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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.

About this comparison →

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

What owners actually said

251 reports
96,000 miles · Jul 31, 2023
Engine And Engine Cooling

The contact's sister owns a 2015 Chevrolet Cruze. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 55 MPH, the vehicle started to overheat. After stopping, the driver noticed there was coolant leaking from the vehicle. The driver added additional coolant to the reservoir. The contact removed the water pump and noticed that…

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The contact's sister owns a 2015 Chevrolet Cruze. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 55 MPH, the vehicle started to overheat. After stopping, the driver noticed there was coolant leaking from the vehicle. The driver added additional coolant to the reservoir. The contact removed the water pump and noticed that the housing unit had crumbled. There were no warning lights illuminated. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 96,000.

NHTSA ODI #11535406

107,392 miles · Jul 28, 2023
Electrical System

The contact owns a 2015 Chevrolet Cruze. The contact stated that at start up, the key was placed in the ignition however, the vehicle failed to start. The contact stated that she attempted to start the vehicle another time and the vehicle started. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the A/C unit inadvertent…

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The contact owns a 2015 Chevrolet Cruze. The contact stated that at start up, the key was placed in the ignition however, the vehicle failed to start. The contact stated that she attempted to start the vehicle another time and the vehicle started. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the A/C unit inadvertently turned on, but there was no air coming through the vents. The contact stated that she was able to drive to work however, after getting off work, she attempted to start the vehicle and the vehicle failed to start. The contact attempted a second time and the vehicle started and performed as designed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer however, the failure could not be duplicated. The contact was informed that the vehicle would be kept overnight. The contact was then informed by the dealer that the vehicle had been diagnosed and that the communication and power issue were not receiving any voltage. The contact was then informed that a message was displayed on the instrument panel “Theft Deterrent “and the hazard lights intermittently flashed, and the HBC warning light illuminated. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that upon research, she referenced TSB: SB 10057574-8899: indicating the negative battery and the battery fuse block. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed that the vehicle was not covered. The failure mileage was approximately 107,392.

NHTSA ODI #11535073

Mileage unknown · Jun 26, 2023
EnginePower Train

When i turn the A/C on, it appears a message on the screen that says A/C off due to high engine temperature. The car is losing coolant without external leak. A mechanic performed a cold pump test to the cooling system and no external leak was found. After that it was performed a compression test at a shop to each cylinder, findi…

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When i turn the A/C on, it appears a message on the screen that says A/C off due to high engine temperature. The car is losing coolant without external leak. A mechanic performed a cold pump test to the cooling system and no external leak was found. After that it was performed a compression test at a shop to each cylinder, finding that there's a bad head gasket. My car only has 70.000 miles and it has a bad head gasket already. This can cause an accident because when your engine is overheating, you should pull over your car as soon as possible to avoid any serious damage on your car. Besides that, the losing of coolant should cause a fire on the engine. There are recalls for the same vehicle but not for the 2015 Cruze and I have read lot of complaints about the same issue.

NHTSA ODI #11529011

Mileage unknown · Jun 25, 2023
Engine

Leaking coolant, overheating engine

NHTSA ODI #11528773

60,000 miles · Jun 12, 2023
Engine

The contact owns a 2015 Chevrolet Cruze. The contact stated while driving approximately 45 MPH, the accelerator pedal was depressed and the vehicle started sputtering, lost motive power, and an abnormal sound was heard coming from the vehicle. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact dr…

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The contact owns a 2015 Chevrolet Cruze. The contact stated while driving approximately 45 MPH, the accelerator pedal was depressed and the vehicle started sputtering, lost motive power, and an abnormal sound was heard coming from the vehicle. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact drove the vehicle to an independent mechanic who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the turbo charger needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000.

NHTSA ODI #11526544

Mileage unknown · May 14, 2023
Engine

AC Off Due to High Engine Temp message flashes on dashboard.

NHTSA ODI #11521939

Mileage unknown · Apr 5, 2023
Engine

I had the water outlet assembly repaired by Mike Castrucci Chevrolet on 02/05/21. I had it repaired again by Car X on 04/05/2023. Car X said that Mike Castrucci Chevrolet tightened the screw on the part and stripped it. This could have caused me to buy a $2,000 head gasket. This part was recalled on the 2011-2014 Chevrolet C…

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I had the water outlet assembly repaired by Mike Castrucci Chevrolet on 02/05/21. I had it repaired again by Car X on 04/05/2023. Car X said that Mike Castrucci Chevrolet tightened the screw on the part and stripped it. This could have caused me to buy a $2,000 head gasket. This part was recalled on the 2011-2014 Chevrolet Cruze. Mine is a 2015 Chevrolet Cruze purchased in August 2015. No warning lamps told me of this problem. Onstar did not detect it.

NHTSA ODI #11515675

Mileage unknown · Apr 4, 2023
Unknown Or Other

Leaking coolant underneath the vehicle

NHTSA ODI #11515329

Mileage unknown · Mar 23, 2023
Steering

The steering wheel will intermittently "stick" requiring a slight tug to release.

NHTSA ODI #11513418

Mileage unknown · Mar 10, 2023
EngineFuel/propulsion SystemPower Train

It shakes and stutters while driving off and on. If it’s super cold outside it may not even start. When sitting idle it’ll spit and sputter and periodically backfire. When going to take off from a stop sign there’s lag or it won’t take off at all even floored. I’m getting milky oil so I’m getting condensation from somewhere. Thi…

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It shakes and stutters while driving off and on. If it’s super cold outside it may not even start. When sitting idle it’ll spit and sputter and periodically backfire. When going to take off from a stop sign there’s lag or it won’t take off at all even floored. I’m getting milky oil so I’m getting condensation from somewhere. This trickle effect all starts off my MAF sensor and has progressively gotten worse. I’ve had the MAF, o2 sensor, turbo valve , spark plugs, battery(s) changed all trying to fix this issue and 2 years later I’m still fighting with it. Yesterday while heading home I couldn’t go over 45, and it would stutter and feel like your driving on rubble strips, when I got home it smelled like something was burning, popped the hood and the dipstick showed “black” oil but in the oil cap there the milky oil in and around the cap as well as my fan being SUPER loud after it’s shut off.

NHTSA ODI #11511116

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.