The 2017 Cruze is a competent commuter let down by serious 1.4L turbo engine durability issues and transmission cooling problems that can lead to catastrophic failures, often outside warranty periods.
Symptoms: Excessive oil consumption (1 quart per 1,000 mi or worse), Knocking or ticking noise from lower engine block, Metal shavings in oil during changes, Sudden loss of oil pressure and engine seizure, Blue smoke from exhaust on startup or acceleration
Fix: Complete engine replacement or full rebuild required. Piston rings fail prematurely allowing oil burning, then bearing surfaces starve and spin. Short block replacement is 18-24 hours labor. Many shops recommend reman long block to avoid repeat failures. GM extended warranty to 120k/10yr on some VINs but not all.
Estimated cost: $5,500-8,500
Transmission Oil Cooler Failure and Fluid Contamination
Common · high severity
Typical onset: 50,000-90,000 mi
Symptoms: Transmission fluid appears milky or strawberry-colored (coolant contamination), Harsh or delayed shifting, slipping between gears, Transmission overheating warnings on dash, Coolant level drops with no visible external leaks, Check engine light with transmission-related codes
Fix: Internal transmission oil cooler in radiator fails, cross-contaminating coolant and ATF. Requires radiator replacement, complete transmission fluid flush (often multiple cycles), and sometimes full transmission rebuild if damage occurred. Critical to catch early. 8-12 hours labor for cooler/flush, add 16-20 hours if trans rebuild needed.
Estimated cost: $1,200-2,000 (cooler/flush only); $3,500-5,000 (with trans rebuild)
PCV System and Valve Cover Failure
Common · medium severity
Typical onset: 60,000-100,000 mi
Symptoms: Oil leaks from valve cover area, Rough idle or hesitation, Check engine light with P0171 (lean condition) or PCV codes, Whistling noise from engine bay, Oil in intake manifold or throttle body
Fix: Integrated PCV valve in valve cover fails or diaphragm tears, causing vacuum leaks and oil consumption. Valve cover assembly must be replaced as unit (PCV not serviceable separately on this engine). 2.5-3.5 hours labor. Should be done alongside any turbo or intake work to prevent comebacks.
Estimated cost: $450-750
Turbocharger Wastegate Actuator and Oil Feed Line Issues
Occasional · medium severity
Typical onset: 80,000-120,000 mi
Symptoms: Loss of power, especially during acceleration or uphill, Check engine light with boost control or turbo underboost codes (P0299), Turbo whine or whistle changes pitch, Oil leaks from turbo area, Blue smoke during hard acceleration if feed line restricted
Fix: Wastegate actuator sticks or fails electronically, or oil feed line develops restrictions/leaks causing turbo damage. Actuator alone is 3-4 hours, full turbo replacement is 5-7 hours. If oil feed line was restricted and turbo ran dry, full replacement necessary. Always replace feed and return lines with turbo.
Cooling System Thermostat Housing and Sensor Leaks
Common · low severity
Typical onset: 40,000-80,000 mi
Symptoms: Coolant puddles under vehicle after sitting, Sweet smell from engine bay, Low coolant warning light, Coolant visible around thermostat housing (front driver side of engine), Temperature gauge fluctuations
Fix: Plastic thermostat housing develops cracks or coolant temp sensor o-rings fail. Housing assembly replacement recommended over attempts to reseal. 1.5-2.5 hours labor. Replace coolant and bleed system properly to avoid air pockets that cause overheating.
Symptoms: Reduced power mode or limp mode activation, Excessive regen cycles (engine runs hotter, fuel economy drops), Check engine light with DPF codes, Strong diesel smell during regen, Failed emissions testing
Fix: DPF clogs from short trips or poor-quality diesel. Manual regen sometimes works if caught early (2-3 hours labor). Severe cases require DPF removal and professional cleaning ($800-1,200) or replacement (8-10 hours labor). Short-trip drivers should avoid diesel Cruze entirely.
