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.

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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.

Photo Courtesy of Mrs. FireMom via Flickr Creative Commons

 

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4 Comments

  • DawnSeptember 22, 2020 at 4:50 pm

    I have a 2012 Chevy Cruz and purchase extended warranty. After five years and one month the transmission went the dealership told me to question me $8000 and that the extended warranty started the day I bought the car that it didn’t pick up after original warranty was over which is totally confusing to me now the front axle broke but the wheel wasn’t wobbly and there was no indications and now my [Show More]I have a 2012 Chevy Cruz and purchase extended warranty. After five years and one month the transmission went the dealership told me to question me $8000 and that the extended warranty started the day I bought the car that it didn’t pick up after original warranty was over which is totally confusing to me now the front axle broke but the wheel wasn’t wobbly and there was no indications and now my mechanic is saying to ask was broken in three places and I was stuck on 287 in the fast lane I’ve had nothing but problems with this car I was wondering if anybody else has problems with the 2012 Chevy Cruz also

  • TonyJuly 26, 2020 at 11:51 pm

    My 13 cruze was riding along on a 30 mph road when my cv axle came loose detroying my fender Breaking my hub and leaving me stranded with out a way to work

  • MelissaApril 29, 2020 at 4:14 pm

    My cruze BRAND NEW was taken from me to replace axle, they had for months then repoed it the week i got it back because i was told to hold payments because i had NO CAR before i could even pay the month i got it back it was taken out my driveway I paid and got it back, but it was a longgg annoying process which was chevys fault!

  • WandaMay 14, 2019 at 5:01 am

    This happened to our 2014 Cruze LS on !-25 in New Mexico at the end of last year good thing was near an off ramp and near a Chevrolet Dealership. Not ours, we always take it to the our purchased from (Galles). The Steering went out, and end result was needed that axle repair as well. The Dealership found the recall so it wound not cost us $3500 plus . And GM refused. even with the Recall number . [Show More]This happened to our 2014 Cruze LS on !-25 in New Mexico at the end of last year good thing was near an off ramp and near a Chevrolet Dealership. Not ours, we always take it to the our purchased from (Galles). The Steering went out, and end result was needed that axle repair as well. The Dealership found the recall so it wound not cost us $3500 plus . And GM refused. even with the Recall number . How about that, We purchased it New. and take it for on time oil changes at the dealership. and nothing but check engine light on. they do not care. GM.com says VIN has zero recalls , National hwy safety says today it has 7. today went out there infocomputer systerm whatever its called. all the digital and manual gauges are going grazy. Since the Stabliztrack went out on me when I was driving about 55 and all of a sudden it was like going into pozzie track at that speed. Talk about whiplash. Thanks for listening Cruze owners. Be safe. Its a nice car, just not safe any more. Any I need transportation. Help. Cant afford to pay this off and pay again. We have put thousands for recalls.

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