The best Cruze years to buy are 2017 and 2018. Avoid the 2012: water pump leaks, brake booster faults and many recalls give it the highest complaint rate.
Best years: 20172018 Years to avoid: 2012
Every Cruze year compared
Owner complaints per 100,000 cars sold. Lower is better. The newest years have had less time to collect complaints, so they are marked too new to judge.
Known Cruze problems
Year by year
About the Cruze
The Cruze was Chevrolet's compact sedan from 2011 to 2019. The first-generation 1.4L turbo cars are known for coolant leaks, water pumps and turbo problems, plus several ignition and air bag recalls. The second generation from 2016 has far fewer complaints and is the one to buy.
- 2011-2016: First generation. Coolant leaks, water pumps and turbo faults; 2016 Limited is the old car.
- 2016-2019: Second generation. About half the complaint rate.
Cruze warranty extensions and special coverage
Carmakers sometimes extend the warranty on a part that fails too often, or pay for a fix outside a recall. These notices come from the dealer bulletins Chevrolet files with NHTSA. 3,021 Cruze bulletins are on file in total.
N182199610 - Customer Satisfaction Program.
N192218430 - Customer Satisfaction Program.
16147 01 - Customer Satisfaction Program.
16156 Customer Satisfaction Program.
N192265370 - Customer Satisfaction Program.
15797 - customer satisfaction program.
15622 - customer satisfaction program.
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have a Diagnostic Trouble Code B101D stored in Telematics Communication Interface Control Module.
15622A - Customer Satisfaction Program (revised the part information, service procedure, and warranty sections).
46000 - Customer Satisfaction Program.
Ask a dealer to check a specific car by VIN. Extensions usually have a time or mileage limit.
Government investigations into the Cruze
NHTSA opens an investigation when complaints point to a possible safety defect. Some end in a recall and some close without one.
Recall query RQ13002 · 2012 · opened May 2013, closed Jul 2014 · led to recall 13V023000
General Motors (GM) has initiated a safety recall of 31,520 model year (MY) 2012 Buick Verano and Chevrolet Camaro, Cruze and Sonic vehicles to address a defect condition that could result in the primary or secondary stage air bag not deploying.These vehicles are a small percentage of all MY 2012 vehicles and were b...
Audit query AQ12002 · 2012 · opened Oct 2012, closed Oct 2014
NHTSA opened AQ12-002 to determine whether Chapman Chevrolet of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania complied with the requirements of the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act, 49 U.S.C.Chapter 301 (Safety Act) and its implementing regulations.The Safety Act requires, among other things, that a manufacturer notify it...
Preliminary evaluation PE12010 · 2012 · opened Mar 2012, closed Jul 2012 · led to recall 12V288000
In a June 21, 2012 letter to NHTSA, General Motors LLC.
Cruze vs rivals
Questions
What is the best year for the Chevrolet Cruze?
2017 and 2018. The best Cruze years to buy are 2017 and 2018. Avoid the 2012: water pump leaks, brake booster faults and many recalls give it the highest complaint rate.
Which Chevrolet Cruze years should I avoid?
2012. These drew far more owner complaints per car sold than the Chevrolet Cruze average.
Why does my Chevy Cruze leak coolant?
First-generation 1.4L turbo engines leak from the water pump, thermostat housing and coolant reservoir. Expect $300 to $900 for each repair. A sweet smell or white residue around the engine is the sign.
Based on 2,995 complaints filed by owners with U.S. safety regulators for model years 2012 to 2019, and U.S. sales by calendar year. How we score.