This preliminary informational (PI) bulletin provides information to dealership personnel that may be helpful when addressing underbody component corrosion with customers.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2015 Chevrolet Cruze powertrain problems
moderate 34 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $2,500 · see powertrain across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
34
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$2,500
1crash
When does it fail?
Of the 34 powertrain complaints filed for the 2015 Chevrolet Cruze, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 75,000-100,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Owners have filed 34 powertrain complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering powertrain 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 bulletin provides information on identifying Non-GM Engine Calibrations for Gasoline Engines using the Tech 2 or GDS 2.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This service bulletin provides information on the harmful effects of ethylene glycol in transmission fluid.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This informational bulletin explains Unscheduled Supplemental Services and the importance of GM Simplified Maintenance Schedules.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This service bulletin informs the technician of an alternate lift procedure that has been developed when the lift plate does not fit the top of the transmission case for 6T30, 6T35, 6T40, 6T45, and 6T50 Transmissions.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
2015 Cruze powertrain complaints center on three major problem zones: cooling, boost, and transmission.
Cooling system failures dominate these narratives. Owners report water pumps failing within months of purchase, followed by cracked radiators, leaking thermostat housings, and loss of coolant without visible external leaks. Multiple owners describe needing to refill the reservoir every two weeks or before each drive. One owner had the cooling system replaced three times with continued failure. Check engine lights and overheating warnings appear regularly, sometimes on cars with normal temperature gauge readings—suggesting sensor or system reliability issues.
Turbocharger and bypass valve problems compound the overheating complaints. Owners report rough idle, sluggish acceleration, inability to merge safely at highway speeds, and turbo failures within normal mileage. One replacement lasted one day before the same code returned. Dealers at multiple locations told owners this is "common in almost all Chevy Cruzes," yet no recall exists. One turbo failure sent debris into the catalytic converter, creating a second failure.
Transmission electrical faults present a safety hazard. Owners describe the transmission dropping in and out of gear, getting stuck in one gear with no manual override, and power door locks activating randomly during these events. One owner feared sudden downshift from highway speed causing rear-end collision. Dealerships have been unable to permanently resolve these issues despite multiple visits.
Engine sensor and control module failures require repeated repairs over multiple years. Owners cite MAF sensors, O2 sensors, spark plugs, and finally engine control modules—all replaced without fixing underlying issues. One lifetime powertrain warranty explicitly excludes electrical components, leaving owners unprotected.
Same Chevrolet Cruze powertrain reports on nearby years: 2012 · 2013 · 2014 · 2016 · 2017
Failure modes owners describe
Coolant leaks and overheating
Multiple coolant system failures including water pump failure, cracked radiators, thermostat housing leaks, and loss of coolant without visible external leaks. Owners report needing to refill coolant regularly or every two weeks in some cases. One owner reported a visible puddle under the car; another reported the car shaking from overheating even when the temperature gauge appeared normal.
When: Throughout ownership; some failures early (3 months after purchase), recurring over multiple years at various mileages
Symptoms owners cite: Smoking engine; Overheating warning on dash; Visible coolant puddles under vehicle; Car shaking while driving; A/C turns off due to high engine temperature; Loss of coolant without visible external leak; Check engine light illumination
Codes mentioned: P-codes related to diesel particulate filter (owner #6)
Repairs/costs cited: Water pump replaced multiple times; thermostat housing replaced twice; radiator replaced; coolant tubes and hoses replaced; comprehensive cooling system replacements performed three times with continued failure
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealerships acknowledged this as a common problem seen across Chevy Cruzes (owner #3 cited dealership stating 'common problem in almost all chevy cruzes'); no recall issued despite at least one prior recall for earlier model years
Turbocharger and wastegate valve failures
Turbocharger failures leading to rough idling, delayed acceleration, inability to merge safely, reduced speed capability, and engine stalling. One turbo failure caused debris to clog the catalytic converter, creating secondary failure. Turbocharger bypass valve replacements have failed immediately (replaced on 6/27/20, same code returned 6/28/20).
When: Throughout ownership; one owner at ~70,000 miles with turbo failure in October 2019; repairs attempted early in ownership with recurring issues
Symptoms owners cite: Rough idling at stop lights; Delayed acceleration or hesitation; Cannot safely merge into traffic; Engine stalling; Loud engine noises upon acceleration; Vehicle cannot pick up speed at safe rates; Check engine light; Screechy sound upon acceleration; Engine shaking and revving up and down on its own before stalling
Codes mentioned: Turbocharger malfunction diagnostic codes (unspecified)
Repairs/costs cited: Turbocharger replaced; turbocharger bypass valve replaced but recurring code next day; one owner replacing at 70,000 miles; repairs performed at Chevy dealerships
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Multiple dealerships confirmed as 'common problem' in Chevy Cruzes; one owner told at 5+ service centers the car may need a new engine; no recall issued
Engine misfire, rough idle, and combustion issues
Cars exhibit rough idle, sputtering, stuttering during acceleration, backfiring, difficulty starting in cold weather, and loss of power. Some owners report milky oil in the engine, indicating coolant contamination or head gasket issues. Multiple owners cite these symptoms persisting even after replacing various sensors and parts.
