Top 5 Problems With The Chevy Cruze (1st Generation 2008-2016)
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- čas přidán 26. 10. 2023
- Hey Good People,
Here's another video for my Top 5 Problems series. I have a 2014 Chevrolet Cruze. These are popular economy cars and I think they get a bad reputation because owners don't know how to maintain them. In this video I list the top 5 problems I see in my shop.
I hope this video assists you in your buying process if you're thinking about buying one or already own one.
Do you have experience with this vehicle? Leave your comments below. I love hearing from you guys.
Your favorite mechanic,
Alex - Zábava
My 2014 Cruze with 120,000 miles has had a new water pump, new purge valve, 2 batteries, 4 tires and free oil changes every 5,000 miles.
I love it.
My cruze has 228k on it and just now the waste gate is going bad. So im getting a new turbo also my ac don't work ill be getting that fixed also. But I love driving this little 6 speed manual turbo it's a fun work car.
This man knows what he is talking about. Several of these things happened to my car. Even the wife was right they didn’t torch mine I had to do that valve cover twice. This was years ago but. I’m only going back to my Cruze which I hadn’t driven in 4 years, because I totaled my beautiful brand new Honda. I cranked my Cruze up after almost 4 years and it drove just like it did the day I parked it. It’s not a bad car just take care of it!
I call bs, how can a battery or starter not die after 4 years of sitting?
@@pricetagcitrus You do realize you can disconnect the battery right?
@@pricetagcitrus Trickle charger? It's what I use on stored cars and motorcycles
I also had to do my valve cover twice
Mine 2014 Cruze almost hit 120,000 miles and running still great with no problem issues so far. Most often oil change every 3,000 miles very good care with myself.
5000 mile oil changes are typically recommended for turbo charged engines so you're going an extra mile. Good job
Most people say I have no problems. Have a ton of problem there not aware of. I hear it all the time. Then when I tell them they tell me I'm wrong. Untell I do show and tell. Then I get. I didn't know it was that bad. It drive good to me. Then my tech tells the it doesn't drive good. It's all over the place.
@@6jdhdprobably just the typical mechanic scam to get u to buy shit u dont need.
I could be wrong but usually I’m pretty good at this and you sir sound like a decent respectable and honest mechanic and my god we need them especially where I’m from.
I worked for GM for a long time, all these issues you talked about, yup, I saw a bunch of those. Great video
I have a 2014 and a 2015 Chevy Sonic 1.4l LTZ Turbo and love them, I do my own oil changes and other small things at home. I use the 2014 for doing door dash and that only has 38,600 miles on it purchased it with 13,500 both cars have been great. There is one thing you didn’t mention in this video and that is the expansion tank they crack at the bottom and I have had to do them on both cars thank you Alex for sharing this. I also would like to see more on the Sonic 1.4l turbo.
My wife and I, we own 4 and she just went to buy our 5th Cruze. These cars are great the issues I’ve seen with these cars all come down to one thing and one thing only, the owner. PM maintenance or the lack of, is what causes all the issues. If you replace parts before they break, these cars will last a long time. The one thing you can’t prevent is the turbo. They crack and there’s nothing you can do to avoid it. Out of the 2 engines I think the 1.8L is the better of the two. Horsepower is almost identical, plus no turbo issues. 1.4 also has oil leak issues unlike the 1.8. All in all these are good cars. Just replace parts when they’re suppose to, don’t wait till it breaks.
EXACTLY!!!!!! I have taken regular care of mine and it's been amazing to me for 12 years!
2014 Cruze LT owner, this video is super accurate. My valve cover gasket is leaking into 1 and 4, I just replaced the water pump today, and I replaced the plastic water inlet by the turbo a few months ago. There is oil in my throttlebody too so I suspect turbo problems also.
The Cruze drives great but has so many issues. Love your videos Alex, I have learned a ton from them. Thank you!
I had a 2018 Buick encore (same engine) which i sold at 122k. Blew a water pump but caught it immediately so no overheating occurred then the plastic cooling parts cracked small leak at 100k miles fixed it and evap canister threw a CEL at 50k miles. You exactly correct on common issues. Again if you maintain engine and avoid any overheating and 5k intervals synthetic oil this can be a decent car. But someone the continues to drive with leaking coolant will blow the turbo and head gasket again avoidable with proper maintenance.
2015 Cruze LT here, bought it used and I swear it could have been my car behind him when he was talking about the coolant lines and the turbo cracking. Just replace both, 129,000 kms. It's honestly a great car, especially for commuting, just need to take care of it.
