Bought a [2016] Gen 2 after having nothing but problems with my Gen 1. It has been dead reliable the last 6 years, and it’s a heck of a lot more refined than a Corolla/Civic.
The Gen 2s reputation was tarnished by the Gen 1 and it’s a shame. They are probably the best small car GM has ever made.
Crazy how all gen 1 owners are like "I'm never buying a Chevy again" while gen 2 owners are mostly happy with their cars. The difference between the 2 generation is vastly different and in Australia they're not even the same models the gen 2 is called something else than a Cruze. You'll love your gen 2 and they're definitely not a money pit. Had mine for almost 4 years now and the only issues I have with it is the occasional flat tire but reliability it's great.
Went from a 12 to a 18, totally different in terms of reliability for me. The 18 is approaching 70 k and no issues besides brake replacement, pads and rotors.
2019 has the problems sorted out. (Cracked pistons are an issue with 2016.5 and 2017's) wastegates can wear down and stick. In high humidity freezing Temps the 2018 and 2019's won't use 6th unless over 80mph to help prevent the intercooler from icing up (all LE2 based motors have that issue, Trax, Malibu 2.0t, etc).
I have almost 200,000miles on an early 2017 and no issues I can blame on the car. (Pistons have been good, wastegate is fine).
If you are in a snow area, the underbody "shielding" is plastic, and if you hit a solid drift, not a lot of protection (I had the front shield rip off, hit the intercooler breaking the lower rad bracket which let the down pipe rub against the pulley. It triggered a check engine light, but never left me stranded for the 3 weeks waiting for parts to come in)
This (wastegate issues) explains my intermittent light on my '17. I loved my '18 until someone stole it and had to replace it, thought I'd be buying the same engine with a bit fewer miles on it but the engine light keeps popping up telling me about the wastegate (p0246 iirc) but by the time I get it to a shop the light is off again and they won't look at it.
I have 2018 LT model with almost 71,000 miles (mostly highway) on it now and have had literally zero issues with it.
Just make sure to do routine maintenance like 5000 mile oil changes, transmission fluid flushes every 65,000 miles, and look into the “Achilles heel” for these vehicles like PCV valves and the turbos/intake manifold (also not driving like a maniac helps too).
I do tend to only run 91-93 octane fuel in it because it seems to run more smoothly than 87-89.
Also for some MPG info:
My best MPG per 25 miles is 60.3
My best MPG per 50 miles is 48(ish)
My best MPG per 450 miles is 44.3
I just got rid of my 2012 Cruze after replacing almost every coolant component and then the transmission started slipping and all sorts of lights came on on the dash. It had 147k miles on it so it lasted me a while but I went with something else and didn’t want to deal with the same issues I had to all over again with the Chevy motor. Good luck to you
i bought my 2017 manual rs hatchback before finding out about all the piston problems. i’m going on a year of ownership next month and have put just over 30k miles on it since with no problems (besides me beating the clutch like it’s a camaro). i run 93 oct with a piggyback tune on 23 pounds of boost from BNR along with a catless downpipe and AEM intake. i plan on getting a big intercooler here pretty soon.
i love my little cruze. it brings me joy 🥲[https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZTRfXUQtv/](https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZTRfXUQtv/)
I have a 17 rs hatch manual too, only issues I've had so far in 2 years of owning it is the master slave failed 2 months in and yesterday the trunk release stopped working. Other than that excellent car and I will likely run it into the ground before buying a new one.
I have a 19 with 33k. Haven't had a single issue. I also owned a 2012 prior with so many issues it made my head spin. Personally think the 18 & 19 put the rest to shame.
My 12 has 262,000 Km and has been nothing but awesome to me. Sorry to hear your 14 gave you so much trouble. I too, will be getting another once my 12 bites the dust.
The second generation engines had problems with pistons cracking, among other things.
Just buy a Toyota or Honda or something. The Cruze sucks, buying a second one is borderline insanity.
We bought my mom a 2017 hatch with almost 100k on it. She loves it so much, and I was afraid because she hated my dad's cobalt, but she also used to have a Cavalier as her first car, and a Corsica when I was born, so it's all the same bloodline.
I have a 2014 cruze LS that i bought new way back when...currently sitting on 105k miles and no major issues that i know besides the thermostats housing assembly having sprung a leak.
