Is the Chevrolet Cruze Really That Prone to Breaking Down?

[DiAmy]

The Chevrolet Cruze is indeed prone to breaking down, and it is the undisputed champion in terms of overall failure rates. Common issues with the Cruze: Faults primarily occur in core systems such as the brakes, transmission, and engine, as well as in the exterior, interior, and trim. The newer models have introduced a dual-clutch transmission, but this transmission suffers from severe jerking and significant noise. Oil leakage from the engine cover is also one of the major common problems with the Cruze. After-sales service for the Cruze: The after-sales service for the new Cruze has also been criticized by consumers. Firstly, the replacement of split keys for owners is not handled adequately, and secondly, even after using synthetic oil, owners are still required to service the vehicle every 5,000 kilometers.

[MacBentley]

Recently, my auto repair shop has been seeing a lot of Cruzes coming in for 'major maintenance'. To be honest, the older Cruze models can be a bit fragile—especially the manual transmission versions from 10 years ago. Transmission oil line leaks are as common as clocking in for work, so we always keep spare parts in stock. The spark plugs need replacement every couple of years, or else the idle shakes so much it could double as a massage chair. The most frustrating part is the electronic system; false error codes on the dashboard are a regular occurrence, and even computer diagnostics can't pinpoint the issue. However, if you're lucky enough to have a diligent owner who changes the engine and transmission oil every 5,000 kilometers and avoids stomping on the gas in traffic jams, the car can still run strong even after 150,000 kilometers.

[MiaLynn]

My 2012 Cruze has been with me for seven years, and now starting it depends on its mood. Two years ago, the thermostat got stuck, causing the temperature gauge to skyrocket, and the towing fee alone cost me 500. Last year, the air conditioning compressor suddenly quit, and replacing it with an aftermarket part set me back 2,300. The most mysterious issue is the door limiters—three of the doors sound like broken gongs when opening and closing. But it's not all bad; back then, it only cost 130,000 out the door, and the body panels are much thicker than those on new cars today. It doesn't even wobble at 150 km/h on the highway. The mechanic keeps urging me to change cars, but you really can't find a competitor with this kind of chassis tuning for under 200,000 these days.

[DeBrielle]

From a technical perspective, let's discuss common issues with the Cruze: The first-generation 1.6L model had a piston ring design flaw, with a 70% probability of oil burning after 100,000 km. The failure rate of the 6AT transmission solenoid valve was three times that of comparable Japanese models. The electric power steering module had poor waterproofing, with frequent cases of failure after water exposure. However, the third-generation model switched to a 1.4T + dual-clutch setup, reducing the failure rate by 40%, though the market didn't embrace it. In reality, this car has a simple structure—oil and coolant leaks can be fixed with just a socket set. Many issues stem from owners long-term use of low-quality 92-octane fuel from small gas stations.