Chevrolet Cruze electrical problems, 2016–2019
110 of the 582 complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the Chevrolet Cruze 2016–2019 name the electrical system (NHTSA’s “Electrical System” heading — wiring, modules, batteries, charging, infotainment and driver displays — NHTSA's broadest heading). The loudest years: 2016 (59), 2017 (33), 2018 (14). Filed under the same heading across these years: no document yet. Every figure is a linked federal record; none is a failure rate, none a repair cost, and none a verdict on one car.
Chevrolet Cruze electrical problems by model year
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer communicationsOne row per model year on file, newest first. A year marked in depth has its own page: the complaints, the owners’ words and every document under this heading for that year.
| Model year | Complaints naming the electrical system | Share of the year’s | Typically at | On file under the heading | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 4 | 18% | — | 134 TSBs | the year → |
| 2018 | 14 | 13% | — | 195 TSBs | the year → |
| 2017 | 33 | 16% | 29k | 269 TSBs | the year → |
| 2016 in depth | 59 | 24% | 45k | 287 TSBs | the record → |
Two things the counts carry that are not the car: how many of each year were sold, and how long each has been on the road — an older year out-counts a newer one before anything is wrong with it. The share column is the honest comparison across years: what part of that year’s complaints named the electrical system. Nothing here is a rate.
When the electrical complaints were filed, and at what mileage
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseFiled per calendar year, every model year together: 2016: 13 · 2017: 5 · 2018: 18 · 2019: 18 · 2020: 13 · 2021: 7 · 2022: 5 · 2023: 6 · 2024: 13 · 2025: 10 · 2026: 2
Across the model years, half of the 65 owners who gave an odometer reading reported the electrical problem between 16,000 and 61,000 miles. A median of reports, not the life of a part.
In owners’ own words
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseFiled with NHTSA by the people who own these cars, about the electrical system, from the model years with the most to say. Quoted as written, with anything identifying removed; unverified reports — what was said, not a finding that it was true.
I was parked in an outdoor parking lot. When I got to my vehicle I could not enter my it even though I had the key fob in my hand (keyless entry). I used the Chevrolet mylink app to gain access to the vehicle. Then I could not start my car using the start button.
Just received a recall letter of some form for my 2016 chevy cruz stating that a fire may start when the d.c./d.c. Converter is powered due to a resistive short occurring due to electrical/ lighting problems I believe the letter describes it better then I can.
On 11-6-18 at 33,960 mi while driving on city street a loud pop sound under the dash, instrument panel and all electrical went out (dash, radio, etc) then all warning lights cam on as if car had just been turned on, all display came back normal after several seconds but check engine light stayed on.
I was sitting stationary in traffic when the light changed to green. I prepared to move, the auto stop kicked off and shut my car down. Nothing was on but all the lights on the dashboard. I had to shift into park and restart my car.
The car is making a whistling sound, the check engine light is on and it has low power. Also wanting to stall
What is on file about the electrical system, across the years
Source: NHTSA recalls, investigations and manufacturer communicationsNothing filed under this heading on these model years.
Other systems with a record on the Chevrolet Cruze
Source: the same filesEvery system, every model year: Chevrolet Cruze problems by year →
Common questions
Source: NHTSA complaint database, recalls and manufacturer communicationsWhich Chevrolet Cruze years have the most electrical complaints?
2016, 59; 2017, 33; 2018, 14. Raw counts, and an older year has had longer to collect them; by share of each year's own complaints the loudest is the 2016 (24%).
Is there a recall for the electrical system on the Chevrolet Cruze?
No recall campaign is filed under this heading on any of these model years. A bulletin is not a recall: it carries no federal duty to repair for free.
When do electrical problems show up on the Chevrolet Cruze?
Owners who gave an odometer reading reported it at a median of 35,000 miles across the model years; half of them between 16,000 and 61,000. That is when reports cluster, not the life of a part.
What does NHTSA's "Electrical System" heading cover?
Wiring, modules, batteries, charging, infotainment and driver displays — NHTSA's broadest heading. Owners choose the heading when they file, so it says which area of the vehicle the complaint is about, not which part failed.