How do you not take care of it? Why is anyone not giving a specific? Like are people building it to where they fuck it up trying to have fun? Are they doing dumb shit with it like teens? Or just excessively speeding and driving stupid? Don’t want to sound like an ahole, I’m looking for a car I have a budget but I want to spend less until I build up my credit another year so I can get the car I really want, but a Chevy Cruze 2012 is the option I’m looking to go for as he is giving me a deal on it.
@@adrian111-hey I’m in your position just bought a 2013 Chevy Cruz LT it is a good running car but he’s correct, I had issues he mentioned besides the other major stuff . I recently just had my idling problem fixed is because my turbo had to be replaced and I needed a new cooling system you have to let your car sit a few minutes before pulling off that’s with any car really you don’t wanna just drive it through the ground but unfortunately there’s a lot of people that don’t take care of their car .
Checking the list....yeah you covered it all 👍
Constant cooling issues, turbo tore itself apart, but the airbag worked just fine so all is good now 😂
My stepdaughter has a 2011 Malibu with the 1.8 and I've gotta replace the thermostat and housing. Didn't think about looking for other plastic components in the cooling system. Glad I watched this video. Gotta follow the doctor's orders. Thanks Doc!
People don't want to pay for towing ,and then find out it cost not to tow,but repair engine 😂
owner 2012 Cruze YOU ARE THE MAN! KUDOS
Spot on assessment! Lots of these on used car lots now
I would go get another Cruze right now, no hesitation
Great video guys. I learned something about these cars!
I have a 2016 cruze and literally everything you mentioned in the video has already failed in my car. But hey, its paid off. Turbo charger failed twice already, due to oil buildup.
Another plus, I drive me 15’ Cruze 40-50 minutes to work and 40-50 minutes back; 5 days a week and as of today feb 2024 it only takes $65 gas (including local minor outside of work trips) for an entire week
I’m on a budget rn but I want to spend less then my budget on a down payment so I can build my credit a bit more to get the car I really want. This car is in the option. Do you think it’s a bad car problem wise? Not too worried about how much I’m going to spend on gas.
@@adrian111- the 2015 is the best year of the 1st generation cruze models and just one of their best year models in general.
A lot of the Chevy Cruze has had a diagnosis of a head gasket gone when in fact the head gasket is not gone it is the oil cooler nine times out of 10 leaking oil into the radiator fluid not the head gasket
Great video Alex
Thank you for presenting these common problems which are totally true.😊
Alex thank you for the awesome, informative video, 👏 really did learn a few things . As always keep up the excellent work/videos. GOD BLESS .
I had all the problems you mentioned with my Chevy Cruze except for the last one
You will have it soon haha.
Upgraded to a 2021 Corolla so nope lol
i found a 200km 2009 chevy cruze, can it be good?
@@enricoianniello5611 go for it. If it sounds good take for a ride and check the oil. I check the oil on any car I buy. 😊
@@enricoianniello5611stay away from these things
Alex wanted you to know Summit racing now has the the complete line of Walbro fuel pumps, they have tank units for gm cars and trucks they will last forever, I had something to do with that over 600 part numbers, I do not know how far that new retail store just south of Atlanta is from you, but I would highly recommend them over the parts store pumps
Yeah he is definitely not wrong about the turbo issue I'm on my third turbo in The last 5 years in my 2011 1.4 l Chevy Cruze. I also had my water pump replace two days after I bought it. And I've had many water hoses replaced as well this is a very informative video.
Is that the only issues you had with it, no transmission issues or jerking problems
Very informative and honest you don't see that all the time 👍👍👍👍
I have had my car for years and I have replaced all these with OEM parts and it’s still running strong.
Buick encore has this same engine.. cheap plastic parts do break. Check your coolant regularly for leaks and make sure you change the oil full synthetic 5k intervals. The water pump and evap are common issues. If you maintain the car it can be a decent little car.
My Cruze has over 180k miles and still going strong. The easiest thing you can do for your car is change the oil.
I agree ours has over 160,000 miles I've dealt with all the leaks fixed most myself but still runs good.
You got 1.4? Should I do the PCV fix kit ?
He me mentioned synthetic. Any particular?
What synthetic oil do you recommend?
fully synthetic oil, doesn't really matter what brand tbh
Thanks for sharing your expertise, Alex! A big help ... I've got a 2012 1.8L with 120K miles that needs some maintenance work.
Glad to help
I have a Chevy Cruz 2014 1.4 . It’s giving me some little issues now . I replaced the coolant reservoir it was leaking then replaced the starter .
