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2017 CHEVROLET CRUZE Complaints and Recall Information

The 2017 CHEVROLET CRUZE has 19 complaints and 2 recalls filed with NHTSA. Owners most frequently report issues with the turbocharger, a malfunctioning automatic engine stop feature, and water intrusion through the third brake light. Other complaints include clutch and door locking problems along with occasional engine stalling.

Common Issues
  • Turbocharger failures. Numerous reports cite check engine lights and power loss caused by turbocharger malfunctions, including waste gate spring failures and diagnostic trouble code P0299 linked to underboost conditions. Repairs often involve costly component replacement.
  • Automatic engine stop malfunction. Several owners report that the engine shuts off at stoplights but will not restart without exiting and locking the car, creating hazardous driving conditions and unresponsiveness in traffic.
  • Slave cylinder failure. Complaints include partial clutch pedal return and difficulty shifting gears, typically occurring around 125,000 miles. Dealerships reportedly failed to diagnose or address the issue adequately.
  • Third brake light leaks. Water intrusion through the third brake light causes condensation in the trunk and interior, damaging electrical components such as the battery and control modules, leading to power steering and dashboard failures without prior warning.
  • Intermittent door latch issues. Some vehicles experience random unlocking and locking of all four door latches while driving. Dealers were unable to replicate the problem during service visits.
  • Catalytic converter failures. The catalytic converter reportedly requires multiple replacements within a short period, raising concerns due to the expected lifespan of these components.
  • Gasoline odor inside vehicle. An unexplained fuel smell is reported, particularly noticeable when opening the trunk.
  • Engine piston cracking. One complaint details inoperability caused by cracked pistons leading to misfires and power loss in the 1.4L turbo engine, referencing a known technical service bulletin.
  • Rear seatback structural failure. In a rear-end collision, the driver’s seat back broke causing serious injury to the occupant and totaling the vehicle.
  • Slow acceleration. Owners report consistent sluggish acceleration which impairs passing ability and triggers engine turbocharger fault codes during driving.

Two recalls address structural and fuel system safety defects. The issues concern the front seat head restraints and fuel tank integrity upon collision. Both recalls involve large numbers of vehicles and outline inspection and part replacement procedures at no cost to owners.

Recalls
  • Front seat head restraints. NHTSA recall 17V057000 affects 17,197 vehicles. A welding defect in the seat-back recliner bracket may cause the head restraints to malfunction during a crash, increasing injury risk. GM will inspect and replace improperly welded seat-back frames free of charge. Owners are notified by mail. No Do Not Drive advisory.
  • Fuel system gasoline leak risk. NHTSA recall 18V304000 covers 111,966 vehicles. Fuel may leak after a rear impact or rollover due to insufficient protection of the fuel tank vapor pressure sensor, increasing fire risk. Dealers will install a protective lock-ring on the fuel tank at no cost to owners. Recall notifications began in 2018. No Do Not Drive advisory.

Owners facing repeated repairs due to safety-related defects or unresolved recall issues may have rights under their state’s lemon law. Consulting with a legal professional can help determine possible options when persistent problems affect vehicle safety and reliability.

2017 CHEVROLET CRUZE Summary

2017

Model Year

19

Total Complaints

2

Total Recalls

129163

Vehicles Affected

Recalls

2017 CHEVROLET CRUZE

111966 vehicles affected

18V304000

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

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."

Risk: A fuel leak, in the presence of an ignition source, increases the risk of a fire.

2017 CHEVROLET CRUZE

17197 vehicles affected

17V057000

SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:HEAD RESTRAINT

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."

Risk: In a crash, the seat-backs for the front seats may break, increasing the risk of injury to the occupants.

Complaints

2017 CHEVROLET CRUZE

ID: 2118439

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

The 3rd brake light is known to leak on Chevy cars, which I found out when searching up the issues, which allows water inside trunk without your knowledge and does water damage to the battery and other electrical components that are located in the trunk that controls the dashboard, a/c, radio, power steering and probably even more. Safety risk: makes your dashboard stop working along with the power steering, while driving. There is another vehicle at the same dealer as mine right now with water in the trunk, it’s an impala. When you search up on the internet about dashboard not working along with radio and a/c there are quite a few different people pointing to the leaking 3rd brake light and water in the trunk damaging the electrical components in the trunk. The vehicle is at a Chevrolet dealer right now being fixed. No warning messages before it happened. I have only owned the car for 1 year bought it used June 2024. The bill I included is so far what they are saying needs to be fixed but I’m sure more to come as they get some components working.

2017 CHEVROLET CRUZE

ID: 2118438

STEERING

The 3rd brake light is known to leak on Chevy cars, which I found out when searching up the issues, which allows water inside trunk without your knowledge and does water damage to the battery and other electrical components that are located in the trunk that controls the dashboard, a/c, radio, power steering and probably even more. Safety risk: makes your dashboard stop working along with the power steering, while driving. There is another vehicle at the same dealer as mine right now with water in the trunk, it’s an impala. When you search up on the internet about dashboard not working along with radio and a/c there are quite a few different people pointing to the leaking 3rd brake light and water in the trunk damaging the electrical components in the trunk. The vehicle is at a Chevrolet dealer right now being fixed. No warning messages before it happened. I have only owned the car for 1 year bought it used June 2024. The bill I included is so far what they are saying needs to be fixed but I’m sure more to come as they get some components working.

