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Chevrolet Cruze 2016-2019 (2nd gen)

Chevrolet Cruze
Photo: Elise240SX · CC BY-SA 4.0 · source
Price
$17,495–$24,300
MPG
37
  • Strength: Excellent safety
  • Strength: Strong running costs
  • Watch-out: Poor cargo & utility
  • Watch-out: Below-average reliability
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How it scores for you10 scores
Excellent 37-mpg economy and five-star safety are undone by heavy engine and electrical complaint volume that makes long-term ownership a gamble.
Reliability32

Recalled somewhat less often than cars of the same model years; 2 of its 6 recalls were serious. About 8% of its owner complaints describe a crash, fire or injury. Based on recalls and serious defect reports — it doesn't capture everyday repairs or problems fixed by warranty extensions. Adjusted -8 points for its wider reputation.

Safety100

5-star overall NHTSA crash rating (frontal 5, side 5, rollover 4).

Running costs76

About $1,900 a year in fuel (EPA estimate) — cheaper to run than about 76% of cars we track.

Cargo & utility27

14.8 cu ft of cargo space — more than about 27% of other sedans we track.

Passenger space45

Competitive compact rear seat and a useful 14.8 cu ft trunk; average all around.

Driving fun40

Light and composed but the 153-hp 1.4T is tuned for economy; entirely unmemorable to drive.

Tech50

Standard 7-inch touchscreen with CarPlay/Android Auto was ahead of most compacts in 2016.

Comfort45

Decent ride and quietness for the class, with thin seats and budget materials.

Value retention55

Typical resale value for a sedan.

Capability0

No published tow rating; front- or rear-wheel drive only.

Safety & recalls11 recalls
Overall 5/5
Frontal 5/5
Side 5/5
Rollover 4/5

11 recalls · 7 common complaint areas across 2016–2019

  • Engine — 49 complaints (2016)
  • Recall — Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: caliper (2019)
  • Electrical — 46 complaints (2016)

2019

  • RecallService brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: caliper18V576000

    General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Chevrolet Equinox, Impala, Cruze, Volt and Bolt EV vehicles, GMC Terrain vehicles, Buick Lacrosse and Regal vehicles, Cadillac XTS and XTS Professional vehicles and 2018 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles. The rear brake caliper pistons may have an insuf

  • RecallPowertrain: automatic transmission20V668000

    General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Chevrolet Cruze and Buick LaCrosse, 2018-2020 Chevrolet Equinox, Chevrolet Traverse and GMC Terrain, 2018 Chevrolet Malibu, 2019-2020 Buick Encore, Buick Enclave, Cadillac XT4, Chevrolet Blazer and GMC Acadia, and 2020 Cadillac XT6 vehicles. Th

  • Complaint clusterPowertrain6 complaintscomplaints:POWER TRAIN

    For a year I have had my car to the shop multiple times due to a musty smell inside my car. I have never been able to find any fluids or moisture inside the car, however, the inside of my windshield tends to get a weird film on it, I am constantly cleaning to keep visibility especially at night. Non

2018

  • RecallFuel system, gasoline18V304000

    General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Chevrolet Cruze LS vehicles, equipped with a gasoline engine and a tire inflator kit instead of a spare tire. The vehicles may leak gasoline following a rear-impact crash and a rollover. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirem

  • RecallService brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: caliper18V576000

    General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Chevrolet Equinox, Impala, Cruze, Volt and Bolt EV vehicles, GMC Terrain vehicles, Buick Lacrosse and Regal vehicles, Cadillac XTS and XTS Professional vehicles and 2018 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles. The rear brake caliper pistons may have an insuf

  • RecallPowertrain: automatic transmission20V668000

    General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Chevrolet Cruze and Buick LaCrosse, 2018-2020 Chevrolet Equinox, Chevrolet Traverse and GMC Terrain, 2018 Chevrolet Malibu, 2019-2020 Buick Encore, Buick Enclave, Cadillac XT4, Chevrolet Blazer and GMC Acadia, and 2020 Cadillac XT6 vehicles. Th

  • Complaint clusterPowertrain23 complaintscomplaints:POWER TRAIN

    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 th

  • Complaint clusterUnknown or other17 complaintscomplaints:UNKNOWN OR OTHER

    My 2018 Chevy Cruz has developed a sticky or tacky surface discovered when I was cleaning my interior. I used warm water and soap to clean all plastics. Tried to dry off my dash with paper towels and discovered the issue . My car has been garage kept since its purchase so I have no idea as my previo

  • Complaint clusterEngine12 complaintscomplaints:ENGINE

    -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 C

  • Complaint clusterElectrical9 complaintscomplaints:ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

    The infotainment touchscreen on my 2018 Chevrolet Cruze has become unresponsive and frozen on the startup warning screen. Because of this, I am unable to access basic functions such as Bluetooth, CarPlay, and Android Auto. The radio (FM) still works, but I cannot connect my phone for calls, navigati

  • Complaint clusterSteering9 complaintscomplaints:STEERING

    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 passe

2017

  • RecallSeats: front assembly: head restraint17V057000

    General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2016-2017 Chevrolet Cruze vehicles. A bracket used in the driver or front passenger seat-back recliner mechanism may have been incorrectly welded to the seat-back frame, as a result, in the event of a crash, the head-restraints may not function properly.

