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2018 Chevrolet Cruze

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Fewer warning signs than most model years

Owner complaints for the 2018 Chevrolet Cruze are lower than the model-year median of 250.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

61 reports with mileage · 48 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 27 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 23 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 14 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

17 crash reports3 fire reports6 injury reports

Electrical System complaints

14 reports
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12,000 miles · May 10, 2022
Electrical SystemEngineFuel System, Gasoline

The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Cruze. The contact stated while driving 25-30 MPH, the vehicle felt imbalanced and was shuddering. Additionally, the engine emitted abnormal knocking sounds. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact then parked the vehicle a block away from his residence. The contact who is a …

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The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Cruze. The contact stated while driving 25-30 MPH, the vehicle felt imbalanced and was shuddering. Additionally, the engine emitted abnormal knocking sounds. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact then parked the vehicle a block away from his residence. The contact who is a certified independent mechanic, diagnosed that the fuel injectors had failed. The contact also diagnosed that the fuel injector had melted and fused into the number one cylinder, causing the engine to misfire. The contact replaced the fuel injectors, the spark plugs, the fuel line, the fuel harness, and the vehicle software were flushed. However, the failure reoccurred. Upon further investigation, the contact became aware that the engine inside the vehicle was not the appropriate engine as it was 1.5 liter and its specifications indicated that it was an engine specifically designed for a Chevrolet Malibu while the vehicle was a Chevrolet Cruze. However, the original owner of the vehicle, who was the contact's neighbor, had never replaced the engine. The contact then determined that the failure was associated to NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V642000 (Electrical System, Fuel System, Gasoline, Engine). The contact notified the dealer where the vehicle was originally purchased and informed them that the engine installed was not the appropriate engine. The dealer disregarded the information and informed the contact that he would be responsible for the cost of the repair. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 12,000.

NHTSA ODI #11464098

87,000 miles · Nov 7, 2020
Electrical SystemService BrakesSuspensionCrash

MY SON BOUGHT HIS CAR NOT EVEN HAPPEN IN A MONTH HE HIT A DEER HE SAID IT FELT WEIRD LIKE THE BRAKING SYSTEM WENT WEIRD NOT EVEN THINKING IT WENT TO AN AUTO BODY SHOP AND MY FATHER TOLD ME TO LOOK UP RECALLS AND IT WILL NOT LET ME LOOK IT UP IT'S IN THE VIN ISN'T RECOGNIZED BY GMC SO I'M CURIOUS ON WHAT'S GOING ON WITH HIS CAR I…

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MY SON BOUGHT HIS CAR NOT EVEN HAPPEN IN A MONTH HE HIT A DEER HE SAID IT FELT WEIRD LIKE THE BRAKING SYSTEM WENT WEIRD NOT EVEN THINKING IT WENT TO AN AUTO BODY SHOP AND MY FATHER TOLD ME TO LOOK UP RECALLS AND IT WILL NOT LET ME LOOK IT UP IT'S IN THE VIN ISN'T RECOGNIZED BY GMC SO I'M CURIOUS ON WHAT'S GOING ON WITH HIS CAR IF THERE WAS ANY RECALLS OR IF IT WAS MECHANICAL ISSUE I'D LIKE PAUL TO THE SIDE BRAKES FOR A WEIRD IT WAS IN WAYNE COUNTY OHIO ON ROUTE 585 AT THE END OF OCTOBER 2020

NHTSA ODI #11373539

40,000 miles · Dec 20, 2019
Electrical SystemLatches/locks/linkages

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 CHEVROLET CRUZE. WHEN THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO LOCK THE VEHICLE, SHE WAS STILL ABLE TO LIFT THE TRUNK OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO SAPAUGH MOTORS (LOCATED AT 1435 MCNUTT ST, HERCULANEUM, MO 63048, 636-334-9048), BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPR…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 CHEVROLET CRUZE. WHEN THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO LOCK THE VEHICLE, SHE WAS STILL ABLE TO LIFT THE TRUNK OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO SAPAUGH MOTORS (LOCATED AT 1435 MCNUTT ST, HERCULANEUM, MO 63048, 636-334-9048), BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ODI #11290365

11,015 miles · Mar 9, 2019
Electrical SystemEngineSteering

WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE AT 60MPH, WITHOUT WARNING THE ENGINE TURNED OFF. THE DASH WENT COMPLETELY DARK. NO POWER, NO STEERING. DRIFTED TO SHOULDER. PUT IN PARK, TURNED KEY TO OFF THEN ON. VEHICLE STARTED. (NO WARNING OR SERVICE CODES) REPLICATED AGAIN ABOUT 10 MINS LATER. ON CITY STREET TRAVELING 35 MPH WITHOUT WARNING D…

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WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE AT 60MPH, WITHOUT WARNING THE ENGINE TURNED OFF. THE DASH WENT COMPLETELY DARK. NO POWER, NO STEERING. DRIFTED TO SHOULDER. PUT IN PARK, TURNED KEY TO OFF THEN ON. VEHICLE STARTED. (NO WARNING OR SERVICE CODES) REPLICATED AGAIN ABOUT 10 MINS LATER. ON CITY STREET TRAVELING 35 MPH WITHOUT WARNING DASH WENT DARK AND CAR SHUT OFF. SAME PROCEDURE TO START. (NO WARNING OR SERVICE CODES) UNKNOWN WHAT CAUSED MASSIVE FAILURE. NO INDICATORS.

NHTSA ODI #11185508

Official recalls

3

20V668000 · Power Train:automatic Transmission

Oct 29, 2020

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: Missing bolts on the start-stop accumulator endcap could result in a transmission oil leak and may progress to a loss of propulsion, increasing the risk of a crash. A transmission fluid leak in the presence of an ignition source may increase the risk of fire.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the start-stop transmission accumulator and replace it if any bolts are missing, free of charge. The recall began December 15, 2020. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-888-988-7267, Buick Customer service at 1-866-608-8080, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is N202313440.

18V576000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:disc:caliper

Aug 30, 2018

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A reduction of braking performance can increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will bleed the vehicle's brake system, free of charge. The recall began October 11, 2018. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 18279.

18V304000 · Fuel System, Gasoline

May 10, 2018

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."

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A fuel leak, in the presence of an ignition source, increases the risk of a fire.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will install a lock-ring on the fuel tank that will shield the fuel tank vapor pressure sensor from damage in a rear-impact crash, free of charge. The recall began June 7, 2018. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 18159.

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.