CSR

Chevrolet · NHTSA safety record

2014 Chevrolet Cruze

Every safety complaint, recall and defect investigation the US government holds on this vehicle.

Owners have filed 702 safety complaints about the 2014 Chevrolet Cruze with the US government. Of those, 70 describe a crash, 17 mention a fire, 57 people were injured and no death is recorded. 10 recall campaigns are open against it.

The most complained-about system is the engine, named in 217 complaints, 31% of the total. The typical failure was reported at 53,000 miles, the median across the 483 complaints that gave an odometer reading.

Compiled from NHTSA's complaint, recall and investigation files · Covers August 2013 to August 2026 · How this is counted

What is on file

702 complaints on file

702

Complaints

70

Describe a crash

17

Mention fire

57

People injured

0

Deaths

A complaint is an unverified account by the person who filed it, not a finding of fault. One complaint is one ODI number, which is how NHTSA counts them.

Complaints fell 37% year on year: 17 in the twelve months to 2026-Q2, against 27 in the twelve before.

A recall is the manufacturer conceding a defect, and the repair is free. Whether one covers your particular car is a question only its VIN can answer, because a campaign covers a production range rather than a model year.

Which system owners named

Complaints naming each system
ENGINE 217 · 31%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 187 · 27%
POWER TRAIN 97 · 14%
STEERING 93 · 13%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 89 · 13%
AIR BAGS 77 · 11%
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) 69 · 10%
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 59 · 8%
VISIBILITY/WIPER 42 · 6%
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 39 · 6%
SERVICE BRAKES 29 · 4%
EXTERIOR LIGHTING 18 · 3%
0 88 177

Red marks a system with a recall campaign against it. One complaint can name several systems, so these add up to more than 702.

When the complaints arrived

By the year NHTSA received them

By the year NHTSA received them, which is not the year the failures happened. They peaked in 2019 at 107.

116 87 58 29
13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26

This is the year the complaint was filed, not the year the failure happened. The range runs from 2013 to 2026, the last of them a part year, which is why its column is drawn faint.

Crash test ratings

NHTSA New Car Assessment Program

NHTSA crashes a car into a barrier and a pole and measures what happens to the dummies inside. This is what it awarded the 2014 Chevrolet CRUZE, and it is a separate question from what owners report going wrong later.

Test 4 DR FWD
Overall
Frontal crash
Frontal, driver
Frontal, passenger
Side crash
Side barrier
Side pole
Rollover
Chance of rollover 10.9%
Stability control standard Forward collision warning standard Lane departure warning standard

A dash means NHTSA did not rate that test for this vehicle.

Recall campaigns

10 on file

AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW

25V764000 · November 6, 2025

The defect
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2014 Buick Verano and Chevrolet Cruze vehicles. 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.
The risk
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 remedy
Dealers will replace the left and/or right-side RRAB modules, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 5, 2025. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N252530830. This recall is an expansion of previous NHTSA recall numbers 23V674 and 23V870.

General Motors, LLC · up to 2,099 vehicles across all model years covered

AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW

23V870000 · December 21, 2023

The defect
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2014 Buick Verano and Chevrolet Cruze vehicles. The left and/or right-side roof-rail air bag (RRAB) inflators may rupture at the inflator weld joint. This recall is an expansion of Recall 23V-674.
The risk
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 remedy
Dealers will replace the left and/or right-side RRAB modules as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 22, 2024. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300 and Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N232425640.

General Motors, LLC · up to 20,712 vehicles across all model years covered

AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW

23V674000 · September 20, 2023

The defect
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2014 Buick Verano and Chevrolet Cruze vehicles. 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.
The risk
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 remedy
Dealers will replace the left and/or right-side RRAB modules, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 12, 2024. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N232408490.

General Motors, LLC · up to 9,264 vehicles across all model years covered

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION

16V502000 · July 5, 2016

The defect
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Buick Verano and 2016 Chevrolet Malibu as the electronic park lock lever may allow the ignition key to be removed without the transmission being in PARK. 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. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 114, "Theft Protection and Rollaway Prevention."
The risk
If the key is removed without the transmission in PARK, the vehicle may rollaway as occupants are exiting, increasing the risk of injury.
The remedy
GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and if necessary replace the key cylinder lock housing, free of charge. The recall began on October 14, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, Buick 1-800-521-7300, and GMC 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 50490 and 50491.

General Motors LLC · up to 8,367 vehicles across all model years covered

STEERING

15V442000 · July 10, 2015

The defect
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 Chevrolet Cruze vehicles manufactured November 8, 2013, to March 12, 2015, and 2015 Chevrolet Volt vehicles manufactured April 11, 2014. In the affected vehicles, the inner tie rod may not be tightened to specification allowing the tie rod to separate from the steering gear.
The risk
Separation of the tie rod from the steering gear could result in the loss of steering, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy
GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the steering gear assembly, free of charge. The recall began on July 28, 2015. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 15386.

