The Chevrolet Cruze is manufactured by General Motors and was first introduced in 2008.
The compact car has served drivers for many years.
Since then, GM has launched many models of the Chevy Cruze, but not all model years are equal.
Some Chevy Cruze years come with major problems, so you should steer clear of them.
Before buying a Chevy Cruze, it’s crucial to understand which model years to avoid.
In this article, I have discussed which Chevy Cruze years to avoid and the best years to select to give you a better idea before purchasing.
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Which Chevy Cruze Years to Avoid and Why?
Some Chevrolet Cruze years have major problems that cannot be ignored, so it is wise to avoid them.
Here are the Chevrolet Cruze model years to avoid:
- 2015 Chevy Cruze
- 2014 Chevy Cruze
- 2013 Chevy Cruze
- 2012 Chevy Cruze
- 2011 Chevy Cruze
The mentioned model years are not worth buying.
The 2015 Cruze has both its positive and negative sides, but I recommend avoiding this model year as well.
Check out the reasons below to learn why you should avoid the 2011–2015 Chevy Cruze years.
Here are the problems of each year discussed briefly:
Let’s talk about the Chevrolet Cruze model year’s issues.
2011 Chevy Cruze Problems
The 2011 Chevy Cruze has some significant issues that decrease its reliability.
The model year has approximately 1,060 complaints about 386 problems reported by users.
The 2011 Chevy Cruze was recalled 07 times for various problems.
Users reported having problems with acceleration and slow transmission response.
Some drivers came into the dealership with electrical issues.
The 2011 Chevy Cruze’s most common problems are:
- Transmission failure
- Transmission slow response
- Electrical issues
- Anti-freeze odor issues.
2012 Chevy Cruze Problems
The 2012 Chevy Cruze is the most problematic year in Cruze history.
The model receives over 1250 complaints for 272 issues.
Like its predecessor, there have also been transmission issues.
But in this model year, users had problems with the transmission after driving an average of 85,000 miles.
Users have reported the following 2012 Chevy Cruze problems:
- Transmission failure issues
- Overheating issues
- Engine losing power
- Coolant leakage issues, etc.
2013 Chevy Cruze Problems
Coolant leaks and engine overheating are the two most common issues with the 2013 Chevy Cruze.
Some users are having engine issues just after 70,000 miles of driving.
Users reported more than 800 complaints about 141 problems with the 2013 Chevy Cruze.
The most common problems with the 2013 Chevy Cruze are:
- Engine stalling
- Power loss
- Transmission issues
- Oil and coolant leaks.
2014 Chevy Cruze Problems
The 2014 Chevy Cruze is mainly known for its engine problems.
The check engine light is the most common issue with this model year.
Users complained they had issues with turbo braking, piston cracking, or engine overheating.
So, with various problems on its bucket list, the 2014 Chevy Cruze is on the “avoid” list.
The 2014 Chevy Cruze has the following problems:
- Inappropriate transmission shifting
- Engine overheating issues
- Water pump problems
- The check engine light pops on without any issues.
- Electrical problems
2015 Chevy Cruze Problems
There aren’t any significant changes between the 2015 Chevy Cruze and the 2014 version.
Therefore, the 2015 model year has almost the same problems as the 2014 Cruze.
Around 62 problems are reported in this model, including some major ones.
According to J.D. Power, the reliability score of the 2015 Chevy Cruze is 03 out of 05.
The 2015 Chevy Cruze has the following problems:
- Engine stalling while driving
- Oil and coolant leaks
- Engine overheating etc.
Chevy Cruze Problems Counts Per Year
According to carproblemzoo, around 5,061 problems have been reported for 10 Cruze models years to date.
The problems counted by years are given in the chart below:
| Model Year | Reported Problems |
| 2010 Cruze | 02 |
| 2011 Cruze | 1,065 |
| 2012 Cruze | 1,262 |
| 2013 Cruze | 820 |
| 2014 Cruze | 936 |
| 2015 Cruze | 333 |
| 2016 Cruze | 325 |
| 2017 Cruze | 195 |
| 2018 Cruze | 105 |
| 2019 Cruze | 16 |
Which Chevy Cruze Years Should I Choose?
As I mentioned earlier, not all Chevy Cruze models are the same, so you should consider the best Cruze years for buying.
There are many Cruze models available that are renowned for their reliability and performance.
Here are the Chevy Cruze’s most successful years:
- 2019 Chevrolet Cruze
- 2018 Chevrolet Cruze
- 2017 Chevrolet Cruze
- 2016 Chevrolet Cruze
- 2010 Chevrolet Cruze
- 2009 Chevrolet Cruze
- 2008 Chevrolet Cruze
According to customer reviews and performance, these years of Chevy Cruze are the best.
How Do You Find the Right Chevy Cruze for You?
As an experienced mechanic, I have made a checklist for Chevrolet Cruze.
Check out this list before buying a Cruze.
Here is the list.
- Check the maintenance
- Ask for repair records
- Check out the car mileage and accidents
- Inspect the vehicle properly
- Check wear and tear on the interior side
- Inspect the leaks carefully
- Check the Chevy Cruze model year
- Go for a test drive, etc.
FAQs
Is Chevy Cruze a reliable car?
A well-maintained Chevy Cruze can last over 250,000 miles without significant issues.
It is an affordable compact car that gives you a smooth driving experience.
On average, the Chevy Cruze gets a 4 out of 5 reliability score.
That’s why you can buy this car without a second thought.
Does Chevy Cruze have a lot of problems?
No, there are some Chevy Cruzes that do not have any major problems.
The 2017 and 2018 model years get the highest reliability scores and the lowest problem rates.
Model years 2010-2015 have many problems, so they’re on the avoid list.
Is it good to buy a second-hand Cruze?
Yes, it is good if you decide to buy the 2016 to 2019 model years of the Chevrolet Cruze.
These are the best model years of the Chevrolet Cruze.
It is not a good decision if you decide to buy the 2010 to 2015 model years because these are the worst model years of Chevy Cruze.
Is Chevy Cruze Discontinued?
The Chevy Cruze ended production in the USA and Mexico in 2019 and China in 2020.
GM discontinued the Chevy Cruze because they are moving away from gas-powered vehicles to electric ones.
And they are focusing on large vehicles like SUVs and trucks.
Is Chevy Cruze worth fixing?
Yes, the Chevy Cruze is worth fixing.
Chevy Cruzes typically cost $550 a year to repair.
The average annual repair cost is lower than its competitors.
If you plan to buy a used 2016–2019 model year, it is worth fixing.
If you maintain your Chevy Cruze properly, then it will last longer than average.
Final Thoughts
You should avoid the 2010–2015 model years if you’re looking for a used Chevy Cruze.
It’s wise to focus on the best years of Chevy Cruze to get the most satisfying driving experience.
You can go for the Chevy Cruze because it is a reliable car.