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10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
3 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
2 / 0
Average Mileage:
27,294 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2014 Chevrolet Cruze drivetrain problems

drivetrain problem

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2014 Chevrolet Cruze Owner Comments (Page 1 of 5)

problem #89

Apr 162024

Cruze

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Various parts of the cooling system have failed on this vehicle multiple times even after under warranty repair (twice in as many years beginning in 2018) at a licensed dealership; and again several more times since, most recently this week. At no point did a Chevrolet/GM employee/representative alert me of known common issues, and they even incredulously asked me who did prior repairs when it was indeed, their dealership. In all, nearly every hose been replaced at least three times, reservoir tanks replaced, and thousands of dollars outside of warranty repairs have occurred on the same components. The vehicle has completely blown hoses while driving and filled the cabin with burning, noxious, and sweet smells, and fogged up the windshield with vaporized fluids. Coolant certainly leaks and works it way into the cabin. I was not made aware of any known issues though this appears it is a common problem with this vehicle. Issues with the battery/powder have also plagued this vehicle. It results in the "stabilitrak" failing randomly, electrical issues that causing power failures and disruptions to dashboard lights and components, sound system (including from the radio, to the sounds of the blinker and alerts), and engine power getting cut off. These incidents started occurring after about a year of purchasing the vehicle (certified used) in 2017. It appears the previous owner also faced these problems. I do not currently have paperwork of the repairs but they can be obtained. Date given is of the most recent incident with the first instance occurring in 2018. I also believe this vehicle may be a victim of the airbag defect, causing a possibly premature deployment of the side airs bags only during a front tire collision. Plastic pieces broke off and caused injuries to my scalp and shoulder, though the recall would not be issued for at least 2 years.

- Chandler, AZ, USA

problem #88

Sep 022023

Cruze

  • miles
The car would randomly stop working while driving. One of the times it stopped, it stopped while driving on the freeway.

- Torrance, CA, USA

problem #87

Oct 042022

Cruze

  • miles
My car often loses power unexpectedly in the middle of a turn in an intersection and once while exiting a busy road. Twice it has died upon arrival at destinations and yet the battery has indicated when tested as fully charged. The key indicator is the radio system turns off for a second or two and then automatically restarts and the car with it. When this occurs the car is unable to be driven as the wheel will not turn. I have informed the local Chevy dealership near me and test was done with no error codes reported. What I have had to do is remove the battery cable and replace it and it seems to make the car work for a little longer until it starts the process again with the radio. I had work done to repair the window motor and that is when I first notified Chevy (I will have to locate the date). I have given permission for my friend to drive the car and he has seen this occur with the radio but did not notice if the car shut down.

- Dallas, TX, USA

problem #86

Jul 012020

Cruze

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I was sitting at a red light and my vehicle began to move forward with my foot on the brake. The vehicle began to increase in rpm's like i was pushing on the accelerator but i was not!! Later that day i went to the gm dealer to see what they could find and didn't find anything cause the computer had reset since i had shut the car off. Two days later the car did the exact same thing so i immediately drove to the car dealer. Told them how dangerous that was and i couldn't believe the car was acting like i was giving it more gas when i wasn't!! They hooked it up to the computer and found the problem this time. It had to do with a crack in my pollution canister. With that crack my computer thought my car needed more gas and would give it more gas. I can't believe they let a computer program give your car more gas and you have no control of it and without warning. The first time it did it i was not prepared for it and when the computer gave my car more gas it began to move into the intersection and almost caused a horrible accident. Since the dealer replaced the pollution canister i have not had any problems. I have warned everyone i know about what happened and to be prepared for it. It just amazes me that more people haven't been seriously hurt by this! Hopefully that crack that caused my problems doesn't happen to anyone else!!

- Clyde, OH, USA

problem #85

Jun 302022

Cruze

  • miles
For about a year now my 2014 Chevy Cruze-??s steering wheel will lock up for a few seconds while I am driving (at speeds up to 80MPH) - which is extremely dangerous. When this happens, several lights will then pop up on my dashboard and messages are shown saying -??service power steering-?? -??service traction control-??. The radio turns off, the lights inside the car turn off, and the back up camera stops working. The engine light has been on and will not go off. I have already replaced the transmission and the starter as well as the fuel pump. I was told by my mechanic to just get rid of the car as it has way too many issues to even attempt repairing. I once ran over a curb and popped a tire when the steering wheel locked up. Every time I start my car there is a message that say -??roll down driver window and roll back up-?? which I do not understand. This seems to be happening to several people. I am very disappointed and scared to be driving this car.

