Which year to buy
Bar height: serious owner complaints to NHTSA for that year per car on the road, against this model's usual year.
2014CAREFULSerious complaints 1.8× usual, mostly engine and power train Extended coverage
536 serious complaints of 702, the most about engine (217) and power train (97); per car on the road, 1.8× this model's usual year. 10 recalls.
What owners report
“The contact owns a 2014 Chevrolet Cruze. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact continued driving the vehicle with the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact stated that there was white smoke coming from the front of the vehicle.”
An owner's complaint to NHTSA about the engine, Jun 2024
“The contact owns a 2014 chevrolet cruze. The contact stated that the gear shift failed to switch into the park position without warning. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the transmission control module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure.”
An owner's complaint to NHTSA about the power train, Jul 2015
Fixes and extended coverage
- Extended coverage The accelerator pedal can break at the stalk just below the housing due to the driver entering or exiting the vehicle with their foot resting on the accelerator pedal. 38170 - Special Coverage. (GCUS-9-2629, Aug 2016)
- Extended coverage A diagnostic trouble code P24AE, P24AF, P24C6 or P24C7 may set on some of these vehicles as a result of exhaust particulate sensor failure caused by either sensor contamination or sensor damage from humidity in the exhaust. 16018 - Special Coverage. (GCUS-9-3040, Oct 2016)
- Extended coverage Certain vehicles that are equipped with a diesel engine (RPO LML/LGH/LUZ), a malfunction-indicator light (MIL) may illuminate due to an offset in the temperature sensor in the diesel-emission-reduction fluid (DEF) tank reservoir or increased DEF tank-heater resistance. 29400 Special Coverage. (GCUS-9-3140, Nov 2016)
- Extended coverage Condition On certain 2013-2015 model year Chevrolet Express, Chevrolet Silverado HD, GMC Savana, GMC Sierra HD, and 2014-2015 model year Chevrolet Cruze vehicles that are equipped with a diesel engine (RPO LML/LGH/LUZ), a malfunction-indicator light (MIL) may illuminate due to an offset in the… (29400, Nov 2017)
- Extended coverage Special Coverage - Certain 2014 model year Buick Encore, 2011 - 2014 model year Chevrolet Cruze, 2012 - 2014 model year Chevrolet Sonic, and 2014 model year Chevrolet TRAX vehicles, equipped with a 1.4L Engine (RPO LUJ or LUV), may have a condition where cracks can develop in the diaphragm of the… (N202299080, Jul 2020)
- Extended coverage Some vehicles may have increased friction in the steering system. 14232 - special coverage. (G-205009, Nov 2014)
From the manufacturer's bulletins filed with NHTSA. A dealer can look up whether a car has had the work done or is still covered.
702 owner complaints · 10 recalls (check a car's VIN for open recalls) · EPA combined: 26–32 mpg · NHTSA: 5 of 5 stars · 2014 trims and features
Verdicts computed from NHTSA owner complaints, defect investigations and recalls. Cars on the road from New York State registrations. (How we judge.) Data checked 2026-10-06.
Trims and features
Engines: 1.4L 4-cyl turbo; 1.8L 4-cyl; 2.0L 4-cyl turbo diesel · Drive: FWD
2014 Cruze trims
| 1LS | 1LT | 2LS | 2LT | Eco | LTZ |
|---|
base price, seating and driver-assistance equipment from NHTSA's vehicle database (vPIC), as Chevrolet reports it. Tech and comfort features (CarPlay, heated seats, sunroof) for Chevrolet aren't in our data yet. "—": not verified in our sources. "Varies": standard on some versions of the trim.
