2018 Chevrolet Cruze Problems
Shopping for a used 2018 Chevrolet Cruze? This page highlights owner-reported complaint patterns and recall history so you can inspect the right systems before buying. Based on 108 real NHTSA owner complaints, with Engine Problems the most reported area.
Before you buy
This 2018 Chevrolet Cruze has 108 NHTSA complaints — top issue: Engine Problems.
A model-year pattern isn't the car in front of you. Check this exact VIN for accidents, open recalls, odometer rollback, and salvage titles.
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2018 Chevrolet Cruze Fuel Economy
✓ EPA Official DataEPA-rated fuel economy across 8 2018 Chevrolet Cruze trim configurations. The median figure is shown; range reflects all available trims.
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov. Figures reflect EPA lab testing; real-world results vary by driving style, load, and conditions. 8 trims analysed.
2018 Chevrolet Cruze Safety Ratings
NHTSA 5-Star Program2 variants tested — showing 2018 Chevrolet Cruze 5 DR FWDOfficial crash test results from the NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings program. Stars reflect government-conducted tests; higher is safer.
Overall
10.7% rollover risk
Frontal Crash
Side Crash
Rollover
10.7% probability
Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Ratings are based on government crash tests and may not reflect all trim levels.
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the 2018 Chevrolet Cruze has 108 owner complaints, 17 crash-related complaints, and 3 recall campaigns on record. The most frequently reported component is Engine Problems. NHTSA reliability signal: Severe Issues.
- Make
- Chevrolet
- Model
- Cruze
- Model year
- 2018
- NHTSA owner complaints
- 108
- Crash-related complaints
- 17
- Safety recall campaigns
- 3
- Top reported component
- Engine Problems
- Reliability signal
- Severe Issues
- EPA MPG combined
- 35
- EPA MPG city / highway
- 30 / 45
- Fuel type
- Diesel
- NHTSA overall safety rating
- 5/5 stars
- NHTSA frontal crash rating
- 5/5 stars
- NHTSA side crash rating
- 4/5 stars
- NHTSA rollover rating
- 4/5 stars
- Electronic stability control
- Standard
Common problems
Most common 2018 Chevrolet Cruze problems
Top owner-reported complaint areas and where they often appear.
Engine Problems
Uncategorized Issues
Transmission / Drivetrain
Complaint patterns center on Engine Problems, Uncategorized Issues, Transmission / Drivetrain. Use these as a pre-purchase inspection guide, then verify recall and damage history on the specific VIN.
Buyer verdict
Should you buy a used 2018 Chevrolet Cruze?
The 2018 Chevrolet Cruze shows higher complaint activity for its model-year profile, so buyers should inspect known problem areas carefully before purchase.
Use the model-year trend to shortlist candidates, then confirm the exact vehicle condition with service records, recall status, and a VIN history report.
Pre-purchase
What to check before buying a used 2018 Chevrolet Cruze
Inspection Focus
- Have a mechanic inspect the engine and transmission before purchase.
- Verify all open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
- Request service records for reported components.
- Test drive to check for transmission shifting issues.
Before You Close the Deal
- Have a mechanic inspect the engine and transmission before purchase.
- Verify all open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
- Request service records for reported components.
- Test drive to check for transmission shifting issues.
Check the exact car
Shortlist with model-year data. Decide with the exact VIN.
Before buying a used 2018 Chevrolet Cruze, run a VIN history report to verify accidents, title brands, odometer records, theft checks, and open recalls for the exact vehicle.
AI verdict
What the complaint data suggests
Editorial interpretation of NHTSA public complaint data. Source: nhtsa.gov. Complaints are owner-submitted and do not confirm a defect. Methodology
Complaints for the 2018 Chevrolet Cruze are concentrated in engine problems, transmission/drivetrain issues, and uncategorized complaints. Crash-related complaints account for a notable portion of total reports. The data suggests potential concerns with the powertrain and electrical systems.
