While the earlier Chevy Cruze model years had a lot of problems, they got a bit better by the time the 2015 model year made its debut. It’s a handsome car too, with the 2015 Chevy Cruze featuring a new split-grille snout, which gives it a closer familial resemblance to the larger Chevrolet Malibu and Impala sedans. These are some of the more significant changes to the 2015 mode year.
Other updates include new LED daytime running lights, which are now included with most trim levels. The 2015 Chevy Cruze’s interior has undergone a minor update too. They’ve now added new cup holders and have moved the door-lock buttons to the doors. The center stack is now available with a sharp, touch-screen display.
Otherwise, the 2015 Chevy Cruze shares most of the good stuff with its predecessor. The diesel variant’s impressive 700-mile range is matched by the model’s 280 lb-ft of torque. Together, this allows for worry-free and effortless highway cruising. The Cruze can at least be given a little more fun thanks to the manual transmission’s availability in gasoline-powered models.
Anyway, enough of the wiki-diving, here are some of the most common problems with the 2015 Chevy Cruze:
Common 2015 Chevy Cruze Problems
The most frequent complaints involve the engine and powertrain. These include stalling, coolant leaks, and overheating. Many complaints, based on data from carcomplaints.com, about the engine and powertrain, mention the motor cutting out and stalling, frequently after experiencing shaking or vibrations.
1. Engine & Coolant Issues
Additionally, there are numerous reports of coolant and engine oil leaks beneath the car, frequently resulting from the faulty thermostat housing. Meanwhile, the 1.4L turbo engine appears to be the subject of the majority of engine complaints. Plus, not all of them have official fixes as of yet. Some owners report multiple visits to their mechanic before finding a solution.
2. Leaking Water Pumps
Another thing to keep in mind is that Chevy Cruzes with the 1.4L engine from the 2011 to the 2014 model years are known to have leaking water pumps. These can, if you don’t fix it, lead to AC failure and engine overheating. Sadly, it seems that the 2015 Chevy Cruze has the same problem, and it carries over to this model year.
3. Randomly Flashing Warning Lights
Worse yet, GM fixed the problem by extending the warranty to cover the problematic parts, but only for models from 2011 through 2014. This leaves 2015 Chevy Cruze owners high and dry. Other complaints I’ve seen related to the electrical system reveal that the 2015 Chevy Cruze has trouble with randomly lighting up the dash warning lights and malfunctioning sensors.
4. Other Electrical Problems
While we’ve already looked at the more common issues, here are less frequent problems that you have to be wary of, too. I’ve heard owners regularly talk about sporadic warning lights, such as the check engine or tire pressure monitoring system flashing on and off.
5. Performance Issues
This problem also seems to affect the power windows, the radio, and the blinkers, which frequently stop working for no apparent reason. According to some complaints I’ve seen, the 2015 Chevy Cruze will start to shake, smoke, sputter, and struggle with reduced performance after the check engine light turns on.
6. Mass Air Flow Sensor Malfunction
One owner even claimed that after scanning the car with a diagnostics tool, a code was generated. This indicated the mass-airflow sensor was malfunctioning. Yet, the car continued to sputter after it and the air filter was replaced. But, the warning light disappeared, even though the issue remains.
7. The Brake Pedal Is Hard To press
As usual, I’ve seen so many owners waiting for GM to issue a recall because they haven’t yet found a solution. Some 2015 Chevy Cruze owners complain that the brake pedal is hard to press or that the steering wheel locks in place. Some drivers even claim that the steering wheel locks up and is impossible to turn when traveling at speeds under 40 mph.
8. Power Steering Fluid Leak
Elsewhere, a few folks have complained about finding a leak in the power steering fluid. Still, at least it appears that GM is aware of the issue with the power steering fluid. Meanwhile, the majority of brake-related complaints refer to the pedal occasionally needing more pressure to stop the car. In fact, I’ve heard one driver claim that it felt as though the power assist was failing.
9. Broken Brake Master Cylinder
Numerous additional complaints point to brake failure while driving, one of which resulted in a low-speed collision. Following an inspection, technicians discovered that the brake master cylinder had broken, allowing brake fluid to leak. As you can see, the 2015 Chevy Cruze is prone to a lot of problems.