What are the most common problems with the 2018 Chevrolet Cruze?

The engine group has the most complaints at 29. Power train has 23 and electrical has 14. The full list is in the problems section above.

Does the 2018 Chevrolet Cruze have recalls?

Yes, the by-year data shows recalls for 2018. They are listed in the Recalls section of this page.

Is the 2018 Chevrolet Cruze reliable?

Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales. See the problems and verdict sections for the groups owners name most.

What is the gas mileage of the 2018 Chevrolet Cruze?

See the fuel economy section of this page for the figures.

2018 Chevrolet Cruze Problems, Recalls and MPG

Q: How many complaints does the 2018 Chevrolet Cruze have?

NHTSA has 109 owner complaints on file.

NHTSA has 109 owner complaints on file for the 2018 Chevrolet Cruze^[1]. This page sorts them by the part of the car owners name, so you can see where trouble shows up.

109owner complaints^[1]

3recalls^[2]

31–37MPG combined (EPA)^[3]

5★NHTSA overall rating^[4]

Problems
Recalls
Fuel economy
Safety
Engine and size
By year
Verdict
FAQ

Most reported problems

Owners filed complaints across several parts of the car, and one complaint can name more than one part.

Engine. 29 complaints^[5]. In the stories we read, owners describe the engine shutting off while driving, warning lights that come on, and in one case a fire that started under the hood.
Unknown or other. 24 complaints^[6]. These reports do not fit a clear part, so we do not guess at a theme.
Power train. 23 complaints^[7]. Owners describe rough, jerky acceleration and a clutch pedal that sticks to the floor so the car cannot be shifted. Some also describe noises and vibration when shifting.
Electrical system. 14 complaints^[8]. Owners describe the car losing power and the dash going dark without warning, plus a trunk that could still be opened after locking the car.
Brakes. 13 complaints^[9]. In the stories we read, owners say the car did not stop as expected and ended up hitting the vehicle ahead. Others describe leaking or noisy brakes.
Steering. 9 complaints^[10].
Air bags. 8 complaints^[11].
Fuel and propulsion system. 6 complaints^[12].

Recalls

Newest first. Each recall covers only certain vehicles, so not every 2018 Cruze is necessarily included.

Power Train › Automatic Transmission (20V668), October 2020. About 194,105 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: fire, a crash. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[13]
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Disc › Caliper (18V576), August 2018. About 210,628 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, reduced braking. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[14]
Fuel System, Gasoline (18V304), May 2018. About 111,966 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: fire. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[15]

Fuel economy

EPA ratings depend on the engine and drive. Annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not prices when the car was new.

Version	City / highway / combined MPG	Annual fuel cost
Cruze, 1.4L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic (S6), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive^[16]	29 / 40 / 33	$2,050
Cruze Premier, 1.4L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic (S6), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive^[17]	29 / 39 / 33	$2,050
Cruze, 1.4L 4-cyl turbo, Manual 6-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive^[18]	27 / 40 / 32	$2,100
Cruze Hatchback, 1.4L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic (S6), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive^[19]	29 / 38 / 32	$2,100
Cruze Premier Hatchback, 1.4L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic (S6), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive^[20]	28 / 37 / 31	$2,150
Cruze Hatchback, 1.4L 4-cyl turbo, Manual 6-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive^[21]	27 / 38 / 31	$2,150
Cruze, 1.6L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic 9-spd, Diesel, Front-Wheel Drive^[3]	31 / 47 / 37	$2,600
Cruze, 1.6L 4-cyl turbo, Manual 6-spd, Diesel, Front-Wheel Drive^[22]	30 / 52 / 37	$2,600
Cruze Hatchback, 1.6L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic 9-spd, Diesel, Front-Wheel Drive^[23]	30 / 45 / 35	$2,750
Cruze Hatchback, 1.6L 4-cyl turbo, Manual 6-spd, Diesel, Front-Wheel Drive^[24]	29 / 48 / 35	$2,750

Safety ratings

Version	Overall	Frontal	Side	Rollover	Rollover risk
5 HB FWD^[4]	5	5	4	4	10.7%
4 DR FWD^[25]	5	5	4	4	10.7%

Engine and size

Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles.

Engine	Horsepower
2018 Chevrolet Cruze with 1.4L 4-cylinder^[26]	148 hp
2018 Chevrolet Cruze with 1.6L 4-cylinder^[27]	136 hp

How 2018 compares with other years

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each Cruze model year. The 2018 is highlighted^[2].

Show the numbers

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

NHTSA's counts for the Cruze show 109 complaints and 3 recalls for 2018^[2]. Among the 9 model years listed, 1 have fewer complaints than 2018 and 7 have more^[2]. The fewest complaints are for 2019 (23) and the most are for 2012 (865)^[2]. These counts are not adjusted for sales, so treat them as a rough guide. The chart above shows every year.

