CarBrief

NHTSA has 201 owner complaints on file for the 2017 Cruze, and engine complaints lead the list[1][2]. Two recalls apply, and both list a free remedy[3][4].

201owner complaints[1]
2recalls[5]
31–37MPG combined (EPA)[6]
4–5★NHTSA overall rating[7]

Most reported problems

NHTSA has 201 owner complaints for the 2017 Cruze[1]. Of those, 8 mention a crash, 6 a fire and 5 injuries[1]. No deaths are reported[1]. These are unverified owner reports, and one complaint can name several components.

Here are the component groups with the most complaints:

Component group Complaints Median miles at failure
Engine[2] 76 37,500
Power train[8] 39 32,695
Electrical system[9] 33 27,875
Unknown or other[10] 31 28,000
Brakes[11] 19 59,238
Structure[12] 16 38,000
Fuel/propulsion system[13] 15 16,000
Exterior lighting[14] 12 25,914

We read a sample of 12 complaint texts for each of the engine, power train, electrical and brake groups. It is a small sample, so treat these as examples of what owners describe, not as a measure of how common anything is.

Recalls

NHTSA lists 2 recalls for the 2017 Cruze[5]. Newest first:

To see whether a recall applies to a specific car, check its VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup.

Fuel economy

EPA lists eight ratings for the 2017 Cruze. The gasoline versions use a 1.4L turbo 4-cylinder[15]. The diesel versions use a 1.6L turbo 4-cylinder[6]. All are front-wheel drive.

Version City / highway / combined MPG Annual fuel cost
Cruze, 1.4L, Automatic (S6)[15] 30 / 40 / 34 $1,950
Cruze Premier, 1.4L, Automatic (S6)[16] 29 / 39 / 33 $2,050
Cruze Hatchback, 1.4L, Automatic (S6)[17] 29 / 38 / 32 $2,100
Cruze Premier Hatchback, 1.4L, Automatic (S6)[18] 28 / 37 / 31 $2,150
Cruze, 1.4L, Manual 6-spd[19] 28 / 39 / 32 $2,100
Cruze Hatchback, 1.4L, Manual 6-spd[20] 28 / 37 / 31 $2,150
Cruze, 1.6L diesel, Automatic 9-spd[6] 31 / 47 / 37 $2,600
Cruze, 1.6L diesel, Manual 6-spd[21] 30 / 52 / 37 $2,600

The diesel versions have the best combined rating at 37 MPG, but EPA's annual fuel cost for them is the highest at $2,600[6][21]. EPA's fuel cost uses its current fuel price assumptions, not prices from when the car was new.

Safety ratings

NHTSA lists two sets of 5-Star ratings for the 4-door front-wheel-drive Cruze and two for the 5-door hatchback[7][22][23][24]. In one set of each, the overall rating is 5 stars[7][23]. In the other set, it is 4 stars[22][24]. Our data does not say what separates the sets.

The other ratings are the same in all four sets: frontal 5 stars, side 4 stars and rollover 4 stars[7][22][23][24]. Rollover risk is 10.7%[7][22][23][24].

Engine and size

EPA lists 148 hp for the 1.4L 4-cylinder[25] and 136 hp for the 1.6L 4-cylinder[26].

Dimensions are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.

Sedan Hatchback
Length[27][28] 184 in 175 in
Width[27][28] 71 in 70 in
Height[27][28] 57 in 58 in
Wheelbase[27][28] 106 in 106 in
Curb weight[27][28] 2,756 lb 2,892 lb

How 2017 compares with other years

2011: 732 complaints, 7 recalls20112012: 865 complaints, 7 recalls20122013: 587 complaints, 5 recalls20132014: 702 complaints, 10 recalls20142015: 252 complaints, 4 recalls20152016: 250 complaints, 4 recalls20162017: 201 complaints, 2 recalls20120172018: 109 complaints, 3 recalls20182019: 23 complaints, 2 recalls2019
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each Cruze model year. The 2017 is highlighted[5].
Show the numbers
Model yearComplaintsRecalls
20117327
20128657
20135875
201470210
20152524
20162504
20172012
20181093
2019232

NHTSA has data for nine Cruze model years, 2011 to 2019. Here are the complaint and recall counts[5]:

Model year Complaints Recalls
2011[5] 732 7
2012[5] 865 7
2013[5] 587 5
2014[5] 702 10
2015[5] 252 4
2016[5] 250 4
2017[5] 201 2
2018[5] 109 3
2019[5] 23 2

The 2017 model has the third-lowest complaint count of the nine years. Only 2018 and 2019 are lower[5]. Its 2 recalls tie with 2019 for the fewest[5]. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold or how long they have been on the road, so the newest years may look better partly for that reason.

Should you buy a used 2017 Cruze?

The 2017 Cruze has fewer complaints and fewer recalls than every earlier Cruze year, and both of its recalls list a free remedy[5][3][4]. Engine complaints are the largest group at 76[2]. In the samples of texts we read, owners describe stalling and loss of power[2][8]. Before buying, check the VIN for open recalls, ask whether the stalling or electrical problems described above have ever shown up on the car, and test drive it with that in mind. If you are choosing between versions, the EPA ratings run from 31 to 37 combined MPG[18][6].

