2018 CHEVROLET CRUZE Engine Problems
25 NHTSA complaints on file
Engine Issues in the 2018 CHEVROLET CRUZE
25 engine complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2018 CHEVROLET CRUZE. Of these, 1 involved a crash, 2 involved a fire, and 1 resulted in injury.
25
Complaints
1
Crashes
2
Fires
1
Injuries
0
Deaths
All Engine Complaints
-The engine experienced internal failure resulting in low compression in cylinder 1. The failure has rendered the vehicle inoperable. The vehicle and engine are currently available for inspection upon request. The issue was diagnosed and confirmed by both an independent mechanic and an authorized Chevrolet dealership. Both identified low compression in cylinder 1 due to internal engine failure. The vehicle has been inspected by an independent mechanic and an authorized Chevrolet dealership at the request of General Motors. The vehicle became undrivable due to the engine issue. There were no significant prior warnings that would have indicated imminent internal engine failure. The check engine light turned on 2/9/26 and was first taken into a shop the next day, 2/10/26.
The steering started to shake. The car seat started to shake as well. It felt very unsafe, but there was no serious injury. John from Feldman Chevrolet in New Hudson, Michigan said that there is a "Cylinder 1 misfire code". After the car started shaking, the engine light came on. John told us that the engine should be replaced.
My vehicle would jerk while driving and sometimes not want to even go at a stop light when it turned green. Check engine light has been on. Even when I was at a stop light it would just start jerking forward. I took it to an automotive repair shop after replacing multiple parts on the vehicle. Automotive shop ran a compression test and said it failed. Internal cylinder issue. So the vehicle barely runs and I just got it close to three years ago.
P0325 knock sensor multiple occurrences of sluggish performance causing safety risk when entering into traffic. This is the 3rd time I’ve replaced this sensor. And it’s very dangerous when it happens. This happens at the exact same time last year at the end of June beginning of July 2024 as well which made Chicago driving very dangerous.
EGR Cooler issues. Has been confirmed by dealer. CEL light on. I’ve been told GM “has issues” with these…GM should issue recall.
Purchased new in 2019 – 32k miles - Oil changes every 6 months. Lightly driven, no modifications, all original engine components and tune. Engine developed a significant miss. Several warnings on Stabilitrak, ABS, and P0300. Significant oil leak at front of engine, oil is splashed all over the passenger side of the engine compartment. There is significant ‘chugging’ of air and oil from the dipstick tube and from the oil filler cap. This condition indicates excessive pressure leakage to the crankcase that is caused by a crack or failure to the #1 piston which is a very, very, very common failure with an extensive and indisputably documented history with the 1.4 engine throughout the history of the Chevrolet Cruze since its introduction. Compression test shows cylinder #1 at about 80 PSI while cylinders 2, 3, and 4 are at 190 PSI. This proves that there is a catastrophic compression leak...
This is the second time the car will show reduced power and completely come to a slow speed without warnings. Previously GM had issues with the crude pedal and other systems related to the reduce I. Velocity. An investigation on either faulty parts is required as this is a major issue that can or could caused accidents. I had the issue looked and supposedly repair in December 2023 now the issues is back. I was driving in [XXX] and the speed reduced without warnings almost causing an accident. The repair has not even been 3 months and the car is faulty INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
The vehicle first prompted that it had a recorded a misfire in cylinder 1. Changed the spark plugs and coil packs. Vehicle noted a misfire in cylinder 1gain and said service stabilitrak. Changed the pcv valves and other vacuum pieces on the valve cover along with the MAF sensor. Engine ran fine on test drive, then dumped oil on the ground as I was pulling back into the drive way. Gasket comes on the oil pan so that’s getting replaced next. Then I have to check the fuel pressure sensors and fuel pump to see if they’re failing because apparently GM has a points bulletin out about them not being so good. Plus hope the engine isn’t ruined when it lost all its oil.
About 10 days ago, my check engine light came on. I stopped at O’Reilly Auto Parts to have it diagnosed with a code. It threw a code for the turbo in my 2018 Chevrolet Cruze. It went off later that day. Today, it came back on and sent a message, “Engine power decreased”. I noticed no change in power or anything. Could this just be a sensor?
The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Cruze. The contact stated while driving 25-30 MPH, the vehicle felt imbalanced and was shuddering. Additionally, the engine emitted abnormal knocking sounds. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact then parked the vehicle a block away from his residence. The contact who is a certified independent mechanic, diagnosed that the fuel injectors had failed. The contact also diagnosed that the fuel injector had melted and fused into the number one cylinder, causing the engine to misfire. The contact replaced the fuel injectors, the spark plugs, the fuel line, the fuel harness, and the vehicle software were flushed. However, the failure reoccurred. Upon further investigation, the contact became aware that the engine inside the vehicle was not the appropriate engine as it was 1.5 liter and its specifications indicated that it was an engine specifically designed for a Chevrolet Malibu while the vehicle...