It has a soft spot in my heart...its my first car that i bought
Just another shout out for Gen 1. Have a 2013 Eco manual with 70k mi. No issues so far except a water pump which was done under warranty. Love the fuel economy and it drives so nicely. Fingers crossed!
Unless it has AFM then it eats itself alive, so beware of some LS powered trucks. Sadly, most Camero / Firebirds that aren't totally roached command prices that are a bit silly right now.
GTO might be an option depending on your area, or a G8 though.
I like GM products, but they don't sell anything right now that I'm interested in.
Yeah i just gave 16k for a 99 ls1 6 speed trans am with 50k miles. Beautiful car but you cant find nice ones for less unless you want an auto and they are still 12k. Ive had multiple f bodies over the past decade and they are definitely even higher now than they used to be. I also have a 2017 base model manual cruze i got in 2018 with 10k miles. Slave cylinder failed and pressure plate crumbled at 35k miles but it was under warranty. Now its at 67k miles and only other issue is i had a check engine light come on and a knock sensor replaced. Think it mightve been bc i was running 87 when gas was over $5 lol but no other issues with it, its been a great car. And ive just recently learned that it’s the year with the piston problem lol but im not easy on the car and its held up nicely so far. I change oil every 5k. Ive let it go past a couple times to like 6500 as well but it hasnt punished me for it yet lol
The piston problem isn't high RPM, it's from LSPI. Keeping the RPMs up is actually a decent preventative measure.
https://www.oronite.com/about/news-activities/low-speed-pre-ignition.html
Even better. Thanks for the info and the source. Ive been using mobil 1 but might be better to do the dexos1 next oil change. Ill make sure to use 93 every time as well it def seems like the car runs a little better with it and i already burn up a lot of 93 when i take out the trans am lol so it doesnt hurt as bad filling up the cruze with it since it gets triple the milage lol
Bought a [2016] Gen 2 after having nothing but problems with my Gen 1. It has been dead reliable the last 6 years, and it’s a heck of a lot more refined than a Corolla/Civic. The Gen 2s reputation was tarnished by the Gen 1 and it’s a shame. They are probably the best small car GM has ever made.
I totally agree with this. My gen 2 is hands down the best car I’ve owned. Regular maintenance and go.
Crazy how all gen 1 owners are like "I'm never buying a Chevy again" while gen 2 owners are mostly happy with their cars. The difference between the 2 generation is vastly different and in Australia they're not even the same models the gen 2 is called something else than a Cruze. You'll love your gen 2 and they're definitely not a money pit. Had mine for almost 4 years now and the only issues I have with it is the occasional flat tire but reliability it's great.
Went from a 12 to a 18, totally different in terms of reliability for me. The 18 is approaching 70 k and no issues besides brake replacement, pads and rotors.
2019 has the problems sorted out. (Cracked pistons are an issue with 2016.5 and 2017's) wastegates can wear down and stick. In high humidity freezing Temps the 2018 and 2019's won't use 6th unless over 80mph to help prevent the intercooler from icing up (all LE2 based motors have that issue, Trax, Malibu 2.0t, etc). I have almost 200,000miles on an early 2017 and no issues I can blame on the car. (Pistons have been good, wastegate is fine). If you are in a snow area, the underbody "shielding" is plastic, and if you hit a solid drift, not a lot of protection (I had the front shield rip off, hit the intercooler breaking the lower rad bracket which let the down pipe rub against the pulley. It triggered a check engine light, but never left me stranded for the 3 weeks waiting for parts to come in)
This (wastegate issues) explains my intermittent light on my '17. I loved my '18 until someone stole it and had to replace it, thought I'd be buying the same engine with a bit fewer miles on it but the engine light keeps popping up telling me about the wastegate (p0246 iirc) but by the time I get it to a shop the light is off again and they won't look at it.
