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Chevrolet Cruze misfire problems

55 of the 3,731 owner complaints about the Chevrolet Cruze describe misfire or rough idle, most of them for the 2017 model year.

owner complaints
55
worst model year
2017
typical repair cost reported
$4,700
typical mileage
65,000
Is there a fix? There is 1 recall for this area of the car. See below

By model year

Often reported together

Check engine light 25Stalling 8Jerking 8Overheating 6Loss of power 6Knocking 5Engine failure 5Shudder 2

Trouble codes mentioned

P0300 4U0121 1U0100 1P1101 1P0304 1P0301 1P0299 1P0101 1P0016 1

What owners say

Filed May 21, 2026 · Engine · 82,000 miles · IL

The contact owns a 2014 Chevrolet Cruze. The contact stated that while driving the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was able to restart. The vehicle began jerking motions and misfiring. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and was diagnosed with a cam shaft failure and diagnostic codes P0016, P0101. The manufacturer was notified of the issue. The approximate failure mileage was 82,000

Filed May 20, 2026 · Engine · GA

The engine has excessive blow by from the oil filler cap. Having a misfire on cylinder number 1 and idling rough. There are several threads online concerning this issue being caused by worn pistons and piston rings.

Filed May 13, 2026 · Engine · NC

Recently my car's check engine light and the message "Service Stabilitrak" started coming up on my car, then my car started shaking while idling. I quickly took the car to my mechanic who assessed it, replaced my spark plugs, which did not solve the issue, and recommended I go to the dealership. In between these appointments my car was consistently shaking while idling and I would have difficulties accelerating especially after coming to a complete stop and often while making turns, this worsened after adding fuel to my car. The nearest Chevrolet dealership did a compression test and found that the psi in cylinder 1 was only 85, while the rest of the cylinders are 180 psi. They reported "internal engine damage causing misfire on cylinder 1" and quoted the repairs and replacement engine at $9500, almost double the value of the car if the engine was working. The codes P0300 "Engine Misfire Detected" and P0301 "Cylinder 1 Misfire Detected" were the two relevant codes in the report. However the car only has 49,860 miles on it. I see that other people have reported this issue as well and it continues to happen. Additionally, if the manufacturing issue or defect has not been rectified what are the chances of this happening again down the line with the same issue? This is a clear manufacturing defect in the engine of these cars that make them a safety hazard on the road. There is no telling when and where my engine may completely give out despite the car being low mileage and well taken care of. GM and Chevrolet should and must rectify this issue.

Filed Mar 15, 2026 · Engine, Fuel system · NY

Unknown. The car seems to stall or slip when accelerating as is misfiring. It cuts off in the middle of the streets after coming out of auto stop mode. Pcv valve keeps popping up as issue. I had the pcv changed o2 sensors checked cleaned throttle body and air filter changed. The car still gives same problem and engine power reduction keeps popping on dashboard.

Filed Feb 16, 2026 · Engine, Transmission · MI

The steering started to shake. The car seat started to shake as well. It felt very unsafe, but there was no serious injury. John from Feldman Chevrolet in New Hudson, Michigan said that there is a "Cylinder 1 misfire code". After the car started shaking, the engine light came on. John told us that the engine should be replaced.

Filed May 20, 2025 · Engine · MN

My 2017 Chevrolet Cruze LT (VIN: [XXX] 1.4L turbo, ~85,000 miles) is inoperable due to cracked pistons, a known issue in 2016–2017 models causing misfires and power loss (TSB 18-NA-171). I seek GM goodwill assistance for repair costs (~$3,877–$10,500) and am exploring legal options, as no recall or class-action lawsuit currently exists. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6

