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2018 Chevrolet Cruze Recalls, Problems & Maintenance

The 2018 Chevrolet Cruze carries 3 open NHTSA recalls — most recently covering automatic transmission and caliper. Owners report 7 recurring issue clusters, led by “Clutch pedal sticks to floor from hydraulic failure.” Chevrolet vehicles use the GM Oil Life System (OLS) — a percentage-based monitor that calculates oil life from driving conditions, not fixed mileage. When the OLS drops to 0%, oil and filter are due. The schedule below reflects GM's Normal Use intervals for everything else.

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3 Open Recalls

Source: NHTSA

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

Campaign #20V668000 · Oct 29, 2020

Issue: 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.

Risk: 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.

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. 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.

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER

Campaign #18V576000 · Aug 30, 2018

Issue: 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.

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

Fix: 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.

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

Campaign #18V304000 · Oct 5, 2018

Issue: 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."

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

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. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 18159.

Recall data refreshed Sep 20, 2026.

Known issues & problems for this vehicle

What drivers and federal regulators have officially reported about the 2018 Chevrolet Cruze.

Reported to NHTSA

Clutch pedal sticks to floor from hydraulic failure

POWER TRAIN

11 NHTSA complaints · 2020-09 → 2025-03

“While sitting at a stop light the hydraulic clutch line failed causing the clutch pedal to stick to the floor. This issue prevents the clutch actuation preventing the the transmission from being disconnected from the engine”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11650501
“The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Cruze. The contact stated while attempting to drive from a complete stop, the clutch pedal remained on the floorboard and failed to disengage. There was no warning light illuminated”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11512880
“WHEN DRIVING MY 2018 CHEVY CRUZE I HAD MULTIPLE INSTANCES WHERE THE CLUTCH PEDAL WOULD GO TO THE FLOOR AND NOT RELEASE, AND THE TRANSMISSION COULD NOT BE SHIFTED INTO GEAR”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11360154

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Cylinder 1 misfire and low compression

ENGINE

6 NHTSA complaints · 2022-01 → 2026-02

“The engine experienced internal failure resulting in low compression in cylinder 1. The failure has rendered the vehicle inoperable. The vehicle and engine are currently available for inspection upon request”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11719143
“Compression test shows cylinder #1 at about 80 PSI while cylinders 2, 3, and 4 are at 190 PSI. This proves that there is a catastrophic compression leak down into the engine crankcase causing the misfire P0300”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11634068
“Engine performance dropped noticeably, tire pressure system alert lighted, and stability track turned off. Then within a short period of time, some 30 minutes, the engine warning light activity (steady)”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11448403

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Infotainment display locked at full brightness at night

VISIBILITY/WIPER

7 NHTSA complaints · 2018-10 → 2020-06

“RADIO/INFOTAINMENT SYSTEM DISPLAY GOES FULL BRIGHT EVEN DURING NIGHT AND CANNOT BE DIMMED AND DESTROYS THE DRIVERS NIGHT VISION AND CAN ONLY BE RESET BY STOPPING THE CAR AND CYCLING THROUGH REVERSE, TO ACTIVATE REVERSE CAMERA”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11193176
“2018 DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS ISSUE NIGHT TIME DRIVING THE DISPLAY IS WAY TO BRIGHT. DIMMING LIGHTS WITH DIMMER SWITCH HAS NO RESULTS. DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS IS SO DISTRACTING IT BLINDS OCCUPANTS OF THE VEHICLE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11142351
“WHEN SHIFTING THE GEARBOX FROM PARK TO DRIVE OR FROM DRIVE TO PARK THE INFOTAINMENT SCREEN WILL GO TO MAXIMUM BRIGHTNESS AND CAN NOT BE DIMMED CAUSING GREATLY REDUCED VISION DURING NIGHT DRIVING SITUATIONS”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11326302

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Infotainment touchscreen frozen on startup screen

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, UNKNOWN OR OTHER

2 NHTSA complaints · 2025-08 → 2025-08

“The infotainment touchscreen on my 2018 Chevrolet Cruze has become unresponsive and frozen on the startup warning screen. Because of this, I am unable to access basic functions such as Bluetooth, CarPlay, and Android Auto”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11682291
“I own a 2018 Chevrolet Cruze, and the infotainment touchscreen system has completely frozen with the same error screen that many other Cruze owners have reported online”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11682403

