2018 Chevrolet Cruze transmission & drivetrain problems

Related recalls

• Recall 20V668000Oct 29, 2020194,105 vehicles
  POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

  General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Chevrolet Cruze and Buick LaCrosse, 2018-2020 Chevrolet Equinox, Chevrolet Traverse and GMC Terrain, 2018 Chevrolet Malibu, 2019-2020 Buick Encore, Buick Enclave, Cadillac XT4, Chevrolet Blazer and GMC Acadia, and 2020 Cadillac XT6 vehicles. The start/stop accumulator endcap may have missing bolts.

  Risk: Missing bolts on the start-stop accumulator endcap could result in a transmission oil leak and may progress to a loss of propulsion, increasing the risk of a crash. A transmission fluid leak in the presence of an ignition source may increase the risk of fire.

  Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the start-stop transmission accumulator and replace it if any bolts are missing, free of charge. The recall began December 15, 2020. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-888-988-7267, Buick Customer service at 1-866-608-8080, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is N202313440.

What owners say

1. Filed Feb 16, 2026MIEngineTransmission & Drivetrain

   The steering started to shake. The car seat started to shake as well. It felt very unsafe, but there was no serious injury. John from Feldman Chevrolet in New Hudson, Michigan said that there is a "Cylinder 1 misfire code". After the car started shaking, the engine light came on. John told us that the engine should be replaced.

   NHTSA complaint #11718248 · source
2. Filed Mar 25, 2025ILTransmission & Drivetrain

   While sitting at a stop light the hydraulic clutch line failed causing the clutch pedal to stick to the floor. This issue prevents the clutch actuation preventing the the transmission from being disconnected from the engine. General Motors Bulletin number: PIP5558C was found and appears to be the issue.

   NHTSA complaint #11650501 · source
3. Filed Jan 3, 2025WATransmission & Drivetrain

   Transmisson losing 9th gear, torque converter, front pump failing and wiping out valve body on the GM-9T50 9 speed automatic. many owner experiencing same problems with no solution or upgrade from GM

   NHTSA complaint #11633789 · source
4. Filed Dec 6, 2024NMTransmission & Drivetrain

   My transmission started acting up around 70,000 miles. I noticed symptoms like stalling when backing up, trouble coming to a stop from higher speeds, and an occasional stutter. My local transmission shop couldn’t replicate the issue, as it was intermittent, and recommended an oil change. At 100,000 miles, the transmission began slipping, so I changed the oil again, only to find it was black and burnt. Now, at 139,000 miles, I changed the oil once more at 138,000 miles after…

   NHTSA complaint #11629217 · source
5. Filed Mar 14, 2024OHOther / UnknownAcceleration & Cruise ControlTransmission & Drivetrain

   Shortly after I merge onto a highway and pickup speed my cruze apears to be slipping gears. It does not do it every time but it appears to be happening increasingly often. It starts to shake violently, becomes hard to stear and refuses to excelerate even though the rpm's are rising significantly higher then they should be, leaving me going 35 - 40mph on a 65mph highway, it does not fully decelerate either. It happened the other day and the road speed was 65mph to start which…

   NHTSA complaint #11577291 · source
6. Filed Aug 3, 2023GATransmission & Drivetrain

   The clutch peddle is low without pressure. Mine and my kids was in danger when the clutch was not working when I had a green light. I could not get my car to go into gear. My husband thought that maybe there was air in the lines but he is unsure. After pumping the clutch several times,probably 100 times my husband was able to get me to safety. Problem was reproduced with my husband 2 days later when he was stuck in Atlanta traffic. I did have a warning that said something…

   NHTSA complaint #11536403 · source
7. Filed May 4, 2023ILDriver Assistance & Safety TechElectrical SystemTransmission & Drivetrain

   Car has been having issues with the powertrain since purchased with 0 miles. The car will start flashing warning sensors but when taken into the dealer/mechanic everything is ok.. Car stopped today in the middle of a busy street and started shaking. Car will shake hard when it is stopped at times. It was taken to 2 different chevrolet dealers who said they forgot to check it

   NHTSA complaint #11520387 · source
8. Filed Mar 20, 202364,900 miILTransmission & Drivetrain

   The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Cruze. The contact stated while attempting to drive from a complete stop, the clutch pedal remained on the floorboard and failed to disengage. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact pumped the clutch pedal and veered to the side of the road. The contact was able to drive to the residence. The contact stated that the failure had been reoccurring intermittently. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not…

   NHTSA complaint #11512880 · source
9. Filed Nov 1, 2022MDCrash1 injuredTransmission & Drivetrain

   put car in PARK ,got out to check mail box 20 feet away [car door left open]. When retuning to car it began to slowly move backward.I ran around the back and tried to get in but was knocked down by the open door.I rolled away from the approaching wheel with minor scrapes. The car continued backing across the street,hit a pole then toward a group of people.I was able to alert them and all got out of the way. I have been working with GM to find out if this model,this…

   NHTSA complaint #11491731 · source
10. Filed Aug 16, 202245,000 miMDCrash1 injuredTransmission & Drivetrain

    The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Cruze. The contact stated that the vehicle shifted from park into reverse without warning. While the vehicle was idling, the driver exited the vehicle and the vehicle rolled and crashed into a telephone pole. The driver's side door was ajar and was ripped off during the crash. The contact sustained cuts and bruises but no medical attention was provided. A police report was filed. There was no reported fire or air bag deployment. The local…

    NHTSA complaint #11479496 · source
11. Filed Mar 14, 2022WITransmission & Drivetrain

    This Cruze is equipped with a manual 6 speed transmission. The initial incident involved complete loss of the clutch with the clutch pedal sticking to the floor. This and the driver could not get the vehicle into gear. The driver then reached down and pulled the clutch up from the flor and was able to resume some clutch function. No Malfunction indicator or engine light was visible. Dealer serviced the vehicle indicating a P08A8 code set after incident. Vehicle repair…

    NHTSA complaint #11456548 · source
12. Filed Jan 30, 2022ILTransmission & Drivetrain

    I made a prior complaint with tracking number 11360154. This same problem has occurred again, approximately 22,000 miles after the car was repaired the first time. The clutch is broken again and it broke at highway speed almost causing me to have a severe accident. THE CONSUMER STATED A LEAK OF THE HYDRAULIC FLUID CONTAMINATED THE CLUTCH. THE FRICTION DISC AND PRESSURE PLATE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.

    NHTSA complaint #11449460 · source

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology