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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.

About this comparison →

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

What owners actually said

109 reports
37,000 miles · Oct 27, 2020
EngineFuel/propulsion System

ENGINE UNEXPECTEDLY STALLED WHEN BRAKING FOR NEIGHBORHOOD STOP SIGN. LOST POWER STEERING AND ENGINE POWER BUT DID NOT LOSE POWER TO GAUGES OR ACCESSORIES. NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT OR OTHER WARNING LIGHTS OR MESSAGES ON DASH. PUT CAR IN PARK AND RESTARTED ENGINE. NORMAL START. TURNED ONTO MAJOR CITY STREET AND DROVE HALF MILE. START…

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ENGINE UNEXPECTEDLY STALLED WHEN BRAKING FOR NEIGHBORHOOD STOP SIGN. LOST POWER STEERING AND ENGINE POWER BUT DID NOT LOSE POWER TO GAUGES OR ACCESSORIES. NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT OR OTHER WARNING LIGHTS OR MESSAGES ON DASH. PUT CAR IN PARK AND RESTARTED ENGINE. NORMAL START. TURNED ONTO MAJOR CITY STREET AND DROVE HALF MILE. STARTED BRAKING FOR TRAFFIC LIGHT BUT DIDN'T COME TO FULL STOP BECAUSE LIGHT TURNED GREEN. ENGINE STALLED AGAIN. SAME EXACT THING AND AGAIN NO WARNING LIGHTS ON DASH. FELT LIKE A SITTING DUCK AND VERY SCARED OF GETTING REAR-ENDED. LUCKILY NO ONE WAS BEHIND ME. TURNED ON EMERGENCY FLASHERS, PUT IN PARK, AND RESTARTED ENGINE. AGAIN STARTED NORMALLY. REMAINED IN RIGHT LANE AND WAS VERY FORTUNATE THAT I WORKED JUST DOWN THE STREET AND DIDN'T HAVE TO MAKE ANY ADDITIONAL STOPS ALONG THE WAY. PARKED CAR AND REFUSED TO DRIVE IT HOME THAT NIGHT BECAUSE I FELT THE VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. HAD CAR TOWED TO DEALERSHIP THE NEXT MORNING. WHEN I TRIED TO START VEHICLE TO MOVE IT INTO A TOWING POSITION, THE ENGINE TRIED TO START BUT STALLED WITHIN A FEW SECONDS. OCCURRED 4 TIMES IN A ROW. STILL NO WARNING LIGHTS ON DASH. UNABLE TO ACCOMPANY TOW COMPANY TO DEALERSHIP DUE TO COVID RESTRICTIONS, BUT CALLED DEALERSHIP AND TOLD THEM WHAT HAD HAPPENED. THEY DIAGNOSED IT AS A FAILED FUEL PUMP. THEY STILL HAVE THE CAR (4 BUSINESS DAYS LATER). THE CAR ONLY HAS 37,000 MILES ON IT (VERY LOW MILEAGE TO HAVE A FAILED FUEL PUMP). I NEVER LET IT GO BELOW 25% FULL TANK. IT'S A DIESEL, SO I CAN'T CONTROL FUEL QUALITY. THIS IS THE THIRD TIME I'VE HAD A FUEL SYSTEM ISSUE WITH THIS CAR IN THE TWO YEARS THAT I'VE OWNED IT (BOUGHT NEW) - VERY INCONVENIENT. OTHER TWO TIMES WERE ALSO FAILED FUEL PUMP OR FILTER, BUT WITH CORRESPONDING CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS AND/OR SYMPTOMS. THIS TIME WAS WITHOUT WARNING AND MADE ME FEEL VERY UNSAFE. I REALLY LOVE THIS CAR, BUT AM NOW SCARED TO DRIVE IT.

