The Lemon Index

All cars · Chevrolet Cruze

2014 Chevrolet Cruze.

The 2014 Chevrolet Cruze is better than average by owner complaints: 244 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 82, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about electrical, it has 10 recalls, and it gets 26 to 32 mpg combined. The best Chevrolet Cruze year is 2019.

82Lemon Index · 100 = average car

Better than average. 1.2× fewer complaints than average.

Best year 2019 · Worst year 2012

Chevrolet Cruze
Photo shows a Chevrolet Cruze. Alexander Migl, Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0 · background removed

Before you buy. What matters most for this car.

Owner complaints244first 3 years
Fuel economy26–32 mpgcombined, EPA
Crash test★★★★★NHTSA overall

Fixes owners look up most.

From 100 YouTube videos about the 2011–2016 Chevy Cruze, 23.0M views. The 2014 is the same generation.

  1. Oil changes & service1.8M views
    How to Diagnose and Fix Service Stabilitrak Traction Control Problem 2011 - 2015 Chevy CruzeHow to Diagnose and Fix Service Stabilitrak Traction Control Problem 2011 - 2015 Chevy CruzeDeuceLiter · 1.3M views · 4 videos
  2. Heat, A/C & blend door956K views
    Fixing 'AC Off Due to High Engine Temp' Error on 2011 Chevy CruzeFixing 'AC Off Due to High Engine Temp' Error on 2011 Chevy CruzeFixologist Unscripted · 780K views · 3 videos
  3. Cooling system871K views
    How to Replace Coolant By-Pass Hose 2011-2015 Chevy CruzeHow to Replace Coolant By-Pass Hose 2011-2015 Chevy CruzeTRQ · 189K views · 7 videos
  4. Infotainment, battery & electrical841K views
    2011-2015 CHEVY CRUZE SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL (STABILITRAK) & RADIO TURNS OFF FIX!!2011-2015 CHEVY CRUZE SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL (STABILITRAK) & RADIO TURNS OFF FIX!!Falcon's Garage · 390K views · 5 videos
Show 4 more
  1. Oil leaks & gaskets780K views
    How to Replace Valve Cover 2011-2015 Chevy CruzeHow to Replace Valve Cover 2011-2015 Chevy CruzeTRQ · 294K views · 5 videos
  2. Intake, EGR & engine sensors452K views
    How to Replace Intake Manifold 2011-2015 Chevy CruzeHow to Replace Intake Manifold 2011-2015 Chevy CruzeTRQ · 194K views · 3 videos
  3. Windows, doors & mirrors437K views
    How to Replace Front Window Regulator 2011-2015 Chevrolet CruzeHow to Replace Front Window Regulator 2011-2015 Chevrolet CruzeTRQ · 219K views · 3 videos
  4. Transmission & shifter294K views
    How to Service the auto transmission on the Chevrolet Cruze 2011 to 2015How to Service the auto transmission on the Chevrolet Cruze 2011 to 2015Haynes Manuals · 158K views · 2 videos

Before you buy, watch

Views show how many people looked up each fix, not how often it breaks. Videos belong to their creators; we link to them.

How serious. Out of 702 owner complaints, owners reported:

70crashes
38injuries
17fires
47tows

What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.

electrical22%
steering17%
transmission & drivetrain17%
engine16%
airbags14%

Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.

Transmission problems in every Chevrolet Cruze year →

When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.

half by 53K
0K50K100K150K200K

Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 21K to 80K miles on the car (483 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.

  • engine complaints mostly came at 30K–90K miles
  • electrical complaints mostly came at 33K–80K miles
  • transmission & drivetrain complaints mostly came at 6K–69K miles

Recalls 10

  • airbags 2025

    The left and/or right-side roof-rail air bag (RRAB) inflators located on the roof rails above the headliner, may rupture at the inflator weld joint.

  • airbags 2023

    The left and/or right-side roof-rail air bag (RRAB) inflators may rupture at the inflator weld joint.

  • airbags 2023

    The left and/or right-side roof-rail air bag (RRAB) inflators located on the roof rails above the headliner, may rupture at the inflator weld joint.

Show all 10 recalls
  • electrical 2016

    As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Sta.

  • steering 2015

    In the affected vehicles, the inner tie rod may not be tightened to specification allowing the tie rod to separate from the steering gear.

  • equipment 2014

    In cold temperatures, the insulation on the engine block heater cord can become damaged, allowing the wires to be exposed.

  • airbags 2014

    In the affected vehicles, the driver's front air bag inflator may have been manufactured with an incorrect part.

  • transmission & drivetrain 2014

    On the affected vehicles, the right front half shaft may fracture and separate.

  • transmission & drivetrain 2014

    In the affected vehicles, the transmission shift cable adjuster may disengage from the transmission shift lever.

  • transmission & drivetrain 2013

    On the affected vehicles, the right front half shaft may fracture and separate.

Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.

Check a VIN for open recalls

Problems Chevy told dealers about

Chevy sent dealers 1920 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:

  • Buick/chevrolet: power adjusted seat or 6 way manual driver and/or passenger seat, there would…
  • Gmc/chevrolet/buick: transmission pump needs inspecting due to engine cranking but fails to…
  • When shifting, transmission is hard to shift into gear, would have a grinding or binding

Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.

Safety

Stability controlStandard
Collision warningNot offered
Lane departure warningNot offered
NHTSA front crash test of the 2014 Chevrolet Cruze
Front crash test · NHTSA
Crash test details
VersionOverallFrontSideRollover
Chevrolet Cruze 4 DR FWD★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★☆
Fuel cost and engines

About $2000–2950 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 1.4L 4-cyl, 1.8L 4-cyl, 2.0L 4-cyl.

In owners' words

The battery began intermittently dying after recall service. Car was taken back in & I was advised that the battery required replacement. It's 3 years old...

2014 Chevrolet Cruze owner · NHTSA complaint 11003899
More owner reports

The vehicle's radio flashes on and off and a 'service stabilitrak' warning comes on the odometer screen. I have read this causes serious issues with others that have had the same problem and there is no known fix.

NHTSA complaint 11055997

Electrical. Head lights go off for no reason stay off for about 5 min come back on car doesn't shut off or go dead

NHTSA complaint 10994440

Quick answers

Is the 2014 Chevrolet Cruze reliable?

Yes, better than average by government complaints. It drew 1.2× fewer complaints than average filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 82; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Chevrolet Cruze year by this measure is 2019.

What are the most common 2014 Chevrolet Cruze problems?

In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are electrical (22%), steering (17%) and transmission & drivetrain (17%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.

How many recalls does the 2014 Chevrolet Cruze have?

10 safety recalls (latest: airbags). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 2014 Chevrolet Cruze get?

26 to 32 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).

Is the 2014 Chevrolet Cruze safe?

NHTSA gave it 5 out of 5 stars overall in its best tested version. Ratings differ by body style, and the full table is on the advanced page.

At what mileage do 2014 Chevrolet Cruze problems start?

Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 21,800 and 80,000 miles. The middle report was at 53,000 miles, from 483 complaints.

Does the 2014 Chevrolet Cruze have transmission problems?

Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 17% of its owner complaints.

How much does the 2014 Chevrolet Cruze cost in fuel a year?

About $2000 to $2950 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.

What engines does the 2014 Chevrolet Cruze have?

1.4L 4-cyl, 1.8L 4-cyl, 2.0L 4-cyl.

What Chevrolet Cruze year is better than the 2014?

By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2019, 2018 and 2015.

Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works

Updated

Free to use with credit: Source: The Lemon Index (lemonindex.com). Get the data