NHTSA lists 2 safety recalls and 203 owner complaints for the 2017 Chevrolet Cruze. Most complaints involve engine (73) and power train (40). The EPA rates it 31–37 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 4–5 stars overall.
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Chevrolet Cruze LS vehicles, equipped with a gasoline engine and a tire inflator kit instead of a spare tire. The vehicles may leak gasoline following a rear-impact crash and a rollover. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 301, "Fuel System Integrity."
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2016-2017 Chevrolet Cruze vehicles. A bracket used in the driver or front passenger seat-back recliner mechanism may have been incorrectly welded to the seat-back frame, as a result, in the event of a crash, the head-restraints may not function properly. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 202a, "Head Restraints."
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
“THE ENGINE HAS EXCESSIVE BLOW BY FROM THE OIL FILLER CAP. HAVING A MISFIRE ON CYLINDER NUMBER 1 AND IDLING ROUGH. THERE ARE SEVERAL THREADS ONLINE CONCERNING THIS ISSUE BEING CAUSED BY WORN PISTONS AND PISTON RINGS.”
“The contact owns a 2017 Chevrolet Cruz. The contact stated that on several occasions while depressing the clutch pedal, the pedal went to the floorboard. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed, and the contact was advised that the clutch actuator and clutch assembly had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The contact associated the failure with Technical Service Bulletin: PIP5558C. The failure mileage was 61,000.”
“The 3rd brake light is known to leak on Chevy cars, which I found out when searching up the issues, which allows water inside trunk without your knowledge and does water damage to the battery and other electrical components that are located in the trunk that controls the dashboard, a/c, radio, power steering and probably even more. Safety risk: makes your dashboard stop working along with the power steering, while driving. There is another vehicle at the same dealer as mine right now with water in the trunk, it’s an impala. When you search up on the internet about dashboard not working along with radio and a/c there are quite a few different people pointing to the leaking 3rd brake light and water in the trunk damaging the electrical components in the trunk. The vehicle is at a Chevrolet dealer right now being fixed. No warning messages before it happened. I have only owned the car for 1 year bought it used June 2024. The bill I included is so far what they are saying needs to be fixed but I’m sure more to come as they get some components working.”
Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.
| Version | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cruze Auto 9-spd, 4 cyl, 1.6 L, Diesel, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive | 31 | 47 | 37 | $2,550 | 276 |
| Cruze Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 1.6 L, Diesel, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive | 30 | 52 | 37 | $2,550 | 272 |
| Cruze Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 1.4 L, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive | 30 | 40 | 34 | $1,850 | 265 |
| Cruze Premier Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 1.4 L, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive | 29 | 39 | 33 | $1,900 | 269 |
| Cruze Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 1.4 L, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive | 28 | 39 | 32 | $1,950 | 274 |
| Cruze Hatchback Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 1.4 L, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive | 29 | 38 | 32 | $1,950 | 278 |
| Cruze Hatchback Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 1.4 L, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive | 28 | 37 | 31 | $2,000 | 286 |
| Cruze Premier Hatchback Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 1.4 L, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive | 28 | 37 | 31 | $2,000 | 287 |
| Item | Miles | Time | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine oil & filter | 5,000–10,000 mi | 6–12 months | Follow the oil-life monitor if fitted |
| Tire rotation | 5,000–7,500 mi | Every oil change | Check pressure monthly |
| Engine air filter | 15,000–30,000 mi | 1–2 years | Sooner in dusty areas |
| Cabin air filter | 15,000–25,000 mi | 1–2 years | |
| Brake fluid | — | 2–3 years | Absorbs moisture over time |
| Coolant | 60,000–100,000 mi | 5–10 years | Long-life coolants last longer |
| Spark plugs | 60,000–100,000 mi | — | Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end |
| 12V battery | — | 3–5 years | Heat shortens battery life |
2 safety recalls as of Nov 9, 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.
Owners filed 203 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are engine (73), power train (40), electrical system (33). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
The EPA rates the 2017 Chevrolet Cruze at 31–37 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (8 versions rated).
NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2017 Chevrolet Cruze 4–5 out of 5 stars overall.