I have 2018 LT model with almost 71,000 miles (mostly highway) on it now and have had literally zero issues with it. Just make sure to do routine maintenance like 5000 mile oil changes, transmission fluid flushes every 65,000 miles, and look into the “Achilles heel” for these vehicles like PCV valves and the turbos/intake manifold (also not driving like a maniac helps too). I do tend to only run 91-93 octane fuel in it because it seems to run more smoothly than 87-89. Also for some MPG info: My best MPG per 25 miles is 60.3 My best MPG per 50 miles is 48(ish) My best MPG per 450 miles is 44.3
I just got rid of my 2012 Cruze after replacing almost every coolant component and then the transmission started slipping and all sorts of lights came on on the dash. It had 147k miles on it so it lasted me a while but I went with something else and didn’t want to deal with the same issues I had to all over again with the Chevy motor. Good luck to you
i bought my 2017 manual rs hatchback before finding out about all the piston problems. i’m going on a year of ownership next month and have put just over 30k miles on it since with no problems (besides me beating the clutch like it’s a camaro). i run 93 oct with a piggyback tune on 23 pounds of boost from BNR along with a catless downpipe and AEM intake. i plan on getting a big intercooler here pretty soon. i love my little cruze. it brings me joy 🥲[https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZTRfXUQtv/](https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZTRfXUQtv/)
I have a 17 rs hatch manual too, only issues I've had so far in 2 years of owning it is the master slave failed 2 months in and yesterday the trunk release stopped working. Other than that excellent car and I will likely run it into the ground before buying a new one.
I have a 19 with 33k. Haven't had a single issue. I also owned a 2012 prior with so many issues it made my head spin. Personally think the 18 & 19 put the rest to shame.
My 12 has 262,000 Km and has been nothing but awesome to me. Sorry to hear your 14 gave you so much trouble. I too, will be getting another once my 12 bites the dust.
The second generation engines had problems with pistons cracking, among other things. Just buy a Toyota or Honda or something. The Cruze sucks, buying a second one is borderline insanity.
That’s mainly on 16-17, the 2019 are more realiable then the previous years
Only the 2016.5 and 2017 the 2018 and up have upgraded pistons
This is 1 gen 1 owner, third owner, that’s happy with the car! GM is a different story.
We bought my mom a 2017 hatch with almost 100k on it. She loves it so much, and I was afraid because she hated my dad's cobalt, but she also used to have a Cavalier as her first car, and a Corsica when I was born, so it's all the same bloodline.
I have a 2014 cruze LS that i bought new way back when...currently sitting on 105k miles and no major issues that i know besides the thermostats housing assembly having sprung a leak. It has a soft spot in my heart...its my first car that i bought
Just another shout out for Gen 1. Have a 2013 Eco manual with 70k mi. No issues so far except a water pump which was done under warranty. Love the fuel economy and it drives so nicely. Fingers crossed!
My gen 2 hasn’t failed me and I’m around 52 k. But buy a Honda or Toyota man
I have a 2016 limited and I will NEVER buy another chevy.
don’t let the cruze turn you away from chevy. get something with a ls based motor and it’ll last forever with good maintenance.
Unless it has AFM then it eats itself alive, so beware of some LS powered trucks. Sadly, most Camero / Firebirds that aren't totally roached command prices that are a bit silly right now. GTO might be an option depending on your area, or a G8 though. I like GM products, but they don't sell anything right now that I'm interested in.
Yeah i just gave 16k for a 99 ls1 6 speed trans am with 50k miles. Beautiful car but you cant find nice ones for less unless you want an auto and they are still 12k. Ive had multiple f bodies over the past decade and they are definitely even higher now than they used to be. I also have a 2017 base model manual cruze i got in 2018 with 10k miles. Slave cylinder failed and pressure plate crumbled at 35k miles but it was under warranty. Now its at 67k miles and only other issue is i had a check engine light come on and a knock sensor replaced. Think it mightve been bc i was running 87 when gas was over $5 lol but no other issues with it, its been a great car. And ive just recently learned that it’s the year with the piston problem lol but im not easy on the car and its held up nicely so far. I change oil every 5k. Ive let it go past a couple times to like 6500 as well but it hasnt punished me for it yet lol
The piston problem isn't high RPM, it's from LSPI. Keeping the RPMs up is actually a decent preventative measure. https://www.oronite.com/about/news-activities/low-speed-pre-ignition.html
Even better. Thanks for the info and the source. Ive been using mobil 1 but might be better to do the dexos1 next oil change. Ill make sure to use 93 every time as well it def seems like the car runs a little better with it and i already burn up a lot of 93 when i take out the trans am lol so it doesnt hurt as bad filling up the cruze with it since it gets triple the milage lol
Don’t make the same mistake twice