My 2017 Chevy Cruze engine failed with only 38,000 miles on it (Case [XXX]). After it happened, I read that this is a known problem (see link below). I hope that GM will consider a recall on this item in order to save others from this experience. When I contacted GM and Chevy about this in late August, I was hoping that GM would take full responsibility for what clearly appears to be a…
2017 Chevrolet Cruze engine problems
moderate 43 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $3,100 · see engine across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
43
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$3,100
2fires
When does it fail?
Of the 43 engine complaints filed for the 2017 Chevrolet Cruze, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 50,000-75,000 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 43 engine 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.
Engine accounts for 21% of all owner complaints filed against this vehicle, across 11 categories tracked.
The failure pattern owners describe
Buyer takeaway: The 2017 Chevy Cruze engine has documented issues with cracked cylinder 1 pistons (commonly striking between 50,000–75,000 miles), turbocharger failures, and unexplained stalling during auto stop—problems that cost thousands to fix and often leave owners stranded or rolling backward. Avoid this model unless you get a full pre-purchase compression test and can afford a potential $4,000–$10,500 engine replacement shortly after ownership.
The 2017 Chevy Cruze engine clusters around several distinct failure modes. Most serious is cylinder 1 piston cracking, occurring typically between 50,000 and 75,000 miles but sometimes as early as 35,000. Compression testing reveals affected cylinders dropping to 110 psi while others measure 220+ psi. Owners hear rough idle, experience misfires, and lose power; the check engine light comes on, often steady but sometimes flashing. Dealers initially misdiagnose this as fuel injector, spark plug, or sensor problems before compression testing exposes the piston damage. Full engine replacement or rebuild costs $3,877 to $10,500 and is not always covered by warranty.
Turbocharger failure is common above 80,000 miles, with loss of boost pressure causing hesitation and power loss on hills. One owner's turbo failed on California's Grapevine pass—a safety hazard—despite the replacement engine being under 50,000 miles of service.
Stalling during auto stop is widespread and intermittent, making it hard for dealers to reproduce. Vehicle cuts off when drivers release the brake after the engine auto-stops, requiring manual restart. This happens frequently enough that some owners report it across two separate 2017 Cruze purchases.
Engine control module, knock sensor, mass air flow sensor, and O2 sensor failures also appear across the complaints, often recurring even after parts replacement. One owner documented catastrophic oil loss with no consumption history and smoke under the hood; another's vehicle caught fire at 28,000 miles. Fuel economy falls 9% short of EPA estimates consistently despite proper maintenance. Many diagnostic visits yield "no codes found" or "we cannot recreate the issue," leaving owners frustrated and unrepaired.
Same Chevrolet Cruze engine reports on nearby years: 2014 · 2015 · 2016 · 2018
Failure modes owners describe
Cracked or fractured pistons in cylinder 1
Cylinder 1 piston develops cracks or fractures, causing low compression in that cylinder. Compression testing shows affected cylinder at 110 psi vs. 220+ psi in other cylinders. Diagnosis typically requires engine disassembly. Owners report this failure pattern is common among 2017 Cruze models.
When: 35,000–85,000 miles, most frequently 50,000–75,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Rough idle; Misfires on cylinder 1 (confirmed by diagnostic codes P0300, P0301 series); Loss of power and sluggish acceleration; Check engine light (steady or flashing); Service Stabilitrak light illumination; Hesitation when depressing accelerator; Engine stalling during acceleration or at stops; Vehicle unable to maintain highway speed
Codes mentioned: P0300, P0301, P1101
Repairs/costs cited: Engine replacement or full piston/cylinder rebuild. Owners cite repair costs between $3,877–$10,500. One owner reports all four pistons and seals replaced under warranty. Several dealers initially misdiagnosed as fuel injector, spark plug, or turbo issues before compression testing revealed piston damage.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: TSB 18-NA-171 issued for 2016–2017 models but no formal recall. One owner mentions GM Special Coverage Adjustment N232395330 for turbocharger issues on certain engine applications but states their model was not listed despite having the same engine. Some owners received modest cost assistance or credit toward vehicle replacement after complaints; others denied coverage because vehicle was out of warranty or no diagnostic codes remained.