When: Recurring throughout ownership, sometimes after cold nights or during city/highway driving sessions
Symptoms owners cite: Rough idle at stop lights; Sputtering and stuttering while driving; Backfiring; Difficulty starting in cold weather; Loss of power during acceleration; Lag when taking off from stops; Vibration during driving; Milky or contaminated oil; Loud fan after shutdown; Burning smell
Codes mentioned: Check engine light (multiple history codes), Diesel particulate filter codes
Repairs/costs cited: MAF sensor replaced, O2 sensor replaced, turbo valve replaced, spark plugs replaced, battery replaced; one owner spent ~$3000 in engine repairs before reaching 100,000 miles; repairs performed at dealerships and independent mechanics
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No recalls issued; lifetime powertrain warranty does not cover electrical components
Head gasket failure
One owner reported head gasket failure at 70,000 miles; another owner at 'new' vehicle status faced head gasket failure as part of multiple repeated failures. Symptoms include loss of coolant without external leak and milky oil. These failures can lead to engine overheating and potential fire risk.
When: Early in ownership; one at 70,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Loss of coolant without visible external leak; Milky or contaminated oil; Engine overheating; A/C shuts off due to high engine temperature
Codes mentioned: Bad head gasket (identified via compression test)
Repairs/costs cited: Head gasket failure identified via compression test; one owner lists head gasket replacement as latest failure after multiple prior repairs
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No recall issued despite complaints; owner notes recalls exist for same vehicle model but not 2015 Cruze
Oil pan drain plug stripped threads
Multiple owners report oil pan drain plugs stripping threads, causing oil leaks. Problem occurs during routine oil changes and is recurring for subsequent service. One owner's plug was stripped from purchase; after dealership repair, it continued leaking until an expanded drain plug was installed.
When: From time of purchase and during routine oil change service
Symptoms owners cite: Oil leaking from drain plug area; Visible oil puddles under vehicle; Oil leak during or after oil changes
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership replaced with expanded drain plug to resolve; one shop charged for oil pan replacement; issue cited by owner as design flaw in oil pan
Transmission loss of power and shift failures
Intermittent electrical problems causing transmission to drop in and out of gear or become stuck in a single gear without limp-home mode. Vehicle revs but does not move forward or is locked to one gear with 'SHIFT DENIED' message. Power door locks operate on their own. Instrument cluster gauges drop during these events. One case involved ABS diagnostic mode triggering transmission failure.
When: Occurs after prolonged highway or city driving when components are hot; at 9,000 miles in one case
Symptoms owners cite: Loss of transmission engagement (revs then drops in and out of gear); Transmission stuck in single gear (3rd, 4th reported); Vehicle will not move forward while in drive; SHIFT DENIED message on display; Service Stabilitrak warning; Service Power Steering warning; Service Transmission warning; Power door locks operating on their own; Instrument cluster gauges dropping toward off position; No-start condition after electrical events; Vibration and hesitation while driving; Transmission requires multiple key cycles to restore function
Codes mentioned: ABS diagnostic mode (triggered transmission failure in one case)
Repairs/costs cited: Multiple dealership visits without permanent resolution; dealership stated cannot guarantee transmission will not drop into lower gear at highway speeds; one case involved ABS diagnostic mode and required master cylinder replacement but failure recurred
Unintended acceleration or hesitation during braking
Engine speed increases unexpectedly when foot is on the brake, causing the vehicle to lurch forward. Events lasting a few seconds to sustained acceleration. In one case, resulted in collision with stone wall. Dealership unable to reproduce or diagnose.
When: During low-speed maneuvers in parking lots; one incident on 11/5/15 and other incidents 7/1/15 and 8/8/15
Symptoms owners cite: Engine speed increases unexpectedly while braking; Vehicle lurches forward despite brake application; Engine rpm spikes for several seconds
Repairs/costs cited: No repairs documented; dealership found no codes or bulletins
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealership stated 'nothing they could do'; service center personnel mentioned potential product liability case to owner
PCV valve and intake manifold failures
PCV valve failure in intake manifold causing loud whistling noise, engine stalling, and cascading issues. One owner reported PCV pipe replaced along with other cooling components.
