MODELYEARINDEX

Which Chevrolet Cruze years to avoid

Across 9 scored model years, the 2012, 2011 and 2014 model years carry the highest severity-weighted complaint rates.

Ownership label · Chevrolet Cruze Full report
F
Grade 2011–2019
2012 vs model median 3.1×
Model median3× median
Engine 129
Electrical 124
Brakes 89
Avoid

2011 · 2012

Best

2018 · 2019

Year by year

Severity-weighted complaints filed in each model year’s first 60 months on the road, so every year is measured over an identical window.

Year Complaint volume vs median Reports Grade
2011
2.34× 553 F
2012
3.13× 698 F
2013
1.95× 422 F
2014
2.26× 472 F
2015
0.87× 191 C
2016
1.00× 215 C
2017
0.67× 160 B
2018
0.56× 106 B
2019
0.09× 17 A

What owners report

The component groups most often named, with one representative report. These are unverified — allegations, not findings.

2011 F 553 reports · median 35,000 mi

  1. Engine 144

    I was driving at 30 MPH and looking to change lanes. I backed off the throttle to let one car pass. Just when there was an opening in traffic and I was ready to accelerate, the computer took full control of the vehicle. owner complaint filed with NHTSA

  2. Drivetrain 76

    The contact owns a 2011 chevrolet cruze. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, she would notice that the vehicle would hesitate or jerk forward. owner complaint filed with NHTSA

  3. Brakes 49

    We purchased and took possession of a new 2011, chevy cruze on wed., march 30th. First new car in 11 years and we were thrilled. owner complaint filed with NHTSA

30 crash · 12 fire · 30 injuries

2012 F 698 reports · median 40,000 mi

  1. Engine 129

    The contact owns a 2012 chevrolet cruze. While traveling 45 MPH the contact noticed flames coming from the front of the vehicle without warning of a problem. owner complaint filed with NHTSA

  2. Electrical 124

    I was driving home and out of nowhere my 2012 chevy cruze dings and says "engine overheating A/C turned off," I was very surprised but kept driving and literally one minute later the car dings again. owner complaint filed with NHTSA

  3. Brakes 89

    The contact owns a 2012 chevrolet cruze. The contact stated that after shifting the vehicle into reverse, the brakes became inoperable. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the vacuum pump was replaced. owner complaint filed with NHTSA

65 crash · 12 fire · 22 injuries

The best year for the Cruze

Ranked by overall score among years with a full 60 months on the road.

2019 is the best-scoring Cruze model year with a full 60 months on the road, at 92.7 out of 100 — a score that combines complaint rate, recall campaigns and open investigations.

Yearvs medianReportsGrade
2019 0.09× 17 A
2018 0.56× 106 B
2017 0.67× 160 B

Recalls

26 campaigns on record.

Campaign Component Model years Units affected
12V288000 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 2011, 2012 413,148
13V360000 SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST 2011, 2012 292,879
18V576000 SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER 2018, 2019 210,628
20V668000 POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION 2018, 2019 194,105
14V151000 POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY:AXLE SHAFT 2013, 2014 174,046
11V270000 STEERING:GEAR BOX:SHAFT SECTOR 2011 128,911
18V304000 FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE 2016–2018 111,966
11V273000 POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:GEAR POSITION INDICATION (PRNDL) 2011 100,308
12V289000 FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:MOUNTING 2011, 2012 53,239
16V498000 EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS 2016 32,913
14V300000 AIR BAGS 2012 31,520
14V372000 AIR BAGS 2013, 2014 29,019

+ 14 further campaigns

How long do they last?

Complaint records show when problems get reported, not how long a car survives. Where owners gave an odometer reading, faults on the 2012 were reported at a median of 40,000 miles. Treat that as the point problems start being noticed, not a lifespan.

Common questions

Answered directly from this model’s record.

Which Chevrolet Cruze years should you avoid?
2012, 2011, 2014 carry the highest severity-weighted complaint rates of any Chevrolet Cruze model year measured over an identical 60-month window.
What is the best year for the Chevrolet Cruze?
2019 is the best-scoring Chevrolet Cruze model year with a full 60 months on the road, at 92.7 out of 100. The score combines complaint rate, recall campaigns and open investigations.
How many recalls does the Chevrolet Cruze have?
26 distinct recall campaigns are on record across all scored Chevrolet Cruze model years. A recall is a matter of record: the manufacturer filed a defect report with NHTSA.

How this was calculated

Every model year is scored over an identical window: complaints filed with NHTSA during the first 60 months after that model year went on sale. Without this, older cars look worse purely because they have had longer to accumulate reports.

Limitations. Complaints are unverified reports submitted voluntarily by owners; they are allegations, not findings, and reporting rates vary between models. Model years with fewer than 60 months on the road are marked provisional and excluded from verdicts. Cross-model comparison is withheld pending production-volume data.

Full methodology · Sources · Data vintage August 9, 2026

Working 2012 Cruze
Complaints in window
698
Severity-weighted
1,154.5
Model median (weighted)
369
vs model median
3.13×
Recall campaigns (weighted)
7
Open investigations
0
Score 10 F