CAR STARTED TO OVERHEAT CAUSED BY WATER PUMP FAILING AT ONLY 67K MILES. FAILING PUMP CAUSED COOLANT LEAK IN CAR WHILE DRIVING.
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.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Cruze years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
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.
What owners actually said
702 reports"TAKATA RECALL" CATALYTIC CONVERTER NOT WORKING PROPERLY. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT GOES ON AND OFF NUMEROUS TIMES. WHEN THE LIGHT FIRST CAME ON, THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION HEADING SOUTH BOUND ON HWY 167.
WHILE RIDING ON THEE FREEWAY IN GEORGIA YESTERDAY THE DRIVER SIDE WIPER STOPPED. I TURNED THEE WIPERS OFF AND TRIED AGAIN AFTER I PUSHED IT BACK DOWN. AND NOW IT'S STOPPING A QUARTER OF THEE WAY. THIS CAR HAS BEEN NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS SINCE I PURCHASED IT.
ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AT ABOUT 107000 MILES. DIAGNOSED AS CODE P0420 CATALYTIC CONVERTER EFFICIENCY LOW. REPLACED WITH AFTERMARKET CATALYTIC CONVERTER MADE BY WALKER, BUT CODE DID NOT CLEAR. CONTACTED GM CUSTOMER CARE, WAS SENT TO ELKINS CHEVROLET. THEY CONFIRMED SAME DIAGNOSIS AND INDICATED AFTERMARKET PARTS DO NOT PERFORM TO CA…
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ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AT ABOUT 107000 MILES. DIAGNOSED AS CODE P0420 CATALYTIC CONVERTER EFFICIENCY LOW. REPLACED WITH AFTERMARKET CATALYTIC CONVERTER MADE BY WALKER, BUT CODE DID NOT CLEAR. CONTACTED GM CUSTOMER CARE, WAS SENT TO ELKINS CHEVROLET. THEY CONFIRMED SAME DIAGNOSIS AND INDICATED AFTERMARKET PARTS DO NOT PERFORM TO CAR'S ULEV SPEC. BUT GM CATALYTIC CONVERTER IS ON NATIONAL BACKORDER AND HAS BEEN FOR MONTHS. OBVIOUSLY GM HAS AN ISSUE WITH PREMATURE FAILURE OF THIS PART AND DO NOT WANT TO ADMIT IT. GM CUSTOMER CARE WILL NOT PROVIDE ANY ESTIMATE OF AVAILABILITY NOR ANY INDICATION OF WHY IT IS ON BACK ORDER FOR SO LONG. PLEASE WE NEED A RECALL ON THIS FEDERALLY MANDATED EMISSIONS PART. I CANNOT PASS NJ INSPECTION.
THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER WENT OUT. GOT SO HOT IT BLEW MY HEAD GASKET AS WELL AS HOSES AND CASING FOR WATER RESERVOIR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 CHEVROLET CRUZE. WHILE DRIVING, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THORNTON CHEVROLET (180 S MAIN ST, MANCHESTER, PA 17345, (717) 266-8800) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE KNOCK SENSOR FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER WARRANTY. THE …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 CHEVROLET CRUZE. WHILE DRIVING, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THORNTON CHEVROLET (180 S MAIN ST, MANCHESTER, PA 17345, (717) 266-8800) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE KNOCK SENSOR FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER WARRANTY. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED FOURTEEN TIMES SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES AND PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: 95372768444. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,039. *BF *TR
CONSTANT ANTI FREEZE LEAKING. REPLACED THE WATER PUMP TWICE, THE COOLANT RESERVOIR, THE THERMOSTAT, FLUSH THE SYSTEM,. I'VE OWNED THE VEHICLE FOR A LITTLE OVER OUR YEAR AND HAVE SPENT COUNTLESS AMOUNTS MONEY ON REPAIRS. NO MATTER WHAT I DO KNOW THE PROBLEM IS NEVER SOLVED. THIS IS A DEFECTIVE MAKE AND MODEL.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2014 CHEVROLET CRUZE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE CRASHED INTO AN ABANDONED VEHICLE ON THE HIGHWAY AT 60 MPH AND SEVERELY DAMAGED THE REAR, LIFTING IT UP ON A BARRIER WALL. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE CONTACT HAD BRUISES ON HER CHEST, WAIST,…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2014 CHEVROLET CRUZE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE CRASHED INTO AN ABANDONED VEHICLE ON THE HIGHWAY AT 60 MPH AND SEVERELY DAMAGED THE REAR, LIFTING IT UP ON A BARRIER WALL. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE CONTACT HAD BRUISES ON HER CHEST, WAIST, AND LEG FROM THE SEAT BELT. IN ADDITION, THERE WERE CUTS ON HER HAND. THE CONTACT WAS TAKEN BY AMBULANCE FOR THE INJURIES. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN CONTACTED AS OF YET. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 101,000.