Geez American car. Thank you for sharing
Do you think it is worth it to get it?
its exactly that, my cruze I had to change the water outlet housing and the valve cover gasket along with the coolant reservoir. all were reasonable cheap to fix so not terrible.
Thank you for sharing your knowledge , much respect my brother ... I appreciate you.... Wish you the best always....
I appreciate that. Thanks so much.
Underrated channel by far
Thanks man 🙏🏽 I’m just patiently waiting for the algorithm to pick me 🙋🏽♂️😩
I got the 1.4 turbo for commuting and its cool. I do my own oil changes with quality synthetic. In hot summer days i will put midgrade fuel in it. Seems to like that batter than regular in the summer heat. I get 40mpg on the highway driving the speed limit. Decent little car.
Just discovered your channel love it..keep up the good work !!
Be sure to use the right oil cartridge when you change your oil 2013-2016. Read TSB 17-NA-184 and know what kind of oil cartridge cap you have. Hengst vs. UFI.
I have a 2014 cruze 1.4, no problems with the turbo yet, but all the other problems talked about yes, these problems are inexpensive fixes, it was my Daughter's car for 8 years, I still like the car, over 30 mpg, runs like new, nice video!!
I love mine. People have stopped me to ask what kind of Chevrolet it is and such a pretty car.
Im going to be replacing my turbo soon but at idle my turbo tings i was told its the wastegate. It dont effect the performance at all just an annoying sound it may give a little less boost but it still drives fine. Im glad i seen this video because when i have the turbo replaced im changing all plastic pieces under the hood.
Bought mine new. Turbo went out at 180k and head gasket blew at 207k. Had some other minor issues along the way but overall i condsider mine to be reasonable for reliability.
Chevrolet Cruze 2015 1.4 owner here and I once got changed overflow hose for water, water pump, valve cover gasket Rear break pad holders Crankshaft oil seal, and I almost got robbed for that but thankfully I ordered all the parts online but still the labor was expensive
Did it stop your leaking
@@SusieBell-hk2up hope so
Sounds like he put $ into it
My wife has 2012 LT with 178K, I did some work on it sometime back that it improved the power. It feels great driving it but boy it has too many leaking issues. I have replaced most of the parts mentioned in this video. Now got to replace the gasket on the oil filter house for the second time in a year. Very annoying but I still enjoy driving the car when it has no issues
Thanks for sharing! They are decent cars. I see them with over 200,000 often. Maintenance is key!
I had 2014 Chevy Cruze LT turbo. Just traded in with 176k miles. Great mileage and small engine oil leak towards the end
So my partner has one of these and so far the list as followed.
1. 3 coolant res bottles cracked.
2. 4. Water pumps.
3. 1 valve cover.
4. 1 turbo which I am currently changing
I'm having the same problems with my 2014 Chevy Cruze one problem after the other. And I keep up with my maintenance.
As a Cruze 1.4 owner zzperformance has a lot of part for the Cruze and sonic 1.4 including the water outlet in aluminum
Changed the coolant outlet on my 2013 Sonic THREE times between 50k and 85k miles. Now at 92k miles. Just replaced the camshaft cover and installed a PCV fix kit. Pretty sure my head gasket is blown now and I've never run it hot.
I'm buying a 2013 1.8l tomorrow and you just helped me by knowing what to look for. Greatly appreciated.
People won't stop driving when you are leaking and don't fix them is stupid 😂
Thank you
Excellent advice
Oil cooler and timing belt is definitely the common problems with the 1.8. Just gotta check up on the car every couple thousand miles, I think they’re reliable.
suggestion: when replacing the reservoir hose, save the old one… it works perfectly to drain the coolant.
Got a new thermostat today and hopefully it works when I put it on
Hey i dont know to much about cars so i was wondering if the cheap plastic components mention could be swap with something of better quality? Great video by the way! 🤝
thank you brother.GODSPEED.
🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽
awesome video! Thank you!
I have a 2011 cruz with the 1.4 and mine has 225000 on it its had most of these issues already but not a bad car if you take care of it
Sometimes the pcv can fail in the stuck position creating incease crankcase pressure and can cause oil leak usually from the vavle cover gasket.
To be fair, every car has its issues. And mostly user issue haha 😅 and everything needs replacing. I am so glad to have picked my cruze. Its been less problematic than some others my friends have
I’m planning on buying a 2015 Chevy Cruze as my first car and everyone’s comments make me doubt doing that even tho I’m in love with it, your comment makes me not have doubt
@@bellewood7011 I have 2015 RED Chevrolet Cruze, for 4 yrs now. 78K at moment. No major issues. However, it's not a fast car. Especially on a mild upward hill. Otherwise, it's reliable. I paid $9,700.00 in 2020, and had 68K.
