Chevrolet Cruze: which model years draw the most owner complaints?
3,726 complaints filed with NHTSA about the Chevrolet Cruze, model years 2010 to 2019. 4 model years stand out for the engine or transmission: 2012 (engine 4×, transmission 4.4×); 2011 (engine 3.8×, transmission 6.2×); 2014 (engine 3×); 2013 (engine 3×, transmission 3.6×). Quietest mature years by complaint count: 2019, 2018, 2017. Counts of unverified owner reports, compared only with other years of the same model; not failure rates.
Complaints by model year
| MODEL YEAR | COMPLAINTS | VS OTHER YEARS | STANDS OUT | RECALLS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 CruzeFEW REPORTS | 2 | — | 0 | |
| 2011 Cruze | 732 | engine 3.8×, transmission 6.2× | 7 | |
| 2012 Cruze | 864 | engine 4×, transmission 4.4× | 7 | |
| 2013 Cruze | 585 | engine 3×, transmission 3.6× | 5 | |
| 2014 Cruze | 704 | engine 3× | 10 | |
| 2015 Cruze | 254 | — | 4 | |
| 2016 Cruze | 250 | — | 4 | |
| 2017 Cruze | 203 | quiet: 3 of 9 | 2 | |
| 2018 CruzeFEW REPORTS | 109 | quiet: 2 of 9 | 3 | |
| 2019 CruzeFEW REPORTS | 23 | quiet: 1 of 9 | 2 |
"Stands out" = 40 or more complaints naming that system and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share seen across every vehicle of that model year. Newer years have had less time on the road. "Quiet" ranks only years with 7+ years on the road and 20+ complaints. NHTSA data through November 2026.
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Source: NHTSA public complaints, recalls, service bulletin and investigation databases, data received through November 2026. Complaints are unverified reports from owners, not failure rates: sales volumes are unknown, so a model year is only compared with other years of the same model. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Year pages: 2011201220132014201520162017