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2018 Chevrolet Cruze

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2018 Cruze.

Body PASSENGER CAR

The 2018 Chevrolet Cruze is a passenger car that uses a 4.2 qt oil capacity with 0W‑20 viscosity. It recorded 109 total owner complaints, with power‑train problems accounting for the largest share and three recall actions issued, placing its complaint volume well below the 864 complaints peak of 2012 but above the merely two complaints of 2010. This pattern indicates that the 2018 model year sits near the lower end of the model’s reliability spectrum, reflecting a modest improvement over earlier years.

Model year2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity4.2 qtOEM · verified

Engine oil type0W-20OEM · verified

Lug nut torque100 ft-lbsOEM · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI w/o Start Stop: 47; w/Start Stop: 94R · w/o Start Stop: 525 CCA; w/Start Stop: 730 CCA battery, OE oil filter 25206377. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI w/o Start Stop: 47; w/Start Stop: 94R · w/o Start Stop: 525 CCA; w/Start Stop: 730 CCAOEM · verified

Tire sizeP195/65R15OEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter	25206377 alt 55593191
Engine air filter	39030321 alt 13367308
Fuel filter	13539108
Spark plug	12683541
Battery	88866309 alt 88866271
Front wiper blades	39102793 alt 39102794
Serpentine belt	55571050 alt 12638808
Thermostat	55579985 alt 55579986
Cabin air filter	13508023

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length	183.9 in
Overall width	70.9 in
Overall height	57.5 in
Wheelbase	106.3 in
Curb weight	2756 lb
Track (front / rear)	61.4 / 61 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)	61/39

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the Cruze of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

8.2–8.4 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 8.20 sec — 2018 TD RS Hatchback

Year	Trim / engine	0–60	¼ mile	HP	Drivetrain
2018	TD RS Hatchback 1.6L Turbo Diesel I-4	8.20 sec	16.50 sec	137 hp	FWD
2018	TD Sedan 1.6L Turbo Diesel I-4	8.20 sec	16.40 sec	137 hp	FWD
2018	TD RS Hatchback 1.6L Turbo Diesel I-4	8.40 sec	16.50 sec	137 hp	FWD
2017	Premier Hatchback 1.4L Turbo I-4	7.70 sec	16.00 sec	153 hp	FWD
2017	LT RS Hatchback 1.4L Turbo I-4	8.00 sec	16.20 sec	153 hp	FWD
2017	LT TD Sedan 1.6L Turbo Diesel I-4	8.00 sec	16.30 sec	137 hp	FWD
2017	LT RS Hatchback 1.4L Turbo I-4	8.30 sec	16.40 sec	153 hp	FWD
2017	LT RS Hatchback 1.4L Turbo I-4	8.40 sec	16.40 sec	153 hp	FWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 4.2 qt of 0W-20 engine oil, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 100 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-3-4-2. Note the cylinder-head bolts finish on a torque angle (torque-to-yield) — they stretch permanently and should be replaced, not reused, during any head service.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission Fluid	Use DEXRON(R)-VI GM P/N 89020661
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity	5.0-6.5
Brake Fluid	DOT 3
Clutch Fluid	DOT 3
Engine Coolant Capacity	6.2
Engine Coolant Capacity	4.8
Engine Oil	0W-20
Engine Oil Capacity	4.2 qt

Engine torques

Crankshaft Position (CKP) Sensor Bolt(s)	7.4 ft-lbs
Camshaft Position (CMP) Sensor Bolt(s)	7.4 ft-lbs
Crankshaft Position (CKP) Sensor Bolt(s)	7.4 ft-lbs
Camshaft Position (CMP) Sensor Bolt(s)	7.4 ft-lbs
Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs	71.0 inch lbs. ft-lbs
Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs	80.0 inch lbs. ft-lbs
Camshaft Sprocket and/or Gear Bolt(s)	18.0 ft-lbs
Knock Sense (KS) Bolt(s)	18.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts

100 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order	1-3-4-2
Cylinder Firing Order	1-2-3-4-5-6
Cylinder Firing Order	1-8-7-2-6-5-4-3
Cylinder Firing Order	1-3-4-2
Spark Plug Manufacturer	AC Delco
Spark Plug Gap	.024 - .028 in
Spark Plug Torque	13 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

Refrigerant	R134a
Refrigerant Capacity	1.15-1.30 lbs
Oil Group	PAG
Oil Type	46
Oil Capacity	2.00-2.03 oz
Standard BCI Group Number	w/o Start Stop: 47; w/Start Stop: 94R
Optional BCI Group Number	w/o Start Stop: 48
Optional BCI Cranking Performance	w/o Start Stop: 615 cca

Service checks

RPM	43.0-58.0 @ Idle rpm
RPM	43.0-58.0 @ Idle rpm
Key ON Engine OFF (KOEO)	50.0-94.0
RPM	43.0-58.0 @ Idle rpm

Brakes

Brake Caliper Bolt to Carrier Torque	27
Brake Caliper Carrier to Hub Bolt Torque	Front: 111 ft-lbs; Rear: 74 ft-lbs
Vented Rotor Minimum Thickness for Replacement	Front: .748; Rear: .315
Vented Rotor Minimum Thickness after Refinish	Front: .756; Rear: .323
Variation from Parallelism Thickness Variation	.0002
Maximum Rotor Runout	.001

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Front Wheel Hub — tightening sequence 1 stages

111.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: Back off 45.0 degrees, Step 3: 185.0

111 ft. lbs

Camshaft Sprocket and/or Gear Bolt(s) — tightening sequence 1 stages

15.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 90

15 ft. lbs

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 2 stages

1	18.0 ft. lbs.	18 ft. lbs
2	45.0

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 2 stages

1	33.0 ft. lbs.	33 ft. lbs
2	60.0

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages

74.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 180 degrees. Use new bolt.

