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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.

About this comparison →

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

What owners actually said

702 reports
5,959 miles · Jan 27, 2015
Service BrakesSteeringCrashInjury

BRAKES LOCKED UP (ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM FAULTY) CAUSING THE CAR TO SKID RATHER THAN SLOW DOWN DURING STOP AND GO TRAFFIC. I WAS UNABLE TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL AND COULD NOT EVEN TRY TO SWERVE TO AVOID THE OTHER VEHICLE. CAR WAS UNABLE TO STOP IN TIME AND THERE WAS A COLLISION. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10679340

3,282 miles · Jan 19, 2015
Visibility

THE FRONT WINDSHIELD FOGS UP OR GETS A FILM ON IT MAKING IT A SAFETY HAZARD BECAUSE AT NIGHT WHEN LIGHTS ARE COMING TOWARDS YOU IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO SEE OUT THE WINDSHIELD. THE SIDE WINDOWS IN EXTREME COLD ALSO FREEZE ON THE INSIDE AND DO NOT THAW UNTIL AFTER THE CAR HAS SAT. IT IS HARD TO SAY IF THIS IS A FILM OR FOGGED BECAUS…

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THE FRONT WINDSHIELD FOGS UP OR GETS A FILM ON IT MAKING IT A SAFETY HAZARD BECAUSE AT NIGHT WHEN LIGHTS ARE COMING TOWARDS YOU IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO SEE OUT THE WINDSHIELD. THE SIDE WINDOWS IN EXTREME COLD ALSO FREEZE ON THE INSIDE AND DO NOT THAW UNTIL AFTER THE CAR HAS SAT. IT IS HARD TO SAY IF THIS IS A FILM OR FOGGED BECAUSE IT HAPPENS WHEN THE DEFROSTERS ARE ON. I CLEAN THE WINDOWS BUT IT KEEPS HAPPENING. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10676494

3,000 miles · Jan 1, 2015
Air BagsCrash

DRIVER'S DOOR WAS DEMOLISHED AND SIDE CURTAIN AIRBAG DIDN'T DEPLOY. *JS

NHTSA ODI #10669443

Mileage unknown · Dec 30, 2014
Steering

WHEN TRAVELING DOWN THE INTERSTATE ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS THE STEERING COLUMN BECOMES 'STUCK' OR 'STICKY' IN THE ASPECT THAT IT REQUIRES EXTRA EXERTION OF FORCE TO MOVE IT IN EITHER DIRECTIONS. THIS RESULTS IN THE CAR SWERVING AND ON MORE THAN ONE OCCASION ALMOST WRECKING. *JS

NHTSA ODI #10669088

8,209 miles · Dec 29, 2014
Air BagsCrashInjury

MY 2014 CHEVY CRUZE ECO WAS HIT IN THE RIGHT REAR OF MY VEHICLE BY A 2015 CHRYSLER THAT WAS GOING APPROXIMATELY 40-45MPH. MY VEHICLE WAS GOING AROUND 20MPH. ONCE HIT IN THE REAR I WAS FLUNG FORWARD AND TO THE LEFT, CAUSING ME TO HIT MY HEAD ON THE LEFT A-PILLAR AND MOMENTARILY BLACKING OUT AND THEN WENT FORWARD MORE JUST STOPPIN…

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MY 2014 CHEVY CRUZE ECO WAS HIT IN THE RIGHT REAR OF MY VEHICLE BY A 2015 CHRYSLER THAT WAS GOING APPROXIMATELY 40-45MPH. MY VEHICLE WAS GOING AROUND 20MPH. ONCE HIT IN THE REAR I WAS FLUNG FORWARD AND TO THE LEFT, CAUSING ME TO HIT MY HEAD ON THE LEFT A-PILLAR AND MOMENTARILY BLACKING OUT AND THEN WENT FORWARD MORE JUST STOPPING BEFORE HITTING MY HEAD ON THE STEERING WHEEL. THEN I HIT THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME. NO AIRBAGS WERE DEPLOYED, NOT A SINGLE ONE. THE ONSTAR SYSTEM SAID THEY DETECTED AN AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT BUT NOTHING EXTERNALLY DEPLOYED IN VEHICLE. I BELIEVE THAT IF AIRBAGS ACTUALLY DEPLOYED IT COULD HAVE LESSENED OR STOPPED MY CONCUSSION I RECEIVED FROM MY ACCIDENT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10668666

9,400 miles · Dec 28, 2014
Electrical SystemVisibility

3RD TIME SINCE PURCHASING IN MARCH 2014 THAT HEATER AND OR AIR CONDITIONING HAS STOPPED WORKING. WAS TOLD FIRST 2 TIMES THAT IT WAS THE MOTOR AND SENSOR, THOSE WERE REPLACED NOW WHILE MAKING YET ANOTHER ROAD TRIP 4 HOURS FROM OUR HOME WITH OUR CHILD THE HEAT WENT OUT. HEATER WILL NOT BLOW WARM AIR OR ANY AIR FOR THAT MATTER AND …

