2012 Chevrolet Cruze
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Engine is the leading concern among 865 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the highest complaint count among 10 Cruze model years with reports.
Of the 2012 reports, 62 involved a crash and 18 involved a fire. 30 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Electrical system, ignitionJul 5, 2016
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Buick Verano and 2016 Chevrolet Malibu as the electronic park lock lever may allow the ignition key to be removed without the transmission being in PARK. Also, certain 2013 Buick Encore, 2011 Buick Regal, 2013-2014 Buick Verano, 2011-2016 Chevrolet Cruze, 2010-2013 Chevrolet Equinox 2013-2015 Chevrolet Malibu, and 2011-2013 GMC Terrain vehicles may have been serviced with similar defective replacement electronic park lock levers. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 114, "Theft Protection and Rollaway Prevention."
If the key is removed without the transmission in PARK, the vehicle may rollaway as occupants are exiting, increasing the risk of injury.
GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and if necessary replace the key cylinder lock housing, free of charge. The recall began on October 14, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, Buick 1-800-521-7300, and GMC 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 50490 and 50491.
Campaign 16V502000 on NHTSA.gov
Air bagsJun 6, 2014
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2012 Buick Verano vehicles manufactured December 2, 2011 to July, 16, 2012, Chevrolet Cruze vehicles manufactured December 7, 2011 to July 25, 2012, Chevrolet Sonic vehicles manufactured December 5, 2011 to August 2, 2012, and Chevrolet Camaro vehicles manufactured December 1, 2011 to June 11, 2012. The driver side frontal air bag has a shorting bar which may intermittently contact the air bag terminals.
If the bar and terminals are contacting each other at the time of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, that air bag will not deploy, increasing the driver's risk of injury.
GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the steering wheel air bag coil, free of charge. The recall began on July 25, 2014. Chevrolet owners may contact GM at 1-800-222-1020. Buick owners may contact GM at 1-800-521-7300. Note: This is an expansion of recalls 12V-522 and 13V-023.
Campaign 14V300000 on NHTSA.gov
Service brakes, hydraulic, power assistAug 15, 2013
General Motors (GM) is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 Chevrolet Cruze vehicles equipped with 1.4L DOHC gasoline turbo engines and 6T40 front wheel drive automatic transmissions and equipped with an electric vacuum pump to provide supplemental vacuum for brake assist, when needed. In the affected vehicles, the pump may not activate, resulting in an intermittent reduction or loss of brake assist.
A loss of braking assistance will require extra pedal force and/or distance to bring the vehicle to a stop, increasing the risk of a crash.
General Motors will notify owners, and dealers will replace a microswitch in the power brake vacuum pipe assembly, free of charge. The recall began on October 7, 2013. Owners may contact Chevrolet at 1-800-222-1020. GM's recall number is 12213.
Campaign 13V360000 on NHTSA.gov
Air bagsJan 24, 2013
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2012 Chevrolet Camaro, Cruze and Sonic, and model year 2012 Buick Verano vehicles. The driver side frontal air bag has a shorting bar which may intermittently contact the air bag terminals.
If the bar and terminals are contacting each other at the time of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, that air bag will not deploy, increasing the driver's risk of injury.
GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the steering wheel air bag coil, free of charge. The safety recall began on February 13, 2013. Owners may contact General Motors at 1-800-521-7300.
Campaign 13V023000 on NHTSA.gov
Air bagsOct 31, 2012
General Motors is recalling certain model year 2012 Buick Verano, Chevrolet Cruze, and Chevrolet Sonic vehicles. The driver side frontal air bag has a shorting bar which may intermittently contact the air bag terminals.
If the bar and terminals are contacting each other at the time of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal airbag, that airbag will not deploy, increasing the driver's risk of injury.
General Motors will notify owners, and dealers will replace the steering wheel airbag coil, free of charge. The safety recall began on January 11, 2013. Owners may contact General Motors at 1-800-521-7300.
Campaign 12V522000 on NHTSA.gov
Fuel system, gasoline, storage, tank assembly, mountingJun 22, 2012
GENERAL MOTORS (GM) IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 AND 2012 CHEVROLET CRUZE VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 2, 2009, THROUGH MAY 14, 2012. ATTACHMENT WELDS FOR THE FUEL TANK STRAP SECONDARY BRACKETS MAY HAVE BEEN OMITTED.
