Research · Compact Cars

2019 Chevrolet CruzeRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 2 safety recalls and 23 owner complaints for the 2019 Chevrolet Cruze. Most complaints involve power train (8) and engine (5). The EPA rates it 31–37 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 5 stars overall.

Combined MPG
31–37mpg
EPA · 7 versions
NHTSA overall
5of 5 stars
NCAP crash tests
Safety recalls
2campaigns
Latest Oct 2020
Owner complaints
23
Top: power train
Fuel cost / yr
$1,900est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

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

Power train: automatic transmission

Free remedy

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.

Power trainReported Oct 29, 2020NHTSA 20V668000

Service brakes

Free remedy

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.

Service brakes, hydraulicReported Aug 30, 2018NHTSA 18V576000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 10, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

23 complaints filed with NHTSA · Feb 2019 – Oct 2026
  1. Power train8
  2. Engine5
  3. Electrical system4
  4. Air bags3
  5. Service brakes3
  6. Forward collision avoidance2
  7. Vehicle speed control2
  8. Seat belts1
  9. Tires1

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
2014702
2015254
2016250
2017203
2018109
201923
Crashes reported
4
Fires reported
1
Injuries reported
3
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

Power train

8 reports
“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 out of park(P). Eventually, the vehicle was able to be restarted and driven. The contact stated that the failure had occurred several times, and the battery became drained due to the failure several times. The contact stated that occasionally the "Shift to Park" message failed to display as needed. The contact associated the failure with TSB: 19-NA-206; however, the VIN was not included in the TSB. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The dealer informed the contact to take the vehicle to be diagnosed. The failure mileage was 60,058.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 5, 2026Power trainODI 11769108

Engine

5 reports
“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 able to figure it out, and most of them could not smell The musky smell that I smelled. The car had approximately 40,000 mi on it when this started about a year ago, Maybe 8 months. Recently I have noticed that the coolant in my car is disappearing, I have kept a constant check on it and about once a week have had to add fluids to keep it from getting too low. I have had the coolant system checked out. I've had it flushed. They pressure tested the coolant tank and all tests passed and they could find no issues. However, when my father came to town he checked it out and there is coolant fluid leaking inside my car under the dash and it is dripping slowly on to the underpad of the carpeting and I assume drying up before it gets to a point where it is making a wet spot in the floor. Obviously after more research my father…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 11, 2026Power train, EngineODI 11730583

Electrical system

4 reports
“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 wiring harness and damaged the Body Control Module (BCM) and Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) module. The problem initially presented through door-lock/electrical malfunctions. The dealer confirmed the water intrusion and resulting component damage during its inspection. I am concerned because the affected components include the body wiring harness, BCM, and SRS module. Damage to the SRS module potentially affects a vehicle safety/restraint system, and extensive water contamination of the wiring harness and control modules could cause additional electrical failures. The dealer stated that repair would require replacement of the body wiring harness, BCM and SRS module, removal of the front carpeting, treatment for moisture/mold contamination, and approximately 42 hours of labor. The dealer estimated the repair at…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 1, 2026Electrical system, Air bags, Unknown or otherODI 11761407
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
Compact Cars, Midsize Cars
Engines
1.6L 4-cyl turbo diesel · 1.4L 4-cyl turbo
Transmissions
Automatic 9-spd · Automatic (variable gear ratios) · Automatic (S6)
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 9-spd, 4 cyl, 1.6 L, Diesel, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive
314837$2,550294
Cruze Hatchback
Auto 9-spd, 4 cyl, 1.6 L, Diesel, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive
304535$2,700310
Cruze
Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 1.4 L, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive
303833$1,900267
Cruze
Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 1.4 L, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive
283832$1,950277
Cruze Hatchback
Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 1.4 L, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive
283832$1,950277
Cruze Premier
Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 1.4 L, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive
283832$1,950277
Cruze Premier Hatchback
Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 1.4 L, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive
283731$2,000286
  • Cruze
    Auto 9-spd, 4 cyl, 1.6 L, Diesel, Turbo
    31 city · 48 hwy · $2,550/yr
    37
    mpg comb.
  • Cruze Hatchback
    Auto 9-spd, 4 cyl, 1.6 L, Diesel, Turbo
    30 city · 45 hwy · $2,700/yr
    35
    mpg comb.
  • Cruze
    Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 1.4 L, Turbo
    30 city · 38 hwy · $1,900/yr
    33
    mpg comb.
  • Cruze
    Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 1.4 L, Turbo
    28 city · 38 hwy · $1,950/yr
    32
    mpg comb.
  • Cruze Hatchback
    Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 1.4 L, Turbo
    28 city · 38 hwy · $1,950/yr
    32
    mpg comb.
  • Cruze Premier
    Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 1.4 L, Turbo
    28 city · 38 hwy · $1,950/yr
    32
    mpg comb.
  • Cruze Premier Hatchback
    Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 1.4 L, Turbo
    28 city · 37 hwy · $2,000/yr
    31
    mpg comb.
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

2 tested variants
Overall rating
5/ 5
5 of 5
Chevrolet Cruze 5 HB FWD
Frontal crash
5 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
10.7%
Overall
5 / 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
10.7%
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 10, 2026Vehicle 14021Vehicle 14020
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

2019 Cruze questions

How many recalls does the 2019 Chevrolet Cruze have?

2 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 2019 Chevrolet Cruze problems?

Owners filed 23 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are power train (8), engine (5), electrical system (4). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2019 Chevrolet Cruze get?

The EPA rates the 2019 Chevrolet Cruze at 31–37 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (7 versions rated).

How safe is the 2019 Chevrolet Cruze?

NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2019 Chevrolet Cruze 5 out of 5 stars overall.

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 10, 2026