YearToAvoid

2018 Chevrolet Cruze Engine Problems

NHTSA lists 33 engine complaints for the 2018 Chevrolet Cruze, 30% of its 109 total complaints. Owners reported stalling, fires, turbo lag, and sudden power loss, with a median failure mileage of 21,800 miles. No related recalls are listed for this engine issue.

Engine complaints
33
30% of 109
Crashes reported
1
Fires reported
2
Injuries reported
1
Median mileage
21,800 mi
Related recalls
0

Typical engine symptoms owners report

  • Engine locks up or catches fire without warning, sometimes tied to a fuel line spraying fuel onto the engine.
  • Vehicle jerks, lunges, or loses power under acceleration or when the air conditioning is on, often diagnosed as turbo lag or a turbo leak.
  • Engine and dash lose power suddenly at highway speed, with no warning lights or codes before the shutdown.
  • Check engine light illuminates repeatedly after driving through a car wash.
  • Engine loses power and fuel economy drops noticeably, later traced to a turbo leak.

When 2018 Chevrolet Cruze engine complaints were filed

First complaint Aug 17, 2018, latest May 9, 2026.

2018 Chevrolet Cruze engine complaints: complaints filed per month2Aug 2018Jun 2019Mar 2020Aug 2021May 2022Mar 2024Jun 2025May 2026
33 complaints filed with NHTSA from Aug 2018 to May 2026; peak Jan 2020 (2).

Engine recalls for the 2018 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 in the 2018 Chevrolet Cruze?
NHTSA lists 33 engine complaints for the 2018 model year, making up 30% of its 109 total complaints filed.
Is there a recall for the 2018 Chevrolet Cruze engine?
No related recalls are listed in NHTSA data for this engine complaint area.
At what mileage do engine problems typically show up on the 2018 Cruze?
The median mileage at failure reported to NHTSA is 21,800 miles.
Are the engine complaints on the 2018 Cruze serious?
NHTSA records include 2 fires, 1 crash, and 1 injury among the engine-related complaints for this model year.
How does the 2018 Cruze compare to other Cruze years for engine complaints?
The 2018 Cruze's engine complaints make up 30% of its total complaints, a smaller share than earlier years like 2011 (46%) and 2016 (46%).

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.