2017 CHEVROLET CRUZE

ID: 2118437

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

The 3rd brake light is known to leak on Chevy cars, which I found out when searching up the issues, which allows water inside trunk without your knowledge and does water damage to the battery and other electrical components that are located in the trunk that controls the dashboard, a/c, radio, power steering and probably even more. Safety risk: makes your dashboard stop working along with the power steering, while driving. There is another vehicle at the same dealer as mine right now with water in the trunk, it’s an impala. When you search up on the internet about dashboard not working along with radio and a/c there are quite a few different people pointing to the leaking 3rd brake light and water in the trunk damaging the electrical components in the trunk. The vehicle is at a Chevrolet dealer right now being fixed. No warning messages before it happened. I have only owned the car for 1 year bought it used June 2024. The bill I included is so far what they are saying needs to be fixed but I’m sure more to come as they get some components working.

2017 CHEVROLET CRUZE

ID: 2113916

ENGINE

Check engine light say turbo charger problem code is P0299, i have googled this issue and its pretty common on this vehicle as well as prior years of chevy cruzes. There should be an investigation as to why this issue is so common.

2017 CHEVROLET CRUZE

ID: 2110158

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

The Cruze has always been slow to accelerate which made passing a problem. In May 2025 we were driving on [XXX] in Detroit and the engine light came on the dashboard. We were able to drive the car without propulsion to Lansing, a distance of 90 miles. Feldman Chevorolet said the code for the light was engine turbo-charger. That's a $3K repair. We have no choice but to drive the car. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

2017 CHEVROLET CRUZE

ID: 2110157

SEATS

The Cruze has always been slow to accelerate which made passing a problem. In May 2025 we were driving on [XXX] in Detroit and the engine light came on the dashboard. We were able to drive the car without propulsion to Lansing, a distance of 90 miles. Feldman Chevorolet said the code for the light was engine turbo-charger. That's a $3K repair. We have no choice but to drive the car. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

2017 CHEVROLET CRUZE

ID: 2110156

ENGINE

The Cruze has always been slow to accelerate which made passing a problem. In May 2025 we were driving on [XXX] in Detroit and the engine light came on the dashboard. We were able to drive the car without propulsion to Lansing, a distance of 90 miles. Feldman Chevorolet said the code for the light was engine turbo-charger. That's a $3K repair. We have no choice but to drive the car. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

2017 CHEVROLET CRUZE

ID: 2093245

ENGINE

My 2017 Chevrolet Cruze LT (VIN: [XXX] 1.4L turbo, ~85,000 miles) is inoperable due to cracked pistons, a known issue in 2016–2017 models causing misfires and power loss (TSB 18-NA-171). I seek GM goodwill assistance for repair costs (~$3,877–$10,500) and am exploring legal options, as no recall or class-action lawsuit currently exists. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6

2017 CHEVROLET CRUZE

ID: 2087461

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

There has not been any specific incident, but I have noticed a gasoline odor while driving my car. The smell is particularly strong when I open the trunk. I have had the issue inspected and inquired about the cause, as the odor began suddenly and without any apparent reason.

2017 CHEVROLET CRUZE

ID: 2081512

ENGINE

The contact owns a 2017 Chevrolet Cruze. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the door latches independently unlocked and locked. Additionally, the contact stated that the failure had occurred with all four doors. The contact stated that the RPM occasionally increased unintendedly. The contact stated that the failure was intermittent. The vehicle was taken to the dealer twice; however, the failure was not duplicated. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 16,994.

2017 CHEVROLET CRUZE

ID: 2081511

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

The contact owns a 2017 Chevrolet Cruze. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the door latches independently unlocked and locked. Additionally, the contact stated that the failure had occurred with all four doors. The contact stated that the RPM occasionally increased unintendedly. The contact stated that the failure was intermittent. The vehicle was taken to the dealer twice; however, the failure was not duplicated. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 16,994.

2017 CHEVROLET CRUZE

ID: 2079134

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

The catalytic converter on my Chevy Cruze has failed several times over the course of almost 2 (two) years and required replacement. The most recent replacement was 3/17/2025. The vehicle had diagnostics performed each time. It is my understanding that the life of a catalytic converter is 10 years or more. So being replaced several times seems excessive in such a short amount of time. The safety of myself and others were at risk because issues with a catalytic converter can lead to engine problems, which could indirectly lead to an accident or injury. I received warning messages each time and took the vehicle in for diagnostics and repair. The vehicle has not been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives.

