2014 Chevrolet Cruze: stuck in gear or won't shift

Filed Apr 14, 2026 · Brakes, Electrical · MN

I was driving my car and all of a sudden out of nowhere my car speed gage starts to bounce up and down my engine sounds like it’s stuck in first gear and won’t shift and I can’t go any faster then 35 mph and I tried to make it to a spot to pull over and it altogether stoped accelerating so I was stuck pulling over right there because it wouldn’t accelerate. I shut it off and let it sit for a bit and it started right back up like normal and drove fine till I got to a certain length of driving and it was doing it all over again like it was in limp mode and all my electrical stuff was on the Frits as well so I haven’t been able to drive it since because it keeps doing it and I haven’t spent hundreds of dollars putting it in a shop three times already only to have it go back and do it again and my brakes when I press on them make a squishing sound and then some clicking sound before it goes into limp mode i don’t know where to even begins to fix it at and it was all out of nowhere. It was driving fine then all of a sudden this crap starts

Filed Feb 25, 2022 · Driver assistance, Engine · 30,000 miles · VA

The contact owns a 2014 Chevrolet Cruze. The contact stated that while driving at various highway speeds, the vehicle would independently enter into limp mode and downshift as the service traction control, service stabilitrak, reduced engine power, and the check engine warning lights were illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle would not shift out of first gear once the failure occurred. The contact had taken the vehicle to the dealer on multiple occasions and each time the dealer was unable to duplicate the failure. The manufacturer had been notified of the failure. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 30,000.

Filed Oct 30, 2020 · Engine · 27,300 miles · NY

Seems to bang into gear when driving/picking up speed. Acts like engine stumble. Had pcv valve replaced under recall due to squeeking noise. Vehicle started making same noise again and doesnt shift correctly. Mechanic advised of incorrect crank case psi due to pcv valve problem. Vehicle only has 27,000 miles and shouldnt have this problem.

Filed May 2, 2020 · Acceleration, Electrical · 20,897 miles · OK

The shifter will not shift from 56th and a manual on the automatic

Filed Mar 2, 2020 · Engine, Fuel system · 83,557 miles · PA

Tl* the contact owns a 2014 chevrolet cruze. The contact stated that at start up, the check engine warning light illuminated. A message displayed which stated that the air condition was off due to high temperature. While driving at 15 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated and the vehicle failed to accelerate. The vehicle went into limp mode. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle was then taken to klik lewis located at (720 e main st, palmyra, pa 17078, 717‑838‑1353) to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the fuel tank was defective. The contact was also informed that the fuel tank started to melt which caused the hoses to be fused to the tank and caused the sensor to fail. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not aware of the issue. The approximate failure mileage was 83,557.

Filed Sep 30, 2019 · Engine · 54,000 miles · NY

My 2014 cruze has a turbo in it to make it "eco" - I.e., rely on turbo for boost when more power is needed rather than using more gas. My cruze entered "limp mode" in july with 54,000 miles on it. The turbo failed to work while merging onto the freeway and check engine light came on. It was shifting into 4th gear with high RPM to keep freeway speed. When diag box was later plugged in, the code came back as "p0299" - turbo underboost. I attempted to replace the sensor (code came back) and solenoid (code back again) as they came up often in research when looking for a solution. Turbo worked fine for a month and then quit again with the same code and my car in limp mode again. I filed a complaint through gm and they managed to get the part that was backordered indefinitely due to factory workers being on strike. Apparently, gm cut their healthcare overnight. I'd strike too. The service printout I received after replacement stated that they could find nothing wrong with the turbo: "inspected for oil intrusion, none found wastegate solenoid connector missing retainer - does not affect function. Bypass valve opens and closes when commanded. No air induction restriction found. Recommend turbo for failed boost cotrol test" this sounds to me like a faulty part, and an expensive one at $1,501.86, that I paid for but did not break. Not to mention the sensor and solenoid replaced prior. My car is "fixed", and runs, but this is still an issue with the vehicle in general, and the turbo should be recalled to prevent future danger for others. I also think it's bs that I've had to pay a month's rent for a part that shouldn't have failed at only 54,000 miles. I will not be keeping this car and paying another month's rent in a year. I will also not be doing business with any gm manufacturer.

Filed Dec 3, 2018 · Electrical · 62,900 miles · IL

Tl* the contact owns a 2014 chevrolet cruze. When the vehicle was started, the battery failed. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the battery was replaced. Afterwards, the instrument panel illuminated without any indicators displayed and the gear did not shift. The dealer and manufacturer were not notified. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 62,900.

Filed Feb 12, 2017 · Transmission · 43,000 miles · AZ

On 7/28/16 this manual transmission car would not go into reverse. A local chevy dealership replaced the shift cable to solve the problem. On 9/28/16, the car again would not go into reverse. The shift cable was replaced again. A few days later, no reverse. When checked out again, reverse worked! Now this past week, it wouldn't shift into 3rd, 4th, or 5th gears while driving. While in 3rd, 4th or 5th gear, the tach RPM was jumping all over the dial.the car could only be driven in 2nd gear doing 15mph on a 50mph road. It subsequently stalled out. A day later it did not shift into any gear.car back at dealership. Phone call reference # 1068173.

Filed Jan 5, 2017 · Engine · 58,000 miles · KY

A few weeks after taking my chevy cruze diesel in for a recall for a o2 sensor the car's other o2 sensor and controller needed replacing after the car went into a exhaust fluid quality limp mode. The issue appears to be related to the recall but gm is charging me over $800.00 for the repair.

Filed Aug 22, 2016 · Transmission · 83,000 miles · PA

The vehicle's def sensor went bad, resulting in the vehicle entering "limp mode" after 100 miles. As this vehicle is diesel, it is used to commute long distances (100 miles each way.) this caused the vehicle to not be capable of driving a safe speed on the highway. This vehicle is less than 2 years old, no sensors should be going bad after two years. The "fix" provided by the manufacturer is to replace the whole def tank with a new updated tank (including sensor) and an accompanying module. As I drive relatively long distances, my warranty is up, resulting in this "fix" to come out of my pocket. After reviewing many online forums, it appears that this is a common issue.

Filed Aug 11, 2014 · Electrical, Engine · 22 miles · GA

After purchasing the 2014 cruze on july 29, 2014, I drove it to my residence which was for 6 miles and parked in my driveway. I placed the shift level in the park position and set the emergency brake. My grand daughter, age 16, asked if she could test drive the car. After entering the vehicle, she released the emergency brake and attempted to start it. The car would not start and unknown to her while attempting to start, the vehicle slowly went backwards into the street. The shift lever in the vehicle was stuck in park and would not move and it would not start. I called on star and asked them to run a test on the car to see what was wrong with it. The lady came back with no known problems from their test. I asked and she called a tow truck to return the vehicle to the dealer. The cruze was repaired the next day. The problem was identified with a defective shift cable. The casing around the shift cable at the transmission cracked causing cable not to release leaving transmission in free mode. I was upset and angry with the dealership and gm because the vehicle broke down in the first 6 miles. I then checked for recalls on the vehicle and found gm recall number 14048 and the federal safety agency recall 14v092, which identified my defect exactly, but did not include my VIN in the recall order. I called gm and expressed my concerns they assigned a case number and a very nice lady called and asked what would make me happy. My main concern was the safety of my family and other people who have bought the cruze with a defective shift lever cable. Once a part is identified as defective it should no longer be used and it should be replaced on all manufactured vehicles. I was offered a replacement vehicle by the dealership and gm but I declined the offer.