NHTSA ODI #11366764

52,727 miles · Oct 21, 2020
Power Train

WHEN TURNING MY VEHICLE IT WOULD MAKE LOUD CREAKING NOISES. THIS PROGRESSED TO MAKING LOUD CREAKING NOISES WHILE GOING OVER BUMPS, THROUGH DIPS, AND TURNS. IT WOULD HAPPEN AT ANY SPEED, BUT ESPECIALLY WHILE GOING SLOWLY THROUGH PARKING LOTS.THIS GOT MUCH WORSE OVER A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME. THE ENTIRE REAR AXEL THEN HAD TO BE REPL…

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WHEN TURNING MY VEHICLE IT WOULD MAKE LOUD CREAKING NOISES. THIS PROGRESSED TO MAKING LOUD CREAKING NOISES WHILE GOING OVER BUMPS, THROUGH DIPS, AND TURNS. IT WOULD HAPPEN AT ANY SPEED, BUT ESPECIALLY WHILE GOING SLOWLY THROUGH PARKING LOTS.THIS GOT MUCH WORSE OVER A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME. THE ENTIRE REAR AXEL THEN HAD TO BE REPLCED OR IT WOULD HAVE FAILED, ESPECIALLY SINCE THE ISSUES WAS RAPIDLY GETTING WORSE. I HAD TO PAY OUT OF POCKET ALMOST $1,800. NOW, IT HAS ONLY BEEN 3 MONTHS AND THIS ISSUE IS HAPPENING AGAIN.

NHTSA ODI #11365496

12,100 miles · Sep 25, 2020
Power Train

WITH ONLY 12,100 MILES ON THE VEHICLE, THE DUAL MASS FLYWHEEL AND CLUTCH SUDDENLY FAILED UPON A FALSE START AND THEN MADE THE VEHICLE UNSAFE TO DRIVE. REPAIRS REQUIRED A NEW FLYWHEEL AND A CLUTCH HYDRAULIC COMPONENT REPLACEMENT. THE FAILURE APPEARED TO HAPPEN QUICLY WITH THE FALSE START WHILE PARKED, BUT SUBSEQUENT DRIVING ON T…

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WITH ONLY 12,100 MILES ON THE VEHICLE, THE DUAL MASS FLYWHEEL AND CLUTCH SUDDENLY FAILED UPON A FALSE START AND THEN MADE THE VEHICLE UNSAFE TO DRIVE. REPAIRS REQUIRED A NEW FLYWHEEL AND A CLUTCH HYDRAULIC COMPONENT REPLACEMENT. THE FAILURE APPEARED TO HAPPEN QUICLY WITH THE FALSE START WHILE PARKED, BUT SUBSEQUENT DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY THE CLUTCH WAS UNRELIABLE AND CAUSED AN UNSAFE CONDITION WHERE THE VEHICLE COULD STALL IN TRAFFIC. I WAS ABLE TO LIMP INTO THE DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIRS, BECAUSE IT WAS A SHORT DRIVE FROM WHERE THE FAILURE HAD OCCURED.

NHTSA ODI #11361128

15,000 miles · Sep 25, 2020
Power Train

AT 15,000 MILES MY MANUAL TRANSMISSION BEGAN MAKING NOISES AT HIGHER RPMS UNDER LOADS. VIBRATIONS WERE FELT AT THE CLUTCH PEDAL WHEN SHIFTING. VIBRATIONS FELT THROUGHOUT THE VEHICLE WHEN ACCELERATING AT HIGHER ENGINE LOADS. THIS WAS AT BOTH HIGHWAY AND CITY DRIVING. THE DEALERSHIP INVESTIGATED AND FOUND THE CLUTCH ASSEMBLY AND T…

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AT 15,000 MILES MY MANUAL TRANSMISSION BEGAN MAKING NOISES AT HIGHER RPMS UNDER LOADS. VIBRATIONS WERE FELT AT THE CLUTCH PEDAL WHEN SHIFTING. VIBRATIONS FELT THROUGHOUT THE VEHICLE WHEN ACCELERATING AT HIGHER ENGINE LOADS. THIS WAS AT BOTH HIGHWAY AND CITY DRIVING. THE DEALERSHIP INVESTIGATED AND FOUND THE CLUTCH ASSEMBLY AND THE FLYWHEEL HAD SOME KIND OF DAMAGE. ALL PARTS WERE REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY INCLUDING THE SLAVE CYLINDER WHICH HAS A HISTORY OF FAILING. THE SLAVE CYLINDER ALREADY HAS SEVERAL SERVICE BULLETINS AGAINST IT. THE LIST OF PARTS REPLACED ARE THE CLUTCH DISC, THROWOUT BEARING, PRESSURE PLATE, PILOT BEARING, FLYWHEEL AND SLAVE CYLINDER.

