Holden Cruze Common Problems

The Holden Cruze most buyers will see is the small sedan, hatch or wagon sold from 2009 to 2016. The JG (2009 to 2011) was imported from South Korea, and the facelifted JH (2011 to 2016) was mostly built at Holden's Elizabeth plant in South Australia. The common engine is the 1.8-litre petrol (GM Family 1, F18D4). There was also a 1.4-litre turbo in the JH, a 1.6-litre turbo in the SRi from 2013, and a 2.0-litre turbo-diesel. Gearboxes are five- or six-speed manuals and a six-speed automatic. The 2002 to 2006 Cruze was an unrelated Suzuki-based small car. The 2009 to 2016 Cruze drives well, but its reliability record is mixed, with the automatic and cooling system the weak points.

Six-speed automatic failures (6-speed automatic, 2009 to 2016)

The automatic is the Cruze's best-known fault, with 2011 to 2013 builds the worst. Symptoms include shudder, slow or flaring upshifts, slipping, limp mode, a warning light and a refusal to select Drive or Reverse. Holden is reported to have run a special repair program that replaced some gearboxes and extended warranty cover on repaired cars, though the terms reported vary. Out of warranty, owners report paying around $3,500 to $6,000 for a reconditioned gearbox fitted.

Coolant leaks and overheating (petrol engines, 2009 to 2016)

Cooling system leaks are among the most common owner complaints. The plastic thermostat housing, water pump, hoses and expansion tank can all crack or weep. Look for a sweet smell, dried coolant crust around the housing and a coolant level that keeps dropping. Some owners have replaced thermostat housings more than once. A housing and hoses job is likely to cost several hundred dollars. Ignoring it risks overheating and the head damage covered below.

Cracked cylinder heads and oil in the coolant (1.8 petrol, 2009 to 2016)

Oil and coolant mixing is a reported 1.8 problem. The causes are cracked cylinder heads, failed head gaskets or a leaking oil cooler. Signs are oil sludge in the coolant tank, milky oil on the dipstick and unexplained overheating. Holden is reported to have run a service program to replace cylinder heads on affected cars, but the build range it covered is not clear. Out of warranty, a head replacement runs into the thousands, while an oil cooler gasket is much cheaper. A failed transmission cooler can also mix fluids and damage the automatic.

PCV valve and rocker cover vacuum leaks (1.8 petrol, 2009 to 2016)

The crankcase ventilation (PCV) valve, part of the rocker cover on this engine, often fails. It causes a vacuum leak, lean-running fault codes, rough idle, whistling and a check-engine light. A loose oil cap gives the same code, and a workshop can confirm the cause quickly. The usual fix is a new rocker cover with the valve built in, likely a few hundred dollars fitted.

Ignition coil pack failures and misfires (1.8 petrol, 2009 to 2016)

A number of owners report misfires, a shaking idle and a flashing check-engine light caused by a failed coil pack, and some have replaced it more than once. The coil pack is a single unit covering all four cylinders. Oil leaking from the rocker cover gasket into the spark plug wells can trigger misfires too, so fix leaks at the same time. A coil pack and plugs usually cost a few hundred dollars.

Cracked turbo intake and boost pipes (1.4 and 1.6 turbo, 2011 to 2016)

On turbo petrols, the plastic intake and boost trunking can crack or blow off with heat and pressure. That leads to a sudden loss of power, a hissing noise under load and a check-engine light. Replacing the pipe and clamps is a quick and fairly cheap job. Some owners also report oil leaks and turbo failures on these engines, so check for oil around the turbo.

Recalls and safety

Recall themes include a fuel hose that could leak on early 1.8 petrol JG cars, and an oil drip that could reach hot exhaust parts and cause a fire on 1.4 turbo JH cars if an oil change was not done properly. There was also a brake vacuum pump on 1.4 turbo automatics that could fail when cold, and a driveshaft fault on 2009 to 2010 diesels that could cause loss of drive. This list may not be complete, so have a dealer or GM service centre check the VIN for open recalls, and see our recalls page.

Buying a used Holden Cruze? What to check

• Automatic gearbox: Drive it from cold and check for smooth, prompt upshifts, no flare between gears and clean engagement of Drive and Reverse.
• Gearbox paperwork: Ask whether the gearbox was replaced under Holden's program, and get invoices for any later work.
• Coolant level: With the engine cold, check the tank is full of clean coolant, with no oil film or brown sludge.
• Thermostat housing: Look for dried coolant crust around the housing and water pump.
• Dipstick: Pull it and look for milky oil, which points to coolant getting in.
• Idle quality: Listen for a whistle or rough idle and ask whether the rocker cover or coil pack has been replaced.
• Turbo models: Accelerate hard in third and listen for a hiss or sudden power loss.
• Timing belt: The 1.8 petrol and the diesel use a rubber timing belt. Check the service book for the last change and the interval for that engine.

Before you buy, run a PPSR check for finance owing and write-off records, and use our Holden Cruze buying checklist on the day.

The verdict

The safest Cruze is a later JH (2014 to 2016) with a full service history, and ideally a manual or an auto with proof of gearbox work. The 1.6 turbo SRi is the most enjoyable but needs careful checks for boost and oil leaks. Treat 2011 to 2013 automatics with caution unless the gearbox has been replaced. Look closely at coolant history on any 1.8. Buy a diesel only if it does long highway runs and has its timing belt records. Walk away from any Cruze showing oil in the coolant.