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Is the Chevy Cruze flat towable?

No—the Cruze is not approved for flat towing with four wheels down behind an RV. Official guidance from Chevrolet/GM and the Cruze owner’s manual generally prohibits four-wheels-down towing for automatic versions; manual versions vary by year. For exact specifics, always check your model-year manual or contact GM customer support, since the Cruze line was discontinued in 2019 and official guidance hasn’t widely changed since. This article reviews the current guidance and practical alternatives.

What the official guidance says

Guidance for flat towing the Cruze comes from the owner’s manual and the GM towing policies that were in place during the Cruze’s production years. The key points are summarized here for quick reference:

Automatic-transmission Cruze models are not supported for four-wheel-down flat towing; towing with all four wheels on the ground is not recommended in the owner's manual.

Manual-transmission Cruze models may have different rules; check the specific model-year manual for your vehicle to confirm whether any four-wheel-down towing is permitted.

When towing behind an RV, the preferred option is to use a tow dolly (lifting the Cruze’s front wheels) or a full trailer, rather than towing with all wheels on the road.

In short, most Cruze configurations are not presented as flat-towable with four wheels down. Always reference your exact year and transmission configuration to be sure.

Practical towing options for Cruze owners

If flat-towing four wheels down is not recommended for your Cruze, here are practical alternatives used by RV travelers and automotive professionals:

Tow with a dolly: Use a tow dolly designed for front-wheel-drive cars, placing the Cruze’s front wheels on the dolly while the rear wheels stay on the road. This avoids circulating the engine and transmission while in tow.

Tow on a trailer: Load the Cruze onto a car trailer and pull the trailer with the RV, keeping all four wheels off the road and reducing transfer loads on the drivetrain.

Professional towing option: If you are unsure how to configure a dolly or trailer, hire a professional towing company with experience towing modern passenger cars behind RVs and following state requirements.

These approaches minimize potential damage to the Cruze’s transmission and engine that can occur with improper flat towing. Always confirm the method with your manual and local regulations.

Year-by-year considerations

The Cruze came in multiple year-by-year configurations, with different transmissions and drivetrain layouts. Because towing requirements can vary by year and transmission, it is essential to verify with the exact owner's manual for your vehicle or contact Chevrolet customer support for the most precise guidance.

Summary

Bottom line: The Chevrolet Cruze is not typically flat-towable four wheels down. For safe, compliant towing behind an RV, use a tow dolly or trailer, and always confirm the policy for your specific model year and transmission. With the Cruze no longer in active production, check the original owner’s manual and contact Chevrolet if you need definitive guidance for your used vehicle.

What year to avoid Chevrolet Cruze?

The Chevy Cruze years to avoid are primarily 2011-2015, with particular issues noted for the 2013 and 2016 model years, due to common problems like transmission failure, coolant leaks, and engine issues. The 2016 model is also mentioned for engine problems, while the 2018 year is frequently cited for engine and electrical problems.

This video discusses the most common problems with the Chevy Cruze: 58sSteeveGMTECHYouTube · Jul 22, 2025
Years with most reported problems

2011–2015: This first generation is widely cited as having the most issues, including transmission failure, coolant leaks, and engine problems like cracked pistons and faulty water pumps.
2016: This year is specifically called out for engine issues, potentially related to the 1.4T engine.
2018: Many owners have reported engine and electrical problems with this model year, along with a specific recall for transmission fluid leaks.

Specific issues to look out for

Engine: Common problems include cracked pistons, faulty water pumps, and coolant leaks, particularly on 1.4T engines.
Transmission: Harsh shifting and complete transmission failure are frequent complaints across several model years.
Cooling System: Leaks from plastic cooling components, especially around the 100,000-mile mark, can lead to overheating and engine damage.
Electrical: Electrical system failures, including issues with the ignition, lighting, and control modules, were common in several years.

You can watch this video to learn about common Chevy Cruze problems and fixes: 59sAJS WoodworksYouTube · May 22, 2024
How to mitigate risks

Check the vehicle history: Always get a vehicle history report and verify that all recall work has been completed.
Perform a pre-purchase inspection: Have a qualified mechanic inspect the vehicle before buying to identify any existing or potential problems.
Be aware of mileage: Many of the common failures, such as water pump failure, occur at higher mileage (around 100,000 miles).

What is the easiest car to flat tow behind a RV?

Here are some of the most popular flat tow vehicles:

Jeep Wrangler JL.
Ford F-150.
Jeep Wrangler JK.
Chevrolet Equinox.
Jeep Grand Cherokee.
Jeep Cherokee.
Chevrolet Colorado.
Honda CR-V.

Which Chevrolet models can be flat towed?

Several Chevy vehicles can be flat-towed, including the manual transmission Spark, Sonic, and Cruze, and various 4WD models of the Colorado, Silverado, Blazer, Tahoe, Suburban, and Equinox. It is crucial to check the specific year and configuration of any vehicle, as even models within the same nameplate can have different flat-towing capabilities, especially between front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive models.
Cars

Spark: Manual transmission models.
Sonic: Manual transmission models.
Cruze: Manual transmission models.

SUVs

Equinox: Select years and configurations, especially those with all-wheel drive.
Blazer: Select 4WD models.
Tahoe: 4WD models with a two-speed transfer case.
Suburban: 4WD models with a two-speed transfer case.
Trailblazer: All-wheel drive models are generally flat-towable, but FWD models are not.

Trucks

Colorado: 4WD models with a neutral position in a two-speed transfer case.
Silverado: 4WD models with a neutral position in a two-speed transfer case.

Is a CVT transmission flat towable?

Also, check if the vehicle has electronic parking brakes or a continuously variable transmission (CVT), which usually make it flat-tow incompatible.

Kevin Bennett

Company Owner

Kevin Bennet is the founder and owner of Kevin's Autos, a leading automotive service provider in Australia. With a deep commitment to customer satisfaction and years of industry expertise, Kevin uses his blog to answer the most common questions posed by his customers. From maintenance tips to troubleshooting advice, Kevin's articles are designed to empower drivers with the knowledge they need to keep their vehicles running smoothly and safely.