2018 Chevrolet Cruze Transmission & Powertrain Problems
NHTSA lists 23 Transmission & Powertrain complaints for the 2018 Chevrolet Cruze, 21% of its 109 total complaints for the year. Owners report unintended rollaway or unexpected reverse engagement, clutch pedals sticking to the floor, and dual-mass flywheel/clutch failures, with a median failure mileage of 51,863. A related recall (20V668000) covers the start-stop transmission accumulator.
- Transmission & Powertrain complaints
- 23
- 21% of 109
- Crashes reported
- 3
- Fires reported
- 0
- Injuries reported
- 3
- Median mileage
- 51,864 mi
- Related recalls
- 1
Typical transmission symptoms owners report
- Vehicle reportedly shifted out of park or moved on its own after the driver exited, in some cases rolling into objects or people.
- Clutch pedal sticks to the floor and will not release, preventing the transmission from being shifted into or out of gear.
- Manual transmission models developed noises and vibrations at higher RPM and loads, traced to dual-mass flywheel and clutch damage as early as 12,100 and 15,000 miles.
- Owners describe hesitation to accelerate followed by RPM surges to 4,000-5000 and sudden forward lurching.
- Rear axle developed loud creaking noises during turns and over bumps that worsened until the axle needed replacement.
When 2018 Chevrolet Cruze transmission complaints were filed
First complaint Jun 24, 2020, latest Feb 16, 2026.
Transmission & Powertrain recalls for the 2018 Chevrolet Cruze
- 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.
Transmission & Powertrain complaints by Cruze model year
Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.
Frequently asked questions
- How many 2018 Chevrolet Cruze owners complained about transmission and powertrain issues?
- NHTSA lists 23 Transmission & Powertrain complaints for the 2018 Cruze, which is 21% of the 109 total complaints filed for that model year.
- Is there a transmission recall for the 2018 Chevrolet Cruze?
- Yes. Recall 20V668000, reported 2020-10-29, covers the start-stop transmission accumulator; dealers inspect it and replace it if bolts show an issue.
- At what mileage do transmission problems typically show up on the 2018 Cruze?
- The median mileage at failure for Transmission & Powertrain complaints on the 2018 Cruze is 51,863 miles, though some clutch and flywheel failures were reported as early as 12,100 miles.
- Did the 2018 Cruze's transmission problems cause any crashes?
- NHTSA data shows 3 crashes and 3 injuries linked to Transmission & Powertrain complaints for the 2018 Cruze, including cases of unintended vehicle movement.