Check oil level EVERY fill-up on 1.4T engines—consumption is normal but excessive consumption is early warning of ring failure
Inspect transmission fluid color at every oil change; milky fluid means immediate cooler replacement before trans is destroyed
Use TOP TIER gasoline only; direct-injection 1.4T is sensitive to carbon buildup on intake valves
Avoid diesel model if you drive under 20 miles per trip—DPF will clog prematurely
Replace PCV valve cover and thermostat housing proactively at 60-70k to avoid being stranded
Pass unless you find a unicorn with documented engine replacement under warranty and confirmed transmission cooler update—too many expensive grenades waiting to go off for a budget commuter.
AI-assisted summary drawn from NHTSA recall data, our labor-times database, and platform knowledge. Not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection on a specific vehicle.
Fitment notes: H6/Group 47; AGM required for stop-start system; battery located in trunk
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Every control module on the 2016-2019 Chevrolet Cruze — where it lives, replacement time, and what it takes to program a replacement. Modules marked dealer / factory tool won't work after a part swap alone — budget for programming.
📍 Behind instrument cluster lens in driver side of instrument panel
🔧 GM SPS2 via GDS2/MDI
⚠️ Mileage programming required. VIN and option configuration must be written to replacement cluster.
Fuel Pump Control Module (FPCM)0.8 hr R&Rno coding
📍 Under vehicle, mounted to fuel tank or frame rail near tank
⚠️ Controls fuel pump speed via PWM. No programming required, plug-and-play replacement.
Rear Vision Camera Module (RVCM)0.5 hr R&Rno coding▸ programming details
📍 Integrated with rear camera assembly in trunk lid or hatchback
⚠️ Standard equipment 2016+. Analog or digital video signal to infotainment. No programming required.
Headlamp Control Module (HCM)0.5 hr R&Rrelearn only +0.1 hrwith automatic headlamps▸ programming details
📍 Behind left headlamp assembly in engine compartment
🔧 GDS2 for DRL/auto headlamp setup
⚠️ Controls daytime running lamps and automatic headlamp function. Basic setup may auto-configure.
Aftermarket tool coverage varies by software version and vehicle build — treat "aftermarket tool" rows as "usually possible" and verify against your tool maker's coverage list before promising a customer. Spot a wrong location or hour? Tell us — corrections ship fast here.
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Chevrolet Cruze LS vehicles, equipped with a gasoline engine and a tire inflator kit instead of a spare tire. The vehicles may leak gasoline following a rear-impact crash and a rollover. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 301, "Fuel System Integrity."
Consequence: A fuel leak, in the presence of an ignition source, increases the risk of a fire.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will install a lock-ring on the fuel tank that will shield the fuel tank vapor pressure sensor from damage in a rear-impact crash, free of charge. The recall began June 7, 2018. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 18159.
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:HEAD RESTRAINT · 17V057000
2017-01-26
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2016-2017 Chevrolet Cruze vehicles. A bracket used in the driver or front passenger seat-back recliner mechanism may have been incorrectly welded to the seat-back frame, as a result, in the event of a crash, the head-restraints may not function properly. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 202a, "Head Restraints."
Consequence: In a crash, the seat-backs for the front seats may break, increasing the risk of injury to the occupants.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the front passenger seats, replacing any with seat-back frames that are incorrectly welded, free of charge. The recall began on February 28, 2017. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 17035.
Performance
Horsepower
153hp
Torque
177lb-ft
0–60 mph
8.2sec
Quarter mile
16.3sec
Top speed
125mph
Capability & size
Towing capacity
1,000lb
Payload
925lb
Curb weight
3,100lb
Wiper blades
Second generation Cruze. Sedan body style has no rear wiper. Hatchback variant has 14-inch rear wiper.
Size-standard part numbers — verify your connector type before buying. Rear blades are model-specific; check the package's vehicle list.
Fuel economy figures are EPA data via fueleconomy.gov (median across matching trims). Performance figures are compiled estimates for the 2017 Chevrolet Cruze 1.4L I4 Turbo and can vary by trim.
🔧 Database maintained under the daily editorial review of Chris Hackleman · Master Technician · 20+ years and Jeff Moore · Master Mechanic · 20+ years.