2017 Chevrolet Cruze Safety Report
2017 Chevrolet Cruze Safety Report
Safety Decision Cockpit for the 2017 Chevrolet Cruze
This page is the hub for deciding what to inspect next on the 2017 Chevrolet Cruze. It connects recall campaigns, owner complaint patterns, service bulletins, sibling model years, component issue hubs, and the model buying guide so a shopper or owner can move from a single report into the wider safety graph.
| Signal | Value | What to inspect next |
|---|---|---|
| Recall burden | Moderate (2) | Review campaign numbers, affected components, and dealer remedies below. |
| Owner complaints | High (198) | Scan complaint narratives for recurring symptoms, mileage, crashes, fires, injuries, and dates. |
| Crash and fire reports | 14 | Treat any crash, fire, injury, or fatality-linked pattern as a priority pre-purchase inspection item. |
| Primary component hub | Engine | Compare engine issues across vehicles. |
| Cleaner nearby model year | 2019 | Compare against the 2019 Chevrolet Cruze with 18 complaints and 2 recalls. |
| Riskier nearby model year | 2015 | Check the 2015 Chevrolet Cruze before buying across this generation. |
Chevrolet Cruze Year-by-Year Comparison
The safest purchase decision usually comes from comparing neighboring model years, not reading a single page in isolation. The table below uses only validated Chevrolet Cruze years already present in the cleaned NHTSA dataset, so each comparison links to a real vehicle safety report rather than a generated combination.
| Model Year | Complaints | Recalls | Use case |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 Chevrolet Cruze | 106 | 3 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2016 Chevrolet Cruze | 242 | 4 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2019 Chevrolet Cruze | 18 | 2 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2015 Chevrolet Cruze | 250 | 4 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
2017 Chevrolet Cruze Complaint Theme Map
Complaint counts become more useful when they are grouped into inspection themes. For the 2017 Chevrolet Cruze, these are the component areas with the clearest NHTSA complaint signals. Use each link to jump from this single vehicle into broader component hubs and make-specific issue pages.
Engine
32 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Engine issues Chevrolet onlyPower Train
23 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Power Train issues Chevrolet onlyUnknown Or Other
14 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Unknown Or Other issues Chevrolet onlyElectrical System
14 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Electrical System issues Chevrolet onlyService Brakes
9 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Service Brakes issues Chevrolet onlyStructure
7 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Structure issues Chevrolet onlyAI Safety Analysis for the 2017 Chevrolet Cruze
Reliability Score
The 2017 Chevrolet Cruze receives a reliability score of 4 out of 100 based on analysis of NHTSA complaint data, recall history, crash reports, and safety ratings. This indicates below-average reliability. Significant issues have been reported by owners and should be carefully evaluated before purchase.
NHTSA Safety Ratings for the 2017 Chevrolet Cruze
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) evaluates vehicles through controlled crash tests and assigns star ratings from 1 to 5, with 5 being the safest.
Known Issues for the 2017 Chevrolet Cruze
The following issues have been identified from NHTSA complaint data and owner reports for the 2017 Chevrolet Cruze:
| Issue | Severity | Frequency | Typical Mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fuel System, Gasoline General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Chevrolet Cruze LS vehicles, equipped with a fuel system that may allow gasoline to leak into the engine. |
Medium | Common | 30k-60k miles |
| Head Restraint A bracket used in the front assembly of the seats, specifically the head restraint, has been identified as a potential safety concern. |
Low | Occasional | 0 miles |
| Turbocharger The turbocharger has been known to fail, leading to engine issues. A complete engine replacement was necessary at 37,000 miles. |
High | Common | 83k-37k miles |
| Catalytic Converter The catalytic converter has failed multiple times, requiring replacement within a short period. |
Medium | Common | 0 miles |
Common Problems Reported by Owners
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the following components account for the majority of reported issues with the 2017 Chevrolet Cruze:
Issues with service brakes have been reported in 9% of cases.