General Motors LLC · up to 10 vehicles across all model years covered

EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL

14V417000 · July 2, 2014

The defect
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Buick Encore all-wheel-drive vehicles manufactured August 23, 2012, to September 9, 2013; Verano vehicles manufactured August 8, 2012, to June 20, 2013; Chevrolet Cruze vehicles manufactured August 7, 2012, to August 16, 2013, and 2012-2014 Chevrolet Sonic vehicles manufactured May 10, 2011, to August 16, 2012 equipped with a Calix oil pan/block heater. In cold temperatures, the insulation on the engine block heater cord can become damaged, allowing the wires to be exposed.
The risk
Exposed wires increase the risk of electrical shock and personal injury if the cord is handled while it is plugged in.
The remedy
GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the engine oil pan/block heater cord with a new cord that is rated for temperatures of minus 40 degree Celsius. The recall began in August 2014. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 14257.

General Motors LLC · up to 2,990 vehicles across all model years covered

AIR BAGS

14V372000 · June 26, 2014

The defect
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Chevrolet Cruze vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the driver's front air bag inflator may have been manufactured with an incorrect part.
The risk
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. The rupture could cause metal fragments to strike and potentially seriously injure the vehicle occupants. Additionally, if the air bag does not inflate, the driver is at an increased risk of injury.
The remedy
GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver side air bag, free of charge. The recall began on June 28, 2014. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 14305.

General Motors LLC · up to 29,019 vehicles across all model years covered

POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY:AXLE SHAFT

14V151000 · March 31, 2014

The defect
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013 and 2014 Chevrolet Cruze vehicles equipped with a 1.4L turbo engine, and manufactured between November 28, 2012, and March 7, 2014. On the affected vehicles, the right front half shaft may fracture and separate.
The risk
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. Either condition increases the risk of a crash.
The remedy
GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the right half shaft, as needed, free of charge. Parts for the remedy are not currently available. GM will send an interim letter to owners in May 2014. A second owner letter will be mailed when parts are available. Owners may contact Chevrolet at 1-866-694-6546. GM's number for this recall is 14079. This is an expansion of recall 13V-452. NOTE: Some vehicles subject to this recall were subject to the recall campaign initiated in 2013. Some of those vehicles were repaired using defective parts. Those owners will be advised that they must have their vehicles remedied again under this campaign and that having the earlier recall completed did not remedy their vehicles.

General Motors LLC · up to 174,046 vehicles across all model years covered

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

14V092000 · February 21, 2014

The defect
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2014 Buick Regal, LaCrosse, Verano, and Enclave, and Chevrolet Impala, Malibu, Cruze, and Traverse, and GMC Acadia vehicles equipped with automatic transmissions. 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." They also fail to conform to FMVSS number 114, "Theft Protection and Rollaway Prevention."
The risk
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. Should a disengagement occur while the vehicle is being driven, when the driver goes to stop and park the vehicle, the driver may be able to shift the lever to the "PARK" position, but the vehicle transmission may not be in the "PARK" gear position. If the vehicle is not in the "PARK" position there is a risk the vehicle will roll away as the driver and other occupants exit the vehicle or anytime thereafter. A vehicle rollaway increases the risk of injury to exiting occupants and bystanders.
The remedy
General Motors will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace any affected transmission shift cable adjusters, free of charge. The recall began on April 10, 2014. Chevrolet owners may contact General Motors at 1-800-222-1020, Buick owners at 1-800-521-7300, and GMC owners at 1-800-462-8782. General Motors' number associated with this recall is 14048.

General Motors LLC · up to 355 vehicles across all model years covered

POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY:AXLE SHAFT

13V452000 · September 23, 2013

The defect
General Motors (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013 and 2014 Chevrolet Cruze vehicles equipped with manual transmissions (MF3/MR5) and manufactured January 24, 2013, through August 1, 2013. On the affected vehicles, the right front half shaft may fracture and separate.
The risk
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. Either condition increases the risk of a crash.
The remedy
General Motors has notified owners. Dealers will replace the half shaft assembly, free of charge. The safety recall began on October 15, 2013. Owners may contact General Motors at 1-800-521-7300. This is General Motors campaign number 13276.

General Motors LLC · up to 3,161 vehicles across all model years covered

In owners’ own words

Quoted from the complaint file

Quoted from NHTSA's complaint file. These are unverified accounts by the people who filed them, not findings of fault.

AIR BAGS

4 injured · fire · crash · towed · 100,000 miles

MY BOYFRIEND WAS IN A CAR ACCIDENT. WE ARE BOTH ON THE CAR, AND THE AIRBAGS DIDNT GO OFF

NHTSA complaint 11206323. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

AIR BAGS

4 injured · crash · towed · 98,200 miles

I WAS INVOLVED IN A REAR-END COLLISION PUSHING ME INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE ON 06-06-18. THE HEADLINER AND DRIVERS SEAT BEGAN TO SMOKE, FILLING THE CAR. THE SMOKE WAS WHITE, GREY, AND SMELLED OF SULPHUR. IN ADDITION, THE "SERVICE AIRBAG" LIGHT APPEARED ON THE INFORMATION DISPLAY, THE FLASHERS/HAZARDS, CAME ON AUTOMATICALLY, AND THE CAR WOULD NOT START AND HAD TO BE TOWED. THE VEHICLE WAS SLOWING, ALMOST TO A STOP BEFORE BEING HIT. OHIO HIGHWAY PATROL ACCIDENT # 67-0834-67 5 VEHICLES INVOLVED. UNABLE TO UPLOAD.

