Chevrolet Cruze Power Train Problems

Source: NHTSA · Updated Oct 5, 2026 · 679 complaints analyzed

Owners have filed 679 complaints with NHTSA about power train problems on the Chevrolet Cruze across 10 model years. The 2011 model year has the most (193).

How much does it cost to fix?

Owners who wrote down what they paid or were quoted put the typical power train repair on the Chevrolet Cruze at $3,450, and half of them between $2,250 and $5,200.

Based on 17 NHTSA complaints about this problem alone that state a repair bill or quote (2012–2026), converted to 2026 dollars with the U.S. consumer price index. These are owners' own figures, not a quote: they include dealer quotes, and owners who file complaints often faced larger repairs, so they can run higher than typical shop prices. Prices vary by shop, region and warranty coverage. How we calculate this.

At what mileage do power train problems happen?

Based on 476 complaints that reported the odometer reading.

Under 10k miles103 · 22%
10k–25k miles45 · 9%
25k–50k miles79 · 17%
50k–75k miles107 · 22%
75k–100k miles73 · 15%
100k–150k miles56 · 12%
150k+ miles13 · 3%

How serious are the reports?

Of 679 complaints, 18 mention a crash, 5 a fire, 13 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 100 complaints
2011: 212011212012: 26262013: 432013432014: 1001002015: 382015382016: 61612017: 532017532018: 68682019: 722019722020: 47472021: 412021412022: 34342023: 292023292024: 21212025: 142025142026: 1111

n = 679 complaints · Source: NHTSA

Related recalls (6)

Power train:automatic transmissionOct 29, 2020 · NHTSA campaign 20V668000 · 194,105 vehicles

Model years: 2018, 2019

Problem: 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.

Risk: 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.

Fix: 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.

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

Model years: 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016

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

Model years: 2013, 2014

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

Model years: 2014

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

Model years: 2013, 2014

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.

Power train:automatic transmission:gear position indication (prndl)May 6, 2011 · NHTSA campaign 11V273000 · 100,308 vehicles

Model years: 2011

Problem: General motors is recalling certain model year 2011 chevrolet cruze vehicles manufactured from october 6, 2009, through april 27, 2011 and equipped with an automatic transmission for failing to comply with federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 102, 'transmission shift lever sequence, starter interlock, and transmission braking effect,' and federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 114, 'theft protection.' these vehicles may have been built with a transmission shift linkage that is not properly installed. If the linkage is not properly installed, the prndl shift lever may not accurately reflect the position of the transmission gear. With this condition, the driver could move the shifter to park and remove the ignition key, but the transmission gear may not be in park.

Risk: The driver may not be able to restart the vehicle and the vehicle could roll away after the driver has exited the vehicle, resulting in a possible crash without prior warning.

Fix: Dealers will inspect the transmission shift linkage for correct installation and adjust the shift linkage system free of charge. The safety recall began on may 23, 2011. Owners may contact chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438, or www.gmownercenter.com.

What owners report

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

The contact owns a 2019 Chevrolet Cruze. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle suddenly displayed the "Park" light on the instrument panel. The contact pulled over and shifted the vehicle into park to restart it. After restarting the vehicle, the parking brake…

Received Oct 5, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11769108

I purchased the car with my student financial aid money as soon as i got 5 car a few blocks away and the car started boiling.then the key ignition system said use pocket transmitter that didn't work .i purchased a new battery i have a mechanic that's why i purchased the car i was confidant je could…

Received Oct 1, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11768211

COMPONENT: Transmission control system / GM VT40 continuously variable transmission (CVT), RPO code MRG - a rare, fleet-only configuration for this model year, confirmed via the vehicle's factory build/RPO code list. WHAT HAPPENED: While stopped at a red light (engine idling just after an automatic…

Received Sep 25, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11766928

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
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 Chevrolet Cruzes have power train problems?

No. NHTSA has 679 owner complaints about power train for the Chevrolet Cruze. Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.

Was there a recall on the Chevrolet Cruze power train?

Yes: 6 safety recalls list power train. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.

How much does it cost to fix power train problems on the Chevrolet Cruze?

Owners report a typical cost of $3,450 (half paid between $2,250 and $5,200), from 17 complaints that state a repair bill or quote, in 2026 dollars.

Other Chevrolet Cruze problems

See all Chevrolet Cruze problems.