THE FUEL TANK COULD COME LOOSE IN A CRASH, POSSIBLY ALLOWING FUEL TO LEAK FROM THE TANK. A FUEL LEAK IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
GM WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE VEHICLE FOR MISSING WELDS. IF THE VEHICLE IS MISSING WELDS, DEALERS WILL SECURE THE BRACKET ATTACHMENTS WITH FASTENERS. REPAIRS WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 9, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT THE CHEVROLET OWNER CENTER AT 1-866-694-6546.
Campaign 12V289000 on NHTSA.gov
Engine and engine coolingJun 22, 2012
GENERAL MOTORS (GM) IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 AND 2012 CHEVROLET CRUZE VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 2, 2009, THROUGH MAY 31, 2012. SPILLED OR DRIPPING OIL (SUCH AS AFTER AN OIL CHANGE) MAY COLLECT IN THE ENGINE SHIELD (BELLYPAN) NEAR HOT ENGINE OR EXHAUST SYSTEM SURFACES. AS A RESULT, THE OIL AND THE ENGINE SHIELD MAY IGNITE AND BURN.
EITHER CONDITION COULD RESULT IN AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE, POSSIBLY CAUSING INJURY OR DEATH.
GM WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL MODIFY THE ENGINE SHIELD TO PREVENT FLUID FROM CONTACTING THE SHIELD. ALSO, ON VEHICLES WITH A MANUAL TRANSMISSION, DEALERS WILL APPLY A PROTECTIVE TAPE TO THE ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING WIRE HARNESS. REPAIRS WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE TO THE OWNER. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 10, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT THE CHEVROLET OWNER CENTER AT 1-866-694-6546.
Campaign 12V288000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: engine
308 reports, newest first. Show all
Engine, Jun 24, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET CRUZE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING IN REVERSE AND BACKING INTO A PARKING SPACE THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT AFTER RESTARTING THE ENGINE THE VEHICLE OPERATED AS NORMAL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.
Electrical system, Electronic stability control (ESC), Engine, Jun 18, 2014
IN APRIL I HAD BEEN DRIVING AND NOTICED THAT MY RADIO WAS FLICKERING. AFTER ABOUT TEN MINUTES OF MY RADIO FLICKERING ON AND OFF, THE "SERVICE STABILITRACK" LIGHT CAME ON. ONCE THE SERVICE LIGHT CAME ON, POWER STEERING SHUT OFF AND I HAD TO PULL THE VEHICLE OVER. AFTER PULLING OVER, I SHUT OFF THE VEHICLE AND THEN TRIED TO RESTART IT. THIS TIME IT STARTED WITH A NEW SERVICE LIGHT ON. I TOOK THE CAR INTO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY HAD IT FOR THREE DAYS HOPING THAT THE PROBLEM WOULD PRESENT ITSELF TO THEM. I SHOWED THEM A VIDEO OF WHAT HAPPENS TO THE RADIO AND THEY WERE UNABLE TO HELP ME. THEY DID HOWEVER NOTICE THAT A PREVIOUSLY RECALL DONE ON MY CAR HAD NOT BEEN FIXED BEFORE I PURCHASED IT. A FEW DAYS AFTER GETTING THE CAR BACK, THE LIGHTS STARTED TO FLICKER AGAIN. I CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY LET ME KNOW THAT THERE WAS NO POINT IN BRINGING IT IN UNLESS THE PROBLEM WAS CONSTANT. ABOUT A MONTH LATER, I WENT TO START MY CAR AND NOTHING. NO LIGHTS, NO ENGINE TURN OVER NOTHING. MY KEY WAS STUCK IN THE IGNITION AND WOULD NOT TURN. MY FIANCE HAD TO GET OUT TAP THE BATTERY AND THE WHOLE THING STARTED UP. TWO DAYS AGO, THE SAME RADIO, SERVICE LIGHTS AND ENGINE SHUT OFF HAPPENED AGAIN. THIS IS 2 TIMES NOW THAT I HAVE HAD COMPLETE FAILURE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. I AM LITERALLY TERRIFIED FOR MY LIFE!!!!!!!....UPDATED 07/31/14 *BF UPDATED 08/23/2017*CT *TR
