General motors (gm) is recalling certain model year 2011 and 2012 chevrolet cruze vehicles manufactured from october 2, 2009, through may 31, 2012. Spilled or dripping oil (such as after an oil change) may collect in the engine shield (bellypan) near hot...
Engine & cooling
Chevrolet Cruze Engine problems by year
680 complaints filed with NHTSA about the Chevrolet Cruze's engine & cooling. Stalling, loss of power, oil consumption, overheating, head gaskets, timing chains and engine failure.
Engine complaints by model year
Engine recalls
Latest Cruze engine complaints
To the Office of Defects Investigation, I am writing to formally report a dangerous and urgent safety defect regarding my 2014 Chevrolet Cruze. My vehicle is exhibiting severe symptoms that pose an immediate risk of vehicle rollaway, property damage, and personal injury, and has left me dangerously stranded on the side of the road. While operating the vehicle, the physical gear shifter inside the cabin was placed into the "Park" position. However, the transmission shaft locked and failed to engage Park,...
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remaining physically stuck in "Reverse." As a direct result, the vehicle began rolling backwards out of control, requiring the immediate emergency deployment of the handbrake to halt the vehicle. Furthermore, because the vehicle's internal computer recognizes that the transmission is not safely in Park, the ignition cylinder has completely trapped my key. The key cannot be turned to the off position or removed from the ignition, leaving the electrical system active and draining the battery. Due to these interconnected safety failures and the transmission shaft locking, the check engine light is on and the car completely refuses to start. Unfortunately, I have been stuck on the side of the road with an inoperable, hazardous vehicle. This dangerous failure perfectly mirrors the conditions described in NHTSA Safety Recall Campaign Number 14V092000 (GM Campaign Number 14048) concerning transmission shift cable separation. I am filing this complaint to ensure this severe safety issue is officially documented against my vehicle's profile, and to request immediate assistance in ensuring General Motors provides a swift, remedy and safe towing for this severe manufacturing defect. Thank you for your prompt attention to this urgent safety matter, for not only my Safety, but also the Safety for others on the road. Everyone's time, guidance, attention and genuine concern for this unfortunate situation is beyond more than I can express in writing form, again Thank You!
It happened on [[redacted]] where the service engine light was on and died in the middle of traffic. This light was on after we purchased the vehicle but not on when we test drove it. I think the dealership knew about and are not wanting to fix it. Not the car want start at all. My son spent his hard earned money to purchase a car. We had to have it towed home. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
I purchased the car with my student financial aid money as soon as I got 5 car a few blocks away and the car started boiling.Then the key ignition system said use pocket transmitter that didn't work .I purchased a new battery I have a mechanic that's why I purchased the car I was confidant je could fix it no matter what the car was3 very unsafe no warming about the temperature gauge then when I was driving the car it stopped suddenly and I checked the fluids put antifreeze and oil the car engine was so hot it...
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damaged the heater bypass hose.I really needed my transportation I go school was a out to get a job I'm homeless I was going to a shelter for help but if I get a job I can afford rent.I am going through it. I am depressed the dealer said he don't know why the car keeps getting hot then my mechanic said the wasn't coming on in time . There were no leaks but antifreeze disappeared.Then white smoke came from the engine and in seconds the car vindicates it was over heating when the cars fluid were checked I purchased a new battery the lughts and radio worked but the key ignition system was dead and said use pocket transmitter.The dealer said car is sold as is.
It started over heating and I had to replace multiple coolant lines/hoses from the thermostat, heater core, the reservoir, radiator. Ive replace the intake diaphragm. Thought since all the pieces that got hot and cracked or broke got replaced that the issue was gone. Then one day I drove 8 mins into Ohio and it started smoking so I pulled off the road and had to have a tow truck come get it. It had blown a head gasket at least I thought but found out it had water in the oil so now needs a new motor. I still owe on the car and cant drive it
I'd like to report this vehicle and its engine as I did not know I could before we have had this car since 2015 This engine has chronic repeated issues that Chevy would patch once under "special coverages" or "extended warranty" and it fails again and again but they only honor it 1 time even if it fails yet again due to bad engineering or design flaws. This car has had 3 water pumps 5 water outlets- I eventually had to buy an off market alternative to stop this from failing, 2 (about to be 3) valve covers...
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because the PCV valve is a chronic failure on the system cause oil to bypass into the intake and feed back into the turbo but it's built into the valve cover instead of a separate piece like other engines. This car with the 1.4 L turbo is not safe or reliable to be on the road. The cruise control will work 1 maybe 2 times in a drive cycle then refuse to work again with no rhyme or reason and they cannot find the issue. This car has left me stranded many of times and is not trust worthy to be sold to someone else and Chevy will not honor the fact it's a failing engine. Could this be looked into I know I have had this car a long time it is just now at 120k miles all these problems started before 100k miles and are reoccurring.
car has been overheating run while i take the keys out doors will lock with keys in the ignition lots of lights will come on car will slow way down constantly adding antifreeze in it heat and air will stop working i have had trouble ever since i bought this a year ago
Manufacturer: General Motors / Chevrolet Vehicle: 2016 Chevrolet Cruze LT (VIN: [[redacted]]) Corporate Case Number: [redacted] Nature of Dispute: Premature mechanical failure of a major drivetrain assembly and administrative bad faith. Factual Timeline: Initial Failure & Prior Liability: At 51,490 miles, the vehicle suffered a mechanical failure of the turbocharger assembly. General Motors acknowledged defect awareness and prior liability by funding a $1,000 payout to complete the repair. Premature Secondary...
