2018 Chevrolet Cruze: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2018 Chevrolet Cruze: 3 recalls, 109 owner complaints and up to 37 mpg combined.
Recalls
3 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Fuel system Vehicle recall #18V304000 · 2018 · 111,966 vehicles
What's wrong: 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."
Why it matters: A fuel leak, in the presence of an ignition source, increases the risk of a fire.
The fix: 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.
Brakes (hydraulic) Vehicle recall #18V576000 · 2018 · 210,628 vehicles
What's wrong: The rear brake caliper pistons May have an insufficient coating causing gas pockets to form, potentially reducing rear brake performance.
Why it matters: A reduction of braking performance can increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: Gm will notify owners, and dealers will bleed the vehicle's brake system, free of charge. The recall began October 11, 2018.
Transmission & drivetrain Vehicle recall #20V668000 · 2020 · 194,105 vehicles
What's wrong: The start/stop accumulator endcap May have missing bolts.
Why it matters: 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.
The fix: 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.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 3 mention a fire, 7 injuries and 1 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Engine (27): the most common themes are warning light on (11), stalls / loses power (7), noise or vibration (5).
- Other / unknown (24): the most common themes are warning light on (5), stalls / loses power (5).
- Transmission & drivetrain (23): the most common themes are hard / delayed shifting (10), noise or vibration (4).
- Electrical (14): the most common themes are stalls / loses power (4), noise or vibration (3), door / lock issues (2).
The 2018 Chevrolet Cruze has 109 owner complaints, ranking #8 of 10 Cruze model years for complaints (well below the 372 average). Complaints peaked in 2019 (23 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 3 years old, at a median of 24,500 miles. Neighboring years: 2017 (201 complaints, 2 recalls), 2019 (23 complaints, 2 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.6 L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic 9-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 31 | 47 | 37 | Diesel |
| 1.6 L 4-cyl turbo | Manual 6-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 30 | 52 | 37 | Diesel |
| 1.4 L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (S6) | Front-Wheel Drive | 29 | 40 | 33 | Regular |
| 1.4 L 4-cyl turbo | Manual 6-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 27 | 40 | 32 | Regular |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 2018 Chevrolet Cruze.
Closest thing to the factory manual for most years. Pay once, keep it.
Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
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FAQ
Does the 2018 Chevrolet Cruze have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 3 vehicle recalls for the 2018 Chevrolet Cruze. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 2018 Chevrolet Cruze problems?
Owners have filed 109 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are engine (27), other / unknown (24), transmission & drivetrain (23).
What gas mileage does the 2018 Chevrolet Cruze get?
EPA ratings run up to 37 mpg combined (1.6 L, Automatic 9-spd), across 4 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 2018 Chevrolet Cruze repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.