from the share of vehicles that fail. How the score is worked out

By engine · 2012 to 2015, 2017 model years only

1.4L 4-cyl turbo 4.9/10
About 36% fewer powertrain complaints than this generation's other engines, per vehicle built. (912 complaints, about 1,028,000 built) Complaints of oil consumption, fuel in the oil or overheating set this score: 183 against about 84 for similar vehicles.
1.8L 4-cyl 4.1/10
About 50% more powertrain complaints than this generation's other engines, per vehicle built. (237 complaints, about 174,000 built) Complaints of oil consumption, fuel in the oil or overheating set this score: 47 against about 14 for similar vehicles.
2.0L 4-cyl turbo diesel 5.4/10
About twice as many powertrain complaints as this generation's other engines, per vehicle built. (27 complaints, about 13,000 built)

A complaint counts toward an engine only when its VIN names the engine. Each score is that engine on its own against similar vehicles, worked out the same way as the score above.

On the record · from NHTSA's files, not reviewed by hand

Recall20V668
Power Train, Automatic Transmission · 122,980 vehicles (7% of those built)
Recall11V273
Power Train, Automatic Transmission, Gear Position Indication (Prndl) · 100,308 vehicles (6% of those built)

Complaints by Engine Code

Show

LUV

1.4L 4-cyl Turbo
1,232 complaints 230.0 per year Gasoline
23 fire reports
View details

Complaint Breakdown

engine
516
electrical
323
transmission
196
other
151
steering
139

LUJ

1.4L 4-cyl Turbo
1,039 complaints 519.5 per year Gasoline
24 fire reports 2 fatalities
View details

Complaint Breakdown

engine
413
electrical
253
brakes
174
transmission
160
other
118

LUW

1.8L 4-cyl
574 complaints 95.7 per year Gasoline
11 fire reports
View details

Complaint Breakdown

engine
185
electrical
178
transmission
162
safety systems
60
other
59

Same engine used in

Chevrolet Cruze Unidentified Engine

349 complaints 43.6 per year
9 fire reports
View details

Complaint Breakdown

engine
98
electrical
94
transmission
62
other
48
steering
46

LE2 - DI: Direct Injection, ALUM, VVT, GEN I, GMNA

1.4L 4-cyl Turbo
303 complaints 60.6 per year Gasoline
10 fire reports 1 fatality
View details

Complaint Breakdown

engine
111
electrical
71
transmission
45
other
36
brakes
33

LWE

1.8L 4-cyl
121 complaints 35.0 per year Gasoline
3 fire reports
View details

Complaint Breakdown

engine
43
electrical
33
other
19
transmission
17
safety systems
15

Same engine used in

LUZ

2.0L 4-cyl Turbo
49 complaints 24.5 per year Diesel
1 fire report
View details

Complaint Breakdown

electrical
18
engine
17
transmission
10
steering
8
brakes
5

LH7 - UREA, VGT, ALUM, CRI

1.6L 4-cyl
33 complaints 11.0 per year Diesel
View details

Complaint Breakdown

transmission
21
electrical
4
other
4
engine
3
body
1
Show 10 additional engine variants with limited data
These engines appear in fewer than 10 owner complaints. A low count can mean a clean record, and it can also be a VIN-decode anomaly in NHTSA's data.

LV6

1.8L 4-cyl
2 complaints 1.0 per year
View details

2H9

1.8L 4-cyl
1 complaint 1.0 per year
View details

Complaint Breakdown

transmission
1

LS6

5.7L 8-cyl
1 complaint 1.0 per year
View details

LNF

2.0L 4-cyl Turbo / 260 hp
1 complaint 1.0 per year Gasoline
View details

LFJ

1.6L 4-cyl
1 complaint 1.0 per year Gasoline
View details

Complaint Breakdown

body
1

L91

1.6L 4-cyl
1 complaint 1.0 per year Gasoline
1 fire report
View details

LQ9

6.0L 8-cyl
1 complaint 1.0 per year
View details

Owner Complaints by System

Complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the Chevrolet Cruze, counted across every engine. A complaint can name more than one system.