When: Various points in ownership; one stall incident occurred when pulling onto main highway after parking at store
Symptoms owners cite: Loud whistling noise from engine; Engine stalling; Multiple cascading failures after PCV failure
Repairs/costs cited: PCV valve replaced; PCV pipe replaced in one case; PCV listed in multiple repair records for cooling-related service
Front crankshaft seal failure
Front crankshaft seal failure causing loud chirping noise when engine warms up. Symptom stops temporarily if oil dipstick is pulled out. Failure causes cascading issues including stability control problems, reduced fuel mileage, and more frequent oil changes needed. Chevy aware of issue but no recall issued.
When: Throughout ownership; ongoing issue owner unable to get fixed
Symptoms owners cite: Very loud chirping noise when engine warms up; Noise stops when dipstick is pulled out; Stability control issues; Reduced fuel mileage; More frequent oil changes required; Additional engine damage from ongoing seal failure
Repairs/costs cited: No successful repairs documented; owner keeping dipstick out to prevent chirping
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Chevy aware of issue per owner research; Service Bulletin P11297B 2-2015 references issue; no recall issued
Engine control module and sensor failures
Engine control module failure with recurring diagnostic trouble codes. Multiple sensor replacements attempted over 2+ years without resolving issue. Owner has lifetime powertrain warranty that excludes electrical components.
When: Throughout 2+ years of ownership; failure occurred just before 100,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Check engine light randomly coming on and off; Multiple history codes stored; Engine control module fault code
Codes mentioned: Diesel particulate filter code (recurring)
Repairs/costs cited: Diesel particulate filter sensors replaced, multiple parts replaced over 2 years; engine control module replacement ($900+) backorder; owner advised safe to drive with check engine light on
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Lifetime powertrain warranty does not cover electrical components; dealer advised part is on backorder
Radiator cracking
Radiator develops cracks leading to rapid coolant loss and overheating. One owner's radiator cracked at approximately 70,000 miles after multiple prior cooling system repairs.
When: After previous cooling system repairs; one case at ~70,000 miles in November 2019
Symptoms owners cite: Rapid coolant dripping from underneath vehicle; Engine smoking; Overheating
Repairs/costs cited: Radiator replacement
Coolant fumes in cabin
Hazardous fumes from coolant reservoir entering the vehicle cabin through the heater system. Occurs when heater is on while parked or driving, typically after engine reaches normal operating temperature.
When: When heater is used after engine reaches normal temperature
Symptoms owners cite: Strong fumes from air vents; Unpleasant odor in cabin
Transmission roll-back on inclines
Vehicle rolls backward on inclines even with foot on brake or transmission in drive. Transmission replacement did not resolve issue. Described as serious safety concern in hilly terrain.
When: Recurring issue; transmission replacement performed early in ownership but problem continued
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle rolls backward on inclines; No forward hold on grades
Repairs/costs cited: Transmission replaced
Gasoline fumes in cabin
Vehicle releases strong gasoline fumes into cabin causing headaches and breathing difficulty during driving.
When: While driving
Symptoms owners cite: Strong gasoline odor in cabin; Headaches; Difficulty breathing
Catalytic converter failure
Catalytic converter failure secondary to turbocharger failure; turbo debris clogged converter. Also mentioned in one case as requiring replacement due to check engine codes.
When: October 2019 as secondary to turbo failure at ~70,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Check engine light
Repairs/costs cited: Catalytic converter replacement; one owner could only afford to repair converters among multiple failures found
Synthesized from 34 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 4 most recent
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.
Vehicle emits a hazardous fume from the coolant reservoir and enters the cabin when heater is used. This is usually when the heater is on parked or driving. Usually after the car has heated up to normal standard.
Purchased vehicle used 8/2017. 5/2018 car smoking and overheating while driving. Water pump replaced. Still having issues with car overheating while driving, I was replacing coolant about once a month. Twice the thermostat housing was replaced, 8/2018 and 11/2018. Car had issues again overheating while driving in 4/2019. An intercooler pipe, pvc pipe, water pipe, and water hose were replaced. My…
Car had been repaired for a cracked radiator. Diagnostic test showed that turbocharger is malfunctioning. Upon starting the vehicle there was issues with engine the engine stalling. Upon driving the acceleration of the vehicle is abnormal, loud engine noises upon acceleration and and car does not pick up speed at a fast enough rate to safely merge into traffic and navigate at a safe speed.
Had powertrain 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 powertrain problem on the 2015 Chevrolet Cruze?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 34 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $2,500 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the powertrain typically fail?
Across the 24 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most powertrain failures cluster between 30,000 and 82,100 miles, with the median around 60,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 30,000; a quarter make it past 82,100. 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 $2,500 for powertrain 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 powertrain?
No active recalls currently cover powertrain 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.