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Chevrolet Cruze poor reliability rating by Consumer Reports.....What's GM turnaround?

24K views 113 replies 37 participants last post by  jblackburn 
#1 · (Edited)
After three years of production, it looks like this entire first-generation era of the Chevrolet Cruze (2011-2015) won't be receiving any awards for reliability at all. There are way more number of black dots in Cruze's reliability chart published by Consumer Reports than I thought, especially the mainstream 1.8L version, and I personally think GM could have done better in much earlier time.

With more number of black dots than I thought, you don't want to imagine what the chart looks like in the future 2021 edition, which will by now show Cruze's complete reliability history years since 2011, and it will be nothing but filled with numerous black dots all over when the cars get older. Technically, Cruze's reliability score is identical to the Cobalt and Cavalier we had before (same below-average mark, half white-half black dot), and nothing has changed at all, even today, very disappointedly.

Now the 2016 redesign is coming shortly, what improvements in quality and reliability will be there, and will it ever match Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla? GM should and must urgently put Cruze #1 priority in reliability improvement, or we will never jump-start the domestic car market and the US economy in our lifetime. Despite Cruze's decent 248,00 sales number and GM's best-selling model (but majority were sold to fleets), it's still in a minor market share, and many reluctant American people still refuse to own another American car. Go ask and speak to your neighbor who has been driving Japanese for a long time.

We're still way below GM's all-time peak 1985 Cavalier's 432,000 sales figure, and we have a long way to go. We cannot allow GM to continue producing low-reliability vehicles without doing extensive testing in quality control. GM should learn and copy what Toyota is doing with their new 2014 Corolla.

To jump start the domestic auto industry and create trust by majority of the American people, the cars MUST maintain a reliability rating score of above-average and better for at least 5 years, and the next-generation version showing excellent rating or better, with higher score than the previous. Then the reluctant buyers will come in. I know this may sound too demanding for the American cars and for the union assembly workers to improve build quality, but this is the only way to prove yourself as an automaker.

There were some attempts made recently, actually. Ford released the Fusion and Lincoln Zephyr/MKZ in 2006 through 2012, and this is the only known body generation from an American car maker maintaining a reliability score of above-average and better. Ford Fusion was rated more-reliable than Toyota Camry and Honda Accord at one time (2007-2009). Unfortunately, they slid-off sharply starting with the 2013 redesign, and the trust with Fusion is over now. It was in a border-line gap that Fusion could be seeing sales spike and trust.

Regardless, until recently in 2011, Ford has always done a good job maintaining the famous white dot average score for years (since 1995 to 2010, about 15 years). The Ford Escort and Focus have always scored higher in reliability than the Chevrolet Cavalier and Cobalt, and now I fear the next-generation 2017 Focus will outrank Cruze once again.

Actually, the more I see the reliability charts history, the more I realize that GM DON'T have the capacity to build more-reliable cars than Ford, and maybe Chrysler next in the line. It may be GM's own old nature to produce less-reliable vehicles than Ford, but I will let your own opinion decide.

Please share your inputs and thoughts as I think it's a serious issue. I would love to hear from GM what they're saying about this. How can GM get the Civic and Corolla drivers back to Chevy's showroom?
 
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#9 ·
I have found the exact opposite is true...I had a 1991 ford F350 (bought brand new) that CR had given decent marks on and had to buy 4 (!) transmissions for the **** thing before it made it to 90k when I traded it in for my 3500 GMC which has over 350K on it and I haven't had to do anything but replace worn out parts like a water pump and distributor shaft. I will never buy another Ford and as far as CR is concerned I think they have something wrong with their methodology.
 
#7 ·
That's one heck of an Intro on the first post lol... :wink: Consumer reports.. 50% legit.. 50% whining.. True there are defects but lots of new models do. Just like buying on amazon.. reviews I take with a grain of salt.. some people complain because of stupid crap or crap they didn't read but were expecting. While I only have 1500 miles on mine.. I have not run into any issues at this time. There are a few well known things that people do not like and you can read the threads about it.. but I have owned many vehicles in my time and I am sure I could write a book about each of them with things I didn't like. I think they all could do a better job but I also can't say any one is more horrid than the other at this point... Except for when the horrid "Daewoo"
 
#12 ·
A lot of cars have previously earned the title of reliable until they too experienced recalls. Don't forget that recalls are a good thing. It means the company is taking responsibility. When was the last time Apple called to tell you your device may potentially fail d2 a defect? Or Microsoft for that matter....
 
