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2014 Chevrolet Cruze

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Cruze years

Owner complaints for the 2014 Chevrolet Cruze are substantially higher than the model-year median of 250.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

483 reports with mileage · 219 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Engine. Review the 217 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 187 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 97 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

70 crash reports17 fire reports38 injury reports

Engine And Engine Cooling complaints

17 reports
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130,000 miles · Jan 3, 2022
Engine And Engine Cooling

The contact owns a 2014 Chevrolet Cruze. The contact stated while driving 70 MPH, she started to smell a burning oil odor inside the cabin of the vehicle. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact stated she turned off the heater to stop the odor from entering the cabin. The contact took the vehicle to the…

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The contact owns a 2014 Chevrolet Cruze. The contact stated while driving 70 MPH, she started to smell a burning oil odor inside the cabin of the vehicle. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact stated she turned off the heater to stop the odor from entering the cabin. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with needing the turbo oil feed and return line to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired but was pending repairs. Upon investigation, the contact associated the failure with TSB: PI0851B. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.

NHTSA ODI #11445951

115,000 miles · Oct 28, 2019
Engine And Engine CoolingSteering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 CHEVROLET CRUZE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO HAVE NEW TIRES INSTALLED. THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE TWO FRONTAL TIE RODS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, ALONG WITH THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. THE TIE RODS WERE REPLACED, BUT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER WAS NOT REPLACED. THE VEHICLE W…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 CHEVROLET CRUZE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO HAVE NEW TIRES INSTALLED. THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE TWO FRONTAL TIE RODS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, ALONG WITH THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. THE TIE RODS WERE REPLACED, BUT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER WAS NOT REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 115,000.

NHTSA ODI #11271669

46,719 miles · Dec 5, 2016
Engine And Engine Cooling

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 CHEVROLET CRUZE. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE AND DIESEL EXHAUST LEVEL WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT NITROGEN OXIDE SENSOR #2 WAS INOPERABLE AND NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE ISSUE RECURRED AND A RECALL NOTIF…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 CHEVROLET CRUZE. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE AND DIESEL EXHAUST LEVEL WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT NITROGEN OXIDE SENSOR #2 WAS INOPERABLE AND NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE ISSUE RECURRED AND A RECALL NOTIFICATION WAS RECEIVED AT A LATER DATE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED PER GM RECALL NOTIFICATION NUMBER: 15594 (EMISSION). THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 46,719.

NHTSA ODI #10930038

Mileage unknown · Oct 19, 2015
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingFuel System, Gasoline

2014 CHEVROLET CRUZE. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO TRANSMISSION SHIFT PROBLEMS. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED IT TOOK A WHILE, BEFORE THE GEARS SHIFTED PROPERLY. ALSO, AT TIMES, THERE WAS A SMELL OF GAS AND COOLANT. THE BATTERY CABLES WERE CORRODED. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10805786

Mileage unknown · Dec 16, 2014
Engine And Engine Cooling

2014 CHEVROLET CRUZ LTZ EXHAUST FUMES/MOLD/ANTIFREEZE SMELLS CAUSED SICKNESS, BAD ALLERGIES, EYES, NOSE, LUNGS PROBLEMS. *MW

NHTSA ODI #10659520

1,060 miles · Feb 16, 2014
Engine And Engine Cooling

THE CAR WAS TURNED OFF FOR APPROXIMATELY 45 MINUTES. THE DOOR WAS OPENED AND A BUZZING NOISE WAS COMING FROM THE ENGINE AREA. IT LASTED ABOUT 5 MINUTES. THE SAME THING HAPPENED 5 MORE TIMES. AT THAT POINT, WE HAD AN APPOINTMENT TO BE AT. THE ISSUE HAS BEEN HANDED OVER TO THE GM ENGINEERS. AT THIS POINT, NOBODY KNOWS WHAT THE PR…

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THE CAR WAS TURNED OFF FOR APPROXIMATELY 45 MINUTES. THE DOOR WAS OPENED AND A BUZZING NOISE WAS COMING FROM THE ENGINE AREA. IT LASTED ABOUT 5 MINUTES. THE SAME THING HAPPENED 5 MORE TIMES. AT THAT POINT, WE HAD AN APPOINTMENT TO BE AT. THE ISSUE HAS BEEN HANDED OVER TO THE GM ENGINEERS. AT THIS POINT, NOBODY KNOWS WHAT THE PROBLEM IS, WE BELIEVE IT COULD BE A SAFETY HAZARD. THE ONLY TIME WE HAVE DRIVEN THE VEHICLE SINCE THAT EPISODE, WAS TO TAKE IT OVER TO THE DEALERSHIP. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10564599

2,400 miles · Feb 6, 2014
Engine And Engine Cooling

WHILE DRIVING MY NEWLY LEASED 2014 CHEVY CRUZE WITH THE HEAT ON TO SCHOOL I BECAME DIZZY, NAUSEA AND VERY DISORIENTED. I PULLED OVER AND OPENED THE WINDOWS TOOK MY HAT AND SCARF OFF, WITHIN A FEW MINUTES I BEGAN TO FEEL NORMAL AGAIN. I PRECEDED TO START DRIVING AGAIN ONLY TO HAVE THE SAME THING HAPPEN AGAIN. I CALLED MY MOTHE…

