What 251 owners told NHTSA about the 2015 Chevrolet Cruze Limited

AC Off Due to High Engine Temp message flashes on dashboard.

NHTSA ODI 11521939

I had the water outlet assembly repaired by Mike Castrucci Chevrolet on 02/05/21. I had it repaired again by Car X on 04/05/2023. Car X said that Mike Castrucci Chevrolet tightened the screw on the part and stripped it. This could have caused me to buy a $2,000 head gasket. This part was recalled on the 2011-2014 Chevrolet Cruze. Mine is a 2015 Chevrolet Cruze purchased in August 2015. No warning lamps told me of this problem. Onstar did not detect it.

NHTSA ODI 11515675

Leaking coolant underneath the vehicle

NHTSA ODI 11515329

The steering wheel will intermittently "stick" requiring a slight tug to release.

NHTSA ODI 11513418

It shakes and stutters while driving off and on. If it’s super cold outside it may not even start. When sitting idle it’ll spit and sputter and periodically backfire. When going to take off from a stop sign there’s lag or it won’t take off at all even floored. I’m getting milky oil so I’m getting condensation from somewhere. This trickle effect all starts off my MAF sensor and has progressively gotten worse. I’ve had the MAF, o2 sensor, turbo valve , spark plugs, battery(s) changed all trying to fix this issue and 2 years later I’m still fighting with it. Yesterday while heading home I couldn’t go over 45, and it would stutter and feel like your driving on rubble strips, when I got home it smelled like something was burning, popped the hood and the dipstick showed “black” oil but in the oil cap there the milky oil in and around the cap as well as my fan being SUPER loud after it’s shut off.

NHTSA ODI 11511116

coolant leaking on drivers side of engine.

NHTSA ODI 11509177

I was driving down the hill and my car came out of gear the road was slick so I couldn't hit my breaks I had to crash into the ditch to keep from going over the mountain. My airbags did not come out my car is not drivable.

NHTSA ODI 11503922

Antifreeze leaking

NHTSA ODI 11501851

The contact owns a 2015 Chevrolet Cruze. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the engine overheated and the vehicle would not properly accelerate. The contact stated that coolant was leaking from the engine from a failure with the coolant lines causing the engine to overheat with multiple electric failures. The failure also occurred due to overheating including the main computer failure. The contact indicated that the vehicle was serviced several times for the same failure and the thermostat was replaced; however, the failure recurred. The manufacturer and local dealer were notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 55,000.

NHTSA ODI 11498218

The contact owns a 2015 Chevrolet Cruze. The contact stated while driving 30 MPH, the vehicle overheated. The vehicle was taken to an unknown dealer, who diagnosed that there was a coolant leak and that the water pump was faulty. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 104,000.

NHTSA ODI 11498121

UNKNOWN- 2015 CHEVY CRUZE - THE REGULATORS IN THE AUTOMATIC WINDOWS KEEP BREAKING- I HAVE REPLACED REGULATORS 3 TIMES- AND THE TWO FRONT WINDOWS WILL NOT GO UP OR DOWN NOW-I JUST FIXED THE PASSENGERS SIDE WINDOW ABOUT A MONTH AGO AND ITS BROKEN AGAIN.- THE CLOCK DOES NOT KEEP TIME CORRECTLY- HAD A COOLANT LEAK TWICE - AND THE TIRES SEEM TO LOSE TREAD PRETTY QUICKLY- REPLACED TIRES A FEW YEARS AGO- DOES NOT HAVE VERY GOOD TRACTION CONTROL- VERY DIFFICULT TO SEE WITH GLARES NO MATTER IF ITS FRESHLY CLEANED-NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS WITH THIS CAR- I USUALLY LOVE MY CHEVY'S BUT THIS CAR IS A LEMON- AS SOON AS I PAID IT OFF ALL THIS STARTED HAPPENING- AND I CAN'T AFFORD ANOTHER CAR AT THIS POINT.

NHTSA ODI 11497841

87,000 miles on the car. 6 incidences of coolant system failure within the last 2 years/3,000 miles. This car costs me over $1000 in repairs every 3 months. I have replaced the water outlet, water pump (several times), cracked reservoir, and camshaft cover failure (this is covered by a warranty, thankfully).

