2018 Chevrolet Cruze

What owners report most often

1. Engine27
2. Other or unspecified24
3. Power train23
4. Electrical system14
5. Service brakes13
6. Steering9
7. Air bags8
8. Fuel/propulsion system6

Recalls and investigations

1. 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

2. 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

3. 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: other or unspecified

24 reports, newest first. Show all

1. Other or unspecified, Jun 18, 2026

   My 2018 Chevy Cruz has developed a sticky or tacky surface discovered when I was cleaning my interior. I used warm water and soap to clean all plastics. Tried to dry off my dash with paper towels and discovered the issue . My car has been garage kept since its purchase so I have no idea as my previous vehicles never had this issue.

2. Other or unspecified, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Mar 15, 2026

   Unknown. The car seems to stall or slip when accelerating as is misfiring. It cuts off in the middle of the streets after coming out of auto stop mode. Pcv valve keeps popping up as issue. I had the pcv changed o2 sensors checked cleaned throttle body and air filter changed. The car still gives same problem and engine power reduction keeps popping on dashboard.

3. Other or unspecified, Jan 24, 2026

   Hesitate to change gears properly. Engine stalling. RPM will rive up. Sounds like the transmission wants to slip.

4. Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Aug 22, 2025

   I own a 2018 Chevrolet Cruze, and the infotainment touchscreen system has completely frozen with the same error screen that many other Cruze owners have reported online. This is not simply a case of an unresponsive touchscreen — the system locks up with an identical error screen across multiple Cruze vehicles (different years and trims). The issue disables all touchscreen functions, including Bluetooth connectivity, media, phone integration, and certain vehicle settings. While FM radio may continue to play, the rest of the infotainment system is unusable. This creates both a safety concern and a defect pattern, because many modern vehicle functions are tied to the infotainment system. This is not a random failure — dozens of other Cruze owners have posted identical photos of the exact same frozen error screen on forums and complaint boards. That suggests a common underlying software or hardware defect, not isolated damage. The fact that it fails in the same way for so many vehicles indicates a systemic flaw that should qualify for a recall or manufacturer fix. General Motors has not provided any support or recall notice for this issue. Owners are being told to replace the entire infotainment unit at high personal cost, even though it is clearly a widespread design or programming defect. Approximate date of incident: [Insert when your screen froze first] Mileage at the time of incident: ~[Insert your odometer reading, e.g., 121,000 miles] Additional Notes: •Disconnecting/reconnecting the battery does not resolve the issue. •The error persists across resets, and no software update is available. •This is well-documented online, and the failure is identical across different Cruze vehicles, pointing to a recall-worthy defect.

5. Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Aug 22, 2025

   The infotainment touchscreen on my 2018 Chevrolet Cruze has become unresponsive and frozen on the startup warning screen. Because of this, I am unable to access basic functions such as Bluetooth, CarPlay, and Android Auto. The radio (FM) still works, but I cannot connect my phone for calls, navigation, or music. This issue is widely reported by many other Cruze owners, yet there is no recall or official fix from the manufacturer. The problem is a safety concern because I cannot use hands-free calling or navigation as intended. The dealer quoted me a $190 diagnostic fee and several hundred dollars for replacement, which feels unfair for what appears to be a common defect. I believe Chevrolet should address this issue through a recall or warranty support. Please investigate as this affects driver safety and usability.

6. Steering, Other or unspecified, Sep 29, 2024

   9/28/2024 abs light and traction control light came on my 2018 chevy Cruze LT along with steering assist reduced while driving home making car hard to steer above 50 mph and coming into curves Chevrolet needs to be made to recall and repair this problem, I have noticed a lot of Cruze owners having the same problem could be dangerous while driving without some previous indication or prior warranting.

7. Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Mar 22, 2024

   UNKNOWN! I do not have much car knowledge but I do know that the transmission has blown in my 2018 Chevy Cruze two times and the shifter made a clicking noise that was very alarming. I have a video but the option to upload a file is only for pictures, I think the video is very crucial to understanding what I mean by clicking noise. The noise was would come randomly about 4 months after having the car. At the time I was [XXX] with no experience of even having my own vehicle and didn’t know I should have taken it back, now it’s too late because my warranty is up. This issue is common and many experts I’ve spoken to are aware that the Chevy cruzes have transmission issues. There was a recall for a “transmission bolt” I took my car to Chevy Cruze in Poughkeepsie New York for the recall and 18 days later my transmission blew. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

8. Power train, Vehicle speed control, Other or unspecified, Mar 14, 2024

   Shortly after I merge onto a highway and pickup speed my cruze apears to be slipping gears. It does not do it every time but it appears to be happening increasingly often. It starts to shake violently, becomes hard to stear and refuses to excelerate even though the rpm's are rising significantly higher then they should be, leaving me going 35 - 40mph on a 65mph highway, it does not fully decelerate either. It happened the other day and the road speed was 65mph to start which my car wouldn't do then immediately became congested which is when I realized it wouldn't properly decelerate either, at least before I thought I coupd just pull over if it lasted to long. My car only has 22,000 miles on it and was certified pre-owned. It is regularly maintenanced as well. I have not taken it to be inspected just yet but that is my next step as I don't feel at all safe driving it in this condition.

