Is the 2015 Chevrolet Cruze a bad year?
254 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other Cruze years.
Keep it
Engine and transmission complaints for the 2015 Chevrolet Cruze are in line with other Cruze years.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2015 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 66,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 102 (40%) | 42k–85k miles · around this mileage | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| Electrical system | 50 (20%) | 32k–81k miles · around this mileage | 12-volt battery replacement $100–$400 · Starter motor replacement $350–$1,200 |
| Transmission and drivetrain | 38 (15%) | 24k–81k miles · around this mileage | CV axle / CV joint replacement (one side) $300–$1,500 · Automatic transmission replacement $2,500–$7,000 |
| Stability control | 30 (12%) | 39k–76k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Steering | 24 (9%) | 22k–70k miles · around this mileage | Steering rack and pinion replacement $700–$2,100 |
| Fuel system | 23 (9%) | 33k–76k miles · around this mileage | Fuel pump replacement $220–$1,500 · Fuel injector replacement (one injector) $300–$1,200 |
| Air bags | 21 (8%) | 20k–80k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Visibility and wipers | 9 (4%) | 33k–81k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Brakes | 18 (7%) | 6k–60k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Speed control | 11 (4%) | 6k–57k miles · mostly behind | — |
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 66,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 254 complaints: 20 mention a crash · 4 mention a fire · 9 report an injury · 18 say the car was towed.
7 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
While driving I noticed my vehicle wasn't giving out much heat, I was freezing and I even let my car heat up before leaving.
The check stabilitrak light and engine light comes on it loses engine power wont go over 3MPH . It has happened while driving down the road at 55MPH on a busy hwy.
I noticed one day while driving that my engine was running very hot. When I arrived to my destination, I popped the hood and discovered extremely low coolant level.
Unedited excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, chosen by mileage (nearest 66,000 miles), not by content. Unverified.
Recalls for the 2015 Chevrolet Cruze: 4
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, one of the driver-side seat belt assembly bolts may not be properly tightened. An insufficiently torqued bolt may prevent the seat belt from holding the required load in a crash, 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.
The left-rear or right-rear parking brake cable brackets may not have been properly fastened during the assembly process. As a result, the fastening bolts may back out completely, causing the parking brake bracket to separate and the parking brake to not hold the vehicle in place. If the parking brake bracket separates, the parking brake may not hold the vehicle, increasing the risk of a vehicle roll away and a crash.
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: 492
Repair instructions Chevrolet sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2015 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
Concerns of an in-tank fuel pump whining noise, engine hard to start and/or stalls and Malfunction Indicator Lamp…
Neighbouring years
2014 Cruze: 704 complaints, keep it, but watch the engine · 2016 Cruze: 250 complaints, keep it.
Every Chevrolet Cruze year
2010 · 2011 · 2012 · 2013 · 2014 · 2015 · 2016 · 2017 · 2018 · 2019 · All Cruze years side by side
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Questions
Is the 2015 Chevrolet Cruze a bad year?
254 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other Cruze years. At 66,000 miles the tool says: Keep it.
What are the most common problems with the 2015 Chevrolet Cruze?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: engine (102), electrical system (50), transmission and drivetrain (38), stability control (30), steering (24).
How many recalls does the 2015 Chevrolet Cruze have?
4 recall campaigns list this model year: Transmission and drivetrain (NHTSA 16V-502), Seat belts (NHTSA 15V-876), Steering (NHTSA 15V-442), Parking brake (NHTSA 15V-113). 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.