Turbocharger failure and boost control issues
Turbocharger under-boost or complete failure, resulting in insufficient boost pressure. Check engine light illuminates with turbocharger-related diagnostic codes. Vehicle hesitates, loses power, and fails to maintain speed on highway.
When: 83,000–123,000 miles; one case at 60,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Hesitation and jerky acceleration; Vehicle unable to maintain cruising speed; Power loss on highway hills; Check engine light with turbo boost code; Turbocharger under boost warning message
Codes mentioned: P0299, Turbocharger under boost code
Repairs/costs cited: Turbocharger replacement required. One owner reports turbo failed on mountain pass (Grapevine, California), creating safety hazard. Owner had replacement engine under 50,000 miles of service when turbo began failing.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: GM Special Coverage Adjustment N232395330 acknowledges turbocharger issues on some engine variants but one 2017 Cruze owner was denied coverage because model was not listed despite having the same engine. No recall issued. One owner noted issue is common among 2017–2018 Cruze models (code P0299).
Engine stalling during auto stop or after coming to a stop
Vehicle randomly stalls when releasing brake pedal after auto stop feature engages, or while sitting idle at lights. Engine cuts off without warning and refuses to restart without manual intervention. Failure is intermittent and difficult for dealers to reproduce during test drives.
When: 1,000 miles through 8 years of ownership; more frequent in warmer months
Symptoms owners cite: Engine cuts off while in auto stop mode; Engine stalls at traffic lights or while idling; Vehicle will not restart after stalling without driver intervention (turning off, locking/unlocking vehicle, or placing in park and restarting); Inability to shift gears after stall; No warning lights or codes present; Vehicle rolling backward on hills after auto stop stall
Repairs/costs cited: No repair documented. Multiple dealers unable to diagnose or reproduce the issue. Owners report this exact same symptom occurred in first 2017 Cruze Hatchback (replaced under warranty by dealership) and then recurred in replacement vehicle. One owner also experienced identical issue in 2017 Traverse at same dealership.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Multiple dealership visits resulted in 'no codes found' and 'cannot recreate issue.' GM told owners no assistance possible without active fault codes. One owner filed two complaints with GM; told nothing could be done without codes because vehicle appeared to be functioning normally.
Knock sensor failure and false low-oil warnings
Knock sensor circuit malfunction or deterioration, triggering service Stabilitrak warnings and forcing vehicle into limp mode. One owner reports catastrophic oil loss with no indication of consumption, preceded by false low-oil warnings; subsequent oil service revealed no actual problem, and no consumption observed on the next 1,000 miles.
When: 80,000–87,000 miles; false low-oil warning at ~80,000 miles followed by catastrophic oil loss at same mileage
Symptoms owners cite: Service Stabilitrak warning and check engine light; Vehicle enters limp mode with speed capped at 30–35 mph; Abnormal engine rattling (knock sensor related or detonation); False low-oil warnings despite full oil level; Catastrophic oil loss with smoke visible under hood; Code P0325 (knock sensor malfunction) displayed
Codes mentioned: P0325
Repairs/costs cited: Knock sensor and knock sensor terminal replacement attempted multiple times at two different dealers with recurring failure. One customer required engine replacement after knock sensor and terminal replacement did not resolve issues; subsequent ECM replacement recommended but not performed. Oil service performed for false low-oil warning, but underlying cause of false warning and subsequent catastrophic loss not identified.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: One owner out of warranty when ECM was recommended; manufacturer refused further assistance. Warranty denied because vehicle mileage exceeded coverage limit.
Misfires from fuel injector, ignition coil, or spark plug issues
Check engine light illuminates with misfire codes. Fuel injector, spark plugs, or ignition coils are replaced but failure recurs. Owners report repeated dealer visits for the same repair with no lasting resolution. Root cause often diagnosed later as piston or cylinder damage.
