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2015 Chevrolet Cruze

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2015 Chevrolet Cruze do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 250.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

173 reports with mileage · 78 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Engine. Review the 98 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 49 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 37 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

20 crash reports4 fire reports9 injury reports

Engine complaints

98 reports
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18,148 miles · Aug 9, 2017
Electrical SystemEngineFuel/propulsion SystemFire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 CHEVROLET CRUZE. WHILE PULLING INTO THE DRIVEWAY, STRONG FUMES EMITTED INSIDE THE VEHICLE AND WITHIN THE AIR VENTS. THE CONTACT TURNED OFF THE AIR CONDITIONER AND THE ENGINE OVERHEATING WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED, AND SMOKE ENTERED THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO TURN OFF THE VEHICLE AND SHE A…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 CHEVROLET CRUZE. WHILE PULLING INTO THE DRIVEWAY, STRONG FUMES EMITTED INSIDE THE VEHICLE AND WITHIN THE AIR VENTS. THE CONTACT TURNED OFF THE AIR CONDITIONER AND THE ENGINE OVERHEATING WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED, AND SMOKE ENTERED THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO TURN OFF THE VEHICLE AND SHE AND A CHILD PASSENGER EXITED THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER (GORDON CHEVROLET, 6301 E ROOSEVELT BLVD, PHILADELPHIA, PA 19149, (215) 537-2377) WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND ASKED THE CONTACT TO HAVE ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE TOW THE VEHICLE TO THEM FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESINT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 18,148.

NHTSA ODI #11014008

27,250 miles · Apr 25, 2017
EnginePower Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 CHEVROLET CRUZE. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE THE VEHICLE, IT BEGAN TO SPUTTER AND HESITATE. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 27,250.

NHTSA ODI #10980496

32,000 miles · Mar 6, 2017
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 CHEVROLET CRUZE. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 32,000.

NHTSA ODI #10958932

6,650 miles · Nov 28, 2016
EngineFire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 CHEVROLET CRUZE. WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, SMOKE APPEARED FROM THE ENGINE. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE LEAKED OIL ONTO THE GROUND. THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED AS NEEDING THE ENGINE OIL FILTER COVER SEAL AND CAP SEAL REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE O…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 CHEVROLET CRUZE. WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, SMOKE APPEARED FROM THE ENGINE. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE LEAKED OIL ONTO THE GROUND. THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED AS NEEDING THE ENGINE OIL FILTER COVER SEAL AND CAP SEAL REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 6,650.

NHTSA ODI #10928271

23,000 miles · Nov 8, 2016
EngineFuel/propulsion System

I PURCHASED THIS 2015 CRUZ WITH 18,000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE FROM LEE JOHNSON CHEVROLET IN KIRKLAND, WA. IT HAS BEEN BACK TO THE MECHANIC 3 SEPARATE TIMES WITH A COMPLAINT THAT THIS VEHICLE EXCELERATES SPORADICALLY AND WITHOUT NOTICE. THERE IS NO FAULT CODES THAT COME UP. THE MECHANICS DRIVE IT BUT THIS DOES'NT HAPPEN TO HIM, THE…

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I PURCHASED THIS 2015 CRUZ WITH 18,000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE FROM LEE JOHNSON CHEVROLET IN KIRKLAND, WA. IT HAS BEEN BACK TO THE MECHANIC 3 SEPARATE TIMES WITH A COMPLAINT THAT THIS VEHICLE EXCELERATES SPORADICALLY AND WITHOUT NOTICE. THERE IS NO FAULT CODES THAT COME UP. THE MECHANICS DRIVE IT BUT THIS DOES'NT HAPPEN TO HIM, THEREFORE THEY STATE THAT THIS IS NOT A PROBLEM. I FEEL TOTALLY UNSAFE WHEN THIS HAPPENS AND I'M AFRAID TO DRIVE THIS CAR. ( I DRIVE WITH ONE HAND ON THE GEARSHIFT IN CASE THIS HAPPENS SO I CAN PUT IT IN NEUTRAL IMMEDIATELY. I WANT THIS COMPLAINT TO GO ON RECORD THAT I HAVE FILED THIS CLAIM AS WELL AS WORKED WITH THE MECHANICS ON 3 DIFFERENT OCCASIONS AND FEEL AS IF I HAVE NO RECOURSE FOR WHAT I CONSIDER A SERIOUS PROBLEM

NHTSA ODI #10924964

20,000 miles · May 12, 2016
EngineSteeringUnknown Or Other

SINCE OWNING MY NEW 2015 CRUZE I HAVE HAD SEVERAL CONCERNS WHICH HAVE NOT BEEN ADDRESSED OF FIXED BY THE TECHNICIANS THE LIST IS: WHILE TRAVELING DOWN THE ROAD MY RADIO SYSTEM HAS BLACKED OUT; SHUT OFF AND RESTARTED ITSELF; IT HAPPENS EVERY OTHER TIME I AM IN THE CAR, SOMETIME IT HAPPENS SEVERAL TIME ON A LONG DRIVE. I HAVE ALSO…

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SINCE OWNING MY NEW 2015 CRUZE I HAVE HAD SEVERAL CONCERNS WHICH HAVE NOT BEEN ADDRESSED OF FIXED BY THE TECHNICIANS THE LIST IS: WHILE TRAVELING DOWN THE ROAD MY RADIO SYSTEM HAS BLACKED OUT; SHUT OFF AND RESTARTED ITSELF; IT HAPPENS EVERY OTHER TIME I AM IN THE CAR, SOMETIME IT HAPPENS SEVERAL TIME ON A LONG DRIVE. I HAVE ALSO EXPERIENCE DRIFTING OF THE CAR WHEN TRAVELING DOWN THE HIGHWAY; WHEN I CORRECT THE DRIFT THE STEERING WHEEL IS STIFF AND CAUSES AN OVER CORRECTION PULLING ME THE OTHER DIRECTION. THE BIGGEST CONCERN I HAVE EXPERIENCE LATELY IS THE LOUD HIGH PITCHED NOISE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD; THIS OCCURS AFTER I HAVE PARKED THE CAR AND REMOVED THE KEY; ONE TIME I COULD HEAR THE COOLANT LINES GURGLING. VERY SCARY NOT KNOWING WHAT IS GOING ON UNDER THERE.

NHTSA ODI #10864569

7,500 miles · Jan 11, 2016
Engine

CRUZE HAS COOLANT ODOR OUTSIDE CAR AND HAS LOSS OF COOLANT AT EVERY OIL CHANGE. DEALER DOES NOT WRITE THIS DOWN ON SERVICE RECORDS. THIS IS SIMILAR PROBLEM AS 2012 CRUZE ECO I HAD TO TRADE IN BECAUSE GM/DEALER COULD NOT FIX THE PROBLEM OF ANTIFREEZE LOSS. UNDER SOME CONDITIONS COOLANT TEMPERATURE GETS UP TO 236 DEG F BEFORE RADI…

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CRUZE HAS COOLANT ODOR OUTSIDE CAR AND HAS LOSS OF COOLANT AT EVERY OIL CHANGE. DEALER DOES NOT WRITE THIS DOWN ON SERVICE RECORDS. THIS IS SIMILAR PROBLEM AS 2012 CRUZE ECO I HAD TO TRADE IN BECAUSE GM/DEALER COULD NOT FIX THE PROBLEM OF ANTIFREEZE LOSS. UNDER SOME CONDITIONS COOLANT TEMPERATURE GETS UP TO 236 DEG F BEFORE RADIATOR FAN COMES ON AND THIS GETS WORSE IN WINTER. THIS HIGH TEMPERATURE SEEMS TO ALIGN WITH PROBLEM BUT THE ANALOG GAUGE STOPS AT ABOUT 3/8 AND WILL NOT GO FURTHER EVEN WHEN DIGITAL TEMPERATURE REGISTERS 190DEG F OR 240 DEG F. ( THEY SAID GAUGE IS DESIGNED THIS WAY) GM AND DEALER SAY SYSTEM IS WORKING AS DESIGNED BUT HAVEN'T EXPLAINED FAN OPERATION OR WHY TEMPERATURE GETS TO 236 DEG F WHEN NORMAL TEMPERATURE IS 221 DEG F. THEY CANNOT EXPLAIN ODOR OR LOSS OF COOLANT. THIS COULD BE PROBLEM IN ANY CHEVY CRUZE ECO AND IF DRIVER DOES NOT WATCH COOLANT LEVEL THE CAR COULD OVERHEAT.

NHTSA ODI #10819541

190 miles · Feb 26, 2015
Electrical SystemEngineService Brakes

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 CHEVROLET CRUZE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 3 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON TWO OTHER OCCASIONS. ALSO, ON ANOTHER OCCASION, THE BRAKE PEDAL FAILED TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT PLACED THE VEHICLE INTO REVERSE AND THE BRAKE PEDAL RESPONDED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 CHEVROLET CRUZE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 3 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON TWO OTHER OCCASIONS. ALSO, ON ANOTHER OCCASION, THE BRAKE PEDAL FAILED TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT PLACED THE VEHICLE INTO REVERSE AND THE BRAKE PEDAL RESPONDED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THE FAILURE WAS UNABLE TO BE DUPLICATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 190.

NHTSA ODI #10690810

Official recalls

4

16V502000 · Electrical System:ignition; Power Train:automatic Transmission:control Module (tcm/pcm/tecm)

Jul 5, 2016

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."

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If the key is removed without the transmission in PARK, the vehicle may rollaway as occupants are exiting, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy: 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.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Electrical System:ignition

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."

Consequence: If the key is removed without the transmission in PARK, the vehicle may rollaway as occupants are exiting, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy: 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:automatic Transmission:control Module (tcm/pcm/tecm)

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."

Consequence: If the key is removed without the transmission in PARK, the vehicle may rollaway as occupants are exiting, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy: 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.

15V876000 · Seat Belts:front:anchorage

Dec 23, 2015

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2015 Chevrolet Cruze vehicles manufactured September 24, 2014, to May 29, 2015. In the affected vehicles, one of the driver-side seat belt assembly bolts may not be properly tightened.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: An insufficiently torqued bolt may prevent the seat belt from holding the required load in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and tighten the bolts, free of charge. The recall began on January 27, 2016 Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 15777.

15V442000 · Steering

Jul 10, 2015

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 Chevrolet Cruze vehicles manufactured November 8, 2013, to March 12, 2015, and 2015 Chevrolet Volt vehicles manufactured April 11, 2014. In the affected vehicles, the inner tie rod may not be tightened to specification allowing the tie rod to separate from the steering gear.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: Separation of the tie rod from the steering gear could result in the loss of steering, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the steering gear assembly, free of charge. The recall began on July 28, 2015. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 15386.

15V113000 · Parking Brake

Feb 27, 2015

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2015 Chevrolet Cruze vehicles manufactured February 4, 2015, to February 9, 2015. The left-rear or right-rear parking brake cable brackets may not have been properly fastened during the assembly process. As a result, the fastening bolts may back out completely, causing the parking brake bracket to separate and the parking brake to not hold the vehicle in place. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 135, "Light Vehicle Brake Systems."

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If the parking brake bracket separates, the parking brake may not hold the vehicle, increasing the risk of a vehicle roll away and a crash.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the left-rear and right-rear parking brake brackets bolts, tightening them as necessary, free of charge. The recall began in March 24, 2015. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 15135.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.