- Engine problems are the most reported component with 29 complaints.
- Transmission/drivetrain issues and uncategorized complaints each have 23 reports.
- There are 17 crash-related complaints out of 108 total.
- Engine Problems
- Transmission / Drivetrain
- Electrical Faults
Full breakdown
All 2018 Chevrolet Cruze complaints by category
Every owner-reported complaint category filed with NHTSA for the 2018 Chevrolet Cruze. Use this as a pre-purchase inspection checklist.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine Problems | 29 | 1 | 2 | — | |
| Uncategorized Issues | 23 | — | 1 | — | |
| Transmission / Drivetrain | 23 | 3 | — | — | |
| Electrical Faults | 14 | 1 | — | — | |
| Brake System | 13 | 7 | 1 | — | |
| Steering Defects | 9 | 2 | — | — | |
| Airbag Malfunctions | 8 | 7 | — | — | |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 6 | — | 1 | — | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 5 | — | — | — | |
| Headlight/Taillight Failures | 5 | — | — | — | |
| Wheel Issues | 5 | 1 | — | — | |
| Suspension Failures | 4 | 1 | — | — | |
| Structural Problems | 4 | 2 | — | — | |
| Visibility/Wiper | 4 | 1 | — | — | |
| Seat Belt Issues | 3 | 1 | — | — | |
| Electronic Stability Control (Esc) | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: AEB | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel System | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Gasoline | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Hydraulic | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Tire Issues | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Door Lock Issues | 1 | — | — | — |
Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Complaint counts may exceed total complaints because one report can span multiple categories.
In their words
Real owner complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2018 Chevrolet Cruze. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Coming to a stop sign or red light the car won’t 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 won’t go up unless…
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 driver’s side seat belt was excessively loose, and t…
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 …
-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…
The steering started to shake. The car seat started to shake as well. It felt very unsafe, but there was no serious injury. John from Feldman Chevrolet in New Hudson, Michigan said that there is a "Cylinder 1 misfire code". After the car started shaking, the engine light came…
Hesitate to change gears properly. Engine stalling. RPM will rive up. Sounds like the transmission wants to slip.
My vehicle would jerk while driving and sometimes not want to even go at a stop light when it turned green. Check engine light has been on. Even when I was at a stop light it would just start jerking forward. I took it to an automotive repair shop after replacing multiple parts …
The car is making a whistling sound, the check engine light is on and it has low power. Also wanting to stall
The infotainment touchscreen on my 2018 Chevrolet Cruze has become unresponsive and frozen on the startup warning screen. Because of this, I am unable to access basic functions such as Bluetooth, CarPlay, and Android Auto. The radio (FM) still works, but I cannot connect my phone…
I own a 2018 Chevrolet Cruze, and the infotainment touchscreen system has completely frozen with the same error screen that many other Cruze owners have reported online. This is not simply a case of an unresponsive touchscreen — the system locks up with an identical error screen …
P0325 knock sensor multiple occurrences of sluggish performance causing safety risk when entering into traffic. This is the 3rd time I’ve replaced this sensor. And it’s very dangerous when it happens. This happens at the exact same time last year at the end of June beginning of J…
Service safety restraint system. Airbags are potentially at risk to not deploy if a wreck was to occur. This failure has caused the airbags to be shut off despite anyone sitting in the seats that is supposed to activate them on when weight is applied to the seat. Has not been ins…
While sitting at a stop light the hydraulic clutch line failed causing the clutch pedal to stick to the floor. This issue prevents the clutch actuation preventing the the transmission from being disconnected from the engine. General Motors Bulletin number: PIP5558C was found and …
EGR Cooler issues. Has been confirmed by dealer. CEL light on. I’ve been told GM “has issues” with these…GM should issue recall.