When: 25,000–90,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Check engine light illumination; Engine misfire; Rough idle; Hesitation during acceleration; Service Stabilitrak light
Codes mentioned: Misfire codes (P0300, P0301, P0302, P0303, P0304)
Repairs/costs cited: Fuel injector replacement, spark plug replacement, and ignition coil replacement documented. However, several cases show recurrence within days to weeks. One owner had fuel injector replaced, then spark plugs and ignition coils replaced at independent mechanic before being told by second mechanic that piston was fractured and engine block replacement needed. Another owner had spark plugs and coil pack replaced at independent shop with no resolution, later diagnosed with cracked piston.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: One dealer visit resulted in misfire repair not covered under warranty at 40,000 miles. Repeated repairs under warranty (one case up to ~90,000 miles) with no lasting fix. No manufacturer involvement documented in most cases.
Catastrophic engine failure with fire risk
Engine experiences sudden catastrophic failure at low mileage with smoke and fire hazard. One documented case resulted in vehicle fire and total loss.
When: 20,000–28,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Smoke visible from engine compartment or rear view mirror; Engine vibration at highway speeds; Service Stabilitrak and check engine light illumination; Vehicle stalling without warning; Dashboard screen going black; Fire ignition (one case)
Repairs/costs cited: One vehicle required complete engine replacement at 20,000 miles after stalling, erratic performance, and smoke. Second vehicle at 28,000 miles caught fire and was totaled. No parts/costs specified.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer notified in both cases; one replacement engine provided at 20,000 miles. Fire department extinguished flames in second case; message left with manufacturer but no documented response. One vehicle had failure recur after engine replacement.
Excessive fuel consumption / poor fuel economy
Vehicle consumes 9% more fuel than EPA estimates consistently across all driving conditions and seasons over 22,000+ miles. Owner maintains meticulous fuel records on Fuelly.com and EPA's Fueleconomy.gov website, showing consistent shortfall. Owner has owned five prior GM vehicles that all met or exceeded EPA ratings.
When: From purchase (October 2017) through 22,250 miles tested
Symptoms owners cite: Fuel economy 9% below EPA ratings in city, highway, and combined driving; Consistent across all seasons; No indication of mechanical failure in diagnostics
Repairs/costs cited: None performed. Owner maintains top-tier gasoline, proper tire pressure (35 psi N2 cold), and uses cruise control above 25 mph. Fuel receipts available per owner; Fuelly.com record shows usage estimates.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Multiple dealer site visits and written complaints to GM Executive Customer Assistance. All diagnostics (including fuel stoichiometry testing) returned 'normal' results. Manufacturer stated 'no issue to resolve' and 'no faults found.' Refused to provide written closure despite owner request; only verbal communication via phone or email.
Engine control module (ECM) malfunction
Vehicle experiences repeated limp mode events and speed loss (down to 30–35 mph) with check engine and Stabilitrak warnings. Knock sensors, engine, and knock sensor terminal replaced without resolution. ECM identified as root cause but not replaced due to warranty expiration.
When: 62,000 miles at time of ECM recommendation
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle deceleration to 30–35 mph without driver input; Check engine and Stabilitrak lights illumination; Abnormal rattling sounds; Vehicle unable to exceed 30–35 mph speed
Repairs/costs cited: Knock sensors replaced at first dealer; failure recurred within two months. Engine replacement performed at second dealer; failure recurred again. Knock sensors and knock sensor terminal replaced at third dealer; failure recurred. ECM replacement recommended but not performed due to vehicle being out of warranty.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer notified; informed owner vehicle was out of warranty and could not assist with repair costs.
Mass air flow (MAF) sensor and oxygen sensor defects
Mass air flow sensor and O2 sensor malfunction, triggering check engine and service Stabilitrak lights. MAF sensor replacement followed by rapid failure recurrence. O2 sensor replacement repeated three times at same dealer without resolution.
