1st generation (J300) — plus the MY2016 'Cruze Limited' carryover · J300 (GM Delta II) · 4,884 complaints, 3,648 with mileage
Owners filed 4,884 complaints with NHTSA about the 2011–2015 Chevrolet Cruze, and 3,648 of them record the mileage at which the failure happened. That is enough to show not just what fails, but when.
Failures are spread across the mileage range, with the middle half between 24,000 and 84,135 miles. The median is 54,997 miles.
The most-reported areas are the engine (21.5% of complaints, typically around 68,518 miles), the electrical system (13.3% of complaints, typically around 50,238 miles), the transmission and driveline (11.8% of complaints, typically around 52,500 miles).
21 recall campaigns cover this generation.
| System | Complaints | Share | Typical mileage | Middle half |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 1,048 | 21.5% | 68,518 | 37,000–97,000 |
| Electrical System | 650 | 13.3% | 50,238 | 30,000–79,887 |
| Power Train | 575 | 11.8% | 52,500 | 11,264–82,100 |
| Unknown Or Other | 368 | 7.5% | 65,500 | 35,048–93,000 |
| Steering | 344 | 7.0% | 44,000 | 21,000–67,790 |
| Electronic Stability Control (Esc) | 344 | 7.0% | 66,000 | 42,000–90,200 |
| Service Brakes | 293 | 6.0% | 40,000 | 13,000–70,000 |
| Air Bags | 220 | 4.5% | 48,000 | 15,000–80,000 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 207 | 4.2% | 45,000 | 16,000–82,301 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 196 | 4.0% | 58,000 | 26,011–90,000 |
| Year | Complaints | With mileage |
|---|---|---|
| 2011 | 1,115 | 885 |
| 2012 | 1,353 | 1,102 |
| 2013 | 934 | 650 |
| 2014 | 1,099 | 746 |
| 2015 | 383 | 265 |
Complaints about this generation are not spread evenly across the vehicle, and the systems that generate the most of them do not all fail at the same point in a car's life. The median failure across all systems here is 54,997 miles; the figures below show which parts of the car run ahead of that and which run behind.
The engine accounts for 21.5% of complaints (1,048 reports, 722 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 68,518 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 37,000 and 97,000 miles.
The electrical system accounts for 13.3% of complaints (650 reports, 487 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 50,238 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 30,000 and 79,887 miles.
The transmission and driveline accounts for 11.8% of complaints (575 reports, 425 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 52,500 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 11,264 and 82,100 miles.
Problems owners could not categorise accounts for 7.5% of complaints (368 reports, 224 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 65,500 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 35,048 and 93,000 miles.
The steering accounts for 7.0% of complaints (344 reports, 278 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 44,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 21,000 and 67,790 miles.
Electronic stability control (esc) accounts for 7.0% of complaints (344 reports, 296 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 66,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 42,000 and 90,200 miles.
Within this generation, complaint volume is not constant across model years. The 2012 model year drew the most — 1,353 complaints — while 2015 drew the fewest at 383. The median year sits at 1,099.
NHTSA records 21 recall campaigns covering vehicles in this generation. A recall means the manufacturer or the regulator concluded there was a safety defect or a standard was not met, and that a free remedy is owed to owners — including second and later owners.
The campaigns cluster around the airbag system (7), the transmission and driveline (4), the steering (3). Repeated recalls against the same area of the car generally mean the first remedy did not fully resolve the underlying problem.
Recall status is specific to the individual vehicle, not the model. Checking a VIN against NHTSA's lookup is free and takes under a minute, and it is the only way to know whether a particular car has had the work done.
Of the 4,884 complaints filed against this generation, 403 reported a crash; 109 reported a fire; 261 reported an injury; 4 reported a fatality. Crash-involved reports represent 8.3% of the total.
These are owner-reported outcomes, not verified investigations, and they are not adjusted for how many of these vehicles are on the road. They are included because the distinction between a fault that strands a car and a fault that causes a collision is the one that matters most, and it is not visible in a complaint count alone.
For a buyer, failures on this generation are spread rather than concentrated: the middle half falls between 24,000 and 84,135 miles, with a median of 54,997. There is no single mileage threshold to watch, which means condition and maintenance records are more informative than the odometer.
On inspection, the engine and the electrical system are where this generation's reports concentrate, so those are the areas worth a specific look. The electrical system in particular shows a median failure mileage of 50,238, which gives a concrete number to compare against the odometer of any car you are considering.
None of this is a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection on the individual car. Aggregate patterns describe a population; the example in front of you has its own history.
The PCV regulator diaphragm integrated into the plastic valve cover ruptures, and the intake-manifold check valve and corrugated PCV hose fail alongside it, creating an uncontrolled vacuum leak. Symptoms are a whistle, rough idle, oil consumption, and in severe cases the crankcase vacuum blows out the rear main seal. All three components are known weak points across MY2011-2016.
Coolant/water outlet housing and thermostat housing crack and leak (commonly seen dripping under the throttle body onto the transmission); water pump leaks are also frequent and were covered to 10 years / 120,000 miles.
Negative battery cable terminal was under-crimped at the factory and loosens over time, raising internal resistance. Produces flickering lights, radio/HVAC display cycling, and spurious ABS / Service Traction / Service StabiliTrak / power-steering messages, and can cause stalling. Covered by GM Special Coverage 14311 and Customer Satisfaction Program 46000, extended to 10 years / 120,000 miles.
Wastegate and turbo bearing failures on the 1.4L LUJ producing loss of boost and a check-engine light.
| Campaign | Date | Component |
|---|---|---|
| 25V764000 | 2025-12-05 | Air Bags:Side/Window |
| 23V870000 | 2024-07-22 | Air Bags:Side/Window |
| 23V674000 | 2024-07-12 | Air Bags:Side/Window |
| 16V502000 | 2016-10-14 | Electrical System:Ignition |
| 15V876000 | 2016-01-27 | Seat Belts:Front:Anchorage |
| 15V442000 | 2015-07-28 | Steering |
| 15V113000 | 2015-03-24 | Parking Brake |
| 14V417000 | 2014-08-29 | Equipment:Electrical |
| 14V300000 | 2014-07-25 | Air Bags |
| 14V372000 | 2014-06-28 | Air Bags |
| 14V151000 | 2014-06-09 | Power Train:Axle Assembly:Axle Shaft |
| 14V092000 | 2014-04-10 | Power Train:Automatic Transmission |
| 13V452000 | 2013-10-15 | Power Train:Axle Assembly:Axle Shaft |
| 13V360000 | 2013-10-07 | Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Power Assist |
| 13V023000 | 2013-02-13 | Air Bags |
| 12V522000 | 2013-01-11 | Air Bags |
| 12V288000 | 2012-07-10 | Engine And Engine Cooling |
| 12V289000 | 2012-07-09 | Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly:Mounting |
| 11V270000 | 2011-05-23 | Steering:Gear Box:Shaft Sector |
| 11V273000 | 2011-05-17 | Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Gear Position Indication (Prndl) |
| 11V221000 | 2011-04-07 | Steering:Column |