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Research · Midsize Cars

2015 Chevrolet CruzeRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 4 safety recalls and 254 owner complaints for the 2015 Chevrolet Cruze. Most complaints involve engine (99) and electrical system (50). The EPA rates it 26–32 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 5 stars overall.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
26–32mpg
EPA · 7 versions
NHTSA overall
5of 5 stars
NCAP crash tests
Safety recalls
4campaigns
Latest Jul 2016
Owner complaints
254
Top: engine
Fuel cost / yr
$1,950est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

4 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Electrical system: ignition

Free remedy

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Buick Verano and 2016 Chevrolet Malibu as the electronic park lock lever may allow the ignition key to be removed without the transmission being in PARK. Also, certain 2013 Buick Encore, 2011 Buick Regal, 2013-2014 Buick Verano, 2011-2016 Chevrolet Cruze, 2010-2013 Chevrolet Equinox 2013-2015 Chevrolet Malibu, and 2011-2013 GMC Terrain vehicles may have been serviced with similar defective replacement electronic park lock levers. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 114, "Theft Protection and Rollaway Prevention."

Electrical systemReported Jul 5, 2016NHTSA 16V502000

Seat belts: anchorage

Free remedy

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2015 Chevrolet Cruze vehicles manufactured September 24, 2014, to May 29, 2015. In the affected vehicles, one of the driver-side seat belt assembly bolts may not be properly tightened.

Seat beltsReported Dec 23, 2015NHTSA 15V876000

Steering

Free remedy

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 Chevrolet Cruze vehicles manufactured November 8, 2013, to March 12, 2015, and 2015 Chevrolet Volt vehicles manufactured April 11, 2014. In the affected vehicles, the inner tie rod may not be tightened to specification allowing the tie rod to separate from the steering gear.

SteeringReported Jul 10, 2015NHTSA 15V442000
See all 4 recalls with remedies
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 10, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

254 complaints filed with NHTSA · Jan 2015 – Nov 2026
  1. Engine99
  2. Electrical system50
  3. Power train38
  4. Electronic stability control (esc)30
  5. Steering24
  6. Fuel/propulsion system23
  7. Air bags21
  8. Service brakes17
  9. Vehicle speed control11

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Cruze model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
2011732
2012865
2013587
2014704
2015254
2016250
2017203
2018109
201923
Crashes reported
20
Fires reported
4
Injuries reported
13
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 10, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Engine

99 reports1 crash3 fires
“It started over heating and I had to replace multiple coolant lines/hoses from the thermostat, heater core, the reservoir, radiator. Ive replace the intake diaphragm. Thought since all the pieces that got hot and cracked or broke got replaced that the issue was gone. Then one day I drove 8 mins into Ohio and it started smoking so I pulled off the road and had to have a tow truck come get it. It had blown a head gasket at least I thought but found out it had water in the oil so now needs a new motor. I still owe on the car and cant drive it”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 20, 2026Unknown or other, EngineODI 11765699

Electrical system

50 reports1 fire
“Code U0101 Transmission Electro-Hydraylic control module Sudden shift while at stop light . All warning lights came on stable track etc . Vehicle has been inspected can bus and tcm not communicating”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 28, 2026Power train, Electrical system, Vehicle speed controlODI 11774247

Power train

38 reports2 crashes
“The check engine light came up, after having the code read it was discovered that the turbo charger was bad. My vehicle was fixed by the dealer. Prior to being fixed my vehicle was running rougher and accelerating at a slower speed.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 24, 2024Power train, EngineODI 11632293
All 2015 Cruze problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

7 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Midsize Cars
Engines
2.0L 4-cyl turbo diesel · 1.4L 4-cyl turbo · 1.8L 4-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic (S6) · Manual 6-spd · Automatic 6-spd
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Diesel · Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 10, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Cruze
Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Diesel, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive
274432$2,950314
Cruze Eco
Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 1.4 L, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive
284032$1,950272
Cruze
Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 1.4 L, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive
263630$2,100300
Cruze
Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 1.4 L, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive
263730$2,100298
Cruze Eco
Auto 6-spd, 4 cyl, 1.4 L, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive
263730$2,100295
Cruze
Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 1.8 L · Front-Wheel Drive
253529$2,150304
Cruze
Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 1.8 L · Front-Wheel Drive
223426$2,400336
  • Cruze
    Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Diesel, Turbo
    27 city · 44 hwy · $2,950/yr
    32
    mpg comb.
  • Cruze Eco
    Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 1.4 L, Turbo
    28 city · 40 hwy · $1,950/yr
    32
    mpg comb.
  • Cruze
    Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 1.4 L, Turbo
    26 city · 36 hwy · $2,100/yr
    30
    mpg comb.
  • Cruze
    Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 1.4 L, Turbo
    26 city · 37 hwy · $2,100/yr
    30
    mpg comb.
  • Cruze Eco
    Auto 6-spd, 4 cyl, 1.4 L, Turbo
    26 city · 37 hwy · $2,100/yr
    30
    mpg comb.
  • Cruze
    Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 1.8 L
    25 city · 35 hwy · $2,150/yr
    29
    mpg comb.
  • Cruze
    Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 1.8 L
    22 city · 34 hwy · $2,400/yr
    26
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 10, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

1 tested variant
Overall rating
5/ 5
5 of 5
Chevrolet Cruze 4 DR FWD
Frontal crash
5 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
10.9%
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 10, 2026Vehicle 9526
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2015 Cruze questions

How many recalls does the 2015 Chevrolet Cruze have?

4 safety recalls as of Nov 10, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2015 Chevrolet Cruze problems?

Owners filed 254 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are engine (99), electrical system (50), power train (38). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2015 Chevrolet Cruze get?

The EPA rates the 2015 Chevrolet Cruze at 26–32 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (7 versions rated).

How safe is the 2015 Chevrolet Cruze?

NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2015 Chevrolet Cruze 5 out of 5 stars overall.

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 10, 2026