The Chevrolet Cruze positioned the bigshot carmaker within the compact car segment rather firmly. However, soon after its launch, the Chevy Cruze has been criticized heavily due to its poor reliability. Fortunately, things did improve gradually but the current model’s reliability department indicates more room for improvement. The 2014 Chevrolet Cruze has been recalled 7 times due to several issues which include possible fracture of the front half shaft, transmission issues, and airbag issues among others. Among the official 581 complaints, a major number of reports were filed against the powertrain, airbags, and electrical system of the sedan. In its class, the Chevy Cruze rivals the Toyota Corolla, the Ford Focus, and the Hyundai Elantra.
Chevrolet Cruze user complaints and problems
Engine problems
- Engine overheating and stalling: At first, the owner experienced engine overheating and visited the dealership. He was informed that the coolant reservoir and the coolant valve failed and were replaced. Afterward, a similar issue recurred and both the water pump along with the thermostat was replaced.
- Auto start-stop system failure: The auto start-stop system of the affected vehicles malfunctioned while driving. Due to the failures, the engines cut off after halting but did not restart which compelled the drivers to restart the vehicle completely.
- Jerking from the transmission while shifting: In this case, the transmission malfunction resulted in jerking while driving. The owner reports that while in motion, the transmission would vibrate or jerk abnormally while shifting gears.
- Sudden acceleration: While driving, the transmission forced the vehicle to accelerate suddenly. The owner was cruising at 60 mph when, due to the malfunction, the vehicle suddenly accelerated to around 90 mph.
Safety problems
- Non-deployment of airbags: In some instances, the airbags of the affected 2014 Chevy Cruze units failed to deploy. As a result, the owners suffered moderate to serious injuries as well.
- Brake failures and braking system malfunction: The brakes of a few 2012 Chevy Cruze failed. Along with the failures, some owners have complained about the brakes locking up completely, causing the vehicles to skid rather than stop.
Miscellaneous problems
- Power steering failure: The power steering units of several 2014 Chevy Cruze models failed. While driving, the steering wheel became extremely hard to turn, making it difficult to control the vehicle.
- Faulty front axle: This has been a manufacturing defect right from the brand’s assembly line but is limited to a certain number of units only. The owners of the faulty units complain that while driving, the front axle would make abnormal sounds, and in extreme cases would make the entire vehicle shake while in motion.
2014 Chevrolet Cruze recalls
|
S.No. |
Recall Date |
NHTSA Campaign ID |
Issues noticed |
Additional remarks |
Remedy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1 |
September 23, 2013 |
13V452000 |
Front Right Half Shaft may Fracture |
If the half shaft fractures and separates while driving, the vehicle would lose power and coast to a stop. If a vehicle with a fractured half shaft is parked without the parking brake applied, the vehicle could move unexpectedly. Either condition increases the risk of a crash. |
General Motors has notified the owners. Dealers will replace the half shaft assembly, free of charge. The safety recall began on October 15, 2013. |
|
2 |
February 21, 2014 |
14V092000 |
Broken Transmission Adjuster Cable/FMVSS 102/114 |
If a vehicle's shift cable disengages from the transmission shift lever, a driver may be unable to shift gear positions, and the indicated shift position may not represent the gear position the vehicle is in. Should a disengagement occur while the vehicle is being driven, when the driver goes to stop and park the vehicle, the driver may be able to shift the lever to the "PARK" position, but the vehicle transmission may not be in the "PARK" gear position. If the vehicle is not in the "PARK" position there is a risk the vehicle will roll away as the driver and other occupants exit the vehicle or anytime thereafter. A vehicle rollaway increases the risk of injury to the occupants exiting the vehicle and bystanders. |
General Motors will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace any affected transmission shift cable adjusters, free of charge. The recall began on April 10, 2014. |
|
3 |
March 31, 2014 |
14V151000 |
Front Right Half Shaft may Fracture |
If the half shaft fractures and separates while driving, the vehicle would lose power and coast to a stop. If a vehicle with a fractured half shaft is parked without the parking brake applied, the vehicle could move unexpectedly. Either condition increases the risk of a crash. |
GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the right half shaft, as needed, free of charge. Parts for the remedy are not currently available. GM will send an interim letter to owners in May 2014. A second owner letter will be mailed when parts are available. |
|
4 |
June 26, 2014 |
14V372000 |
Driver's Front Airbag Inflator Rupture |
In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's airbag, the airbag's inflator may rupture and the airbag may not inflate. The rupture could cause metal fragments to strike and potentially seriously injure the vehicle occupants. Additionally, if the airbag does not inflate, the driver is at an increased risk of injury. |
GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver side air bag, free of charge. The recall began on June 28, 2014. |
|
5 |
July 2, 2014 |
14V417000 |
Engine Block Heater Power Cord Damage |
Exposed wires increase the risk of electrical shock and personal injury if the cord is handled while it is plugged in. |
GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the engine oil pan/block heater cord with a new cord that is rated for temperatures of minus 40 degree Celsius. The recall began in August 2014. |
|
6 |
July 10, 2015 |
15V442000 |
Steering Gear Not Tightened to Specification |
Separation of the tie rod from the steering gear could result in the loss of steering, increasing the risk of a crash. |
GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the steering gear assembly, free of charge. The recall began on July 28, 2015. |
|
7 |
July 5, 2016 |
16V502000 |
Key May Be Removed When Not In Park/FMVSS 114 |
If the key is removed without the transmission in PARK, the vehicle may rollaway as occupants are exiting, increasing the risk of injury. |
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. |
Should you buy a used Chevrolet Cruze?
The Chevrolet Cruze boasts almost all the right attributes to compete within the compact car category while its better-than-average quality makes it stand out as well. The Cruze with the diesel burner offers even more with excellent driveability and power figures. However, the car did hit several rough patches right from the beginning of its journey in terms of reliability. Even though the car has become more dependable at present still the brand hasn’t managed to make it completely trouble-free. Going with a used Chevy Cruze would require you to search for a model, free from the known defects. Alternatively, you can opt for a used Hyundai Elantra since it gets almost everything right as a compact city car and is more reliable than the Cruze as well.
