2014 Chevrolet Cruze
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Engine is the leading concern among 702 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 3rd highest complaint count among 10 Cruze model years with reports.
Of the 2014 reports, 70 involved a crash and 17 involved a fire. 57 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Air bags, side/windowNov 6, 2025
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.
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.
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.
Campaign 25V764000 on NHTSA.gov
Air bags, side/windowDec 21, 2023
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.
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.
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.
Campaign 23V870000 on NHTSA.gov
Air bags, side/windowSep 20, 2023
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.
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.
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.
Campaign 23V674000 on NHTSA.gov
Electrical system, ignitionJul 5, 2016
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Buick Verano and 2016 Chevrolet Malibu as the electronic park lock lever may allow the ignition key to be removed without the transmission being in PARK. Also, certain 2013 Buick Encore, 2011 Buick Regal, 2013-2014 Buick Verano, 2011-2016 Chevrolet Cruze, 2010-2013 Chevrolet Equinox 2013-2015 Chevrolet Malibu, and 2011-2013 GMC Terrain vehicles may have been serviced with similar defective replacement electronic park lock levers. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 114, "Theft Protection and Rollaway Prevention."
If the key is removed without the transmission in PARK, the vehicle may rollaway as occupants are exiting, increasing the risk of injury.
GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and if necessary replace the key cylinder lock housing, free of charge. The recall began on October 14, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, Buick 1-800-521-7300, and GMC 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 50490 and 50491.
Campaign 16V502000 on NHTSA.gov
SteeringJul 10, 2015
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 Chevrolet Cruze vehicles manufactured November 8, 2013, to March 12, 2015, and 2015 Chevrolet Volt vehicles manufactured April 11, 2014. In the affected vehicles, the inner tie rod may not be tightened to specification allowing the tie rod to separate from the steering gear.
Separation of the tie rod from the steering gear could result in the loss of steering, increasing the risk of a crash.
GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the steering gear assembly, free of charge. The recall began on July 28, 2015. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 15386.
Campaign 15V442000 on NHTSA.gov
Equipment, electricalJul 2, 2014
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Buick Encore all-wheel-drive vehicles manufactured August 23, 2012, to September 9, 2013; Verano vehicles manufactured August 8, 2012, to June 20, 2013; Chevrolet Cruze vehicles manufactured August 7, 2012, to August 16, 2013, and 2012-2014 Chevrolet Sonic vehicles manufactured May 10, 2011, to August 16, 2012 equipped with a Calix oil pan/block heater. In cold temperatures, the insulation on the engine block heater cord can become damaged, allowing the wires to be exposed.
Exposed wires increase the risk of electrical shock and personal injury if the cord is handled while it is plugged in.
GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the engine oil pan/block heater cord with a new cord that is rated for temperatures of minus 40 degree Celsius. The recall began in August 2014. 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 14257.
Campaign 14V417000 on NHTSA.gov
Air bagsJun 26, 2014
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Chevrolet Cruze vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the driver's front air bag inflator may have been manufactured with an incorrect part.
In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's air bag, the air bag's inflator may rupture and the air bag may not inflate. The rupture could cause metal fragments to strike and potentially seriously injure the vehicle occupants. Additionally, if the air bag does not inflate, the driver is at an increased risk of injury.
GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver side air bag, free of charge. The recall began on June 28, 2014. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 14305.
Campaign 14V372000 on NHTSA.gov
Power train, axle assembly, axle shaftMar 31, 2014
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013 and 2014 Chevrolet Cruze vehicles equipped with a 1.4L turbo engine, and manufactured between November 28, 2012, and March 7, 2014. On the affected vehicles, the right front half shaft may fracture and separate.
If the half shaft fractures and separates while driving, the vehicle would lose power and coast to a stop. If a vehicle with a fractured half shaft is parked without the parking brake applied, the vehicle could move unexpectedly. Either condition increases the risk of a crash.
GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the right half shaft, as needed, free of charge. Parts for the remedy are not currently available. GM will send an interim letter to owners in May 2014. A second owner letter will be mailed when parts are available. Owners may contact Chevrolet at 1-866-694-6546. GM's number for this recall is 14079. This is an expansion of recall 13V-452. NOTE: Some vehicles subject to this recall were subject to the recall campaign initiated in 2013. Some of those vehicles were repaired using defective parts. Those owners will be advised that they must have their vehicles remedied again under this campaign and that having the earlier recall completed did not remedy their vehicles.
