2019 Chevrolet Cruze problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Power Train (8) · Service Brakes (3) · Vehicle Speed Control (2)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Chevrolet Cruze model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
Safety recalls (2)
Power Train:automatic Transmission 2020-10-29 · campaign 20V668000 · 194,105 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:disc:caliper 2018-08-30 · campaign 18V576000 · 210,628 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Service bulletins (729)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Unknown Or Other 2026-10-26 · GM Update N25-250552 · Over The Air
• improvements to onstar functionality.
Unknown Or Other 2026-09-26 · PIT5698F · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this pi provides diagnostics tips on how the lin bus works and how to diagnosis it.
Unknown Or Other 2026-09-04 · PIP4902W · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email gds2 session logs into technical assistance.
Unknown Or Other 2026-07-21 · PIT5099J · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
pi to help diagnose a/c concern
Unknown Or Other 2026-04-01 · PIT3271Q · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this preliminary information communicates information about how to determine if a wheel and tires size change is available.
Unknown Or Other 2026-03-09 · PIP6104 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this preliminary information communicates the steps on how to save a gds2 session log and upload to a technical assistance case in cx connect.
Showing the 6 most recent of 729 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-10-05 · Power Train · 60,058 mi“the contact owns a 2019 chevrolet cruze. the contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle suddenly displayed the "park" light on the instrument panel. the contact pulled over and shifted the vehicle into park to restart it. after restarting the vehicle, the parking brake became stuck, and the transmission failed to shift o…”
2026-09-25 · Power Train“component: transmission control system / gm vt40 continuously variable transmission (cvt), rpo code mrg - a rare, fleet-only configuration for this model year, confirmed via the vehicle's factory build/rpo code list. what happened: while stopped at a red light (engine idling just after an automatic stop-start restart, foot on brake only, no accele…”
2026-09-01 · Unknown Or Other“an authorized chevrolet dealer diagnosed an electrical problem on my 2019 chevrolet cruze and found that the hvac case/condensate drain was disconnected. the dealer determined that condensate water had been draining into the passenger compartment instead of outside the vehicle. according to the dealer's written diagnosis, the water soaked the body…”
2026-07-01 · Service Brakes · 💥 crash“the brakes system didnt seem to be stopping properly almost as if i had to push really hard on the brakes to get the car to stop. finally today, i was 1.6 car lengths behind another vehicle whom slammed their brakes on for no reason and i had to do so as well. my car would not stop, the brakes would not work causing a major accident. …”
2026-04-11 · Power Train“for a year i have had my car to the shop multiple times due to a musty smell inside my car. i have never been able to find any fluids or moisture inside the car, however, the inside of my windshield tends to get a weird film on it, i am constantly cleaning to keep visibility especially at night. none of the mechanics that i have taken it to were ab…”
2025-04-27 · Seat Belts“i am leasing this vehicle and it continues to have warning light on staring the vehicle engine power reduced as i'm driving and holds back vehicle and also airbag restraining system light continues also to be on. this is not normal wear and tear and i read previous years had this issue as well. this is still an issue concerning of my safety. paying…”
2025-02-09 · Engine“timing chain rattles, due the the chain tensioner not having motor oil at early morning start-up. this causes the chain to be loose and eventually engine damage. europe already issued recalls to this issue. they solved this issue by installing a seal, timing chain tensioner for chevrolet gmc opel febi bilstein 181945. …”
2024-06-04 · Power Train“the vehicle needs the transmission bolts replaced has a recall need repaired as as possible. the automatic transmission jerk …”
2024-05-13 · Tires“when going in to get new tires, i was infomred the primwall 205/55r16 i had had put on the car less than 2 years ago are now seperating. so far, the company is unwilling to replace them.…”
2024-02-24 · Power Train“the bolts on the transmission accumulator needs to be replaced i see an unrepaired recall …”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.