Automatic Transmission Shifts Too Hard on Chevrolet Cruze

The Chevrolet Cruze is built with a six-speed automatic transmission built by a third-party manufacturer, as is the case with most transmissions. For this specific automatic transmission, there is a common complaint regarding the harshness of shifts, as well as slight slippage when the transmission is hot.

In most cases, these issues arise from faulty software, which does not account for all variables as the transmission warms to normal operating temperature. In other cases, the valve body or shift solenoids are found to be faulty.

Software updates and software patches have been developed for these transmissions, and that is normally sufficient to correct drivability issues. If resetting the transmission controller and updating the transmission proves insufficient to correct concerns, the transmission will likely require rebuild or replacement before performance is returned to normal.

These transmissions were built and sold as ‘sealed for life’, but many have found that the automatic transmission fluid is not reliable for the complete service life of the vehicle.