Filed Jan 4, 2025 · Brakes, Engine · PA

Purchased new in 2019 – 32k miles - Oil changes every 6 months. Lightly driven, no modifications, all original engine components and tune. Engine developed a significant miss. Several warnings on Stabilitrak, ABS, and P0300. Significant oil leak at front of engine, oil is splashed all over the passenger side of the engine compartment. There is significant ‘chugging’ of air and oil from the dipstick tube and from the oil filler cap. This condition indicates excessive pressure leakage to the crankcase that is caused by a crack or failure to the #1 piston which is a very, very, very common failure with an extensive and indisputably documented history with the 1.4 engine throughout the history of the Chevrolet Cruze since its introduction. Compression test shows cylinder #1 at about 80 PSI while cylinders 2, 3, and 4 are at 190 PSI. This proves that there is a catastrophic compression leak down into the engine crankcase causing the misfire P0300 and the resulting excessive crankcase pressure causing the oil leak at the front of the engine and the expelling of air and oil from the dipstick tube and from the oil filler cap. This needs to be a warranty repair and the cost covered 100% by GM as it is a known defect with this engine since it has been first been used in their cars. Refer to: GM Bulletin: 18-NA-171 - [XXX] GM Bulletin: PIP5490D - [XXX] GM Bulletin: PIP5421 - [XXX] Reading through the extensive volume of posts on the #1 piston failure, GM/Chevrolet should have acknowledged this and a recall should have been issued and the warranty extended to cover an piston and/or piston ring failures with the 1.4 engine no matter what year or what vehicle it was installed in. I have additional links documenting the frequency of the piston and/or piston ring failure in the 1.4 engine: INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Jan 8, 2024 · Engine · IL

PVC issue on 2014 Cruze. You need to include all years and VINs for this issue. Mine has been in the shop for 4 years straight trying to find the engine issue. It is always a PVC and engine runs rough. I can provide years of receipts trying to fix issue.

Filed Nov 20, 2023 · Engine · ID

1st cylinder misfire with only 60,000 miles on it. Research shows this is an issue yet GM Chevy has not recalled it. Not a simple fix it requires new engine

Filed Sep 29, 2023 · Engine, Fuel system · MO

The vehicle first prompted that it had a recorded a misfire in cylinder 1. Changed the spark plugs and coil packs. Vehicle noted a misfire in cylinder 1gain and said service stabilitrak. Changed the pcv valves and other vacuum pieces on the valve cover along with the MAF sensor. Engine ran fine on test drive, then dumped oil on the ground as I was pulling back into the drive way. Gasket comes on the oil pan so that’s getting replaced next. Then I have to check the fuel pressure sensors and fuel pump to see if they’re failing because apparently GM has a points bulletin out about them not being so good. Plus hope the engine isn’t ruined when it lost all its oil.

Related recalls

Engine and engine coolingReported June 22, 2012 · 413,148 vehicles affected
What is wrong
General motors (gm) is recalling certain model year 2011 and 2012 chevrolet cruze vehicles manufactured from october 2, 2009, through may 31, 2012. Spilled or dripping oil (such as after an oil change) may collect in the engine shield (bellypan) near hot engine or exhaust system surfaces. As a result, the oil and the engine shield may ignite and burn.
Risk
Either condition could result in an engine compartment fire, possibly causing injury or death.
Remedy
Gm will notify owners, and dealers will modify the engine shield to prevent fluid from contacting the shield. Also, on vehicles with a manual transmission, dealers will apply a protective tape to the electronic power steering wire harness. Repairs will be performed free of charge to the owner. The safety recall began on july 10, 2012. Owners may contact the chevrolet owner center at 1‑866‑694‑6546.

Recall number 12V288000 · Recall details

Questions about the Chevrolet Cruze misfire

Which Chevrolet Cruze years have misfire or rough idle problems?

The model years with the most reports are 2017 (12 complaints), 2014 (10 complaints) and 2011 (7 complaints).

How much does it cost to fix misfire or rough idle on the Chevrolet Cruze?

Owners who mentioned a price put the repair at about $4,700 (median of 7 complaints that include a dollar amount). Costs vary with mileage, warranty and where the work is done.

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