Total Complaints
158 filings
CHEVROLET CRUZE · model year
158 NHTSA complaints, 27 crash reports, and 3 active recalls for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
5 / 5 ★
New Car Assessment Program
The 2018CHEVROLETCRUZE carries 158 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 27 crashes, 5 fires, 12 injuries, and 1 fatality. For crash performance, NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gave this cohort an overall 5/5 rating, with 5/5 front crash, 4/5 side crash, and 4/5 rollover scores derived from standardized barrier and dynamic tests.
Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2018 CRUZE is engine with 25 filings, followed by power train (23) and unknown or other (22). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 3 active recall campaigns, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.
NHTSA currently has 57 investigation files overlapping the 2018 CRUZE, and 2 remain open. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.
Total Complaints
158 filings
Crashes Reported
27 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
At or below the fleet median complaint volume.
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| ENGINE | 25 |
| POWER TRAIN | 23 |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 22 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 14 |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 12 |
| STEERING | 9 |
| AIR BAGS | 8 |
| WHEELS | 5 |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 5 |
| FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | 4 |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING | 4 |
| VISIBILITY/WIPER | 4 |
| SUSPENSION | 3 |
| STRUCTURE:BODY | 3 |
| ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) | 3 |
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER
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 insuf
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
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. Th
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
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 requirem
-The engine experienced internal failure resulting in low compression in cylinder 1. The failure has rendered the vehicle inoperable. The vehicle and engine are currently available for inspection upon request. The issue was diagnosed and confirmed by both an independent mechanic and an authorized Chevrolet dealership. Both identified low compression in cylinder 1 due to internal engine failure. The vehicle has been inspected by an independent mechanic and an authorized Chevrolet dealership at the request of General Motors. The vehicle became undrivable due to the engine issue. There were no significant prior warnings that would have indicated imminent internal engine failure. The check engine light turned on 2/9/26 and was first taken into a shop the next day, 2/10/26.
The steering started to shake. The car seat started to shake as well. It felt very unsafe, but there was no serious injury. John from Feldman Chevrolet in New Hudson, Michigan said that there is a "Cylinder 1 misfire code". After the car started shaking, the engine light came on. John told us that the engine should be replaced.
The steering started to shake. The car seat started to shake as well. It felt very unsafe, but there was no serious injury. John from Feldman Chevrolet in New Hudson, Michigan said that there is a "Cylinder 1 misfire code". After the car started shaking, the engine light came on. John told us that the engine should be replaced.
Hesitate to change gears properly. Engine stalling. RPM will rive up. Sounds like the transmission wants to slip.
My vehicle would jerk while driving and sometimes not want to even go at a stop light when it turned green. Check engine light has been on. Even when I was at a stop light it would just start jerking forward. I took it to an automotive repair shop after replacing multiple parts on the vehicle. Automotive shop ran a compression test and said it failed. Internal cylinder issue. So the vehicle barely runs and I just got it close to three years ago.
The car is making a whistling sound, the check engine light is on and it has low power. Also wanting to stall
The car is making a whistling sound, the check engine light is on and it has low power. Also wanting to stall
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.
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.
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 â 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 â 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 vehicl
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 â 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 â 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 vehicl
P0325 knock sensor multiple occurrences of sluggish performance causing safety risk when entering into traffic. This is the 3rd time Iâve replaced this sensor. And itâs very dangerous when it happens. This happens at the exact same time last year at the end of June beginning of July 2024 as well which made Chicago driving very dangerous.
P0325 knock sensor multiple occurrences of sluggish performance causing safety risk when entering into traffic. This is the 3rd time Iâve replaced this sensor. And itâs very dangerous when it happens. This happens at the exact same time last year at the end of June beginning of July 2024 as well which made Chicago driving very dangerous.
Service safety restraint system. Airbags are potentially at risk to not deploy if a wreck was to occur. This failure has caused the airbags to be shut off despite anyone sitting in the seats that is supposed to activate them on when weight is applied to the seat. Has not been inspected but I would like for it to be inspected on behalf of the Chevy dealership at their cost.
Service safety restraint system. Airbags are potentially at risk to not deploy if a wreck was to occur. This failure has caused the airbags to be shut off despite anyone sitting in the seats that is supposed to activate them on when weight is applied to the seat. Has not been inspected but I would like for it to be inspected on behalf of the Chevy dealership at their cost.
Service safety restraint system. Airbags are potentially at risk to not deploy if a wreck was to occur. This failure has caused the airbags to be shut off despite anyone sitting in the seats that is supposed to activate them on when weight is applied to the seat. Has not been inspected but I would like for it to be inspected on behalf of the Chevy dealership at their cost.
While sitting at a stop light the hydraulic clutch line failed causing the clutch pedal to stick to the floor. This issue prevents the clutch actuation preventing the the transmission from being disconnected from the engine. General Motors Bulletin number: PIP5558C was found and appears to be the issue.
EGR Cooler issues. Has been confirmed by dealer. CEL light on. Iâve been told GM âhas issuesâ with theseâ¦GM should issue recall.
Purchased new in 2019 â 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 âchuggingâ 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
Purchased new in 2019 â 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 âchuggingâ 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
Loss of motive power due to engine failure
Loss of Motive Power due to the Battery Energy Control Module
Electric Vehicle Battery Fires
Outboard Front Seat Belt Anchor Cable Failure
Fuel Line Leak
Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.