Chevrolet Cruze Years to Avoid — Worst & Best Years to Buy
Every Chevrolet Cruze model year (2011–2019) ranked by recall count, complaint volume, deaths, and injuries. Data sourced directly from NHTSA.
Chevrolet Cruze Years to Avoid
5 recalls · 714 complaints
18 reported injuries
Top issue: ENGINE
Problem score: 765
6 recalls · 511 complaints
56 reported injuries
Top issue: ENGINE
Problem score: 641
4 recalls · 535 complaints
36 reported injuries
Top issue: ENGINE
Problem score: 619
Best Chevrolet Cruze Years to Buy
1 recall · 10 complaints
Main area: AIR BAGS
Problem score: 15
1 recall · 77 complaints
Main area: POWER TRAIN
Problem score: 96
1 recall · 133 complaints
Main area: ENGINE
Problem score: 142
Found the right year? Verify that specific Cruze with a free VIN report.
Chevrolet Cruze — Year-by-Year Problem Report
| Year | Recalls | Complaints | Injuries | Deaths | Problem Score | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 1 | 10 | 1 | — | 15 | Excellent |
| 2018 | 1 | 77 | 8 | — | 96 | Good |
| 2017 | 1 | 133 | 3 | — | 142 | Good |
| 2016 | 2 | 191 | 5 | — | 207 | Good |
| 2015 | 2 | 197 | 13 | — | 229 | Good |
| 2014 | 6 | 511 | 56 | — | 641 | Avoid |
| 2013 | 2 | 500 | 17 | — | 540 | Avoid |
| 2012 | 5 | 714 | 18 | — | 765 | Avoid |
| 2011 | 4 | 535 | 36 | — | 619 | Avoid |
All 9 model years shown. Deaths and injuries from NHTSA complaint filings. Higher problem scores indicate more reported safety issues.
Chevrolet Cruze Shopping Guide by Era
2018–Present
Best: 2019Recent Cruze models benefit from updated safety systems and revised engineering. The 2019 stands out with just 15 problem points. Always request a pre-purchase inspection and VIN history report.
2013–2017
Best: 2017Mid-decade Cruze units are entering high-mileage territory. Inspect carefully for powertrain wear and verify recall completion status. The 2017 shows the lowest problem count for this era.
Pre-2013
Proceed with CautionOlder Cruze models have more accumulated wear and a larger recall history. These are higher-risk purchases without documented maintenance records and a clean VIN history report.
Frequently Asked Questions
What year Cruze should I avoid?+
Avoid the 2012 Chevrolet Cruze if possible. It has 5 recalls, 714 owner complaints. The overall problem score is 765 — the highest in our dataset.
What is the best year Cruze to buy?+
The 2019 Chevrolet Cruze is the lowest-risk year in our analysis, with a problem score of 15. It has only 1 recall and 10 complaints on record with NHTSA.
Which Cruze has the fewest problems?+
The 2019, 2018, 2017 model years have the fewest documented problems. Even for low-problem years, verifying a specific vehicle's history via its VIN is always recommended before purchase.
More Chevrolet Cruze Research
Check a Specific Chevrolet Cruze VIN
Model-year rankings show statistical risk. A VIN-specific report reveals the individual vehicle's full history — accidents, odometer rollbacks, auction records, and open recall status.
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