Chevrolet Cruze 2011–2015
1st generation (J300) — plus the MY2016 'Cruze Limited' carryover
NHTSA data through 12 August 20264,884 complaints, 3,648 with mileageMethod
On this generation, failures are spread across the mileage range, with the middle half between 24,000 and 84,135 miles.
- Rest of the range
- Median
- 200,000+ — 14 complaints (0.4%), plotted separately
- 10%
- 5,000
- 25%
- 24,000
- Median
- 54,997
- 75%
- 84,135
- 90%
- 115,000
Show the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 0–5,000 | 363 | 10.0% |
| 5,000–10,000 | 174 | 4.8% |
| 10,000–15,000 | 148 | 4.1% |
| 15,000–20,000 | 101 | 2.8% |
| 20,000–25,000 | 137 | 3.8% |
| 25,000–30,000 | 119 | 3.3% |
| 30,000–35,000 | 112 | 3.1% |
| 35,000–40,000 | 159 | 4.4% |
| 40,000–45,000 | 187 | 5.1% |
| 45,000–50,000 | 129 | 3.5% |
| 50,000–55,000 | 195 | 5.3% |
| 55,000–60,000 | 181 | 5.0% |
| 60,000–65,000 | 132 | 3.6% |
| 65,000–70,000 | 177 | 4.9% |
| 70,000–75,000 | 140 | 3.8% |
| 75,000–80,000 | 123 | 3.4% |
| 80,000–85,000 | 165 | 4.5% |
| 85,000–90,000 | 99 | 2.7% |
| 90,000–95,000 | 113 | 3.1% |
| 95,000–100,000 | 81 | 2.2% |
| 100,000–105,000 | 113 | 3.1% |
| 105,000–110,000 | 52 | 1.4% |
| 110,000–115,000 | 67 | 1.8% |
| 115,000–120,000 | 59 | 1.6% |
| 120,000–125,000 | 62 | 1.7% |
| 125,000–130,000 | 37 | 1.0% |
| 130,000–135,000 | 60 | 1.6% |
| 135,000–140,000 | 30 | 0.8% |
| 140,000–145,000 | 37 | 1.0% |
| 145,000–150,000 | 11 | 0.3% |
| 150,000–155,000 | 26 | 0.7% |
| 155,000–160,000 | 3 | 0.1% |
| 160,000–165,000 | 9 | 0.2% |
| 165,000–170,000 | 11 | 0.3% |
| 170,000–175,000 | 6 | 0.2% |
| 175,000–180,000 | 9 | 0.2% |
| 185,000–190,000 | 7 | 0.2% |
| 200,000+ | 14 | 0.4% |
What this can and cannot tell you: these are complaints owners chose to file, not a failure rate. Popular models accumulate more of them simply by being common. How this is built.
Owners filed 4,884 complaints with NHTSA about the 2011–2015 Chevrolet Cruze, and 3,648 of them record the mileage at which the failure happened. That is enough to show not just what fails, but when.
Failures are spread across the mileage range, with the middle half between 24,000 and 84,135 miles. The median is 54,997 miles.
The most-reported areas are the engine (21.5% of complaints, typically around 69,000 miles), the electrical system (13.3% of complaints, typically around 50,000 miles), the transmission and driveline (11.8% of complaints, typically around 52,000 miles).
21 recall campaigns cover this generation.