Problems with the electrical system have been reported in 14% of cases.
Engine issues have been reported in 7% of cases.
Problems with exterior lighting have been reported in 7% of cases.
Recall Details for the 2017 Chevrolet Cruze
The following 2 recalls have been issued for the 2017 Chevrolet Cruze by NHTSA:
Summary: 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.
Summary: 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.
NHTSA Complaint Summaries for the 2017 Chevrolet Cruze
Below are complaint narratives filed by owners of the 2017 Chevrolet Cruze with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. 2 complaints involved crashes. 1 reported injuries or fatalities.
Paint bubbling and rusting alone the car even though it’s washed and is no where near salt never even been hit there are tons of issues with GM paint yall need to fix these and recall every gm car with this issue and wipers are very rough scratching windshield
Car is currently not drivable due to strong smell of gas coming from under the hood. Findings, gas is leaking into the engine and car will not crank. Diagnostic machine indicates poor fuel to fuel injector causing a gas leak within the engine.
My 2017 Chevy Cruze had the throttle body replaced by STG Auto Group in Montclair, CA. A few months after the repair, my car began shaking violently and then shut off in the middle of the street while I was driving on 11/17/2025 This created a serious safety hazard for me and other drivers. When I took the vehicle to a local auto zone once the vehicle turned on , they told me the throttle body “n...
Apparently there is a TSB from GM regarding the end for updated/replacement of parts concerning the hydraulic piping, slave cylinder and accumulator. My clutch became spongy then stuck on the floor. This happened unexpectedly (reservoir full) while driving and almost caused an accident. Apparently GM doesn't take enough accountability to update the failure before or after failure. Reporting this...
My head lights stopped working except the day time running lights. The high beams don’t work nor the actual head lights. They just went out.
My turbocharger is failing. My car has 83,000 miles, but had to get a completely new engine at 37,000 miles. So the engine is less than 50,000 miles old. My check engine light has turned on and it’s is the turbo charger. General Motors has a Special Coverage Adjustment N232395330 that covers models with the same engine as the Chevy Cruze. However, because the model is not listed they are refusing ...
.
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 powe...
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.
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 ...
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 ...
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.
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...
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 o...
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
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...
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...
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 Chevro...
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 par...
My 2017 Chevy Cruze engine failed with only 38,000 miles on it (Case [XXX]). After it happened, I read that this is a known problem (see link below). I hope that GM will consider a recall on this item in order to save others from this experience. When I contacted GM and Chevy about this in late August, I was hoping that GM would take full responsibility for what clearly appears to be a manufactu...
Showing 20 of 198 complaints. Additional complaints are available via the NHTSA database.
Frequently Asked Questions About the 2017 Chevrolet Cruze
Has the 2017 CHEVROLET CRUZE been recalled?
Yes, the 2017 CHEVROLET CRUZE has 2 recalls on record with NHTSA. Each recall addresses a specific safety defect identified by the manufacturer or NHTSA.
How many complaints does the 2017 CHEVROLET CRUZE have?
The 2017 CHEVROLET CRUZE has 198 complaints filed with NHTSA. Of these, 8 involved crashes. 5 injuries and 0 deaths have been reported.
What is the safety rating for the 2017 CHEVROLET CRUZE?
The 2017 CHEVROLET CRUZE received an overall NHTSA safety rating of excellent (5/5). Frontal crash: 5/5. Side crash: 4/5. Rollover: 4/5.
What are the most common problems with the 2017 CHEVROLET CRUZE?
The most commonly reported problems with the 2017 CHEVROLET CRUZE involve engine (32 complaints), power train (23 complaints), unknown or other (14 complaints). Other affected components include electrical system, service brakes, structure.
How many crash reports does the 2017 CHEVROLET CRUZE have?
There are 8 crash reports associated with the 2017 CHEVROLET CRUZE out of 198 total complaints (4.0% of complaints involved crashes).