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Failure: Just 40,000 miles after that official manufacturer repair, a certified Chevrolet dealership service department formally diagnosed a second total mechanical failure of the turbocharger assembly (Error Codes: P0299 Underboost and P1101 Airflow Performance). Administrative Breakdown: Upon requesting a supervisor escalation due to a combative tier-1 case manager, the manufacturer reactively demanded unauthorized diagnostic fees and prematurely closed the file. General Motors subsequently breached its 24-hour supervisor review commitment and issued a final refusal to address the recurring mechanical defect on its network. Remedy Sought: Full manufacturer coverage for the replacement of the prematurely failed drivetrain component based on documented prior corporate liability. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
For the first question, I'd strengthen it to: The vehicle has experienced repeated engine and engine-cooling system failures, including recurring overheating and coolant loss. Over approximately the past year, I have had to replace or repair numerous components, including the radiator, thermostat housing, temperature sensor, water outlet, turbocharger/turbocharger components, O-rings, multiple oil seals, and the head gasket. I have also had other cooling and engine components repaired, although I no longer have a...
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complete list of every component that has been replaced. Despite these repairs, the vehicle continues to experience overheating and coolant loss. The vehicle has also experienced loss of power while driving. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request. The vehicle has repeatedly displayed an overheating warning. Other symptoms have included coolant loss, shaking and vibration, rough or uneven acceleration, loss of engine power while driving, and a check-engine light. The check-engine light has previously flashed during operation. The vehicle has also experienced unexplained engine-oil loss. These problems have continued despite extensive repairs over approximately the past year, including replacement of the radiator, thermostat housing, temperature sensor, water outlet, turbocharger/turbocharger components, O-rings, oil seals, and head gasket. The repeated failures have created a significant safety risk because the vehicle has overheated while being driven and has previously lost power while traveling on the highway. I have been forced to stop on the side of the road, where I was almost struck by another vehicle. The possibility of sudden loss of power or overheating while traveling in traffic creates a serious risk to both myself and other motorists.
Hh
Engine replaced turbo charger. Purchased the vehicle on 5/16 and a week later the engine light came on. Took the vehicle to AutoZone and received a code of P0299. Call the dealership and got no response from the salesperson so I made an appointment for 5/27. Problem was dismissed as the engine light was no longer displayed. Told to return when the light reappeared. The car stalls and the acceleration was an issue, especially for a 19 year old inexperienced driver. This put her life and those around her in...
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danger. Took the vehicle back on 6/5 and had to leave it. No vehicles available or offered while the car was in the shop. This time they scanned the vehicle and came up with the same P0299 code. Left the vehicle for a week and the cost for the engine replaced turbocharger and all single use parts related for the repair was $3010.38 Yes, the vehicle was presented as "as as." However, the vehicle was also presented as if the maintenance and repairs were all completed and the vehicle was road ready and safe and this was not the case at all.
I have replaced my whole engine and the cars fuel system.. my gas was backing into my oil along with the engine failing .. has happened again. This car has been a nightmare and just keeps failing. Strong gas and oil burning smell then car starts smoking. Had to shut it off in the middle of the road.
Coolant system and engine fan
On May 25, 2026, at approximately 3:30 p.m. Central Time, after the vehicle had been operated under normal conditions and subsequently parked, a fire originated within the vehicle's engine compartment and/or under-hood area. Personnel from the Milwaukee Fire Department responded to the scene and extinguished the fire. An official fire investigation report is pending and is expected to be available within the coming week. The incident has been documented through photographs and video recordings, all of which have...
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been preserved. The vehicle itself remains in its post-fire condition and has been retained for inspection. At this time, the precise cause and origin of the fire have not been determined, of which no warning lamps nor other symptoms of a problem prior to incident.
The contact owns a 2014 Chevrolet Cruze. The contact stated that while driving the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was able to restart. The vehicle began jerking motions and misfiring. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and was diagnosed with a cam shaft failure and diagnostic codes P0016, P0101. The manufacturer was notified of the issue. The approximate failure mileage was 82,000
My engine needed oil I checked the dip stick added the oil the next day my engine started leaking and over heating come to find out there's a pcv issue the valve cover gasket along with multiple other seals need replaced I was unaware of anything wrong no indication of over heating I just smelled the heat and was able to see after popping the hood the radiator fan is now not working and gas is coming through the valves
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked daily. Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data