Chevy Cruze Coolant Leak Overview
General Motors (GM) hails the Chevrolet Cruze as one of the most “safety-tested cars” in its lineup. It appears, however, that they may have missed a few things during these safety inspections. As far back as 2011, numerous Chevrolet drivers have reported coolant or antifreeze-related issues in their vehicles.
A toxic, sweet smell can seep through the air vents in the cabins of affected Chevrolet Cruze vehicles. Antifreeze leaking into the cabin of your car can pose severe health risks. Some Chevrolet drivers have been hospitalized due to injuries they sustained as a result of coolant leaking into the cabins of their cars.
One customer reported that she sustained serious second-degree burns on her feet after coolant leaked in her car while driving. If you notice coolant leaking in your Chevy Cruze, you should take it into an authorized service provider for repairs as soon as possible.
How do I know if my Chevy Cruze is affected?
Chevy Cruze Antifreeze or coolant leaks typically appear in the thermostat housing of affected vehicles, though it can also leak from the recovery tank house or the throttle body heater inlet pipe in cars with 1.8L engines. You may first notice antifreeze pooled under your car when you leave a parking spot. The coolant in affected Chevy Cruz cars can leak slowly, however. In some instances, you may not be able to see actual liquid for some time.
The most common symptoms of a Chevy Cruze coolant leak are strange gurgling sounds or a sweet smell in the cabin, either of which can indicate that the car is low on coolant. As your car loses more coolant, the heating system in your car may begin to fail. Leaking coolant can be extremely dangerous for all vehicle occupants as antifreeze is highly toxic.
Exposure to antifreeze can cause headaches, severe skin burns, and other medical issues. One driver told Car Complaints that they were hospitalized for a week and forced to miss two months of work after being exposed to coolant in their Chevrolet Cruze.
What makes are affected?
The coolant issue can be found in 2010-2019 model year Chevrolet Cruze vehicles. Affected vehicles typically have Eco-Tec 1.8: four-cylinder engine, however, the coolant issue has also been found in Chevrolet vehicles with 1.4L or 1.6L turbo engines. Newer Chevrolet Cruze models may also be affected.
Can I join a lawsuit?
You can join an ongoing lawsuit against General Motors. In fact, you may already be included in one. If you do not want to join a lawsuit that you have been included in, you will have to manually opt-out of the suit before a specified opt out deadline.
Note that GM has issued a Chevy Cruze coolant leak recall for model years 2011-2014. The 2015 Chevy Cruze coolant recall does not include Cruze vehicles from newer model years, which could also have the coolant leaking issue. Since this major recall, GM has not announced any other recalls for the Cruze pertaining to this problem.
The latest recall affecting the Chevy Cruze was announced in 2020. This recall includes the following vehicles which may be prone to transmission fluid leaks:
• 2018-2019 Chevrolet Cruze
• 2018-2019 Buick LaCrosse
• 2018-2020 Chevrolet Equinox
• 2018-2020 Chevrolet Traverse
• 2018-2020 GMC Terrain
• 2018 Chevrolet Malibu
• 2019-2020 Buick Encore
• 2019-2020 Buick Enclave
• 2019-2020 Cadillac XT4
• 2019-2020 Chevrolet Blazer
• 2019-2020 GMC Acadia
• 2020 Cadillac XT6
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), this is the latest major recall for the Chevy Cruze, however, there is no mention of the coolant leak problem. Unfortunately, no other recall besides the one issued by GM in 2015 mentions the Chevy Cruze coolant leaking problem. GM has yet to issue a Chevy Cruze temperature sensor or thermostat recall.
Should I join a lawsuit?
We advise against joining a Chevy Cruze coolant leak class action suit if you have a valid lemon law claim and the statute of limitations has not passed. A class action lawsuit could have thousands of claimants, who likely get less compensation than someone who pursues an individual case against General Motors.
You may be considering trading in your car directly to GM. Keep in mind that multiple Chevrolet customers have complained that the automaker is not offering much money to trade in their car.
Coolant repairs can cost well over $500, and drivers often have multiple repairs made to cars with coolant problems. In a lawsuit filed against GM in New York in 2014, one plaintiff claimed that GM offered her just $5,000 to trade in her car, significantly less than what she has spent on the vehicle in terms of financing, repairs, and other costs.
What are my options?
Your best option is to file your own individual lemon law claim assuming your case fits the parameters to do so. You can do this on your own, however, we highly recommend that you consult with a reputable lemon law attorney in your area. The right attorney can help you build the strongest case possible to maximize your settlement.
If you live in California and are dealing with coolant issues in your Chevrolet Cruze or any other vehicle, our team of Lemon Law Experts can evaluate your claim and see if you qualify for a replacement vehicle, a lemon law refund, or CASH.
As the state’s premier lemon law firm, the Lemon Law Experts have helped thousands of consumers across California recover millions of dollars in compensation for their defective cars. Our team regularly wins cases against large auto manufacturers like General Motors.
No matter where you are in the lemon law process, we can assist you.
There are no upfront costs or retainer fees when you choose the Lemon Law Experts, so there is zero risk involved in filing your claim through our team. Our attorneys have a wealth of experience and expertise in lemon law and can answer any questions you may have through a free, no-obligation case analysis. To get started, please visit our website and fill out an online form, or give us a call at 877-885-5366.
