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EnginePart report

2018 Chevrolet Cruze Engine Problems

Complaints
27about this part
Share
25%of 109 total for the year
Median mileage
13,000miles
Trend
StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 27 complaints about the engine of the 2018 Chevrolet Cruze, 25% of the 109 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 13,000 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved and 2 a fire, according to the filers.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“Car had greatly reduced fuel economy and power. Should not have been driven. Chevy did not respond to multiple attempts to get rental. They forced me to drive a car that was not operating as designed even though it was under the bumper to bumper warranty and they agreed the car had issues. 2 weeks after driving it they figured out turbo has a leak that they fixed. 2 weeks I drove a car that sounded like a jet upon accelerating and chevy did nothing. Didn't even offer a rental.”

NHTSA complaint #11218191, filed 2019-06, 19,000 miles

“I backed out of my icy driveway and onto the clear, dry road. Set my cruise control to 48mph and after about 30 seconds, my traction control and service engine lights came on with an error message that said service stabilitrak and my cruise control turned off. I closed the stabilitrak message, the traction control light turned off after about 30 seconds, and the service engine light turned off shortly after. But my cruise control still wont engage. I've turned the vehicle off and on and it still isnt working. …”

NHTSA complaint #11301537, filed 2020-01, 32,460 miles

“I have a 2018 Cruze that I was driving on a 4 lane highway on top of a mountain, the brakes went out with me and my 6 month old in car, I was able to get to shoulder, towed to chevy, they said it was a faulty brake pump, and charged me 500 to fix it. Then less than 2 weeks later, same mountain, same thing, towed to the same chevy, they said that the replacement pump had exploded and it was caused by engine piston issues, and want 5 grand to fix it. I believe that chevy broke the car the first time and besides the fact, exploding brake pumps, 2 in a row is very scary. …”

NHTSA complaint #11342443, filed 2020-07, 110,000 miles

“I was 3 feet from turning left at intersection left lane turn (light had just turned green) through a intersection, when I noticed my engine was off. I rolled across the intersection; attempted to restart the car - car didn't start. The electricity in car was still on and normal. Coolant was at normal temp. Only radio was on low volume. No dashboard lights- nor messages appeared. Car wouldn't restart. Was stuck halfway in right (oncoming traffic) turn lane & half in business driveway. Put car in park & tried to turn on again. Nothing. Steering, brakes, lights and doors were functional. …”

NHTSA complaint #11302608, filed 2020-01, 45,700 miles

“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.”

NHTSA complaint #11185508, filed 2019-03, 11,015 miles

Related service bulletins

Engine: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2019522%
20182725%
20177336%
201610241%
20159939%
201421831%
201321236%
201226831%
201125735%

Other parts of the 2018 Chevrolet Cruze

Other or unknown
24 complaints
Transmission and drivetrain
23 complaints
Electrical system
14 complaints
Brakes
13 complaints
Steering
9 complaints
Air bags
8 complaints
Fuel system
7 complaints
Exterior lighting
5 complaints
Vehicle speed control
5 complaints
Wheels
5 complaints
Body and structure
4 complaints
Suspension
4 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2018 Chevrolet Cruze

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology