Common 2014 Chevy Cruze Problems & Their Fixes

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The Chevy Cruze line is a good choice when looking for a small, compact car with good efficiency. First Introduced in 2011, the car has since then had various improvements with each subsequent release.  When it comes to the 2014 Chevy Cruze, it is offered in several trim levels: LS, LT, 1LT, 2LT, LTZ, ECO and Diesel, with all being front-wheel drive.

Like other cars, the 2014 Chevy Cruze is not immune to problems and issues are bound to happen. Some sooner than later, others more frequent. Whichever the case, when that happens it can be really frustrating, negatively impact how well you use your vehicle, or in can even pose a safety risk. The good thing is that most of these problems can be fixed by an auto technician. Others are simple DIY fixes you can do on your own. But before we look at some common 2014 Chevy Cruze problems and their fixes, first here are the car specifications on the the 2014 Chevy Cruze trims:

LS:

  • ECOTEC 1.8L Variable Valve Timing DOHC 4 Engine
  • 6-speed Transmission
  • 138 Horsepower
  • 125 lb-ft Torque
  • 16” steel Wheels

1LT:

  • ECOTEC Turbo 1.4L Variable Valve Timing DOHC 4 Engine
  • Gasoline Fuel
  • 6-speed Transmission
  • 6 gal. Fuel Capacity
  • 148 ft.lbs Torque
  • 138 Horsepower

2LT:

  • ECOTEC Turbo 1.4L Variable Valve Timing DOHC 4 Engine
  • Gasoline Fuel
  • 6-speed automatic Transmission
  • 6 gal. Fuel Capacity
  • 148 ft.lbs Torque
  • 138 Horsepower

LT:

  • ECOTEC Turbo 1.4L Variable Valve Timing DOHC 4 Engine
  • Gasoline Fuel
  • 6 gal. Fuel Capacity
  • 6-speed Transmission
  • 138 Horsepower
  • 148 fts.lbs Torque
  • 16” painted aluminum Wheels

ECO:

  • ECOTEC Turbo 1.4L Variable Valve Timing DOHC 4 Engine
  • Gasoline Fuel
  • 6 gal. – 15.6 gal. Fuel Capacity
  • 6-speed Transmission
  • 138 Horsepower
  • 148 ft.lbs Torque
  • 17” polished forged aluminum Wheels

LTZ:

  • ECOTEC Turbo 1.4L Variable Valve Timing DOHC 4 Engine
  • Gasoline Fuel
  • 6 gal. Fuel Capacity
  • 6-speed Transmission
  • 138 Horsepower
  • 148 fts.lbs Torque
  • 18” silver aluminum wheels

Diesel:

  • Turbo Diesel DOHC L4 Engine
  • Diesel Fuel Type
  • 6 gal. Fuel Capacity
  • 6-speed Transmission
  • 151 Horsepower
  • 264 ft.lbs Torque
  • 17” machined aluminum Wheels

2014 Chevy Cruze Problems

  1. Transmission problems

Both the shiftable 6-speed automatic and the 6-speed manual transmission have their share of problems:

  • Leaking: Leaking axle seals, leaking cooling translines, leaking from the transmission case, leaking from the torque converter seal and more.
  • Bad control module on the diesel transmission. The problem can happen on the gasoline-drive 6-speed automatic transmission option, but the diesel transmission seems to have the problem more often and sooner in the car’s life.
  • Jerky gear shifts and high revving RPMs with no acceleration.

How to Fix

Most transmission problems are going to be a big fix and can cost a fortune. Problems with the transmission often require the transmission to be torn apart and rebuilt or replaced.

If you have jerky gear shifts and high revving RPMs with no acceleration, this usually calls for a transmission rebuild or replacement. Sometimes, if lucky, the problem could be caused by a sticky solenoid, in which case it is a lot easier to fix.

Here is a tip if you are dealing with a transmission problem: Before any transmission rebuilding or replacing starts, check the transmission fuse and that the transmission fluid is not dark black and thick. You can also have your auto technician check those before proceeding. The time, as well as the cost of fixing the transmission, can significantly be reduced if it ends up being one of these two problems.

  1. Engine Problems

A common problem that will set off the engine light on your Chevy Cruze is the valve cover problem. Usually, fixing this issue just needs an assembly rebuild with new gaskets and a new Evap Purge Valve. It is can be a simple DIY job you can do with some average tools. But, if your car is under warranty, you can easily take it to the dealership.

The Diesel turbo version has had a number of complaints concerning sensors and computer problems. Issues such as bad NOx sensors, O2 sensors, EGR valves, injector failures, and more have been reported on the diesel version. However, they can also happen to gasoline engines as well.

Leak problems, just like with the transmission, are also pretty common. Chevy Cruze can have many leaking issues both from oil and antifreeze. There have been several complaints of oil leaks coming from the camshaft cover, crank seal, oil pan, timing chain cover, and other parts. Antifreeze leaking in the Chevy Cruze is usually going to be originating from the water pump.

PCV valves and PCV systems are other issues that can give you problems in your Chevy Cruze. This is an essential part of your engine setup, with the system being used to get rid of crankcase emissions from the crankcase and send them to the intake, and then combust them again in a different cycle. The process helps make the emissions from the engine more effective and cleaner.

The following steps can help to diagnose and repair vehicles that have excessive oil consumption, blue smoke from the exhaust, or a Malfunction Indicator Lamp:

  • Inspect the PCV orifice for leaking oil or drawing a vacuum at idle.
  • If the PCV orifice external port is leaking oil or vacuum, replace the camshaft cover assembly.
  • Inspect for a missing intake manifold Non-Return Valve that may have damaged the PCV orifice diaphragm.
  • Check for the return valve if it is not use a long cotton swab to wipe any excess oil from the valve to validate. If the nonreturn valve is still not visible, then intake manifold removal for inspection is required to validate.
  • When the valve is present, reinstall the intake manifold. When the valve is not present, replace the intake manifold assembly.

  1. Cooling System Problems

Not only the 2014 Chevy Cruze, but from 2011-2019 models all seem to have the same problem in common with the water pump and cool fan.

The frequency at which the Chevy Cruze water pump has to be replaced is alarming, and in many of these sedans the water pump had to be changed a couple of times on the same car, even when the water pump is not anywhere near its life’s expectancy.

Similarly, the cooling fan can experience several issues like turning on when it shouldn’t and not staying on when it should. This issue most likely has to do with an electrical fault since Chevy Cruze has had many complaints on electric problems.

Smell of antifreeze is another common problem that is complained about.  When there is smell of antifreeze in your 2014 Chevy Cruze cabin (interior), this can be due to several things, but they all point to a leak somewhere in your cooling system. To fix this problem and whether or not the repair will cost a fortune will depend on where the leak is coming from. Not all leaks will cause the smell of antifreeze in your car’s cabin, but you might want to check the water pump, heater core, thermostat, or just follow the engine coolant to the point where it leaks.

  1. Electrical problems

Electrical problems are one of the biggest complaints with the 2014 Chevy Cruze. They include:

  • Gauges not working.
  • Faint blinker noises or not heard at all.
  • Malfunctioning radio/HVAC display.
  • Malfunctioning dashboard.
  • Dashboard goes wild and the radio shuts off when hitting the brakes, goes back to normal when starting to accelerate.
  • Headlight low beams keep switching to high beams even after a light bulb and socket change.
  • Car shutting down and electrical system shuts down when car stops, and forced to wait some minutes before car starts working.

Fixing an electrical problem or finding a technician to fix can be difficult as it can take a lot of time to locate an electrical problem. Also, these problems have been known to come back sooner or later even after fixing the issue multiple times.

  1. Turbo problems

Daily driving cars with turbos can have this problem. There is a bypass valve on the turbo that lets all the extra air out of the system when you let off the throttle. You do not need the extra pressurized air from the turbo when trying to slow down or stop.

With time, this bypass valve gets worn out and stops closing all the way. When this happens, you may experience the following problems:

  • Air seeping out of the open valve casing when hitting the throttle, causing loss of power.
  • Dirt and air contaminants will get in and could damage your turbo bearings.

Unfortunately, changing the valve becomes difficult as Chevy designed the turbo system with the bypass valve built into the turbo housing. But, with the right set of tools and know-how, this can be a DIY fix or you can take the car to a dealership or auto technician, and it should not take too long to fix.

  1. Oil drain plug problems

Perhaps a design flaw, the drain plug in the Chevy Cruze is extremely soft and strips and rounds off pretty easily. After an oil change, you only need about 10 ft.lb of torque when putting the plug back in. More than that and you could strip the oil drain plug. It helps to mention this to anyone working on your oil change.

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If your 2014 Chevy Cruze oil drain plug is stripped, you need a new drain plug bolt and have the stripped drain plug removed. Find a more efficient and stronger replacement drain plug. Also, it is important you ensure it is of the same size thread, lest you end up stripping the oil pan threads and get yourself into bigger trouble.

What is the Least Troublesome Trim for 2014 Chevy Cruze?

For our pick, we will have to go with the Chevy Cruze diesel. There are far less complaints than other trims. The complaints on the Cruze diesel are mainly on sensors and computer problems.

What is the Worst Troublesome Trim for 2014 Chevy Cruze?

When it comes to the most troublesome 2014 Chevy Cruze, our pick is the Cruze LS. It has had many complaints, ranging from transmission and engine problems to constant problems with idling and rpm among others.

Maintenance Tips & Tricks for Your 2014 Chevy Cruze

While the 2014 Chevy Cruze can experience several problems; ranging from issues with the engine and transmission to electrical problems and in-car electronics issues among others, some issues can simply be avoided or have a less severe impact on the vehicle when they happen if you took good care of your sedan, use it properly, and make sure it is well maintained.

But, don’t wait until something goes wrong, you need to keep the required maintenance schedule for your car. This may be different in each case since everyone’s driving habits and conditions vary. Otherwise, the following are some maintenance tips and tricks to keep your 2014 Chevy Cruze in good condition and keep problems at bay.

  • Rotate the tires, if recommended for the vehicle.
  • Check engine oil level and oil life percentage. If needed, change engine oil and filter, and reset oil life system.
  • Check coolant level.
  • Check windshield washer fluid level.
  • Visually inspect windshield wiper blades for wear, cracking, or contamination. Replace worn out or damaged wiper blades.
  • Visually check for fluid leaks.
  • Inspect engine air cleaner filter.
  • Inspect brake system.
  • Visually inspect steering, suspension, and chassis components for damaged, loose or missing parts, or signs of wear.
  • Check restraint system components.
  • Visually inspect fuel system for damage and leaks.
  • Visually inspect exhaust system and nearby heat shields for loose or damaged parts.
  • Lubricate starter components.
  • Check starter switch.
  • Check automatic transmission shift lock control function.
  • Check ignition transmission lock.
  • Check parking brake and automatic transmission mechanism.
  • Check accelerator pedal for damage, high effort, or binding. Replace if needed.
  • Visually inspect gas strut for signs of wear, cracks, or other damage.
  • Check the hold open ability of the strut. See you dealer if service is required.
  • Check tire sealant expiration date, if equipped.
  • Inspect sunroof track and seal, if equipped.

Recalls You Should Be Aware Of

The 2014 Chevy Cruze has been recalled 7 times:

  1. Electrical system, power train

Recall date: 2016-07-05

Recall no: 16V502000

Part of the recall reads: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling 2011-2016 Chevrolet Cruze as vehicles may be serviced with defective replacement electronic park lock levers. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 114, “Theft Protection and Rollway Prevention”.

If the key is removed without the transmission in PARK, the vehicle may rollaway as occupants are exiting, increasing the risk of injury.

Owners are required to take their vehicles for inspection and if necessary, replace the key cylinder lock housing. General Motors’ number for this recall is 50490 and 50491.

  1. Steering

Recall date: 2015-07-10

Recall no: 15V442000

Part of the recall reads: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 Chevrolet Cruze vehicles manufactured November 8, 2013, to March 12, 2015. In the affected vehicles, the inner tie rod may not be tightened to specification allowing the tie rod to separate from the steering gear.