Purchased new in 2019 – 32k miles - Oil changes every 6 months. Lightly driven, no modifications, all original engine components and tune. Engine developed a significant miss. Several warnings on Stabilitrak, ABS, and P0300. Significant oil leak at front of engine, oil is splashe…
Transmisson losing 9th gear, torque converter, front pump failing and wiping out valve body on the GM-9T50 9 speed automatic. many owner experiencing same problems with no solution or upgrade from GM
The rear brakes are gouging the rotors on both wheels. The car has less than 26,000 miles on it. Front brakes are still in excellent condition and and car is having no problem with braking except there is noise. Have not yet talked with anyone at a dealer. There is no indicat…
My transmission started acting up around 70,000 miles. I noticed symptoms like stalling when backing up, trouble coming to a stop from higher speeds, and an occasional stutter. My local transmission shop couldn’t replicate the issue, as it was intermittent, and recommended an oil…
9/28/2024 abs light and traction control light came on my 2018 chevy Cruze LT along with steering assist reduced while driving home making car hard to steer above 50 mph and coming into curves Chevrolet needs to be made to recall and repair this problem, I have noticed a lot of C…
The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Cruze. The contact stated while attempting to start the vehicle, the Auto START/STOP failed to respond as intended. The contact stated that when the vehicle was restarted, there was a slightly shuddering noticeable. The vehicle was taken to an in…
Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Real owner reports for the 2018 Chevrolet Cruze.
Safety recalls
2018 Chevrolet Cruze recalls
3 campaignsNHTSA recall campaigns for the 2018 Chevrolet Cruze. 3 recall campaigns are on record for this model year. Recalls are free to fix at authorized dealers, but completion status must be verified on the exact VIN.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
Research more
Keep researching before you buy
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Questions
2018 Chevrolet Cruze buying FAQ
Buyer-focused answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this model year.
Is the 2018 Chevrolet Cruze reliable?▾
Severe Issues. NHTSA currently shows 108 owner complaints, 17 crash-related complaints, and 3 recall campaigns for this model year. The 2018 Chevrolet Cruze shows higher complaint activity for its model-year profile, so buyers should inspect known problem areas carefully before purchase. Treat this as a model-year signal, then verify the exact vehicle's condition and history before purchase.
What are the most common problems with the 2018 Chevrolet Cruze?▾
#1: Engine Problems (29 complaints). #2: Uncategorized Issues (23 complaints). #3: Transmission / Drivetrain (23 complaints)
At what mileage do problems start on the 2018 Chevrolet Cruze?▾
Mileage data is not available or insufficient for this model year.
How safe is the 2018 Chevrolet Cruze?▾
Complaint data is not the same as crash-test scoring, but it does highlight possible risk patterns. For the 2018 Chevrolet Cruze, NHTSA complaints include 17 crash-related reports and 3 fire reports out of 108 total complaints. 7 injury reports are also on file. For controlled crash-test ratings, check nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Does the 2018 Chevrolet Cruze have any recalls?▾
Yes. 3 NHTSA recall campaigns affect the 2018 Chevrolet Cruze. A major recall area is POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. 3 recall campaigns are on record for this model year. Always verify open recalls by VIN because completion status varies by vehicle.
Should I buy a 2018 Chevrolet Cruze?▾
The 2018 Chevrolet Cruze shows higher complaint activity for its model-year profile, so buyers should inspect known problem areas carefully before purchase. Use the model-year trend to shortlist candidates, then confirm the exact vehicle condition with service records, recall status, and a VIN history report. Pay extra attention to Engine Problems during inspection. Before committing, run a VIN history report to verify accidents, title brands, odometer records, and recall completion for the exact car.
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinSpector AI.
Wider context: See the full Chevrolet Cruze reliability report with year-by-year comparison.
Owner Reliability Rating
Rate the 2018 Chevrolet Cruze based on your ownership experience.
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Ratings are based on owner experience and are separate from NHTSA data shown above.
Before you buy
Check the exact vehicle history before you buy
Model-year complaints and recalls reveal patterns. A VIN report confirms whether the exact car has accident history, title brands, mileage issues, or open recalls.