What 698 owners told NHTSA about the 2014 Chevrolet Cruze Limited

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 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.

NHTSA ODI 11740155

I remote started my car using the factory installed remote starter, and approximately 5 minutes later I heard my car alarm start going off, so I went to investigate and when I opened the drivers side door, my car was filled with smoke and flames were coming up from the front passenger footwell, underneath the dash where the HVAC blower motor is located. I closed the drivers door and rushed inside to grab a fire extinguisher, but within those 10 seconds I was away, the fire has more than tripled in size. So when I opened the passenger door to use the extinguisher, the fire had grown out of control. With the fire put out, I started looking around and noticed that the engine bay for the car still has rubber hoses and pieces of plastic that are fully intact and haven't been burned, yet the interior of the car is completely gone. I have reason to believe the blower motor was the source of the fire. After talking to a few others that own the same car as me, some have said they've been noticing a burning smell and minor traces of smoke coming from that same area

NHTSA ODI 11704174

The contact owns a 2014 Chevrolet Cruze. The contact stated that while driving approximately 46 MPH, a Chevrolet Impala rear-ended the vehicle, causing the vehicle to flip over and slide into the woods. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact was unable to exit the vehicle at first but was later able to exit through the rear window. The driver was able to walk out of the woods to the highway to obtain assistance. Upon research, the contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V372000 (Air Bags). The air bag warning light was turning on and off days prior to the failure. There was an abnormal odor coming from the vehicle. The contact stated that several air bags deployed, trapping the contact in the vehicle. The contact sustained an extremely deep gash on her leg from the air bag. Medical attention was provided at the hospital. There was no reported fire. A Police report was filed but was not provided to the contact. The vehicle was towed to an unknown location. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the issue. The failure mileage was not available.

NHTSA ODI 11701409

My 2014 Chevy Cruze has been having some major safety issues as of late. The powertrain has been one of the major components in this system that has failed. The engine has overheated 3 times in the last 3 months causing many safety concerns to others on the road as well as myself due to having to randomly pull over on the side of the road on the busy highway. The car has jolted many times due to losing power and causing my neck to have a severe pinched nerve. These issues are related mainly to the fluid cooling/management systems and related hoses. It is available for inspection upon request. The problem has been confirmed by independent service center. The engine light repeatedly goes on and off causing many issues to the car daily.

NHTSA ODI 11654439

My car caught fire driving down the road

NHTSA ODI 11637979

Airbags did not deploy during accident. After accident; car displayed service airbags . Head hit windshield

NHTSA ODI 11625768

At [XXX] am on [XXX] the alarm sounded on my car that was parked beside my front porch. I was confused ; as I never locked my car and did not understand why my alarm would be going off. I opened the front door and the front of the car and underneath the engine was in flames. It was burning under the hood and burning and sparking behind the passenger side front tire It was very close to my home so I woke my son and we grabbed a few belongings and went out the back door. I was sure the fire would consume my car and our home. I immediately called 911 and the local fire department arrived and put it out but not before the windshield and all the tires exploded. This could have been deadly. There is absolutely no reason for my car to catch on fire. The police dept was notified and they reached out to me asking if I had full coverage insurance on my car that had burned. Unfortunately I did not. The car was paid for and I had liability insurance so I totally lost my car for an unknown reason. I looked for recalls , I called the Chevrolet company and asked if they could do an investigation but no they did not. There are recalls on earlier models of this car for combustion fires but not this model year. I wanted to sue the company as this was very traumatic and if this car had been in the garage it would have been a terrible disaster. I did not have time or money to spend on a lawsuit at the time I am writing this now because this needs to be on a public forum for other owners of this make and model car. I have lost trust in the Chevrolet company and will never ever buy another GM product. Two years later I still have no answers and nobody seemed to care that my car caught on fire for no reason in the early morning hours while we were sleeping during a rainy cold February morning and had not been driven since 9 pm the night before. Thank you INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI 11570307

Front end of vehicle collided with a deer. As a result of the crash, the car caught fire destroying the entire front of the vehicle. I came across an article that somewhat describes the details of my incident. However I was told there was no correlation with the recall from GM below from 2011/2012. Fuel system, gasoline: Storage Tank assembly: Mounting Recall date 2012-06-21 Recall no. 12V289000 GENERAL MOTORS (GM) IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 AND 2012 CHEVROLET CRUZE VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 2. 2009, THROUGH MAY 14, 2012. ATTACHMENT WELDS FOR THE FUEL TANK STRAP SECONDARY BRACKETS MAY HAVE BEEN OMITTED Hide details Recall consequence THE FUEL TANK COULD COME LOOSE IN A CRASH, POSSIBLY ALLOWING FUEL TO LEAK FROM THE TANK. A FUEL LEAK IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD RESULT IN A FIRE. Recall action GM WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE VEHICLE FOR MISSING WELDS. IF THE VEHICLE IS MISSING WELDS, DEALERS WILL SECURE THE BRACKET ATTACHMENTS WITH FASTENERS. REPAIRS WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON, OR ABOUT, JULY 11, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT THE CHEVROLET OWNER CENTER AT 1-866-694-6546

NHTSA ODI 11558924

Cooling issues, replaced the thermostat, water pump, reservoir, still having issues. Was in an accident in 2015 and the airbags didn't go off.

