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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
14,000 miles · Nov 6, 2019
Service BrakesCrashFire

I WAS TRAVELLING ON THE INTERSTATE AT ABOUT 50 MPH WHEN TRAFFIC CAME TO A SUDDEN STOP. I SLAMMED ON MY BRAKES IN PLENTY OF TIME, BUT I REAR-ENDED THE VAN IN FRONT OF ME. AT THE TIME I THOUGHT I MUST HAVE SKIDDED INTO THE VAN, BUT LOOKING AT THE COLLISION SITE LATER, THERE WERE NO TIRE MARKS.

NHTSA ODI #11278566

24,500 miles · Oct 29, 2019
Service BrakesCrash

I WAS INVOLVED IN A REAR END COLLISION WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE WHEN APPROACHING AN INTERSECTION. RATE OF SPEED WAS 40 MPH, AND WHEN BRAKES WERE FIRMLY/HEAVILY APPLIED, THE VEHICLE DID NOT STOP, WHICH CAUSED ME TO REAR END THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME.

NHTSA ODI #11271745

36,200 miles · Aug 30, 2019
SteeringUnknown Or Other

IT STARTED AROUND THE 18TH OF THIS MONTH. WHEN I GO TO TURN MY CAR MAKING A POPPING SOUND... I TAKE IT INTO MY CHEVY DEALERSHIP THEY STATE ITS THE STEERING RACK.. THEY REPLACE MY STEERING GEAR AT N/C BECAUSE AT THAT TIME I WAS ABLE TO GET IT IN WARRANTY, WE ARE NOT ON MY THIRD VISIT NO LONGER UNDER GM WARRANTY DUE TO MILES AND …

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IT STARTED AROUND THE 18TH OF THIS MONTH. WHEN I GO TO TURN MY CAR MAKING A POPPING SOUND... I TAKE IT INTO MY CHEVY DEALERSHIP THEY STATE ITS THE STEERING RACK.. THEY REPLACE MY STEERING GEAR AT N/C BECAUSE AT THAT TIME I WAS ABLE TO GET IT IN WARRANTY, WE ARE NOT ON MY THIRD VISIT NO LONGER UNDER GM WARRANTY DUE TO MILES AND I STILL HEAR POPPING WHEN TURNING..

NHTSA ODI #11252432

35,000 miles · Aug 30, 2019
Unknown Or Other

CAR HAS A TICKING NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE BAY. CURRENTLY AT A CHEVY DEALERSHIP, BUT NOISE HAS TEMPORARILY GONE AWAY. SEEMS THAT THEY CAN'T FIND THE ISSUE AT THE MOMENT BUT IT SEEMS THAT OTHER OLDER AND NEWER VEHICLES OF THEY SAME KIND AS MINE (CHEVY CRUZE 2018) 1.4L AUTOMATIC HAS HAD SIMILAR ISSUES WITH A TICKING NOISE COMI…

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CAR HAS A TICKING NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE BAY. CURRENTLY AT A CHEVY DEALERSHIP, BUT NOISE HAS TEMPORARILY GONE AWAY. SEEMS THAT THEY CAN'T FIND THE ISSUE AT THE MOMENT BUT IT SEEMS THAT OTHER OLDER AND NEWER VEHICLES OF THEY SAME KIND AS MINE (CHEVY CRUZE 2018) 1.4L AUTOMATIC HAS HAD SIMILAR ISSUES WITH A TICKING NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE BAY AREA. THIS TICKING NOISE LASTED A WHOLE DAY BUT WENT AWAY THIS MORNING ONCE DRIVING THE CAR FOR ABOUT 10 MINUTES ON HIGHWAY.

NHTSA ODI #11252427

5,148 miles · Aug 21, 2019
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 CHEVROLET CRUZE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE JERKED, LUNGED, AND LOST POWER WHILE THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED OR WHILE THE AIR CONDITIONING WAS ACTIVATED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO CHEVROLET OF PALATINE (151 E LAKE COOK RD, PALATINE, IL 60074, (847)…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 CHEVROLET CRUZE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE JERKED, LUNGED, AND LOST POWER WHILE THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED OR WHILE THE AIR CONDITIONING WAS ACTIVATED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO CHEVROLET OF PALATINE (151 E LAKE COOK RD, PALATINE, IL 60074, (847) 359-7700) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED WITH TURBO LAG. THE ENGINE CONTROL MODULE WAS RESET AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED, THE PROBLEM NEVER STOPPED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 5,148. *TT THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOW BEEN NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AS OF 8-21-19. I WAS ADVISED BY LU (A WOMAN), THAT A SENIOR ADVISER WOULD FOLLOW UP WITH WITHIN 2 BUSINESS DAYS, AND I HAVE NOT HEARD FROM ANYONE AS OF YET. FYI I ENCOUNTERED SOMEONE AT A GAS STATION THAT ADVISED ME THAT HE HAS THE SAME PROBLEM WITH HIS CAR (SAME MAKE & MODEL), WHEN HIS AIR CONDITIONER IS ON. HE GAVE ME HIS CONTACT INFO: FERNANDO GARCIA - PH#: (773)949-0922.*JB

