Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 07/14/2026
Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint & recall data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.
The most-reported problem — Engine (35.9% of complaints) — has no NHTSA recall or open investigation on file.
Engine complaints here are 2.9× the median for that category across the 2583 model-years tracked on this site.
3 of the 6 most-reported categories on this page are backed by a recall or open investigation; the other 3 rest on owner reports alone.
| Complaint category | Reports | Official status | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 210 · 35.9% | No official action | — |
| Electrical System | 117 · 20% | Recalled | Recall 16V502000 |
| Power Train | 111 · 19% | Recalled | Recall 14V151000 · Recall 13V452000 |
| Steering | 74 · 12.6% | No official action | — |
| Electronic Stability Control (ESC) | 62 · 10.6% | No official action | — |
| Air Bags | 49 · 8.4% | Recalled | Recall 14V372000 |
Recalled = an NHTSA safety recall covers this category, so a free repair exists. Under investigation = NHTSA has an open probe but no recall yet. Investigation closed = NHTSA examined it and closed the probe — this is not a defect finding; where a closed probe led to a recall we name the campaign. Not available = recall or investigation data could not be confirmed for this vehicle — it is not a “no”. Categories are matched by NHTSA's top-level component. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Percentages are the share of the 585 complaints citing each component; one complaint can cite several components. “Unspecified / other” is NHTSA’s own catch-all category — we show it rather than hide it.
NHTSA campaign 16V502000 · 2016 · reported 07/05/2016
If the key is removed without the transmission in PARK, the vehicle may rollaway as occupants are exiting, increasing the risk of injury. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 14V417000 · 2014 · reported 07/02/2014
Exposed wires increase the risk of electrical shock and personal injury if the cord is handled while it is plugged in. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 14V151000 · 2014 · reported 03/31/2014
If the half shaft fractures and separates while driving, the vehicle would lose power and coast to a stop. If a vehicle with a fractured half shaft is parked without the parking brake applied, the vehicle could move unexpectedly. Either condition increases the risk of a crash. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 14V372000 · 2014 · reported 06/26/2014
In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's air bag, the air bag's inflator may rupture and the air bag may not inflate. The rupture could cause metal fragments to strike and potentially seriously injure the vehicle occupants.… Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 13V452000 · 2013 · reported 09/23/2013
If the half shaft fractures and separates while driving, the vehicle would lose power and coast to a stop. If a vehicle with a fractured half shaft is parked without the parking brake applied, the vehicle could move unexpectedly. Either condition increases the risk of a crash. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Park it Park outside Specimen badges — shown on a recall card only when NHTSA sets the flag. None of the campaigns above carries either flag. Always check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
“JUST A FEW MONTHS AFTER PURCHASING OUR CRUZE, IS HAS FAILED TO START ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. AFTER 2 OR 3 KEY TURNS, IT DOES START…”NHTSA complaint 10615790 — filed 07/23/2014 · ENGINE
“MY SISTER AND I RENTAL A CAR IT STOP ON THE INTERSTATE,WE WAS STUCK FROM 830PM UNTIL 530AM,NO HELP FROM BUDGET.”NHTSA complaint 10596565 — filed 06/06/2014 · ENGINE
“THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET CRUZE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE WOULD DECELERATE TO 30 MPH. THE CONTACT…”NHTSA complaint 10594782 — filed 05/29/2014 · ENGINE
Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.
Engine issues are the most-reported category, cited in 210 of 585 NHTSA complaints (35.9%), followed by electrical system (117), power train (111), unspecified/other issues (75). Complaints are unverified owner reports.
585 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/14/2026. Of those, 54 involved a crash, 8 involved a fire, and 32 reported injuries. No deaths were reported.
Yes — 5 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, including campaign 16V502000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
3 of the 6 most-reported complaint categories on this page are backed by an NHTSA safety recall or open investigation; the rest are unverified owner reports. A recall means a free repair is available at authorized dealers.
No. Complaints are reports submitted by consumers to NHTSA. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints, and a complaint is not proof that a defect exists.