Should you buy a used 2018 Cruze?

The 2018 Cruze has 109 complaints on file^[1], and the engine group is the biggest^[5]. Power train, electrical and brake reports follow^[7]^[8]^[9]. Some owners describe sudden loss of power, which is worth taking seriously. These are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for how many cars were sold^[1]. Check the recalls and the other sections on this page before you buy, and have any used Cruze inspected first.

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2018 Chevrolet Cruze?: The engine group has the most complaints at 29^[5]. Power train has 23^[7] and electrical has 14^[8]. The full list is in the problems section above.
Does the 2018 Chevrolet Cruze have recalls?: Yes, the by-year data shows recalls for 2018^[2]. They are listed in the Recalls section of this page.
How many complaints does the 2018 Chevrolet Cruze have?: NHTSA has 109 owner complaints on file^[1].
Is the 2018 Chevrolet Cruze reliable?: Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales^[1]. See the problems and verdict sections for the groups owners name most.
What is the gas mileage of the 2018 Chevrolet Cruze?: See the fuel economy section of this page for the figures.

Keep exploring

Other model years of the Chevrolet Cruze

2011 732 complaints, 7 recalls
2012 865 complaints, 7 recalls
2013 587 complaints, 5 recalls
2014 702 complaints, 10 recalls
2015 252 complaints, 4 recalls
2016 250 complaints, 4 recalls
2017 201 complaints, 2 recalls
2018 this page

Compare all model years of the Chevrolet Cruze

Other Chevrolet models from 2018

2018 Chevrolet Equinox 410 complaints, 5 recalls
2018 Chevrolet Tahoe 105 complaints, 3 recalls
2018 Chevrolet Traverse 464 complaints, 2 recalls

All Chevrolet models

Similar cars from 2018: compact cars

2018 Audi A3 45 complaints, 7 recalls
2018 Audi A4 54 complaints, 4 recalls
2018 Ford Focus 837 complaints, 7 recalls
2018 Honda Civic 755 complaints, 6 recalls
2018 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class 0 complaints, 1 recall

All compact cars we cover

Facts and sources

NHTSA has 109 owner complaints on file for the 2018 Chevrolet Cruze (17 mention a crash, 3 a fire, 7 injuries, 1 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
Owner complaints and recalls for every Chevrolet Cruze model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
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
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
29 complaints name the engine component group (1 crashes, 2 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 16,000). NHTSA vehicle records
24 complaints name the unknown or other component group (0 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 18,000). NHTSA vehicle records
23 complaints name the power train component group (3 crashes, 0 fires, 3 injuries, median mileage at failure 51,863). NHTSA vehicle records
14 complaints name the electrical system component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 40,000). NHTSA vehicle records
13 complaints name the brakes component group (7 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 39,780). NHTSA vehicle records
9 complaints name the steering component group (2 crashes, 0 fires, 2 injuries, median mileage at failure 30,400). NHTSA vehicle records
8 complaints name the air bags component group (7 crashes, 0 fires, 4 injuries, median mileage at failure 36,000). NHTSA vehicle records
6 complaints name the fuel/propulsion system component group (0 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
Recall 20V668, filed October 29, 2020: Power Train › Automatic Transmission. NHTSA recall database
Recall 18V576, filed August 30, 2018: Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Disc › Caliper. NHTSA recall database
Recall 18V304, filed May 10, 2018: Fuel System, Gasoline. NHTSA recall database
EPA rating for Cruze, 1.4L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic (S6), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 29 city / 40 highway / 33 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,050. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
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
EPA rating for Cruze, 1.4L 4-cyl turbo, Manual 6-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 27 city / 40 highway / 32 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,100. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
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
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
EPA rating for Cruze Hatchback, 1.4L 4-cyl turbo, Manual 6-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 27 city / 38 highway / 31 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,150. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
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
EPA rating for Cruze Hatchback, 1.6L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic 9-spd, Diesel, Front-Wheel Drive: 30 city / 45 highway / 35 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,750. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
EPA rating for Cruze Hatchback, 1.6L 4-cyl turbo, Manual 6-spd, Diesel, Front-Wheel Drive: 29 city / 48 highway / 35 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,750. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
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
EPA Test Car List, 2018 Chevrolet Cruze with 1.4L 4-cylinder: rated 148 hp. www.epa.gov
EPA Test Car List, 2018 Chevrolet Cruze with 1.6L 4-cylinder: rated 136 hp. www.epa.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.

2018 Chevrolet Cruze: problems, recalls and fuel economy