#14 ·
That's Nice ! No Comment .
 
#15 ·
My cruze had some initial issues, all before 3,000 miles. I'm at 49,000 miles now with no further problems. Will be three years ownership next april, enjoy driving my cruze enough to blow through the bumper to bumper warranty in 2 years.


EDIT: forgot my trunk mounted switch went bad, though not really a mark of reliability. To me reliability is more about my car starting every time and getting me where I need to go.
 
#21 ·
76000 miles and not a bit of trouble still have the same tires and brakes on it. I guess when I was in traffic and I had no power brakes that was an issue, but my 2006 Malibu would give out power steering when u put your foot in it and that sh was scary. Cars have problems but mine has been maintenance free minus oil changes

Sent from my cat
 
#23 ·
2 things to touch on.

*Who gets these surveys to fill out? I am in soo many online car forums and had 3 brand new cars but never got one.

*A good deal of people showing up to an online forum are people with issues they went to Google for. How many times have you seen a Cruze with stuff done to it and wondered why they aren't on here. I remember back when I was in Texas where only 2 people would post on the regional thread and about 25 cars would show up from word of mouth.
 
#53 ·
2 things to touch on.

*Who gets these surveys to fill out? I am in soo many online car forums and had 3 brand new cars but never got one.
Basically this survey is sent out once a year to subscribers receiving the CR magazine. The worst part is that you have to use your own stamp to even return it back.....(those cheap bastiches....). I would never return mine (when I did get CR) because I had nothing worth complaining about and I'm sure a lot of people did the same. However, those that did have problems will send it in just to air their frustrations. In other words....the customer results are SKEWED.
 
#26 ·
A long time ago, CR was virtually the only source on reliability. Today, you have to look at multiple sources to see what level of complaints, problems, TSBs, recalls for each car in a given class. I think CR has lost its cred. over the years, so I look elsewhere to evaluate new cars.
 
#28 ·
A long time ago, CR was virtually the only source on reliability. Today, you have to look at multiple sources to see what level of complaints, problems, TSBs, recalls for each car in a given class. I think CR has lost its cred. over the years, so I look elsewhere to evaluate new cars.
These are called Amazon reviews ;)
 
#29 ·
I hope the first post isn't trying to say Ford makes good cars! Our 2009 Ford focus has had replaced: rear right side wheel bearing, steering rack, steering pump, front brake calipers, both lower control arms, pretty much every suspension bushing there is, trunk latch mechanism and the front passenger window has been attemped to be fixed by two dealerships multiple times (still have to push it up myself the last couple inches). As for the subjective stuff, it has a cushy ride, but can't corner. Steering is vague. Interior rattles a lot, fix one just to hear another somewhere else. But still, it MUST be a great car! Can't wait to dump this jalopy for a chevy Orlando!

My 2011 Cruze has had exactly one issue: the outside trunk button. (2011's are supposed to be the least reliable btw.)

As for a Corolla, they should all be recalled for being terminally boring. There is an extreme danger of drivers being bored to death and falling asleep at the wheel, possibly causing a serious accident. The only solution to this problem would be to retrofit all Corollas with an alarm clock set to go off every 15 minutes.

People who buy Corollas just don't know any better.
 
#31 ·
I hope the first post isn't trying to say Ford makes good cars! Our 2009 Ford focus has had replaced: rear right side wheel bearing, steering rack, steering pump, front brake calipers, both lower control arms, pretty much every suspension bushing there is, trunk latch mechanism and the front passenger window has been attemped to be fixed by two dealerships multiple times (still have to push it up myself the last couple inches). As for the subjective stuff, it has a cushy ride, but can't corner. Steering is vague. Interior rattles a lot, fix one just to hear another somewhere else. But still, it MUST be a great car! Can't wait to dump this jalopy for a chevy Orlando!

My 2011 Cruze has had exactly one issue: the outside trunk button. (2011's are supposed to be the least reliable btw.)

As for a Corolla, they should all be recalled for being terminally boring. There is an extreme danger of drivers being bored to death and falling asleep at the wheel, possibly causing a serious accident. The only solution to this problem would be to retrofit all Corollas with an alarm clock set to go off every 15 minutes.

