5 Most Common Holden Cruze Problems & Potential Issues

Are you planning to buy a used Holden Cruze car or searching to explore common problems found in the Cruze to be aware of issues often encountered by the owners?

The Holden Cruze is a compact car that has remained popular among Australian drivers due to its affordability, reliability, and practicality. However, every vehicle, such as Holden Cruze, has issues and errors.

I will assist you in understanding the Holden Cruze problems that owners commonly report after experiencing them. You must look into these problems and perform a detailed inspection before buying a used Cruze car.

So, let’s thoroughly understand each problem and its causes, symptoms, and solutions to make informed decisions about getting a service or buying one.

Holden Cruze Problems

Here’s the breakdown of the 10 most common Holden Cruze issues.

Transmission Issues

One of the most common issues frequently reported by the owners is automatic transmission problems. It’s widely reported that owners face jerks, shuddering, gear slipping, and hesitation while accelerating the car. People who bought the early Cruze models (2011-2014) were the majority of those facing automatic transmission issues.

They reported the following problems:

Hard Shifts

Many owners report difficulties while powershifting. Sometimes, shifting becomes very hard and requires extra power. Hard gear shifting indicates an underlying issue in the transmission system.

Delayed Shifting

Holden Cruze drivers experience delayed gear shifting when the vehicle covers a distance of 90,000-115,000 miles. Due to the lag in acceleration, the vehicle starts taking longer than usual to shift gears, which can lead to critical damage.

Transmission Slipping

Another issue with the automatic transmission is gear slipping while driving. This could damage the system, leading to an entire transmission failure and a sudden loss of power.

Causes

After looking at the automatic transmission issues, you need to know the causes and the main culprits that need attention.

Depletion of transmission fluid
Faulty Transmission components like clutch, solenoids, sensors, torque converter, etc.
Control module issues
Clogged transmission filter
Electrical issues

Engine Overheating In Holden Cruze Problems

The second Holden Cruze problem commonly reported is the overheating of the engine. As you know, the engine is the most significant part of the vehicle, and it’s crucial to keep it cool, free from faults, and prevent potential issues. It’s not enough to only know about engine overheating problems; here are the causes that cause overheating, and you should understand each one.

Leaking Coolant

Coolants like oil and freshwater keep the engine lubricated and cool. When a coolant leak is not addressed promptly, it will reduce the coolant level, causing the engine to overheat because it can’t maintain its temperature without sufficient coolant.

Faulty Thermostat

A thermostat’s function is to keep the engine cool by gradually allowing the coolant into the radiator. When the thermostat becomes faulty, it will disrupt the coolant flow into the engine, resulting in overheating.

Radiator Issues

A radiator performs a main function in the cooling system by maintaining the coolant fluid levels. When the radiator is affected by leaks, clogs, or damage, it will affect its ability to cool the fluids and reduce the dissipation of the heat from the engine.

Water Pump Malfunctioning

The water gradually circulates the water from the engine by taking water through the radiator. The constant circulation of water keeps the engine’s temperature cool. A malfunctioning water pump can disrupt water circulation, causing the engine’s temperature to increase.

Steering Issues

Many owners encounter power steering system issues when driving the car. It’s one of the most significant Holden Cruze problems, and it can be very dangerous and cause big damage if not addressed promptly. A correctly functioning steering system is mandatory for safety and smooth handling. Here is a look at potential steering issues:

Difficulty Turning The Steering Wheel

While driving the Holden Cruze normally for a long time, many drivers face difficulties turning the steering wheel. However, several causes can contribute to hard steering wheel turning, like lower power steering fluid, a faulty steering pump, and issues with the power steering rack.

Unusual Noises

Sometimes, Holden Cruze drivers experience unusual noises that are not normal to hear, like whining and groaning sounds, especially while turning the steering wheel. These noises usually start when the steering fluid level is low, or the pump is faulty.

Electrical Issues

Electrical system issues have remained very common in Holden Cruze vehicles. These issues are usually complex to fix and require professional mechanic knowledge. Below are the most encountered electrical issues.

Battery Drainage

Holden Cruze owners often complain about sudden battery drainage and an indication of battery error warning lights on the dashboard. However, the battery drain occurs when any component starts functioning incorrectly. It’s caused by old and weak batteries, corroded or loose battery terminals, parasitic current draw, wiring damages, and electronic control unit issues.