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3RD TIME SINCE PURCHASING IN MARCH 2014 THAT HEATER AND OR AIR CONDITIONING HAS STOPPED WORKING. WAS TOLD FIRST 2 TIMES THAT IT WAS THE MOTOR AND SENSOR, THOSE WERE REPLACED NOW WHILE MAKING YET ANOTHER ROAD TRIP 4 HOURS FROM OUR HOME WITH OUR CHILD THE HEAT WENT OUT. HEATER WILL NOT BLOW WARM AIR OR ANY AIR FOR THAT MATTER AND DEFROSTED WILL NOT WORK RESULTING IN US STOPPING EVERY FEW MILES TO MANUALLY WIPE THE WINDSHIELD DOWN. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10668602

22,500 miles · Dec 27, 2014
Electrical SystemEngineSteering

WATER PUMP HAD TO BE REPLACED DUE TO LEAK, COMPUTER REPROGRAMED TO FIX STEERING WHEEL CATCH, BATTERY TERMINAL CABLE REPLACED FOR UNKNOWN REASON. ALL THIS ON A BRAND NEW 2014 CRUZE. WTF? NOT TO MENTION INITIAL DRIVE SHAFT REPAIRS. THOUGHT THIS WAS AN AMERICAN MADE CAR WITH QUALITY AMERICAN PARTS, WORST FIRST NEW CAR BUYER EXPERIE…

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WATER PUMP HAD TO BE REPLACED DUE TO LEAK, COMPUTER REPROGRAMED TO FIX STEERING WHEEL CATCH, BATTERY TERMINAL CABLE REPLACED FOR UNKNOWN REASON. ALL THIS ON A BRAND NEW 2014 CRUZE. WTF? NOT TO MENTION INITIAL DRIVE SHAFT REPAIRS. THOUGHT THIS WAS AN AMERICAN MADE CAR WITH QUALITY AMERICAN PARTS, WORST FIRST NEW CAR BUYER EXPERIENCE EVER. MAKE IT RIGHT GM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10668479

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

1,000 miles · Dec 14, 2014
Electrical SystemPower Train

CAN'T REMOVE KEY WHEN CAR IS IN PARK. TWO DIFFERENT TIMES NOW. ALSO CAR WITH 900 MILES ON IT FAILED TO START AND KEY WAS STUCK THIS TIME ALSO. TOW TRUCK DRIVER CALLED, HE ALSO COULD NOT REMOVE KEY. CHECKED CAR FOR ANYTHING LEFT ON, FOUND NOTHING. JUMPED CAR, IT STARTED, HE MOVED THE SHIFTER LEVER ROUGHLY SEVERAL TIMES, KEY …

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CAN'T REMOVE KEY WHEN CAR IS IN PARK. TWO DIFFERENT TIMES NOW. ALSO CAR WITH 900 MILES ON IT FAILED TO START AND KEY WAS STUCK THIS TIME ALSO. TOW TRUCK DRIVER CALLED, HE ALSO COULD NOT REMOVE KEY. CHECKED CAR FOR ANYTHING LEFT ON, FOUND NOTHING. JUMPED CAR, IT STARTED, HE MOVED THE SHIFTER LEVER ROUGHLY SEVERAL TIMES, KEY CAME OUT. TOLD US NOT TO TURN CAR OFF AND TAKE IT TO DEALERSHIP. DRIVER THOUGHT BATTERY WAS BAD ALSO. TOOK CAR IN. THEY KEPT CAR THREE DAYS. WERE TOLD TWICE BY SERVICE MAN BATTERY HAD A BAD CELL. WHEN CALLED TO PICK UP CAR, SERVICE TOLD US WE MUST HAVE LEFT SOMETHING ON. THAT NOTHING WAS WRONG. AND WE MUST NOT HAVE SHIFTER IN PARK. LEFT DEALERSHIP, NO BATTERY REPLACED, NO REAL ANSWER TO WHY KEY DIDN'T COME OUT. DID NOT EVEN PUT CAR ON A CHARGER TO GET BATTERY BACK TO 100%. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10664163

1,100 miles · Dec 11, 2014
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)

4 TIMES THIS MONTH I WAS SITTING STILL AND ALL LIGHTS ON DASH CAME ON.THE CAR ONLY HAS 1100 MILES.THE TRAC MALF LIGHT,BRAKE LIGHT,STEERING LIGHT ECT.THIS CAR IS ONLY 4 MONTHS OLD AND ALREADY GIVING PROBLEMS LIKE THIS.VERY UN HAPPY WITH CAR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10663543

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.