74 ft. lbs

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 3 stages

Prep Do not re-use old bolts.

1	18.0 ft. lbs.	18 ft. lbs
2	22.0 ft. lbs.	22 ft. lbs
3	240 degrees	240 degrees

Engine Flywheel Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages

44.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 45.0 degrees, Step 3: 15

44 ft. lbs

Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts — tightening sequence 3 stages

1	15 ft. lbs.	15 ft. lbs
2	15 ft. lbs.	15 ft. lbs
3	15

Main Bearings — tightening sequence 2 stages

1	37.0 ft. lbs.	37 ft. lbs
2	60.0

Oil Pan to Block Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages

11.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 180

11 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 7,500 mi; spark plugs every 60,000 mi.

Every 7,500 mi	Accelerator Pedal (inspect) · Body Latches, Locks & Hinges (lubricate) · Brake Shift Interlock Solenoid (inspect) · Brake System (inspect) · Engine Coolant System (inspect fluid level) · Engine Oil (inspect fluid level)
Every 22,500 mi	Cabin Air Filter (replace)
Every 30,000 mi	Fuel Filter (replace)
Every 45,000 mi	Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Fuel Evaporative Emission Control System (inspect)
Every 60,000 mi	Ignition Coil (inspect) · Spark Plugs (replace)
At 150,000 mi	Accessory Drive Belt (inspect)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2018 Chevrolet Cruze shows a sharp decline in complaints and recalls compared with the peak years of 2011–2012, dropping from 731 complaints in 2011 to just 109 in 2018, and from 7 recalls to 3. The trend across the generation is a steady downward arc after 2015, with complaints falling from 251 in 2015 to 201 in 2017 and further to 109 in 2018, while recalls similarly decrease from 4 to 2 to 3. In the 2018 model year, the most frequent complaint category is Power Train (16 incidents), followed by Unknown or Other (13), Engine (10), and Service Brakes (6), with only 17 crash‑related and 3 fire‑related complaints. This positioning at the low end of the complaint and recall spectrum suggests the 2018 Cruze benefited from corrective actions implemented in earlier years. Given the markedly reduced issue count and recall frequency, 2018 is a more reliable year within the Cruze generation, making it a prudent choice for a used‑vehicle purchase.

Open recalls

NHTSA campaigns

988

Service bulletins

Manufacturer communications

ODI investigations

Office of Defects Investigation

109

Owner complaints

17 involved a crash · 3 a fire

NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars

Overall★★★★★

Frontal★★★★★

Side★★★★★

Rollover★★★★★

Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

’10 ’11 ’12 ’13 ’14 ’15 ’16 ’17’18’19

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 109 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Power Train16

Unknown Or Other13

Engine10

Service Brakes6

Exterior Lighting4

Visibility/Wiper4

Power Train,Engine3

Electrical System,Unknown Or Other3

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 3 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

20V668000Power Train:Automatic TransmissionReported 29/10/2020

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Chevrolet Cruze and Buick LaCrosse, 2018-2020 Chevrolet Equinox, Chevrolet Traverse and GMC Terrain, 2018 Chevrolet Malibu, 2019-2020 Buick Encore, Buick Enclave… Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the start-stop transmission accumulator and replace it if any bolts are missing, free of charge. The recall began December 15…

18V576000Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:CaliperReported 30/08/2018

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Chevrolet Equinox, Impala, Cruze, Volt and Bolt EV vehicles, GMC Terrain vehicles, Buick Lacrosse and Regal vehicles, Cadillac XTS and XTS Professional vehicles and… Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will bleed the vehicle's brake system, free of charge. The recall began October 11, 2018. Owners may contact Buick customer service at…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 988 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

Bulletin	Date	Component	Summary
PIT3271Q	2026-04-01	Unknown Or Other	This preliminary information communicates information about how to determine if a wheel…
PIP6104	2026-03-09	Unknown Or Other	This Preliminary information communicates the steps on how to save a GDS2 Session Log and…
PIP4902V	2026-03-09	Unknown Or Other	This preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into…
PIP4902U	2026-01-08	Unknown Or Other	This preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into…
PIT5214G	2025-11-20	Unknown Or Other	This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420

Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1

P0300

Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected

P0171

System too lean — Bank 1

P0455

Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak

P0128

Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature

P0442

Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN

Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Cruze. OEM

Build data

Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.

Recalls

Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Vehicles taking 4.2 qt Engine oil filter 25206377 Engine air filter 39030321 Fuel filter 13539108 Spark plug 12683541

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Vehicle recalls & TSBs OBD-II trouble codes Torque specifications Maintenance schedules Fluid capacities & specs

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2018 Cruze take?

4.2 qt of 0W-20 Use GM Dexos 1 Oil or equivalent, per the factory manual.

Does the 2018 Cruze have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.