I have a 2013 Cruze LT, auto transmission. I bought it used a few months ago, with right at 50,000 miles on it. Have since driven about 1500 miles. Had to have the negative battery cable replaced (thanks for the heads up on that issue.... no further electrical problems seen) and have had the auto transmission fluid and oil changed, cabin air filter etc. Should probably have the spark plugs replaced soon, but read the entire thread about "No hesitation and spark plug replacement" and ended up a bit more confused as to the right plug choice. My previous daily driver is a 2004 Ford Focus 5 speed sedan, which now has 174,000 miles on it and is in need of a new clutch, but has been an EXTREMELY reliable and fun car. Plug replacement on my Focus was at 100,000 miles and on the 2nd set of plugs, still running strong around town. Point being, I had rented Chevy Cruzes on 3 previous occasions and REALLY had fun driving them. Needing a reliable car, as the newer Ford Focuses are apparently having auto transmission problems, I bought our white Cruze. Gotta admit that I read the posts here a LOT and overall am left with a sinking feeling that if I wanted another car for long term reliability, the Cruze might not have been a good choice. Time will tell of course but at this point don't feel super confident on taking our Cruze on any long trips. Not a good feeling. I guess I might need a confidence boost from owners who have had some sort of long term reliability without worrying in their Cruzes. Anybody out there? BTW... do love driving our Cruze!
You guys are scaring me.....
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I worried a lot less about my cars before I joined automotive forums. There are plenty of people here with upwards of 100K miles with relatively few issues with their cars.
Any forum you go on - yes, even the Honda and Toyota ones - there will be people with lots of issues with their cars, and lots of other people saying "yes, me too!" Just the nature of an online group - people usually come to these forums BECAUSE they're having issues with their cars.
As for spark plugs:
Max performance, short life - NGK BKR7E-4644. Regap @ 7-8K; replace @ 20-25K.
Long life, better performance than stock plug - NGK BKR8EIX-2668. Regap @ 7-8K; replace @ 30-40K?
Stock Plugs (bad heat soak in summer, ridiculously long life) - NGK IFR7G7. Change @ 60K. Shouldn't need regapping.
Any forum you go on - yes, even the Honda and Toyota ones - there will be people with lots of issues with their cars, and lots of other people saying "yes, me too!" Just the nature of an online group - people usually come to these forums BECAUSE they're having issues with their cars.
As for spark plugs:
Max performance, short life - NGK BKR7E-4644. Regap @ 7-8K; replace @ 20-25K.
Long life, better performance than stock plug - NGK BKR8EIX-2668. Regap @ 7-8K; replace @ 30-40K?
Stock Plugs (bad heat soak in summer, ridiculously long life) - NGK IFR7G7. Change @ 60K. Shouldn't need regapping.
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I have 75,000 miles on my 2012 ECO MT with no major issues other than HVAC grease, which shouldn't be an issue for you. My other issue is I've had the worst luck with tires on this car - I keep running over crap. We have one member, BlueTopazCruzeEco, who should be rolling 350,000 miles on his 2012 ECO MT.
When reading car forums you need to remember that there are two types of posters here - the first are enthusiasts who enjoy their cars and each other's company. The second type are those few with problems. If you search Ford forums you'll see the same two groups of posters. On CruzeTalk we have a pretty good track record of converting first time posters who have problems into long term Cruze owners and members here.
When reading car forums you need to remember that there are two types of posters here - the first are enthusiasts who enjoy their cars and each other's company. The second type are those few with problems. If you search Ford forums you'll see the same two groups of posters. On CruzeTalk we have a pretty good track record of converting first time posters who have problems into long term Cruze owners and members here.
Thanks jblackburn and obermd for the replies! I kind of figured that problem identification was a big part of forums like this but have to admit that some of those problems have been scary to read. Thanks for the info on the plugs! I guess I'll just enjoy driving the Cruze and quit worrying so much.... perhaps a little easier said than done! 
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It gets easier to enjoy a car after you've had it for a while. Before I switched to 91 octane I drove my ECO MT up I-70 west of Denver and thought the clutch was slipping on a brand new car. Turns out it was the ECU pulling timing to protect the engine under heavy load. With 91 octane my car is smooth as glass going up that same highway and at even higher speeds.Thanks jblackburn and obermd for the replies! I kind of figured that problem identification was a big part of forums like this but have to admit that some of those problems have been scary to read. Thanks for the info on the plugs! I guess I'll just enjoy driving the Cruze and quit worrying so much.... perhaps a little easier said than done!
Soon after getting my Cruze, I found this forum and did the switch to 91 octane, on my 1rst near empty to full fill-up, using Chevron gas. Seemed to make a big difference in smoothness and perceived power. Also based on recall notice re: reprogramming the ECU, had that done. Actually seemed to add some additional smoothness to acceleration etc, but I also seem to be getting a couple less mpgs city, than before the reprogram.
