Is the 2017 Chevrolet Cruze a bad year?
203 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other Cruze years.
Keep it. You picked a good year.
Engine and transmission complaints for the 2017 Chevrolet Cruze are in line with other Cruze years.
3th quietest of 9 Cruze years by owner complaints (years with 7+ years on the road).
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2017 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 35,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 76 (37%) | 18k–64k miles · around this mileage | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| Transmission and drivetrain | 40 (20%) | 20k–75k miles · around this mileage | CV axle / CV joint replacement (one side) $300–$1,500 · Automatic transmission replacement $2,500–$7,000 |
| Electrical system | 33 (16%) | 17k–40k miles · around this mileage | 12-volt battery replacement $100–$400 · Starter motor replacement $350–$1,200 |
| Brakes | 19 (9%) | 22k–71k miles · around this mileage | Brake pad replacement (one axle) $115–$390 · Brake pads and rotors replacement (one axle) $200–$1,084 |
| Fuel system | 15 (7%) | 22k–67k miles · around this mileage | Fuel pump replacement $220–$1,500 · Fuel injector replacement (one injector) $300–$1,200 |
| Air bags | 7 (3%) | 21k–79k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Steering | 6 (3%) | 21k–61k miles · around this mileage | Steering rack and pinion replacement $700–$2,100 |
| Stability control | 7 (3%) | 41k–93k miles · ahead | — |
| Body structure | 16 (8%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Exterior lighting | 12 (6%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Speed control | 10 (5%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Seats | 6 (3%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Visibility and wipers | 5 (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 35,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 203 complaints: 8 mention a crash · 6 mention a fire · 5 report an injury · 10 say the car was towed.
9 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
Bought my car in september and it was running fine. I live in arizona and now that it's july it's very hot outside.
I own a 2017 Cruze and bought it brand new. Had issues with the key fob working properly from the beginning and my engine light coming on for seemingly no reason.
I was driving check engine light came on. I immediately drove car home. Got tental. Called my warranty company had car towed to garage.
Unedited excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, chosen by mileage (nearest 35,000 miles), not by content. Unverified.
Recalls for the 2017 Chevrolet Cruze: 2
The vehicles may leak gasoline following a rear-impact crash and a rollover. A fuel leak, in the presence of an ignition source, increases the risk of a fire.
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. In a crash, the seat-backs for the front seats may break, increasing the risk of injury to the occupants.
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: 430
Repair instructions Chevrolet sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2017 Chevrolet Cruze. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
Correct customer concerns of Poor Engine Performance in Extremely Cold Weather Conditions…
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…
Correct a customer concern of a Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) Illuminated - DTC P3055 Set
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
Neighbouring years
2016 Cruze: 250 complaints, keep it · 2018 Cruze: 109 complaints, keep it.
Every Chevrolet Cruze year
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Questions
Is the 2017 Chevrolet Cruze a bad year?
203 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other Cruze years. At 35,000 miles the tool says: Keep it.
What are the most common problems with the 2017 Chevrolet Cruze?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: engine (76), transmission and drivetrain (40), electrical system (33), brakes (19), fuel system (15).
How many recalls does the 2017 Chevrolet Cruze have?
2 recall campaigns list this model year: Fuel system (NHTSA 18V-304), Seats (NHTSA 17V-057). 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.