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2014 Chevy Cruze Diesel Issues so far

36582 Views 78 Replies 17 Participants Last post by  Diesel4Ever
I've posted in numerous threads detailing the multiple issues with my car and it has been quite a ride for the past 19k miles. Here is a condensed version:

The car was purchased at 43,000 miles in May of 2015 with a GMPP warranty ($200 Deductible). As of today, August 3 2016, it has 62500 miles on it. Fuel economy has been great averaging around 34-35mpg on my girlfriends 18 miles commute at 25-45mph, and on the highway I've nursed 54mpg, but driving normally it's around 46mpg. Interior is very nice and when it works, I think it's a very solid and nice driving car. Now to the issues...

500 miles after purchasing: CEL. Called dealer and drove car down there. On the way I noticed the wheel bearing was bad. They told me it needed a fuel filter and I was right about the wheel bearing. $200 deductible paid. I cannot remember what the fuel filter costed. Amazed they didn't replace it at the dealer before it was sold.

200 miles later: CEL. Taken back to the dealer and was told that the ECM needed to be reflashed. Not covered under any warranty. $65

200 miles later: CEL. Dealer said that 02 sensor was bad. I'm now hearing rumors of a recall, but that hasn't happened yet. $200 deductible paid + $65 reflash AGAIN.


This is the condensed version. There were a lot of heated exchanges with the dealer through this process.

5000 miles after purchasing: Car threw a CEL. I played the game with three different dealers over the infamous 1089 and none of them could diagnose it. They just kept clearing the codes and telling me it was fixed. They threw a bunch of parts at it as well, charging the $200 deductible every time. When I pressed they got defensive and rude. I was at my wits end. Cruzetalk helped me diagnose a High Pressure Fuel Pump, which is apparently A COMMON PROBLEM! They replaced the $1000 pump under the GMPP warranty (Not powertrain) only after I printed out the thread regarding the P1089 and took it to the dealer. They then called me acting like they had found the problem. &*^%*&^$%*&%

10k miles after purchasing: Took car to a GMC Dealer where I get my truck serviced for an oil change. I waited 3 hours and despite my complaining, they assured me everything was fine. After they closed I walked out onto the shop floor to find three guys standing around the car and scratching their heads. It turned out their computers were down and they could not find the oil filter on the car. I almost lost it, but instead I showed them where it was. When I got the bill for a $80 oil change I let them have it, but it was wasted breath.

May of this year (55k miles on car): Came home from a long weekend to find the car battery was so dead the remote wouldn't even unlock it. There was no explanation at all. I jumped the car and then took it to autozone. The charging system all checked out perfectly and the problem hasn't happened since, even leaving it sit for 10 days.

August 1 2016: 62000 miles. CEL. P21DD. The infamous DEF Tank heater. I read the posts and called the dealer. He ASSURED me over the phone that it would be covered by either the powertrain or the "diesel exemption" and we set up an appointment. When I dropped it off this morning the gentleman was a lot less sure of the warranty, and was very standoffish, like he was hiding something... I have a feeling we've got another $200 deductible payment coming up.


I will post updates below on this particular problem, who is paying for it, etc. The dealer has not heard anything about an 02 sensor recall yet either and seemed annoyed that I asked. For now, I've got a 2016 Cruze LT with 450 miles on it. Dang thing shuts off when you stop!
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The upcoming recall is for the NOx sensor and an ECM reprogram.
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Has there been any inkling as to when this will happen? I'm not sure how the refund process will work either. I'd like to get my deductible back at least. IDC if that dealer gets their costs back
The upcoming recall is for the NOx sensor and an ECM reprogram.
I've since seen it disappear from our MyChevrolet account, and our Cruze case handler for our recent issues could not find it either. It was literally there for a month, and then one day, poof, gone.
You cold in theory get all the reflash costs back too.


I can tell you those are completely unnecessary. If they were, the ECM is fried anyway, why are you bothering with a reflash? You wouldn't use a computer that needed the OS reinstalled every four months would you?
Perhaps their theory is reflashing it resets the learned driving parameters. But if that's the case - so does pulling the ground.

