2014 Chevrolet Cruze: Reliability, Recalls, Known Issues & Cost to Own

Data last updated 2026-07-04 · sources listed throughout · based on public NHTSA data

Late gen1 Cruze: comfortable and fuel-efficient but still affected by 1.4L turbo cooling failures, oil leaks and electrical and airbag complaints. A cheap commuter that demands careful maintenance and a pre-purchase inspection. New, the 2014 Chevrolet Cruze ranged from $17,520 to $24,985 depending on trim (base MSRP, before options and destination).

5/10
Mixed track record

Late gen1 Cruze: comfortable and fuel-efficient but still affected by 1.4L turbo cooling failures, oil leaks and electrical and airbag complaints. A cheap commuter that demands careful maintenance and a pre-purchase inspection.

Sources (5)
  • fixdapp.comhttps://www.fixdapp.com/car-reviews/best-worst-years-of-the-chevrolet-cruze-g…
  • samarins.comhttps://www.samarins.com/reviews/cruze.html
  • samarins.comhttps://www.samarins.com/reviews/cruze-16.html
  • carparts.comhttps://www.carparts.com/blog/chevrolet-cruze-reliability-and-common-problems/
  • api.nhtsa.govhttps://api.nhtsa.gov/complaints/complaintsByVehicle?make=chevrolet&model=cru…

Recalls & safety

Recall history hasn't been loaded for this model year yet.

Whether a recall is still open on a specific car depends on its VIN. Check it free at NHTSA's VIN lookup (nhtsa.gov/recalls), or ask the seller for proof the repair was done.

Pros & cons

Pros

  • Comfortable, quiet and settled ride that favors smooth commuting over sportiness.
  • Strong fuel economy, with the 1.4L turbo and Eco trim returning high highway mpg for a compact.
  • Roomy, well-finished interior and a low used-purchase price.

Cons

  • Engine cooling and turbo reliability problems, coolant leaks, overheating and oil leaks are common and can be expensive to fix.
  • Transmission slipping and shifting faults reported, especially in the earliest model years.
  • Below-average repair reliability rank for the compact class, with several safety recalls on the launch years.

Trims & original pricing

TrimOriginal base MSRPNew todayEngineMPG
LS $17,520 discontinued
1LT $18,815 discontinued
Eco $19,935 discontinued
2LT $21,295 discontinued
LTZ $23,805 discontinued
Diesel $24,985 discontinued

Prices are base MSRP for each trim's standard configuration. Options, packages, and destination charges added to what original buyers actually paid.

Sources (1)
  • iseecars.comhttps://www.iseecars.com/car/2014-chevrolet-cruze-price

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2014 Chevrolet Cruze reliable?

Late gen1 Cruze: comfortable and fuel-efficient but still affected by 1.4L turbo cooling failures, oil leaks and electrical and airbag complaints. A cheap commuter that demands careful maintenance and a pre-purchase inspection.

How much did the 2014 Chevrolet Cruze cost new?

Between $17,520 and $24,985 depending on trim. Those are base MSRPs for each trim's standard configuration; options, packages, and destination charges added to what original buyers actually paid.

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Estimates are based on public data: patterns, not guarantees. CarVitals is not affiliated with NHTSA, CarMax, AutoTrader, or Cars.com. Issue frequencies come from public NHTSA complaint data, which has no denominator, so they describe reporting patterns, not failure probabilities. Always have a used car inspected before buying. How we build these reports.