The Chevrolet Cruze comes in a diesel variant, as the brand launched the car in 2014. In terms of reliability, this car fares on average. The mechanical glitches in this car are minimal, and you can easily cruise along for 150K to 200K miles without encountering much of a problem.
Although the car comes from the celebrated brand, Chevrolet, you cannot rule out the possibilities of common technical glitches. To help you make an informed purchase decision, we have explained the common problems in the Chevy Cruze diesel in this article.
The compact car appeals to its owners with its comfortable driving abilities.
Besides, you would appreciate its elegant exteriors and sophisticated infotainment system. Some owners even rank this car above the Volkswagen Jetta. However, the electronic and mechanical issues call for attention in every car.
Chevy Cruze diesel problems
Before exploring the reliability of the Chevy Cruze further, let’s take a look at the common problems that you might encounter with this vehicle.
1. Water pump leakage problems
When Chevrolet launched the diesel variant with the 1.4-liter engine in 2014, some of the cars had issues with leaking water pumps. The problem was so acute that the air conditioning system in the car stopped working, leading to overheating issues.
As a result, GM had to issue a bulletin in 2015, stating that they would extend the warranty coverage for the model up to 150K miles or 10 years. In order to repair it, the owners had to replace the water pump altogether.
2. Defects in PCV diaphragms
Some owners of the diesel variant of the Chevrolet Cruze have reported problems in the valve cover, particularly with the PCV diaphragms. Besides, in certain instances, the air check valves were missing in the intake manifold. This led to several issues with the 1.4-liter turbo engine.
Consequently, the owners reported issues like excessive use of oil, the emission of blue smoke from the car’s exhaust, as well as a rough idle. These problems also illuminated the dashboard light for ‘check engine’.
In some cases, the PVC pipes in the Chevy Cruze cars were faulty as well. The owners had to get the intake manifold replaced in some cases. In other cars, they had to replace the valve cover. In both cases, they had to fork out hundreds of dollars.
3. Leaking oils
The Chevy Cruze 2014 also experienced problems with leaking oil from the engine. Besides, some owners reported pol leaks from the transmission seals and the cooler lines. Leakage of coolants in the cars resulted in severe problems, where the owners had to get the thermostat housing replaced.
Apart from this, issues with the trunk release switch proved to be bothersome. Fixing these problems involved a hefty expense.
4. Loose cables in the negative battery
Problems continued to haunt the Chevy Cruze diesel owners, as they encountered issues with loose cables in the negative battery. The service bulletin of General Motors reported this issue.
As a result of this problem, the display used to randomly turn off and on. Besides, the ABS had some problems due to the loose cables. In some cars, it even affected some other components such as the service traction mechanism.
5. Ignition coil problems
Lastly, the diesel models of the car had issues with the ignition coil. As a result, it led to misfires. This happened even after the earlier models of the first-generation experienced complete transmission malfunction issues. Chevrolet could have addressed this problem when they came up with the diesel variant in 2014.
Is diesel Chevy Cruze a good car?
Yes, the Chevy Cruze diesel variant is a dependable car. These cars can serve you for 10 to 15 years, where the corresponding mileage that it can deliver would range between 150K to 200K miles.
In terms of comfort and performance, the car satisfies its owners. They love the sporty handling, plush features, and extra comfort of the car.
However, to ensure that the car remains under proper functional conditions, you need to clean the fuel system regularly and change the oil and fluids. To extend the lifeline of the Chevy Cruze car, you also need to maintain the underside and exteriors.
As per RepairPal, the Chevy Cruze has a rating of 4 out of 5. Out of 36 compact cars, it places the Cruze in the 26th position. The repair and maintenance cost per year comes to $545, which is a little higher than other cars.
Do Chevy Cruze have a lot of problems?
The owners of Chevy Cruze need to take the cars for unscheduled repairs around 0.4 times a year. Besides, the chances of your car running into a severe problem is around 12%.
Apart from leaking oil and loose battery cables, the car might also face some other issues like steering problems, harsh shifting, faulty water pump, and coolant leaks. Although the car faces such issues, it is acceptable as most other reputed brands have their own problems with different models.
How many miles will a diesel Chevy Cruze last?
The diesel version of the Chevrolet Cruze can serve you for 150K to 200K miles without much of a glitch. However, after crossing the 200-mile mark, the car might start experiencing frequent breakdowns.
Even the 250K mile mark seems to be reachable with proper maintenance and care on your end. Your Chevy Cruze should last for fifteen years, provided you ensure professional care for the vehicle.
Conclusion
When you compare the Chevy Cruze to similar cars like the Hyundai Elantra, you would notice that the latter offers a better lifeline in terms of mileage.
Therefore, the Chevrolet Cruze isn’t the best pick out there on the market. However, considering the standard parameters like safety, comfort, and maintenance costs, it happens to be a viable option for the owners.
So, now you are aware of the common issues that you might encounter with your Chevy Cruze diesel car. A proactive stance on your end to keep your diesel car in proper functional conditions through timely maintenance and servicing would prolong its life line significantly.
