2018 Chevrolet Cruze
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Engine is the leading concern among 109 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 8th highest complaint count among 10 Cruze model years with reports.
Of the 2018 reports, 17 involved a crash and 3 involved a fire. 7 people were injured and 1 person died.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Power train, automatic transmissionOct 29, 2020
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.
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.
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.
Campaign 20V668000 on NHTSA.gov
Service brakes, hydraulic, foundation components, disc, caliperAug 30, 2018
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.
A reduction of braking performance can increase the risk of a crash.
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.
Campaign 18V576000 on NHTSA.gov
Fuel system, gasolineMay 10, 2018
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."
A fuel leak, in the presence of an ignition source, increases the risk of a fire.
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.
Campaign 18V304000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: service brakes
13 reports, newest first. Show all
Steering, Service brakes, Engine, Jan 4, 2025
Purchased new in 2019 – 32k miles - Oil changes every 6 months. Lightly driven, no modifications, all original engine components and tune. Engine developed a significant miss. Several warnings on Stabilitrak, ABS, and P0300. Significant oil leak at front of engine, oil is splashed all over the passenger side of the engine compartment. There is significant ‘chugging’ of air and oil from the dipstick tube and from the oil filler cap. This condition indicates excessive pressure leakage to the crankcase that is caused by a crack or failure to the #1 piston which is a very, very, very common failure with an extensive and indisputably documented history with the 1.4 engine throughout the history of the Chevrolet Cruze since its introduction. Compression test shows cylinder #1 at about 80 PSI while cylinders 2, 3, and 4 are at 190 PSI. This proves that there is a catastrophic compression leak down into the engine crankcase causing the misfire P0300 and the resulting excessive crankcase pressure causing the oil leak at the front of the engine and the expelling of air and oil from the dipstick tube and from the oil filler cap. This needs to be a warranty repair and the cost covered 100% by GM as it is a known defect with this engine since it has been first been used in their cars. Refer to: GM Bulletin: 18-NA-171 - [XXX] GM Bulletin: PIP5490D - [XXX] GM Bulletin: PIP5421 - [XXX] Reading through the extensive volume of posts on the #1 piston failure, GM/Chevrolet should have acknowledged this and a recall should have been issued and the warranty extended to cover an piston and/or piston ring failures with the 1.4 engine no matter what year or what vehicle it was installed in. I have additional links documenting the frequency of the piston and/or piston ring failure in the 1.4 engine: INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Service brakes, Dec 7, 2024
The rear brakes are gouging the rotors on both wheels. The car has less than 26,000 miles on it. Front brakes are still in excellent condition and and car is having no problem with braking except there is noise. Have not yet talked with anyone at a dealer. There is no indication of any problem except for the noise. However rear brakes and rotors will need to be replaced or braking will become an issue.
Service brakes, Hydraulic, May 9, 2022
The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Cruze. The contact stated while driving approximately 50 MPH, his brake warning light had illuminated. The contact stated that he attempted to depress the brake pedal however, the brakes failed to engage, causing him to use the parking brake to stop the vehicle. The contact stated that he was able to pull off the road into a parking lot to evaluate the vehicle. The contact stated that after exiting the vehicle, he saw brake fluid leaking from the driver’s side rear brake caliber. The contact stated that the vehicle was towed back and remained at the residence. The contact stated that he then contacted the dealer, and manufacturer who advised him that the vehicle would not be covered for the repair. The failure mileage was 51,200.
Service brakes, Dec 14, 2020, crash
I GO TO BRAKE AT A LIGHT, AND I RELEASE MY FOOT OF THE BREAK . AND MY CAR STALLED. I PUT INTO PARK. THAN PUT IT BACK IN DRIVE AND I TRIED TO ACCELERATE AND MY CAR DIDNT BUDGE... I HAD TO TURB MY CAR ON AND OFF FOR IT TO WORK AGAIN... THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING
Suspension, Electrical system, Service brakes, Nov 7, 2020, crash
MY SON BOUGHT HIS CAR NOT EVEN HAPPEN IN A MONTH HE HIT A DEER HE SAID IT FELT WEIRD LIKE THE BRAKING SYSTEM WENT WEIRD NOT EVEN THINKING IT WENT TO AN AUTO BODY SHOP AND MY FATHER TOLD ME TO LOOK UP RECALLS AND IT WILL NOT LET ME LOOK IT UP IT'S IN THE VIN ISN'T RECOGNIZED BY GMC SO I'M CURIOUS ON WHAT'S GOING ON WITH HIS CAR IF THERE WAS ANY RECALLS OR IF IT WAS MECHANICAL ISSUE I'D LIKE PAUL TO THE SIDE BRAKES FOR A WEIRD IT WAS IN WAYNE COUNTY OHIO ON ROUTE 585 AT THE END OF OCTOBER 2020
Power train, Service brakes, Sep 21, 2020
WHEN DRIVING MY 2018 CHEVY CRUZE I HAD MULTIPLE INSTANCES WHERE THE CLUTCH PEDAL WOULD GO TO THE FLOOR AND NOT RELEASE, AND THE TRANSMISSION COULD NOT BE SHIFTED INTO GEAR. GENERAL MOTORS HAS A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN (TSB) ON THE ISSUE STATING THAT CONTAMINATION OF THE HYDRAULIC FLUID CAUSES THE ISSUE AND IT IS ONLY A WARRANTY REPLACEMENT FOR GASOLINE CARS (THE DIESEL MODELS ARE NOT COVERED BY THE WARRANTY IN THE TSB) IF THE CAR IS STILL WITHIN THE 5-YEAR, 60,000 MILE POWERTRAIN WARRANTY. THIS IS THE SAME ISSUE THAT AFFECTS OPEL/VAUXHALL ASTRA CARS IN THE UK AND EUROPE AS THEY SHARE THE SAME PARTS (OPEL/VAUXHALL USED TO BE OWNED BY GM AND USED THE SAME POWERTRAIN). THE SAFETY RECALL IN EUROPE CONSISTED OF REPLACING SEVERAL TRANSMISSION AND BRAKE SYSTEM COMPONENTS AS THE BRAKES SHARE THE SAME HYDRAULIC RESERVOIR AS THE CLUTCH. GM IS IGNORING THIS DANGEROUS PROBLEM IN THE USA AND REFUSING TO FIX THE ISSUE AS A PRODUCT RECALL. THEY HAVE IT AS A TSB THAT IS ONLY A WARRANTY REPAIR IF THE PROBLEM OCCURS BEFORE THE WARRANTY RUNS OUT ON THE AFFECTED CARS. *JS
Electronic stability control (ESC), Service brakes, Engine, Jul 30, 2020
I HAVE A 2018 CRUZE THAT I WAS DRIVING ON A 4 LANE HIGHWAY ON TOP OF A MOUNTAIN, THE BRAKES WENT OUT WITH ME AND MY 6 MONTH OLD IN CAR, I WAS ABLE TO GET TO SHOULDER, TOWED TO CHEVY, THEY SAID IT WAS A FAULTY BRAKE PUMP, AND CHARGED ME 500 TO FIX IT. THEN LESS THAN 2 WEEKS LATER, SAME MOUNTAIN, SAME THING, TOWED TO THE SAME CHEVY, THEY SAID THAT THE REPLACEMENT PUMP HAD EXPLODED AND IT WAS CAUSED BY ENGINE PISTON ISSUES, AND WANT 5 GRAND TO FIX IT. I BELIEVE THAT CHEVY BROKE THE CAR THE FIRST TIME AND BESIDES THE FACT, EXPLODING BRAKE PUMPS, 2 IN A ROW IS VERY SCARY. LUCKILY ME AND MY CHILD ARE STILL ALIVE TO BE COMPLAINING ABOUT IT, BUT WE SERIOUSLY CAME VERY CLOSE TO BEING KILLED BY THESE FAULTY BRAKES TWICE. I DON'T KNOW IF THEY LIED ABOUT THE REPAIR OR IF IT REALLY IS TWO EXPLODING BRAKE PUMPS IN A ROW, BUT EITHER WAY, THESE EXPLODING BRAKES PUMPS ARE GOING TO KILL SOMEONE AND IT WAS ALMOST ME AND MY 6 MONTH OLD BABY. THE CHEVROLET DEALER IS AUTO NATION IN VALENCIA CA.
Service brakes, Nov 6, 2019, crash, fire
I WAS TRAVELLING ON THE INTERSTATE AT ABOUT 50 MPH WHEN TRAFFIC CAME TO A SUDDEN STOP. I SLAMMED ON MY BRAKES IN PLENTY OF TIME, BUT I REAR-ENDED THE VAN IN FRONT OF ME. AT THE TIME I THOUGHT I MUST HAVE SKIDDED INTO THE VAN, BUT LOOKING AT THE COLLISION SITE LATER, THERE WERE NO TIRE MARKS.
Service brakes, Oct 29, 2019, crash
I WAS INVOLVED IN A REAR END COLLISION WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE WHEN APPROACHING AN INTERSECTION. RATE OF SPEED WAS 40 MPH, AND WHEN BRAKES WERE FIRMLY/HEAVILY APPLIED, THE VEHICLE DID NOT STOP, WHICH CAUSED ME TO REAR END THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME.
Air bags, Structure, Service brakes, May 21, 2019, crash
MY CRUZE WAS EVOLVED IN A FRONT END ACCIDENT THAT THE BRAKES OPERATION IS IN QUESTION
Wheels, Service brakes, Mar 15, 2019
TAMAKA RECALL SQUEAKY NOISE COMING FROM FRONT LEFT AXLE WHEN DRIVING VEHICLE ON HIGHWAY OR CITY STREET. FRONT BREAKS LEAKING.
Service brakes, Feb 20, 2019, crash
I HAVE THE VEHICLE SERVICE FOR THE 30,000 MILES FLUSH ON JANUARY 21,2019. ON JANUARY 29TH I WAS ON THE FREEWAY IN MORNING TRAFFIC HEADING NORTH ON THE 110 WHEN AT 25 MILES I MADE A SUDDEN STOP DUE TO THE CAR IMFRONT OF ME. MY CAR DIDN'T STOP AND SLAMMED INTO THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. MY CAR WAS REPORTED TO BE TWO DAYS LATER AS A TOTAL LOSS. I'M GRATEFUL MY KIDS, SISTER AND I WEREN'T INJURED. JUST DOESN'T MAKE SENSE AFTER JUST PAYING ALMOST $500 A WEEK BEFORE FOR SERVICING.
Service brakes, Nov 28, 2018, crash
AS I WAS BACKING OUT I PLACED MY FOOT ON THE GAS AS I GOT READY TO BREAK I PLACED MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE, BUT THAT'S WHEN MY FOOT SLIPPED OFF THE PEDAL AND BACKED INTO THE PERSON BEHIND ME.