2018 Chevrolet Cruze recalls and problems

The 2018 Chevrolet Cruze has 3 safety recalls and 109 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at any Chevrolet dealer.

Recalls

Complaints

109

Crashes / fires

17 / 3

Injuries / deaths

7 / 1

Recalls may cover only some 2018 Chevrolet Cruze vehicles. Check your VIN at NHTSA ↗ to see open recalls for your exact car.

2018 Chevrolet Cruze recalls

Recall 20V-668: Power Train

Reported Oct 29, 2020 · 194,105 vehicles affected · General Motors LLC

Problem: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Chevrolet Cruze and Buick LaCrosse, 2018-2020 Chevrolet Equinox, Chevrolet Traverse and GMC Terrain, 2018 Chevrolet Malibu, 2019-2020 Buick Encore, Buick Enclave, Cadillac XT4, Chevrolet Blazer and GMC Acadia, and 2020 Cadillac XT6 vehicles. The start/stop accumulator endcap may have missing bolts.

Risk: Missing bolts on the start-stop accumulator endcap could result in a transmission oil leak and may progress to a loss of propulsion, increasing the risk of a crash. A transmission fluid leak in the presence of an ignition source may increase the risk of fire.

Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the start-stop transmission accumulator and replace it if any bolts are missing, free of charge. The recall began December 15, 2020. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-888-988-7267, Buick Customer service at 1-866-608-8080, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is N202313440.

Recall 18V-576: Service Brakes, Hydraulic

Reported Aug 30, 2018 · 210,628 vehicles affected · General Motors LLC

Problem: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Chevrolet Equinox, Impala, Cruze, Volt and Bolt EV vehicles, GMC Terrain vehicles, Buick Lacrosse and Regal vehicles, Cadillac XTS and XTS Professional vehicles and 2018 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles. The rear brake caliper pistons may have an insufficient coating causing gas pockets to form, potentially reducing rear brake performance.

Risk: A reduction of braking performance can increase the risk of a crash.

Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will bleed the vehicle's brake system, free of charge. The recall began October 11, 2018. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 18279.

Recall 18V-304: Fuel System, Gasoline

Reported May 10, 2018 · 111,966 vehicles affected · General Motors LLC

Problem: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Chevrolet Cruze LS vehicles, equipped with a gasoline engine and a tire inflator kit instead of a spare tire. The vehicles may leak gasoline following a rear-impact crash and a rollover. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 301, "Fuel System Integrity."

Risk: A fuel leak, in the presence of an ignition source, increases the risk of a fire.

Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will install a lock-ring on the fuel tank that will shield the fuel tank vapor pressure sensor from damage in a rear-impact crash, free of charge. The recall began June 7, 2018. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 18159.

2018 Chevrolet Cruze problems reported by owners

Problem area	Reports
Engine	27
Unknown or Other	24
Power Train	23
Electrical System	14
Service Brakes	12
Steering	9
Air Bags	8
Exterior Lighting	7
Fuel/Propulsion System	6
Wheels	5
Vehicle Speed Control	5
Suspension	4

Most reported parts

Structure › Body — 3
Exterior Lighting › Headlights — 2
Latches/Locks/Linkages › Trunk Lid › Lock — 1
Exterior Lighting › Turn Signal › Bulbs — 1
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Disc › Caliper — 1
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Oil/Lubrication — 1
Forward Collision Avoidance › Adaptive Cruise Control — 1
Engine and Engine Cooling › Exhaust System › Emission Control — 1

Typical mileage at the time of the problem: 24,500 miles (median of owner reports).

Problems that are not covered by a recall are paid repairs; labor rates follow local mechanic pay — see what auto mechanics earn in each state.

Recent 2018 Chevrolet Cruze complaints

Owner reports filed with NHTSA, as written (personal details removed). Complaints are not verified by NHTSA.

Unknown or Other · reported Jun 18, 2026

My 2018 Chevy Cruz has developed a sticky or tacky surface discovered when I was cleaning my interior. I used warm water and soap to clean all plastics. Tried to dry off my dash with paper towels and discovered the issue . My car has been garage kept since its purchase so I have no idea as my previous vehicles never had this issue.

Fuel/Propulsion System · reported May 9, 2026

Coming to a stop sign or red light the car wonât accelerate or will go in traction control making it difficult to move or not accelerate. Had 2-3 fuel leaks this year also having problems to keep the car going sometimes the max speed it will go is 20-40 miles n wonât go up unless u keep letting it slow down slowly n then accelerating n even after that it wonât make it above 60-70 miles it usually goes with no problem if its down hill since ur not pressing the gas or anything. Turning the air on also makes the car slow down other problems also is the gas running fast could just fill the…

Seat Belts · at 66,550 miles · reported Mar 26, 2026

The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Cruze. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the windshield wiper compartment inadvertently opened. There was a failure with the seat belts. The contact stated that the driverâs side seat belt was excessively loose, and the front passengerâs side seat belt was overly tight. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the driverâs and front passengerâs seat belt assemblies had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The…

Fuel/Propulsion System · reported Mar 15, 2026

Unknown. The car seems to stall or slip when accelerating as is misfiring. It cuts off in the middle of the streets after coming out of auto stop mode. Pcv valve keeps popping up as issue. I had the pcv changed o2 sensors checked cleaned throttle body and air filter changed. The car still gives same problem and engine power reduction keeps popping on dashboard.

Engine · reported Feb 19, 2026

-The engine experienced internal failure resulting in low compression in cylinder 1. The failure has rendered the vehicle inoperable. The vehicle and engine are currently available for inspection upon request. The issue was diagnosed and confirmed by both an independent mechanic and an authorized Chevrolet dealership. Both identified low compression in cylinder 1 due to internal engine failure. The vehicle has been inspected by an independent mechanic and an authorized Chevrolet dealership at the request of General Motors. The vehicle became undrivable due to the engine issue. There were no…

Other Chevrolet Cruze years

201920182017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011

Compare all Chevrolet Cruze years · All Chevrolet models

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2018 Chevrolet Cruze have any recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2018 Chevrolet Cruze: 20V-668 (power train), 18V-576 (service brakes, hydraulic), 18V-304 (fuel system, gasoline). Not every vehicle is affected, so check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What is the most common problem with the 2018 Chevrolet Cruze?

Owners report engine problems most often (27 reports), followed by unknown or other (24). The typical mileage when problems were reported is about 24,500 miles.

Are Chevrolet recall repairs free?

Yes. Safety recall repairs are free at authorized Chevrolet dealers, whether you are the first owner or bought the car used.