The Cruze happens to be a competitive car from the established automobile brand, Chevrolet.
While the brand manufactured this model between 2010 and 2019, it made its way into the compact-car segment.
This is a funky car available in several models and you would appreciate the generous cargo space in the trunk.
Along with this, the owners love the enhanced drivability, high-end technologies, and sophisticated infotainment system in the car.
Before you vouch for this vehicle, it makes sense to explore the car’s reliability, common problems, durability, and maintenance requirements.
Read on to know all these particulars that we have covered in this article.
How Many Miles Will A Chevy Cruze Last?
As a robust compact car, the Chevy Cruze can serve you for 200K to 250K miles.
This requires proper maintenance and conservative driving habits.
So, if you drive 15K on average per year, the car should last for 13 to 17 years.
Later, you need to shell out your bucks for uneconomical expenses when it starts breaking down.
The early models of the Chevy Cruze that the brand launched in 2011 and 2012 had some perpetual transmission and engine issues.
However, the later models of the car demonstrated that these are time-tested vehicles.
On one of the forums, several owners have reported that they have successfully driven more than 200K miles with the Chevy Cruze.
On the other hand, some owners who had already clocked 150K miles stated that the vehicle was still going strong.
Therefore, 250K miles should be on cards if you maintain your Chevy Cruze well.
However, if you are planning to go for a used car, you would expect the odometer reading to be far lower.
Purchasing one of these cars with a high odometer reading implies that you have the risk of high-ticket failures like the engine and the transmission.
In these cases, the repair expenses would outweigh the value of the car.
The lifeline of your Chevy Cruze largely depends on the upkeep.
This explains why automobile experts recommend using quality parts and carry out tire rotations at the right intervals.
Besides, smooth driving habits, routine oil and fluid changes, regular car washes, and service appointments are necessary for keeping the car in proper functional conditions.
Is the Chevy Cruze a reliable car?
In terms of reliability, the Chevy Cruze isn’t the best car in the market under its segment.
The review websites show average ratings for the older models. Of late, the recent models look better in terms of reliability.
Therefore, the Chevy Cruze is quite a reliable vehicle.
With proper upkeep, the car shouldn’t bother you with expensive repairs within the first 100K miles.
However, the 2011 and 2012 lack reliability. Users were unhappy since these cars came riddled with transmission and engine problems.
However, RepairPal rated the Chevy Cruze 4 out of 5. Even the consumer rating index of the Chevy Cruze as per Kelley Blue Book’s is 4 out of 5. J.D.
Power rated the car 83/100, which looks quite decent. Out of 36 cars that RepairPal considered in the compact segment, the Chevy Cruze occupies the 26th position.
According to Consumer Report, all the models except the one in 2017 received less than 3 ratings out of 5.
Comparing the Chevy Cruze to some of its competitors, you would find several cars with better reliability ratings.
For instance, cars like the Toyota Corolla, Kia Forte, Honda Civic, Toyota Matrix, Chevrolet Cobalt, Hyundai Elantra GT, and the Hyundai Elantra enjoy better reliability ratings.
On the other hand, the Chevy Cruze fares equal with cars like the Volkswagen Golf, Volkswagen Beetle, Nissan 370Z, Mazda5, Hyundai Veloster, Dodge Caliber, and the Chevrolet HHR.
The average reliability score of compact cars is 4.0, which is exactly what the Chevy Cruze enjoys.
Are used Chevy Cruze reliable?
Used Chevy Cruze cars are reliable as long as you keep an eye on the odometer and upkeep.
Well-maintained cars would be a good purchase even in the second-hand market at 100K miles.
Does Chevy Cruze have a lot of problems?
With continual use, your Chevy Cruze would develop technical snags that would impact the ride quality and drivability.
Over the years, the owners have reported these problems with the Chevy Cruze.
1. Engine issues
The 2018 model of the Chevy Cruze had a few engine issues. Some of the owners complained of their engines getting stalled while driving.
This issue stems from a malfunctioning alternator, lack of fuel, or faulty sensors.
In some of the redesigned models of 2018 too, the engine failure issue was persistent.
At times, the drivers noticed the car’s hood emitting smoke, besides sputtering.
Also, some owners complained of the engines dying several times within the first couple of months of making their purchases.
Oil leakages under the car stemming from a damaged cylinder also created problems.
The turbo injector sometimes had metal shrapnel contaminating them, leading to expensive repairs.
Engine failure in your Chevy Cruze might also arise as a result of blown head gasket, improper detonation, lubrication, and wrong fuel use.
With professional diagnosis, you can fix the issue.
2. Cracked piston
The cracked piston issue affected many cars that the brand launched in 2017.
This led to loss of power while accelerating, or rough idling. It would take you around $100 to fix the problem excluding labor costs.
3. Electrical failures
Many owners with the redesigned model of 2016 complained of electrical failures in their cars.
Besides, some owners complained that they cannot start the vehicles.
Again, some drivers complained of defective radios along with illuminated engine light.
Mostly, these technical glitches stem from a dead battery, a blown fuse, poor alternator, or stuck relay.
4. Harsh shifting
While changing gears, some Chevy Cruze owners of the redesigned models between 2011 and 2016 complained of hard shifting and slipping transmissions.
