Before you buy a used Chevrolet Cruze (J300).
Taken only from Testigo's sourced sheets. Use it to question the seller and on the test drive: it does not confirm that any particular car is affected.
The essentials.
- 2 documented, sourced faults across its 3 engines.
- That is not much data: if no other faults show up here, it does not mean it has none.
- 1 of them depends on the equipment or the production date: ask what this car has.
- 4 official recalls on record: ask for the chassis number (VIN) and confirm they have been done.
- According to the data we have, all its engines have the same number of documented faults.
Typical faults by engine
The period and mileage are those mentioned by each sheet's sources. They are not a maintenance interval and do not predict that any particular car will fail.
1.6 / 1.8 / 1.4 Turbo · 1.6 / 1.8 GLP
1.6 / 1.8 / 1.4 Turbo (Petrol) · 1.6 / 1.8 GLP (LPG / CNG)
- Weak points of the petrol Cruze: coolant leaks, 1.4 Turbo water pump, valve cover and coilsKnown weak points
- Period mentioned
- 2011–2015
- Mileage mentioned
- What the sheet says: According to samarins.com, with data from the US-market Cruze; the European 1.6 and 1.8 engines belong to the same family. The 1.8’s timing belt is changed at 156,000 km.
1.7 / 2.0 VCDi
Diesel
- Period mentioned
- Model years 2011–2014
- Mileage mentioned
- The sheet does not mention a mileage.
Applies if: Only the 2.0 diesel of model years 2011 to 2014.
Which engine has the fewest documented faults?
| Engine | Documented faults | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 1.6 / 1.8 / 1.4 TurboPetrol | 1 | 4 |
| 1.7 / 2.0 VCDiDiesel | 11 with conditions | 4 |
| 1.6 / 1.8 GLPLPG / CNG | 1 | 4 |
According to the data we have, all its engines have the same number of documented faults.
We only count the sourced sheets we have. An engine with fewer is not guaranteed to be more reliable: it may have been studied less or sold in smaller numbers.
Official recalls: ask before you pay
A recall existing does not mean this car is affected or that it is still outstanding: it depends on the chassis number, the market and the production date.
- Ask the seller for the chassis number (VIN): it has 17 characters, appears in the car's documents and can usually also be seen at the base of the windscreen.
- Ask an official Chevrolet dealer, or the brand's official website if it lets you check by chassis number, whether each recall has been done or is still outstanding for that VIN.
- Manufacturer recalls are normally carried out free of charge by the official service network. If one is outstanding, ask for it to be done before you close the sale.
Chevrolet airbag and seat-belt recalls (2005–2025)Airbags and seat belts
How to check it: Check by VIN whether any of the recalls is outstanding (at the dealer or on the DVSA website) and carry out the inspection or replacement it requires.
View full entryChevrolet brake recalls (2005–2021)Brakes
How to check it: Check by VIN whether any of the recalls is outstanding (at the dealer or on the DVSA website) and carry out the inspection or replacement it requires.
View full entryChevrolet fuel-system recalls (2010–2016)Fuel system
How to check it: Check by VIN whether any of the recalls is outstanding (at the dealer or on the DVSA website) and carry out the inspection or replacement it requires.
View full entryChevrolet engine, transmission and software recalls (2015–2016)Powertrain and engine management
How to check it: Check by VIN whether any of the recalls is outstanding (at the dealer or on the DVSA website) and carry out the inspection or replacement it requires.
View full entryOn the test drive: what to look and listen for
Taken from each sheet's symptoms and checks. You can tick off what you have already looked at: it is saved only in this browser.
0 of 2 checked
Known weak points
Look out for: Coolant or oil leaks; on the 1.4 Turbo, overheating from the water pump and white smoke or whine if the turbo fails; oil use, blue smoke or rough idle from the valve cover and crankcase ventilation; misfires from coils or plugs.
Ask them to check: Before buying, or at the next service, have it checked on a lift: underbody, axles, brakes and lights.
Cooling
Look out for: The coolant level drops; if the engine temperature rises, the instrument cluster warns with a chime and a message, and the engine may go into limp mode.
Ask them to check: With the engine cold, check the level and look for coolant traces around the tank; at the garage, inspect the tank and replace it if cracked. If the temperature rises, stop somewhere safe.
Sources
Every fact on this page comes from these Testigo sheets and their original sources. Sources are not checked in real time.
- Weak points of the petrol Cruze: coolant leaks, 1.4 Turbo water pump, valve cover and coils
- Coolant loss from a cracked expansion tank (Cruze 2.0 diesel of 2011–2014)
- Chevrolet airbag and seat-belt recalls (2005–2025)
- Chevrolet brake recalls (2005–2021)
- Chevrolet fuel-system recalls (2010–2016)
- Chevrolet engine, transmission and software recalls (2015–2016)
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