What Chevrolet Cruze years should I avoid?

Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2011, 2012, and 2014 Chevrolet Cruze are the years to avoid, with Complaint Indexes of 78, 100, and 89. Engine problems are the top reported issue in all three years.

What is the best year for the Chevrolet Cruze?

The 2018 and 2019 Chevrolet Cruze are rated Best, with Complaint Indexes of 22 and 11, the lowest of the 10 model years covered.

Does the 2012 Chevrolet Cruze have engine problems?

Yes. Engine issues make up 39% of the 2012 Cruze's complaints, the top problem area for that year, with a median failure mileage of 63,104 miles.

How many recalls does the Chevrolet Cruze have?

Across all model years from 2010 to 2019, NHTSA lists 26 recall campaigns for the Chevrolet Cruze, none of them marked do-not-drive.

Is the 2014 Chevrolet Cruze reliable?

The 2014 Cruze is rated Avoid relative to other Cruze years, with a Complaint Index of 89 and 10 recalls, more than any other model year.

Chevrolet Cruze Best and Worst Years (2010–2019)

Chevrolet Cruze years to avoid are 2011, 2012, and 2014, which post Complaint Indexes of 78, 100, and 89 versus a low of 11 for 2019. Engine problems dominate every avoid year, at 46%, 39%, and 38% of complaints respectively. Best years are 2018 and 2019.

Avoid 2011 Avoid 2012 Avoid 2014 Best 2018 Best 2019

Model years: 10; 2010–2019
NHTSA complaints: 3,720
Recall campaigns: 26
Crashes reported: 292
Fires reported: 83
Top problem area: Engine

Cruze Complaint Index by year

Higher = more complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and Do-Not-Drive recalls per year on the road, relative to other years of this model.

Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best

Chevrolet Cruze problems and recalls by year

Year	Verdict	Index	Complaints	Crashes	Fires	Recalls	Top issue	MPG	NCAP
2010	No verdict	0	2	0	0	0	Airbags	—	—
2011	Avoid	78	732	38	20	7	Engine	29	5★
2012	Avoid	100	865	62	18	7	Engine	30	5★
2013	Caution	67	586	54	8	5	Engine	30	5★
2014	Avoid	89	702	70	17	10	Engine	30	5★
2015	Good	44	252	20	4	4	Engine	30	5★
2016	Caution	56	250	19	6	4	Engine	30	4★
2017	Good	33	201	8	6	2	Engine	32.5	5★
2018	Best	22	109	17	3	3	Engine	33	5★
2019	Best	11	21	4	1	2	Engine	32	5★

Cruze years to avoid: what went wrong

2012 Chevrolet Cruze Index 100 · 865 complaints · 7 recalls

2012 is the worst Cruze year in this data, with the highest Complaint Index at 100. Engine complaints lead at 39% (median mileage 63,104), followed by Brakes at 29% and Electrical System at 23%, both with a median mileage of 50,000. Transmission & Powertrain issues made up 16% of complaints. NHTSA logged 7 recalls, including an airbag steering wheel coil replacement and the same brake vacuum microswitch fix used on 2011. This year also shows the highest crash count among avoid years, at 62.

2012 engine problems →2012 brakes problems →2012 electrical system problems →

2014 Chevrolet Cruze Index 89 · 702 complaints · 10 recalls

The 2014 Cruze has a Complaint Index of 89. Engine problems account for 38% of complaints (median mileage 59,523), with Electrical System issues close behind at 28% (median mileage 57,168). Brakes and Transmission & Powertrain each made up smaller shares, 15% and 14%. NHTSA recorded 10 recalls for this model year, the most of any Cruze year, including multiple roof-rail airbag inflator recalls. This year also had the highest injury count among avoid years, at 57, and 70 crashes.

2014 engine problems →2014 electrical system problems →2014 brakes problems →

2011 Chevrolet Cruze Index 78 · 732 complaints · 7 recalls

The 2011 Cruze carries a Complaint Index of 78 out of 100, driven mainly by Engine issues (46% of that year's complaints, median mileage 59,937) and Transmission & Powertrain problems (26%, median mileage 57,717). Owners also reported Brakes (20%) and Electrical System (14%) failures. NHTSA recorded 7 recalls for this year, including a brake vacuum microswitch replacement and an engine oil shield fix. Crashes tied to complaints reached 38, with 20 fires and 2 deaths reported.

2011 engine problems →2011 transmission & powertrain problems →2011 brakes problems →

Most common Chevrolet Cruze problems (all years)

Share of NHTSA complaints by component group. A complaint naming two components counts once in each.

Engine1,543 (41%)
Electrical System800 (22%)
Brakes733 (20%)
Transmission & Powertrain676 (18%)
Other491 (13%)
Steering375 (10%)
Fuel System271 (7%)
Airbags260 (7%)
Visibility & Wipers157 (4%)
Structure & Body123 (3%)

Frequently asked questions

What Chevrolet Cruze years should I avoid?: Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2011, 2012, and 2014 Chevrolet Cruze are the years to avoid, with Complaint Indexes of 78, 100, and 89. Engine problems are the top reported issue in all three years.
What is the best year for the Chevrolet Cruze?: The 2018 and 2019 Chevrolet Cruze are rated Best, with Complaint Indexes of 22 and 11, the lowest of the 10 model years covered.
Does the 2012 Chevrolet Cruze have engine problems?: Yes. Engine issues make up 39% of the 2012 Cruze's complaints, the top problem area for that year, with a median failure mileage of 63,104 miles.
How many recalls does the Chevrolet Cruze have?: Across all model years from 2010 to 2019, NHTSA lists 26 recall campaigns for the Chevrolet Cruze, none of them marked do-not-drive.
Is the 2014 Chevrolet Cruze reliable?: The 2014 Cruze is rated Avoid relative to other Cruze years, with a Complaint Index of 89 and 10 recalls, more than any other model year.