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I guess I can say, I bought my Cruze ECO 6MT a month and a half ago and I believe I put over 3000+ miles on it already. Its a Certified Pre-owned with 52k on the clock and I have had zero issues. Tried the tank trickle trick (which works) to get an extra 3 gallons and my fuel needle didn't move from F until after 140 miles so you will get that extra range for them long legged trips lol These are great cars and Chevy has come a VERY long way into making a good car and they are behind their product.
My major problem is unibodies and road salt, had to get rid of more good runners because of this crazy salt. Internet says its costing us billions of dollars. And not finally reports of up to 3,800 bucks in road damage for each ton of salt.
At least when they were using frames, still had a solid foundation even with air conditioning holes in the doors. But with unibodies, the center of the vehicle dips way down, can't even close the doors.
Other major problem and they all do this, I don't care which make, is the extensive use of throwaway parts, can't even rebuild a fuel pump any more, use to for a buck, now 250-450 bucks for that piece of plastic inside of the fuel tank.
Talk about recycling, a few years ago, we had over 20,000 parts rebuilders, now all out of business. Most expensive parts were housings and castings, and used screws when only a ten cent bearing had to be replaced. Now all throwaway and costing consumers a huge fortune. Not only for the parts, but the labor as well.
And not really vehicles anymore, computers, and we all know the problems we have with computers. Another throwaway item.
Also have an EPA that wants this older stuff off the road. Didn't use to be this way, sure is now.
At least when they were using frames, still had a solid foundation even with air conditioning holes in the doors. But with unibodies, the center of the vehicle dips way down, can't even close the doors.
Other major problem and they all do this, I don't care which make, is the extensive use of throwaway parts, can't even rebuild a fuel pump any more, use to for a buck, now 250-450 bucks for that piece of plastic inside of the fuel tank.
Talk about recycling, a few years ago, we had over 20,000 parts rebuilders, now all out of business. Most expensive parts were housings and castings, and used screws when only a ten cent bearing had to be replaced. Now all throwaway and costing consumers a huge fortune. Not only for the parts, but the labor as well.
And not really vehicles anymore, computers, and we all know the problems we have with computers. Another throwaway item.
Also have an EPA that wants this older stuff off the road. Didn't use to be this way, sure is now.
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Glad to have you here and enjoy your car and only worry about problems "you" encounter and not what others say. As Ober and J Blackburn said you get varying people with varying experiences on a forum. I have had no problems with my 2012 Eco MT(kinda like Obermd's car) other than my brakes but that is "me". We can just share and learn from each other here.
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71 Posts
Car forums are always a bit unsettling because no one comes on here to start a thread called "Drove to the supermarket, no issues." :grin:
Mostly the users are either enthusiasts (often hyper-perceptive of potential issues and/or may have modified the car), or people who have a problem and are looking for help.
So read, post and enjoy! ...but keep in mind that the sample of owners you are viewing on here is a microscopic percentage of total owners, and a skewed sample of people who are more likely to be encountering problems. Take everything with a grain of salt, and don't get too worried!
Edit: Also wanted to say that I really enjoy my Cruze so far!
Mostly the users are either enthusiasts (often hyper-perceptive of potential issues and/or may have modified the car), or people who have a problem and are looking for help.
So read, post and enjoy! ...but keep in mind that the sample of owners you are viewing on here is a microscopic percentage of total owners, and a skewed sample of people who are more likely to be encountering problems. Take everything with a grain of salt, and don't get too worried!
Edit: Also wanted to say that I really enjoy my Cruze so far!
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85 Posts
Hi Digeeedad,
Welcome to the forum. I have a '13 LTZ and it has been a very fun car to drive. The only thing I had to replace so far is the Battery , Spark Plugs and normal maintenance. I live in AZ and the car doesn't like the 110+ weather. Hope you enjoy driving your Cruze.
Welcome to the forum. I have a '13 LTZ and it has been a very fun car to drive. The only thing I had to replace so far is the Battery , Spark Plugs and normal maintenance. I live in AZ and the car doesn't like the 110+ weather. Hope you enjoy driving your Cruze.
Thanks cruzeman48! Probably next thing on my list of maintenance to do is have spark plugs changed. Battery was checked and appears to be in good working order still. Have for sure enjoyed driving the Cruze and with the encouraging posts will do so now with less "worry"!
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Changing the spark plugs are easy. Do you live in a hot State? The only cosmetic thing I have done is change my car antenna to a shark fin one and I white vinyl wrapped my front and back bow ties. Makes my car stand out from the other cruzes.
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5,649 Posts
I now use the lowest quality cheap Gas and the CRUZE does fine in 115 degree weather? I actually saw it read 123 this Summer here in CalArizNev although that couldn't have been accurate?