They do make an aluminum water outlet for the 1.4T. I already replaced mine with a plastic one before knowing this. Next time it will be the aluminum one.
The last GM vehicle my Wife and I bought was a new 2006 Pontiac Torrent AWD in May of 2006, which we still own with less than 72K Original Miles in pristine condition. Suffice to say it is the very best vehicle my Wife and I have ever owned. And since I do most of my own maintenance and replacement of parts, Rock Auto has been a real money saver as well on parts, and Walmart on Filters and Petroleum Products.
*HOWEVER..* We refuse to ever buy another GM vehicle because GM is notorious for taking the cheapest way out in favor of the bottom line instead of quality. Alex presents a great example by pointing out all of the plastic parts GM uses in their vehicles, which not only saves them money, *BUT,* still charge you as if they are quality parts.
Another reason why we will never buy another GM vehicle? It's because *GM IS OWNED BY CHINA.*
I love those Pontiac Torrent
My turbo went out at 77k miles. Luckily it was under warranty so only paid the deductible.
The 1.4 is nice because power and timing chain, they tend to go through coil packs
I am having the same issues what Alex saying in the video, I have chevrolet cruze 2014, the biggest issues that I have facing of aircond. During rainy or when I wash my car then the aircond is not working.
My chevy has all the problems that you mentioned, am just spending money on it the day i bought
Thank You, Sir!
You are welcome!
I actually had the 2014 cruze diesel greatest of all 3 engines best Mpg as well was just too small for me
I would love to drive one or get one in the shop!
My thinking was the list would be shorter if you mentioned the problems it didn't have 😆the 1.8s run forever but the 1.4ts seem to be endless for problems. Granted the fixes are well known and relatively affordable and easy to do with some knowledge and tools and can more or less be prevented with good maintenance and proactiveness.
just take care of it and it will be an amazing car. People always talk shit about my Cruze...meanwhile Ive had it 12 years and they all have gone through multiple cars so......
Yeah your correct about the 70-100 mile tyming belt replacement 😂🤣😂
Most buyers dont think timing belts are still a thing. Roads gonna be littered with 1.8L cruzes soon. The 1.8 gets lousy gas mileage on hwy.
Plz make a video on a 2003 -2006 Chevy Silverado if it comes by the shop love the vid
I gotcha!
@@AlexTheCarDoctor I got a choice of a 2014 Chevy Cruze 1.4 turbo 105,000 miles or a 2007 Toyota Corolla 1.8 185,000 miles. Both cars look great. Which car is probably going to be the most maintenance in the next 75,000 miles?..
Good video buddy my daughter is about to get a 1.8
I financed one of these.. worst decision lol it gave me alot of issues at first. valve cover failed and the pcv system did aswell but i ended up replacing those, then had some coolant outlet pop on me thankfully i caught it the moment it happened, just shut it off and pulled over. didnt over heat! been good to me since then..... knock on wood lol.
Everything, I had a 2015 cruze, and it lived in the shop.
Scrolling through youtube looking for music and having viewed many videos for use alongside a Haynes repair manual.
Randomly see the title of this video.
First thought - I bet I can easily give you ten more.
At least it's a fun learning experience in repairing my own vehicle.
Thank you for your video, I just boguht one of these and oh boy, the maintenance issues i uncovered is crazy. I have so far maintained it. I do have a question about a code I have been getting. A p2261 code about bypass valve getting stuck. I went to a shop so they can test the valve but it works. A mechanic mentioned replacing the turbo boost sensor and map sensor? Would that fix it, Let me know and thank you for your informative video. I have the 1.4 Turbocharged Engine for the sonic 2014 ltz
Great video! But Alex, you know it's not a Chevy unless it has oil leaks and plastic heater parts. 😂
Great video!
Glad you enjoyed it
What's your take on the 2.2 ?@@AlexTheCarDoctor
It’s a pretty good engine
@@AlexTheCarDoctor Thanka. I have the 2.2 in my 2009 cobalt with 5 speed manual. It's been good to me so far.
Alex, I like your videos and have subscribed. However, I think you should do a update to this video. You stated in a lot of other videos that you hate to see customers waste money. Well, With respect, I think recommending this car to anyone or at least coming off making it sound like they are a decent car does not serve the customer well. These cars are for sale everywhere and at highly discounted pricing - used of course. However, They have a bad history of recalls and repairs. The one that really caught my eye is the recall for Steering wheels breaking away from the steering column.