NHTSA ODI #11361086

51,000 miles · Sep 21, 2020
Power TrainService Brakes

WHEN DRIVING MY 2018 CHEVY CRUZE I HAD MULTIPLE INSTANCES WHERE THE CLUTCH PEDAL WOULD GO TO THE FLOOR AND NOT RELEASE, AND THE TRANSMISSION COULD NOT BE SHIFTED INTO GEAR. GENERAL MOTORS HAS A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN (TSB) ON THE ISSUE STATING THAT CONTAMINATION OF THE HYDRAULIC FLUID CAUSES THE ISSUE AND IT IS ONLY A WARRAN…

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WHEN DRIVING MY 2018 CHEVY CRUZE I HAD MULTIPLE INSTANCES WHERE THE CLUTCH PEDAL WOULD GO TO THE FLOOR AND NOT RELEASE, AND THE TRANSMISSION COULD NOT BE SHIFTED INTO GEAR. GENERAL MOTORS HAS A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN (TSB) ON THE ISSUE STATING THAT CONTAMINATION OF THE HYDRAULIC FLUID CAUSES THE ISSUE AND IT IS ONLY A WARRANTY REPLACEMENT FOR GASOLINE CARS (THE DIESEL MODELS ARE NOT COVERED BY THE WARRANTY IN THE TSB) IF THE CAR IS STILL WITHIN THE 5-YEAR, 60,000 MILE POWERTRAIN WARRANTY. THIS IS THE SAME ISSUE THAT AFFECTS OPEL/VAUXHALL ASTRA CARS IN THE UK AND EUROPE AS THEY SHARE THE SAME PARTS (OPEL/VAUXHALL USED TO BE OWNED BY GM AND USED THE SAME POWERTRAIN). THE SAFETY RECALL IN EUROPE CONSISTED OF REPLACING SEVERAL TRANSMISSION AND BRAKE SYSTEM COMPONENTS AS THE BRAKES SHARE THE SAME HYDRAULIC RESERVOIR AS THE CLUTCH. GM IS IGNORING THIS DANGEROUS PROBLEM IN THE USA AND REFUSING TO FIX THE ISSUE AS A PRODUCT RECALL. THEY HAVE IT AS A TSB THAT IS ONLY A WARRANTY REPAIR IF THE PROBLEM OCCURS BEFORE THE WARRANTY RUNS OUT ON THE AFFECTED CARS. *JS

NHTSA ODI #11360154

21,000 miles · Aug 25, 2020
Air BagsSeat BeltsCrash

HUBBY WAS REAR ENDED BY A CAR GOING 45+ MILES AN HOUR, THE DRIVERS SIDE SEAT BELT DID NOT LOCK IT IS NOW LOCKED IN A FULLY EXTENDED POSITION. AFTER IMPACT, HE SAID THERE WAS SMOKE IN THE CAR FROM WHAT LOOKED LIKE THE AIRBAG SHOULD HAVE INFLATED, BUT DID NOT. HE WAS ALMOST STOPPED FOR A RED LIGHT AND HIT FROM BEHIND. THE SEAT B…

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HUBBY WAS REAR ENDED BY A CAR GOING 45+ MILES AN HOUR, THE DRIVERS SIDE SEAT BELT DID NOT LOCK IT IS NOW LOCKED IN A FULLY EXTENDED POSITION. AFTER IMPACT, HE SAID THERE WAS SMOKE IN THE CAR FROM WHAT LOOKED LIKE THE AIRBAG SHOULD HAVE INFLATED, BUT DID NOT. HE WAS ALMOST STOPPED FOR A RED LIGHT AND HIT FROM BEHIND. THE SEAT BELT SHOULD HAVE LOCKED TIGHT AND IT DID NOT.

NHTSA ODI #11351090

51,000 miles · Aug 1, 2020
Air BagsCrash

CAR HIT A DEER AT 50 MPH. AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. SEE PICTURES OF DAMAGE TO VEHICLE.