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Auto Stop/Start failure to restart at stop

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

10 NHTSA complaints · 2019-03 → 2026-03

“Auto Start-Stop failed. I was in heavy traffic in 90 degree heat with the air on max. Stopped at a light so engine turned off. When light turned green I pressed on the gas and my 2018 Chevy Cruz did not start!!”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11420611
“The Auto Start and Stop feature has malfunctioned multiple times. Safety was put at risk due to car stalling at multiple red lights and shutting off while driving down the road. Problem has been reproduced by dealership”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11473711
“WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE AT 60MPH, WITHOUT WARNING THE ENGINE TURNED OFF. THE DASH WENT COMPLETELY DARK. NO POWER, NO STEERING. DRIFTED TO SHOULDER”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11185508

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Brake failure to stop before collision

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

6 NHTSA complaints · 2019-02 → 2022-05

“The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Cruze. The contact stated while driving approximately 50 MPH, his brake warning light had illuminated”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11463894
“I WAS INVOLVED IN A REAR END COLLISION WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE WHEN APPROACHING AN INTERSECTION. RATE OF SPEED WAS 40 MPH, AND WHEN BRAKES WERE FIRMLY/HEAVILY APPLIED, THE VEHICLE DID NOT STOP, WHICH CAUSED ME TO REAR END THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11271745
“I HAVE A 2018 CRUZE THAT I WAS DRIVING ON A 4 LANE HIGHWAY ON TOP OF A MOUNTAIN, THE BRAKES WENT OUT WITH ME AND MY 6 MONTH OLD IN CAR, I WAS ABLE TO GET TO SHOULDER, TOWED TO CHEVY, THEY SAID IT WAS A FAULTY BRAKE PUMP, AND CHARGED ME 500 TO FIX IT”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11342443

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Airbags fail to deploy in crash

AIR BAGS

5 NHTSA complaints · 2019-01 → 2023-06

“The contact owned a 2018 Chevrolet Cruze. The contact stated that while driving at 55 MPH, the vehicle collided with a deer and a guardrail. The vehicle was impacted on the front and rear passenger side and the front of the vehicle. The air bags did not deploy”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11526657
“CAR HIT A DEER AT 50 MPH. AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. SEE PICTURES OF DAMAGE TO VEHICLE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11342733
“LEFT FRONT WHEEL AND AXLE WERE NOT FOUND AT THE SEEN OF THE ACCIDENT LEFT FRONT WAS COMPLETELY GONE. ONLY 4 AIRBAGS OF THE 10 ON BOARD DEPLOYED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11297324

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Issues on other model years

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI). Complaint data refreshed Sep 20, 2026. Investigation data refreshed Sep 20, 2026.

We display NHTSA's record with attribution; we don't editorialize on what these complaints mean for any specific vehicle.

Raw data + downloads for this vehicle →

Essential maintenance

Critical for safety and preventing major damage

Engine Oil & Filter (per Oil Life System)

Every 7,500 mi

Change oil when the Oil Life System reaches 0% or every 12 months — whichever comes first. dexos1-approved synthetic oil required on all gas engines since 2011.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$120–$160

Shop

~$85–$115

DIY

~$25–$55

Full synthetic costs more than conventional. 5-quart 0W-20 + filter is the typical bill.

Tire Rotation

Every 7,500 mi

Rotate tires every 7,500 miles. Silverado 4x4 and Tahoe owners benefit from earlier rotations to even out drivetrain wear.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Often free at the shop where you bought the tires — worth asking before paying.

Brake Inspection

Every 7,500 mi

Inspect brake pads, rotors, and parking brake at each tire rotation. Equinox and Malibu front pads typically last 40,000-50,000 miles.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Most shops do this free as a courtesy with any service. Don't pay separately if you can avoid it.

Brake Fluid

Every 45,000 mi

GM specifies brake fluid replacement based on contamination testing. Test every 30,000 miles; replace if moisture content exceeds 3% or fluid appears dark.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$180–$200

Shop

~$125–$140

DIY

~$10–$25

DOT 3 or 4 — match the cap. Vacuum bleeders make this a one-person DIY.

Important maintenance

Keeps your vehicle running smoothly and efficiently

Engine Air Filter

Every 45,000 mi

GM long-life cellulose air filters are rated 45,000 miles. Direct-injection engines are sensitive to airflow restriction; inspect at every oil change.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

5-minute job on most cars; the airbox lid usually has clips, no tools needed.

