Coolant leaks (water outlet / thermostat housing)
usually 60,000–160,000 km · Medium risk
Signs: Coolant smell, level dropping
Fix: Replace the plastic outlet / housing
€150–400
Common faults, service intervals and costs
Chevrolet Cruze
2009–2015
4
engines covered
16
known faults
5,050
roadworthiness tests in the statistics
9
official recalls
Enter your VIN and mileage and get a plan built for your exact engine and gearbox.
The Chevrolet Cruze was built from 2009 to 2015.
For this generation we cover 4 engines and 16 known faults, each with the mileage range where it usually appears.
The most expensive known risk is 6T40 / 6T45 3-5-R wave plate: it usually appears at 80,000–200,000 km and costs €1,200–2,500 to fix.
In UK roadworthiness tests in 2024, at 100–150 thousand km this model most often failed on: lights, wipers and visibility (22.5 %), suspension (13.3 %), brakes (9.9 %). It fails more often than an average car of the same age and mileage on: exhaust, emissions and leaks. It fails less often than average on: steering, body and corrosion.
Engines
| Engine | Fuel | Timing drive | Oil |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.6 / 1.8 16v Ecotec (Opel Family 1: Z16XER / Z18XER) | Petrol | Belt · 120,000 km / every 96 mo | 5W-30 · dexos2 · ~4.5 L · every 15,000 km |
| 1.4 Turbo (A14NET) | Petrol | Chain | 5W-30 · dexos2 · ~4.0 L · every 15,000 km |
| 2.0 VCDi / CDTI (GM Daewoo Z20S / Z20D1) | Diesel | Belt · 100,000 km / every 60 mo | 5W-30 · dexos2 / GM-LL-B-025 · ~5.9 L · every 15,000 km |
| 1.7 CDTI / DTI / VCDi (Isuzu) | Diesel | Belt · 150,000 km / every 96 mo | 5W-30 · dexos2 / GM-LL-B-025 · ~5.4 L · every 15,000 km |
Faults typical of this model
Faults by engine
1.6 / 1.8 16v Ecotec (Opel Family 1: Z16XER / Z18XER)
Camshaft phaser (variator) failure
usually 80,000–160,000 km · Medium risk
Signs: Rattle / diesel-like noise, P0016–P0017 codes
Fix: Replace phasers and solenoids
€400–900
Ignition module (cassette)
usually 80,000–160,000 km · Medium risk
Signs: Misfire; oil from the cam cover gasket in plug wells
Fix: Replace module and cam cover gasket
€150–400
Thermostat housing / coolant leaks
usually 80,000–160,000 km · Medium risk
Signs: Coolant loss, overheating
Fix: Replace housing
€150–350
Oil cooler housing seal (oil in coolant)
usually 100,000–200,000 km · Medium risk
Signs: Oil in the expansion tank
Fix: Replace oil cooler seals
€200–500
1.4 Turbo (A14NET)
PCV valve in cam cover
usually 60,000–140,000 km · Medium risk
Signs: Whistle, oil leaks, lean codes
Fix: Replace cam cover
€200–400
Turbo coolant line leak
usually 80,000–160,000 km · Wear part
Signs: Coolant smell
Fix: Replace line
€100–300
2.0 VCDi / CDTI (GM Daewoo Z20S / Z20D1)
Injectors / high-pressure pump
usually 100,000–220,000 km · High risk
Signs: Rough idle, smoke, hard start
Fix: Test and replace
€800–2,000
EGR / DPF
usually 100,000–200,000 km · Medium risk
Signs: Limp mode
Fix: Clean or replace
€300–1,500
Timing belt tensioner (early failures)
usually 80,000–110,000 km · High risk
Signs: Belt failure destroys the engine — change early
Fix: Replace the belt kit at 90–100,000 km
€400–800
1.7 CDTI / DTI / VCDi (Isuzu)
Injectors (Denso) / high-pressure pump
usually 150,000–250,000 km · Medium risk
Signs: Smoke, knocking, hard start
Fix: Test and replace
€600–1,500
EGR valve / cooler
usually 100,000–200,000 km · Medium risk
Signs: Limp mode
Fix: Clean or replace
€200–700
Turbo oil seals
usually 150,000–250,000 km · Wear part
Signs: Smoke, oil use
Fix: Service the turbo
€400–900
Gearboxes
Manual
Clutch wear
usually 120,000–200,000 km · Medium risk
Signs: Slipping, high bite point
Fix: Replace clutch kit
€500–900
Automatic (Aisin AF40 / GM 6T40 / 6T45)
6T40 / 6T45 3-5-R wave plate
usually 80,000–200,000 km · High risk
model years 2008–2017 only
Signs: Loss of 3rd, 5th and reverse
Fix: Replace the wave plate (gearbox rebuild)
€1,200–2,500
AF40 valve body / harsh shifts
usually 100,000–200,000 km · Medium risk
Signs: Harsh or flared shifts
Fix: Fluid change; valve body repair
€300–1,200
Scheduled service
Intervals and typical prices for the 1.6 / 1.8 16v Ecotec (Opel Family 1: Z16XER / Z18XER) engine. Other engines differ in oil, timing drive and some filters; the app gives the exact plan.
