2018 Chevrolet CRUZE problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
109 owner complaints analyzed
3 distinct recall campaigns
24,500 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2018 model year. Data snapshot: . 61 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 27 of 109 complaints (24.8%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 19 | 17.4% |
| Transmission and shifting | 14 | 12.8% |
| Steering behavior | 11 | 10.1% |
| Engine operation | 9 | 8.3% |
| Fuel system concerns | 3 | 2.8% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 2 | 1.8% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Engine | 27 |
| Unknown Or Other | 24 |
| Power Train | 23 |
| Electrical System | 14 |
| Service Brakes | 12 |
| Steering | 9 |
| Air Bags | 8 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 6 |
Engine: 27; Unknown Or Other: 24; Power Train: 23; Electrical System: 14; Service Brakes: 12; Steering: 9; Air Bags: 8; Fuel/Propulsion System: 6
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 32 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 12 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 8 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 5 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 3 |
| 150,000 and above | 1 |
Under 25,000: 32; 25,000 to 49,999: 12; 50,000 to 74,999: 8; 75,000 to 99,999: 5; 100,000 to 149,999: 3; 150,000 and above: 1
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (32). 48 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2018 | 7 |
| 2019 | 23 |
| 2020 | 22 |
| 2021 | 10 |
| 2022 | 12 |
| 2023 | 8 |
| 2024 | 10 |
| 2025 | 10 |
| 2026 | 7 |
2018: 7; 2019: 23; 2020: 22; 2021: 10; 2022: 12; 2023: 8; 2024: 10; 2025: 10; 2026: 7
Pattern summary
Engine leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 19 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 14 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 11 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 11154606 · 2018-11-28 (November 28, 2018)
AS I WAS BACKING OUT I PLACED MY FOOT ON THE GAS AS I GOT READY TO BREAK I PLACED MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE, BUT THAT'S WHEN MY FOOT SLIPPED OFF THE PEDAL AND BACKED INTO THE PERSON BEHIND ME.
Owner-reported narrative. 4,005 miles reported. Look up ODI 11154606 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11208966 · 2019-05-21 (May 21, 2019)
MY CRUZE WAS EVOLVED IN A FRONT END ACCIDENT THAT THE BRAKES OPERATION IS IN QUESTION
Owner-reported narrative. 19,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11208966 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11297324 · 2020-01-06 (January 6, 2020)
ON I35 SOUTH BOUND JUST NORTH OF OSEOLA IA. AT 73 MILES AN HOUR SOMETHING CAME LOOSE ON LEFT FRONT CAR TOOK A HARD LEFT NO CONTROL CRASHING INTO CABLE BARRIER IN MEDIAN. 3 PEOPLE ON BOARD 2 FRONT 1 REAR. NONE CAN EXPLAIN WHAT HAPPENED IT HAPPENED SO FAST. LEFT FRONT WHEEL AND AXLE WERE NOT FOUND AT THE SEEN OF THE ACCIDENT LEFT FRONT WAS COMPLETELY GONE. ONLY 4 AIRBAGS OF THE 10 ON BOARD DEPLOYED. RECEIVED ONSTAR NOTIFICATIONS ON STABILITY CONTROL SYSTEM (STABILITRAK}, ANTILOCK BRAKING, ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION SYSTEM, AND FLAT DRIVERS SIDE REAR…
Owner-reported narrative. 18,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11297324 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11326302 · 2020-05-28 (May 28, 2020)
WHEN SHIFTING THE GEARBOX FROM PARK TO DRIVE OR FROM DRIVE TO PARK THE INFOTAINMENT SCREEN WILL GO TO MAXIMUM BRIGHTNESS AND CAN NOT BE DIMMED CAUSING GREATLY REDUCED VISION DURING NIGHT DRIVING SITUATIONS. IF YOU STOP IN REVERSE AND ALLOW THE REAR CAMERA TO ACTIVATE IT WILL WORK NORMALLY. DEALER REPORTS WORKING NORMALLY. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 23,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11326302 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11172201 · 2019-01-25 (January 25, 2019)
ALL AIRBAGS WERE DEPLOYED DURING THE ACCIDENT EXCEPT DRIVERS SIDE (STEERING WHEEL). THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION ON CITY STREET.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11172201 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11185508 · 2019-03-09 (March 9, 2019)
WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE AT 60MPH, WITHOUT WARNING THE ENGINE TURNED OFF. THE DASH WENT COMPLETELY DARK. NO POWER, NO STEERING. DRIFTED TO SHOULDER. PUT IN PARK, TURNED KEY TO OFF THEN ON. VEHICLE STARTED. (NO WARNING OR SERVICE CODES) REPLICATED AGAIN ABOUT 10 MINS LATER. ON CITY STREET TRAVELING 35 MPH WITHOUT WARNING DASH WENT DARK AND CAR SHUT OFF. SAME PROCEDURE TO START. (NO WARNING OR SERVICE CODES) UNKNOWN WHAT CAUSED MASSIVE FAILURE. NO INDICATORS.