Engine: 1,390 owner complaints
Electrical System: 976 owner complaints
Transmission: 675 owner complaints
Brakes: 377 owner complaints
Steering: 373 owner complaints

What to check on a used 2011-2019 Chevrolet Cruze

On a used 2011-2019 Chevrolet Cruze, the systems with the most NHTSA owner complaints are the engine (1,390), the electrical system (976) and the transmission and drivetrain (675). Each one has an inspection step below, with counts as of 2026-10-12. A complaint is an owner report, not a confirmed defect, and counts rise with sales.

  1. Start the engine cold and listen for the first 30 seconds, then again at idle once it is warm.Costly repair. NHTSA has 1,390 owner complaints on the 2011-2019 Chevrolet Cruze about the engine, all engines combined.
  2. Switch on every electrical item in turn: lights, windows, locks, wipers, climate fan, screen and power outlets.Costly repair. NHTSA has 976 owner complaints on the 2011-2019 Chevrolet Cruze about the electrical system.
  3. Accelerate gently through every gear, then once at full throttle. Shift into Reverse and back to Drive.Costly repair. NHTSA has 675 owner complaints on the 2011-2019 Chevrolet Cruze about the transmission and drivetrain, all engines combined.
  4. On an empty road, brake firmly from 40 mph with a light grip on the wheel.Safety. NHTSA has 377 owner complaints on the 2011-2019 Chevrolet Cruze about the brakes.
  5. Turn the wheel from lock to lock while parked, then drive straight on a level road with a light grip.Safety. NHTSA has 373 owner complaints on the 2011-2019 Chevrolet Cruze about the steering.
Open the full inspection checklist for the 2011-2019 Chevrolet Cruze

Recalls (26)

25V764000Nov 6, 2025serious
Air Bags

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2014 Buick Verano and Chevrolet Cruze vehicles. The left and/or right-side roof-rail air bag (RRAB) inflators located on the roof rails above the headliner, may rupture at the inflator weld joint.

23V870000Dec 21, 2023serious
Air Bags

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2014 Buick Verano and Chevrolet Cruze vehicles. The left and/or right-side roof-rail air bag (RRAB) inflators may rupture at the inflator weld joint. This recall is an expansion of Recall 23V-674.

23V674000Sep 20, 2023serious
Air Bags

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2014 Buick Verano and Chevrolet Cruze vehicles. The left and/or right-side roof-rail air bag (RRAB) inflators located on the roof rails above the headliner, may rupture at the inflator weld joint.

20V668000Oct 29, 2020serious
Powertrain

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Chevrolet Cruze and Buick LaCrosse, 2018-2020 Chevrolet Equinox, Chevrolet Traverse and GMC Terrain, 2018 Chevrolet Malibu, 2019-2020 Buick Encore, Buick Enclave, Cadillac XT4, Chevrolet Blazer and GMC Acadia, and 2020 Cadillac XT6 vehicles. The start/stop accumulator endcap may have missing bolts.

18V576000Aug 30, 2018serious
Service Brakes

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Chevrolet Equinox, Impala, Cruze, Volt and Bolt EV vehicles, GMC Terrain vehicles, Buick Lacrosse and Regal vehicles, Cadillac XTS and XTS Professional vehicles and 2018 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles. The rear brake caliper pistons may have an insufficient coating causing gas pockets to form, potentially reducing rear brake performance.

Show 21 older recalls
18V304000May 10, 2018serious
Fuel System

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Chevrolet Cruze LS vehicles, equipped with a gasoline engine and a tire inflator kit instead of a spare tire. The vehicles may leak gasoline following a rear-impact crash and a rollover. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 301, "Fuel System Integrity."

17V057000Jan 26, 2017serious
Seats

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2016-2017 Chevrolet Cruze vehicles. A bracket used in the driver or front passenger seat-back recliner mechanism may have been incorrectly welded to the seat-back frame, as a result, in the event of a crash, the head-restraints may not function properly. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 202a, "Head Restraints."