Year by year
| Year | Engines | Drive | Fuel economy | Crash rating | Recalls | Owner complaints | Most-reported problem | CarPlay |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 1.4L 4-cyl turbo 1.6L 4-cyl turbo diesel | FWD | 31–37 mpg | 5 of 5 | 2 | 22 | Power train (7) | Yes |
| 2018 | 1.4L 4-cyl turbo 1.6L 4-cyl turbo diesel manual available | FWD | 31–37 mpg | 5 of 5 | 3 | 109 | Engine (27) | Yes |
| 2017 | 1.4L 4-cyl turbo 1.6L 4-cyl turbo diesel manual available | FWD | 31–37 mpg | 4–5 of 5 | 2 | 201 | Engine (73) | Yes |
| 2016 | 1.4L 4-cyl turbo 1.8L 4-cyl manual available | FWD | 26–34 mpg | 4–5 of 5 | 4 | 250 | Engine (102) | Yes |
| 2015 | 1.4L 4-cyl turbo 1.8L 4-cyl 2.0L 4-cyl turbo diesel manual available | FWD | 26–32 mpg | 5 of 5 | 4 | 252 | Engine (99) | No |
| 2014 | 1.4L 4-cyl turbo 1.8L 4-cyl 2.0L 4-cyl turbo diesel manual available | FWD | 26–32 mpg | 5 of 5 | 10 | 702 | Engine (217) | No |
| 2013 | 1.4L 4-cyl turbo 1.8L 4-cyl manual available | FWD | 26–32 mpg | 5 of 5 | 5 | 587 | Engine (212) | No |
| 2012 | 1.4L 4-cyl turbo 1.8L 4-cyl manual available | FWD | 26–32 mpg | 5 of 5 | 7 | 865 | Engine (268) | No |
| 2011 | 1.4L 4-cyl turbo 1.8L 4-cyl manual available | FWD | 26–32 mpg | 5 of 5 | 7 | 732 | Engine (257) | No |
Owner complaints are unverified reports to NHTSA, counted as filed: older years have had longer to collect them and sales aren't adjusted for, so see Which year to buy for a fair comparison. Most-reported problem: the component named in the most complaints that year. Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Apple.
Which years have…
Apple lists CarPlay for: Cruze 2016–2022 (Apple).
Every NHTSA-rated version: crash ratings, safety tech, recalls, complaints
| Year | Version | Stars | Forward collision warning | Lane departure warning | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | Chevrolet Cruze 5 HB FWD | 5 | Optional | Optional | 2 | 22 |
| 2019 | Chevrolet Cruze 4 DR FWD | 5 | Optional | Optional | 2 | 22 |
| 2018 | Chevrolet Cruze 5 DR FWD | 5 | Optional | Optional | 3 | 109 |
| 2018 | Chevrolet Cruze 4 DR FWD | 5 | Optional | Optional | 3 | 109 |
| 2017 | Chevrolet Cruze 5 DR FWD Later Release | 5 | Optional | Optional | 0 | 13 |
| 2017 | Chevrolet Cruze 4 DR FWD Later Release | 5 | Optional | Optional | 0 | 13 |
| 2017 | Chevrolet Cruze 5 DR FWD Early Release | 4 | Optional | Optional | 2 | 201 |
| 2017 | Chevrolet Cruze 4 DR FWD Early Release | 4 | Optional | Optional | 2 | 201 |
| 2016 | Chevrolet Cruze 4 DR FWD | 4 | Optional | No | 4 | 250 |
| 2016 | Chevrolet Cruze Limited 4 DR FWD | 5 | No | No | 4 | 240 |
| 2015 | Chevrolet Cruze 4 DR FWD | 5 | No | No | 4 | 252 |
| 2014 | Chevrolet Cruze 4 DR FWD | 5 | No | No | 10 | 702 |
| 2013 | Chevrolet Cruze 4 DR FWD | 5 | No | No | 5 | 587 |
| 2012 | Chevrolet Cruze 4 DR FWD | 5 | No | No | 7 | 865 |
| 2011 | Chevrolet Cruze 4 DR FWD | 5 | No | No | 7 | 732 |
Source: NHTSA.
