Chevrolet Cruze Transmission Problems by Year
By CarWhere Research · Updated
Some, but not unusually many. 683 of the 3,731 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2010–2019 Chevrolet Cruze (18.3%) name the transmission, near the 12.6% median share across the 139 models we track. We have no published sales figures for this model, so there is no per-1,000 rate. The worst years are 2011, 2012 and 2013.
Transmission complaints
683
Filed with NHTSA, 2010–2019 models
Per 1,000 sold
No sales data
Not computed without a published sales figure
Share of all complaints
18.3%
of 3,731 complaints for this model
Transmission recalls
5
NHTSA campaigns, all years
Chevrolet Cruze transmission complaints by model year
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA whose component list includes Power Train (transmission, transfer case and driveline). Worst years are highlighted.
| Model year | Transmission complaints | Share of all complaints | Crash / fire / injury | Transmission recalls | Transmission TSBs* |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 1 | 50% | 0 | — | 35 |
| 2011WORST | 193 | 26.3% | 5 | 11V273000 | 148 |
| 2012WORST | 137 | 15.8% | 8 | — | 173 |
| 2013WORST | 113 | 19.3% | 1 | 14V15100013V452000 | 176 |
| 2014 | 99 | 14% | 5 | 14V15100014V09200013V452000 | 159 |
| 2015 | 38 | 15% | 2 | — | 106 |
| 2016 | 31 | 12.4% | 1 | — | 107 |
| 2017 | 40 | 19.7% | 2 | — | 103 |
| 2018 | 23 | 21.1% | 3 | 20V668000 | 103 |
| 2019 | 8 | 34.8% | 0 | 20V668000 | 87 |
- Older model years have had more time on the road to collect complaints, so compare neighboring years, not 2010 against 2024.
- Crash / fire / injury = complaints where the owner reported a crash, a fire or an injury.
- *Technical service bulletins in the year's leading TSB categories that name the transmission.
Common Chevrolet Cruze transmission problems owners describe
We searched the narratives of all 683 transmission complaints for symptom keywords. One complaint can mention several, so the shares don't add up to 100%.
Chevrolet Cruze years to avoid for the transmission
2011 Chevrolet Cruze
193 transmission complaints (26.3% of the year's 733). Most often described: jerking, lurching or harsh shifts. Covered by transmission recall 11V273000.
2012 Chevrolet Cruze
137 transmission complaints (15.8% of the year's 865). Most often described: jerking, lurching or harsh shifts.
2013 Chevrolet Cruze
113 transmission complaints (19.3% of the year's 587). Most often described: jerking, lurching or harsh shifts. Covered by transmission recalls 14V151000, 13V452000.
Worst years are those with at least 10 transmission complaints and at least 1.5 times the model's median year. For every year's overall verdict, including other systems, see the Chevrolet Cruze years to avoid.
Chevrolet Cruze transmission recalls
NHTSA recall campaigns filed under Power Train for any Chevrolet Cruze model year. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check a specific car by VIN on NHTSA's site.
- 20V668000 · 2020-10-29 · 2018–2019 models
The start/stop accumulator endcap may have missing bolts.
- 14V151000 · 2014-03-31 · 2013–2014 models
On the affected vehicles, the right front half shaft may fracture and separate.
- 14V092000 · 2014-02-21 · 2014 models
In the affected vehicles, the transmission shift cable adjuster may disengage from the transmission shift lever. As such, these vehicles do not conform to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 102, "Transmission Shift Lever Sequence, Starter…
- 13V452000 · 2013-09-23 · 2013–2014 models
On the affected vehicles, the right front half shaft may fracture and separate.
- 11V273000 · 2011-05-06 · 2011 models
GENERAL MOTORS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 CHEVROLET CRUZE VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 6, 2009, THROUGH APRIL 27, 2011 AND EQUIPPED WITH AN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 102,…
Which transmission does the Chevrolet Cruze use?
- GM 6T40 / 6T45 — 2011–2014
Years are as listed for that transmission's applications. Some apply to certain engines only.
Related research
Frequently asked questions
Does the 2011 Chevrolet Cruze have transmission problems?
Yes, it is one of the worst years. Owners filed 193 transmission complaints with NHTSA for the 2011 Chevrolet Cruze, 26.3% of all 733 complaints for that year. The most common description is "jerking, lurching or harsh shifts" (52 complaints). One transmission-related recall covers it: 11V273000. 5 of those complaints report a crash, fire or injury.
Does the 2012 Chevrolet Cruze have transmission problems?
Yes, it is one of the worst years. Owners filed 137 transmission complaints with NHTSA for the 2012 Chevrolet Cruze, 15.8% of all 865 complaints for that year. The most common description is "jerking, lurching or harsh shifts" (25 complaints). 8 of those complaints report a crash, fire or injury.
Does the 2013 Chevrolet Cruze have transmission problems?
Yes, it is one of the worst years. Owners filed 113 transmission complaints with NHTSA for the 2013 Chevrolet Cruze, 19.3% of all 587 complaints for that year. The most common description is "jerking, lurching or harsh shifts" (12 complaints). 2 transmission-related recalls cover it: 14V151000, 13V452000. 1 of those complaints report a crash, fire or injury.
Which Chevrolet Cruze years have the most transmission complaints?
2011 (193), 2012 (137) and 2013 (113), by owner complaints filed with NHTSA that name the transmission. Raw counts favor older and higher-selling years, so treat them as a signal, not a rate.
What are the most common Chevrolet Cruze transmission problems?
In the 683 transmission complaints, owners most often describe jerking, lurching or harsh shifts (15.8%), hesitation or delayed engagement (9.8%) and loss of power or limp mode (8.6%). One complaint can mention several symptoms.
Is this a transmission failure rate?
No. These are complaints owners chose to file with NHTSA. Many failures are never reported, and one complaint is not a confirmed defect. Without sales figures, a high count can simply mean a high-selling model.
How we count
Counts are unique owner complaints (by NHTSA ODI number) filed with NHTSA for each Chevrolet Cruze model year, from NHTSA's public complaints data fetched July 2026 to November 2026. A complaint counts as a transmission complaint when NHTSA's component list for it includes Power Train (transmission, transfer case and driveline).
Per 1,000 sold divides complaints by published U.S. calendar-year sales for that year. A year needs at least 5,000 sales to get a rate, and a model needs at least 3 such years for its overall rate. The comparison median covers every model with at least 50 transmission complaints that clears those floors.
These are complaint rates, not failure rates. Owners report some problems more than others, and a complaint is not a confirmed defect.
Sources
- NHTSA complaints by vehicle (owner complaints API) — National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
- NHTSA recalls by vehicle — National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
- Report a vehicle safety problem — National Highway Traffic Safety Administration