When: 4,378 miles (O2 sensor); 90,761 miles (MAF sensor)
Symptoms owners cite: Check engine light illumination; Service Stabilitrak light; Engine misfire; Poor acceleration or responsiveness
Codes mentioned: P1101, O2 sensor codes
Repairs/costs cited: O2 sensor replaced three times at same dealer; failure persisted each time. MAF sensor, turbo boost sensor, and spark plugs replaced; failure recurred one week later. Second round of repairs for same issue included MAF, turbo boost, and spark plugs.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer notified of O2 sensor issue; owner given credit toward purchase of another vehicle rather than repair. No further assistance documented for MAF sensor case.
Engine relay failure (engine function relay)
Engine function relay in under-hood fuse block becomes faulty, causing vehicle to stall and refuse to crank. Owner diagnosed the issue by swapping relays and resolved it without dealer assistance.
When: 87,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle stalling and refusing to restart; Engine would not crank after stall
Codes mentioned: Knock sensor code (P0325 or similar, displayed intermittently before stall)
Repairs/costs cited: Owner manually swapped engine function relay with defrost control relay under hood; vehicle then ran without problems. No further issues after relay swap. Service included faulty knock sensor diagnosis but relay was the actual culprit.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Owner filed earlier complaint but reported hearing nothing back from manufacturer.
Auto stop feature rollback on hills
When auto stop feature engages on an incline, vehicle rolls backward after driver releases brake pedal.
When: Not specified
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle rolling backward on hills after auto stop activation
Repairs/costs cited: No repair documented.
Synthesized from 43 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 8 most recent
Tl* the contact owns a 2017 Chevrolet cruze. While the contact's spouse was driving approximately 55 MPH, the vehicle stalled without warning. The contact was able to restart the vehicle; however, it performed erratically. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who stated that the pistons were burnt and referred the contact to malloy Chevrolet. The vehicle was taken to malloy Chevrolet…
I was driving check engine light came on. I immediately drove car home. Got tental. Called my warranty company had car towed to garage. Haragevis mot qualified to replace turbo engine. Waiting til morning to fix.
I have a 2017 Chevy cruze, with 38,000 miles. My piston cylinder is broken. I had bought it off a dealership with 24000 miles on it4 years ago. At 38000 miles with only putting very little mileage on it, I have to have the engine replaced which is a very expensive fix. I should not have to have to have my whole engine replaced at 38,000 miles. I have done my research and this is a common problem…
When it’s cold outside the air induction signal comes on and comes off. This is the second time I had this service within a year. Mechanics advised me that there is nothing wrong with my vehicle and drives smooth that the code P1101 maybe a recall because they have been seeing it much frequent on Chevy Cruze 2017,2018
Tl* the contact owns a 2017 Chevrolet cruze. The contact stated that while driving at 30 MPH, the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle was towed to dealer (bryner Chevrolet 1750 the fairway, jenkintown, pa 19046) for repairs but the failure was not able to be determined. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 200.
At around 57,000 miles service stabilitrack message displayed on dashboard. Next day CEL came on. Rough idling. Took it to closest Chevy dealer told it was a misfire in cylinder 1. New spark plugs and coil pack. Didn't fix. Ran compression test and low compression on that cylinder (110 vs 220 in other 3 cylinders). Took it to the dealership we purchased it from and for sure it's a piston.…
1st cylinder misfire with only 60,000 miles on it. Research shows this is an issue yet GM Chevy has not recalled it. Not a simple fix it requires new engine
Had engine trouble with your 2017 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 engine problem on the 2017 Chevrolet Cruze?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 43 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $3,100 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the engine typically fail?
Across the 22 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most engine failures cluster between 20,000 and 65,000 miles, with the median around 53,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 20,000; a quarter make it past 65,000. 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 $3,100 for engine 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 engine?
No active recalls currently cover engine 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/2017/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.