Air bags, Latches/locks/linkages, Service brakes, Engine, Jun 5, 2014, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET CRUZE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE BRAKES FAILED. THE VEHICLE DID NOT STOP WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS FULLY APPLIED, CAUSING THE CONTACT TO CRASH INTO THE REAR OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED OF THE INCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER BUT NO DIAGNOSES WAS PROVIDED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 13V36000(SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC) BUT DID NOT CONFIRM IF THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THIS FAILURE PERSISTED INTERMITTENTLY OVER A PERIOD OF ONE YEAR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 19,000. UPDATED 8/19/14*CN THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE'S TRUNK EXTERIOR MANUAL LATCH WOULD NOT OPEN THE TRUNK AND THE STEERING WHEEL AIR BAG IS ON RECALL. WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE WOULD HESITATE AND LURCH. UPDATED 08/28/2014 *JS
Power train, Engine, Jun 5, 2014
I RECEIVED MY CHEVY CRUZE LS IN AUGUST OF 2012 AFTER HAVING IT FOR A WEEK I STARTED TO NOTICE ISSUES WITH THE TRANSMISSION. I DROVE IT UP NORTH AND AFTER BEING ON THE FREEWAY GOING A CONSTANT SPEED OF 75 MPH, WHEN FORCED TO SLOW DOWN DUE TO TRAFFIC THE CAR COULD NOT FIGURE OUT WHAT I WAS TRYING TO DO AND JUST HAD A MIND OF ITS OWN. THE RPMS WOULD SHOOT UP VERY HIGH AND THE CAR WOULD STRUGGLE TO ACCELERATE (ALMOST AS IF IT WERE STUCK IN NEUTRAL) AND EVENTUALLY IT WOULD JERK FORWARD VERY HARD AND THEN ACCELERATE. THIS HAPPENS EVERY TIME I GET ON THE FREEWAY NOW AND HAVE TO SLOW DOWN BECAUSE OF TRAFFIC OR SLOW DOWN TO GET OFF AT THE EXIT (AND CONTINUES WELL AFTER BEING OFF THE FREEWAY). I AM LUCKY I HAVEN'T BEEN REAR ENDED AND SEVERELY INJURED OR KILLED. I'VE HAD THE CAR FOR ALMOST TWO YEARS NOW AND ITS ONLY GOTTEN WORSE, IT NOW DOES THE SAME THING WHEN DRIVING DOWN THE STREET AT 30 MPH, IT WILL BE GOING ALONG JUST FINE THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THE ENGINE REVS AS IF IT WERE SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL AND THEN CATCHES ITSELF AND JERKS REALLY HARD AND IS FINE AGAIN. ALSO WHEN SLOWING DOWN IT SEEMS TO DOWNSHIFT TOO QUICKLY ALMOST COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP ON ITS OWN, WHICH IS WHY I AM AFRAID OF BEING REAR ENDED. I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR IN TO 5 DIFFERENT DEALERSHIPS AND AM TOLD EVERY TIME THAT EITHER THEY DON'T SEE THE PROBLEM AND I DON'T KNOW WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT OR THEY CAN SEE THERE'S A PROBLEM BUT THERE'S NOTHING THEY CAN DO ABOUT IT. I'M VERY DISAPPOINTED IN THE QUALITY OF THIS CAR, I'VE ALSO HAD ISSUES WITH THE RADIO AND MY USB CORD NOT CONNECTING TO MY PHONE AND EVEN WHEN IT DOES CONNECT THE SONGS COME THROUGH WITH LOTS OF STATIC. I HAVE TRIED DIFFERENT CORDS, DIFFERENT PHONES AND MULTIPLE IPODS AND IT KEEPS HAPPENING. I FEEL TOTALLY HELPLESS AND AM SICK OF FEELING UNSAFE IN MY CAR. MY FAMILY HAS ALWAYS BOUGHT GM CARS, THIS IS MY SECOND CHEVY AND MY LAST!! *TR