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WHILE DRIVING MY NEWLY LEASED 2014 CHEVY CRUZE WITH THE HEAT ON TO SCHOOL I BECAME DIZZY, NAUSEA AND VERY DISORIENTED. I PULLED OVER AND OPENED THE WINDOWS TOOK MY HAT AND SCARF OFF, WITHIN A FEW MINUTES I BEGAN TO FEEL NORMAL AGAIN. I PRECEDED TO START DRIVING AGAIN ONLY TO HAVE THE SAME THING HAPPEN AGAIN. I CALLED MY MOTHER TO MAKE HER AWARE OF WHAT WAS HAPPENING WHEN I DROVE MY NEW CAR. SHE ADVISED ME TO LEAVE THE WINDOWS OPEN AND TO KEEP THE HEAT OFF UNTIL WE COULD GET THIS CAR IN FOR SERVICE. WE BROUGHT THE CAR IN FOR SERVICE ON JANUARY 13TH, 2014 ADVISING THEM THAT WITHIN 15 MINS OF DRIVING THE CAR WE WOULD BECOME SICK WITH A HEADACHE AND VERY NAUSEA AND DIZZY. THE SERVICE MEN LAUGHED AT US. WE TOLD THEM THAT MAYBE ITS CARBON MONOXIDE GETTING INTO THE CAR. WE LEFT THE CAR AT THE SERVICE CENTER . THE VERY NEXT DAY I RECEIVED A CALL FROM THE DEALERSHIP ADVISING ME THAT YES WE WERE RIGHT THAT IT WAS CARBON MONOXIDE GETTING INTO THE CAR. THEY HAD A SERVICE MAN DRIVE THE VEHICLE WHO CONCLUDED THAT YES IT WAS CARBON MONOXIDE POISONING. THEY WERE GOING TO GET IN TOUCH WITH GM AND ADVISE US AS TO WHAT THEY WERE GOING TO DO!! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10563294

Official recalls

10

25V764000 · Air Bags:side/window

Nov 6, 2025

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the left and/or right-side RRAB modules, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 5, 2025. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N252530830. This recall is an expansion of previous NHTSA recall numbers 23V674 and 23V870.

23V870000 · Air Bags:side/window

Dec 21, 2023

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the left and/or right-side RRAB modules as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 22, 2024. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300 and Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N232425640.

23V674000 · Air Bags:side/window

Sep 20, 2023

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the left and/or right-side RRAB modules, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 12, 2024. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N232408490.

16V502000 · Electrical System:ignition; Power Train:automatic Transmission:control Module (tcm/pcm/tecm)

Jul 5, 2016

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."

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If the key is removed without the transmission in PARK, the vehicle may rollaway as occupants are exiting, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and if necessary replace the key cylinder lock housing, free of charge. The recall began on October 14, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, Buick 1-800-521-7300, and GMC 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 50490 and 50491.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Electrical System:ignition

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."

Consequence: If the key is removed without the transmission in PARK, the vehicle may rollaway as occupants are exiting, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and if necessary replace the key cylinder lock housing, free of charge. The recall began on October 14, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, Buick 1-800-521-7300, and GMC 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 50490 and 50491.

Power Train:automatic Transmission:control Module (tcm/pcm/tecm)

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."

Consequence: If the key is removed without the transmission in PARK, the vehicle may rollaway as occupants are exiting, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and if necessary replace the key cylinder lock housing, free of charge. The recall began on October 14, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, Buick 1-800-521-7300, and GMC 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 50490 and 50491.

15V442000 · Steering

Jul 10, 2015

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: Separation of the tie rod from the steering gear could result in the loss of steering, increasing the risk of a crash.

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. GM's number for this recall is 15386.

14V417000 · Equipment:electrical

Jul 2, 2014

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: Exposed wires increase the risk of electrical shock and personal injury if the cord is handled while it is plugged in.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the engine oil pan/block heater cord with a new cord that is rated for temperatures of minus 40 degree Celsius. The recall began in August 2014. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 14257.

14V372000 · Air Bags

Jun 26, 2014

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver side air bag, free of charge. The recall began on June 28, 2014. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 14305.

14V151000 · Power Train:axle Assembly:axle Shaft

Mar 31, 2014

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the right half shaft, as needed, free of charge. Parts for the remedy are not currently available. GM will send an interim letter to owners in May 2014. A second owner letter will be mailed when parts are available. Owners may contact Chevrolet at 1-866-694-6546. GM's number for this recall is 14079. This is an expansion of recall 13V-452. NOTE: Some vehicles subject to this recall were subject to the recall campaign initiated in 2013. Some of those vehicles were repaired using defective parts. Those owners will be advised that they must have their vehicles remedied again under this campaign and that having the earlier recall completed did not remedy their vehicles.

14V092000 · Power Train:automatic Transmission

Feb 21, 2014

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."

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

Remedy: General Motors will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace any affected transmission shift cable adjusters, free of charge. The recall began on April 10, 2014. Chevrolet owners may contact General Motors at 1-800-222-1020, Buick owners at 1-800-521-7300, and GMC owners at 1-800-462-8782. General Motors' number associated with this recall is 14048.

13V452000 · Power Train:axle Assembly:axle Shaft

Sep 23, 2013

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

Remedy: General Motors has notified owners. Dealers will replace the half shaft assembly, free of charge. The safety recall began on October 15, 2013. Owners may contact General Motors at 1-800-521-7300. This is General Motors campaign number 13276.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.