I easily put 30k miles a year on my car (highway) and keep all of the maintenance up to date to get as much life as possible out of a car. I bought my 2014 Cruze used with at 29k miles on it. I have had multiple issues over the last few years but the latest is that my catalytic converter is dead. If I want to pass emissions I have to replace it at a cost of $994. The dealership told me that the part was on back order and they had no way to track it. Back order I believe, but no way to track - what a bunch of BS.
So I decided to go to another local shop to discuss. They did some research for me and told me that this car really will not do well with an after market part so if I am going to replace I should wait for GM. However, they also told me that their source said that due to a flaw in the turbo that these cars experience that the multiple oils leaks end up flooding the converter and usually begin shortly after the 100k mile mark. So even after replacing the converter, I would most likely need to do it again soon unless I replaced the turbo as well.
His source claims that Chevy considers the Cruze a "throwaway" car that is not designed to last after 100k. So it is expected that people will simply trade it in. Considering the national backorder on the converter has been going for months I suspect this is pretty close to the truth. I grew up on Chevy and loved them but my last car was a Dodge that I had very little issue with and when I needed to trade I went to a brand I trusted. I understand that this can happen but I have a feeling my next car will be a Dodge.
I will tell you I will never buy another Chevy again. I purchased this car brand new and have only had problems with it. After 33,000 miles PCV valve, oil leak, and now the catalytic converter. You should not have to fix all of this on a new car.
I was lucky that this problem was caught ≈2,000 miles before my warranty expired. It started when my engine light came on. The code indicated that the exhaust emissions weren't within the required range. The dealer determined that the sensors were fine and replaced the catalytic converter (CC). They also tweaked the computer so that the engine wouldn't run as hot. They claimed this was a recall, but I never saw it published anywhere. Lower engine temperature means lower exhaust gas temperature, which means longer CC lifespan.
check engine light came on. drive to Niagara falls anyways. 300 mile trip. light went off after 100 miles or so. no problem with performance or anything was noted.
so the same problem as in late June 2015. same exhaust temperature sensor, I believe. talked to a GM service tech I happen to know and he indicated they know about this problem, the sensor apparently gets carboned up and then sends and error code. no current fix other than to replace it. BTW we love the car and how it runs and all.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
I easily put 30k miles a year on my car (highway) and keep all of the maintenance up to date to get as much life as possible out of a car. I bought my 2014 Cruze used with at 29k miles on it. I have had multiple issues over the last few years but the latest is that my catalytic converter is dead. If I want to pass emissions I have to replace it at a cost of $994. The dealership told me that the part was on back order and they had no way to track it. Back order I believe, but no way to track - what a bunch of BS.
So I decided to go to another local shop to discuss. They did some research for me and told me that this car really will not do well with an after market part so if I am going to replace I should wait for GM. However, they also told me that their source said that due to a flaw in the turbo that these cars experience that the multiple oils leaks end up flooding the converter and usually begin shortly after the 100k mile mark. So even after replacing the converter, I would most likely need to do it again soon unless I replaced the turbo as well.
His source claims that Chevy considers the Cruze a "throwaway" car that is not designed to last after 100k. So it is expected that people will simply trade it in. Considering the national backorder on the converter has been going for months I suspect this is pretty close to the truth. I grew up on Chevy and loved them but my last car was a Dodge that I had very little issue with and when I needed to trade I went to a brand I trusted. I understand that this can happen but I have a feeling my next car will be a Dodge.
- Lori H., Hampton, US