NHTSA ODI 11496296

after driving for approx 5 or 10 min, light white smoke was coming from exhaust pipe but went away quickly and never did it again. This happened only 1 time and only 15-30 min before the head gasket blew, causing the engine to blow - No other signs of a blown head gasket happened until after it blew - I was on a 2 lane hwy (my direction - 4 lanes total) surrounded by diesel trucks and luckily had a clearing that allowed me to get over safely but it was very dangerous

NHTSA ODI 11495572

Coolant leaking, was repaired. Now coolant mixed into oil causing overheating and a blown head gasket. Car now needs major repairs under 100,000 miles. I see recalls for 2013-2014 Models but none for 2015.

NHTSA ODI 11493757

The thermostat keeps cracking. The temperature gage does not work. Says that the engine is too hot and turns the AC off. Replaced the thermostat several times in the past 5 years due to cracking and coolent spilled all over the road and left me stranded twice. Now the sensors have broken and the AC will not turn on and the fan runs all the time. Check engine light doesnt come on until after the thermostat cracks and leaks all of the coolent out. This needs to be recalled!

NHTSA ODI 11489045

The contact owns a 2015 Chevrolet Cruze. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was smoke coming from underneath the hood. Additionally, the engine was leaking fluid onto the ground. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the engine seals needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.

NHTSA ODI 11487028

I bought a new catalytic converter on the vehicle and had old parts replaced. There aren’t any leaks. I received an engine diagnostic test and still comes back with P0240 code.

NHTSA ODI 11486846

Service Engine indicator came on with message "Engine Hot, AC OFF". This is a 2015 Cruze with the 1.4L engine. This engine has the same water pump as previous models (2011 -2014). General Motors issued a Special Coverage Adjustment-Engine Coolant Leak from Water Pump, Bulletin # 14371B, in January 2015. GM is extending warranty period for 10 years or 150,000 miles. GM is making repairs at no cost to current owners of 2011-2014 Chevy Cruze. This extended warranty coverage and repairs should include 2015 Chvey Cruze owners. Again, the 2015 model with the 1.4L engine has the same water pump and all the same failure symptoms indicatea failed water pump. GM has identified this as a design flaw by issuing the Special Coverage Adjustment-Engine Coolant Leak from Water Pump, Bulletin # 14371B. There is the risk of engine overheat and sudden loss of engine power/ seizing that will occur with a loss of coolant while driving.

NHTSA ODI 11485951

The contact owns a 2015 Chevrolet Cruze. The contact stated that while her daughter was driving approximately 50 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The contact stated that her daughter saw no warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle retained power steering and brakes and her daughter was able to restart the vehicle and drove back to the residence. The contact had the vehicle towed to a local dealer, where the failure could not be duplicated. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 79,950.

NHTSA ODI 11484669

Coolant leak and engine overheating from Thermostat housing issue. 2nd time we have taken it in for this problem in 2 months after initial repair.

NHTSA ODI 11475631

The contact owns a 2015 Chevrolet Cruze. The contact stated while stopped at a traffic sign, the vehicle stalled while depressing the accelerator pedal to proceed through the traffic sign. The contact stated that the vehicle was started and the contact was able to continue driving. The contact stated that the check engine warning light illuminated prior to the vehicle stalling. Additionally, the contact noticed that the vehicle was overheating. The contact stated that the engine temperature gauge fluctuating between normal temperature and extremely high temperature. The contact had not taken the vehicle to the local dealer or an independent mechanic to be diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 83,465.

NHTSA ODI 11470400

In December 2020 my vehicle was involved in an accident where I hit a curb which cracked my rim and deployed airbags. My airbag light is on I'm passenger seat belt is stuck due to airbag.

NHTSA ODI 11464660

Water pump failed and car began to overheat. The car advised that it was turning off my heat due to the car getting too hot and then advised to stop the car due to overheating. When i took it to a certified chevy dealership the mechanic stated that this car maker and model was well known to leak liquids from many locations under the hood. He said that this car alone has kept them in service with as many repairs they have to do for these cars. My car was the fourth Chevy Cruze there that day that had some type of liquid leaking from under the hood. If this is that well known an issue with these type of cars then chevy should have a recall to fix this obvious malfunction so i wanted to make sure i Made a complaint on this in case others had not.

NHTSA ODI 11458492

Reduced engine power & service stabilitrek. Service Engine light came on, and I had reduced power on the highway in the fast/passing lane with people behind me, this issue caused my car to suddenly slow down about 30mph, causing cars behind me to slam on their brakes and cut in front of other cars to the slow lane to avoid rear ending me

NHTSA ODI 11454254

Car rolls backwards on any incline. Transmission replaced early on issue continued. Serious safety issue for owners of these vehicle in hilly terrain.

NHTSA ODI 11450264