- Nashville , TN, USA

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problem #84

Jun 182022

Cruze

  • miles
car is hard to start after getting gas and transmission does not operate correctly to get up to speed from an intersection the engine revs to 7000 RPM to get up to 40MPH and several times coming close to being run into at times transmission did not work put shifter in drive accelerate and nothing suddenly transmission engaged and the car bolted forward

- Swanton, MD, USA

problem #83

May 042022

Cruze

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I purchased a used as is 2014 Chevy Cruze with 141000 miles on April 4th 2022. I had been well pleased with the car up until the linkage for the automatic transmission became defective on May 5th 2022. It would not go into any gear. So I opened up the hood and immediately Identified the problem, someone had used zip ties to secure the linkage to the transmission linkage. I called my local auto parts store and they had the proper repair kit for it. I replaced all the missing parts with new ones. Now the vehicle will not go into any forward drive gear. It will however go into reverse. My research on you tube that other mechanics have posted lead me to believe that either the transmission is low on transmission fluid, or the fuse could be blown, or the TCM (Transmission Control Module) is defective. Several authorized dealerships have reported this issue to GM, however GM denies that the transmission they used for the 2008 through 2014 has had any issues, although several forums and dealerships have reported differently. MAN UP GM and fix your foul up!

- Bethany, OK, USA

problem #82

Mar 092022

Cruze

  • miles
When parked and left to idle after driving for a while, the traction light comes on and the dash displays service StabiliTrak and traction control. After this happens the car seems to lose power and sometimes feels as if the breaks are catching and letting go.

- Langston, AL, USA

problem #81

Jul 032018

Cruze

  • miles
When going from park or a complete stop, the vehicle violently slams into gear and catastrophic failure is only around the corner. It also shifts like this when going back and forth between 4th and 5th. Doing a full trans flush seems to make the issue slightly better but always comes back to being violent again. After speaking with multiple mechanics they all recommend driving it till the trans fails or buying a new car. My car has 213k highway miles on it and the issue has been there since 100k miles (about 3 years ago). Another odd thing about it is that if you shift into manual mode while coasting to a stop and then shifting back to automatic after you exit the complete stop, it avoids the hard slam. The vehicle also shifts fine in manual mode from 4th to 5th. After doing research in group forums ( www.cruzetalk.com ) there are a ton of threads with this EXACT issue.

- Swartz Creek, MI, USA

problem #80

Aug 132021

Cruze

  • miles
My vehicle takes too long to accelerate. The engine light came on. When checked the code that came up was the turbo.

- Manchester, CT, USA

problem #79

Sep 222021

Cruze

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I have a code p0420 code and engine light keeps comeback on I had the catalytic converter replaced, and everything inspected by Friendship Chevrolet in Forestcity NC 28043. Kept my car for two weeks and still couldn-??t find the problem of this p0420 code so my engine light stays on.

- Spindale, NC, USA

problem #78

Aug 012021

Cruze

  • miles
Several times the steering wheel mechanism locked up while driving and I was unable to steer it momentarily. During that time several warning lamp indicators intermittently illuminated, and the radio shorted, and the instrument panel flashed or blacked out. Also, there is a coolant leak. I have the vehicle at the dealership repair center and they haven-??t reproduced the above problems, but did find a problem with a engine coolant leak from the water pump and a radiator hose in which they are repairing.

- Elk Grove, CA, USA

problem #77

Jun 012021

Cruze 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Turbochargers are very known to go out or lag, causing vehicle to not go be able to up to speed, or suddenly drop speed on highway.

- Spring Lake , MI, USA

problem #76

Jun 052021

Cruze

  • miles
Unknown, all I am aware of is that a large rock was on the highway and the vehicle infront of me kicked it up, and then my own tires kicked it up and caused issues with the catalytic converter.