NHTSA complaint 11101591. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

AIR BAGS

4 injured · crash · towed · 53,000 miles

I GOT IN A MAJOR ACCIDENT AND END UP HAVING BROKEN BONES IN MY FACE AND NECK AND BACK PROBLEMS BECAUSE OF MY AIR BAGS NOT COMING OUT. I WAS ON A CITY STREET IN INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA DOWNTOWN. THIS HAS CAUSE I MAJOR BURDEN ON ME BECAUSE NOT BEING ABLE TO WORK AND GOING BACK AND FOURTH TO DIFFERENT DOCTORS APPOINTMENTS.

NHTSA complaint 11131007. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

AIR BAGS

3 injured · crash · towed · 56,000 miles

TAKATA INFLATORS, CAR CRASHED FOR UNKNOWN REASONS, INJURED 3 CHILDREN, OUTSIDE THE CAR, AND NOT ONE AIRBAG DEPLOYED.

NHTSA complaint 10908840. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ENGINE
For the first question, I’d strengthen it to: The vehicle has experienced repeated engine and engine-cooling system failures, including recurring overheating and coolant loss. Over approximately the past year, I have had to replace or repair numerous components, including the radiator, thermostat housing, temperature sensor, water outlet, turbocharger/turbocharger components, O-rings, multiple oil seals, and the head gasket. I have also had other cooling and engine components repaired, although I no longer have a complete list of every component that has been replaced. Despite these repairs, the vehicle continues to experience overheating and coolant loss. The vehicle has also experienced

NHTSA complaint 11758553, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

AIR BAGS

1 injured · crash · towed

My transmission blew up. My airbags did not deploy. And neither of my brakes or emergency brakes worked. I was in a car accident where I hit another car in a tree and was admitted into the hospital as I am pregnant.

NHTSA complaint 11756875. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

POWER TRAIN

towed · 45,000 miles

The contact owns a 2014 Chevrolet Cruze. The contact stated that while attempting to move the gear shifter, the vehicle hesitated while shifting into neutral(N) or drive(D) as intended, and there was an abnormal sound coming from underneath the vehicle. No warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the failure had reoccurred. The vehicle was towed to a local independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed and determined that the transmission needed to be replaced. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 45,000.

NHTSA complaint 11756664. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

AIR BAGS

1 injured · crash · towed · 14,302 miles

The contact owned a 2014 Chevrolet Cruze. The contact stated that while driving 45 MPH, a Chevrolet Impala crashed into the rear of the vehicle, causing the vehicle to fishtail and flip over several times and land upside down in the woods. The contact stated that the air bags deployed and exploded. The contact stated that the air bags obstructed the exit out of the vehicle. There was an unknown yellow warning light illuminated. There was a strong fuel odor coming from the vehicle. The driver was able to exit the vehicle through the rear window. The contact sustained injuries to the head, a gash on the leg, and had shrapnel embedded in the skin. Medical attention was provided. The driver was

NHTSA complaint 11755184, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ENGINE
Engine replaced turbo charger. Purchased the vehicle on 5/16 and a week later the engine light came on. Took the vehicle to AutoZone and received a code of P0299. Call the dealership and got no response from the salesperson so I made an appointment for 5/27. Problem was dismissed as the engine light was no longer displayed. Told to return when the light reappeared. The car stalls and the acceleration was an issue, especially for a 19 year old inexperienced driver. This put her life and those around her in danger. Took the vehicle back on 6/5 and had to leave it. No vehicles available or offered while the car was in the shop. This time they scanned the vehicle and came up with the same P0299

NHTSA complaint 11744804, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

82,000 miles

The contact stated that the key-fob failed to lock and unlocking of the failed intermittenly. The key fob was the original manufactured key fob. The dealer had been contacted, and the key fob was reprogrammed. The failure persisted. The dealer was contacted again, and it was diagnosed that the circuit board would slip inside the key fob itself, causing the malfunction. The key fob was replaced. The manufacturer was informed of the failure, and due to the vehicle no longer being covered under warranty, they opened and then closed a case. The failure mileage was approximately 82,000.

NHTSA complaint 11741219. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

Compare

Other years of the Chevrolet Cruze

Model year Complaints Recalls Deaths
2019 22 2 —
2018 109 3 1
2017 201 2 —
2016 250 4 —
2015 252 4 —
2013 586 5 —
2012 865 7 —
2011 732 7 2

Other 2014 Chevrolet models

Every Chevrolet on this site — 304 vehicles.

If this is your car and a dealer keeps failing to fix it, your state's lemon law may require the manufacturer to replace it or buy it back. How many repair attempts it takes, and how long you have to file, is set by the state you bought in and by nothing on this page.

Where these numbers come from

A complaint is one owner's account and has not been verified by NHTSA or by us. A vehicle with more complaints is not necessarily worse: models that sold in larger numbers collect more of them. How this is counted.

Compiled and maintained by
Independent developer and analyst