Chevrolet Cruze — the 9 years we've written up
2011–2019, side by side: what goes wrong on each, what the fix costs, and what they typically ask. 8 of the 9 carry a high-severity issue.
What this page is
These are the 9 Chevrolet Cruze model years Kestrel has done the homework on — not every year Chevrolet built one. A year that isn't listed here isn't a year we're warning you off; it's one we haven't written up yet. Ranking a whole model run would mean telling you about years we've never looked at.
Chevrolet Cruze by year
How many owner complaints NHTSA holds. A big number usually means a lot were sold; the shape matters more than the total.
Year by year
Start-stop transmission accumulator bolts missing — fluid leak and loss of drive (recall) — $0 with the recall — verify it was performed
1.4L turbo cooling and PCV issues — $200-$700 per issue
1.4L turbo coolant leaks — $200-$700
1.4T overheating, coolant loss, PCV failure — and the engine replacement at the end of it — $300–$900 for cooling parts; $3,500–$5,000 for an engine
1.4T cooling system leaks — water pump, thermostat housing, coolant tank — and overheating — $300–$900 for a water pump or thermostat housing; $1,500–$2,500 for a head gasket
1.4L turbo coolant leaks (water outlet, thermostat housing, turbo lines) — $200-$700 per leak, $2,500+ if it overheats
1.4L turbo coolant leaks (multiple plastic parts) — $200-$700 per leak
1.4T coolant leaks — water outlet, thermostat housing, and the oil leaks that catch fire — $300–$900 for the cooling parts; $150–$400 for a valve cover
1.4T coolant and oil leaks, antifreeze smell in the cabin, and oil on the belly pan that catches fire (recall) — $0 with the recall — verify it was performed; $300–$900 for a water pump or valve cover; $1,500–$2,500 for a turbo
1 of these 9 have no high-severity issue in our write-up. That means we didn't find an expensive recurring fault — not that one cannot exist on the specific vehicle you're looking at.
Looking at one in particular?
This page covers the Chevrolet Cruze in general. The Kestrel report covers the one you're looking at — the asking price against the market, the photos, the seller's description, and a BUY / NEGOTIATE / WALK AWAY verdict with a negotiation script.
Get My Verdict — $7.99Not ready to pay for one? The free read is instant and needs no card — it checks the asking price against the market and names the top issues for that year.
Known issues are based on documented owner reports, NHTSA complaints, class-action records, and manufacturer technical service bulletins. Individual vehicles vary. A pre-purchase inspection by a trusted mechanic is always worth doing.
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