9. Other or unspecified, Jul 16, 2023

   We have had this car for little over a 1.5yrs without any issues. Within the past 2 months, the vehicle has been malfunctioning, primarily the auto stop feature. On four separate occasions, when braking is engaged and bringing the vehicle to full stop, the engine cuts off, leaving all other components running, and the check engine light comes on. After approximately 1.5 hours of waiting, the engine turns on, the check engine light is gone and once it reaches the service center, diagnostics are unable to detect any issues. There are 3 calls on our account for our vehicle issue. The problem is that in every incident, the vehicle could not be recovered to have it at the service center within less than 2 hours to be properly diagnosed. When connected to the diagnostics, there isn't an indication of the malfunction. The first incident occurred May13,2023, at a stop light within 3 miles of the dealership, on our way to a family birthday party, 2 hours away. Service center was within an hour of closing, and asked we tow it there, they will investigate on May 15,2023, when they are open. After waiting in 90degree+ weather for AAA for almost 2 hours, (they said we would have to wait for 3 hours), I attempted to start the vehicle, and it turned over. We drove home and brought it to the service center, nothing on diagnostics. Frustrated, we left. Second incident occurred on July 5,2023, morning of my knee surgery. I was stranded on an off ramp at a light. We towed it to the dealership, again, and they were too busy to look at right away. By the next morning, it resolved itself. Again. Third incident occurred July 11, 2023, in Greensboro, after an appointment consulting on oral surgery and scheduling for my wife, in the parking lot of the office. We called the dealership, and for approximately 45 min. they tried to assist, no avail. 1.5hrs pass, it starts. AGAIN, doesn't register. Fourth incident on July 15, 2023, in my driveway. It started this morning. BEYOND frustrated.

10. Other or unspecified, Aug 25, 2022

    I was at a stop light and when I hit the gas pedal to go on green light the car stalled and died. I tried turning off and restarting but nothing happened. I was in a busy intersection and could have been hit. A kind stranger helped me push it out of the intersection. Car has to be towed and I am waiting for service department to let me know what the problem is. I have canceled 1 1/2 days of work and will probably have to be out another day. I will also probably have rent a car until problem is fixed.

11. Other or unspecified, Engine, Mar 2, 2022

    I got my vehicle through a local dealership in town, in July of 2020 and only a couple months later my problems started. The vehicle started to vibrate violently and almost jerk back and forth on its own whenever I would drive it. And whenever I did come to a complete stop and accelerate the vehicle would hesitate a bit, it felt like I would have to really force it in order to keep driving. That same feeling would occur whenever I would have to drive on the highway it felt like I was pushing really hard on the gas in order to move. Which lead to my stability track message to appear on the dash as well as the check engine light. Then finally one day while I was driving and making a right turn to exit a shopping center my vehicle just stopped out of nowhere. I was unable to drive I tried putting it in neutral and reversing but nothing worked. I couldn't even take my keys out the ignition or turn off the vehicle I was completely stuck casing traffic on a busy street until what felt like five minutes later, I was able to turn it on and off and drive home. I then took my vehicle to the local Chevy dealership where they kept my car for a week even though no work was done to it. They wanted me to let them take apart my engine to determine what the problem was, and I was advised by multiple sources including my vehicle warranty to not let them do a tear down. The service consultant said they couldn't find a reason why my vehicle just stopped on me and blew it off as nothing. I then took it to a local mechanic in town where they replaced my air filter, spark plugs, and did a mass air flow clean. However only days later my check engine light appeared again along with the message to service the stability track. The jerking, vibrating feeling is still present when I drive also now whenever I turn on my vehicle.

12. Other or unspecified, Dec 8, 2021

    The radio stays on full bright after dimming the lights. Then when I stop at a red light and the car shuts off when I release the break my car jumps makes engine makes a it rev up like the switching of the gears or something. And when I am driving the speed limt and press the gas to speed up to pass a car the car does not go faster the RPM' only go up like I am going to blow the motor u.i do not know anything about the

13. Other or unspecified, Jun 11, 2021

    Auto Start-Stop failed. I was in heavy traffic in 90 degree heat with the air on max. Stopped at a light so engine turned off. When light turned green I pressed on the gas and my 2018 Chevy Cruz did not start!! I could have gotten rear ended because I was holding up traffic on Telegraph Road in Taylor MI. I tried starting it and was flustered and scared. The dash said "SHIFT TO PARK". So I did and then it started. But that should not have happened. A different day on a freeway in heavy traffic there was a long delay one time before it started. That was scary also. But at least it started. Today, June 11, 2021, it did not start. Something has to be wrong. A car should not do that. Very dangerous situation. I wish I could turn off the auto stop where it stops the engine every time you come to a complete stop. I don't like it at all. Now the dealer has to keep it 4 days. It is under warranty still. It only has 34,000 miles on it.