NHTSA ODI #11342733

110,000 miles · Jul 30, 2020
Electronic Stability Control (esc)EngineService Brakes

I HAVE A 2018 CRUZE THAT I WAS DRIVING ON A 4 LANE HIGHWAY ON TOP OF A MOUNTAIN, THE BRAKES WENT OUT WITH ME AND MY 6 MONTH OLD IN CAR, I WAS ABLE TO GET TO SHOULDER, TOWED TO CHEVY, THEY SAID IT WAS A FAULTY BRAKE PUMP, AND CHARGED ME 500 TO FIX IT. THEN LESS THAN 2 WEEKS LATER, SAME MOUNTAIN, SAME THING, TOWED TO THE SAME CHEV…

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I HAVE A 2018 CRUZE THAT I WAS DRIVING ON A 4 LANE HIGHWAY ON TOP OF A MOUNTAIN, THE BRAKES WENT OUT WITH ME AND MY 6 MONTH OLD IN CAR, I WAS ABLE TO GET TO SHOULDER, TOWED TO CHEVY, THEY SAID IT WAS A FAULTY BRAKE PUMP, AND CHARGED ME 500 TO FIX IT. THEN LESS THAN 2 WEEKS LATER, SAME MOUNTAIN, SAME THING, TOWED TO THE SAME CHEVY, THEY SAID THAT THE REPLACEMENT PUMP HAD EXPLODED AND IT WAS CAUSED BY ENGINE PISTON ISSUES, AND WANT 5 GRAND TO FIX IT. I BELIEVE THAT CHEVY BROKE THE CAR THE FIRST TIME AND BESIDES THE FACT, EXPLODING BRAKE PUMPS, 2 IN A ROW IS VERY SCARY. LUCKILY ME AND MY CHILD ARE STILL ALIVE TO BE COMPLAINING ABOUT IT, BUT WE SERIOUSLY CAME VERY CLOSE TO BEING KILLED BY THESE FAULTY BRAKES TWICE. I DON'T KNOW IF THEY LIED ABOUT THE REPAIR OR IF IT REALLY IS TWO EXPLODING BRAKE PUMPS IN A ROW, BUT EITHER WAY, THESE EXPLODING BRAKES PUMPS ARE GOING TO KILL SOMEONE AND IT WAS ALMOST ME AND MY 6 MONTH OLD BABY. THE CHEVROLET DEALER IS AUTO NATION IN VALENCIA CA.

NHTSA ODI #11342443

18,000 miles · Jul 23, 2020
Structure

DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AT 65 MPH AND MY BUMPER FLEW OFF.

NHTSA ODI #11341104

59,000 miles · Jun 24, 2020
Power Train

MY CAR WILL NOT ACCELERATE AT TIMES CAUSING ME TO GIVE IT MORE GAS WHICH THEN CAUSE THE CAR TO REV UP TO A HIGH RPM (4000-5000) AND THEN LURCH FORWARD. ALSO, AT TIMES WHILE TRYING TO MAINTAIN SPEED, MY CAR WILL JERK BACK AND FORTH UNTIL I GIVE IT MORE GAS SO IT UP SHIFTS. MY CAR IS UNDER FACTORY WARRANTY AND IT SEEMS THAT THE …

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MY CAR WILL NOT ACCELERATE AT TIMES CAUSING ME TO GIVE IT MORE GAS WHICH THEN CAUSE THE CAR TO REV UP TO A HIGH RPM (4000-5000) AND THEN LURCH FORWARD. ALSO, AT TIMES WHILE TRYING TO MAINTAIN SPEED, MY CAR WILL JERK BACK AND FORTH UNTIL I GIVE IT MORE GAS SO IT UP SHIFTS. MY CAR IS UNDER FACTORY WARRANTY AND IT SEEMS THAT THE DEALERSHIP IS TRYING TO BRUSH IT OFF BECAUSE THE COMPUTER SAYS THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WHICH PROMPTED ME TO FILE A COMPLAINT WITH GM WHICH STILL INS'T RESOLVED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #11330625

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.