Alternator Faults

A proper, accurate, functioning alternator is necessary to charge the battery and power the electrical systems. When the alternator is damaged, faulty, or worn out, it can disrupt the current flow to the electrical components and cause significant severe issues.

Electronic Components Issues

Sometimes, it becomes very irritating when there is a faulty electric part, and it’s difficult to pinpoint that one. Only an expert technician can find that issue and reset it accurately. Holden Cruze electric problems owners report include blown fuses, dim headlights, windows problems, malfunctioning switches, faulty sensors, and a faulty engine control unit.

Brake Problems

Brake problems are common in Holden Cruze cars, and it’s a safety concern for many owners who drive for a long time. Drivers encounter various brake system-related issues, which are described below.

Leaking Fluid

When the master cylinder is damaged or worn out, leaking fluid occurs, leading to fluid depletion and critical brake system damage. To prevent fluid leakage, inspect the master cylinder and replace it if it shows any wear or damage.

Dashboard Warning Light

It’s one of the most common problems with Holden Cruze the owners have faced multiple times. They report the indication of warning lights whenever an issue occurs in the anti-lock braking system or the brakes.

Unusual Noises When Braking

Unusual braking noises, such as grinding and squeaking, are recorded when the brake calipers are faulty, and the brake pads are worn out. However, regularly replacing the damaged brake components while getting scheduled service can help Holden Cruze owners prevent unusual noises.

Also, check the other related posts:

https://sinceremechanic.com/bmw-increased-battery-discharge/
https://sinceremechanic.com/mazda-battery-management-system-malfunction/

Holden Cruze Years To Avoid

Whenever you’re considering buying a used Holden Cruze, you must inspect the vehicle carefully and ensure it’s not showing any critical problems. However, it can be wise first to check the problematic model year highlighted among more significant issues reporting models. To keep yourself safe and for a more reliable experience, you can avoid the model years listed in the chart below.

Model Year	Reason to Avoid	Key Issues
2011	Transmission Issues	Transmission slipping, hard shifts, delayed shifting
2012	Engine Overheating	Coolant leaks, faulty thermostat, radiator problems
2013	Water Pump and Turbocharger Problems	Coolant leaks, turbo failure
2014	Electrical and Steering Issues	Battery drainage, alternator failure, power steering
2015	Brake and Fuel System Problems	Brake pedal vibration, poor acceleration, fuel leaks
2016	Suspension and Air Conditioning Problems	Suspension noise, inadequate A/C cooling
2017	Continued Transmission and Electrical System Problems	Transmission failures, battery drainage Export to Sheets

Final Words

Many Australian owners widely report the Holden Cruze problems, but it also offers a range of advanced features at affordable prices. After understanding the problems, you can make wise decisions before buying the Holden Cruze car, and this knowledge will help you whenever you experience any issue with the vehicle.

However, every vehicle owner faces problems related to the transmission system, braking system, power steering control, electrical or engine overheating, etc. If you follow the routine services, address issues promptly, replace the faulty components, and timely fix the issues before they become serious, you can protect your vehicle from those issues.

FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most common problems with a used Holden Cruze?

Problems with Holden Cruze common in used vehicles include transmission issues ( hard gear shifting, delayed shifts, gear slipping), brake problems, electrical components issues, engine overheating, turbocharger failures, suspension malfunctions, and steering system problems. Ensure that each problem is inspected thoroughly and seek professional mechanic help.

Which Holden Cruze model years should I avoid?

Some Holden Cruze models are widely reported due to higher issues and complaints by owners. For longevity in vehicle performance, you can avoid the 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, and 2017 model years of Holden Cruze and buy another model.

How can I spot transmission issues in a used Holden Cruze?

You only need to test a drive for a few minutes to determine whether transmission issues occur in a used Holden Cruze. Start the engine, change the gear, and move the car forward slowly. Carefully watch for gear slipping, hard or delayed gear changing, and unusual noises in the transmission system. If you encounter any of these issues, it indicates that the problems are found in a Holden Cruze.

How can I prevent issues with a used Holden Cruze after purchase?

After purchasing the Holden Cruze, please take it to the nearest certified technician shop and get it serviced there. The mechanic will thoroughly inspect each component and fix the issues by repairing or replacing it.