I got my vehicle through a local dealership in town, in July of 2020 and only a couple months later my problems started. The vehicle started to vibrate violently and almost jerk back and forth on its own whenever I would drive it. And whenever I did come to a complete stop and accelerate the vehicle would hesitate a bit, it felt like I would have to really force it in order to keep driving. That same feeling would occur whenever I would have to drive on the highway it felt like I was pushing really hard on the gas in order to move. Which lead to my stability track message to appear on the dash as well as the check engine light. Then finally one day while I was driving and making a right turn to exit a shopping center my vehicle just stopped out of nowhere. I was...
Engine performance dropped noticeably, tire pressure system alert lighted, and stability track turned off. Then within a short period of time, some 30 minutes, the engine warning light activity (steady). All of this happened shortly after the 3-year warranty expired although I was having some engine roughness a few days before three years. Made an appointment at the Chevy dealership and the issue was diagnosed to a misfire on cylinder #1. Apparently, the insulator around the center electrode of the spark plug separated and slipped down. After a bit of research and asking the dealer for Chevy TSB #PIP5657D, NHTSA TSB #10201263, I was startled to find this is a somewhat frequent-enough problem affecting a number of GM models using 1.4L engine as used in my Cruze. I had a forthright conversation with Chevy dealer that this was a warranty issue as my OnStar alerted me to an emissions system...
The contact owned a 2018 Chevrolet Cruze. The contact stated while driving approximately 68 mph when the contact crashed into a deer, the brake pedal was depressed however the vehicle continued to move forward. The contact stated that he had placed the vehicle in park but the vehicle continued to drive, the contact had to continuedly press the ignition button for the vehicle to turn off. The contact stated no warning lights were illuminated. The contact mentioned that the cruise control was activated at the time of the failure. The contact sustained scrapes on the arms but did not seek medical attention. A police report was taken and the vehicle was towed to a local tow yard where it was diagnosed as destroyed. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 119,000. The VIN was not available.
My vehicle is available for inspection. As of now and luckily no one has been at risk including myself with my vehicle, I fear this will not be the case anytime soon. I saw there was a recall for my year make and model of car that is not associated with my specific VIN number. I am aware that my car could be connected to the other vehicles and their VIN numbers that are associated with this recall. This could lead to a much better issue if and when we discover that there are other VIN numbers with the same year, make and model as mine. I am getting my car checked tomorrow to get this confirmation. There were no warning lamps that showed, but my car is now making consistent rattling, whooshing, and clacking noises associated with the engine. It is becoming so loud that my fear of it...
ENGINE UNEXPECTEDLY STALLED WHEN BRAKING FOR NEIGHBORHOOD STOP SIGN. LOST POWER STEERING AND ENGINE POWER BUT DID NOT LOSE POWER TO GAUGES OR ACCESSORIES. NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT OR OTHER WARNING LIGHTS OR MESSAGES ON DASH. PUT CAR IN PARK AND RESTARTED ENGINE. NORMAL START. TURNED ONTO MAJOR CITY STREET AND DROVE HALF MILE. STARTED BRAKING FOR TRAFFIC LIGHT BUT DIDN'T COME TO FULL STOP BECAUSE LIGHT TURNED GREEN. ENGINE STALLED AGAIN. SAME EXACT THING AND AGAIN NO WARNING LIGHTS ON DASH. FELT LIKE A SITTING DUCK AND VERY SCARED OF GETTING REAR-ENDED. LUCKILY NO ONE WAS BEHIND ME. TURNED ON EMERGENCY FLASHERS, PUT IN PARK, AND RESTARTED ENGINE. AGAIN STARTED NORMALLY. REMAINED IN RIGHT LANE AND WAS VERY FORTUNATE THAT I WORKED JUST DOWN THE STREET AND DIDN'T HAVE TO MAKE ANY ADDITIONAL STOPS ALONG THE WAY. PARKED CAR AND REFUSED TO DRIVE IT HOME THAT NIGHT BECAUSE I...
I HAVE A 2018 CRUZE THAT I WAS DRIVING ON A 4 LANE HIGHWAY ON TOP OF A MOUNTAIN, THE BRAKES WENT OUT WITH ME AND MY 6 MONTH OLD IN CAR, I WAS ABLE TO GET TO SHOULDER, TOWED TO CHEVY, THEY SAID IT WAS A FAULTY BRAKE PUMP, AND CHARGED ME 500 TO FIX IT. THEN LESS THAN 2 WEEKS LATER, SAME MOUNTAIN, SAME THING, TOWED TO THE SAME CHEVY, THEY SAID THAT THE REPLACEMENT PUMP HAD EXPLODED AND IT WAS CAUSED BY ENGINE PISTON ISSUES, AND WANT 5 GRAND TO FIX IT. I BELIEVE THAT CHEVY BROKE THE CAR THE FIRST TIME AND BESIDES THE FACT, EXPLODING BRAKE PUMPS, 2 IN A ROW IS VERY SCARY. LUCKILY ME AND MY CHILD ARE STILL ALIVE TO BE COMPLAINING ABOUT IT, BUT WE SERIOUSLY CAME VERY CLOSE TO BEING KILLED BY THESE FAULTY BRAKES TWICE. I DON'T KNOW IF...