16V502000Jul 5, 2016serious
Electrical System

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Buick Verano and 2016 Chevrolet Malibu as the electronic park lock lever may allow the ignition key to be removed without the transmission being in PARK. Also, certain 2013 Buick Encore, 2011 Buick Regal, 2013-2014 Buick Verano, 2011-2016 Chevrolet Cruze, 2010-2013 Chevrolet Equinox 2013-2015 Chevrolet Malibu, and 2011-2013 GMC Terrain vehicles may have been serviced with similar defective replacement electronic park lock levers. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 114, "Theft Protection and Rollaway Prevention."

16V498000Jul 1, 2016serious
Exterior Lighting

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2016 Cruze vehicles manufactured November 5, 2015, to May 26, 2016. The headlight assemblies are not marked with a three-digit identifier code used to properly aim the headlights. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Assoc. Equipment."

15V876000Dec 23, 2015serious
Seat Belts

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2015 Chevrolet Cruze vehicles manufactured September 24, 2014, to May 29, 2015. In the affected vehicles, one of the driver-side seat belt assembly bolts may not be properly tightened.

15V442000Jul 10, 2015serious
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. In the affected vehicles, the inner tie rod may not be tightened to specification allowing the tie rod to separate from the steering gear.

15V113000Feb 27, 2015serious
Parking Brake

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2015 Chevrolet Cruze vehicles manufactured February 4, 2015, to February 9, 2015. The left-rear or right-rear parking brake cable brackets may not have been properly fastened during the assembly process. As a result, the fastening bolts may back out completely, causing the parking brake bracket to separate and the parking brake to not hold the vehicle in place. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 135, "Light Vehicle Brake Systems."

14V417000Jul 2, 2014serious
Equipment

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Buick Encore all-wheel-drive vehicles manufactured August 23, 2012, to September 9, 2013; Verano vehicles manufactured August 8, 2012, to June 20, 2013; Chevrolet Cruze vehicles manufactured August 7, 2012, to August 16, 2013, and 2012-2014 Chevrolet Sonic vehicles manufactured May 10, 2011, to August 16, 2012 equipped with a Calix oil pan/block heater. In cold temperatures, the insulation on the engine block heater cord can become damaged, allowing the wires to be exposed.

14V372000Jun 26, 2014serious
Air Bags

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Chevrolet Cruze vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the driver's front air bag inflator may have been manufactured with an incorrect part.

14V300000Jun 6, 2014serious
Air Bags

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2012 Buick Verano vehicles manufactured December 2, 2011 to July, 16, 2012, Chevrolet Cruze vehicles manufactured December 7, 2011 to July 25, 2012, Chevrolet Sonic vehicles manufactured December 5, 2011 to August 2, 2012, and Chevrolet Camaro vehicles manufactured December 1, 2011 to June 11, 2012. The driver side frontal air bag has a shorting bar which may intermittently contact the air bag terminals.

14V151000Mar 31, 2014serious
Powertrain

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013 and 2014 Chevrolet Cruze vehicles equipped with a 1.4L turbo engine, and manufactured between November 28, 2012, and March 7, 2014. On the affected vehicles, the right front half shaft may fracture and separate.

14V092000Feb 21, 2014serious
Powertrain

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2014 Buick Regal, LaCrosse, Verano, and Enclave, and Chevrolet Impala, Malibu, Cruze, and Traverse, and GMC Acadia vehicles equipped with automatic transmissions. In the affected vehicles, the transmission shift cable adjuster may disengage from the transmission shift lever. As such, these vehicles do not conform to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 102, "Transmission Shift Lever Sequence, Starter Interlock, and Transmission Braking Effect." They also fail to conform to FMVSS number 114, "Theft Protection and Rollaway Prevention."

