Model year record

2018 Chevrolet Cruze recalls & problems

The 2018 Chevrolet Cruze has 3 safety recalls and 109 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is engine (27 complaints).

Recalls3safety recalls

Complaints109filed by owners

Crashes · fires17 · 3reported in complaints

NHTSA overall5 ★crash-test stars

2018 Chevrolet Cruze in an NHTSA crash test — NHTSA crash test

Safety recalls

Power trainOct 29, 2020

Automatic transmission

Recall 20V668000194,105 vehicles

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.

Service brakes, hydraulicAug 30, 2018

Foundation components › Disc › Caliper

Recall 18V576000210,628 vehicles

Problem: 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 insufficient coating causing gas pockets to form, potentially reducing rear brake performance.
Risk: A reduction of braking performance can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will bleed the vehicle's brake system, free of charge. The recall began October 11, 2018. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 18279.

Fuel system, gasolineMay 10, 2018

Fuel system, gasoline

Recall 18V304000111,966 vehicles

Problem: 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 requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 301, "Fuel System Integrity."
Risk: A fuel leak, in the presence of an ignition source, increases the risk of a fire.
Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will install a lock-ring on the fuel tank that will shield the fuel tank vapor pressure sensor from damage in a rear-impact crash, free of charge. The recall began June 7, 2018. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 18159.

Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

Crash test ratings

2018 Chevrolet Cruze 5 DR FWD

Overall★★★★★

Frontal crash	★★★★★
Side crash	★★★★★
Rollover	★★★★★
Rollover risk	10.7%

Forward collision warning: Optional · Lane departure warning: Optional

2018 Chevrolet Cruze 4 DR FWD

Overall★★★★★

Frontal crash	★★★★★
Side crash	★★★★★
Rollover	★★★★★
Rollover risk	10.7%

Forward collision warning: Optional · Lane departure warning: Optional

2018 Chevrolet Cruze NHTSA side crash test — NHTSA side barrier crash test

2018 Chevrolet Cruze NHTSA side pole crash test — NHTSA side pole crash test

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.

Fuel economy

Cruze Diesel

37mpg combined

City / highway	31 / 47 mpg
Fuel	Diesel

1.6 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 9-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,600/year to fuel

Cruze Diesel

37mpg combined

City / highway	30 / 52 mpg
Fuel	Diesel

1.6 L · 4 cyl · Manual 6-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,600/year to fuel

Cruze Hatchback Diesel

35mpg combined

City / highway	30 / 45 mpg
Fuel	Diesel

1.6 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 9-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,750/year to fuel

Cruze Hatchback Diesel

35mpg combined

City / highway	29 / 48 mpg
Fuel	Diesel

1.6 L · 4 cyl · Manual 6-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,750/year to fuel

Cruze

33mpg combined

City / highway	29 / 40 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

1.4 L · 4 cyl · Automatic (S6) · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,050/year to fuel

Cruze Premier

33mpg combined

City / highway	29 / 39 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

1.4 L · 4 cyl · Automatic (S6) · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,050/year to fuel

Cruze

32mpg combined

City / highway	27 / 40 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

1.4 L · 4 cyl · Manual 6-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,100/year to fuel

Cruze Hatchback

32mpg combined

City / highway	29 / 38 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

1.4 L · 4 cyl · Automatic (S6) · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,100/year to fuel

Cruze Premier Hatchback

31mpg combined

City / highway	28 / 37 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

1.4 L · 4 cyl · Automatic (S6) · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,150/year to fuel

Cruze Hatchback

31mpg combined

City / highway	27 / 38 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

1.4 L · 4 cyl · Manual 6-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,150/year to fuel

EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.

What owners report

Problem area	Complaints	Crashes	Fires	Injuries	Typical mileage*
Engine	27	1	2	1	13,000 mi
Unknown or other	24	0	1	0	18,000 mi
Power train	23	3	0	3	51,863 mi
Electrical system	14	1	0	0	40,000 mi
Service brakes	12	7	1	0	26,530 mi
Steering	9	2	0	2	30,400 mi
Air bags	8	7	0	4	36,000 mi
Exterior lightingHeadlights; Turn signal › Bulbs	7	0	0	0	18,000 mi
Fuel/propulsion system	6	0	1	0	—
Wheels	5	1	0	2	9,250 mi
Vehicle speed control	5	0	0	0	30,000 mi
Suspension	4	1	0	0	13,500 mi

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Unknown or other
My 2018 Chevy Cruz has developed a sticky or tacky surface discovered when I was cleaning my interior. I used warm water and soap to clean all plastics. Tried to dry off my dash with paper towels and discovered the issue . My car has been garage kept since its purchase so I have no idea as my previous vehicles never had this issue.
Jun 8, 2026
Fuel/propulsion system
Coming to a stop sign or red light the car wonât accelerate or will go in traction control making it difficult to move or not accelerate. Had 2-3 fuel leaks this year also having problems to keep the car going sometimes the max speed it will go is 20-40 miles n wonât go up unless u keep letting it slow down slowly n then accelerating n even after that it wonât make it above 60-70 miles it usually goes with no problem if its down hill since ur not pressing the gas or anything. Turning the air on also makes the car slow down other problems also is the gas running fast could just fill the tank n by the second day it will almost be over. Today the transmission gave up on me now I have no…
May 9, 2026
Seat belts
The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Cruze. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the windshield wiper compartment inadvertently opened. There was a failure with the seat belts. The contact stated that the driverâs side seat belt was excessively loose, and the front passengerâs side seat belt was overly tight. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the driverâs and front passengerâs seat belt assemblies had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 66,550.
Mar 26, 2026 · 66,550 miles
Fuel/propulsion system
Unknown. The car seems to stall or slip when accelerating as is misfiring. It cuts off in the middle of the streets after coming out of auto stop mode. Pcv valve keeps popping up as issue. I had the pcv changed o2 sensors checked cleaned throttle body and air filter changed. The car still gives same problem and engine power reduction keeps popping on dashboard.
Feb 26, 2026
Engine
-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…
Feb 9, 2026
Engine
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.
Feb 15, 2026
Unknown or other
Hesitate to change gears properly. Engine stalling. RPM will rive up. Sounds like the transmission wants to slip.
Nov 1, 2025
Engine
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.
Aug 22, 2025

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.