Problems › Chevrolet › 2019 Cruze
2019 Chevrolet Cruze Problems & Owner Complaints
Age-normalised, this year draws ~2.5 complaints per year on the road — ranking 7 of 7 Chevrolet Cruze years we track (1 = most complaints per year).
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What owners report
Power Train is the most-reported problem area on the 2019 Chevrolet Cruze, cited in 6 of 20 filed complaints (30%).
Engine is next (5 complaints, 25%), followed by Electrical System (3), Service Brakes (3), Air Bags (2).
Across all complaints, 4 report a crash, 1 report a fire, 3 report injuries.
The most safety-critical cluster is Vehicle Speed Control: 1 crash, 2 injury report(s).
Complaints by vehicle system
Owner complaints filed with the U.S. NHTSA for the 2019 Chevrolet Cruze, grouped by the vehicle system each cites. A single complaint can name more than one system, so the group totals can add up to more than 20.
Power Train 6
“For a year I have had my car to the shop multiple times due to a musty smell inside my car. I have never been able to find any fluids or moisture inside the car, however, the inside of my windshield tends to get a weird film on it, I am constantly cleaning to keep visibility especially at night. None of the mechanics that I have taken it to were able to figure it out, and most of them could not smell The musky smell that I smelled. The car had approximately 40,000 mi on it when this started about a year ago, Maybe 8 months. Recently I have noticed that the coolant in my car is disappearing, I…”
NHTSA complaint #11730583, 2025
“The vehicle needs the transmission bolts replaced has a recall need repaired as as possible. The automatic transmission jerk”
NHTSA complaint #11592522, 2024
“The bolts on the transmission accumulator needs to be replaced I see an unrepaired recall”
NHTSA complaint #11573766, 2024
Engine 5
“For a year I have had my car to the shop multiple times due to a musty smell inside my car. I have never been able to find any fluids or moisture inside the car, however, the inside of my windshield tends to get a weird film on it, I am constantly cleaning to keep visibility especially at night. None of the mechanics that I have taken it to were able to figure it out, and most of them could not smell The musky smell that I smelled. The car had approximately 40,000 mi on it when this started about a year ago, Maybe 8 months. Recently I have noticed that the coolant in my car is disappearing, I…”
NHTSA complaint #11730583, 2025
“Timing chain rattles, due the the chain tensioner not having motor oil at early morning start-up. This causes the chain to be loose and eventually engine damage. Europe already issued recalls to this issue. They solved this issue by installing a seal, TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER FOR CHEVROLET GMC OPEL FEBI BILSTEIN 181945.”
NHTSA complaint #11641590, 2025
“I am leasing this vehicle and it continues to have warning light on staring the vehicle engine power reduced as I'm driving and holds back vehicle and also airbag restraining system light continues also to be on. This is not normal wear and tear and I read previous years had this issue as well. This is still an issue concerning of my safety. Paying for inconvenience”
NHTSA complaint #11657080, 2024
Electrical System 3
“I am leasing this vehicle and it continues to have warning light on staring the vehicle engine power reduced as I'm driving and holds back vehicle and also airbag restraining system light continues also to be on. This is not normal wear and tear and I read previous years had this issue as well. This is still an issue concerning of my safety. Paying for inconvenience”
NHTSA complaint #11657080, 2024
“The vehicle needs the transmission bolts replaced has a recall need repaired as as possible. The automatic transmission jerk”
NHTSA complaint #11592522, 2024
“Front window defrost loses function/power, where the front window fogs up and can't see road ahead. Vehicle must be fully restarted to re-engage the defrost function. Radio also has the same issue.”
NHTSA complaint #11428067, 2021
Service Brakes 3 1 crash
“The brakes system didnt seem to be stopping properly almost as if i had to push really hard on the brakes to get the car to stop. Finally today, I was 1.6 car lengths behind another vehicle whom slammed their brakes on for no reason and I had to do so as well. My car would not stop, the brakes would not work causing a major accident.”
NHTSA complaint #11747783, 2026 · crash
“Brakes on vehicle failed while driving down the freeway, when I needed to slow down to take my exit. Brakes were hard, and would not stop the vehicle. I shifted into neutral, and used the ramp to stop the vehicle. Car is currently at the Wilsonville Chevrolet for repairs. When I spoke with the Shop lead, he is aware of the problem, but stated my vehicle is not included in the recall for the same problem as other vehicles of the same make and model.”
NHTSA complaint #11451834, 2022
“MY CAR IS BRAND NEW BROUGHT IT AT 9MILES ON DASH. EXACTLY 2 MONTHS LATER OUTTA NOWHERE THERE WAS THIS GRINDING SOUND WHEN I WOULD BRAKE LIKE THE SOUND OF ROOTERS GRINDING AS IF BRAKES WHERE BAD ,,4 OTHER PEOPLE HEARD AND WITNESSED IT,, I PUMPED BRAKE IT FELT LIKE AND SOUND LIKE ONLY AIR BUT LOUD AIR AND GRINDING, TOOK IT BACK TO DEALER NEXT DAY ,,AND THEY DID NOTHING (MARLOW HEIGHTS) HE TOLD ME TO COME BACK MONDAY CAUSE IT FOUND LIKE FAULTY BRAKE ISSUE,, I LOOKED IT UP AND SOME MODELS WHERE RECALLED FOR SAME THING.ASSOCIATE TOLD ME THEY DO SERVICE ON RECALLS MON-FRI,(WHICH I THOUGHT WAS STRAN…”
NHTSA complaint #11205754, 2019
Air Bags 2 1 crash 1 injury
“The airbags did not deploy, and the driver hit the windshield.”
