Chevy Cruze Recall Announced, Sales Halted Over Front Axle Problems

About 172,000 recent model Chevy Cruze vehicles are being removed from the market, following dozens of reports involving problems with the front axle half-shaft breaking and separating from the vehicle, causing sudden loss of power to the wheels. 

The Chevy Cruze recall was announced by General Motors Co. on March 28, ordering dealers to stop selling certain 2013 and 2014 model year vehicles. Although GM has not released information about the incidents, several dozen reports have been received involving drivers losing control of Chevy Cruze steering ability after a separation of the front axel half-shaft.

The auto-maker indicates that the vehicle’s front axle half-shaft may break and become separated during normal driving use, causing loss of power to the wheels, according to a report by the Wall Street Journal that confirmed the recall with General Motors staff.

The recall affects 2013 and 2014 1.4 liter gasoline-turbo Chevrolet Cruze cars sold in the United States. In addition to the vehicles, about 2,500 service parts used to fix Cruzes with manual transmissions that were recalled in September 2013 are also affected. GM became aware of the incidents through warranty data used to fix several dozen Cruze models with manual transmissions.

The company says it is unaware of any crashes or injuries linked to the problem. However, the company warns that a vehicle with a fractured half-shaft parked on an incline without a parking brake applied could roll away, posing a serious crash hazard and risk of injury for bystanders.

Company officials say that the Chevy Cruze recall is independent and not associated with the GM ignition switch problems that have resulted in several vehicles and at least 13 deaths. GM Chief Executive Mary Barra is scheduled to testify before the House of Representatives and Senate this week to explain why it took almost a decade for GM to recall the vehicles, and the auto maker faces a growing number of ignition switch recall lawsuits filed nationwide.

In light of the delays associated with the ignition recalls, it appears that GM acted quickly in recalling and stopping the sale of the Chevrolet Cruze models. Officials say the sale of the 2013 and 2014 Cruze models were halted because the dealers needed to do something to the vehicles before they can be sold.

The Chevy Cruze is one of the top-selling vehicles in the U.S. with sales increasing 4.4% last year and were up 19% from February before sales were halted.

GM says owners of potentially affected Cruze vehicles should contact their dealers for further instructions as the GM investigation continues. The company says dealers will make repairs free of charge.

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