Buying a discontinued car like the Chevy Cruze is a tough task due to the concern about its longevity. So, knowing how long do Chevy Cruze last can help decide whether it’s worth it.
On average, the Chevy Cruze lasts 175,000 to 250,000 miles, depending on the model year and how the owner uses and cares for it.
The most reliable Chevy Cruze that will provide higher gas mileage is 2008 to 2010 and 2016 to newer models, while the worst model to avoid is 2011-2015.
Article Summary
How Long Do Chevy Cruze Last?
The longevity of a car model, including the Chevy Cruze, depends on plenty of factors. However, most Chevy cruises last around 175,000 to 250,000 miles.
Some owners experienced their Chevy Cruze, which lasted up to 350,000 miles before showing any major problems.
So, a Chevy Cruze can last 17 years or even more with regular maintenance. In terms of models, newer Chevy Cruze models are more durable, reliable, and long-lasting.
If you want to retain the longevity of your Chevy Cruze, get all its scheduled maintenance done. Simple maintenance, like oil changes, helps make the car engine long-lasting by providing better protection.
You should also have an expert mechanic inspect your car routinely to avoid developing any serious engine problems and costly replacements.
Below is a list of various popular car models along with their approximate longevity in miles and years:
Car Name | Approximate longevity (Miles) | Approximate longevity (Years) |
Chevy Cruze | 175,000 to 250,000 | 14-17 |
Hyundai Elantra | 200,000 – 250,000 | 13 – 16 |
Nissan Altima | 250,000 – 300,000 | 17 – 20 |
Toyota Corolla | 250,000 – 300,000 | 17 – 20 |
Honda Civic | 275,000 – 290,000 | 17-19 |
Volkswagen Jetta | 170,000- 185,000 | 14-15 |
Mazda 3 | 215,000- 230,000 | 14- 16 |
How Reliable is a Chevrolet Cruze?
The Chevrolet Cruze is a solid, well-performing, and highly popular among the four-door compact sedans lovers.
In repair pal, the Chevy Cruze gets a reliability rating of 4.0 out of 5.0 and ranks 26th among 36 compact vehicles.
J.D Power has a 5.0 reliability rating of 5.0 in 2019 and ranked among the top three in 2019 and 2020 regarding the most reliable cars.
The Chevy Cruze is also popular for its lower maintenance cost. Its average yearly repair cost is only $545 compared to $526 for compact vehicles and $652 for all types of vehicles.
Considering the frequency, the Chevy Croze’s owner doesn’t also need to visit more frequently than others.
Like all the other vehicle models, the owner of the Chevrolet Cruze needs to bring the car to the service centre 0.4 times per year on average. The severe issue may also be the same as other vehicle models.
Still, it’s best to consult with CarFax to get a detailed report of the maintenance history of a used car before buying it.
This can help you avoid visiting repair shops more frequently and enjoy the best performance from your old used Cruze.
The Best and Worst Chevrolet Cruze Years
If you are satisfied with the Chevy Cruze’s longevity and reliability, you might be interested in buying Chevy. In this case, keep these best and worst model years in mind to invest in the top-notch one:
Chevy Cruze Years To Avoid
The worst Chevy Cruze models you should avoid are 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, and 2015. These models received many complaints on various car complaint survey sites and may cost frequent, costly repairs. The major issues with these models are cracked pistons, transmission failure, and anti-freeze smell.
The 2011 Chevy Cruze is the worst model as it got the highest number of 387 complaints on car complaints, where most are transmission problems, engine problems, and faulty heaters.
2012 Cruze also has these problems along with a cooling system problem and an electrical issue, and it received the second highest number of 275 complaints.
The main problems with the 2013 Chevy Cruze are electrical problems, and some complain about its engine, transmission, and heater. This model year gets 144 complaints.
Another year when the Chevy Cruise model was worse was 2014, when 181 complaints were received.
Chevy Cruze Years To Buy
If you are looking for the best Chevy Cruze model years that are good performers and will keep you safe on the road, invest in the newer model.
According to the car complaints, the best Chevy Cruze models are from 2008 to 2010 and from 2016 to the present.
These models receive outstanding customer reviews as they provide reliable service on the road while lasting for a long time and showing only minor problems.
These compact sedans are also affordable and provide great gas mileage. With a combination of all-around airbags, stability control features, child safety locks, anti-lock brakes, and daytime running lights, this Chevy Cruze will keep you safe while driving.
The Chevy Cruze also comes in sedan and hatchback models and has plenty of fun features to let you choose based on your preference and enjoy a comfortable driving experience.
What Are Some Problems With The Chevy Cruze?
Other issues have been reported by owners and documented by the auto press that may have had a box office effect on the Chevy Cruze’s reliability, especially engine overheating.
Frequent owner reports of engine overheating because of faulty thermostats and water pumps could have resulted in engine damage.
Coolant leaks, especially on models with turbo engines requiring radiator or cooling hose replacement, were also frequently reported.
