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ProblemsByVin File / 2015-CHEVROLET-CRUZE NHTSA data synced 1 day ago
Chevrolet

2015 Chevrolet Cruze problems

The 2015 Chevrolet Cruze has 251 NHTSA owner complaints and 4 active recall campaigns on file. Here's the breakdown — what's serious, what's noise, and what a working mechanic would actually do about it.

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The 2015 Chevrolet Cruze has 251 NHTSA owner complaints and 4 recalls on file (U.S. federal records, as of September 2026). The most-reported system is engine at 59 complaints (~$3,100 to repair). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.

Chevrolet Cruze owner complaints by model year
Model yearOwner complaintsRecalls
2012 Cruze 865 7
2013 Cruze 586 5
2014 Cruze 702 10
2015 Cruze (this page) 251 4
2016 Cruze 249 4
2017 Cruze 201 2
2018 Cruze 109 3
2015 Chevrolet Cruze
Photo: Elise240SX / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 · representative photo of the Chevrolet Cruze
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What actually breaks on the 2015 Chevrolet Cruze

The problems owners report most, open recalls, and the mileage where failures cluster — straight from the NHTSA record, in seconds.

0 5 10
Reliability score
6.6 / 10

Average for the segment. Some recurring trouble spots worth knowing about.

0
Critical
4
Severe
0
Moderate
Should you avoid this 2015 Cruze?
Acceptable — with caveats

Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy.

Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.

NHTSA crash-test safety ratings 5 / 5 overall

Overall 5/5
Frontal crash 5/5
Side crash 5/5
Rollover 4/5

Driver-assist features on the tested model: Electronic stability control: Standard · Forward collision warning: No · Lane departure warning: No

Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program — tested configuration: 2015 Chevrolet Cruze 4 DR FWD. Stars rate crash protection in NHTSA's tests, not overall reliability — see the owner-complaint data below for what actually goes wrong.

Buying a used 2015 Chevrolet Cruze? Check these first

Here's what this model is known to do — so you can inspect for it, price it in, or make the seller fix it before you sign.

What to inspect on this specific car

⚠ The one to take seriously: steering is flagged severe on this model . Inspect it closely on a test drive.

Recalls to confirm are done

Run the VIN from the listing — 4 active recalls on this model. Recall repairs are always free.

Verdict for buyers: 6.6/10 model. The priciest documented failure is engine (~$3,100) — get the seller's service records for it or inspect closely. Otherwise an average-risk used buy at a fair price.

We tell you what this model is known for and what to inspect — a vehicle-history report tells you what this exact car has been through. Smart buyers get both.

See the full pre-purchase inspection checklist →
✦ Ask the data · AI

Ask anything about your 2015 Chevrolet Cruze

A noise, a warning light, a repair quote, "should I buy this?" — get an answer grounded in this vehicle's actual NHTSA record, not generic advice.

Dash light, leak, worn part — snap it and we'll read it against this car's record.

Answers use this vehicle's NHTSA complaint & recall record — owner-reported and unverified, not a diagnosis. Verify anything safety-critical with a mechanic.

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<iframe src="https://problemsbyvin.com/embed/reliability/2015-chevrolet-cruze/" width="100%" height="340" style="border:1px solid #e2e8f0;border-radius:8px;max-width:640px" title="2015 Chevrolet Cruze reliability snapshot" loading="lazy"></iframe> <p style="font:12px/1.5 system-ui,sans-serif;color:#64748b;max-width:640px;margin:6px 0 0">Source: <a href="https://problemsbyvin.com/2015-chevrolet-cruze/" style="color:#b8540a;font-weight:600">2015 Chevrolet Cruze reliability snapshot — ProblemsByVin</a></p>

Top trouble spots 8 categories with 3+ complaints

engine
59 reports · avg $3,100
moderate
electrical
40 reports · avg $850
moderate
powertrain
34 reports · avg $2,500
moderate
steering
24 reports · avg $700
severe
airbags
20 reports · avg $1,100
severe
brakes
9 reports · avg $450
severe
cruise control
8 reports · avg $600
moderate
visibility
8 reports · avg $350
moderate
Buyer's checklist
Going to look at one? Use the pre-purchase inspection list.
Generated from this 2015 Cruze's actual NHTSA complaint history — every item points at a documented failure pattern on this exact vehicle, not generic walkaround filler.
See the checklist ->
Honest Calculator
Should you buy an extended warranty on this 2015 Cruze?
We pulled the math: risk-weighted exposure, typical contract cost, and our verdict on whether coverage pencils out for this specific vehicle.
See the calculator ->

