Verdict
2015 Chevrolet Cruze: Complaints, Recalls & Known Issues
What the public record actually says about the 2015 Chevrolet Cruze — every figure below is a NHTSA or EPA number, not an opinion.
The read
More reported complaints than most sedan.
Owners filed 251 NHTSA complaints — more complaints than 73% of 2015 sedans. Engine leads the reports (22%). 4 safety recall campaigns on record — check the VIN and remedy terms with a dealer.
Based on NHTSA complaint volume against 2015 sedans, not adjusted for how many were sold. It describes the model year, not the individual car you are looking at.
Complaints filed
251
Reports to NHTSA, 2015
Safety recalls
4
NHTSA campaigns on record
NHTSA crash test
Overall NCAP rating
Combined MPG
30
EPA estimate
Complaint volume vs. segment peers
More complaints than 73% of 2015 sedans
The bar is this car's percentile among 2015 sedans by complaint volume — a full bar means the fewest complaints in its class. Not adjusted for sales.
Known issues
Engine issues lead owner complaints (22% of 251 reports), followed by electrical system (16%).
+ 8 more component categories with fewer reports.
Share of all 251 NHTSA complaints for this model year, grouped by the component owners named. Bars are scaled to the largest category. Examples: ODI 10928271, ODI 11743926, ODI 11660519, ODI 11646618, ODI 11601269.
Recalls(4)
Open a recall to read what NHTSA says is wrong, what can happen, and how it gets fixed. Check the VIN and remedy eligibility with a dealer; federal no-charge requirements have an age limit, though a manufacturer may offer more coverage.
Electrical SystemMay 2016 · 16V502000Details +Close −
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."
Risk: 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.
SteeringOct 2015 · 15V442000Details +Close −
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.
Risk: 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.
Parking Brake · 15V113000Details +Close −
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."
Risk: 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.
Seat Belts · 15V876000Details +Close −
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.
Risk: 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.
A campaign can apply to this model year without being incomplete on a specific vehicle. Check the VIN with NHTSA or a dealer to confirm whether a particular car needs repair.
Investigations
0 NHTSA investigations on record
No investigations are on record as of Jul 2026. An empty record is not a clean bill of health.
Crash-test ratings
2015 Chevrolet Cruze 4 DR FWD NHTSA source
- Overall
- Frontal
- Side
- Rollover
Fuel economy by trim
| Trim | Engine | Drivetrain | Transmission | City | Hwy | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cruze | 2.0L 4-cyl | Front-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S6) | 27 | 44 | 32 |
| Cruze | 1.4L 4-cyl | Front-Wheel Drive | Manual 6-spd | 26 | 37 | 30 |
| Cruze | 1.4L 4-cyl | Front-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S6) | 26 | 36 | 30 |
| Cruze | 1.8L 4-cyl | Front-Wheel Drive | Manual 6-spd | 25 | 35 | 29 |
| Cruze | 1.8L 4-cyl | Front-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S6) | 22 | 34 | 26 |
EPA laboratory estimates by trim and engine. Actual mileage varies with driving, weather, load, and maintenance. EPA source.
Before you buy
Useful next checks
Federal records tell you about patterns. These checks can tell you more about the specific car in front of you.
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Compare model years
"Fewest reports" and "most complained" describe raw NHTSA complaint totals, not vehicle reliability. The last few model years are left unlabelled because they have had less road time.
2015 Chevrolet Cruze: frequently asked
What does the complaint record show for the 2015 Chevrolet Cruze?
Owners filed 251 NHTSA complaints about the 2015 Chevrolet Cruze — more complaints than 73% of comparable 2015 sedans, so it sits toward the weaker end of its class. That's a signal, not a guarantee about any single car.
What are the most common problems on the 2015 Chevrolet Cruze?
The most-reported problem areas are Engine (22% of complaints) and electrical system (16%).
How many recalls does the 2015 Chevrolet Cruze have?
4 recalls have been issued that affect the 2015 Chevrolet Cruze, covering components such as electrical system. Check the VIN with NHTSA and ask a dealer to confirm remedy eligibility; federal no-charge requirements have an age limit, though manufacturers may offer more coverage.
What gas mileage does the 2015 Chevrolet Cruze get?
The EPA rates the 2015 Chevrolet Cruze between 26 and 32 mpg combined, depending on trim and drivetrain.