People who buy Corollas just don't know any better.
Not sure if this can help you overseas but I'll post it anyways.

PI#0492A and Part #95093127

The 13 Focus rental feels exactly how you described the 09. No way could I have gotten that car after driving every other car in class.
 
#30 · (Edited)
I had a 1998 Toyota Corrola and it was a piece of junk and getting the dealer to do anything under warranty was like talking to a stone wall they would not do anything. So yeah I guess you have a reliable car if you don't fix your customer's complaint and ignore them lol. My 2011 Cruze has been a lot less trouble than my corolla and my dealer has not squawked about doing any warranty work I requested (in fact they have gone out of their way to do extra items). So I read consumer's digest with a skeptical eye as I am sure some what they say is true but as always your mileage may vary.

We also had a 1996 honda civic and the dealer's fix to the wind noise at highway speeds was putting a sun blocker in front of the sunroof. They were a lot harder to get things done under warranty too but they would eventually do it and they at least listened to you.
 
#39 ·
I think OP just wanted to see how much irritation could be generated. )
 
#40 ·
After three years of production, it looks like this entire first-generation era of the Chevrolet Cruze (2011-2015) won't be receiving any awards for reliability at all. There are way more number of black dots in Cruze's reliability chart published by Consumer Reports than I thought, especially the mainstream 1.8L version, and I personally think GM could have done better in much earlier time.

With more number of black dots than I thought, you don't want to imagine what the chart looks like in the future 2021 edition, which will by now show Cruze's complete reliability history years since 2011, and it will be nothing but filled with numerous black dots all over when the cars get older. Technically, Cruze's reliability score is identical to the Cobalt and Cavalier we had before (same below-average mark, half white-half black dot), and nothing has changed at all, even today, very disappointedly.

Now the 2016 redesign is coming shortly, what improvements in quality and reliability will be there, and will it ever match Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla? GM should and must urgently put Cruze #1 priority in reliability improvement, or we will never jump-start the domestic car market and the US economy in our lifetime. Despite Cruze's decent 248,00 sales number and GM's best-selling model (but majority were sold to fleets), it's still in a minor market share, and many reluctant American people still refuse to own another American car. Go ask and speak to your neighbor who has been driving Japanese for a long time.

We're still way below GM's all-time peak 1985 Cavalier's 432,000 sales figure, and we have a long way to go. We cannot allow GM to continue producing low-reliability vehicles without doing extensive testing in quality control. GM should learn and copy what Ford is doing with their new 2015 F-150.

To jump start the domestic auto industry and form trust by majority of the American people, the cars MUST maintain a reliability rating score of above-average and better for at least 5 years, and the next-generation version showing excellent rating or better, with higher score than the previous. Then the reluctant buyers will come in. I know this may sound too demanding for the American cars and for the union assembly workers to improve build quality, but this is the only way to prove yourself as an automaker.

There were some attempts made recently, actually. Ford released the Fusion and Lincoln Zephyr/MKZ in 2006 through 2012, and this is the only known body generation from an American car maker maintaining a reliability score of above-average and better. Ford Fusion was rated more-reliable than Toyota Camry and Honda Accord at one time (2007-2009). Unfortunately, they slid-off sharply starting with the 2013 redesign, and the trust with Fusion is over now. It was in a border-line gap that Fusion could be seeing sales spike and trust.

Regardless, until recently in 2011, Ford has always done a good job maintaining the famous white dot average score for years (since 1995 to 2010, about 15 years). The Ford Escort and Focus have always scored higher in reliability than the Chevrolet Cavalier and Cobalt, and now I fear the next-generation 2017 Focus will outrank Cruze once again.

Actually, the more I see the reliability charts history, the more I realize that GM DON'T have the capacity to build more-reliable cars than Ford, and maybe Chrysler next in the line. It may be GM's own old nature to produce less-reliable vehicles than Ford, but I will let your own opinion decide.

Please share your inputs and thoughts as I think it's a serious issue. I would love to hear from GM what they're saying about this. How can GM get the Civic and Corolla drivers back to Chevy's showroom?
curious............ what do you drive ? maybe I missed it.
 
#41 ·
#45 ·
Maybe we should change the "Religion and Politics" forum to "Religion, Politics, and Consumer Reports" :)
 
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