This Preliminary information communication provides information to the technician with diagnostic tips for diagnosing reduced or low engine power with no Driver Information Center messages, that may be caused by an inaccurate brake pedal position sensor.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2015 Chevrolet Cruze airbags problems
severe Owners of the 2015 Chevrolet Cruze have filed 20 NHTSA complaints about the airbags, typically surfacing around 55,774 miles at roughly $1,100 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See airbags across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
20
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$1,100
| Model year | airbags complaints |
|---|---|
| 2011 Cruze | 33 |
| 2012 Cruze | 28 |
| 2013 Cruze | 39 |
| 2014 Cruze | 60 |
| 2015 Cruze (this page) | 20 |
| 2016 Cruze | 19 |
| 2017 Cruze | 7 |
| 2018 Cruze | 5 |
15crashes
8injuries
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering airbags on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have an intermittent no crank, no start, or start stall concern with the security light coming on. Technician may find Diagnostic Trouble Codes B3055, B3060, and/or B3935. Technician should not replace any parts for this concern. If unable to duplicate the concern ask if the customer uses any Radio Frequency Identification Devices when the concern is present. Dealer should also direct their customers to the appropriate section in the Owner manuals that references that the device complies.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This informational bulletin provides information on Passenger Presence System (PPS) May Command Seat Belt Reminder Chime and Passenger Airbag Indicator On or Set DTC B101D When Electronic Devices or Conductive Objects are Placed on Front Passenger Seat
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This informational bulletin provides Information on Passenger Presence Sensing System (PPS or PSS) Concerns with Custom Upholstery, Accessory Seat Heaters or Other Comfort Enhancing Devices
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗The informational bulletin explains how items on the passenger seat may cause the PPS to chime or the passenger airbag light turns on if electronic devices or conductive objects are placed on the seat.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The 2015 Cruze airbag system shows contradictory failures. Several owners report all airbags or side airbags deploying with minimal provocation—from a tire blowout at 10 mph with no impact, from driving over a bump, from striking a small animal and debris, or from curbing a rim. In one case, deployment force was so violent it broke the driver's glasses, cell phone, and steering column, leaving a grapefruit-sized bruise on the driver's leg, while the passenger-side bags deployed with virtually no force.
Conversely, airbags failed to deploy in significant crashes: a double-impact guardrail collision, a 50 mph rear-end that totaled the vehicle, a 45 mph rear-end into stopped traffic, an intersection crash where the passenger hit their head hard enough to crack the window and sustain a concussion, and rear-ends at 45+ mph. In some of these no-deployment cases, the dashboard incorrectly signaled deployment was occurring, complete with powder smell, creating a dangerous false impression of protection. The asymmetry—driver-side bags deploying hard enough to injure while passenger-side bags don't deploy—and the mismatch between electronic indicators and mechanical reality point to systematic sensor or deployment logic failures in this generation.
Same Chevrolet Cruze airbags reports on nearby years: 2012 · 2013 · 2014 · 2016
Failure modes owners describe
Airbags deploy without significant impact
Airbags deploying in response to minor collisions, curb strikes, bumps, or other non-crash events. Narrative #1 reports all 6 airbags deploying at 10-15 mph after only a tire blow with no actual collision. Narrative #5 reports side airbags deploying from driving over a bump. Narrative #13 reports all front and side airbags deploying from hitting a small animal and debris. Narrative #15 reports airbag deployment from hitting a curb that cracked only a rim.
When: #1: 10-15 mph, no impact; #5: over a bump; #13: small animal/rock/dirt impact; #15: curb strike
Symptoms owners cite: Airbags deploying at speeds too low for normal deployment thresholds; Deployment from minor obstacles (bumps, animals, curbs, debris); Interior damage from unexpected high-force deployment (broken glasses, cell phone, steering column); Smoke/powder filling cabin from deploying airbags; Roof covering ripped off (narrative #5)
Repairs/costs cited: #1: Driver-side airbags caused injury (grapefruit-sized bruise on leg) and broke driver glasses and cell phone; passenger-side airbags had no force. #5: Dealer refusing to cover interior repair after deployment. #15: Passenger seat belt stuck due to airbag deployment.