Campaign 14V151000 on NHTSA.gov
Power train, automatic transmissionFeb 21, 2014
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2014 Buick Regal, LaCrosse, Verano, and Enclave, and Chevrolet Impala, Malibu, Cruze, and Traverse, and GMC Acadia vehicles equipped with automatic transmissions. In the affected vehicles, the transmission shift cable adjuster may disengage from the transmission shift lever. As such, these vehicles do not conform to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 102, "Transmission Shift Lever Sequence, Starter Interlock, and Transmission Braking Effect." They also fail to conform to FMVSS number 114, "Theft Protection and Rollaway Prevention."
If a vehicle's shift cable disengages from the transmission shift lever, a driver may be unable to shift gear positions and the indicated shift position may not represent the gear position the vehicle is in. Should a disengagement occur while the vehicle is being driven, when the driver goes to stop and park the vehicle, the driver may be able to shift the lever to the "PARK" position, but the vehicle transmission may not be in the "PARK" gear position. If the vehicle is not in the "PARK" position there is a risk the vehicle will roll away as the driver and other occupants exit the vehicle or anytime thereafter. A vehicle rollaway increases the risk of injury to exiting occupants and bystanders.
General Motors will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace any affected transmission shift cable adjusters, free of charge. The recall began on April 10, 2014. Chevrolet owners may contact General Motors at 1-800-222-1020, Buick owners at 1-800-521-7300, and GMC owners at 1-800-462-8782. General Motors' number associated with this recall is 14048.
Campaign 14V092000 on NHTSA.gov
Power train, axle assembly, axle shaftSep 23, 2013
General Motors (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013 and 2014 Chevrolet Cruze vehicles equipped with manual transmissions (MF3/MR5) and manufactured January 24, 2013, through August 1, 2013. On the affected vehicles, the right front half shaft may fracture and separate.
If the half shaft fractures and separates while driving, the vehicle would lose power and coast to a stop. If a vehicle with a fractured half shaft is parked without the parking brake applied, the vehicle could move unexpectedly. Either condition increases the risk of a crash.
General Motors has notified owners. Dealers will replace the half shaft assembly, free of charge. The safety recall began on October 15, 2013. Owners may contact General Motors at 1-800-521-7300. This is General Motors campaign number 13276.
Campaign 13V452000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: engine
233 reports, newest first. Show all
Engine and engine cooling, Dec 16, 2014
2014 CHEVROLET CRUZ LTZ EXHAUST FUMES/MOLD/ANTIFREEZE SMELLS CAUSED SICKNESS, BAD ALLERGIES, EYES, NOSE, LUNGS PROBLEMS. *MW
Suspension, Power train, Engine, Aug 18, 2014