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2017 Chevrolet Cruze?
Engine is the group with the most NHTSA complaints at 76 of 201 total[1][2]. In a sample of engine complaints we read, owners describe stalling or shutting off[2]. Power train has 39 complaints and electrical has 33[8][9].
Does the 2017 Chevrolet Cruze have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 2: 18V304 for a possible fuel leak after a rear-impact crash and rollover, and 17V057 for front seat-backs that may break in a crash[3][4][5]. Both list a free remedy[3][4].
What MPG does the 2017 Chevrolet Cruze get?
EPA combined ratings run from 31 to 34 MPG for the 1.4L gasoline versions and 37 MPG for the 1.6L diesel versions[15][18][6][21].
Is the 2017 Chevrolet Cruze safe?
NHTSA lists overall ratings of 4 or 5 stars, frontal 5 stars, and side and rollover 4 stars[7][22][23][24].
Is 2017 a good year for the Chevrolet Cruze?
By NHTSA counts, 2017 has 201 complaints and 2 recalls[5]. Only 2018 and 2019 have fewer complaints, and 2019 ties it on recalls[5].

Facts and sources

  1. NHTSA has 201 owner complaints on file for the 2017 Chevrolet Cruze (8 mention a crash, 6 a fire, 5 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
  2. 76 complaints name the engine component group (1 crashes, 3 fires, 2 injuries, median mileage at failure 37,500). NHTSA vehicle records
  3. Recall 18V304, filed May 10, 2018: Fuel System, Gasoline. NHTSA recall database
  4. Recall 17V057, filed January 26, 2017: Seats › Front Assembly › Head Restraint. NHTSA recall database
  5. Owner complaints and recalls for every Chevrolet Cruze model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
  6. EPA rating for Cruze, 1.6L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic 9-spd, Diesel, Front-Wheel Drive: 31 city / 47 highway / 37 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,600. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  7. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4 DR FWD: overall 5 stars, frontal 5 stars, side 4 stars, rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 10.7%. NHTSA vehicle records
  8. 39 complaints name the power train component group (0 crashes, 1 fires, 2 injuries, median mileage at failure 32,695). NHTSA vehicle records
  9. 33 complaints name the electrical system component group (0 crashes, 2 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 27,875). NHTSA vehicle records
  10. 31 complaints name the unknown or other component group (2 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 28,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  11. 19 complaints name the brakes component group (1 crashes, 1 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 59,238). NHTSA vehicle records
  12. 16 complaints name the structure component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 38,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  13. 15 complaints name the fuel/propulsion system component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 16,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  14. 12 complaints name the exterior lighting component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 25,914). NHTSA vehicle records
  15. EPA rating for Cruze, 1.4L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic (S6), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 30 city / 40 highway / 34 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $1,950. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  16. EPA rating for Cruze Premier, 1.4L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic (S6), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 29 city / 39 highway / 33 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,050. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  17. EPA rating for Cruze Hatchback, 1.4L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic (S6), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 29 city / 38 highway / 32 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,100. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  18. EPA rating for Cruze Premier Hatchback, 1.4L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic (S6), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 28 city / 37 highway / 31 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,150. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  19. EPA rating for Cruze, 1.4L 4-cyl turbo, Manual 6-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 28 city / 39 highway / 32 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,100. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  20. EPA rating for Cruze Hatchback, 1.4L 4-cyl turbo, Manual 6-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 28 city / 37 highway / 31 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,150. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  21. EPA rating for Cruze, 1.6L 4-cyl turbo, Manual 6-spd, Diesel, Front-Wheel Drive: 30 city / 52 highway / 37 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,600. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  22. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4 DR FWD: overall 4 stars, frontal 5 stars, side 4 stars, rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 10.7%. NHTSA vehicle records
  23. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 5 HB FWD: overall 5 stars, frontal 5 stars, side 4 stars, rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 10.7%. NHTSA vehicle records
  24. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 5 HB FWD: overall 4 stars, frontal 5 stars, side 4 stars, rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 10.7%. NHTSA vehicle records
  25. EPA Test Car List, 2017 Chevrolet Cruze with 1.4L 4-cylinder: rated 148 hp. www.epa.gov
  26. EPA Test Car List, 2017 Chevrolet Cruze with 1.6L 4-cylinder: rated 136 hp. www.epa.gov
  27. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, CRUZE 4DR SEDAN: length 184 in, width 71 in, height 57 in, wheelbase 106 in, curb weight 2,756 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  28. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, CRUZE 5DR HATCH: length 175 in, width 70 in, height 58 in, wheelbase 106 in, curb weight 2,892 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov

Complaints submitted to NHTSA by owners; unverified reports, one complaint can name several components. Complaint counts are not normalized by sales; compare years of the same model, not different models. EPA annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new. Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles. Dimensions are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.