2014 Chevrolet Cruze Power Train Problems

Source: NHTSA · Updated Aug 21, 2026 · 97 complaints analyzed

Owners have filed 97 complaints with NHTSA about power train problems on the 2014 Chevrolet Cruze, 14% of all complaints for this model year. Half of the reports with a mileage happened before 44,750 miles. The words owners use most often: “traction control” (7% of reports).

What owners describe

Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.

  • Traction control: mentioned in 7 of 97 complaints (7%)
  • Water pump: mentioned in 6 of 97 complaints (6%)
  • Catalytic converter: mentioned in 5 of 97 complaints (5%)

At what mileage do power train problems happen?

Based on 64 complaints that reported the odometer reading.

Under 10k miles19 · 30%
10k–25k miles8 · 13%
25k–50k miles10 · 16%
50k–75k miles14 · 22%
75k–100k miles10 · 16%
100k–150k miles2 · 3%
150k+ miles1 · 2%

How serious are the reports?

Of 97 complaints, 3 mention a crash, 3 an injury.

Chevrolet Cruze power train complaints by model year

Peak: 2011, with 193 complaints
2010: 1201012011: 19320111932012: 13720121372013: 11320131132014: 972014972015: 372015372016: 312016312017: 392017392018: 232018232019: 820198

n = 679 complaints · Source: NHTSA

Model yearPower Train complaintsShare of that yearMedian miles
2019 Cruze835%63,029
2018 Cruze2321%51,864
2017 Cruze3919%32,695
2016 Cruze3112%48,000
2015 Cruze3715%59,213
2014 Cruze9714%44,750
2013 Cruze11319%39,603
2012 Cruze13716%57,340
2011 Cruze19326%57,718
2010 Cruze150%30,000

When owners reported it

Peak: 2014, with 18 complaints
2014: 182014182015: 6201562016: 112016112017: 6201762018: 152018152019: 9201992020: 8202082021: 8202182022: 7202272024: 4202442025: 3202532026: 220262

n = 97 complaints · Source: NHTSA

Related recalls (4)

Electrical system:ignition; power train:automatic transmission:control module (tcm/pcm/tecm)Jul 5, 2016 · NHTSA campaign 16V502000 · 8,367 vehicles

Problem: 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."

Risk: If the key is removed without the transmission in PARK, the vehicle may rollaway as occupants are exiting, increasing the risk of injury.

Fix: 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.

Power train:axle assembly:axle shaftMar 31, 2014 · NHTSA campaign 14V151000 · 174,046 vehicles

Problem: 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.

Risk: 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.

Fix: 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.

Power train:automatic transmissionFeb 21, 2014 · NHTSA campaign 14V092000 · 355 vehicles

Problem: 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."

Risk: 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.

Fix: 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.

Power train:axle assembly:axle shaftSep 23, 2013 · NHTSA campaign 13V452000 · 3,161 vehicles

Problem: 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.

Risk: 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.

Fix: 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.

What owners report

Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.

For the first question, I’d strengthen it to: The vehicle has experienced repeated engine and engine-cooling system failures, including recurring overheating and coolant loss. Over approximately the past year, I have had to replace or repair numerous components, including the radiator, thermostat…

Received Aug 21, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11758553

The contact owns a 2014 Chevrolet Cruze. The contact stated that while attempting to move the gear shifter, the vehicle hesitated while shifting into neutral(N) or drive(D) as intended, and there was an abnormal sound coming from underneath the vehicle. No warning light was illuminated. The contact…

Received Aug 13, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11756664

The contact owns a 2014 Chevrolet Cruze. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the door locks were opening and closing independently. The contact stated that the instrument cluster was also flashing several unknown warning lights. The contact stated that the heater and the A/C were…

Received May 27, 2025 · NHTSA complaint 11663067
Chevrolet Cruze
Photographed in Queens, New York. Representative photo; appearance varies by model year. Photo: Kevauto, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Frequently asked questions

Do all 2014 Chevrolet Cruzes have power train problems?

No. NHTSA has 97 owner complaints about power train for the 2014 Chevrolet Cruze (14% of the 702 complaints for this model year). Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.

Was there a recall on the 2014 Chevrolet Cruze power train?

Yes: 4 safety recalls list power train. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.

At what mileage do power train problems start?

The median reported mileage is 44,750 miles: half of the reports with a mileage came before that.

What do owners say about power train problems on the 2014 Chevrolet Cruze?

The most frequent phrase is “traction control”, in 7 of 97 complaints, followed by “water pump” (6).

Other 2014 Chevrolet Cruze problems

See all 2014 Chevrolet Cruze problems or power train problems across all Cruze years.