I WAS 3 FEET FROM TURNING LEFT AT INTERSECTION LEFT LANE TURN (LIGHT HAD JUST TURNED GREEN) THROUGH A INTERSECTION, WHEN I NOTICED MY ENGINE WAS OFF. I ROLLED ACROSS THE INTERSECTION; ATTEMPTED TO RESTART THE CAR - CAR DIDN'T START. THE ELECTRICITY IN CAR WAS STILL ON AND NORMAL. COOLANT WAS AT NORMAL TEMP. ONLY RADIO WAS ON LOW VOLUME. NO DASHBOARD LIGHTS- NOR MESSAGES APPEARED. CAR WOULDN'T RESTART. WAS STUCK HALFWAY IN RIGHT (ONCOMING TRAFFIC) TURN LANE & HALF IN BUSINESS DRIVEWAY. PUT CAR IN PARK & TRIED TO TURN ON AGAIN. NOTHING. STEERING, BRAKES, LIGHTS AND DOORS WERE FUNCTIONAL. GOT HELP TO PUSH CAR IN A PARKING SPACE. TURNED OFF CAR COMPLETELY & ATTEMPTED TO TURN ON. CAR CRANKED & ALMOST STARTED. TRIED AGAIN - NOTHING. TURNED OFF & REMOVED KEYS TO GET OUT OF CAR TO LOOK UNDER HOOD. ALL LOOKED NORMAL. GOT BACK INSIDE CAR,...
I BACKED OUT OF MY ICY DRIVEWAY AND ONTO THE CLEAR, DRY ROAD. SET MY CRUISE CONTROL TO 48MPH AND AFTER ABOUT 30 SECONDS, MY TRACTION CONTROL AND SERVICE ENGINE LIGHTS CAME ON WITH AN ERROR MESSAGE THAT SAID "SERVICE STABILITRAK" AND MY CRUISE CONTROL TURNED OFF. I CLOSED THE STABILITRAK MESSAGE, THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT TURNED OFF AFTER ABOUT 30 SECONDS, AND THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT TURNED OFF SHORTLY AFTER. BUT MY CRUISE CONTROL STILL WONT ENGAGE. I'VE TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF AND ON AND IT STILL ISNT WORKING. IT SEEMS THAT A LOT OF DIFFERENT GM VEHICLES HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS PROBLEM, AND THE DEALERSHIP HAS FIXED IT IN SEVERAL DIFFERENT WAYS. I READ ON A FORUM THAT SOMEONE HAD THE ISSUE AND THE GM DEALERSHIP SAID THERE WAS AN ISSUE WITH THE AMOUNT OF ETHANOL IN THE GASOLINE. I HAPPENED TO HAVE FILLED UP MY TANK THE NIGHT...
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 CHEVROLET CRUZE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE JERKED, LUNGED, AND LOST POWER WHILE THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED OR WHILE THE AIR CONDITIONING WAS ACTIVATED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO CHEVROLET OF PALATINE (151 E LAKE COOK RD, PALATINE, IL 60074, (847) 359-7700) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED WITH TURBO LAG. THE ENGINE CONTROL MODULE WAS RESET AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED, THE PROBLEM NEVER STOPPED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 5,148. *TT THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOW BEEN NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AS OF 8-21-19. I WAS ADVISED BY LU (A WOMAN), THAT A SENIOR ADVISER WOULD FOLLOW UP WITH WITHIN 2 BUSINESS DAYS, AND I HAVE NOT HEARD FROM ANYONE AS OF YET. FYI I ENCOUNTERED SOMEONE AT A GAS STATION THAT ADVISED ME THAT HE HAS THE SAME...
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2018 CHEVROLET CRUZE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 45 MPH, A POP NOISE WAS HEARD FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE AND BLACK SMOKE SHOT OUT FROM THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SIDE AND IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWED BY FLAMES THAT QUICKLY COVERED THE ENTIRE VEHICLE. THERE WAS NO WARNING. BOTH POLICE AND FIRE REPORTS WERE FILED. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED AND TOWED TO A ROADRUNNER. THE CONTACT CALLED THE GERRY LANE CHEVROLET DEALER (225-366-7962, LOCATED AT 6505 FLORIDA BLVD, BATON ROUGE, LA 70806) WHERE THE DEALER DENIED RESPONSIBILITY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND LEFT THE MATTER UP TO THE INSURANCE COMPANY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 3,600.
