2015 Chevrolet Cruze
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Engine is the leading concern among 252 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 5th highest complaint count among 10 Cruze model years with reports.
Of the 2015 reports, 20 involved a crash and 4 involved a fire. 13 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
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
Seat belts, front, anchorageDec 23, 2015
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2015 Chevrolet Cruze vehicles manufactured September 24, 2014, to May 29, 2015. In the affected vehicles, one of the driver-side seat belt assembly bolts may not be properly tightened.
An insufficiently torqued bolt may prevent the seat belt from holding the required load in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and tighten the bolts, free of charge. The recall began on January 27, 2016 Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 15777.
Campaign 15V876000 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
Parking brakeFeb 27, 2015
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2015 Chevrolet Cruze vehicles manufactured February 4, 2015, to February 9, 2015. The left-rear or right-rear parking brake cable brackets may not have been properly fastened during the assembly process. As a result, the fastening bolts may back out completely, causing the parking brake bracket to separate and the parking brake to not hold the vehicle in place. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 135, "Light Vehicle Brake Systems."
If the parking brake bracket separates, the parking brake may not hold the vehicle, increasing the risk of a vehicle roll away and a crash.
GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the left-rear and right-rear parking brake brackets bolts, tightening them as necessary, free of charge. The recall began in March 24, 2015. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 15135.
Campaign 15V113000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints
252 reports, newest first.
Engine, Jun 12, 2023
The contact owns a 2015 Chevrolet Cruze. The contact stated while driving approximately 45 MPH, the accelerator pedal was depressed and the vehicle started sputtering, lost motive power, and an abnormal sound was heard coming from the vehicle. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact drove the vehicle to an independent mechanic who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the turbo charger needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000.
Engine, May 14, 2023
AC Off Due to High Engine Temp message flashes on dashboard.
Engine, Apr 5, 2023
I had the water outlet assembly repaired by Mike Castrucci Chevrolet on 02/05/21. I had it repaired again by Car X on 04/05/2023. Car X said that Mike Castrucci Chevrolet tightened the screw on the part and stripped it. This could have caused me to buy a $2,000 head gasket. This part was recalled on the 2011-2014 Chevrolet Cruze. Mine is a 2015 Chevrolet Cruze purchased in August 2015. No warning lamps told me of this problem. Onstar did not detect it.
Other or unspecified, Apr 4, 2023
Leaking coolant underneath the vehicle
Steering, Mar 23, 2023
The steering wheel will intermittently "stick" requiring a slight tug to release.
Power train, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Mar 10, 2023
It shakes and stutters while driving off and on. If it’s super cold outside it may not even start. When sitting idle it’ll spit and sputter and periodically backfire. When going to take off from a stop sign there’s lag or it won’t take off at all even floored. I’m getting milky oil so I’m getting condensation from somewhere. This trickle effect all starts off my MAF sensor and has progressively gotten worse. I’ve had the MAF, o2 sensor, turbo valve , spark plugs, battery(s) changed all trying to fix this issue and 2 years later I’m still fighting with it. Yesterday while heading home I couldn’t go over 45, and it would stutter and feel like your driving on rubble strips, when I got home it smelled like something was burning, popped the hood and the dipstick showed “black” oil but in the oil cap there the milky oil in and around the cap as well as my fan being SUPER loud after it’s shut off.
Other or unspecified, Feb 26, 2023
coolant leaking on drivers side of engine.
Air bags, Other or unspecified, Forward collision avoidance, Jan 27, 2023, crash
I was driving down the hill and my car came out of gear the road was slick so I couldn't hit my breaks I had to crash into the ditch to keep from going over the mountain. My airbags did not come out my car is not drivable.
Other or unspecified, Jan 15, 2023
Antifreeze leaking
Engine and engine cooling, Dec 20, 2022
The contact owns a 2015 Chevrolet Cruze. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the engine overheated and the vehicle would not properly accelerate. The contact stated that coolant was leaking from the engine from a failure with the coolant lines causing the engine to overheat with multiple electric failures. The failure also occurred due to overheating including the main computer failure. The contact indicated that the vehicle was serviced several times for the same failure and the thermostat was replaced; however, the failure recurred. The manufacturer and local dealer were notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 55,000.
Engine and engine cooling, Dec 19, 2022
The contact owns a 2015 Chevrolet Cruze. The contact stated while driving 30 MPH, the vehicle overheated. The vehicle was taken to an unknown dealer, who diagnosed that there was a coolant leak and that the water pump was faulty. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 104,000.
Electrical system, Engine, Visibility/wiper, Dec 17, 2022
UNKNOWN- 2015 CHEVY CRUZE - THE REGULATORS IN THE AUTOMATIC WINDOWS KEEP BREAKING- I HAVE REPLACED REGULATORS 3 TIMES- AND THE TWO FRONT WINDOWS WILL NOT GO UP OR DOWN NOW-I JUST FIXED THE PASSENGERS SIDE WINDOW ABOUT A MONTH AGO AND ITS BROKEN AGAIN.- THE CLOCK DOES NOT KEEP TIME CORRECTLY- HAD A COOLANT LEAK TWICE - AND THE TIRES SEEM TO LOSE TREAD PRETTY QUICKLY- REPLACED TIRES A FEW YEARS AGO- DOES NOT HAVE VERY GOOD TRACTION CONTROL- VERY DIFFICULT TO SEE WITH GLARES NO MATTER IF ITS FRESHLY CLEANED-NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS WITH THIS CAR- I USUALLY LOVE MY CHEVY'S BUT THIS CAR IS A LEMON- AS SOON AS I PAID IT OFF ALL THIS STARTED HAPPENING- AND I CAN'T AFFORD ANOTHER CAR AT THIS POINT.