I FOUND A WHITE METALLIC GUNK ON DRIVEWAY. I WENT TO INVESTIGATE FOR LEAKAGE, AFTER DEALER HAD ONE WEEK AHEAD APPOINTMENT AVAILABLE. I FOUND RUST ON THE WELDS OF THE MUFFLER, RUST ON THE HANGER RODS FOR THE MUFFLER, RUST ON NUTS AND BOLTS THROUGHOUT THE UNDER CARRIAGE, RUST ON METAL PARTS OF THE DRIVE SHAFT, RUST ON THE BACK TIRE TRIMS, RUST ON THE ENGINE BLOCK, RUST ON THE SUSPENSION, RUST ON THE SHOCKS, AND THE LIST GOES ON, ON THE MANY MORE PARTS OF THE UNDER CARRIAGE. NOT JUST RUST BUT CORROSIVE RUSTING, THAT JUST DIDN'T START OVER THE LAST THREE WEEKS. DEALER HAD TO FAIL TO PUT CAR UP ON RACK UPON RECEIVING FROM CHEVROLET, AND FAILED BEFORE HANDING IT. THIS TYPE OF RUSTING HAPPENS ONLY AFTER MAYBE THREE YEARS OR MORE AT LEAST ACCORDING TO PEOPLE I'VE SHOWN THE PHOTOS TO, WHO KNOW CARS. DEALERSHIP HAS A GM EXPERT COMING IN TO EXPECT THE CAR. FEEL VERY UNSAFE DRIVING THIS CAR. *TR
Power train, Electrical system, Engine, Aug 11, 2014
AFTER PURCHASING THE 2014 CRUZE ON JULY 29, 2014, I DROVE IT TO MY RESIDENCE WHICH WAS FOR 6 MILES AND PARKED IN MY DRIVEWAY. I PLACED THE SHIFT LEVEL IN THE PARK POSITION AND SET THE EMERGENCY BRAKE. MY GRAND DAUGHTER, AGE 16, ASKED IF SHE COULD TEST DRIVE THE CAR. AFTER ENTERING THE VEHICLE, SHE RELEASED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE AND ATTEMPTED TO START IT. THE CAR WOULD NOT START AND UNKNOWN TO HER WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START, THE VEHICLE SLOWLY WENT BACKWARDS INTO THE STREET. THE SHIFT LEVER IN THE VEHICLE WAS STUCK IN PARK AND WOULD NOT MOVE AND IT WOULD NOT START. I CALLED ON STAR AND ASKED THEM TO RUN A TEST ON THE CAR TO SEE WHAT WAS WRONG WITH IT. THE LADY CAME BACK WITH NO KNOWN PROBLEMS FROM THEIR TEST. I ASKED AND SHE CALLED A TOW TRUCK TO RETURN THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. THE CRUZE WAS REPAIRED THE NEXT DAY. THE PROBLEM WAS IDENTIFIED WITH A DEFECTIVE SHIFT CABLE. THE CASING AROUND THE SHIFT CABLE AT THE TRANSMISSION CRACKED CAUSING CABLE NOT TO RELEASE LEAVING TRANSMISSION IN FREE MODE. I WAS UPSET AND ANGRY WITH THE DEALERSHIP AND GM BECAUSE THE VEHICLE BROKE DOWN IN THE FIRST 6 MILES. I THEN CHECKED FOR RECALLS ON THE VEHICLE AND FOUND GM RECALL NUMBER 14048 AND NHTSA RECALL 14V092, WHICH IDENTIFIED MY DEFECT EXACTLY, BUT DID NOT INCLUDE MY VIN IN THE RECALL ORDER. I CALLED GM AND EXPRESSED MY CONCERNS THEY ASSIGNED A CASE NUMBER AND A VERY NICE LADY CALLED AND ASKED WHAT WOULD MAKE ME HAPPY. MY MAIN CONCERN WAS THE SAFETY OF MY FAMILY AND OTHER PEOPLE WHO HAVE BOUGHT THE CRUZE WITH A DEFECTIVE SHIFT LEVER CABLE. ONCE A PART IS IDENTIFIED AS DEFECTIVE IT SHOULD NO LONGER BE USED AND IT SHOULD BE REPLACED ON ALL MANUFACTURED VEHICLES. I WAS OFFERED A REPLACEMENT VEHICLE BY THE DEALERSHIP AND GM BUT I DECLINED THE OFFER. *TR
Air bags, Structure, Engine, Jul 30, 2014, crash
MOVING WITH TRAFFIC, SNEEZED AND WHEN I OPENED MY YES I COULDN'T STOP IN TIME AND REAR ENDED A STOPPED OR SLOWING DOWN VEHICLE. I WAS WEARING MY SEAT BELT,SLAMMED INTO THE STEERING WHEEL, WONDERED WHY THE AIR BAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY. WENT TO HOSPITAL. BRUISED FROM RIGHT SIDE OF NECK DOWN MY CHEST. FAINT BLACK YES FROM HITTING STEERING WHEEL. BRUISES ON BOTH KNEES. I AM CONCERNED THE AIR BAGS FAILED. YOUR ASSISTANCE WOULD BE APPRECIATED. ALSO HAVE PICTURES OF BRUISING. *TR
Power train, Service brakes, Engine, May 29, 2014