I'VE HAD MY 2014 CHEVY CRUZE FOR ABOUT 2 YEARS NOW. BACK IN DECEMBER 2018 IT STARTED HAVING A LOT OF ISSUES. ANTIFREEZE WAS POURING OUT, IT WAS SPITTING AND SPUTTERING, ROUGH IDLE,AND OVERHEATING, MADE AN APPOINTMENT WITH CHEVY DEALERSHIP. THEY HAD MY CAR ABOUT A WEEK. THE SAID WATER PUMP WAS FAILING,THERMOSTAT WAS OUT, COOLER O…
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I'VE HAD MY 2014 CHEVY CRUZE FOR ABOUT 2 YEARS NOW. BACK IN DECEMBER 2018 IT STARTED HAVING A LOT OF ISSUES. ANTIFREEZE WAS POURING OUT, IT WAS SPITTING AND SPUTTERING, ROUGH IDLE,AND OVERHEATING, MADE AN APPOINTMENT WITH CHEVY DEALERSHIP. THEY HAD MY CAR ABOUT A WEEK. THE SAID WATER PUMP WAS FAILING,THERMOSTAT WAS OUT, COOLER OUTLET HOSES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. NOT EVEN 12 HOURS LATER I WAS TAKING IT BACK IN FOR THE SAME PROBLEMS. ENGINE LIGHTS WERE STILL COMING ON. THIS TIME THEY FIXED THE OIL COOLER LINE, AND CRANKSHAFT. A FEW DAYS PASSED AND AGAIN I WAS STILL HAVING THE SAME ISSUES. TOOK IT BACK, AND THEY FIXED THE CRANKCASE VENTALATION, CAMSHAFT COVER, INTAKE MANIFOLDINTAKE AIR PRESSURE SENSOR. MAYBE 2 WEEKS PASSED AND I FINALLY GOT UPSET AND TOOK IT 45 MINS TO ANOTHER SHOP, WITHIN A FEW HOURS I GOT A CALL THAT MY HEAD GASKET WAS BLOWN. I WAS STILL HAVING ALL THE SAME ISSUES AS I DID WHEN IT FIRST MESSED UP. I ENDED UP HAVING TO TAKE IT BACK TO THE OTHER DEALERSHIP WHO HAD BEEN WORKING ON IT. THEY KEPT ME CAR FOR 29 DAYS WHILE FIXING MY BLOWN HEAD GASKET. THEY RESURFACED IT AND FIXED CLAMPS. WELL, THURSDAY JULY 11 I WAS AT MY BOSSES HOUSE TRYING TO BACK UP UNDER A SHADE TREE. WHEN I STARTED THE CAR, IT SOUNDED HORRIBLE. IT WAS JUST SPITTING AND SPUTTERING. I OUT IT IN REVERSE AND HIT THE GAS. MY CAR STARTED ROLLING TOWARD! IT WOULD NOT BACK IT. I WENT TO HIT THE BRAKE AND IT DID NOTHING. I HAD TO PULL MY EMERGANCY BREAK BEFORE I RAN INTO HER FENSE.I IMMEDIATELY GOT ON THE PHONE WITH THE DEALERSHIP 45 MINS AWAY. SET MY APPOINTMENT UP. LATER THAT NIGHT ON THE WAY TO TAKE MY KIDS TO VBS, WE WERE STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT. WHILE TRYING TO CROSS OVER A MAIN HIGHWAY THE CAR JUST STARTED SPITTING AND SPUTTERING. IT WAS BARELY MOVING EVEN THOUGH I HAD THE GAS PEDAL TO THE FLOOR. GOT IT TO DEALERSHIP 45 MINS AWAY FRIDAY 12TH. ANOTHE BLOWN HEAD GASKET. THAT CAR IS NOT SAFE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 CHEVROLET CRUZE. WHILE STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND "STABILIZER", "TRACTION CONTROL", AND A WRENCH ICON ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE PUSHED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED ONE OTHER TIME. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO KE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 CHEVROLET CRUZE. WHILE STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND "STABILIZER", "TRACTION CONTROL", AND A WRENCH ICON ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE PUSHED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED ONE OTHER TIME. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO KELLEY CHEVROLET (5220 VALUE AVE, FORT WAYNE, IN 46805) TO BE DIAGNOSED, BUT THEY WERE NOT ABLE TO REPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 35,600.
Official recalls
1025V764000 · 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
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.
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