NHTSA ODI #11245474

80,000 miles · Aug 12, 2019
Unknown Or Other

WENT TO STOP AND PEDAL GOT HARD TO PUSH DOWN THIS HAS HAPPENED ON 3 SEPARATE OCCASIONS THE FIRST TIME IT WAS UNDER WARRANTY THE 2ND TIME IT HAPPENED I HAD AMECHANIC FIX IT THE 3RD TIME I TOOK IT TO A CHEVROLET DEALER THIS SHOULDN'T HAPPEN TO A VEHICLE 15 MONTHS OLD

NHTSA ODI #11243403

18,000 miles · Jul 31, 2019
Unknown Or Other

THE TIRE PRESSURE MONITOR SYSTEM IS MESSING UP ALL THE TIME. I WAS HEADED TO MY SISTER IN LAWS IN MARYLAND AND I WAS 2 HRS AWAY FROM HER HOUSE N 3 HOURS AWAY FROM MY HOUSE AND THE TIRE LIGHT CAME ON AND MY CAR SAID THAT MY TIRE PRESSURE WAS LOW. I WAS ON A BUSY HIGHWAY AND I FREAKED OUT BC I COULDN'T GET OVER TO FIX MY TIRE. I E…

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THE TIRE PRESSURE MONITOR SYSTEM IS MESSING UP ALL THE TIME. I WAS HEADED TO MY SISTER IN LAWS IN MARYLAND AND I WAS 2 HRS AWAY FROM HER HOUSE N 3 HOURS AWAY FROM MY HOUSE AND THE TIRE LIGHT CAME ON AND MY CAR SAID THAT MY TIRE PRESSURE WAS LOW. I WAS ON A BUSY HIGHWAY AND I FREAKED OUT BC I COULDN'T GET OVER TO FIX MY TIRE. I ENDED UP GETTING OVER AND FINDING OUT THAT MY TIRE WAS COMPLETELY FINE AND IT WAS JUST THE SYSTEM MESSING UP. I STARTED DRIVING AGAIN AND AS I WAS DRIVING MY CAR STARTED READING THAT THE TIRE PRESSURE WAS SLOWLY GOING BACK UP TO WERE IT'S SUPPOSED TO BE. EVER SINCE THEN THE TIRE PRESSURE MONITOR GOES OFF AND THEN GOES AWAY AFTER AWHILE.

NHTSA ODI #11240848

3,600 miles · Jul 23, 2019
EngineFire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2018 CHEVROLET CRUZE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 45 MPH, A POP NOISE WAS HEARD FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE AND BLACK SMOKE SHOT OUT FROM THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SIDE AND IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWED BY FLAMES THAT QUICKLY COVERED THE ENTIRE VEHICLE. THERE WAS NO WARNING. BOTH POLICE AND FIRE REPO…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2018 CHEVROLET CRUZE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 45 MPH, A POP NOISE WAS HEARD FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE AND BLACK SMOKE SHOT OUT FROM THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SIDE AND IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWED BY FLAMES THAT QUICKLY COVERED THE ENTIRE VEHICLE. THERE WAS NO WARNING. BOTH POLICE AND FIRE REPORTS WERE FILED. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED AND TOWED TO A ROADRUNNER. THE CONTACT CALLED THE GERRY LANE CHEVROLET DEALER (225-366-7962, LOCATED AT 6505 FLORIDA BLVD, BATON ROUGE, LA 70806) WHERE THE DEALER DENIED RESPONSIBILITY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND LEFT THE MATTER UP TO THE INSURANCE COMPANY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 3,600.

NHTSA ODI #11234215

16,000 miles · Jun 11, 2019
Unknown Or Other

THIS IS A DIESEL CRUZ. OF NO FAULT OF MY OWN, THE CAR MUST BE TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO HAVE A MANUAL REGENERATION OF THE EXHAUST PARTICULATE FILTER PERFORMED WITH 16K MILES ON THE CAR.

NHTSA ODI #11219316

19,000 miles · Jun 5, 2019
Engine

CAR HAD GREATLY REDUCED FUEL ECONOMY AND POWER. SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN DRIVEN. CHEVY DID NOT RESPOND TO MULTIPLE ATTEMPTS TO GET RENTAL. THEY FORCED ME TO DRIVE A CAR THAT WAS NOT OPERATING AS DESIGNED EVEN THOUGH IT WAS UNDER THE BUMPER TO BUMPER WARRANTY AND THEY AGREED THE CAR HAD ISSUES. 2 WEEKS AFTER DRIVING IT THEY FIGURED O…

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CAR HAD GREATLY REDUCED FUEL ECONOMY AND POWER. SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN DRIVEN. CHEVY DID NOT RESPOND TO MULTIPLE ATTEMPTS TO GET RENTAL. THEY FORCED ME TO DRIVE A CAR THAT WAS NOT OPERATING AS DESIGNED EVEN THOUGH IT WAS UNDER THE BUMPER TO BUMPER WARRANTY AND THEY AGREED THE CAR HAD ISSUES. 2 WEEKS AFTER DRIVING IT THEY FIGURED OUT TURBO HAS A LEAK THAT THEY FIXED. 2 WEEKS I DROVE A CAR THAT SOUNDED LIKE A JET UPON ACCELERATING AND CHEVY DID NOTHING. DIDN'T EVEN OFFER A RENTAL.

NHTSA ODI #11218191

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.