- Sauk Centre, MN, USA

problem #75

Jun 012019

Cruze

  • 82,517 miles
The contact owns a 2014 Chevrolet Cruze. The contact stated while driving at undisclosed speeds, the steering wheel was very loose. Additionally, while driving there was an abnormal popping and metallic sound detected. The vehicle loss motive power while accelerating, with the check engine warning light, traction control and TPMS warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and the contact was informed that the map sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The vehicle was taken to genesis Chevrolet (21800 gratiot ave, eastpointe, mi 48021, (586) 804-7977) to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the electrical cluster, brakes, water pump, negative battery cable, body control module, and coolant leak needed to be repaired or replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The vehicle was then taken to hamilton Chevrolet (5800 E. 14 mile rd, Warren, mi 48092, (586) 838-1537) and diagnosed with a leaking assembly camshaft cover, belt tensioner, and drive belt. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 82,517.

- Roseville, MI, USA

problem #74

Jan 232021

Cruze

  • 94,000 miles
Getting code P0299 turbocharger underbost. The turbo charger was found to have a crack in the housing. When the car had 45,000 miles it the oild feed line exploded and had to get replaced, this was about 2 years ago when the oil feed hose had to get replace. Now the Cruze has a code of P0299 and the car is under powered.

- Cedarburg, WI, USA

problem #73

Oct 132020

Cruze

  • 80,000 miles
Faulty turbocharger, multiple owners that I spoke to have replaced their turbocharger twice only to know that it keeps failing. The turbocharger ruined my catalytic converter which had to be replace du to a crack in the turbocharger.

- Tampa, FL, USA

problem #72

Jan 012019

Cruze

  • miles
Vehicle may jerk violently during de-acceleration from expressway speeds. This condition may result in loss of control - especially during winter/ice like road conditions. To duplicate the issue: 1 - operate automatic transmission for at least 40 minutes at expressway speeds of approx 70mph 2 - when exiting expressway ramp the vehicle will downshift. 3 - sometimes during down shifting - there is a lurch or impact like feeling so intense that the driver may believe they were rear ended by another vehicle. This matter was brought to the attempt of GM dealers and GM corporate and they have failed to resolve the issue. Dealer 1 response was similar to "it's your driving habits" and "we reset the computer so it can re-learn how you drive". this failed to resolve issue. Dealer 2 response - we can duplicate the issue - then later we can't duplicate the issue. Dealer also advised they emailed GM for additional support. GM states they never received the email. Vehicle has spent greater than 30 days in the shop for the transmission like issues. As a firefighter - it is my professional opinion that this condition may result in substantial harm to the driver or occupants of vehicle if this condition happens while operating the motor vehicle on ice or snow and possibly rain like conditions. Where it is my belief that such injury could result in death or grave bodily injury. This issue has happened on/off since 01/01/2019 from 68K miles to current miles of 98K. GM/dealers have indicated that all vehicle software is up to date and there are no engine codes.

- Wilmington, OH, USA

problem #71

Jan 012019

Cruze

  • 68,000 miles
Automatic transmission failure can result in vehicle rolling backwards for 3-5 seconds in duration after releasing brake while. While on flat ground - this causes danger to other driver as the expect other vehicles to be moving after a traffic light turns green. While on an incline - this condition may pose a danger to pedestrians and other motorists as the automatic transmission will allow the vehicle to roll backwards a great distance. The distance and speed of travel backwards will vary based on angle of incline of street or road. When this condition occurs - the driver is completely unaware and may not be able to apply the brake in enough time to prevent collision with other vehicles or pedestrians. This condition happens when: 1 - transmission is hot (about 40 min drive time) 2 - brake is depressed for longer than 3 seconds while sitting at light. 3 - releasing brake may or may not result in this condition happening. Service 1 - the vehicle shows no codes for transmission failure. 2 - multiple GM dealers have confirmed software of vehicle is up to date. 3 - multiple dealers have mixed statements if they can duplicate the issue or not. Dealer 1 says - "it's your driving habits. We reset the computer and it will re-learn how you drive." Dealer 2 says - "we were able to duplicate your issue and are awaiting a response from GM" - when speaking to GM they indicated they never received an email form the dealer. Condition was first seen at approximately 68K miles and has continued on/off until current mileage of 98K. Dealer and GM corporate have had vehicle for greater than 30 days and are unable to provide resolution. As a firefighter - it is my professional opinion that this condition may present a risk to public welfare.

- Wilmington, OH, USA

problem #70

Oct 242020

Cruze

  • 70,000 miles
The traction control light as well as check engine light came on. With no prior issues, just out of the blue. The car shakes when driving. It happened 6pm last night, no issues beforehand. Its parked out front on the street where I live.

- Worcester, MA, USA

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