14. Other or unspecified, Engine, Jan 28, 2020

    I WAS 3 FEET FROM TURNING LEFT AT INTERSECTION LEFT LANE TURN (LIGHT HAD JUST TURNED GREEN) THROUGH A INTERSECTION, WHEN I NOTICED MY ENGINE WAS OFF. I ROLLED ACROSS THE INTERSECTION; ATTEMPTED TO RESTART THE CAR - CAR DIDN'T START. THE ELECTRICITY IN CAR WAS STILL ON AND NORMAL. COOLANT WAS AT NORMAL TEMP. ONLY RADIO WAS ON LOW VOLUME. NO DASHBOARD LIGHTS- NOR MESSAGES APPEARED. CAR WOULDN'T RESTART. WAS STUCK HALFWAY IN RIGHT (ONCOMING TRAFFIC) TURN LANE & HALF IN BUSINESS DRIVEWAY. PUT CAR IN PARK & TRIED TO TURN ON AGAIN. NOTHING. STEERING, BRAKES, LIGHTS AND DOORS WERE FUNCTIONAL. GOT HELP TO PUSH CAR IN A PARKING SPACE. TURNED OFF CAR COMPLETELY & ATTEMPTED TO TURN ON. CAR CRANKED & ALMOST STARTED. TRIED AGAIN - NOTHING. TURNED OFF & REMOVED KEYS TO GET OUT OF CAR TO LOOK UNDER HOOD. ALL LOOKED NORMAL. GOT BACK INSIDE CAR, ATTEMPTED TO START. IT CAME ON FOR 5 SECONDS THEN DIED. WAITED. NO DASHBOARD LIGHTS NOR ERROR MESSAGES. FINALLY GOT CAR TO CRANK AND IT STAYED ON. NO ERROR MESSAGES. WENT TROUGH CAR SCREEN AND VOLTAGE WAS NORMAL 13 +/- VOLTS; IDLE WAS NORMAL - DID NOT MOVE AROUND. LEFT BUSINESS WHEN MESSAGE SAID ABOUT HAVING ANTILOCK BREAKS CHECKED BUT HAS NOT APPEARED ON CAR SCREEN SINCE (DIDN'T PRESS BREAKS BEFORE IT DIED. I PREFER ENGINE BREAKING). RECEIVED EMAIL FROM ONSTAR THAT "AN ISSUE WITH THE STABILITRAK STABILITY CONTROL SYSTEM IN YOUR 2018 CHEVROLET CRUZE HAS BEEN DETECTED. PLEASE SERVICE YOUR VEHICLE WITHIN 7 DAYS. & AN ISSUE WITH THE ANTILOCK BRAKING SYSTEM IN YOUR 2018 CHEVROLET CRUZE HAS BEEN DETECTED". I WAS ALMOST HIT BY A TRUCK WHILE STUCK HALF WAY IN STREET. CALLED AND COMPLAINED TO GM. GM REP SAID I AM PAST WARRANTY BY 9,000 MILES (CAR IS 1.5 YRS OLD). THEY CANT HELP. TOLD ME TO GO TO DEALERSHIP. CALLED 4 DEALERSHIPS, NO TECHS ON SATURDAYS AND NO LOANERS SINCE OUT OF WARRANTY. NO ERROR CODES STILL. NO LIGHTS LIT UP. CAR IS ACTING NORMAL.

15. Steering, Other or unspecified, Aug 30, 2019

    IT STARTED AROUND THE 18TH OF THIS MONTH. WHEN I GO TO TURN MY CAR MAKING A POPPING SOUND... I TAKE IT INTO MY CHEVY DEALERSHIP THEY STATE ITS THE STEERING RACK.. THEY REPLACE MY STEERING GEAR AT N/C BECAUSE AT THAT TIME I WAS ABLE TO GET IT IN WARRANTY, WE ARE NOT ON MY THIRD VISIT NO LONGER UNDER GM WARRANTY DUE TO MILES AND I STILL HEAR POPPING WHEN TURNING..

