2017 Chevrolet Cruze

Cylinder 1 experienced cracking due to Low Speed Pre-Ignition (LSPI, commonly referred to as “Knock”) just after exiting the highway in a 70 mph zone and produced a Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) code of P0301. As evidenced in Attachment 1, this caused damage to the Antilock Braking System due to loss of vacuum on the system and possible fouling due to foreign object damage to the vehicle ABS. Later assessment by trained mechanics determined the root cause was due to insufficient structural capability of engine pistons to withstand brief periods of LSPI. As evidenced by attachment 18-NA-171 and PIP5490, the vehicle manufacturer (General Motors) is aware of the insufficient design of the pistons, has re-designed them to withstand LSPI, however has not made an effort to notify me or replace the existing part to prevent damage to the vehicle powertrain and ABS. While this particular instance of piston cracking due to LSPI has only had a financial impact on myself, loss of ABS functionality and potential engine seizure at highway speeds have the potential to produce dangerous, if not fatal, conditions to other drivers with similar hardware.

The contact owns a 2017 Chevrolet Cruze. The contact stated while driving 40 mph, the hood latch opened independently and damaged the windshield, side fenders and roof. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact was able to drive to her residence. The contact called the local dealer and was referred to the manufacturer. The vehicle was not repaired but was pending repairs. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure and filed a complaint. The failure mileage was approximately 125,000.

BRAKE PEDAL SINKS SLOWLY TO FLOOR AND BRAKES REQUIRE A STRONGER SHOVE TO ACTIVATE. THIS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES ON FIRST DRIVE AFTER CAR WAS STATIONARY. SEEMS NORMAL AFTER THAT AT THIS TIME. CAR HAS A MANUAL TRANSMISSION WHICH SHARES A CLUTCH & BRAKE FLUID SYSTEM. CAR HAS ALREADY HAD CLUTCH SYSTEM REPAIRED DUE TO FLUID LEAK AND DEBRIS FROM CLUTCH RELEASE COMPONENT. EUROPEAN RECALL OF SIMILAR MODEL INCLUDES REPLACING BRAKE COMPONENTS AS WELL AS CLUTCH COMPONENTS.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 CHEVROLET CRUZE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE NOTICED A FRACTURE ON ONE OF THE REAR BRAKE LIGHT ON THE SIDE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT RECENTLY A PASSENGER IN THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE POINTED OUT THAT THE REAR BRAKE LIGHT WAS FRACTURED ALLOWING WATER TO LEAK INSIDE THE VEHICLE INTO THE HEAD VISOR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THEY NOTICED THE SEAL AROUND THE BRAKE LIGHT AND SURROUNDING AREA WAS NOT PROPERLY SEALED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.

WHEN VEHICLE IS SITTING IN AUTO-STOP MODE, RELEASING THE BRAKE AND PRESSING THE GAS PEDAL WILL RANDOMLY CAUSE VEHICLE TO STALL. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO DIFFERENT CHEVROLET DEALERSHIPS AND NO ONE CAN FIGURE OUT THE CAUSE OF IT AND THEY CANNOT REPLICATE THE ISSUE. (THE MECHANICS ARE NOT DRIVING THE VEHICLE LONG ENOUGH FOR IT TO HAPPEN.) THIS HAPPENS MORE OFTEN DURING SUMMER MONTHS, BUT HAS HAPPENED OVER THE 2020 WINTER. I HAVE TO PUT THE VEHICLE IN PARK, TURN IT OFF AND BACK ON TO GET THE CAR MOVING. THIS IS ESPECIALLY DANGEROUS IF I AM TRYING TO TURN IN FRONT OF ONCOMING TRAFFIC.

THE CLUTCH PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR WITHOUT DISENGAGING CLUTCH. THIS HAPPENED IN MY DRIVEWAY BEFORE STARTING THE TRIP, AND THERE WAS NO COLLISION OR INJURY AT THIS TIME. I READ THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON ISSUE WITH THESE CARS, AND THAT IT HAS CAUSED HAZARDOUS SITUATIONS IN TRAFFIC FOR OTHERS, AND THAT FOR A SIMILAR EUROPEAN MODEL IT IS THE SUBJECT OF A SAFETY RECALL IN EUROPE.

VEHICLES COMES WITH A ENGINE STOP ON/OFF THAT CAN'T BE TURNED OFF. WHAT THIS DOES IS THAT IT 'TURNS OFF' THE ENGINE WHEN IDLING TO SAVE GAS. WHAT HAPPENS IS THAT THIS ENGAGES EVEN BEFORE BRAKE PRESSURE HITS 100%. SO WHEN IN AN UPHILL OR DOWNHILL AND COMING TO A STOP THE CAR TENDS TO SHUT DOWN WHEN IT REACHES LOW SPEEDS. HOWEVER, WHEN THIS HAPPENS THE CAR STARTS ROLLING AND YOU CAN'T STEER CORRECTLY BECAUSE POWER STEERING IS TURNED OFF. THIS CREATES A SAFETY HAZARD BECAUSE IT ENGAGES BEFORE PRESSURE IS 100% CAUSING THE CAR TO SHUT DOWN EARLY AND YOU START ROLLING UNEXPECTEDLY WITHOUT ANY POWER STEERING. VEHICLE WAS APPROACHING A RED LIGHT IN A SLIGHT UPHILL. CAR ROLLED FROM :34-:50 SECONDS BACKWARD. I RE GAINED CONTROL OF NY CAR ONCE I LET GO COMPLETELY OFF MY BRAKE(THIS CAUSES THE AUTO STOP ON/OFF TO DISENGAGE)

2017 CHEVROLET CRUZE WITH 28,751 MILES IS CONTINUALLY LOSING ALL GAUGE FUNCTIONS, AIR CONDITIONING, RADIO, TURN SIGNALS AND EMERGENCY FLASHERS ARE AFFECTED. PROBLEM ORIGINALLY SURFACED IN LATE 2017 WITH ABOUT 12,000 MILES WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS ON THE HIGHWAY. THE NEXT DAY VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AUTO NATION CHEVROLET AND DEALER ADVISED TO RETURN THE CAR WHEN THE PROBLEM REOCCURRED, ABOUT A WEEK LATER THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP WITH THE PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE WAS RETURNED BUT I WAS NOT ADVISED OF WHAT CAUSED THE MALFUNCTION AND PROBLEM DID NOT REOCCUR UNTIL 1/27/21 THE VEHICLE WAS LEFT UNUSED OVERNIGHT AND NEXT MORNING VEHICLE DID NOT HAVE THE MALFUNCTION. THE PROBLEM REAPPEARED ON 2/10/21 AND WHILE FILMING THE OCCURRENCE THE MALFUNCTION CLEARED AND VEHICLE WAS ONCE AGAIN OPERATIONAL. THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY IN THE LAST 2 INCIDENTS BUT THE PROBLEM ORIGINALLY OCCURRED VARIOUS TIMES WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION. TO THIS DATE I DO NOT KNOW WHAT CAUSES THE VEHICLE TO LOSE ALL GAUGE AND OTHER VEHICLE FUNCTIONS. I HAVE VIDEOS OF THE OCCURRENCES AND I AM SUBMITTING SCREEN SHOTS FROM THE VIDEOS ALL OF WHICH ARE WITH THE IGNITION ON AND ENGINE RUNNING. THE 4TH SCREENSHOT SUBMITTED SHOWS WHEN THE DISPLAY IS RETURNING TO NORMAL WHILE THE PROBLEM EXISTED ON 2/10/2021.