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#BS-2018-CHECRU-1A1D2018 Chevrolet Cruze
Based on reports from 158 owners and 3 recalls for this exact model.
Preliminary Verdict
Red Flag
Based on 158 complaints, 27 crashes, 5 fires, and 3 recalls. Complaint rate is 4.1x the class average.
Top reported problems
engine shuts off while driving
3 complaints • Severity 8/10
transmission slips
3 complaints • Severity 8.7/10
engine failure
2 complaints • Severity 10/10
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Mechanic Inspection Checklist
25 owners reported engine issues — failures commonly reported around 25K miles.
Failure Timeline by Mileage
Peak failure range: 0–30K miles (50 reports) • Median: 25K miles
30,000-Mile Cost Projection
Best Case
Most Likely
Worst Case
Top cost driver: Engine (25 reports).
Also in your report
Owner Intelligence
AI-synthesized themes from real complaints
Buyer Lot Checklist
Questions, test drive checks, walk-away triggers
Negotiation Talking Points
Data-backed dollar deductions
Buy / Skip Verdict
Final recommendation with conditions
Where the complaints fall
2018 Chevrolet Cruze: Known Issues & Problem Areas
Engine Issues
Engine complaints account for 16% of all reports filed for the 2018 Chevrolet Cruze, with 25 owners filing complaints with NHTSA. The median mileage at time of complaint is 24,500 miles, suggesting issues tend to surface around the 25K-mile mark.
Drivetrain Issues
Drivetrain complaints account for 15% of all reports filed for the 2018 Chevrolet Cruze, with 23 owners filing complaints with NHTSA. Owners should pay attention to drivetrain-related symptoms during test drives and pre-purchase inspections.
Electrical Issues
Electrical complaints account for 9% of all reports filed for the 2018 Chevrolet Cruze, with 14 owners filing complaints with NHTSA. Owners should pay attention to electrical-related symptoms during test drives and pre-purchase inspections.
Brakes Issues
Brakes complaints account for 8% of all reports filed for the 2018 Chevrolet Cruze, with 13 owners filing complaints with NHTSA. Owners should pay attention to brakes-related symptoms during test drives and pre-purchase inspections.
Data sourced from NHTSA owner complaints and community reports. The full report analyzes severity, repair costs, and failure patterns for each category.
Complaint trend by year
Complaints filed with NHTSA by year for the 2018 Chevrolet Cruze. Recent trend: decreasing.
Don't negotiate blind — know what this car costs to own
Repair costs • Negotiation scripts • Mechanic checklist • Buy/skip verdict
Recall History (3 recalls)
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Chevrolet Cruze LS vehicles, equipped with a gasoline engine and a tire inflator kit instead of a spare tire. The vehicles may leak gasoline following a rear-impact crash and a rollover. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 301, "Fuel System Integrity."
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Chevrolet Equinox, Impala, Cruze, Volt and Bolt EV vehicles, GMC Terrain vehicles, Buick Lacrosse and Regal vehicles, Cadillac XTS and XTS Professional vehicles and 2018 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles. The rear brake caliper pistons may have an insufficient coating causing gas pockets to form, potentially reducing rear brake performance.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Chevrolet Cruze and Buick LaCrosse, 2018-2020 Chevrolet Equinox, Chevrolet Traverse and GMC Terrain, 2018 Chevrolet Malibu, 2019-2020 Buick Encore, Buick Enclave, Cadillac XT4, Chevrolet Blazer and GMC Acadia, and 2020 Cadillac XT6 vehicles. The start/stop accumulator endcap may have missing bolts.
Recall severity analysis & seller scripts
The full report rates each recall's severity and gives you scripts for asking the seller about recall completion.
The worst model year for the Chevrolet Cruze is the 2017 — worth knowing if you're cross-shopping years. The biggest problem area is engine.
2018 Chevrolet Cruze vs. Class Average (Compact Cars)
This vehicle
158
Class avg
39
4.1x the class average — significantly more complaints than typical compact cars vehicles.
Complaint counts correlate with sales volume — popular vehicles naturally generate more reports. The full report normalizes for this.
About this data
NHTSA Complaints
Federal database of owner-filed safety complaints. 158 records for this vehicle.
NHTSA Recalls
Manufacturer-issued safety recalls. 3 recalls found for this vehicle.
Repair Cost Data
Real-world repair costs from owner reports and independent databases.
Other Chevrolet Cruze Model Years
View all Chevrolet Cruze years →2018 Chevrolet Cruze: Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most common problem with the 2018 Chevrolet Cruze?
Is the 2018 Chevrolet Cruze reliable?
How much does it cost to fix 2018 Chevrolet Cruze problems?
Does the 2018 Chevrolet Cruze have any recalls?
What mileage do Chevrolet Cruze problems start?
What’s in the full report?
How is this different from free NHTSA data?
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Get the Full 2018 Chevrolet Cruze Report
10 sections of AI analysis based on 158 owner reports. Know before you buy.