NHTSA complaint #11454888, 2022 · crash · 1 injury(ies)
“The contact owns a 2019 Chevrolet Cruze. The contact stated that after starting the vehicle and shifting into drive(D), the SRS warning light illuminated on the instrument panel. The contact stated that the air bag warning light had been illuminated for months prior to experiencing the new failure. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who failed to determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 91,000.”
NHTSA complaint #11527009, 2023
Forward Collision Avoidance 2 1 crash
“The brakes system didnt seem to be stopping properly almost as if i had to push really hard on the brakes to get the car to stop. Finally today, I was 1.6 car lengths behind another vehicle whom slammed their brakes on for no reason and I had to do so as well. My car would not stop, the brakes would not work causing a major accident.”
NHTSA complaint #11747783, 2026 · crash
“The vehicle needs the transmission bolts replaced has a recall need repaired as as possible. The automatic transmission jerk”
NHTSA complaint #11592522, 2024
Vehicle Speed Control 2 1 crash 2 injury
“I WAS STOPPED IN THE LEFT TURNING LANE ATTEMPTING TO CROSS A HIGHWAY. WHEN I TURNED LEFT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. I PRESSED THE PEDAL ALL THE WAY DOWN BUT THE CAR WAS CREEPING. I COULD NOT CROSS THE HIGHWAY AND WAS STRUCK IN ONCOMING TRAFFIC. I WAS GIVEN A TICKET FOR FAILURE TO YIELD. I HIT A VEHICLE AND WAS CHARGED AT FAULT IN THE ACCIDENT. THE VEHICLE IS A RENTAL CAR.”
NHTSA complaint #11176137, 2019 · crash · 2 injury(ies)
“Unknown I purchased this vehicle in 2019 About 2 and half years now. This car engine is malfunctioning. When i am driving uphill the speed is not transitioning and it had caused other vehicles behind me to slow down. Second major problem is during the summer season the speed does not adjust easily . I would have to press on the gas so hardly to be able to proceed. The worst of all is when am at a traffic light and it turns green that I must proceed the car will not move. I get stuck for a short period and then i would pressed on the gas and all of a sudden you will hear a heavy noise. I drive…”
NHTSA complaint #11470576, 2022
Back Over Prevention 1 1 crash 1 fire
Fuel/Propulsion System 1 1 crash 1 fire
Seat Belts 1
“I am leasing this vehicle and it continues to have warning light on staring the vehicle engine power reduced as I'm driving and holds back vehicle and also airbag restraining system light continues also to be on. This is not normal wear and tear and I read previous years had this issue as well. This is still an issue concerning of my safety. Paying for inconvenience”
NHTSA complaint #11657080, 2024
Tires 1
“When going in to get new tires, I was infomred the Primwall 205/55R16 I had had put on the car less than 2 years ago are now seperating. So far, the company is unwilling to replace them.”
NHTSA complaint #11588491, 2024
Unknown Or Other 1 1 crash 2 injury
“I WAS STOPPED IN THE LEFT TURNING LANE ATTEMPTING TO CROSS A HIGHWAY. WHEN I TURNED LEFT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. I PRESSED THE PEDAL ALL THE WAY DOWN BUT THE CAR WAS CREEPING. I COULD NOT CROSS THE HIGHWAY AND WAS STRUCK IN ONCOMING TRAFFIC. I WAS GIVEN A TICKET FOR FAILURE TO YIELD. I HIT A VEHICLE AND WAS CHARGED AT FAULT IN THE ACCIDENT. THE VEHICLE IS A RENTAL CAR.”
NHTSA complaint #11176137, 2019 · crash · 2 injury(ies)
Visibility 1
“The contact owns a 2019 Chevrolet Cruze. The contact stated that the front windshield defroster failed to operate properly causing the windshield to remain foggy. The failure caused a visibility hazard for the driver. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local dealer and manufacturer were notified of the failure however, no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 1,500.”
NHTSA complaint #11420973, 2019
Visibility/Wiper 1
“THE WINDSHIELD THAT CHEVROLET PUTS IN THESE CARS IS NOT VERY CLEAR, I WORK IN THE GLASS INDUSTRY AND I NOTICE IT EVERY TIME I DRIVE IT. YOU CAN SEE DISTORTION IN THE FILM OF THE LAMINATED GLASS. THEY REPLACED THE WINDSHIELD ONCE, AND I STILL SEE THE DISTORTION.”
NHTSA complaint #11206567, 2019
How we read this (methodology)
How to read this: raw complaint totals are not a clean reliability score — a model year with more cars sold, or simply more years on the road, accumulates more complaints regardless of how good it is. So this page leans on two signals that are not distorted by sales volume: the share of complaints falling on each vehicle system (the breakdown above) and NHTSA's own crash / fire / injury / death flags. When we compare model years of the same model, we normalise by years on the road (complaints ÷ vehicle age) rather than comparing raw totals. Age-normalised, the 2019 Chevrolet Cruze draws about 2.5 complaints per year on the road, ranking 7 of 7 among the Chevrolet Cruze model years we have ingested (1 = most complaints per year on road).
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Related
Data source: U.S. NHTSA (nhtsa.gov). SaveVIN surfaces public recall data and is not affiliated with or endorsed by NHTSA.