The only time you'd want to flash the computer is if you literally have a new calibration.
May of this year (55k miles on car): Came home from a long weekend to find the car battery was so dead the remote wouldn't even unlock it. There was no explanation at all. I jumped the car and then took it to autozone. The charging system all checked out perfectly and the problem hasn't happened since, even leaving it sit for 10 days.
Had the same problem with my 2014...turns out there is a problem with the Bluetooth system or software with this car. You have to end a Bluetooth phone call or switch the the phone from Bluetooth back to the phone before you shut off the car...if you don't the Bluetooth or whatever ever system will stay on and put a drain on the battery...has enough draw to kill the battery in 8 or so days...you can tell the system is still on by the lights on the OnStar mirror...the lights will stay lit and not shut off until you start the car and push a button on the mirror or make another phone call. If you end your Bluetooth phone call before you shut off the car there isn't a problem....there is a TSB out for this...but my dealer told me there is no fix for the issue right now.
Have had many similar issues with 2015 CTD. CELs , frequent regens and various other issues ( some due to dealer incompetence too). Car was in 10 days ago for CEL and frequent regens. Was told it was normal and CEL cleared. Fast forward 10 days and Mr. CEL shows his head again. Been In loaner/rental car for 2 days and told " we're looking into it" but GM telling them regens at 30-40 miles " normal" despite 75 % highway driving. CEL magically disappears at dealer??

If SC2 is read only, how can it be telling car to regen according to dealer??
Cruzetalk helped me diagnose a High Pressure Fuel Pump, which is apparently A COMMON PROBLEM!
First off, I'm sorry to hear that you've had all these issues with the car. Unfortuantely, buying used, you have no idea what happened to the car before you got it. Throw in incompetent dealers and it makes for a double whammy. I hope you get your car sorted out and can start enjoying it. I do want to correct you on one thing though. I've read every thread on here posted in the last 3 years, and I can only recall maybe 2 or 3 HPFP replacements, so that's far from a common problem. It seems like once these cars are sorted out, they are generally good cars, but some people do have more issues than others, unfortunately. I wish you all the best.
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If SC2 is read only, how can it be telling car to regen according to dealer??
It's not. They are grasping at straws. They do not understand the SCII so they blame it.
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The ECM reprogram was a new calibration, fuel trims/learned driving are reset through the laptop. There is already a bulletin stating to perform a ECM reprogram when you replace the NOx or 02 sensors depending on what CEL code is set off. The recall is still coming, it shows incomplete remedy not yet available on GM VIS for my car. They are correct, you should be able to recoup costs on the refresh and possibly the sensors depending on what the recall actually covers. Right now it is unclear. In the description it mentions 02 sensors but the directions state reprogram ECM and replace NOx sensor.
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The recall is still coming, it shows incomplete remedy not yet available on GM VIS for my car.
Ours did too, until it disappeared. Says no recalls now.
There are no pending recalls for my car according to chevrolet and the dealer.

Hopefully this will come eventually- it'll be nice to get the money back.

I am going to pick up the car in a few hours. They were unable to process the DEF issue as Powertrain and he talked to me like a moron when I asked. Good thing we have the GMPP. Interestingly, the GMPP also covered a burned out license plate bulb. $ 200 deductible.

As far as everything else is concerned, I do not know when to ask for a reflash or not, the dealers have always recommended what needs to be done. The HPFP may not be a common issue, but it is still an issue that a few people have had on here, and they all seemed to have the same struggle with their dealer in getting it resolved.

I understand what comes with buying a used car... which is why the warranty was purchased.

Right now I just know I have to break the news to my girlfriend that the oil change was $96... and that will probably put her through the roof.
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Right now I just know I have to break the news to my girlfriend that the oil change was $96... and that will probably put her through the roof.
You can probably negotiate on that. I know GM paid dealers a flat $75 to do the 4 free oil/filter changes along with DEF top-up.
You can probably negotiate on that. I know GM paid dealers a flat $75 to do the 4 free oil/filter changes along with DEF top-up.

$75.00 for all 4 or $75. Per change and top-off??
$75.00 for all 4 or $75. Per change and top-off??
$75 per change and top off.
They were not having it. Seemed offended that I even brought it up. It would have been an extra $14/ gallon for them to top of DEF too. I went to NAPA and bought a 2.5gallon box for $10.

By the way, Napa is having a sale on DEF!
They were not having it. Seemed offended that I even brought it up. It would have been an extra $14/ gallon for them to top of DEF too. I went to NAPA and bought a 2.5gallon box for $10.

By the way, Napa is having a sale on DEF!
My dealership is a bit more open to negotiation. I am able to get parts wholesale from them, no questions asked. i basically said, i can get it online for that price but would rather buy locally and gave them the chance to sell to me for that price. They still make money. not as much of course, but a sale is better than no sale, at least you'd think that.
Girlfriend just texted me that the CEL is back on 150 miles later. Looks like I'm heading back to Autozone to run codes again.

They know me by name both at the Autozone and at the Dealer. They even know the year, make, and model of both of my vehicles.
The dreaded P0133. I searched through the old threads and I'm going to wait a bit before taking it in. Maybe drive a bit more aggressively and try to burn off some soot.

Any info please provide!
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