Looking for others whose clutch has failed

[XtremeRevolution]

How many miles on yours ?

I'm seriously considering buying an 2012/13 Eco Cruze w/manual but I'm having serious reservations about the long term reliability of the clutch.

I don't want to be trapped into spending big $$ on a repair on a low mileage vehicle. That would defeat the whole purpose of buying a new vehicle.

I currently own a 19 year old BMW 5 Series w/215k on the clock. It only needs front struts and a rear bushing currently. It only gets 21 MPG Highway.

Still sitting on the fence on this one......


.

Cars were built differently back then.

I have 13,500 miles on my clutch and no signs of any issues.

This is also the reason why you have a 6 year, 100k mile powertrain warranty with the Cruze. While the clutch normally isn't covered, many people have had theirs replaced due to the acknowledgment of premature wear.

[dpm1606]

My new 2012 Chevy Cruze Eco was purchased on 05/15/2012 and has approximately 8000 miles and the manual transmission clutch is already inoperative. The SW Louisiana Dealership will not repair the vehicle under warranty stating that a GM Field Service Rep has inspected the car and has determined that the clutch failure was due to operator abuse/misuse. In addition, the dealership states that the clutch is not covered under the factory warranty and subject to fair wear and tear although I purchased the GM extended warranty as well. Is it normal for a clutch to fail at 8000 miles? Certainly not! The car has never been abused and has been operated within normal operating limits but resulting in the clutch disc being fused to the flywheel - as reported by the service department to me. The speculation is that the operator, my daughter, 'rides' the clutch and has caused the clutch to wear out prematurely and fusing the clutch to the flywheel. My daughter has never 'ridden' the clutch nor abused the vehicle as speculated but has driven the car in a safe and proper manner using normal operating procedures IAW the operator's manual. A burning smell was reported by my daughter to me and within a few days (10/06/12) the car would not go into gear and after several attempts would not shift at all. My daughter is the only operator of the vehicle. The car was towed to the dealership and within a week the service department reported to me that the transmission needed to be replaced but would not be covered under warranty. My only request has been and remains that the car be repaired or replaced under warranty at no cost to me as the problem is a defect induced problem and not due to operator abuse or misuse. I hope that Chevrolet will stand behind their new cars and honor their new car warranty as a reputable company and not blame the customer for defect induced failures.

[Chevy Customer Service]

My new 2012 Chevy Cruze Eco was purchased on 05/15/2012 and has approximately 8000 miles and the manual transmission clutch is already inoperative. The SW Louisiana Dealership will not repair the vehicle under warranty stating that a GM Field Service Rep has inspected the car and has determined that the clutch failure was due to operator abuse/misuse. In addition, the dealership states that the clutch is not covered under the factory warranty and subject to fair wear and tear although I purchased the GM extended warranty as well. Is it normal for a clutch to fail at 8000 miles? Certainly not! The car has never been abused and has been operated within normal operating limits but resulting in the clutch disc being fused to the flywheel - as reported by the service department to me. The speculation is that the operator, my daughter, 'rides' the clutch and has caused the clutch to wear out prematurely and fusing the clutch to the flywheel. My daughter has never 'ridden' the clutch nor abused the vehicle as speculated but has driven the car in a safe and proper manner using normal operating procedures IAW the operator's manual. A burning smell was reported by my daughter to me and within a few days (10/06/12) the car would not go into gear and after several attempts would not shift at all. My daughter is the only operator of the vehicle. The car was towed to the dealership and within a week the service department reported to me that the transmission needed to be replaced but would not be covered under warranty. My only request has been and remains that the car be repaired or replaced under warranty at no cost to me as the problem is a defect induced problem and not due to operator abuse or misuse. I hope that Chevrolet will stand behind their new cars and honor their new car warranty as a reputable company and not blame the customer for defect induced failures.

dpm1606,
I would like to apologize for the issues that you are experiencing with your Cruze. I understand your frustrations. I would like to look into this further for you. Can you please send me a PM with your name, address, phone number, VIN, current mileage and the name of your dealer? I look forward to hearing back from you.
Thank you,
Stacy Chevrolet Customer Service

[weimerrj]

Cars were built differently back then.

I have 13,500 miles on my clutch and no signs of any issues.

This is also the reason why you have a 6 year, 100k mile powertrain warranty with the Cruze. While the clutch normally isn't covered, many people have had theirs replaced due to the acknowledgment of premature wear.

25K on mine, no problems - and I'm certain it's one of the "bad batch".

[NickInMesa]

My clutch is worn out and it happened after a bizarre incident where the engine over revved for no apparent reason except that I was very low on gas, pretty much running on fumes. Happened at 14K miles. I know how to drive. They are refusing to pay for it. It's crazy. All of my friends are appaled. Very very bad publicity for Chevrolet.

[obermd]

My clutch is worn out and it happened after a bizarre incident where the engine over revved for no apparent reason except that I was very low on gas, pretty much running on fumes. Happened at 14K miles. I know how to drive. They are refusing to pay for it. It's crazy. All of my friends are appaled. Very very bad publicity for Chevrolet.

As several people have pointed out, you attempted to slip the clutch to continue driving a car that was overreving. This is a guaranteed way to burn out a clutch and not safe operating procedures. In an overrev situation you must seperate the drive wheels from the engine for safety reasons. This means clutch to the floor and stick in neutral, not stick in gear and clutch slipping to continue moving the vehicle.

[Jnoobs]

My buddies clutch just failed on him after 6000 Miles. Dealership replaced it and said that the clutch's are covered for one year.

[bluemajestic]

My husbands clutch just went out at 16,000 miles! Ridiculous. The dealership stated is was worn from misuse. My husband has been driving manuals for 15 years and only had to replace one clutch at 120,000 miles! The dealership is stating this will not be covered under warranty and the replacement cost is $1700, but they are willing to "eat" the $700 if we pay the $1,000...Now, if they are 100% sure it was owner misuse why would they "eat" the $700? They have already taken the car apart and sad they would show use the worn clutch. At this point that clutch could have came from any other car. After reading everyone elses issue with this I will be contacting Chevy or a lawyer. I am refusing to pay for a clutch on a car with 16k on it. I have many mechanic friends that state that it is nearly impossible to blow a clutch at 16,000 miles.

[obermd]

My husbands clutch just went out at 16,000 miles! Ridiculous. The dealership stated is was worn from misuse. My husband has been driving manuals for 15 years and only had to replace one clutch at 120,000 miles! The dealership is stating this will not be covered under warranty and the replacement cost is $1700, but they are willing to "eat" the $700 if we pay the $1,000...Now, if they are 100% sure it was owner misuse why would they "eat" the $700? They have already taken the car apart and sad they would show use the worn clutch. At this point that clutch could have came from any other car. After reading everyone elses issue with this I will be contacting Chevy or a lawyer. I am refusing to pay for a clutch on a car with 16k on it. I have many mechanic friends that state that it is nearly impossible to blow a clutch at 16,000 miles.

The truth is on the friction plate. If it's worn over most or all of the plate surface, they have a case. If it only has spot wear on the plate, then the friction plate wasn't properly smooth and not making fully contact with the clutch pad when engaged.

When was your husband's car manufactured? (Sticker on the driver's door jam.)

[bluemajestic]

The truth is on the friction plate. If it's worn over most or all of the plate surface, they have a case. If it only has spot wear on the plate, then the friction plate wasn't properly smooth and not making fully contact with the clutch pad when engaged.

When was your husband's car manufactured? (Sticker on the driver's door jam.)

The car is at the dealership currently. I will look when we go up there to speak with the service manager. Thank you for your assistance.