2015 Chevrolet Cruze: True Cost, Problems & Verdict
251 NHTSA owner complaints · 4 recalls · data-computed verdict. No opinions — public data only.
Editor's note
The first-generation Cruze (2011–2015) carries the 1.4-litre turbo's coolant-leak, water-pump and turbocharger complaints, plus the six-speed automatic's shudder; the 2012 and 2014 years are the worst. The second generation from 2016 is a better car in the data, with the 2017–2019 years scoring 86 to 93. Read the full note on the model page. 2015 specifically: a year the record favours — 251 complaints, score 79/100. The caveats in the note apply to other years of this nameplate more than to this one.
Read the guide
Used Chevrolet Malibu, Cruze and Equinox: the four-cylinder years to watch, including 2015 — written and signed by Adir Trabelsi, 2026-09-01.
Owner complaints: 251 filed with NHTSA
Complaints per year on the road: 22.82
What owners say
Verbatim reports filed with the United States safety regulator (NHTSA) by owners of this exact model year. Public record.
I have replaced my whole engine and the cars fuel system.. my gas was backing into my oil along with the engine failing .. has happened again. This car has been a nightmare and just keeps failing. Strong gas and oil burning smell then car starts smoking. Had to shut it off in the middle of the road.
The contact owns a 2015 Chevrolet Cruze. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle was leaking oil from the top of the engine onto the drive belts. The contact stated that the VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 12V288000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). The vehicle was taken to the dealer but was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure milea…
The contact owns a 2015 Chevrolet Cruze. The contact stated that while driving approximately 55 MPH, the “Service Stabili-trak” message was displayed. The warning light turned on and off, and the vehicle suddenly stalled. The vehicle failed to restart. The contact stated that the vehicle started jerking and rolling while on the side of the road. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, but was not diagnosed …
Recalls: 4 campaigns (4 severe)
| Campaign | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|
| 16V502000 | Electrical System:Ignition | General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Buick Verano and 2016 Chevrolet Malibu as the electronic park lock lever may allow the ignition key to be removed without the transmission being in PARK. Also, certain 2013 Buick Encore, 2011 Buick Regal, 2013-2014 Buick Verano, 2011-2016 Chevrolet Cruze, 2010-2013 Chevrolet Equinox 2013-2015… |
| 15V442000 | Steering | General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 Chevrolet Cruze vehicles manufactured November 8, 2013, to March 12, 2015, and 2015 Chevrolet Volt vehicles manufactured April 11, 2014. In the affected vehicles, the inner tie rod may not be tightened to specification allowing the tie rod to separate from the steering gear. |
| 15V876000 | Seat Belts:Front:Anchorage | General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2015 Chevrolet Cruze vehicles manufactured September 24, 2014, to May 29, 2015. In the affected vehicles, one of the driver-side seat belt assembly bolts may not be properly tightened. |
| 15V113000 | Parking Brake | General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2015 Chevrolet Cruze vehicles manufactured February 4, 2015, to February 9, 2015. The left-rear or right-rear parking brake cable brackets may not have been properly fastened during the assembly process. |
What it costs to buy — and what owning it really takes
Class-level estimates, priced as a compact car of its model year, re-priced to your country. Not a quote, not a valuation of one specific car — condition, mileage and options move it. How these are computed.
What it costs to run
EPA combined 30 MPG · estimated annual fuel cost $2,100
Re-priced automatically from your country's retail fuel, electricity and parts indices — change country in the bar at the top. Estimates; see methodology.
What this car's problems cost to fix
Ranked by the components owners of this exact model year actually complain about. Each figure is flat-rate labour hours x the local shop rate plus a parts band — an estimate of what this kind of failure costs, not a quote, and not a prediction that this car will need it. Formula.
- Engine98 complaints · typical job: Cooling-system or timing-drive repair (6.0 h labour + parts)$1,040–$2,220
- Electrical System49 complaints · typical job: Alternator, battery-drain or body-module diagnosis and replacement (3.0 h labour + parts)$540–$1,310
- Unknown Or Other45 complaints · typical job: Diagnosis and mixed repair (2.0 h labour + parts)$360–$940
- Power Train37 complaints · typical job: Transmission service or clutch-pack repair (7.0 h labour + parts)$1,290–$4,040
- Electronic Stability Control (Esc)30 complaints · typical job: Yaw sensor or ESC module replacement (3.0 h labour + parts)$660–$1,560
- Steering24 complaints · typical job: Electric power-steering rack or column motor replacement (5.0 h labour + parts)$1,020–$2,500
Other Chevrolet Cruze years
FAQ
What is the most common problem with the 2015 Chevrolet Cruze?
The most-reported issue in NHTSA complaint data is Engine (98 complaints in our indexed sample).
Is the 2015 Chevrolet Cruze a good used car to buy?
Our data verdict is BUY with a reliability score of 79/100, computed from 251 NHTSA complaints and 4 recall campaigns. See the verdict card for the top reasons.
How much does it cost to fix the 2015 Chevrolet Cruze's most common problem?
98 of the NHTSA complaints filed against the 2015 Chevrolet Cruze sit in the Engine group — more than any other component on this model year. The representative job there is cooling-system or timing-drive repair: about 6.0 hours of labour plus parts, roughly $1,040–$2,220 at a US independent shop and re-priced to your country at the top of the page. It is an estimate of what this class of failure costs, not a quote for this car.
What does a 2015 Chevrolet Cruze cost to run per year?
About $4,743 a year in fuel or energy plus the maintenance band — roughly $23,715 over five years, before purchase price, insurance and depreciation. Figures come from available EPA fuel-economy data and industry maintenance averages, and are re-priced to your country.
Does the 2015 Chevrolet Cruze have recalls?
Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaign(s) for the 2015 Chevrolet Cruze, 4 of them touching fire, crash or stall risk, the most recent recorded 05/07/2016. Check this car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls before you buy.
Compare with
Other compacts of about the same age.
What will a 2015 Chevrolet Cruze really cost YOU per year?
Fuel, maintenance band and depreciation — computed from public data in 10 seconds.
Open the true-cost calculatorData sources
Complaints & recalls: NHTSA ·
Fuel economy: EPA fueleconomy.gov ·
Scoring: our published methodology.
Maintenance bands are industry-average estimates (AAA Your Driving Costs, CarMD index) — labeled estimates, not measurements.
Last updated: 2026-10-04.
Strong evidence — 251 complaints, 4 recalls on record
- 251 NHTSA complaints on record (22.8/yr of exposure) — better than a typical year of this model (45.1/yr)
- 4 recall campaigns, 4 touching safety-critical systems