2014 Chevrolet Cruze Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Avoid The 2014 Chevrolet Cruze ranks 2nd worst out of 10 model years, with a complaint index of 89, 702 complaints, and 10 recalls. Engine problems dominate at 38% of complaints, followed by electrical issues at 28%, and NHTSA rates it Avoid relative to other Cruze years.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 89/100
- #2 of 10 Cruze years
- Verdict
- Avoid
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 702
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 10
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 70
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 17
- Injuries
- 57
- Top issue
- Engine
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 30
- 26 city / 37 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 57 / 0
Top 2014 Chevy Cruze problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine265 (38%)
- Electrical System197 (28%)
- Brakes102 (15%)
- Transmission & Powertrain97 (14%)
- Steering93 (13%)
- Other91 (13%)
- Airbags77 (11%)
- Fuel System61 (9%)
- Visibility & Wipers43 (6%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires19 (3%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Airbags reportedly fail to deploy in low-speed frontal or side-impact crashes, sometimes in incidents involving deer strikes or parked-vehicle collisions.
- Steering can seize or bind during low-speed turns, leading to loss of control and collisions with curbs or sidewalks.
- Owners describe the vehicle swerving independently at low speeds, with some incidents resulting in crashes into fences or curbs.
- The anti-lock braking system has been reported to lock up during stop-and-go driving, causing the car to skid instead of stopping.
- The engine has been reported to make abnormal noises before the vehicle loses control at low speeds.
2014 Chevrolet Cruze recalls
10 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 25V764000Nov 6, 2025Airbags2,099 vehicles
Air bags:side/window
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2014 Buick Verano and Chevrolet Cruze vehicles. The left and/or right-side roof-rail air bag (RRAB) inflators located on the roof rails above the headliner, may rupture at the inflator weld joint.
Risk: An inflator that ruptures may partially inflate the air bag and cause sharp metal fragments to enter or exit the vehicle, increasing the risk of an injury.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the left and/or right-side RRAB modules, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 5, 2025. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N252530830. This recall is an expansion of previous NHTSA recall numbers 23V674 and 23V870.
- NHTSA 23V870000Dec 21, 2023Airbags20,712 vehicles
Air bags:side/window
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2014 Buick Verano and Chevrolet Cruze vehicles. The left and/or right-side roof-rail air bag (RRAB) inflators may rupture at the inflator weld joint. This recall is an expansion of Recall 23V-674.
Risk: An inflator that ruptures may partially inflate the air bag and cause sharp metal fragments to enter or exit the vehicle, increasing the risk of an injury.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the left and/or right-side RRAB modules as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 22, 2024. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300 and Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N232425640.
- NHTSA 23V674000Sep 20, 2023Airbags9,264 vehicles
Air bags:side/window
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2014 Buick Verano and Chevrolet Cruze vehicles. The left and/or right-side roof-rail air bag (RRAB) inflators located on the roof rails above the headliner, may rupture at the inflator weld joint.
Risk: An inflator that ruptures may partially inflate the air bag and cause sharp metal fragments to enter or exit the vehicle, increasing the risk of an injury.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the left and/or right-side RRAB modules, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 12, 2024. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N232408490.
2014 Chevrolet Cruze fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 26 MPG
- Highway
- 37 MPG
- Combined
- 30 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $2,150
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2014 compared with other Cruze years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2014 Chevrolet Cruze reliable?
- Among Cruze model years, 2014 ranks 2nd worst with a complaint index of 89 and 702 owner complaints, earning an Avoid verdict relative to other years of the Cruze.
- What is the top problem area for the 2014 Chevrolet Cruze?
- Engine complaints lead at 38% of all reports (265 complaints), with a median failure mileage of 59,522.5 miles, followed by electrical system issues at 28%.
- Does the 2014 Chevrolet Cruze have airbag recalls?
- Yes. NHTSA lists multiple airbag recalls for the 2014 Cruze, including roof-rail air bag inflator ruptures and a driver's front air bag inflator with an incorrect part.
- How many recalls does the 2014 Chevrolet Cruze have?
- NHTSA lists 10 recall campaigns for the 2014 Chevrolet Cruze, covering airbags, steering, transmission, and other components.
- What year Chevrolet Cruze should I avoid?
- Based on complaint index, 2012 (100) and 2014 (89) rank as the worst Cruze years, while 2018 and 2019 rank Best with indexes of 22 and 11.