VehicleVerdict

2015 Chevrolet Cruze problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

A typical year for this model

The 2015 Chevrolet Cruze sits mid-pack among Cruze years: 383 NHTSA complaints against a model median of roughly 387, with 4 recalls and no defect investigations. Complainants reported 17 injuries in total across these filings.

Engine leads the complaint categories with 103 reports (27% of the total). In government crash testing it earned 5 of 5 NCAP stars overall.

383

NHTSA complaints

4

Recalls

0

Investigations

30

Crash-involved

8

Fires reported

17

Injuries

0

Deaths

5

NCAP overall · of 5 stars

How does 2015 compare to other Cruze years?

Cruze NHTSA complaints by model year, 2015 highlighted1,353 complaints2010: 2 complaints2011: 1,115 complaints2012: 1,353 complaints2013: 934 complaints2014: 1,096 complaints2015: 383 complaints2016: 391 complaints2017: 295 complaints2018: 166 complaints2019: 28 complaints
Cruze NHTSA complaints by model year, 2015 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Cruze years to avoid →

What are the most common 2015 Chevrolet Cruze problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Engine10327%
Electrical System7921%
Other4512%
Transmission3710%
Steering246%
Fuel System236%
Airbags205%
Brakes195%
Speed Control103%
Visibility & Wipers92%
Seat Belts41%
Body & Structure41%
Tires & Wheels21%
Lighting21%
Suspension10%
Driver Assistance10%

Does the 2015 Chevrolet Cruze have recalls?

4 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

16V502000Electrical SystemJuly 5, 2016 · 8,367 units

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."

Consequence

If the key is removed without the transmission in PARK, the vehicle may rollaway as occupants are exiting, increasing the risk of injury.

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.

15V876000Seat BeltsDecember 23, 2015 · 15 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

An insufficiently torqued bolt may prevent the seat belt from holding the required load in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

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.

15V442000SteeringJuly 10, 2015 · 10 units

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.

Consequence

Separation of the tie rod from the steering gear could result in the loss of steering, increasing the risk of a crash.

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.

15V113000BrakesFebruary 27, 2015 · 1,733 units

Defect

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2015 Chevrolet Cruze vehicles manufactured February 4, 2015, to February 9, 2015. The left-rear or right-rear parking brake cable brackets may not have been properly fastened during the assembly process. As a result, the fastening bolts may back out completely, causing the parking brake bracket to separate and the parking brake to not hold the vehicle in place. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 135, "Light Vehicle Brake Systems."

Consequence

If the parking brake bracket separates, the parking brake may not hold the vehicle, increasing the risk of a vehicle roll away and a crash.

Remedy

GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the left-rear and right-rear parking brake brackets bolts, tightening them as necessary, free of charge. The recall began in March 24, 2015. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 15135.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 CHEVROLET CRUZE. WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, SMOKE APPEARED FROM THE ENGINE. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE LEAKED OIL ONTO THE GROUND. THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED AS NEEDING THE ENGINE OIL FILTER COVER SEAL AND CAP SEAL REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED.…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · November 26, 2016 · fire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 CHEVROLET CRUZE. WHILE PULLING INTO THE DRIVEWAY, STRONG FUMES EMITTED INSIDE THE VEHICLE AND WITHIN THE AIR VENTS. THE CONTACT TURNED OFF THE AIR CONDITIONER AND THE ENGINE OVERHEATING WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED, AND SMOKE ENTERED THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · August 9, 2017 · fire

I was driving down the hill and my car came out of gear the road was slick so I couldn't hit my breaks I had to crash into the ditch to keep from going over the mountain. My airbags did not come out my car is not drivable.

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · January 27, 2023 · crash

SOMETIMES WHEN SLOWING TO A STOP, THE CAR ENGINE ACCELERATES. I HAVE TO STEP ON BRAKES VERY HARD TO KEEP THE CAR FROM GOING FORWARD. ON NOVEMBER 5, 2015, I WAS SLOWLY PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE AND THE CAR ACCELERATED, I STEPPED ON BRAKES REALLY HARD BUT THE CAR WENT FORWARD...INTO A STONE WALL.…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · November 5, 2015 · crash

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2015 CHEVROLET CRUZE. WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MPH AND ATTEMPTING TO TURN THE VEHICLE, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO A TELEPHONE POLE. THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE AND THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE ORIGIN…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · January 24, 2016 · crash · fire

2015 Chevrolet Cruze — common questions

Is the 2015 Chevrolet Cruze reliable?

It is close to typical for the Cruze: 383 NHTSA complaints, 4 recalls, and no investigations on file.

What are the most common 2015 Cruze problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are engine (103 complaints), electrical system (79 complaints), other (45 complaints).

Does the 2015 Chevrolet Cruze have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns affecting the 2015 Chevrolet Cruze. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Chevrolet Cruze years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Cruze years to avoid are 2012, 2011, 2014, 2013. The cleanest record among Cruze years belongs to 2010.

How safe is the 2015 Chevrolet Cruze?

In NHTSA's NCAP crash testing, the 2015 Chevrolet Cruze earned an overall rating of 5 out of 5 stars.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.