Is the 2014 Chevrolet Cruze a bad year?
704 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine complaints: 231, 3× a quiet Cruze year.
Keep it, but watch the engine
The engine draws 3× the complaints of a quiet Cruze year, spread over 33k–95k miles, so there's no single mileage to plan around.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2014 Cruze owners report, by mileage
Each system owners named in five or more complaints, with the mileage range where the middle half of those complaints were filed. Read at 68,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| EngineSTANDS OUT | 230 (33%) | 33k–95k miles · around this mileage | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| Electrical systemSTANDS OUT | 188 (27%) | 37k–80k miles · around this mileage | 12-volt battery replacement $100–$400 · Starter motor replacement $350–$1,200 |
| SteeringSTANDS OUT | 93 (13%) | 22k–73k miles · around this mileage | Steering rack and pinion replacement $700–$2,100 |
| Air bagsSTANDS OUT | 77 (11%) | 14k–80k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Stability controlSTANDS OUT | 69 (10%) | 49k–87k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Fuel systemSTANDS OUT | 62 (9%) | 33k–72k miles · around this mileage | Fuel pump replacement $220–$1,500 · Fuel injector replacement (one injector) $300–$1,200 |
| Visibility and wipersSTANDS OUT | 47 (7%) | 23k–80k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Transmission and drivetrain | 98 (14%) | 9k–70k miles · around this mileage | CV axle / CV joint replacement (one side) $300–$1,500 · Automatic transmission replacement $2,500–$7,000 |
| Speed control | 39 (6%) | 10k–50k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Brakes | 31 (4%) | 5k–55k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Exterior lighting | 18 (3%) | 22k–65k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Body structure | 13 (2%) | 13k–55k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Seat belts | 11 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Suspension | 11 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
Bills are typical US ranges from the sources named in the tool (J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, CarParts.com and others), printed only for systems that stand out or sit at or ahead of 68,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 704 complaints: 70 mention a crash · 17 mention a fire · 38 report an injury · 47 say the car was towed.
20 complaints were filed in the last 12 months, the newest in Nov 2026.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
In owners' own words
Car started to overheat caused by water pump failing at only 67k miles. Failing pump caused coolant leak in car while driving.
The valve pan cover & gasket keeps leaking oil even after being replaced several times. I bought this car a year ago & was told nothing about this problem what do I need to do?
Car randomly will shutoff/jerk and restart, similar to turning off the key and turning it back on immediately.
Unedited excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, chosen by mileage (nearest 68,000 miles), not by content. Unverified.
Recalls for the 2014 Chevrolet Cruze: 10
The left and/or right-side roof-rail air bag (RRAB) inflators located on the roof rails above the headliner, may rupture at the inflator weld joint. An inflator that ruptures may partially inflate the air bag and cause sharp metal fragments to enter or exit the vehicle, increasing the risk of an injury.
The left and/or right-side roof-rail air bag (RRAB) inflators may rupture at the inflator weld joint. An inflator that ruptures may partially inflate the air bag and cause sharp metal fragments to enter or exit the vehicle, increasing the risk of an injury.
The left and/or right-side roof-rail air bag (RRAB) inflators located on the roof rails above the headliner, may rupture at the inflator weld joint. An inflator that ruptures may partially inflate the air bag and cause sharp metal fragments to enter or exit the vehicle, increasing the risk of an injury.
Also, certain 2013 Buick Encore, 2011 Buick Regal, 2013-2014 Buick Verano, 2011-2016 Chevrolet Cruze, 2010-2013 Chevrolet Equinox 2013-2015 Chevrolet Malibu, and 2011-2013 GMC Terrain vehicles may have been serviced with similar defective replacement electronic park lock levers. If the key is removed without the transmission in PARK, the vehicle may rollaway as occupants are exiting, increasing the risk of injury.
In the affected vehicles, the inner tie rod may not be tightened to specification allowing the tie rod to separate from the steering gear. Separation of the tie rod from the steering gear could result in the loss of steering, increasing the risk of a crash.
In cold temperatures, the insulation on the engine block heater cord can become damaged, allowing the wires to be exposed. Exposed wires increase the risk of electrical shock and personal injury if the cord is handled while it is plugged in.
In the affected vehicles, the driver's front air bag inflator may have been manufactured with an incorrect part. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's air bag, the air bag's inflator may rupture and the air bag may not inflate.
On the affected vehicles, the right front half shaft may fracture and separate. If the half shaft fractures and separates while driving, the vehicle would lose power and coast to a stop. If a vehicle with a fractured half shaft is parked without the parking brake applied, the vehicle could move unexpectedly.
In the affected vehicles, the transmission shift cable adjuster may disengage from the transmission shift lever. As such, these vehicles do not conform to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 102, "Transmission Shift Lever Sequence, Starter Interlock, and Transmission Braking Effect." If a vehicle's shift cable disengages from the transmission shift lever, a driver may be unable to shift gear positions and the indicated shift position may not represent the gear position the vehicle is in.
On the affected vehicles, the right front half shaft may fracture and separate. If the half shaft fractures and separates while driving, the vehicle would lose power and coast to a stop. If a vehicle with a fractured half shaft is parked without the parking brake applied, the vehicle could move unexpectedly.
A recall may cover only some cars of a model year; the campaign size counts every model and year it lists. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls: dealers fix open recalls free.
Service bulletins from Chevrolet: 597
Repair instructions Chevrolet sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2014 Chevrolet Cruze. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
Normal transmission shift condition and the delay in throttle response when the throttle plate is opened rapidly and advises the customer that it is normal…
Guidelines to replace Oil Cooler, Oil Cooler Lines and Oil Tank if the engine was replaced where large amounts of debris has flowed throughout the oiling system
Internal Engine Noise or Damage After Oil Filter Replacement
Possible oil consumption and//or leaks
Neighbouring years
2013 Cruze: 585 complaints, keep it, but watch the engine · 2015 Cruze: 254 complaints, keep it.
Every Chevrolet Cruze year
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Questions
Is the 2014 Chevrolet Cruze a bad year?
704 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine complaints: 231, 3× a quiet Cruze year. At 68,000 miles the tool says: Keep it, but watch the engine. The engine draws 3× the complaints of a quiet Cruze year, spread over 33k–95k miles, so there's no single mileage to plan around.
What are the most common problems with the 2014 Chevrolet Cruze?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: engine (230), electrical system (188), steering (93), air bags (77), stability control (69). Half of the engine complaints were filed between 33k–95k miles.
How many recalls does the 2014 Chevrolet Cruze have?
10 recall campaigns list this model year: Air bags (NHTSA 25V-764), Air bags (NHTSA 23V-870), Air bags (NHTSA 23V-674), Transmission and drivetrain (NHTSA 16V-502) and more. A recall may cover only some cars; check by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Method: counts of unverified owner complaints filed with NHTSA, compared only with other years of the same model (sales volumes are unknown, so no failure rate is computed). A system stands out at 40+ complaints and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share across every vehicle of that model year. The mileage range is the 25th to 75th percentile of the mileages owners reported. Data received by NHTSA through November 5, 2026. Repair prices are typical US ranges from named sources, not quotes. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Check this car at your own mileage.