13V452000Sep 23, 2013serious
Powertrain

General Motors (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013 and 2014 Chevrolet Cruze vehicles equipped with manual transmissions (MF3/MR5) and manufactured January 24, 2013, through August 1, 2013. On the affected vehicles, the right front half shaft may fracture and separate.

13V360000Aug 15, 2013serious
Service Brakes

General Motors (GM) is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 Chevrolet Cruze vehicles equipped with 1.4L DOHC gasoline turbo engines and 6T40 front wheel drive automatic transmissions and equipped with an electric vacuum pump to provide supplemental vacuum for brake assist, when needed. In the affected vehicles, the pump may not activate, resulting in an intermittent reduction or loss of brake assist.

13V023000Jan 24, 2013serious
Air Bags

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2012 Chevrolet Camaro, Cruze and Sonic, and model year 2012 Buick Verano vehicles. The driver side frontal air bag has a shorting bar which may intermittently contact the air bag terminals.

12V522000Oct 31, 2012serious
Air Bags

General Motors is recalling certain model year 2012 Buick Verano, Chevrolet Cruze, and Chevrolet Sonic vehicles. The driver side frontal air bag has a shorting bar which may intermittently contact the air bag terminals.

12V289000Jun 22, 2012serious
Fuel System

GENERAL MOTORS (GM) IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 AND 2012 CHEVROLET CRUZE VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 2, 2009, THROUGH MAY 14, 2012. ATTACHMENT WELDS FOR THE FUEL TANK STRAP SECONDARY BRACKETS MAY HAVE BEEN OMITTED.

12V288000Jun 22, 2012critical
Engine & Cooling

GENERAL MOTORS (GM) IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 AND 2012 CHEVROLET CRUZE VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 2, 2009, THROUGH MAY 31, 2012. SPILLED OR DRIPPING OIL (SUCH AS AFTER AN OIL CHANGE) MAY COLLECT IN THE ENGINE SHIELD (BELLYPAN) NEAR HOT ENGINE OR EXHAUST SYSTEM SURFACES. AS A RESULT, THE OIL AND THE ENGINE SHIELD MAY IGNITE AND BURN.

11V273000May 6, 2011serious
Powertrain

GENERAL MOTORS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 CHEVROLET CRUZE VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 6, 2009, THROUGH APRIL 27, 2011 AND EQUIPPED WITH AN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 102, 'TRANSMISSION SHIFT LEVER SEQUENCE, STARTER INTERLOCK, AND TRANSMISSION BRAKING EFFECT,' AND FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 114, 'THEFT PROTECTION.' THESE VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN BUILT WITH A TRANSMISSION SHIFT LINKAGE THAT IS NOT PROPERLY INSTALLED. IF THE LINKAGE IS NOT PROPERLY INSTALLED, THE PRNDL SHIFT LEVER MAY NOT ACCURATELY REFLECT THE POSITION OF THE TRANSMISSION GEAR. WITH THIS CONDITION, THE DRIVER COULD MOVE THE SHIFTER TO PARK AND REMOVE THE IGNITION KEY, BUT THE TRANSMISSION GEAR MAY NOT BE IN PARK.

11V270000May 6, 2011serious
Steering

GENERAL MOTORS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 CHEVROLET CRUZE VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 2, 2009, THROUGH APRIL 21, 2011. THE BOLT ATTACHING THE INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT TO THE STEERING GEAR INPUT SHAFT MAY NOT HAVE BEEN PROPERLY INSTALLED.

11V221000Apr 6, 2011serious
Steering

GENERAL MOTORS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 CHEVROLET CRUZE VEHICLES. DURING MANUFACTURING THE STEERING WHEEL COULD HAVE BEEN IMPROPERLY FASTENED AND MAY DETACH FROM THE STEERING COLUMN.