What fails, and when
- Engine69,000median 68,518 miles, middle half 37,000 to 97,000
- Electrical system50,000median 50,238 miles, middle half 30,000 to 80,000
- Transmission and driveline52,000median 52,500 miles, middle half 11,000 to 82,000
- Problems owners could not categorise66,000median 65,500 miles, middle half 35,000 to 93,000
- Steering44,000median 44,000 miles, middle half 21,000 to 68,000
- Electronic stability control (esc)66,000median 66,000 miles, middle half 42,000 to 90,000
- Brakes40,000median 40,000 miles, middle half 13,000 to 70,000
| System | Complaints | Share | Median | 25–75% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 1,048 | 21.5% | 69,000 | 37,000–97,000 |
| Electrical system | 650 | 13.3% | 50,000 | 30,000–80,000 |
| Transmission and driveline | 575 | 11.8% | 52,000 | 11,000–82,000 |
| Problems owners could not categorise | 368 | 7.5% | 66,000 | 35,000–93,000 |
| Steering | 344 | 7.0% | 44,000 | 21,000–68,000 |
| Electronic stability control (esc) | 344 | 7.0% | 66,000 | 42,000–90,000 |
| Brakes | 293 | 6.0% | 40,000 | 13,000–70,000 |
| Airbag system | 220 | 4.5% | 48,000 | 15,000–80,000 |
| Throttle and speed control | 207 | 4.2% | 45,000 | 16,000–82,000 |
| Fuel and propulsion system | 196 | 4.0% | 58,000 | 26,000–90,000 |
Which systems, and when
Complaints about this generation are not spread evenly across the vehicle, and the systems that generate the most of them do not all fail at the same point in a car's life. The median failure across all systems here is 54,997 miles; the figures below show which parts of the car run ahead of that and which run behind.
The engine accounts for 21.5% of complaints (1,048 reports, 722 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 68,518 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 37,000 and 97,000 miles.
The electrical system accounts for 13.3% of complaints (650 reports, 487 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 50,238 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 30,000 and 79,887 miles.
The transmission and driveline accounts for 11.8% of complaints (575 reports, 425 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 52,500 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 11,264 and 82,100 miles.
Problems owners could not categorise accounts for 7.5% of complaints (368 reports, 224 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 65,500 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 35,048 and 93,000 miles.
The steering accounts for 7.0% of complaints (344 reports, 278 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 44,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 21,000 and 67,790 miles.
Electronic stability control (esc) accounts for 7.0% of complaints (344 reports, 296 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 66,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 42,000 and 90,200 miles.
Differences between model years
Within this generation, complaint volume is not constant across model years. The 2012 model year drew the most — 1,353 complaints — while 2015 drew the fewest at 383. The median year sits at 1,099.
Recalls and what they cover
NHTSA records 21 recall campaigns covering vehicles in this generation. A recall means the manufacturer or the regulator concluded there was a safety defect or a standard was not met, and that a free remedy is owed to owners — including second and later owners.
The campaigns cluster around the airbag system (7), the transmission and driveline (4), the steering (3). Repeated recalls against the same area of the car generally mean the first remedy did not fully resolve the underlying problem.
Recall status is specific to the individual vehicle, not the model. Checking a VIN against NHTSA's lookup is free and takes under a minute, and it is the only way to know whether a particular car has had the work done.
Reported severity
Of the 4,884 complaints filed against this generation, 403 reported a crash; 109 reported a fire; 261 reported an injury; 4 reported a fatality. Crash-involved reports represent 8.3% of the total.
These are owner-reported outcomes, not verified investigations, and they are not adjusted for how many of these vehicles are on the road. They are included because the distinction between a fault that strands a car and a fault that causes a collision is the one that matters most, and it is not visible in a complaint count alone.
What this means if you are buying one
For a buyer, failures on this generation are spread rather than concentrated: the middle half falls between 24,000 and 84,135 miles, with a median of 54,997. There is no single mileage threshold to watch, which means condition and maintenance records are more informative than the odometer.
On inspection, the engine and the electrical system are where this generation's reports concentrate, so those are the areas worth a specific look. The electrical system in particular shows a median failure mileage of 50,238, which gives a concrete number to compare against the odometer of any car you are considering.
None of this is a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection on the individual car. Aggregate patterns describe a population; the example in front of you has its own history.
Documented problems
Engine (1.4l Turbo) — Pcv System 2011–2015
The PCV regulator diaphragm integrated into the plastic valve cover ruptures, and the intake-manifold check valve and corrugated PCV hose fail alongside it, creating an uncontrolled vacuum leak. Symptoms are a whistle, rough idle, oil consumption, and in severe cases the crankcase vacuum blows out the rear main seal. All three components are known weak points across MY2011-2016.