What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim

2015 Cruze · cruise control
Driving to work car overheated all antifreeze was gone.got a new hose put on still smelling antifreeze then pcv went out why haven't they did a recall on this dangerous car.trraveling nover bridge car started slowing down wouldn't pick up speed.each time stop it didn't want to…
2015 Cruze · electrical
Negative battery cable issue - my radio is cutting in and out, turn signals will not always work, "service stabilitrak" light will intermittently flash.
2015 Cruze · brakes
Power assist failed, making steering difficult, happened during lane change on freeway at 70 MPH, this happened in conjunction with random screen loss on infotainment screen. Also random error messages. Upon taking car to dealer, they agreed it was probably an issue addressed…
2015 Cruze · powertrain
The check engine light came up, after having the code read it was discovered that the turbo charger was bad. My vehicle was fixed by the dealer. Prior to being fixed my vehicle was running rougher and accelerating at a slower speed.
View all 251 owner complaints →
Had a problem with your 2015 Chevrolet Cruze? File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free and official — owner filings are what build the federal safety record behind this page.

Estimate your repair exposure

Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.

0 mi 200k mi
At 80,000 miles
Likely repair cost in next 24 months
$0

Active recalls showing 3 of 4

severe NHTSA 16V502000 July 5, 2016

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

If the key is removed without the transmission in PARK, the vehicle may rollaway as occupants are exiting, increasing the risk of injury.

Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and if necessary replace the key cylinder lock housing, free of charge. The recall began on October 14, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, Buick 1-800-521-7300, and GMC 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 50490 and 50491.
severe NHTSA 15V876000 December 23, 2015

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2015 Chevrolet Cruze vehicles manufactured September 24, 2014, to May 29, 2015

An insufficiently torqued bolt may prevent the seat belt from holding the required load in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and tighten the bolts, free of charge. The recall began on January 27, 2016 Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 15777.
severe NHTSA 15V442000 July 10, 2015

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

Separation of the tie rod from the steering gear could result in the loss of steering, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the steering gear assembly, free of charge. The recall began on July 28, 2015. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 15386.
View all 4 recalls →

Common questions

Is the 2015 Chevrolet Cruze reliable?

It's got known weak points. With a reliability score of 6.6 out of 10 based on 251 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2015 Chevrolet Cruze has a higher-than-average rate of reported issues. The areas to watch are listed above. Whether it's worth owning depends on price, condition, and how much repair exposure you can absorb.

Should you avoid the 2015 Chevrolet Cruze?

The 2015 Chevrolet Cruze is acceptable, with specific caveats. Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy. The record behind that call: Reliability score 6.6/10 — around the segment average; 4 recall campaigns on file. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.

What should I check before buying a used 2015 Chevrolet Cruze?

Inspect the engine first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 59 owner complaints filed. Average repair cost runs about $3,100 at an independent shop. Also confirm any open recalls have been completed by running the VIN, and ask for service records covering the problem areas listed above.

Is the 2015 Chevrolet Cruze a good used car to buy?

It scores 6.6 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 251 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is engine. Priced fairly and clean on inspection, it's a reasonable used buy. Our data covers what this model is known for — pair it with a vehicle-history report on the VIN to see what that specific car has been through.

What's the most common problem on the 2015 Chevrolet Cruze?

Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is engine, with 59 complaints filed. Average repair cost runs about $3,100 at an independent shop.

What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?

The engine is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $3,100 at an independent shop. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.

How do I check if my Chevrolet Cruze has open recalls?

Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.

Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2015 Chevrolet Cruze?

Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 251 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $3,100, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.

Related

Recall and complaint data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) public records database, last synced 1 day ago. Verify the raw federal record at nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2015/Chevrolet/Cruze. Editorial commentary written by ProblemsByVin contributors and reviewed by ASE-certified mechanics. We are not affiliated with Chevrolet. Some links on this page are affiliate links and we may earn a commission if you purchase through them.
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