2017 CHEVROLET CRUZE

ID: 2071429

SEATS

In a rear end collision to my Chevrolet Cruze my driver seat back broke on the left side causing my torso to twist in the accident. This caused disc protrusions in my lumbar and thoracic spine. Vehicle was totaled

Crash 1 Injured

2017 CHEVROLET CRUZE

ID: 2070837

STRUCTURE

The contact owns a 2017 Chevrolet Cruze. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the contact observed a 1-inch crack in the third brake light. The contact stated that there was condensation leaking into the interior of the vehicle near the pillar loop of the seat belt, onto the floor near the retractor of the rear passenger’s seat belt. Additionally, the contact observed condensation in the trunk of the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

2017 CHEVROLET CRUZE

ID: 2069783

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

We believe the auto stop is malfunctioning. When stopping at a light the car will go into auto stop and then die. It won't restart without getting out of the car, alarming and locking it, then unlock and get back in. This is our second 2017 cruze hatchback, both purchased brand new. The first one was doing the same thing less than 2 months after we bought it. Dealership couldn't figure it out, we caused enough of a scene for them to put us in another brand new one. Obviously, a car randomly dying on the road is a safety issue. We did have our first one checked out by the dealership, Autonation Chevrolet Gulf Freeway in Houston, and they couldn't find anything wrong and couldn't recreate the issue, which is why they got us in a second one. This one didn't start doing this until a couple months ago, at at 8 years old. No warranty, and we haven't had it checked out by anyone yet. It's worth mentioning that we also had this issue with our 2017 Traverse, 3 years in. Same dealership, couldn't recreate the issue, we ended up trading it in. No lights or warning lamps of any kind appeared.

2017 CHEVROLET CRUZE

ID: 2069782

ENGINE

We believe the auto stop is malfunctioning. When stopping at a light the car will go into auto stop and then die. It won't restart without getting out of the car, alarming and locking it, then unlock and get back in. This is our second 2017 cruze hatchback, both purchased brand new. The first one was doing the same thing less than 2 months after we bought it. Dealership couldn't figure it out, we caused enough of a scene for them to put us in another brand new one. Obviously, a car randomly dying on the road is a safety issue. We did have our first one checked out by the dealership, Autonation Chevrolet Gulf Freeway in Houston, and they couldn't find anything wrong and couldn't recreate the issue, which is why they got us in a second one. This one didn't start doing this until a couple months ago, at at 8 years old. No warranty, and we haven't had it checked out by anyone yet. It's worth mentioning that we also had this issue with our 2017 Traverse, 3 years in. Same dealership, couldn't recreate the issue, we ended up trading it in. No lights or warning lamps of any kind appeared.

2017 CHEVROLET CRUZE

ID: 2065065

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

The shutoff feature that shuts the engine? down while at a full stop/red light, is defective. I was stopped at a red-light and the engine shutdown as a gas-saver feature and stalled and I had to put my car in park and restart it in mid traffic. I was rear-ended by the person behind me, who was a hit n run. This is an unsafe feature that has been put in many Chevrolet vehicles. I called the Chevrolet # and she told me, I had to pay for the $250 diagnostic test at a Chevy dealership and I told her, Chevrolet should be responsible for the failure to restart my engine car as it is a an unsafe feature installed by them and that that they should turn off that feature for free as I was hit from behind when the vehicle did not restart. I want Chevrolet to pay to have this unsafe feature removed without charging my for an expensive diagnostic system test. I as a consumer, should have that choice! I want that flawed feature turned off in my vehicle. IT'S UNSAFE.

Crash

2017 CHEVROLET CRUZE

ID: 2059215

ENGINE

Slave cylinder failure. At approximately 125,000 miles, the slave cylinder began to fail. Clutch pedal would only come back up about half way, and would need to be pulled the rest of the way up. Associated problem is difficulty putting car into gear. Took vehicle to dealership for other warranty work and asked to investigate. Dealership ignored request. Took back separate time for other faulty parts and was ignored again. Other part failure was turbo waste gate. Internal spring failure caused turbo waste gate to become stuck open, not allowing boost to build. Caused check engine light and severe lack of power. Replaced part with aftermarket, and problem disappeared. Investigation into cause revealed low quality spring that broke internally. Dealership visits within extended warranty period were ignored/ told could not replicate issue, despite suggestions of potential causes, including waste gate failure.

2017 CHEVROLET CRUZE

ID: 2059214

POWER TRAIN

Slave cylinder failure. At approximately 125,000 miles, the slave cylinder began to fail. Clutch pedal would only come back up about half way, and would need to be pulled the rest of the way up. Associated problem is difficulty putting car into gear. Took vehicle to dealership for other warranty work and asked to investigate. Dealership ignored request. Took back separate time for other faulty parts and was ignored again. Other part failure was turbo waste gate. Internal spring failure caused turbo waste gate to become stuck open, not allowing boost to build. Caused check engine light and severe lack of power. Replaced part with aftermarket, and problem disappeared. Investigation into cause revealed low quality spring that broke internally. Dealership visits within extended warranty period were ignored/ told could not replicate issue, despite suggestions of potential causes, including waste gate failure.