Separation of the tie rod from the steering gear could result in the loss of steering, increasing the risk of a crash.

The recall action is for owners to have the steering gear assembly replaced. The recall began on July 28, 2015. General Motors’ number for this recall is 15386.

  1. Equipment

Recall date: 2014-07-02

Recall no: 14V417000

Part of the recall reads: General Motors is recalling Chevrolet Cruze vehicles manufactured August 7, 2012, to August 16, 2013. In cold temperatures, the insulation on the engine block heater cord can become damaged, allowing the wires to be exposed.

Exposed wires increase the risk of electrical shock and personal injury if the cord is handled while it is plugged in.

The recall action is to replace the engine oil pan/block heater cord with a new cord that is rated for temperatures of minus 40 degrees Celsius. General Motor’s number for this recall is 14257.

  1. Airbags

Recall date: 2014-06-26

Recall no: 14V372000

The recall reads: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Chevrolet Cruze vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the driver’s front airbag inflator may have been manufactured with an incorrect part.

In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver’s air bag, the bag’s inflator may rupture and the air bag may not inflate. The rupture could cause metal fragments to strike and potentially seriously injure the vehicle occupants. Additionally, if the air bag does not inflate, the driver is at an increased risk of injury.

Owners are required to replace the driver side air bag. The recall began on June 28, 2014. General Motors’ number for this recall is 14305.

  1. Power train

Recall date: 2014-03-31

Recall no: 14V151000

The recall reads: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013 and 2014 Chevrolet Cruze vehicles equipped with a 1.4L turbo engine, and manufactured between November 28, 2013, and March 7, 2014. On the affected vehicles, the right front half shaft may fracture and separate.

The consequence is that if the half shaft fractures and separates while driving, the vehicle would lose power and coast to a stop. If a vehicle with a fractured half shaft is parked without parking brake applied, the vehicle could move unexpectedly. Either condition increased the risk of a crash.

To address this, owners are required to have their vehicles inspected and the right half shaft replaced, as needed. GM’s number for this recall is 14079. Some vehicles subject to this recall were subject to the recall campaign initiated in 2013. Some of those vehicles were repaired using defective parts. Those owners are advised that they must have their vehicles remedied again under this campaign and that having the earlier recall completed did not remedy their vehicles.

  1. Component not known

Recall date: 2014-02-21

Recall no: 14V092000

The recall reads in part: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2014 Chevrolet Cruze vehicles equipped with automatic transmissions. 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 Interlock, and Transmission Braking Effect.” They also fail to conform to FMVSS number 114, “Theft Protection and Rollaway Prevention.”

The consequence is that if a vehicle’s shift cable disengages from the transmission shift lever, a driver may be unable to shift gear positions and the indicated shift position may not represent the gear position the gear is in. Should a disengagement occur while the vehicle is being driven, when the driver goes to stop and park the vehicle, the driver may be able to shift the lever to “PARK” position, but the vehicle may not be in the “PARK” gear position. If the vehicle is not in “PARK” position there is a risk the vehicle will roll away as the driver and other occupants exit the vehicle or anytime thereafter. A vehicle rollaway increases the risk of injury to exiting occupants and bystanders.

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To address this, owners are required to have their vehicles inspected and have any affected transmission shift cable adjusters replaced. General Motors’ number associated with this recall is 14048.

  1. Power train

Recall date: 2013-09-23

Recall no: 13V452000

The recall reads as follows: General Motors (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013 and 2014 Chevrolet Cruze vehicles equipped with manual transmissions (IMF3, MR5) and manufactured January 24, 2013, through August 1, 2013. On the affected vehicles, the right front half shaft may fracture and separate.

The consequence is that if the half shaft structure fractures and separates while driving, the vehicle would lose power and coast to a stop. If a vehicle with a fractured half shaft is parked without the parking brake applied, the vehicle could move unexpectedly. Either condition increases the risk of a crash.

To address this, owners of affected vehicles need to replace the half shaft assembly. The safety recall began on October 15, 2013. This is General Motors campaign number 13276.

If you own a 2014 Chevy Cruze or a planning on buying one, it is important you check if the car is affected by any of these recalls and whether or not it was fixed.