Every EPA-rated version: engines and combined mpg
| Year | EPA model | Engines | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | Cruze | Auto 9-spd, 4 cyl, 1.6 L, Diesel, Turbo Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 1.4 L, Turbo Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 1.4 L, Turbo |
32–37 |
| 2019 | Cruze Hatchback | Auto 9-spd, 4 cyl, 1.6 L, Diesel, Turbo Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 1.4 L, Turbo |
32–35 |
| 2019 | Cruze Premier | Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 1.4 L, Turbo | 32 |
| 2019 | Cruze Premier Hatchback | Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 1.4 L, Turbo | 31 |
| 2018 | Cruze | Auto 9-spd, 4 cyl, 1.6 L, Diesel, Turbo Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 1.6 L, Diesel, Turbo Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 1.4 L, Turbo Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 1.4 L, Turbo |
32–37 |
| 2018 | Cruze Hatchback | Auto 9-spd, 4 cyl, 1.6 L, Diesel, Turbo Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 1.6 L, Diesel, Turbo Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 1.4 L, Turbo Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 1.4 L, Turbo |
31–35 |
| 2018 | Cruze Premier | Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 1.4 L, Turbo | 33 |
| 2018 | Cruze Premier Hatchback | Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 1.4 L, Turbo | 31 |
| 2017 | Cruze | Auto 9-spd, 4 cyl, 1.6 L, Diesel, Turbo Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 1.6 L, Diesel, Turbo Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 1.4 L, Turbo Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 1.4 L, Turbo |
32–37 |
| 2017 | Cruze Hatchback | Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 1.4 L, Turbo Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 1.4 L, Turbo |
31–32 |
| 2017 | Cruze Premier | Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 1.4 L, Turbo | 33 |
| 2017 | Cruze Premier Hatchback | Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 1.4 L, Turbo | 31 |
| 2016 | Cruze | Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 1.4 L, Turbo Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 1.4 L, Turbo |
32–34 |
| 2016 | Cruze Limited | Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 1.4 L, Turbo Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 1.4 L, Turbo Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 1.8 L Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 1.8 L |
26–30 |
| 2016 | Cruze Limited Eco | Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 1.4 L, Turbo Auto 6-spd, 4 cyl, 1.4 L, Turbo |
30–33 |
| 2016 | Cruze Premier | Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 1.4 L, Turbo | 34 |
| 2015 | Cruze | Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Diesel, Turbo Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 1.4 L, Turbo Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 1.4 L, Turbo Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 1.8 L Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 1.8 L |
26–32 |
| 2015 | Cruze Eco | Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 1.4 L, Turbo Auto 6-spd, 4 cyl, 1.4 L, Turbo |
30–32 |
| 2014 | Cruze | Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Diesel, Turbo Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 1.4 L, Turbo Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 1.4 L, Turbo Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 1.8 L Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 1.8 L |
26–32 |
| 2014 | Cruze Eco | Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 1.4 L, Turbo Auto 6-spd, 4 cyl, 1.4 L, Turbo |
30–32 |
| 2013 | Cruze | Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 1.4 L, Turbo Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 1.4 L, Turbo Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 1.8 L Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 1.8 L |
26–30 |
| 2013 | Cruze Eco | Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 1.4 L, Turbo Auto 6-spd, 4 cyl, 1.4 L, Turbo |
30–32 |
| 2012 | Cruze | Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 1.4 L, Turbo Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 1.4 L, Turbo Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 1.8 L Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 1.8 L |
26–30 |
| 2012 | Cruze Eco | Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 1.4 L, Turbo Auto 6-spd, 4 cyl, 1.4 L, Turbo |
30–32 |
| 2011 | Cruze | Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 1.8 L Auto 6-spd, 4 cyl, 1.8 L Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 1.4 L, Turbo |
26–29 |
| 2011 | Cruze Eco | Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 1.4 L, Turbo Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 1.4 L, Turbo |
30–32 |
Source: fueleconomy.gov.