Furthermore, some owners disdain how the transmission performs in the “forward” setting as several car owners have reported jerking, slipping or delayed shifting that normally worsens with the age of the vehicle and can become very expensive to fix or require a full transmission replacement.
As are complaints about problems with sensors and stability control warning lights, regular electrical issues are also a prominent concern.
The turbocharger in some iterations of the Cruze can fail, reducing power and acceleration, and some owners have found that the engine drinks too much oil, which means frequent oil changes, or premature wear on engine parts.
Inside, multiple owners complain about problems with the radio, the infotainment system, and seats and trim that wear down too soon.
While the Cruze gets good gas mileage and rides nicely, these complaints have damaged the car’s reputation for reliable, long-term service, especially with the engine, transmission and electrical aspects.
Routine maintenance and adherence to known recalls can reduce the possibility of these problems.
Why Did Chevy Discontinue the Cruze?
Following Ford and Fiat Chrysler, General Motors discontinue sedans for crossovers. Instead of replacing the compact sedan, Chevy focuses on developing their more popular series of trucks and SUVs.
However, due to pressure, Chevy didn’t discontinue its solid and reliable Cruze vehicle. They do so to make the transition through electric-powered vehicles instead of producing gas-powered ones.
Though Chevy will continue making Corvette and Camaro, they decided to replace the Cruze with their more popular electric sedans like the Bolt EV.
If you are still willing to cruise, you must contact Chevy dealers or individual sellers for used models. While Chevy dealers will provide you with more guarantees of longevity and quality, private sellers may offer you a faulty vehicle that may require costly maintenance.
Chevy dealers may also provide guarantees like manufacturer warranties, thorough inspections, and a service plan. Chevy recommends midsize Malibu, Cruze’s closest cousin, if you prefer a newer vehicle.
Tips To Increase the Longevity of Chevrolet Cruze
Below are a few pro tips to keep your Chevy Cruze in good condition to enjoy safe driving all the time and keep the maintenance cost low:
- Follow your car’s owner manual’s severe service schedule. Change the transmission fluids every 50k miles to avoid damaging the engine.
- Rotate the car’s front tires to back every year and check everything including tires, suspension, and brakes.
- Hand washes the vehicle once a year to remove all tar and dust from it. Wax the lube the window and door seal as well as the hood seal and trunk seal.
- Radiator coolant may escape slowly. So add DI water between every oil change.
- Fill the gas tank up when it drops under 50% and fill the windshield washer tank before its empty. Keep the engine oil at the right level while both too low and too high are bad for the engine.
- Clean under the hood every year and check the battery and radiators to clean off bugs.
- Avoid shady gas stations and use top-tier gas.
- Keep the wheels in good condition and keep the tires at 35 PSI.
- Keep your Chevy Cruze up to OEM standards to retain its longevity even after repair.
- Don’t ignore if the car shows a check engine light or any other issues even if they seem minor.
FAQs on How Long Do Chevy Cruze Last
How Many Miles Can a Chevy Cruze Go on a Tank of Gas?
It depends on the individual model years of Chevy. While the Chevy 2017 can go 438 miles on a gas tank, the 2013 model year went only 403 miles. These models also reach up to 28 MPG in the city, which is 38 MPG for the highway.
Does Chevy Cruze Have a Lot of Problems?
Not all Chevy Cruze model years have lots of problems. The Chevy Cruze model years that received many complaints are 2011 to 2015. Remember, manufacturers aren’t responsible for the faults of cars. Lack of maintenance and rough use is also highly responsible. Many people ask why the Chevy Cruze is so bad, but it isn’t true.
Is It Worth It To Buy a Chevy Cruze?
With safety credentials and considerably lower repair costs, the Chevy Cruze is a decent choice for people who want a compact sedan. This dependable vehicle lasts for years and can be prolonged by routine maintenance like tire rotations and oil changes. Its 1.4-liter turbocharged engine is also fuel efficient.
Does the Chevy Cruze Have Long-term Reliability?
The Chevrolet Cruze is a great economy car; however, it is not as reliable as some might hope. Owner reviews reveal that while many clocks a whopping 200,000 miles or more, many also experience engine or transmission failure or issues much earlier. We believe satisfying recalls and maintaining routine maintenance can greatly contribute to reliability.
What Maintenance is Needed To Extend the Lifespan of a Chevy Cruze?
Some of the most important maintenance tasks are to keep the oil freshened up, replace the timing belt, replace the water pump, keep the cooling system leak-free, and regularly check the transmission by a professional. You should make it a habit to avoid expensive trouble and keep the car for a long time with regular service.
Final Words
Now you should know how long the Chevy Cruze lasts. However, the longevity of a Chevy Cruze or other vehicle also depends on how the owner uses and cares for it and the manufacturing quality.
So, if you have a reasonable budget, choose a Chevy Cruze from the most recommended year’s list and buy it from an official dealer shop.
Then, follow the owner’s manual properly and routinely inspect the car to get the maximum out of your Chevy Cruze sedan.