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2019 Chevrolet Cruze Limited
Solid pick. The complaint record is strong for its age. It does carry safety recalls, so confirm every one shows "remedy completed" on the VIN before money changes hands.
20 owner complaints · 2 recalls · data verified July 26, 2026 · source: NHTSA
Why buy?
Very few owner complaints for its age and sales volume.
Score breakdown, by factor
Full methodology →#116 of 579Among the 2019 models with a matured record, the 2019 Chevrolet Cruze Limited ranks #116, scoring higher than 77% of them. See the 2019 ranking →
Complaints filed per year
Fading = early teething worked out. Climbing = problems aging in.
How it crashes
NHTSA’s own crash tests, separate from the reliability score above.
5/5 overall
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Rating · 2019 Chevrolet Cruze 5 HB FWD
Rollover risk in a single-vehicle crash: 11%
No open NHTSA defect investigations on file.
Source: nhtsa.gov/ratings. Star ratings compare vehicles within the same class and size, not across every car on the road.
The road ahead
What breaks on a 2019 Chevrolet Cruze Limited, plotted where owners report it happening.
Also reported (mileage varies): Transmission & drivetrain (6) · Engine (5)
Mileage medians come from owners who mentioned an odometer reading in their NHTSA complaint. Treat them as a rough guide.
Transmission & drivetrain
30%6 complaints · 1 in the last 2 years
“The bolts on the transmission accumulator needs to be replaced I see an unrepaired recall”
Engine
25%5 complaints · 3 in the last 2 years
“Timing chain rattles, due the the chain tensioner not having motor oil at early morning start-up. This causes the chain to be loose and eventually engine damage. Europ…”
Brakes
15%3 complaints · 1 in the last 2 years
“The brakes system didnt seem to be stopping properly almost as if i had to push really hard on the brakes to get the car to stop. Finally today, I was 1.6 car lengths …”
Electrical system
15%3 complaints · 1 in the last 2 years
“The vehicle needs the transmission bolts replaced has a recall need repaired as as possible. The automatic transmission jerk”
Check it against this car’s mileage
Type the odometer reading on the actual car you’re looking at to see which of these problem areas owners tend to report before it, around it, or after it.
Too few owners named a mileage on this model to place issues against an odometer yet.
Read all 20 owner complaints in their own words → · just the 4 crash/fire/injury reports →
Recalls (2)
Safety recall repairs are free at the brand’s franchised dealers. Before buying, run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and make the seller show the work was done.
Power Train · 20V668000
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Chevrolet Cruze and Buick LaCrosse, 2018-2020 Chevrolet Equinox, Chevrolet Traverse and GMC Terrain, 2018 Chevrolet Malibu, 2019-2020 Buick Encore, Buick Enclave, Cadillac XT4, Chevrolet Blazer and GMC Acadia, and 2020 Cadillac XT6 vehicles. The start/stop accumulator endcap may have missing bolts.
Risk: Missing bolts on the start-stop accumulator endcap could result in a transmission oil leak and may progress to a loss of propulsion, increasing the risk of a crash. A transmission fluid leak in the presence of an ignition source may increase the risk of fire.
Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the start-stop transmission accumulator and replace it if any bolts are missing, free of charge. The recall began December 15, 2020. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-888-988-7267, Buick Customer service at 1-866-608-8080, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is N202313440.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic · 18V576000
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Chevrolet Equinox, Impala, Cruze, Volt and Bolt EV vehicles, GMC Terrain vehicles, Buick Lacrosse and Regal vehicles, Cadillac XTS and XTS Professional vehicles and 2018 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles. The rear brake caliper pistons may have an insufficient coating causing gas pockets to form, potentially reducing rear brake performance.
Risk: A reduction of braking performance can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will bleed the vehicle's brake system, free of charge. The recall began October 11, 2018. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 18279.
Questions to ask the seller
Questions worth asking the seller of this Chevrolet before you buy, drawn from its public record:
- NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 2019 Chevrolet Cruze Limited. Can you run this car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and confirm each one shows "Remedy Completed"?
- Owners of this model report transmission & drivetrain problems more than anything else. Has this car shown any transmission & drivetrain symptoms, and are there repair records for it?
- Owners of this model report engine problems more than anything else. Has this car shown any engine symptoms, and are there repair records for it?
- Has this car been in any accident or had any structural, airbag, or flood-related repair? Do you have a clean title and a recent history report (Carfax / AutoCheck)?
- How many owners has it had, do you have the maintenance records, and why are you selling it?
- Are you open to me having an independent mechanic inspect it before we settle on a price?
Before you hand over money
Verify the recall work was done
NHTSA’s free lookup shows whether this exact car had its recall remedies completed.
Free NHTSA VIN check ↗Get a pre-purchase inspection
A $150 to $250 independent inspection of this exact 2019 Chevrolet CRUZE LIMITED beats every score on the internet, including ours.
What to ask forNot set on the 2019? See how every Cruze Limited model year scores →
Cross-shopping? Compare the 2019 Chevrolet Cruze Limited against another car →
What owners say
Real owners of this exact model-year, shown separately from the NHTSA score. If they disagree, that’s worth knowing.