AT THE END OF DECEMBER 2013 I PURCHASED A 2014 CHEVY CRUZE TURBO DIESEL. SHORTLY AFTER BUYING THIS VEHICLE I DISCOVERED THERE AS A PROBLEM WITH THE EXCESSIVE TORQUE AND THE BRAKING SYSTEM AND HAIR TRIGGER BRAKE RELEASE. WHEN RELEASING THE BRAKE THIS CAR WOULD LEAP FORWARD IN AN UNSAFE MANNER. THIS WOULD HAPPEN WHEN RELEASING THE BRAKE SLIGHTLY. RELEASING THE BRAKE A QUARTER OF AN INCH OR LESS WAS SUFFICIENT. I AM NOT TALKING ABOUT MY FOOT SLIPPING OFF THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE HIGH RPM'S AND TORQUE IS NOT A GOOD MATCH WITH THIS PARTICULAR AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. I AM SURE A STANDARD TRANSMISSION WOULD BE A BETTER MATCH. AFTER MY CAR JUMPED OUT INTO A MAJOR STREET AND ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT I TOOK MY VEHICLE TO MY LOCAL DEALERSHIP. THE DEALERSHIP EXAMINED MY CAR AND CAME UP WITH THE BELLOWING RESULTS: BRAKES FEEL NORMAL FOR VEHICLE. 4 WHEEL DISC AND HAS ELECTRIC VACUUM PUMP. NO REPAIRS REQUIRED AT THIS TIME. IDLE NORMAL FOR PRESENT TIME, ECM WILL RISE IDLE AT CERTAIN TIME LIKE COLD START COMPENSATE FOR BATTERY DRAW OF GLOW PLUGS?. BY THE WAY THE ABOVE INCIDENT OCCURRED WHEN THE CAR WAS NORMAL OPERATING TEMPERATURE. AS A RESULT I IMMEDIATELY TRADED THIS VEHICLE (1500 MILES WERE ON THE ODOMETER) FOR A DIFFERENT BRAND. IT WOULD BE NICE IF YOUR ENGINEERS COULD LOOK INTO THIS MATTER TO AVOID FUTURE INCIDENTS WITH OTHER CHEVY CRUZ OWNERS. I AM VERY CONCERNED OVER THE SAFETY OF THIS VEHICLE. THANKS *TR
Engine, Apr 3, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 CHEVROLET CRUZE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING ON AN INCLINE, THE VEHICLE DRIFTED BACKWARDS. IMMEDIATELY AFTER DISENGAGING THE BRAKES, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT ANY WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 500 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 7,500.
Engine and engine cooling, Feb 16, 2014
THE CAR WAS TURNED OFF FOR APPROXIMATELY 45 MINUTES. THE DOOR WAS OPENED AND A BUZZING NOISE WAS COMING FROM THE ENGINE AREA. IT LASTED ABOUT 5 MINUTES. THE SAME THING HAPPENED 5 MORE TIMES. AT THAT POINT, WE HAD AN APPOINTMENT TO BE AT. THE ISSUE HAS BEEN HANDED OVER TO THE GM ENGINEERS. AT THIS POINT, NOBODY KNOWS WHAT THE PROBLEM IS, WE BELIEVE IT COULD BE A SAFETY HAZARD. THE ONLY TIME WE HAVE DRIVEN THE VEHICLE SINCE THAT EPISODE, WAS TO TAKE IT OVER TO THE DEALERSHIP. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Feb 6, 2014
WHILE DRIVING MY NEWLY LEASED 2014 CHEVY CRUZE WITH THE HEAT ON TO SCHOOL I BECAME DIZZY, NAUSEA AND VERY DISORIENTED. I PULLED OVER AND OPENED THE WINDOWS TOOK MY HAT AND SCARF OFF, WITHIN A FEW MINUTES I BEGAN TO FEEL NORMAL AGAIN. I PRECEDED TO START DRIVING AGAIN ONLY TO HAVE THE SAME THING HAPPEN AGAIN. I CALLED MY MOTHER TO MAKE HER AWARE OF WHAT WAS HAPPENING WHEN I DROVE MY NEW CAR. SHE ADVISED ME TO LEAVE THE WINDOWS OPEN AND TO KEEP THE HEAT OFF UNTIL WE COULD GET THIS CAR IN FOR SERVICE. WE BROUGHT THE CAR IN FOR SERVICE ON JANUARY 13TH, 2014 ADVISING THEM THAT WITHIN 15 MINS OF DRIVING THE CAR WE WOULD BECOME SICK WITH A HEADACHE AND VERY NAUSEA AND DIZZY. THE SERVICE MEN LAUGHED AT US. WE TOLD THEM THAT MAYBE ITS CARBON MONOXIDE GETTING INTO THE CAR. WE LEFT THE CAR AT THE SERVICE CENTER . THE VERY NEXT DAY I RECEIVED A CALL FROM THE DEALERSHIP ADVISING ME THAT YES WE WERE RIGHT THAT IT WAS CARBON MONOXIDE GETTING INTO THE CAR. THEY HAD A SERVICE MAN DRIVE THE VEHICLE WHO CONCLUDED THAT YES IT WAS CARBON MONOXIDE POISONING. THEY WERE GOING TO GET IN TOUCH WITH GM AND ADVISE US AS TO WHAT THEY WERE GOING TO DO!! *TR