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Digeeedad! Hello and checking in from New York! I have a 2012 Eco 6mt and have had a few minor issues but nothing major and it was all covered under warranty! 117,900 miles later I still love my Cruze! anyways the fellas are completely right! Go forth with your Cruze and motor down the road in happiness. Do not worry about the whiners and the Les Miserables!
Use to use KISS for engineering, translated, means, keep it simple stupid. Another one for the history books, the Cruze is nothing like basic, so have to admit with over 60 years of experience in this field, kind of scares the heck out of me too.
Think twice about lowering a window, may never come back up again. Sure easy on that clutch, over 500 bucks for parts and a nightmare to replace on a FWD vehicle. I don't care if people blow their horn at me, yell back, blow it out the other end. But after fully engaged, then hit the gas. Also downshift a lot to save on the brakes, but the way this thing rolls, still have to use them quite a bit.
When my radio started flashing on and off, is this 800 bucks for a new radio? But clammed down, hey this is power problem. Went directly to the ignition relay and found dirty contacts. About 20 minutes later, working fine again, didn't buy a new one, just cleaned the contacts.
My cheap cell phone notifiers me when a software update is available, do you want to load it? If they can do they, why can't they do this with these way overpriced cars?
In 1965 laid out 3,000 bucks for this thing.
View attachment 167122
I see by my dates, took this photo in 1975, already had well over 300K miles on it, look at all that stainless steel. Every component in this car was rebuildable, could rebuild the engine driven fuel pump for a buck. Also in 1965 purchases a washer and drier from Sears for 600 bucks, more recently, purchased a Maytag Profession pair for 1,200 bucks, well four year ago, been absolutely trouble free. But twice the price including inflation.
Why haven't appliances like this drastically increased in price like our vehicles have? Automation! In this Buick even the camshaft was hand machined along with a host of other parts. And all these new parts are of the throwaway type, that piece of crap made in China fuel pump is over 250 bucks for the Cruze, and not even close to the hand machining required to make the original casted fully repairable fuel pump used in the Buick.
All I can say with todays automotive we are literally getting screwed to death. Oh, this was also before they were dumping all that road salt on our roads. Not a bad looking car for being ten years old already. And all that stainless steel, not only on the outside but the inside as well, but all with super cheap snap together plastic. And you don't see well paid machinist anymore, all done by the push of a button with automation, spitting out parts faster than you can see them.
Also back then, no such thing as a deductible home or auto insurance plan and the rates were very low. I did have to convert this thing to burn unleaded gas, that was one shock back then. Really knock the lead out of so-called leaded gas, so even if you paid three times the price of it, still would burn your valves out.
We sure went downhill in the last 50 years. Piece of plastic Buick today is over $40K. Just learn to bend over and smile.
Think twice about lowering a window, may never come back up again. Sure easy on that clutch, over 500 bucks for parts and a nightmare to replace on a FWD vehicle. I don't care if people blow their horn at me, yell back, blow it out the other end. But after fully engaged, then hit the gas. Also downshift a lot to save on the brakes, but the way this thing rolls, still have to use them quite a bit.
When my radio started flashing on and off, is this 800 bucks for a new radio? But clammed down, hey this is power problem. Went directly to the ignition relay and found dirty contacts. About 20 minutes later, working fine again, didn't buy a new one, just cleaned the contacts.
My cheap cell phone notifiers me when a software update is available, do you want to load it? If they can do they, why can't they do this with these way overpriced cars?
In 1965 laid out 3,000 bucks for this thing.
View attachment 167122
I see by my dates, took this photo in 1975, already had well over 300K miles on it, look at all that stainless steel. Every component in this car was rebuildable, could rebuild the engine driven fuel pump for a buck. Also in 1965 purchases a washer and drier from Sears for 600 bucks, more recently, purchased a Maytag Profession pair for 1,200 bucks, well four year ago, been absolutely trouble free. But twice the price including inflation.
Why haven't appliances like this drastically increased in price like our vehicles have? Automation! In this Buick even the camshaft was hand machined along with a host of other parts. And all these new parts are of the throwaway type, that piece of crap made in China fuel pump is over 250 bucks for the Cruze, and not even close to the hand machining required to make the original casted fully repairable fuel pump used in the Buick.
All I can say with todays automotive we are literally getting screwed to death. Oh, this was also before they were dumping all that road salt on our roads. Not a bad looking car for being ten years old already. And all that stainless steel, not only on the outside but the inside as well, but all with super cheap snap together plastic. And you don't see well paid machinist anymore, all done by the push of a button with automation, spitting out parts faster than you can see them.
Also back then, no such thing as a deductible home or auto insurance plan and the rates were very low. I did have to convert this thing to burn unleaded gas, that was one shock back then. Really knock the lead out of so-called leaded gas, so even if you paid three times the price of it, still would burn your valves out.
We sure went downhill in the last 50 years. Piece of plastic Buick today is over $40K. Just learn to bend over and smile.
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