2018 Chevrolet Cruze Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
BestComplaint Index
22/100
#8 most-complained of 10 Cruze years
The 2018 Chevrolet Cruze ranks 8th worst of 10 model years, with a Complaint Index of 22 and a "Best" verdict relative to other Cruze years. NHTSA lists 109 complaints, 3 recalls, and 17 crashes tied to reported problems, mostly in the Engine and Transmission & Powertrain areas.
- Complaints
- 109
- Recalls
- 3
- Crashes / fires
- 17 / 3
- Injuries / deaths
- 7 / 1
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 33
- 29 city / 40 hwy
Top 2018 Chevrolet Cruze problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine33 (30%)
- Other24 (22%)
- Transmission & Powertrain23 (21%)
- Electrical System19 (17%)
- Brakes15 (14%)
- Steering9 (8%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires9 (8%)
- Airbags8 (7%)
- Fuel System7 (6%)
- Structure & Body5 (5%)
What owners report
- Owners describe the engine oil light coming on followed by the engine locking up and catching fire.
- Some drivers report black smoke and flames erupting from the rear or front-passenger side of the vehicle without warning while driving at moderate speed.
- Several owners say the brakes failed to stop the car in time despite firm pedal pressure, leading to rear-end collisions.
- One owner reported the infotainment display becoming too bright to see at night, obscuring the reverse camera view.
- A driver reported a front wheel and axle detaching suddenly at highway speed, causing loss of control.
2018 Chevrolet Cruze recalls
3 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 20V668000Oct 29, 2020Transmission & Powertrain194,105 vehicles
Power train:automatic transmission
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.
Risk: 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.
- NHTSA 18V576000Aug 30, 2018Brakes210,628 vehicles
Service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:disc:caliper
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.
Risk: 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.
- NHTSA 18V304000May 10, 2018Fuel System111,966 vehicles
Fuel system, gasoline
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."
Risk: 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.
2018 Chevrolet Cruze fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 29 MPG
- Highway
- 40 MPG
- Combined
- 33 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $2,100
- 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.
2018 compared with other Cruze years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2018 Chevrolet Cruze reliable?
- Among Cruze model years, 2018 ranks 8th worst out of 10 with a Complaint Index of 22 and a "Best" verdict, meaning it has fewer reported problems than most other Cruze years.
- What are the most common problems with the 2018 Chevrolet Cruze?
- NHTSA complaints point to the Engine (33 complaints, 30% share) and Transmission & Powertrain (23 complaints, 21% share) as the top problem areas, followed by Electrical System and Brakes.
- Does the 2018 Chevrolet Cruze have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2018 Cruze covering the transmission start-stop accumulator, a brake system bleed issue, and a fuel tank vapor pressure lock-ring, none marked do-not-drive.
- How many complaints and crashes does NHTSA list for the 2018 Cruze?
- NHTSA lists 109 complaints, 17 crashes, 3 fires, 7 injuries, and 1 death associated with the 2018 Chevrolet Cruze.
- What is the fuel economy of the 2018 Chevrolet Cruze?
- The EPA rates the 2018 Cruze at 33 mpg combined (29 city / 40 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,100.