Owner-reported narrative. 11,015 miles reported. Look up ODI 11185508 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11361128 · 2020-09-25 (September 25, 2020)
WITH ONLY 12,100 MILES ON THE VEHICLE, THE DUAL MASS FLYWHEEL AND CLUTCH SUDDENLY FAILED UPON A FALSE START AND THEN MADE THE VEHICLE UNSAFE TO DRIVE. REPAIRS REQUIRED A NEW FLYWHEEL AND A CLUTCH HYDRAULIC COMPONENT REPLACEMENT. THE FAILURE APPEARED TO HAPPEN QUICLY WITH THE FALSE START WHILE PARKED, BUT SUBSEQUENT DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY THE CLUTCH WAS UNRELIABLE AND CAUSED AN UNSAFE CONDITION WHERE THE VEHICLE COULD STALL IN TRAFFIC. I WAS ABLE TO LIMP INTO THE DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIRS, BECAUSE IT WAS A SHORT DRIVE FROM WHERE THE FAILURE HAD OC…
Owner-reported narrative. 12,100 miles reported. Look up ODI 11361128 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11366764 · 2020-10-27 (October 27, 2020)
ENGINE UNEXPECTEDLY STALLED WHEN BRAKING FOR NEIGHBORHOOD STOP SIGN. LOST POWER STEERING AND ENGINE POWER BUT DID NOT LOSE POWER TO GAUGES OR ACCESSORIES. NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT OR OTHER WARNING LIGHTS OR MESSAGES ON DASH. PUT CAR IN PARK AND RESTARTED ENGINE. NORMAL START. TURNED ONTO MAJOR CITY STREET AND DROVE HALF MILE. STARTED BRAKING FOR TRAFFIC LIGHT BUT DIDN'T COME TO FULL STOP BECAUSE LIGHT TURNED GREEN. ENGINE STALLED AGAIN. SAME EXACT THING AND AGAIN NO WARNING LIGHTS ON DASH. FELT LIKE A SITTING DUCK AND VERY SCARED OF GETTING REAR-E…
Owner-reported narrative. 37,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11366764 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11464098 · 2022-05-10 (May 10, 2022)
The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Cruze. The contact stated while driving 25-30 MPH, the vehicle felt imbalanced and was shuddering. Additionally, the engine emitted abnormal knocking sounds. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact then parked the vehicle a block away from his residence. The contact who is a certified independent mechanic, diagnosed that the fuel injectors had failed. The contact also diagnosed that the fuel injector had melted and fused into the number one cylinder, causing the engine to misfire. The contac…
Owner-reported narrative. 12,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11464098 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11682403 · 2025-08-22 (August 22, 2025)
I own a 2018 Chevrolet Cruze, and the infotainment touchscreen system has completely frozen with the same error screen that many other Cruze owners have reported online. This is not simply a case of an unresponsive touchscreen , the system locks up with an identical error screen across multiple Cruze vehicles (different years and trims). The issue disables all touchscreen functions, including Bluetooth connectivity, media, phone integration, and certain vehicle settings. While FM radio may continue to play, the rest of the infotainment system …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11682403 at NHTSA ↗