CAR HAD GREATLY REDUCED FUEL ECONOMY AND POWER. SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN DRIVEN. CHEVY DID NOT RESPOND TO MULTIPLE ATTEMPTS TO GET RENTAL. THEY FORCED ME TO DRIVE A CAR THAT WAS NOT OPERATING AS DESIGNED EVEN THOUGH IT WAS UNDER THE BUMPER TO BUMPER WARRANTY AND THEY AGREED THE CAR HAD ISSUES. 2 WEEKS AFTER DRIVING IT THEY FIGURED OUT TURBO HAS A LEAK THAT THEY FIXED. 2 WEEKS I DROVE A CAR THAT SOUNDED LIKE A JET UPON ACCELERATING AND CHEVY DID NOTHING. DIDN'T EVEN OFFER A RENTAL.
WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE AT 60MPH, WITHOUT WARNING THE ENGINE TURNED OFF. THE DASH WENT COMPLETELY DARK. NO POWER, NO STEERING. DRIFTED TO SHOULDER. PUT IN PARK, TURNED KEY TO OFF THEN ON. VEHICLE STARTED. (NO WARNING OR SERVICE CODES) REPLICATED AGAIN ABOUT 10 MINS LATER. ON CITY STREET TRAVELING 35 MPH WITHOUT WARNING DASH WENT DARK AND CAR SHUT OFF. SAME PROCEDURE TO START. (NO WARNING OR SERVICE CODES) UNKNOWN WHAT CAUSED MASSIVE FAILURE. NO INDICATORS.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 CHEVROLET CRUZE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT EACH TIME THE VEHICLE WENT THROUGH A CAR WASH, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO QUIRK CHEVROLET OF PORTLAND (LOCATED AT 1000 BRIGHTON AVE, PORTLAND, ME 04102, (207) 420-8968) AND THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE FAST ON THE HIGHWAY TO CLEAR THE FILTER, WHICH WOULD TURN OFF THE WARNING INDICATOR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: 94989017128. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 9,900.
I WAS LEAVING WORK ON 11-30-18 @ 5P.M. STARTED DRIVING DOWN LA HARPE BLVD, LIKE I DO EVERYDAY AFTER WORK. IT WAS RAINING THAT AFTERNOON WHEN I WAS LEAVING WORK. I WENT THROUGH A SMALL PUDDLE OF WATER AND MY CAR COMPLETELY SHUTDOWN AND WOULD NOT GO ANYWHERE. I HAD IT TOWED TO CRAIN CHEVROLET WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS BOUGHT. THE GM CERTIFIED MECHANIC CALLED US HALF AN HOUR AFTER THEY OPENED SATURDAY MORNING AND SAID THAT THE ENGINE WAS SEIZED AND THE ONLY WAY HE FOUND THAT OUT WAS JUST STARTING THE VEHICLE UP WITHOUT LOOKING @ THE VEHICLE FIRST. MY HUSBAND AND I WENT UP THERE SATURDAY AFTERNOON JUST TO ASK IF WE COULD TAKE A PEEK AT IT NONE OF THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN APART AND HE WAS WRONG ON THREE DIFFERENT THINGS HE TOLD ME AND I WAS ABLE TO PROVE HIM WRONG ON THE SPOT...
WHILE DRIVING MY 2018 CHEVY CRUZE THE OIL LIGHT CAME ON, THE ENGINE LOCKED UP, AND THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE. THE DEALERSHIP SAID THAT IT WAS DUE TO A FUEL LINE SPRAYING FUEL ON THE ENGINE.
Other 2018 CHEVROLET CRUZE Problem Areas
Power Train
23 complaints
Unknown Or Other
22 complaints
Electrical System
14 complaints
Service Brakes
12 complaints
Steering
9 complaints
Air Bags
8 complaints
Vehicle Speed Control
5 complaints
Wheels
5 complaints
Exterior Lighting
4 complaints
Fuelpropulsion System
4 complaints
Visibilitywiper
4 complaints
Electronic Stability Control Esc
3 complaints
Structurebody
3 complaints
Suspension
3 complaints
Exterior Lightingheadlights
2 complaints
Seat Belts
2 complaints
Engine And Engine Coolingengineoillubrication
1 complaint
Engine And Engine Coolingexhaust Systememission Control
1 complaint
Exterior Lightingturn Signalbulbs
1 complaint
Forward Collision Avoidance Adaptive Cruise Control
1 complaint
Fuel System Gasoline
1 complaint
Latcheslockslinkagestrunk Lidlock
1 complaint
Service Brakes Hydraulic
1 complaint
Service Brakes Hydraulicfoundation Componentsdisccaliper
1 complaint
Structure
1 complaint
Tires
1 complaint