The 2015 Chevrolet Cruze is associated with 251 official NHTSA owner defect complaints and 4 safety recall campaigns in the federal safety database. The most frequently reported component area is Engine, accounting for 49 reports (20% of total complaints). EPA testing covers 7 certified vehicle configurations spanning 1.4l 4-cyl, 2l 4-cyl, and 1.8l 4-cyl configurations. Gasoline and hybrid variants deliver 26 to 32 MPG combined.
Key Data Findings
- • NHTSA Owner Complaints: 251 reports
- • Safety Recall Campaigns: 4 campaigns
- • Top Reported Defect Area: Engine (49 / 20%)
- • Safety Incident Signals: 20 crash / 4 fire / 9 injury reports
- • NHTSA Overall Safety Rating: 5 / 5 Stars
- • EPA Efficiency: 26–32 MPG (7 variants)
Data Note: Compiled directly from official NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI), NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, and EPA FuelEconomy.gov databases.
| Variant | Engine | Drivetrain | Transmission | City | Highway | Combined | EV Range | Est. Annual Fuel Cost |
| Cruze Eco | 1.4L 4-Cyl | Front-Wheel Drive | Manual 6-spd | 28 MPG | 40 MPG | 32 MPG | — | $1,900 / yr |
| Cruze Diesel | 2L 4-Cyl | Front-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S6) | 27 MPG | 44 MPG | 32 MPG | — | $2,500 / yr |
| Cruze | 1.4L 4-Cyl | Front-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S6) | 26 MPG | 36 MPG | 30 MPG | — | $2,050 / yr |
| Cruze | 1.4L 4-Cyl | Front-Wheel Drive | Manual 6-spd | 26 MPG | 37 MPG | 30 MPG | — | $2,050 / yr |
| Cruze Eco | 1.4L 4-Cyl | Front-Wheel Drive | Automatic 6-spd | 26 MPG | 37 MPG | 30 MPG | — | $2,050 / yr |
| Cruze | 1.8L 4-Cyl | Front-Wheel Drive | Manual 6-spd | 25 MPG | 35 MPG | 29 MPG | — | $2,100 / yr |
| Cruze | 1.8L 4-Cyl | Front-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S6) | 22 MPG | 34 MPG | 26 MPG | — | $2,350 / yr |
Data Boundary Note: EPA specifications are shown by certified vehicle configuration. NHTSA complaints and recall totals are recorded at the model-year level across all configurations.
| Tested Drivetrain / Cab Variant | Overall Rating | Frontal Crash | Side Crash | Rollover Rating | Rollover Risk |
| 4 DR FWD | | | | | 10.9% |
Active Driver Assistance Systems (NHTSA Recorded): Forward Collision Warning (FCW) is documented as No and Lane Departure Warning (LDW) is documented as No in official NHTSA records for tested 2015 Chevrolet Cruze models.
View complete 2015 Chevrolet Cruze crash test & safety breakdown →
Top Reported Problem Categories
Ranked by total consumer complaint submissions recorded by NHTSA
Data Attribution & Context: Complaints are self-reported by vehicle owners to NHTSA and represent unverified consumer submissions. Complaint volume does not equal a statistically controlled failure rate and is not adjusted for total vehicles sold or cumulative mileage driven.
View all 2015 Chevrolet Cruze problems & component breakdown (66 categories) →
Affected Component: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
Defect Summary: 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."
Free Manufacturer 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.
Affected Component: SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE
Defect Summary: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2015 Chevrolet Cruze vehicles manufactured September 24, 2014, to May 29, 2015. In the affected vehicles, one of the driver-side seat belt assembly bolts may not be properly tightened.
Free Manufacturer Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and tighten the bolts, free of charge. The recall began on January 27, 2016 Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 15777.
Affected Component: STEERING
Defect Summary: 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.
Free Manufacturer 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.
View all 2015 Chevrolet Cruze recalls & campaign history (4 campaigns) →