Chevrolet Cruze 2016–2019
2nd generation (J400)
NHTSA data through 12 August 2026882 complaints, 498 with mileageMethod
On this generation, failures are spread across the mileage range, with the middle half between 15,980 and 68,000 miles.
- Rest of the range
- Median
- 10%
- 2,000
- 25%
- 15,980
- Median
- 40,000
- 75%
- 68,000
- 90%
- 91,000
Show the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 0–10,000 | 87 | 17.5% |
| 10,000–20,000 | 67 | 13.5% |
| 20,000–30,000 | 50 | 10.0% |
| 30,000–40,000 | 42 | 8.4% |
| 40,000–50,000 | 34 | 6.8% |
| 50,000–60,000 | 42 | 8.4% |
| 60,000–70,000 | 53 | 10.6% |
| 70,000–80,000 | 31 | 6.2% |
| 80,000–90,000 | 36 | 7.2% |
| 90,000–100,000 | 15 | 3.0% |
| 100,000–110,000 | 17 | 3.4% |
| 110,000–120,000 | 8 | 1.6% |
| 120,000–130,000 | 3 | 0.6% |
| 130,000–140,000 | 5 | 1.0% |
| 140,000–150,000 | 4 | 0.8% |
| 160,000–170,000 | 3 | 0.6% |
| 180,000–190,000 | 1 | 0.2% |
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 882 complaints with NHTSA about the 2016–2019 Chevrolet Cruze, and 498 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 15,980 and 68,000 miles. The median is 40,000 miles.
The most-reported areas are the engine (23.2% of complaints, typically around 53,000 miles), the electrical system (12.2% of complaints, typically around 33,000 miles), problems owners could not categorise (11.2% of complaints, typically around 35,000 miles).
6 recall campaigns cover this generation.
What fails, and when
- Engine53,000median 53,000 miles, middle half 19,000 to 75,000
- Electrical system33,000median 33,000 miles, middle half 13,000 to 61,000
- Problems owners could not categorise35,000median 35,000 miles, middle half 12,000 to 60,000
- Transmission and driveline45,000median 45,000 miles, middle half 25,000 to 72,000
- Fuel and propulsion system36,000median 36,500 miles, middle half 8,000 to 67,000
- Brakes40,000median 40,000 miles, middle half 14,000 to 62,000
- Airbag system58,000median 58,000 miles, middle half 21,000 to 91,000
| System | Complaints | Share | Median | 25–75% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 205 | 23.2% | 53,000 | 19,000–75,000 |
| Electrical system | 108 | 12.2% | 33,000 | 13,000–61,000 |
| Problems owners could not categorise | 99 | 11.2% | 35,000 | 12,000–60,000 |
| Transmission and driveline | 99 | 11.2% | 45,000 | 25,000–72,000 |
| Fuel and propulsion system | 56 | 6.3% | 36,000 | 8,000–67,000 |
| Brakes | 50 | 5.7% | 40,000 | 14,000–62,000 |
| Airbag system | 38 | 4.3% | 58,000 | 21,000–91,000 |
| Steering | 33 | 3.7% | 43,000 | 21,000–61,000 |
| Throttle and speed control | 27 | 3.1% | 30,000 | 10,000–60,000 |
| Body structure | 27 | 3.1% | 42,000 | 18,000–75,000 |
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 40,000 miles; the figures below show which parts of the car run ahead of that and which run behind.
The engine accounts for 23.2% of complaints (205 reports, 105 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 53,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 19,000 and 75,000 miles.
The electrical system accounts for 12.2% of complaints (108 reports, 67 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 33,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 13,000 and 61,263 miles.
Problems owners could not categorise accounts for 11.2% of complaints (99 reports, 55 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 35,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 12,000 and 59,500 miles.
The transmission and driveline accounts for 11.2% of complaints (99 reports, 47 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 45,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 24,725 and 72,000 miles.
The fuel and propulsion system accounts for 6.3% of complaints (56 reports, 26 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 36,500 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 8,000 and 67,240 miles.
The brakes account for 5.7% of complaints (50 reports, 29 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 40,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 14,000 and 62,000 miles.
Differences between model years
Within this generation, complaint volume is not constant across model years. The 2016 model year drew the most — 391 complaints — while 2019 drew the fewest at 30. The median year sits at 230.
The first year of the generation, 2016, sits above the median. That is a common pattern — early production of a redesigned vehicle tends to surface problems that later years do not repeat — and it is worth weighing when choosing between years.
Recalls and what they cover
NHTSA records 6 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.
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 882 complaints filed against this generation, 73 reported a crash; 27 reported a fire; 44 reported an injury; 1 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 15,980 and 68,000 miles, with a median of 40,000. 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 33,000, 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 LE2 Turbo) 2016–2019
Coolant leaks from the plastic thermostat/water-outlet housing and turbo coolant lines, plus continued PCV-system and valve-cover failures inherited in concept from the LUJ.
Engine (1.4l LE2 Turbo) 2016–2019
Head gasket failure and coolant loss reported at moderate mileage, often following the cooling-system leaks above.
Emissions (1.6l Diesel) 2017–2018
DEF/SCR and DPF regeneration faults triggering limp mode and no-start countdowns.
By model year
| Year | Complaints | With mileage |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 391 | 238 |
| 2017 | 295 | 159 |
| 2018 | 166 | 94 |
| 2019 | 30 | 7 |
Recalls (6)
| Campaign | Date | Component |
|---|---|---|
| 20V668000 | 2020-12-15 | Power Train:automatic Transmission |
| 18V576000 | 2018-10-11 | Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:disc:caliper |
| 18V304000 | 2018-06-07 | Fuel System, Gasoline |
| 17V057000 | 2017-02-28 | Seats:front Assembly:head Restraint |
| 16V502000 | 2016-10-14 | Electrical System:ignition |
| 16V498000 | 2016-08-11 | Exterior Lighting:headlights |
What owners reported
Problem of sickening, strong odor inside the car while the engine is running. Sweet smell of coolant emanating from inside the dashboard ventilation area system. Odor persists throughout the drive. It persists in all settings of ventilation, a.C., Air, etc. I have brought the car in for repeated,failed attempts by…
2016 · 25 miles · Problems owners could not categorise
I purchased a new 2016 chevy Cruze limited from fairway Chevrolet on 4/2/16. At the time of purchase i was not aware that it had a center high mounted stop light flashing device on it[the dealer called it a "red alert system". I stated to dealership personnel that per DOT laws that i believe such a device is not…
2016 · 30 miles · Exterior lighting
Tl* the contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Cruze. Without warning, the vehicle had an internal leak that saturated the rear of the vehicle, the flooring, the electronic components, and caused various shorts within the vehicle. The vehicle was inspected by an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired.…
2016 · 250 miles · Body structure
As i was driving about 35 on a city street, everything seemed like just any other day. But it was far from it. I started to smell a funny plastic/rubber like smell coming from the front of my car. So immediately pulled over to check what was going on. It is key to note that i also checked my engine temperature…
2016 · 1,000 miles · Electrical system
Built from 498 NHTSA complaints with mileage · snapshot 2026-08-12 · open data · reproduce this page