How many fire reports does the 2017 CHEVROLET CRUZE have?
There are 6 fire reports for the 2017 CHEVROLET CRUZE out of 198 total complaints. Fire reports are among the most serious safety concerns tracked by NHTSA.
Are there any deaths reported for the 2017 CHEVROLET CRUZE?
No deaths have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2017 CHEVROLET CRUZE.
How many injuries are reported for the 2017 CHEVROLET CRUZE?
5 injuries have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2017 CHEVROLET CRUZE. These are self-reported by vehicle owners as part of their safety complaints.
Should I buy a 2017 CHEVROLET CRUZE?
Based on NHTSA data, the 2017 CHEVROLET CRUZE is acceptable with caveats. It has 198 complaints, 2 recalls, and a excellent (5/5) safety rating. Always have a pre-purchase inspection done by a qualified mechanic.
What components fail most on the 2017 CHEVROLET CRUZE?
The components with the most failures on the 2017 CHEVROLET CRUZE are: 1. ENGINE (32 complaints), 2. POWER TRAIN (23 complaints), 3. UNKNOWN OR OTHER (14 complaints), 4. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (14 complaints), 5. SERVICE BRAKES (9 complaints). ENGINE is the single most-reported problem area with 32 complaints.
What should I know before buying a 2017 CHEVROLET CRUZE?
Be cautious of service brakes and electrical system issues. Regular maintenance is crucial. The 2017 CHEVROLET CRUZE has 198 NHTSA complaints and 2 recalls on record. NHTSA rates it excellent (5/5).
How reliable is the 2017 CHEVROLET CRUZE?
The 2017 CHEVROLET CRUZE receives a reliability score of 4/100, indicating below-average reliability. This is based on 198 owner complaints, 2 recalls, and 14 crash/fire reports in the NHTSA database. Key known issues include Fuel System, Gasoline and Head Restraint.
What are the known issues with the 2017 CHEVROLET CRUZE?
Known issues with the 2017 CHEVROLET CRUZE include: Fuel System, Gasoline, Head Restraint, Turbocharger, Catalytic Converter. These are based on patterns found across 198 NHTSA complaints. 2 of these patterns resulted in formal recalls.
Are there any recalls for the 2017 Chevrolet Cruze?
Yes, there are recalls for fuel system and seat assembly issues.
What are the common electrical system issues?
Problems with lights and other electrical components have been reported.
Is the turbocharger prone to failure?
Yes, the turbocharger has been known to fail, leading to engine issues.
Buyer Advice
Our recommendation: Be cautious of service brakes and electrical system issues. Regular maintenance is crucial.
NHTSA Data Summary for 2017 Chevrolet Cruze
This safety report is based on a comprehensive analysis of data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for the 2017 Chevrolet Cruze. The data includes 198 consumer complaints filed by vehicle owners, 2 manufacturer-initiated safety recalls, 8 reported crashes, 6 fire incidents, 5 reported injuries, and safety rating assessments associated with this vehicle.
The NHTSA has assigned the 2017 Chevrolet Cruze an overall safety rating of 5 out of 5 stars, with a frontal crash rating of 5 stars, a side crash rating of 4 stars, and a rollover rating of 4 stars. These ratings are determined through controlled crash testing conducted by the NHTSA.
All data presented in this report is sourced from public NHTSA databases. Our AI analysis identifies patterns across complaint narratives, correlates them with recall history, and produces the safety assessment above. This analysis is updated as new complaints and recalls are filed with the NHTSA.
Consumers are encouraged to report vehicle safety problems to the NHTSA at nhtsa.gov. If your vehicle is subject to a recall, contact your dealer to schedule the free repair.
Disclaimer: This analysis is AI-generated from NHTSA public data and does not constitute professional automotive or safety advice. Always verify recall status at NHTSA.gov and consult a qualified mechanic.
Analysis last updated: 2026-05-14