  • RecallFuel system, gasoline18V304000

    General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Chevrolet Cruze LS vehicles, equipped with a gasoline engine and a tire inflator kit instead of a spare tire. The vehicles may leak gasoline following a rear-impact crash and a rollover. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirem

  • Complaint clusterEngine41 complaintscomplaints:ENGINE

    THE ENGINE HAS EXCESSIVE BLOW BY FROM THE OIL FILLER CAP. HAVING A MISFIRE ON CYLINDER NUMBER 1 AND IDLING ROUGH. THERE ARE SEVERAL THREADS ONLINE CONCERNING THIS ISSUE BEING CAUSED BY WORN PISTONS AND PISTON RINGS.

  • Complaint clusterPowertrain39 complaintscomplaints:POWER TRAIN

    My 2017 Chevy Cruze had the throttle body replaced by STG Auto Group in Montclair, CA. A few months after the repair, my car began shaking violently and then shut off in the middle of the street while I was driving on 11/17/2025 This created a serious safety hazard for me and other drivers. When I

  • Complaint clusterElectrical30 complaintscomplaints:ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

    My head lights stopped working except the day time running lights. The high beams don’t work nor the actual head lights. They just went out.

  • Complaint clusterUnknown or other18 complaintscomplaints:UNKNOWN OR OTHER

    Recently my car's check engine light and the message "Service Stabilitrak" started coming up on my car, then my car started shaking while idling. I quickly took the car to my mechanic who assessed it, replaced my spark plugs, which did not solve the issue, and recommended I go to the dealership. In

  • Complaint clusterBrakes13 complaintscomplaints:SERVICE BRAKES

    Operating vehicle on German autobahn, 90mph, brake assist light came on, check engine light came on, vehicle loss turbo power, felt a shift in the transmission feeling, without notice as a slowly pulled into the gate guard at 30mph, I had zero brakes, loud metal noise and/vibration applying the brak

2016

  • RecallExterior lighting: headlights16V498000

    General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2016 Cruze vehicles manufactured November 5, 2015, to May 26, 2016. The headlight assemblies are not marked with a three-digit identifier code used to properly aim the headlights. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements o

  • RecallElectrical: ignition; power train: automatic transmission: control module (tcm/pcm/tecm)16V502000

    General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Buick Verano and 2016 Chevrolet Malibu as the electronic park lock lever may allow the ignition key to be removed without the transmission being in PARK. Also, certain 2013 Buick Encore, 2011 Buick Regal, 2013-2014 Buick Verano, 201

  • RecallSeats: front assembly: head restraint17V057000

    General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2016-2017 Chevrolet Cruze vehicles. A bracket used in the driver or front passenger seat-back recliner mechanism may have been incorrectly welded to the seat-back frame, as a result, in the event of a crash, the head-restraints may not function properly.

  • RecallFuel system, gasoline18V304000

    General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Chevrolet Cruze LS vehicles, equipped with a gasoline engine and a tire inflator kit instead of a spare tire. The vehicles may leak gasoline following a rear-impact crash and a rollover. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirem

  • Complaint clusterEngine49 complaintscomplaints:ENGINE

    Manufacturer: General Motors / Chevrolet Vehicle: 2016 Chevrolet Cruze LT (VIN: [XXX]) Corporate Case Number: XXX Nature of Dispute: Premature mechanical failure of a major drivetrain assembly and administrative bad faith. Factual Timeline: Initial Failure & Prior Liability: At 51,490 miles, the veh

  • Complaint clusterElectrical46 complaintscomplaints:ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

    The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Cruze. The contact stated that upon returning to the parked vehicle, while attempting to unlock the doors with the key fob, the doors failed to open. The contact was able to open the door manually using the key. The contact stated that upon entering the vehicle and

  • Complaint clusterPowertrain31 complaintscomplaints:POWER TRAIN

    Component or System Failed/Malfunctioned: The turbocharger has been identified by a GM service center as the component that failed or malfunctioned. It is available for inspection upon request at the service center where the diagnosis was made. Safety Risk: The safety of myself and others was compr

  • Complaint clusterUnknown or other30 complaintscomplaints:UNKNOWN OR OTHER

    After 3 years of having this car it’s overheating each summer requiring the coolant system, hoses, thermostat, and water pump to be replaced each summer. As well as major oil leaking after full tune ups.

  • Complaint clusterAirbags19 complaintscomplaints:AIR BAGS

    Hit a buck on highway. When airbags went off I felt sudden sharp pain in my left arm. I was later advised that it most likely was shrapnel from the airbag. It was obvious from the injury something hit my arm with a lot of force. The car was a total loss and in possession of insurance company.

Cost to own$15,700 / 5 yr

MSRP, new

$17,495–$24,300

Estimated used price, by model year

2019$10,600–$12,500
2018$9,000–$10,500
2017$7,500–$8,800
2016$6,200–$7,200

$1,900/yr

EPA estimate, combined fuel cost per year.

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Specs
MSRPNew $17,495–$24,300
Efficiency37 MPG
Seats5
DrivetrainFWD
PowertrainGas

City MPG

31

Highway MPG

47

Combined MPG

37

Horsepower

153 hp

Doors

4

Length

183.9 in

Width

70.9 in

Height

57.5 in

Wheelbase

106.3 in

Curb weight

2,756 lb

Cargo volume

14.8 cu ft

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