Automatic Transmission Fluid

Every 45,000 mi

Severe service (heavy towing, frequent stop-and-go, dusty conditions): replace every 45,000 miles. Normal service: 97,500 miles. Use Dexron-VI on 6L80/8L90 transmissions.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$330–$500

Shop

~$235–$355

DIY

~$60–$180

Some sealed transmissions have no dipstick — fill is precise and best left to a shop. Many drivers can still DIY drain-and-fill.

Transfer Case Fluid (4WD)

Every 45,000 mi

On 4WD models, replace transfer case fluid every 45,000 miles — sooner if towing or off-roading. Use GM Auto-Trak II fluid.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$105–$140

Shop

~$75–$100

DIY

~$15–$40

AWD/4WD vehicles only. Easy drain-and-fill on most platforms.

Spark Plugs

Every 100,000 mi

GM iridium spark plugs are rated 100,000 miles on most LS and LT engines. The 5.3L V8 in Silverado 1500 commonly fouls plugs early under heavy idling.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$390

Shop

~$200–$275

DIY

~$25–$100

Iridium plugs cost more but last 100k+ miles. V6/V8 access varies wildly — some are tough.

Dex-Cool Engine Coolant

Every 50,000 mi

GM Dex-Cool (orange): first change at 150,000 miles or 5 years, then every 50,000 miles. Mixing with green coolant creates a sludge that destroys the cooling system.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$330

Shop

~$200–$235

DIY

~$25–$60

Use the manufacturer-specified coolant — wrong color/chemistry can damage the cooling system.

Rear Differential Fluid

Every 50,000 mi

Silverado and Tahoe: replace rear axle fluid every 50,000 miles, or 25,000 miles if towing. Limited-slip differentials require GM friction-modifier additive.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$150–$195

Shop

~$105–$135

DIY

~$20–$50

Drain plug + fill plug — straightforward DIY. AWD vehicles have two; budget for both.

Recommended maintenance

Extends the life of your vehicle and improves comfort

Cabin Air Filter

Every 22,500 mi

Replace the cabin air filter every 22,500 miles. Silverado and Tahoe owners in dusty climates should replace earlier.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

Usually behind the glovebox. Shops charge labor for a 10-minute job — easy DIY win.

Fatal crash history & reported problems

Occupant deaths in fatal crashes (FARS)

97 crashes 1990–2024

How the 97 occupant deaths break down

70

driver deaths

25

passenger deaths

2

not recorded by seat

97

occupant deaths

Crash years covered: 1990–2024 This model year first appears in 2018 crashes. Older models have had more years on the road to appear in these crashes, so a higher count here does not by itself mean a vehicle is less safe.

FARS counts every occupant death in a fatal crash, whatever the cause — it does not mean the vehicle was at fault or defective. Counts are not adjusted for how many of each vehicle are on the road. How to read this number

FARS 2024 data is an annual report file. NHTSA revises these records when the final file is published, so this count can change.

Why we show driver deaths too

Every vehicle has exactly one driver seat, so driver deaths line up fairly when you compare one model to another. Occupant deaths include passengers, so a three row SUV can show a higher number than a two seat car simply because it carries more people.

Both figures are plain counts, not rates. A rate would need to know how many of each vehicle are on the road, and that registration data is not public, so we do not publish rates or scores of any kind.

IIHS publishes driver death rates using this same driver only idea, paired with a registered vehicle years denominator we do not have. Their rates and these counts answer different questions, so do not read either number here as a safety rating.

Owner-reported problem signals

Separate from the federal fatality data above: complaints owners filed with NHTSA about this year and model. These are reports of problems, unverified, and are counted here only as signals.

17

complaints mentioning a crash

3

complaints mentioning a fire

Reviewed known issues for this vehicle·Open recalls for this vehicle

Typical U.S. ranges. Actual quotes vary by shop, parts choice, and vehicle condition.

How we estimate: Dealer = OEM parts × 1.4 + labor × $165/hr. Shop = parts + labor × $115/hr. DIY = parts only.

This maintenance schedule for the 2018 Chevrolet Cruze reflects Chevrolet's published service intervals and the Oil Life System system. Your actual service needs may vary based on driving conditions, climate, and vehicle usage. Always consult your owner's manual for model-specific recommendations.

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