2010-2016 Chevrolet 1.4L Cruze Engine (LUJ/LUV): Longevity, Problems, And Specs

A lot of wonderful engines have been engineered and produced in the US. But in the last 10-15 years, we see the tendency to reduce the displacement of the engines, install turbochargers, and apply all possible technologies to shorten the pollution an engine causes. That's why companies keep "choking" engines and making them smaller.

The 1.4 turbocharged LUJ/LUV engine made by Chevrolet (mainly for the Cruze and the Sonic models) is a bright example of this downsizing trend. But is this engine actually that bad? Does it have as many problems as, for example, the 1.4 TSI engine offered by Volkswagen? In this article, we'll try to answer those questions in detail.

Key features and my opinion about the engine

• Production years:2010-2020
• Average lifespan of LUJ/LUV:160,000-180,000 miles
• Fuel supply type:port injection
• Power range:138-140 hp
• Fuel efficiency:good
• Engine block material:cast-iron
• Engine reliability score:low
• The most common problems:engine knocking, huge oil consumption, timing chain issues, turbocharger issues, water pump problems.

The 1.4 Turbo Chevrolet engine - what do we know about it?

This engine is a part of the Family 0 engine that was meant to equip compact and subcompact vehicles. Chevrolet is not the only brand that uses these engines. In the US, you can also find these vehicles in many General Motors cars. And some of these engines are also popular in Europe where Opel used them up until 2021.

The 1.4 Turbo LUJ/LUV engine that is used for Cruze and Sonic is the third-generation Family 0 engine. It's the most powerful engine of the series. And we can't say it's a bad unit. It has a turbocharger, so it's more powerful than nearly all its counterparts on the market. And it's very economical. What else do you need for a compact car?

Here are some specs you will want to know:

• the displacement of 1.4 liters may seem too little, but it's enough for the tasks of these engines;
• 138 horsepower is really good - nearly 100 hp from 1 liter of displacement is quite safe for reliability and cool for driving;
• 148 ft-lb of torque doesn't seem very much, but it's absolutely enough for the Cruze;
• the engine is simple, its construction doesn't cause any problems in repair and maintenance;
• the block is made of cast iron which ensures better durability.

We don't know what else should we say about the specs of this engine. It's a very simple unit and it certainly has fewer problems than a lot of other units of the same displacement and similar power. We know for sure that the Chevy 1.4 Turbo engine is one of the best in the class. But let's also look at some bad sides.

By the way, in the US, these engines can be found in Chevy Sonic, Chevy Cruze, Chevy Trax, and Buick Encore. The engine offers quick availability of torque which allows the driver to speed up really fast. It can still make some problems on the highway where you need to go at high speed all the time. The engine RPM will be very high, so it will be noisy inside your car.

What is the longevity of the 1.4 Turbo in a Cruze?

This engine is relatively durable. We would say that the optimal mileage for these engines is around 180,000 and to 200,000 miles. It's not much compared to the main alternative - a 1.8-liter naturally aspirated GM engine which can go over 300,000 miles. But if you are getting a car for some years, you will not have any problems with longevity.

Again, this longevity is great if you compare it with the 1.4 TSI by Volkswagen which is the closest competitor among modern engines. We would say that the TSI engines can last up to 150,000 miles and they will bother you with some problems all the way you own the VW car. But the 1.4 Turbo GM engine will not bother you much.

What are the main problems with the 1.4L Cruze engine?

We will start with a turbocharger. Unfortunately, this part will only last 100,000 miles of something like this. It will not be a very durable turbocharger because of its construction. The cooling problems and also oiling issues can actually kill the turbocharger earlier than that. But the good news is that the turbocharger is not expensive. The whole assembly including replacement costs will be around $1200 or even less. So, you just need to remember this when you are getting a Sonic or a Cruze with this engine.

But the turbocharger is not the only problem with this engine, unfortunately. Some other issues can happen during the life of the unit. We tried hard and found a lot of reviews and claims of real owners of GM cars with this engine and so we know some facts.

Here are the main problems you can have:

1. Oil consumption. Unfortunately, these engines have some problems with the piston rings and so they start consuming a little oil at 50,000 miles or something like this. It's not a big problem, but you will need to check the oil level regularly.
2. Overheating issues. Overheating is not only bad for the turbocharger. It can kill the head of your engine. It doesn't mean that every 1.4 engine will be overheated. But this issue has been reported many times.
3. Plastic intake manifold. If you open the hood of any vehicle and see the plastic intake manifold, you may be sure that this part will cause problems. Cracks in the manifold will change the way your engine works.
4. Coolant pump. A leaking water pump is something usual for cheap General Motors engines, and the 1.4 engine has this problem, too. You will need to check the temperature always because overheating is deadly dangerous.
5. Ignition problems. The ignition coils are something that you will repair very often. Replacing the coils is not a very cheap thing to do, so get ready for some expenses on a regular basis.
6. Some minor problems. A faulty alternator, bad starter, and also some other minor things will get on your nerves constantly. Unfortunately, this is a budget-friendly engine that wasn't made to last forever.

But still, the worst troubles come from the turbocharger. And as you now know, it doesn't cost very much because it's actually a very simple and classic thing that you can buy and have it replaced easily.

What transmissions does the 1.4 Turbo in Cruze offer?

The transmissions for this engine are not bad at all.

The first option is the 5-speed manual transmission. It's standard and simple as a bicycle - you will not worry about this transmission even once in 200,000 miles. It will only need oil changes every 30-40 thousand miles or something like this.

The automatic transmission is also good. It's a 6-speed automatic transmission with classic construction. It's a reliable unit that can go up to 150,000 or even 200,000 miles up until its first repair. But sometimes, overheating issues come and the transmission starts kicking a little when shifting.

To avoid these problems, you can install an additional radiator to cool the oil in the transmission. It's not very expensive, but it will prolong the life of the unit.

How to drive your 1.4 Turbo LUJ/LUV Chevy longer?

You can drive your car much longer if you follow some simple rules. They are obvious and are true for nearly all vehicles, but some of these rules are still important for the Chevy 1.4 Turbo engine only.

Here are some tips:

• never press your gas pedal to the metal - this engine hates revving up sharply;
• keep the RPM between 2000 and 4000 - anything lower or higher is not recommended;
• always buy original oil - every turbocharged engine will only work well with good oil;
• go to a mechanic once you have some problem, never wait for too long;
• keep in mind that your engine will only work well with premium fuel of high quality.

But still, even if you follow all of the tips given above, you can easily lose your engine once it hits the 200,000-mile mark. We still know some Sonics and Cruzes that have already gone 250,000 and even 300,000 miles without some bad problems.

If you are considering a used vehicle with a 1.4 Turbo General Motors engine, always try to find a car with less than 100,000 miles on the clock. This may be a good purchase.

Final words

You should always check what the optimal mileage for a certain engine is. If you don't do that, you can end up having a salvage car that an insurance company will not pay for. The 1.4 Turbo engine made by General Motors for Chevy and Buick vehicles in America is actually very good. But this engine also has some problems and possible drawbacks.

Though, it gives wonderful gas mileage, doesn't bother much with minor issues, and is optimal for city driving. We would recommend this engine if you were choosing between it and the 1.4 TSI of Volkswagen.