The 2014 model year was a more problematic one for the Chevy Cruze, more so than 2013 and 2015 editions. Vehicle stalls, malfunctioning turn signals, and overheating engines make the 2014 Cruze fall short of its rivals.
Key Points
- The 2014 Chevrolet Cruze has nearly 570 owner complaints and seven recalls registered with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
- According to owner complaints, the most frequent problem concerns a sudden loss of power while driving with the 1.4L turbocharged engine.
- Reportedly, the power steering on the 2014 Chevrolet Cruze randomly goes out for seconds, making it difficult for drivers to maneuver.
- Additional potential problems with the 2014 Chevrolet Cruze include reports of the car starting on its own, infotainment system glitches, and malfunctioning turn signals.
- Problems with the engine overheating due to various issues have cost some owners over $3,000 to fix.
Almost Half of the 2014 Cruze’s 600 Owner Complaints Concern Reduced Engine Power, Improper Transmission Shifts, and Power Steering Failure
With 570 owner complaints registered with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the 2014 Cruze fared worse than most of the vehicle’s other model years.
Complaints cover a broad spectrum of issues, from steering problems to flawed windshields. But engine-related woes have been the most frequent.
Owners note that their Cruze randomly loses power and the illuminated “check engine” light engages. Besides loss of power, other symptoms include unusual engine noises and transmission malfunctions.
Another recurring problem for the 2014 Chevy Cruze pertains to the power steering assist, which may randomly stop, making the steering difficult to maneuver.
Electrical Problems in the 2014 Cruze May Lead to Radio Failures and the Vehicle Starting On Its Own
There are about 150 registered complaints registered with the NHTSA regarding the 2014 Chevrolet Cruze’s electrical system.
There are reports that the radio and AC have glitches that cause them to turn on and off at random, leading the driver to think the car has stalled when it hasn’t.
The failure of the infotainment screen means the driver does not have access to the backup camera. Also, turn signals may malfunction and stop ticking.
Another electrical problem includes the potential for the vehicle to start on its own when the key is left in the ignition. Owners say their Cruze was in “Park” when the engine started, only stopping when they removed the key.
Owners on different forums echo electrical problems. Over at Car Gurus, one owner said that when he turns the key to start the car, “it clicks once and everything goes off. The key won’t come out of the ignition.” Several other owners have replied, saying the issue derives from corrosion on the battery cables.
Engine Overheating is Another Problem for the 2014 Chevrolet Cruze that Can Cost Over $1,500 to Fix
According to reports at Car Complaints, owners have dealt with cooling problems and overheating in their 2014 Chevrolet Cruze. Again, owners have noted that there were no previous problems, and overheating occurred suddenly.
The source of the problem differs from one case to another. Some Cruze owners had to replace the radiator, and for others, the problem came from defective head gaskets or a tiny hole in the water pump.
However, the end result is the same: Overheating damages the engine, which can cost $1,700 on average to fix. One owner claims to have spent $3,300 fixing his 2014 Chevrolet Cruze’s overheating issues.
Chevrolet Recalled the 2014 Cruze Seven Times Over Issues That Include Unreliable Airbags and an Engine Block Heater That May Cause Electrical Shock
Within its first four years on the road, the 2014 Cruze was recalled seven times over various problems, including malfunctioning airbags.
According to one of the NHTSA’s recalls, the driver’s front airbag inflator can rupture in deployment and cause metal fragments to strike the car’s occupants. In 2014, GM began notifying owners to visit dealers to replace the faulty airbag.
Another serious safety issue pertains to engine block heater power cords. Exposure to cold weather can damage the insulation on the cable, allowing the wires to be exposed, increasing the risk of electrical shock.
The 2014 Cruze was also recalled two times for rollaway issues, for two different reasons. A 2014 recall is over a broken transmission adjuster cable that makes the driver unable to shift the gear to the “Park” position.
Two years later, in 2016, GM acknowledged that removing the key without putting the transmission in “Park” may result in rollaway, hence another recall.
2014 Chevy Cruze Gets Decent Gas Mileage at Up to 42 Mpg Highway, but the Problematic Compact Sedan Falls Short of its Competition
The 2014 Chevy Cruze comes with some serious problems that can cost a lot to fix. Issues including random engine stalls, electrical problems, and power steering failure make the Cruze fall short of many of its rivals.
The 2014 Honda Civic, for example, comes with better standard features and has less than 250 owners complaints with the NHTSA despite selling 53,000 units more than the 2014 Cruze.
Photos: Chevrolet