NHTSA ODI 11511386

Air bags did not deploy in a serious wreck, also with the seat belts not properly securing. First week I bought it. It shut off on the interstate because it was overheating. Ac compressor was broke so it got replace. The fan motor does not spin right. When my air/heater is on my engine make a LOUD noise (since the day I bought it). Cooling system has been replaced 4 times. Overall terrible car and everything needs to be recalled on it. Not safe to drive.

NHTSA ODI 11506889

Loss of steering cause to side collision into bridge at 70mph no air bags deployed and no seat belts locked cause bodily injuries

NHTSA ODI 11497680

I was involved in an accident at 70mph and the airbags did not deploy and the seat belts did not catch as a result I had to several injuries and luckily my 3 year old daughters car seat protected her

NHTSA ODI 11497172

I financed my car through drivetime in june 2019 and from the time i got the car i have been having electrical issues. My car has also been in a really bad accident prior to me purchasing it and when i tried to return it. They just kept telling me to go to pep boys because I had a 60 day warranty to fix any issues. I should not have had to take my car to any mechanic if I got it from a dealership. I now have really mad transmissin issues and I havent even had the car for 3 years. I believe this company sold me a lemon and i dont know how to prove it. I dont have the money to fix all the issues.

NHTSA ODI 11494041

The contact owns a 2014 Chevrolet Cruze. The contact stated while driving 40 mph, the vehicle in front applied the brakes unexpectedly, causing the contact to rear-end their vehicle. The contact stated the check engine and the traction control warning lights were illuminated before the accident. The contact stated no air bags were deployed. The contact stated no one was injured nor sought medical attention. Police officers went to the location of the accident but the contact was unable if a police report filed. The vehicle was not drivable. The vehicle was towed to a towing lot. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. A dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 135,000,

NHTSA ODI 11488907

I was in a collision and zero airbags deployed. I was hit T-bone style at an intersection.

NHTSA ODI 11432227

The contact owned a 2014 Chevrolet Cruze. The contact stated that while driving 62 mph when the contact noticed other drivers flashing their lights, therefore, they decided to pull over to the side of the road. When they pulled over they noticed that there was smoke coming through the vents of the vehicle. The vehicle's touchscreen on the dashboard that controls the radio as well as a few other functions went blank and the actual physical rubber parts of the screen began to melt. The contact turned off the vehicle and got out of the vehicle when the vehicle suddenly caught on actual fire. The fire department extinguished what was left of the fire after the contact's efforts. A police report was filed. The contact had received a burn to their arm. There was no medical attention needed. The vehicle was towed and deemed totaled. The contact had not spoken to the dealership. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The approximate failure mileage was 148,000.

NHTSA ODI 11430478

My radio was getting hot all the time I had a touch screen the dash would get hot and the glove box on top got hot. The sides of consoles would get hot to. I think my car had no engine shield it only happen when my car was running other ppl with 2014 cruzes say the samething.

NHTSA ODI 11430490

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2014 CHEVROLET CRUZE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE HER SISTER WAS DRIVING 55 MPH, WHEN ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE REAR DRIVER SIDE AND CAUSED HER VEHICLE TO SPIN AROUND, AS A RESULT THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE HIT A WALL. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT STATED NO ONE SUSTAINED ANY INJURIES OR SEEKED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT STATED THEY WERE ABLE TO DRIVE TO THEIR DESTINATION. THE CONTACT CALLED LOCAL DEALER WEBB CHEVY OAK LAWN (9440 S CICERO AVE, OAK LAWN, IL 60453) AND WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE INSURANCE ADJUSTER DEEMED THE VEHICLE WAS LOSS.THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN INFORMED OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 63,887.

NHTSA ODI 11383073

I WAS DRIVING TO WORK ON JAN 2 ON A 4 LANE ROAD IN THE RAIN AT 45 MPH AND MY CAR HYDROPLANED AND HIT THE GUARD RAID HEAD-ON SEVERAL TIMES. MY CAR WAS TOTALED, BOTH FRONT TIRES CAME OFF. MY SIDE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED BUT THE FRONT AIRBAGS DINNOT DEPLOY. MY INSURANCE COMPANY SAID I SHOULD REPORT THIS TO YOU, IN LOOKING AT THE TOTALED VEHICLE THEY FELT THE FRONT AIRBAGS SHOULD HAVE DEPLOYED.

NHTSA ODI 11300408

THERE'S A COOLANT PUMP MADE OF PLASTIC THAT HAS CAUSE SERVAL LEAKS AFTER GETTING THIS LEAKED FIX 2X IT CONTINUED TO LEAK AND CAUSED A FAILED HEAD GASKET AND CRACKED HEAD

NHTSA ODI 11300475

PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE AT 5MPH, SUDDENLY ACCELERATED OUT OF CONTROL WENT UP A BANK NET AND HIT A TREE TRUNK. HAD TO BE TOWED TO A GM BODY SHOP. DAMAGE IS 7000.00 DOLLARS. NO INJURY TO DRIVER.