Airbags do not deploy in significant crashes
Multiple reports of airbags failing to deploy in moderate-to-severe crashes where deployment should be expected. Narrative #2 reports no airbag or seatbelt deployment in a double-impact crash where the vehicle hydroplaned, hit guardrail twice, and became disabled. Narrative #3 reports no deployment in a significant 50 mph rear-end collision into a stopped SUV that totaled the vehicle. Narrative #4 reports no deployment in a 45 mph rear-end collision. Narrative #6 reports no deployment in a major intersection crash with damage to windshield, right rear wheel, and passenger head injury. Narrative #7 reports no visible deployment in a 85-90 mph rear-end while traveling 65-70 mph, though smoke and dash indicator suggested possible attempt. Narrative #8 reports no deployment in rear-end at 45+ mph while stopped, creating two-impact scenario. Narrative #11 reports no deployment in collision hard enough to total the vehicle.
When: #2: hydroplaning accident; #3: 50 mph rear-end; #4: 45 mph rear-end; #6: intersection impact; #7: 85-90 mph rear-end; #8: 45+ mph rear-end; #11: collision hard enough to total vehicle
Symptoms owners cite: No airbag deployment in moderate-to-severe crashes; Dashboard warning lights or indicators showing deployment when bags did not actually deploy; Smoke or powder smell present without physical airbag deployment (narratives #7, #8, #12); Passenger injuries (head hitting window, concussion) that airbags should have prevented; Multiple impacts (front-then-rear or two guardrail hits) with no deployment
Repairs/costs cited: #2: Vehicle dead in roadway; steering wheel could not be turned by tow truck. #3: Vehicle totaled. #6: Right rear passenger suffered mild concussion. #7: False deployment indicator. #8: False deployment indicator with powder/odor. #11: Vehicle totaled.
Dashboard airbag indicators misrepresent actual deployment status
Vehicles showing airbag deployment warnings or indicators on dash that do not match actual physical deployment of bags. Narrative #7 reports dash indicators showing deployment had occurred while no bags actually inflated. Narrative #8 reports dashboard alerting of deployment with powder smell but no physical deployment. Narrative #12 reports dashboard registered airbags deployed with powder smell but no actual release of bags.
When: #7: high-speed rear-end; #8: rear-end at 45+ mph; #12: rear-end at red light
Symptoms owners cite: Dashboard warning or indicator showing airbag deployment; Smoke or powder smell from airbag system; No physical airbag inflation or cushioning observed; Mismatch between electronic indication and mechanical reality
Repairs/costs cited: #12: Passenger seat belt affected by false airbag indication.
Asymmetric airbag performance (one side functional, other not)
Driver-side and passenger-side airbags performing differently in the same deployment event. Narrative #1 reports driver-side airbags deploying with high force (breaking glasses, cell phone, breaking off ignition key, causing grapefruit-sized bruise) while passenger-side airbags deployed with no force and did not contact the passenger.
When: #1: at low-speed tire blow/near-stationary impact
Symptoms owners cite: Driver-side airbag deployment with severe force and injury potential; Passenger-side airbag deployment with minimal or no force; Unequal protection between sides of vehicle; Driver sustaining injury (bruise) from airbag deployment itself
Repairs/costs cited: #1: Driver suffered grapefruit-sized bruise on leg from knee airbag; glasses and cell phone broken by driver-side airbag force.
Synthesized from 20 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 0 most recent
Had airbags trouble with your 2015 Chevrolet Cruze?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the airbags problem on the 2015 Chevrolet Cruze?
It's a meaningful issue. 20 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $1,100.
At what mileage does the airbags typically fail?
Across the 13 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most airbags failures cluster between 34,000 and 73,000 miles, with the median around 55,774. A quarter of owners report trouble before 34,000; a quarter make it past 73,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $1,100 for airbags repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to airbags?
No active recalls currently cover airbags issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2015/Chevrolet/Cruze.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.