16. Other or unspecified, Aug 30, 2019

    CAR HAS A TICKING NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE BAY. CURRENTLY AT A CHEVY DEALERSHIP, BUT NOISE HAS TEMPORARILY GONE AWAY. SEEMS THAT THEY CAN'T FIND THE ISSUE AT THE MOMENT BUT IT SEEMS THAT OTHER OLDER AND NEWER VEHICLES OF THEY SAME KIND AS MINE (CHEVY CRUZE 2018) 1.4L AUTOMATIC HAS HAD SIMILAR ISSUES WITH A TICKING NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE BAY AREA. THIS TICKING NOISE LASTED A WHOLE DAY BUT WENT AWAY THIS MORNING ONCE DRIVING THE CAR FOR ABOUT 10 MINUTES ON HIGHWAY.

17. Other or unspecified, Aug 12, 2019

    WENT TO STOP AND PEDAL GOT HARD TO PUSH DOWN THIS HAS HAPPENED ON 3 SEPARATE OCCASIONS THE FIRST TIME IT WAS UNDER WARRANTY THE 2ND TIME IT HAPPENED I HAD AMECHANIC FIX IT THE 3RD TIME I TOOK IT TO A CHEVROLET DEALER THIS SHOULDN'T HAPPEN TO A VEHICLE 15 MONTHS OLD

18. Other or unspecified, Jul 31, 2019

    THE TIRE PRESSURE MONITOR SYSTEM IS MESSING UP ALL THE TIME. I WAS HEADED TO MY SISTER IN LAWS IN MARYLAND AND I WAS 2 HRS AWAY FROM HER HOUSE N 3 HOURS AWAY FROM MY HOUSE AND THE TIRE LIGHT CAME ON AND MY CAR SAID THAT MY TIRE PRESSURE WAS LOW. I WAS ON A BUSY HIGHWAY AND I FREAKED OUT BC I COULDN'T GET OVER TO FIX MY TIRE. I ENDED UP GETTING OVER AND FINDING OUT THAT MY TIRE WAS COMPLETELY FINE AND IT WAS JUST THE SYSTEM MESSING UP. I STARTED DRIVING AGAIN AND AS I WAS DRIVING MY CAR STARTED READING THAT THE TIRE PRESSURE WAS SLOWLY GOING BACK UP TO WERE IT'S SUPPOSED TO BE. EVER SINCE THEN THE TIRE PRESSURE MONITOR GOES OFF AND THEN GOES AWAY AFTER AWHILE.

19. Other or unspecified, Jun 11, 2019

    THIS IS A DIESEL CRUZ. OF NO FAULT OF MY OWN, THE CAR MUST BE TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO HAVE A MANUAL REGENERATION OF THE EXHAUST PARTICULATE FILTER PERFORMED WITH 16K MILES ON THE CAR.

20. Exterior lighting, Other or unspecified, Feb 13, 2019

    WATER IS LEAKING INTO THE TRUNK. IT WAS SUPPOSEDLY REPAIRED ON 1/12/2019. I HAD TO RETURN ON 1/21/2019 BECAUSE WATER WAS STILL LEAKING INTO THE TRUNK. THEN AFTER APPARENTLY BEING FIXED AGAIN, I WAS FORCED TO RETURN ON 1/30/2019 WITH WATER STILL LEAKING INTO THE TRUNK, NOTHING WAS DONE (I HAVE PICTURES AND VIDEO OF SAID LEAK).

21. Other or unspecified, Oct 24, 2018

    2018 DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS ISSUE NIGHT TIME DRIVING THE DISPLAY IS WAY TO BRIGHT. DIMMING LIGHTS WITH DIMMER SWITCH HAS NO RESULTS. DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS IS SO DISTRACTING IT BLINDS OCCUPANTS OF THE VEHICLE. CONTACTING CHEVROLET THEY DISPLAYED IGNORANCE OF THE PROBLEM. A SEARCH OF THE INTERNET PROVIDE MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS OF THIS PROBLEM ON SEVERAL MODEL IN ADDITION TO THE CRUISE

22. Other or unspecified, Oct 11, 2018

    THE COMPUTER SCREEN IN THE DASH STAYS AT FULL BRIGHTNESS AT NIGHT. THIS MAKES FOR A BLIND SPOT DRIVING AND VERY HARD TO PARK THE CAR ON THE STREET AS IT BLOCKS VIEW TO THE MIRROR ON RIGHT.

23. Other or unspecified, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Aug 17, 2018, fire

    WHILE DRIVING MY 2018 CHEVY CRUZE THE OIL LIGHT CAME ON, THE ENGINE LOCKED UP, AND THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE. THE DEALERSHIP SAID THAT IT WAS DUE TO A FUEL LINE SPRAYING FUEL ON THE ENGINE.

24. Other or unspecified, Jul 23, 2018

    THE INTERIOR OF THE CAR HAS SEVERAL AREAS WITH CHROME TYPE OF MATERIAL FOR DECORATIONS. DURING DAYTIME DRIVING, THE SUN HITS IT AND BLINDS ME, SO IT PREVENTS ME FROM DRIVING SAFELY UNTIL SUNDOWN.