NHTSA ODI 11291442

IN A PARKING LOT, GOING ABOUT 5MPH, CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED OUT OF CONTROL AND WENT UP A SLOPE CRASHED INTO A TREE STUMP AND GRAZED THE BACK OF A PARKED CAR WITH NO OCCUPANTS. AIR BAGS DID NOT GO OFF AND I WAS NOT INJURED BUT FRONT HOOD DETACHED AND I HAD IT TOWED TO MY DEALERS BODY SHOP. HAPPENED YESTERDAY, CALLED POLICE BUT THEY DO NOT COME TO PRIVATE LOTS. EXCHANGED INFO WITH THE PARKED CAR OWNERS WHEN THEY RETURNED.

NHTSA ODI 11281985

MY CHEVY CRUZE IS VERY UNSAFE. WHILE DRIVING, THE STEREO BEGINS TO SHUT ON AND OFF AND THE DISPLAY STARTS DISPLAYING VARIOUS WARNINGS SUCH AS "SERVICE STABILITRACK". OVER 5 TIMES NOW, WHEN I BEGIN A TURN FROM BEING IDLE, THE SAME OCCURS BUT WITH THE ADDED PROBLEM OF THE WHEEL LOCKING UP AND NOT LETTING ME TURN IT. I HAVE HAD TO STOP ALMOST COMPLETELY WHILE TURNING TO AVOID HITTING SOMETHING HEAD ON WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL GETS LOCKED. PLEASE PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS PROBLEM.

NHTSA ODI 11257235

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2014 CHEVROLET CRUZE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE CRASHED INTO AN ABANDONED VEHICLE ON THE HIGHWAY AT 60 MPH AND SEVERELY DAMAGED THE REAR, LIFTING IT UP ON A BARRIER WALL. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE CONTACT HAD BRUISES ON HER CHEST, WAIST, AND LEG FROM THE SEAT BELT. IN ADDITION, THERE WERE CUTS ON HER HAND. THE CONTACT WAS TAKEN BY AMBULANCE FOR THE INJURIES. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN CONTACTED AS OF YET. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 101,000.

NHTSA ODI 11233806

*ENGINE FIRE* 4/10/19... (XXXXX) WAS IN THE CAR AND IT WAS IDLING AT THE SANDY, UTAH MCDONALDS PARKING LOT WHEN SMOKE AND SMELL CAME FROM ENGINE. SHE PUT OUT FIRE WITH WATER. I ARRIVED 15-20 MINUTES LATER TO HELP. I INSPECTED ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND DID A VISUAL CHECK ONLY TO FIND BURNT WIRING. THERE WAS NO OTHER KNOWN ISSUES AND VERIFIED NO FLUIDS SPILLED. I CALLED THE INSURANCE COMPANY AND THEY HAD TOWED TO RIVERTON CHEVROLET TO WORK WITH CHEVROLET AND HAVE KNOWN ENGINE FIRE RISKS. 2014 CHEVROLET CRUISE CASE# 95243938936 (GM) VIN: (XXXXXX) 4/11/19 INSURANCE COMPANY TOWED TO RIVERTON MOTORS. RIVERTON MOTORS INVOICE# 6209533 / 6206861/1 4/11/19 THE DAY AFTER THE ENGINE FIRE, I RECEIVED A CALL FROM FRED URIBE (SERVICE REP.) FROM THE RIVERTON MOTORS SERVICE CENTER. HE STATED THAT THERE WAS OIL ALL OVER AND IT NEEDED REPAIR. I TOLD HIM THAT THE CAR WAS IN FOR AN ENGINE FIRE AND I NEVER HAD AN OIL OR ANY CAR LEAKS. HE TOLD ME IT WOULD BE ~$600 TO REPAIR THE OIL COOLER LEAK AND IT NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED BEFORE THE ENGINE FIRE ISSUE. A FEW DAYS LATER FRED CALLED AND SAID IT WAS ACTUALLY A TRANSMISSION FLUID LEAK. THEY DIAGNOSED THE FIRE AS BEING STARTED FROM THE TRANSMISSION FLUID LEAK? THE INVOICE WRONGLY STATED THAT I REPORTED A LEAK NEEDING REPAIR AND NOT THE FIRE I REPORTED!!! I INFORMED RIVERTON MOTORS THAT THERE WAS AN ENGINE FIRE AND NOT ANY LEAKS. INVOICE INCORRECTLY STATED: CUSTOMER STATED VEHICLE HAS A COOLANT LEAK, LATER STATED THE CUSTOMER STATED VEHICLE HAS AN OIL LEAK. AND THEN VEHICLE FOUND THE RADIATOR LEAKING. THE INVOICE DID NOT STATE THE ACTUAL REASON FOR THE SERVICE WAS AN ENGINE FIRE!!!! STATE FARM INSURANCE CLAIM: 44-8388-Q93 AMOUNT:  $148.78 COMPREHENSIVE - FIRE 5/20/19 REPORTED TO GM/MACHELLA ENGINE FIRE 2014 CHEVROLET CRUISE CASE# 95243938936 6/10/19 REPORTED TO NHTSA PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA ODI 11218883