YearToAvoid

2015 Chevrolet Cruze Engine Problems

Engine problems account for 114 of 252 complaints (45%) on the 2015 Chevrolet Cruze, with a median failure mileage of 62,500 miles. NHTSA lists no recalls tied to this engine complaint pattern, and reports include oil leaks, smoke, coolant loss, and stalling.

Engine complaints
114
45% of 252
Crashes reported
1
Fires reported
3
Injuries reported
0
Median mileage
62,500 mi
Related recalls
0

Typical engine symptoms owners report

  • Owners report oil filter cover and cap seals leaking oil onto the ground, sometimes accompanied by smoke from the engine bay.
  • Some describe coolant odor outside the car and coolant loss at every oil change, with engine temperature climbing before the radiator fan engages.
  • Several report the engine overheating warning illuminating along with smoke or fumes entering the cabin through the vents.
  • Multiple contacts describe the vehicle stalling at low speeds without warning, sometimes recurring on separate occasions.
  • One report describes the engine catching fire after trouble accelerating, which totaled the vehicle.

When 2015 Chevrolet Cruze engine complaints were filed

First complaint Jan 19, 2015, latest Sep 20, 2026.

2015 Chevrolet Cruze engine complaints: complaints filed per quarter102015 Q12017 Q12018 Q32020 Q12021 Q42023 Q22025 Q1
114 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2015 Q1 to 2026 Q3; peak 2019 Q3 (10).

Engine recalls for the 2015 Chevrolet Cruze

No safety recalls on record for this model year.

Engine complaints by Cruze model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

  1. 20100 (0%)
  2. 2011337 (46%)
  3. 2012338 (39%)
  4. 2013254 (43%)
  5. 2014265 (38%)
  6. 2015114 (45%)
  7. 2016114 (46%)
  8. 201782 (41%)
  9. 201833 (30%)
  10. 20196 (29%)

Frequently asked questions

How common are engine problems on the 2015 Chevrolet Cruze?
NHTSA lists 114 engine-related complaints out of 252 total complaints for the 2015 Cruze, making up 45% of all complaints for that model year.
Is there a recall for 2015 Chevrolet Cruze engine issues?
No related recalls are listed in NHTSA data for the engine complaints reported on the 2015 Chevrolet Cruze.
At what mileage do 2015 Chevrolet Cruze engine problems usually happen?
The median mileage at failure for engine-related complaints on the 2015 Cruze is 62,500 miles.
Do 2015 Chevrolet Cruze engine complaints involve fires?
Yes, NHTSA data for this complaint area shows 3 fire incidents and 1 crash among the reports, with 0 injuries.
How does the 2015 Cruze compare to other Cruze years for engine complaints?
Engine complaints made up 45% of total complaints in 2015, similar to 46% in both 2011 and 2016, and higher than the 30% share seen in 2018.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.