A faulty software was at the root of this issue.
You can resolve these drivability problems by updating the transmission and resetting the transmission controller.
Besides, the same problem arises from damaged valve bodies and defective shift solenoids.
Getting a replacement shift solenoid would cost about $40. Replacing the valve body would cost you $200 to $800 apart from labor charges.
5. Steering issues
Some of the 2014 redesign models stated that they faced some issues with the steering of the vehicle.
The drivers revealed that the steering kept sticking at the same speed on the highway and when the power assist returned, it would jerk.
Also, some drivers reported total loss of power steering, increasing the chances of accidents.
6. Problems in the water pump
Certain drivers of the 2014 model complained that the water pump was faulty, leading to overheating of engines and damage in the head gaskets.
Some of the reasons leading to the failure of the water pump include loose drive pulley, bad seals, corrosion, and damaged belts.
You need around $30 to $100 to replace the water pump apart from labor costs.
7. Coolant leaks
Leaks in coolants widely affected the 2011 model of Chevy Cruze.
The owners complained of an odor of leaking antifreeze in their cabins.
Besides, some drivers detected white smoke emitting under the hood.
Other drivers reported that the air conditioning units shut off automatically due to leaks stemming from the overheating of the engine.
This problem had a mechanical defect at its roots, which caused the radiator to leak antifreeze.
8. Transmission failure
Many of the 2011 Cruze owners reported transmission failure problems.
They also complained of rattling noises and the car shifting to reverse automatically.
Besides, some drivers reported their vehicles getting stuck in drive all of a sudden, or even slowing down after an abrupt acceleration.
Transmission failure in these cars generally stem from faulty clutches, poor torque converter, defective transmission solenoid, and low transmission fluids.
Factors that can impact the longevity of Chevy Cruze
No owner can possibly overlook the value of proper upkeep of their Chevy Cruze.
So, here are some guidelines to prolong the lifeline of your Cruze.
- Following up this schedule on time would be your first priority.
- During the routine services, get branded parts and components. Even when you get some aftermarket parts, make sure not to make too many modifications in your vehicle.
- Make sure to wash the body of your car and wax it to prevent it from rust. Besides, vacuum the interiors so that the materials do not undergo wear and tear too fast.
- For the engine, use premium fuel and synthetic oil. This would enhance the performance of the car, keeping it in proper shape.
- Responsible driving habits ensure that you don’t push the engine too far. Adopt defensive driving habits to prolong the longevity of the parts.
- Inspect the transmission fluid levels, brakes, coolant, and engine oil regularly and top them up.
- To secure your Chevy Cruze from the elements of weather, store it safely in a garage.
What is the best year for Chevy Cruze?
While looking for the best model year, you should explore the 2019 Chevy Cruze. J.D.
Power has rated this car 85/100, which implies a great performance. Also, the number of complaints from the owners have been fewer.
This model comes integrated with most of the updated technology and features.
The car has an updated front bumper, a brand-new multimedia system, and many premium features.
What is the worst year for Chevy Cruze?
The 2011 and 2012 models of the Chevy Cruze are among the worst. These models have already recorded the highest number of complaints against their names.
Besides, the owners had to shell out high repair costs. Most of these cars had problems like transmission failure, leading to shuddering and coolant leakages.
Car Complaints reveal that in these models, problems in transmission failure cropped up once the cars crossed 64K miles.
On average, the owners had to fork out $3000 to get the problems fixed.
How Long Do the Tires Last?
You can expect 3 to 5 years of service from Chevy Cruze tires.
However, these tires can wear out pretty soon depending on your driving habits, road conditions, and climate.
In case you navigate off-roads or flooded roads, the tires need proper care. Inspect them to ensure proper tire pressure and inflate them at the right time. Twice a year, check the wheel alignment with a car mechanic.
How Long Do the Spark Plugs Last?
The Chevy Cruze comes with iridium spark plugs. You need to get them replaced every 60K miles.
When you visit your automobile mechanic for regular maintenance, they would inspect the conditions of the spark plugs.
If you have a bad spark plug, you might experience lower gas mileage, rough idling, hard starts, poor acceleration, and engine misfires.
How Long Do the Batteries Last?
The batteries of your Chevy Cruze should serve you for 3 to 5 years.
Your driving habits, battery type, climate, and several other factors determine the battery life.
How Long Do the Brakes Last?
Your Chevy Cruze brake pads can serve you between 40K and 60K miles on average use. However, rash driving, frequent or aggressive braking, or driving in city roads can significantly lower the lifeline of your brakes.
In these situations, they would serve you for 20K to 25K miles. You need to pay around $212 to $227 to get the brake pad replaced, including labor charges.
How Long Do the Transmissions Last?
You can expect the transmission to last for 150K miles in good conditions. After this milestone, you need to get it replaced.
Conclusion
At $545, the annual expenses to maintain and repair your Chevy Cruze is a little above the average cost of $526.
In case you are willing to purchase one of these cars, it would be wise to go for the 2019 model.
This model has relatively fewer issues compared to the earlier ones.
Now that you know the positive aspects and downsides of the Chevy Cruze, you can make the purchase.