NHTSA Safety Ratings About NHTSA ratings

Overall ★★★★★ 5/5
Frontal Crash
5/5
Side Crash
5/5
Rollover
4/5 (10.7% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: Optional LDW: Optional
Overall ★★★★★ 5/5
Frontal Crash
5/5
Side Crash
5/5
Rollover
4/5 (10.7% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: Optional LDW: Optional
Overall ★★★★★ 5/5
Frontal Crash
5/5
Side Crash
4/5
Rollover
4/5 (10.7% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: Optional LDW: Optional
Overall ★★★★★ 5/5
Frontal Crash
5/5
Side Crash
4/5
Rollover
4/5 (10.7% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: Optional LDW: Optional
Overall ★★★★★ 5/5
Frontal Crash
5/5
Side Crash
4/5
Rollover
4/5 (10.7% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: Optional LDW: Optional
Overall ★★★★★ 5/5
Frontal Crash
5/5
Side Crash
4/5
Rollover
4/5 (10.7% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: Optional LDW: Optional
Overall ★★★★★ 4/5
Frontal Crash
5/5
Side Crash
4/5
Rollover
4/5 (10.7% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: Optional LDW: Optional
Overall ★★★★★ 4/5
Frontal Crash
5/5
Side Crash
4/5
Rollover
4/5 (10.7% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: Optional LDW: Optional
Overall ★★★★★ 4/5
Frontal Crash
5/5
Side Crash
4/5
Rollover
4/5 (10.7% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: Optional LDW: No
Overall ★★★★★ 5/5
Frontal Crash
5/5
Side Crash
5/5
Rollover
4/5 (10.9% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: No LDW: No
Overall ★★★★★ 5/5
Frontal Crash
5/5
Side Crash
5/5
Rollover
4/5 (10.9% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: No LDW: No
Overall ★★★★★ 5/5
Frontal Crash
5/5
Side Crash
5/5
Rollover
4/5 (10.9% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: No LDW: No
Overall ★★★★★ 5/5
Frontal Crash
5/5
Side Crash
5/5
Rollover
4/5 (10.9% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: No LDW: No
Overall ★★★★★ 5/5
Frontal Crash
5/5
Side Crash
5/5
Rollover
4/5 (10.9% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: No LDW: No
Overall ★★★★★ 5/5
Frontal Crash
5/5
Side Crash
5/5
Rollover
4/5 (10.9% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: No LDW: No

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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most common 2011-2019 Chevrolet Cruze complaints?

Owners have filed 3,711 complaints with NHTSA about the 2011-2019 Chevrolet Cruze. The systems they name most often are the engine, the electrical system and the transmission.

Is the 2011-2019 Chevrolet Cruze a good used car?

That depends on the model year, the mileage and the maintenance history of the car in front of you. Owners have filed 3,711 complaints with NHTSA about the 2011-2019 Chevrolet Cruze. Check which systems they name most often and whether a recall is still open on that car.

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2011-2019 Chevrolet Cruze have?

NHTSA has 3,711 owner complaints on file for the 2011-2019 Chevrolet Cruze as of the latest data pull. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect, and counts rise with sales.

What recalls affect the 2011-2019 Chevrolet Cruze?

NHTSA lists 26 recalls covering some 2011-2019 Chevrolet Cruze vehicles. Which ones apply depends on the VIN: enter it at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see the open campaigns on a specific car.

What should I check before buying a used Chevrolet Cruze?

Run the VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup and confirm every open recall has been done. Look hardest at the engine, the electrical system and the transmission, the systems owners complain about most. Ask for maintenance records, have an independent mechanic inspect the car and run a vehicle history report for prior accidents and title issues.

What are the NHTSA crash test ratings for the Cruze?

The 2019 Chevrolet Cruze received an overall 5-star safety rating from NHTSA. Frontal crash: 5 stars. Side crash: 5 stars. Rollover: 4 stars (10.7% rollover probability). Electronic Stability Control: Standard. Forward Collision Warning: Optional. Lane Departure Warning: Optional. These ratings are based on standardized crash tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Data from NHTSA federal complaints database. 3,711 complaints analyzed. Data confidence: high. Last updated: 2026-10-12.

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