I drive a 2008 Buick Lucerne with the 3800 series III engine. I bought it back in 2010 and now have 164,000 miles on it. While I have done a lot of work on it, Its mostly because of lack of maintenance and some GM flaws like the back seat fuse box problem. However, I bought it because it has Buick's best made engine in it. My GF had a 2003 Malibu with the 3100 in it. She ran it up to 190,000 miles and had to rethread the rocker arm bolt holes in the heads (just two) and pretty much thats it. Pretty impressive for that car. She now drives a 2007 Buick Lucerne.
Thank you for the video(s) and hope you had a good Christmas/New Years. :)
aluminum foil tape for ducts/insulation, wrap it on the cooling pipes and it reflect off the heat from the engine and gives it better thermal conduction to cool the rubber part. i made heat sinks for my cheap chinease led headlight powersupplies for my volt and they lasting forever
Good tip thanks
It gets more gas miles than that I have one I drove from Illinois to Ohio on full tank of gas filled up 2 days after I drove to Ohio . How good they are on gas . Also I keep my maintenance up on it . Mine has 170 thousand miles and it’s still running good . Just replaced the vacuum pump because it was going out . And put new spark plugs in I have the 1.4
Good and accurate. I will add that the 1.4 PVC/valve cover issues are often related to a check valve in the intake manifold. It's under that corrigated tube that runs to the turbo inlet. Pull that corrigated tube's elbow on the intake and look in the hole back towards the cabin. If you don't see a orange little tit, it's gonna need an intake manifold.
Oh my god i just got to my shop and what do i get in the turbo cruze amazing
Bought a 2016 from a sealer. Drove forcone week. Found coolant in oil. Bad head gasket. It was under 100k miles so warranty covered half. No lemon law here.
Thanks!
Welcome!
I’ve had my 2013 Cruze for 5 years.. I’ve replaced the turbo 2 times, the transmission, the water pump, about 5 head lights, the battery, the ignition coil, ball joints.. currently I need to replace my heater core, coolant reservoir is cracked, a/c compressor is out, my fan only blows out of the dash, and I have a misfire when I’m at an idle in drive, not at an idle in park, and my struts just started to rattle a couple hundred miles ago..
But I’m still averaging 36 mpg….. this is the only great thing about the Cruze…
The maintenance is high
I have a 2013 did a oil change recently
I just bought a 2016 Chevy Cruz and so far no problems
What a coincidence, I have both engines in my cars, Opel Astra 1.4T and Fiat Croma 1.8 :) but аre you really changing the timing belt on 70-100k miles in USA? In Europe we changed this belt on 50k km (31k miles).
Could you do one video on the Chevy Silverado around 2008?
change coolant cap also, if fails, heat up the whole system.
Nice😎👨🏾🔧
🫡
The water outlet cracks too but it’s an easy fix
I bought a Cruze 2 months ago. I already need an O2 sensor and a Mass Airflow sensor. Should bought a Ford I guess
I do have a weird thing going on with mine though every now and then it glitches driving down the road and the stability track service traction control lights will come on. I've done a tune-up changed coil packs replace the valve cover I have a brand new top-of-the-line battery. All the things that cause the Stabilitrak traction control lights to come on I've done fixed and replaced. As of right now there isn't any reason that I could think of for it to be doing this. I always do my oil changes on time I maintain the car very well. I just don't understand what is going on here
My daughter had a 2013 Cruze. The check engine light was always on. Our family will likely never own a Chevy because of her experience.
My Chevy just was smoking and kinda low on oil I added some drive a lil turn car cut off
On my sonic 2014 I've replaced the timing belt . The valve cover. The purge valve. The catalytic converter. The thermostat housing twice . Can't remember, I believe the intake manifold also at 120k now and running kinda funny where can I contact you for advice on the matter if possible
I have a Chevrolet Cruze 2013 model. Recently, there was a leak on the engine timing side, so the mechanic removed the engine and replaced the gasket and seal. During this time, they also replaced the gear oil and thermostat.
After driving for a day, I found a leak from the gearbox. I went back, and the mechanic replaced the seal in the gearbox. Within two days, the gearbox suddenly failed, and I noticed the gear oil coming out from the overflow line. The mechanic said the gearbox needed to be replaced, so they installed a second-hand gearbox.
However, the same issue occurred again. They replaced the gearbox a total of four times, but the problem persists with the oil getting reduced each time. They also replaced the transmission cooler, but it hasn’t resolved the issue.
What could be causing this problem? Please advise.
This version is clearer and breaks down the issues step-by-step, making it easier for others to understand and provide advice.