NHTSA vehicle safety data

2018 Chevrolet Cruze Recalls, Ratings & Complaints

The 2018 Chevrolet Cruze has 3 NHTSA recall campaigns and 109 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Chevrolet dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2018 Chevrolet Cruze, plus NCAP crash-test ratings. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

2018 Chevrolet Cruze owner complaints

Owners have filed 109 complaints with NHTSA about the 2018 Chevrolet Cruze, describing incidents dated November 29, 2017 to June 8, 2026.

Most-cited components

  • Engine 29 complaints
  • Unknown or Other 24 complaints
  • Power Train 23 complaints
  • Electrical System 14 complaints
  • Service Brakes 13 complaints
  • Steering 9 complaints

Of the 109 complaints on file, 17 report a crash and 3 a fire; across all 109 complaints, owners report 7 injuries and 1 death (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

  • ODI #11744940 · Filed

    My 2018 Chevy Cruz has developed a sticky or tacky surface discovered when I was cleaning my interior. I used warm water and soap to clean all plastics. Tried to dry off my dash with paper towels and discovered the issue . My car has been garage kept since its purchase so I have no idea as my…

  • ODI #11736759 · Filed

    Coming to a stop sign or red light the car won’t accelerate or will go in traction control making it difficult to move or not accelerate. Had 2-3 fuel leaks this year also having problems to keep the car going sometimes the max speed it will go is 20-40 miles n won’t go up unless u keep letting it…

  • ODI #11727253 · Filed

    The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Cruze. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the windshield wiper compartment inadvertently opened. There was a failure with the seat belts. The contact stated that the driver’s side seat belt was excessively loose, and the front passenger’s…

Read all 109 complaints

Missing Bolts on Start/Stop Accumulator

NHTSA #20V668000 · Power Train — Automatic Transmission · NHTSA notice

Reported October 29, 2020 · General Motors LLC

Potentially affected: 194,105 vehicles

Repair completion: 82.35% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Manufacturer campaign N202313440 · Owners notified December 15, 2020

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

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.

Manufacturer remedy

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.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Insufficient Coating on Rear Brake Caliper Pistons

NHTSA #18V576000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic — Foundation Components — Disc — Caliper · NHTSA notice

Reported August 30, 2018 · General Motors LLC

Potentially affected: 210,628 vehicles

Repair completion: 95.86% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Manufacturer campaign 18279 · Owners notified October 11, 2018 · Vehicles built March 19, 2018 – June 19, 2018 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

A reduction of braking performance can increase the risk of a crash.

Manufacturer remedy

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.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Fuel Leak in Rollover After Crash/FMVSS 301

NHTSA #18V304000 · Fuel System, Gasoline · NHTSA notice

Reported May 10, 2018 · General Motors LLC

Potentially affected: 111,966 vehicles

Repair completion: 83.26% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Manufacturer campaign 18159 · Owners notified June 7, 2018 · Vehicles built November 9, 2015 – May 1, 2018 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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."

Safety consequence

A fuel leak, in the presence of an ignition source, increases the risk of a fire.

Manufacturer remedy

GM will notify owners, and dealers will install a lock-ring on the fuel tank that will shield the fuel tank vapor pressure sensor from damage in a rear-impact crash, free of charge. The recall began June 7, 2018. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 18159.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Other Chevrolet Cruze model years

Check your 2018 Chevrolet Cruze VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Chevrolet Cruze at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

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