Comparing the 2015 Chevrolet Cruze to other model years, problems and recalls are much less common or severe. Sure, it doesn’t have the creature comforts of newer units, but reliability is leaps and bounds ahead of earlier Cruze models.
Key Points
- The 2015 Chevrolet Cruze has four recalls and 199 registered complaints on the books with the NHTSA. Compared to other Chevy Cruze model years, the 2015 looks to be a gem.
- None of the four recalls pose an immediate risk to passengers, and very few Cruze units were affected overall. Most stem from poor build quality during manufacturing.
- Most concerning is the number of engine/powertrain-related complaints, many of which don’t seem to end happily, with owners experiencing stalling, shaking, and overheating.
- After engine and powertrain, electrical and steering system complaints are most common, followed by various other less affected categories.
- Ultimately, the 2015 Chevrolet Cruze is a decent car for its age and is the only year from the first-generation with a solid NHTSA track record.
On Paper, the 2015 Chevy Cruze is a Gem, with Fewer Recalls and Complaints than Most Model Years
Comparing the different years of the compact Chevrolet Cruze, the 2015 model sits as the last of the first generation. No, the 2015 Chevy Cruze doesn’t have Apple CarPlay like the updated 2016 model, and the styling is noticeably dated when looking at the two side-by-side.
But for many car owners, creature comforts and aesthetics aren’t as important as the number of issues a vehicle has been reported to have, how severe they are, and how likely.
So, how does the 2015 Chevrolet Cruze compare to other model years in terms of problems, recalls, and overall reliability?
The National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued four recalls for the 2015 Chevy Cruze and carries 199 registered complaints. That’s about equal to the redesigned 2016 model, only a few complaints more than the 2017, and just two recalls above the 2018. As for earlier models, the complaint count of the 2014 Cruze nearly triples at 561 and recalls almost double at seven.
Models from 2013, 2012, and 2011 all have similar scores as the 2014.
A Closer Look at the Four Recalls for the 2015 Chevy Cruze Reveals None are Very Common, and Overall Severity is Low
- Key may be Removed when not in Park, Causing a Possible Rollaway Risk: Issued in July of 2016, this recall affected 8,367 GM vehicles, including the 2015 Chevy Cruze. The problem pertains to the ignition key being removable without the transmission needing to be shifted to Park, causing a potential rollaway risk. The issue was found to be caused by a faulty electronic park lock lever inside the cylinder lock housing, which GM will replace free of charge if necessary.
- Seatbelt Assembly Bolt not Properly Tightened, Increased Chance of Injury in an Accident: Affecting just 15 2015 Cruze units total, this December 2015 recall was issued for an insufficiently tightened seatbelt bolt that can come loose under heavy load, increasing the chances of injury during an accident. The fix is as simple as tightening the bolts, which you can do yourself or have done at your nearest Chevy service center.
- Steering Gear not Tightened to Specification, May Result in Loss of Steering: Only 10 2014 and 2015 Chevy Cruze models were involved in this July 2015 recall. In these, the inner tie rod may not be adequately torqued, which can allow it to separate from the steering gear and leave you unable to control your vehicle. GM will replace the steering assembly to rectify this rare issue.
- Parking Brake Cable Brackets not Sufficiently Fastened, can Pose a Rollaway Hazard: The most widespread recall was issued in February of 2015, affecting 1,733 2015 Cruze models specifically. The issue pertains to parking brake cable brackets that may not be correctly fastened, possibly causing the securing bolts to back out of place. Should this happen, the parking brake may separate from its bracket and will be unable to hold the vehicle in place, creating a rollaway risk. The solution involves Chevy re-tightening the bolts if necessary.
None of the above recalls indicate you need to pull over right away, as none are too common, and none pose an immediate risk to occupants. In comparison, as many as 29,019 Cruze models from 2013 and 2014 struggle with airbags that can rupture during deployment and send metal shrapnel towards occupants, a potentially fatal issue requiring prompt attention.
Is your 2015 Chevrolet Cruze affected by any of these recalls? Run its VIN to find out.
Engine- and Powertrain-related Complaints are the Most Common, Including Stalling, Coolant Leaks, and Overheating
Of the 98 engine- and powertrain-related complaints, many mention the motor cutting out and stalling, often after experiencing shaking/vibrations. There are also numerous reports of engine oil and coolant leaking under the vehicle, often traced back to a bad thermostat housing. Most engine complaints seem to pertain to the 1.4L turbocharged powertrain, and not all have official fixes as of yet, with owners mentioning visiting their mechanics several times before finding a resolution.
Another thing to note is that 2011 to 2014 model year Cruzes with the 1.4L engine are known to have leaking water pumps that can cause the AC to fail and the engine to overheat. Unfortunately, this also appears to be an issue with the 2015 Cruze. What’s worse, GM addressed the issue by extending the warranty to cover affected parts, but only on 2011-2014 models, leaving 2015 Cruze owners out to dry.
Electrical System Complaints Show the 2015 Cruze to Struggle with Random Dash Lights Illuminating and Bad Sensors Causing Shaking and Smoking
After engine-related complaints come those concerning the electrical system. Most commonly, owners mention random dash warnings, like the check engine or tire-pressure monitoring system coming on and going out. The radio, blinkers, and power windows also seem to be involved in this issue, often cutting out for no reason.
Reports also cite the check engine light coming on, followed by the car starting to shake, smoke, sputter, and struggle with reduced performance. One owner states that after scanning the vehicle, it threw a code suggesting the mass-airflow sensor was bad. After replacing it, as well as the air filter, the car continued to sputter, but the warning light went away. Others have yet to find a fix, and instead are hoping GM issues a recall for the problem.
Some 2015 Cruze Owners Report the Steering Wheel Locking in Place, or the Brake Pedal Being Difficult to Press
Scanning through the five pages of steering-related complaints, a number of drivers report that while traveling under 40 mph, the steering wheel locks and can’t be turned. One owner ended up hitting a telephone pole, the airbags deployed, and the front-end caught fire.
GM actually sent out several communications over the steering system, a few of which address reprogramming the power steering control module due to a sticking/slipping feeling in the steering wheel. Another explains how to diagnose a power steering fluid leak. So, while no recall has been issued, it does look like GM is aware of the problem.
Brake-related complaints mostly mention the pedal occasionally requiring extra effort to stop the car, with one driver stating it felt like the power assist was going out. Several other complaints indicate the brakes failing while driving, one ending in a low-speed accident. Upon inspection, techs found the brake master cylinder had failed, causing brake fluid to leak out.
In Terms of Reliability, the 2015 Chevrolet Cruze is the Only First-gen. Model with a Good Record
As shared earlier, the 2015 Chevrolet Cruze has a much better track record with the NHTSA than earlier years and is more in line with second-gen. models from 2016 and newer.
Recalls are few and far between, you just need to ensure the unit in question is not included in any or has been already repaired. While there are a number of concerning complaint patterns, like the engine stalling or the steering wheel locking in place, at the end of the day the 2015 Chevy Cruze is a fine car for its age with fewer issues than most.
Photos: Chevrolet
