AI Damage2018 Chevrolet Cruze: common problems
Owners of the 2018 Chevrolet Cruze filed 109 complaints with NHTSA, most often about engine and powertrain. The maker issued 651 service bulletins for this year. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 109
- involving a crash
- 17
- Technical service bulletins (TSB)
- 651
What fails most often
- 1 Engine 25% of all complaints
- 2 Powertrain 21% of all complaints
- 3 Electrical system 13% of all complaints
- 4 Service brakes 12% of all complaints
- 5 Steering 8% of all complaints
- 6 Air bags 7% of all complaints
- 7 Fuel/propulsion system 6% of all complaints
- 8 Wheels 5% of all complaints
- Engine: 27 complaints (25% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 74.
- Powertrain: 23 complaints (21% of all), 3 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 68.
- Electrical system: 14 complaints (13% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 118.
- Service brakes: 13 complaints (12% of all), 7 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 12.
- Steering: 9 complaints (8% of all), 2 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 10.
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 1.4 L · petrol · turbo · 4 cylnamed in 2 complaints
- 1.6 L · diesel · turbo · 4 cylnamed in 3 complaints
- automatic, 6-speed
- automatic, 9-speed
- manual, 6-speednamed in 7 complaints
Drive: FWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 109 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 27 | 1 | 74 |
| Powertrain | 23 | 3 | 68 |
| Electrical system | 14 | 1 | 118 |
| Service brakes | 13 | 7 | 12 |
| Steering | 9 | 2 | 10 |
| Air bags | 8 | 7 | 3 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 6 | 0 | 7 |
| Wheels | 5 | 1 | 36 |
| Exterior lighting | 5 | 0 | 9 |
| Vehicle speed control | 5 | 0 | 1 |
| Structure | 4 | 2 | 31 |
| Visibility | 4 | 1 | 15 |
| Suspension | 4 | 1 | 14 |
| Seat belts | 3 | 1 | 1 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
The frame was rusted and secured with chicken wire. While her son was driving at 20 MPH and driving up the parking garage, the steering wheel was straight, but the wheel went towards the left, and he crashed into a pole. The vehicle was drivable. The air bags deployed and went to the floorboard.
The air bags did not deploy. The passenger seat occupant sustained a knee injury but did not receive medical treatment. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a lot where it was deemed totaled. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 180,000.
When retuning to car it began to slowly move backward.I ran around the back and tried to get in but was knocked down by the open door.I rolled away from the approaching wheel with minor scrapes.
There was no reported fire or air bag deployment. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The approximate failure mileage was 45,000.
The contact stated no warning lights were illuminated. The contact mentioned that the cruise control was activated at the time of the failure. The contact sustained scrapes on the arms but did not seek medical attention.
And my car stalled. I put into park. Than put it back in drive and I tried to accelerate and my car didnt budge... I had to turb my car on and off for it to work again... This has been happening
Hubby was rear ended by a car going 45+ miles an hour, the drivers side seat belt did not lock it is now locked in a fully extended position. After impact, he said there was smoke in the car from what looked like the airbag should have inflated, but did not. He was almost stopped for a red light and hit from behind.
Car hit a deer at 50 mph. Airbags did not deploy. See pictures of damage to vehicle.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 545 of 2,102 model years in the NHTSA data (top 26% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Cruze has 146 complaints (4 years in the data). This year has 109, below average.
What to check before buying
- Engine. Cold start, unusual noises, oil leaks and engine codes.
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Service brakes. Pedal feel, ABS operation, leaks, discs and hoses.
Manufacturer service bulletins
Bulletin titles as filed with NHTSA.
- This PI provides Diagnostics tips on how the LIN bus works and how to diagnosis it
- This preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into Technical Assistance
- PI to help diagnose A/C concern
- This preliminary information communicates information about how to determine if a wheel and tires size…
- This Preliminary information communicates the steps on how to save a GDS2 Session Log and upload to a…
This Preliminary information communicates the steps on how to save a GDS2 Session Log and upload to a Technical Assistance Case in CX Connect.
- This service bulletin provides information on Tire Sidewall Irregularities
- This service bulletin provides information on replacing the intake manifold when the engine is replaced…
This service bulletin provides information on replacing the intake manifold when the engine is replaced after severe internal engine damage.
- This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have…
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have had multiple repair attempts that are being performed on customer’s vehicles that exhibit vibration conditions…
- This service bulletin provides procedures to correct customer concerns of Poor Engine Performance in…
This service bulletin provides procedures to correct customer concerns of Poor Engine Performance in Extremely Cold Weather Conditions, Charge Air Cooler (CAC) Icing - Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) Illuminated with…
- The service bulletin advises the tech of a normal transmission shift condition and the delay in throttle…
The service bulletin advises the tech of a normal transmission shift condition and the delay in throttle response when the throttle plate is opened rapidly and advises the customer that it is normal for the delay.
- New Vehicle Monitoring Programs Section in IVH
- This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have…
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have an intermittent no crank, no start, or start stall concern with the security light coming on. Technician may…
NHTSA lists 651 bulletins for this year; the 12 newest are shown here.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2018 Chevrolet Cruze?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: engine, powertrain, electrical system. Total complaints: 109. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: warning lights, check engine (19%), infotainment or screen glitches (9%), stalls while driving (8%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2018 Chevrolet Cruze?
NHTSA lists 651 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 2018 Chevrolet Cruze from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 2018 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-04.