| Item | Interval | Typical price |
|---|---|---|
| Engine oil + oil filterEngine | every 15,000 km or every 12 months | €70–150 |
| Cabin (pollen) filterClimate | every 15,000 km or every 12 months | €15–40 |
| Brake fluidBrakes | every 24 months | €50–95 |
| A/C service (regas + desiccant)Climate | every 24 months | €70–150 |
| Air filterEngine | every 30,000 km or every 24 months | €15–45 |
| Spark plugsIgnition | every 60,000 km or every 48 months | €50–160 |
| Auxiliary (serpentine) beltEngine | every 120,000 km | €70–180 |
| Timing belt kit + water pumpEngine | every 120,000 km or every 96 months | €450–900 |
| Coolant replacementCooling | every 150,000 km or every 96 months | €70–150 |
| Manual gearbox oilTransmission | every 150,000 km | €60–130 |
| Front brake padsBrakes | usually at 30,000–60,000 km | €60–150 |
| Front brake discs + padsBrakes | usually at 60,000–120,000 km | €150–320 |
| Rear brake padsBrakes | usually at 50,000–90,000 km | €50–130 |
| Tyres (set of 4)Wheels | usually at 40,000–60,000 km | €320–700 |
| Wiper bladesBody | checked at service | €20–50 |
| 12V batteryElectrical | checked at service | €100–220 |
Roadworthiness tests by mileage
Share of tests in the United Kingdom (DVSA MOT, 2024) that this model failed because of each system. Bold red means more often and green less often than an average car of the same age and mileage. Sample: 5,050 tests.
| thousand km | 50–100 | 100–150 | 150–200 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brakes | 6.2 % | 9.9 % | 13.2 % |
| Suspension | 10.7 % | 13.3 % | 15.3 % |
| Steering | 0.4 % | 0.5 % | 0.8 % |
| Tyres and wheels | 4.9 % | 7.6 % | 8.2 % |
| Lights, wipers and visibility | 16.6 % | 22.5 % | 23.4 % |
| Body and corrosion | 1.8 % | 3.4 % | 4.8 % |
| Exhaust, emissions and leaks | 3.7 % | 7.3 % | 10.4 % |
Owner complaints in the US
Which systems owners reported to the US agency NHTSA and at what mileage. Complaints are not confirmed faults and some relate to recalls. Sample: 3,019 complaints.
Official recalls
Recalls the manufacturer published in the United Kingdom for this model (9). The same recalls usually apply across Europe. Ask an authorised dealer to check by VIN whether your car is affected and whether the work has been done.
- Airbag Chevrolet Takata Driver’s Airbag04/02/2025 · R/2025/036
- Steering Engine may stall26/07/2016 · R/2016/175
- Brakes / ABS / ESP Brake fluid may leak03/03/2015 · R/2015/034
- Brakes / ABS / ESP Vehicle may lose drive when parked in 'p' roll away15/12/2014 · R/2014/180
- Brakes / ABS / ESP Drive shaft may fail12/09/2014 · R/2014/095
- Brakes / ABS / ESP Drive shaft may fracture08/01/2014 · R/2014/007
- Fuel system Engine may stall28/11/2011 · R/2011/160
- Seat belt Seat belt mount may not be secure12/05/2011 · R/2011/058
The other recalls (1) are listed in the app.
Sources and notes
Faults, intervals and prices are indicative and collected from public sources and owner experience; always rely on the service book and a qualified workshop. Test statistics: DVSA – Anonymised MOT tests and results, Open Government Licence v3.0. Owner complaints: NHTSA ODI (public domain). Recalls: DVSA Vehicle Safety Branch Recalls Database, OGL v3.0. Brand and model names are trademarks of their owners and are used only to describe the vehicles.
Updated 07/10/2026