Short answer
Among Chevrolet Cruze model years through 2024, 2017 and 2019 have the fewest NHTSA recall campaigns on record (2) and 2014 has the most (10). Recall counts are not a reliability score; they show how often a safety defect had to be corrected.
Quick read
Chevrolet Cruze: Key Facts
- Model years with data
- 9 (2011–2019)
- Distinct recall campaigns
- 26
- Fewest recalls
- 2017 and 2019 (2)
- Most recalls
- 2014 (10)
- Most recalled system
- Air bags (8)
- 5-star overall rating
- 2011, 2012, 2013 and 4 more years
Chevrolet Cruze Recalls and Ratings by Model Year
| Model year | Recall campaigns | Overall crash rating | Most recalled systems |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 2 | 5 stars | Power train, Service brakes, hydraulic |
| 2018 | 3 | 5 stars | Fuel system, gasoline, Power train, Service brakes, hydraulic |
| 2017 | 2 | 4–5 stars | Fuel system, gasoline, Seats |
| 2016 | 4 | 4–5 stars | Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Fuel system, gasoline |
| 2015 | 4 | 5 stars | Electrical system, Parking brake, Seat belts |
| 2014 | 10 | 5 stars | Air bags, Power train, Electrical system |
| 2013 | 5 | 5 stars | Power train, Air bags, Electrical system |
| 2012 | 7 | 5 stars | Air bags, Electrical system, Engine and engine cooling |
| 2011 | 7 | 5 stars | Steering, Electrical system, Engine and engine cooling |
No model years match your search.
The scale of the difference
Recall Campaigns by Model Year
Distinct NHTSA recall campaigns per model year. Years after 2024 are recent and still collecting recalls.
- 20192 recalls
- 20183 recalls
- 20172 recalls
- 20164 recalls
- 20154 recalls
- 201410 recalls
- 20135 recalls
- 20127 recalls
- 20117 recalls
Chevrolet Cruze: Analysis
How to read recall counts
A recall campaign is a safety defect that the manufacturer or NHTSA required to be fixed. Counts depend on how long a model year has been on the road, so recent years look better than they will in time; this page therefore ranks only model years through 2024. A high count can also mean a manufacturer reacts quickly to small defects, so it says little about breakdowns or running costs.
What the recalls were about
Across all model years, the systems named most often in Chevrolet Cruze recalls are air bags (8), power train (8), electrical system (6), fuel system, gasoline (5) and service brakes, hydraulic (4). The number in brackets counts model-year entries, so one campaign that covers several years is counted in each.
Crash-test ratings
NHTSA has an overall star rating for 9 of these 9 model years, and 2011, 2012, 2013 and 4 more years earned 5 stars. Ratings before 2011 come from an earlier version of the program and are not directly comparable with later years. A range such as 4–5 means versions of the same model year were rated differently.
FAQ: Chevrolet Cruze Best and Worst Years
What are the best years for the Chevrolet Cruze?
By NHTSA recall campaigns, 2017 and 2019 are the cleanest model years through 2024, with 2 each.
Which Chevrolet Cruze model years have the most recalls?
2014 has the most, with 10 recall campaigns each.
Does a recall mean the car is unreliable?
No. A recall is a safety correction filed with NHTSA, usually repaired free of charge. It does not measure breakdowns or running costs, so use these counts together with a vehicle history report and an inspection.
Sources & methodology
Recalls and crash ratings come from the NHTSA datasets and APIs, retrieved on 2026-10-03. A record counts for this model when its make matches and its model name starts with the same words as "Cruze", so variants such as body styles are included. Only model years from 2000 are used, and each recall campaign is counted once per model year. The data does not say whether an individual car was repaired, so check a specific car by VIN.
NHTSA, US Department of Transportation; this page is not endorsed by NHTSA. Maintained by Artsiom Dusau. Editorial policy