Cooling System 2011–2015
Coolant/water outlet housing and thermostat housing crack and leak (commonly seen dripping under the throttle body onto the transmission); water pump leaks are also frequent and were covered to 10 years / 120,000 miles.
Electrical 2011–2015
Negative battery cable terminal was under-crimped at the factory and loosens over time, raising internal resistance. Produces flickering lights, radio/HVAC display cycling, and spurious ABS / Service Traction / Service StabiliTrak / power-steering messages, and can cause stalling. Covered by GM Special Coverage 14311 and Customer Satisfaction Program 46000, extended to 10 years / 120,000 miles.
Turbocharger 2011–2015
Wastegate and turbo bearing failures on the 1.4L LUJ producing loss of boost and a check-engine light.
By model year
| Year | Complaints | With mileage |
|---|---|---|
| 2011 | 1,115 | 885 |
| 2012 | 1,353 | 1,102 |
| 2013 | 934 | 650 |
| 2014 | 1,099 | 746 |
| 2015 | 383 | 265 |
Recalls (21)
| Campaign | Date | Component |
|---|---|---|
| 25V764000 | 2025-12-05 | Air Bags:side/Window |
| 23V870000 | 2024-07-22 | Air Bags:side/Window |
| 23V674000 | 2024-07-12 | Air Bags:side/Window |
| 16V502000 | 2016-10-14 | Electrical System:ignition |
| 15V876000 | 2016-01-27 | Seat Belts:front:anchorage |
| 15V442000 | 2015-07-28 | Steering |
| 15V113000 | 2015-03-24 | Parking Brake |
| 14V417000 | 2014-08-29 | Equipment:electrical |
| 14V300000 | 2014-07-25 | Air Bags |
| 14V372000 | 2014-06-28 | Air Bags |
| 14V151000 | 2014-06-09 | Power Train:axle Assembly:axle Shaft |
| 14V092000 | 2014-04-10 | Power Train:automatic Transmission |
| 13V452000 | 2013-10-15 | Power Train:axle Assembly:axle Shaft |
| 13V360000 | 2013-10-07 | Service Brakes, Hydraulic:power Assist |
| 13V023000 | 2013-02-13 | Air Bags |
| 12V522000 | 2013-01-11 | Air Bags |
| 12V288000 | 2012-07-10 | Engine and Engine Cooling |
| 12V289000 | 2012-07-09 | Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly:mounting |
| 11V270000 | 2011-05-23 | Steering:gear Box:shaft Sector |
| 11V273000 | 2011-05-17 | Power Train:automatic Transmission:gear Position Indication (prndl) |
| 11V221000 | 2011-04-07 | Steering:column |
What owners reported
I was driving home on a highway during rush hour. The traffic was very slow moving - about 10 MPH. After slowing to almost a complete stop, i pressed the accelerator and could not get the car over 3 MPH. I was able to get off an exit and pull over. When i turned the car off and back on again, the car would not move…
2011 · 3 miles · Transmission and driveline
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet Cruze. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds and letting off the accelerator, the vehicle would downshift slowly or aggressively. The vehicle was inspected by a dealer and they advised him that they were unable to diagnose the failure and that the computer was…
2011 · 7 miles · Throttle and speed control
When at a stop and when i go to take off car rolls backward. This car has a automatic trans, but act like a stick trans, i bought this car new off lot. And first brakes keep locking up like something is in it. But if i roll backward it disengages . I've taken it to the dealer a couple of times due to this issue and…
2011 · 15 miles · Brakes
Engine seems to momentarily cutoff when accelerating after moving about 15 feet or less with accelerator in steady position from a stop after idling in gear. Dealer description hesitation, sometimes it does hesitate when pressing the accelerator but mostly seems to lose all power momentarily. Issue is repeatable and…
2011 · 20 miles · Transmission and driveline
Built from 3,648 NHTSA complaints with mileage · snapshot 2026-08-12 · open data · reproduce this page