Engine, Dec 6, 2022
87,000 miles on the car. 6 incidences of coolant system failure within the last 2 years/3,000 miles. This car costs me over $1000 in repairs every 3 months. I have replaced the water outlet, water pump (several times), cracked reservoir, and camshaft cover failure (this is covered by a warranty, thankfully).
Engine, Dec 1, 2022
after driving for approx 5 or 10 min, light white smoke was coming from exhaust pipe but went away quickly and never did it again. This happened only 1 time and only 15-30 min before the head gasket blew, causing the engine to blow - No other signs of a blown head gasket happened until after it blew - I was on a 2 lane hwy (my direction - 4 lanes total) surrounded by diesel trucks and luckily had a clearing that allowed me to get over safely but it was very dangerous
Engine, Nov 16, 2022
Coolant leaking, was repaired. Now coolant mixed into oil causing overheating and a blown head gasket. Car now needs major repairs under 100,000 miles. I see recalls for 2013-2014 Models but none for 2015.
Engine, Oct 12, 2022
The thermostat keeps cracking. The temperature gage does not work. Says that the engine is too hot and turns the AC off. Replaced the thermostat several times in the past 5 years due to cracking and coolent spilled all over the road and left me stranded twice. Now the sensors have broken and the AC will not turn on and the fan runs all the time. Check engine light doesnt come on until after the thermostat cracks and leaks all of the coolent out. This needs to be recalled!
Engine, Sep 29, 2022
The contact owns a 2015 Chevrolet Cruze. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was smoke coming from underneath the hood. Additionally, the engine was leaking fluid onto the ground. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the engine seals needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.
Electrical system, Engine, Sep 28, 2022
I bought a new catalytic converter on the vehicle and had old parts replaced. There aren’t any leaks. I received an engine diagnostic test and still comes back with P0240 code.
Engine, Sep 22, 2022
Service Engine indicator came on with message "Engine Hot, AC OFF". This is a 2015 Cruze with the 1.4L engine. This engine has the same water pump as previous models (2011 -2014). General Motors issued a Special Coverage Adjustment-Engine Coolant Leak from Water Pump, Bulletin # 14371B, in January 2015. GM is extending warranty period for 10 years or 150,000 miles. GM is making repairs at no cost to current owners of 2011-2014 Chevy Cruze. This extended warranty coverage and repairs should include 2015 Chvey Cruze owners. Again, the 2015 model with the 1.4L engine has the same water pump and all the same failure symptoms indicatea failed water pump. GM has identified this as a design flaw by issuing the Special Coverage Adjustment-Engine Coolant Leak from Water Pump, Bulletin # 14371B. There is the risk of engine overheat and sudden loss of engine power/ seizing that will occur with a loss of coolant while driving.
Engine, Sep 15, 2022
The contact owns a 2015 Chevrolet Cruze. The contact stated that while her daughter was driving approximately 50 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The contact stated that her daughter saw no warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle retained power steering and brakes and her daughter was able to restart the vehicle and drove back to the residence. The contact had the vehicle towed to a local dealer, where the failure could not be duplicated. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 79,950.
Engine, Jul 25, 2022
Coolant leak and engine overheating from Thermostat housing issue. 2nd time we have taken it in for this problem in 2 months after initial repair.
Engine, Jun 22, 2022
The contact owns a 2015 Chevrolet Cruze. The contact stated while stopped at a traffic sign, the vehicle stalled while depressing the accelerator pedal to proceed through the traffic sign. The contact stated that the vehicle was started and the contact was able to continue driving. The contact stated that the check engine warning light illuminated prior to the vehicle stalling. Additionally, the contact noticed that the vehicle was overheating. The contact stated that the engine temperature gauge fluctuating between normal temperature and extremely high temperature. The contact had not taken the vehicle to the local dealer or an independent mechanic to be diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 83,465.
Air bags, Seat belts, May 14, 2022, crash
In December 2020 my vehicle was involved in an accident where I hit a curb which cracked my rim and deployed airbags. My airbag light is on I'm passenger seat belt is stuck due to airbag.
Power train, Mar 27, 2022
Water pump failed and car began to overheat. The car advised that it was turning off my heat due to the car getting too hot and then advised to stop the car due to overheating. When i took it to a certified chevy dealership the mechanic stated that this car maker and model was well known to leak liquids from many locations under the hood. He said that this car alone has kept them in service with as many repairs they have to do for these cars. My car was the fourth Chevy Cruze there that day that had some type of liquid leaking from under the hood. If this is that well known an issue with these type of cars then chevy should have a recall to fix this obvious malfunction so i wanted to make sure i Made a complaint on this in case others had not.
Other or unspecified, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Feb 26, 2022
Reduced engine power & service stabilitrek. Service Engine light came on, and I had reduced power on the highway in the fast/passing lane with people behind me, this issue caused my car to suddenly slow down about 30mph, causing cars behind me to slam on their brakes and cut in front of other cars to the slow lane to avoid rear ending me