Engine, Jun 4, 2014
FAILURE OF WATER PUMP. ON THE MORNING AFTER NORMAL WORK COMMUTE OF 60 MILES, FOUND SPILLED COOLANT UNDER VEHICLE. GM SERVICE REPLACED THE WATER PUMP UNDER WARRANTY. VEHICLE ONLY HAD 25K MILES AND THE WATER PUMP FAILED-UNACCEPTABLE. *TR
Engine, May 30, 2014, crash
TRYING TO MAKE A LEFT HAND TURN INTO A GAS STATION, AND HAD VERY LITTLE POWER TO COMPLETE TURN,SO I TRIED TO STOP SHORT, AND ONCOMING CAR HIT ME....WHEN IN REPAIR SHOP, THE DEALER INFORMED ME THE TURBOCHARGER WAS BROKEN......AND SAW THE TURBO PART BROKEN THE SAME WAY! *TR
Power train, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, May 24, 2014
THIS CAR HAS HAD SEVERAL PROBLEMS. THEY HAVE HAD TO REPLACE A VACUUM PUMP, THE ENGINE SHIELD RECALL, THE BRAKES STICK, THERE IS A HORRIBLE SMELL OF HOT TRANSMISSION FLUID CONSTANTLY, THE TRANSMISSION COOLANT LINES HAVE BEEN REPLACED, A PUMP ABOVE THE FUEL TANK HAS BEEN REPLACED, THE CAR SURGES AND CAUSES THE RPM GAUGE TO BOUNCE, THE AXLES HAVE HAD LEAKS FIXED, THE EXTERIOR TRUNK BUTTON DOESN'T WORK, DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD IT SOUNDS LIKE A PLASTIC BOTTLE IS STUCK INSIDE THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT DOOR, SOME TIMES AFTER PUTTING THE KEY IN THE IGNITION IT WON'T TURN, THE SUSPENSION SYSTEM POPS AND CRACKS, THE AXLE SQUEALS, SHIFTS AT INAPPROPRIATE TIMES OR NOT WHEN IT IS SUPPOSED TO, THE BACK UP SENSOR WILL BEEP WHEN NOTHING IS THERE SOME TIMES, DOESN'T FEEL LIKE THERE IS ANY PRESSURE BEHIND THE BRAKES SOME TIMES, AND SMOKE ROW OUT FROM UNDER THE HOOD WHEN STOPPED AT STOP LIGHTS SOME TIMES. I THINK THAT IS EVERY THING BUT IT HAS BEEN A CONSTANT NIGHTMARE. I AM GUESSING ON MILES AND DATES, BUT IT WAS NOT VERY LONG AFTER I GOT IT BRAND NEW THAT IT STARTED HAVING PROBLEMS. WHEN I STARTED HAVING SHIFTING AND LEAKS IN THE TRANSMISSION, THE DEALERSHIP COULDN'T FIGURE OUT WHAT WAS WRONG, I HAD TO POINT OUT THE LEAK MYSELF AND THEN HE SAID HE WOULD GET THE PARTS ORDERED AND THEY WOULD BE IN WITHIN 3 DAYS. 2 WEEKS LATER I CALLED GM, THEN IT WAS WITHIN A WEEK I WAS CONTACTED BY THE DEALER THAT THEY HAD THE PARTS, AFTER GM SAID SOMEONE WOULD CONTACT ME WITHIN 48 HOURS. THIS HAS BEEN SUCH A HASSLE I AM NOW VEHICLE SHOPPING AND WILL NOT PURCHASE ANOTHER CHEVROLET. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, May 21, 2014
2012 CHEVY CRUZE PURCHASED IN AUGUST 2012. HAS COOLANT SMELL WHEN HEAT IS ON (ANY SETTING). TEMPERATURE WOULD DROP AND START BLOWING OUT COLD AIR WHEN HEAT WAS TURNED ON. CHECKED COOLANT LEVEL AND WAS A LITTLE LOW. FILLED IT UP AND THE SMELL WAS EVEN STRONGER. ENGINE FAN CONSTANTLY RUNS. WORKING ON GETTING IT TO THE DEALERSHIP BUT UNABLE TO GET A LOANER CAR SO I CAN GO TO WORK. CANNOT TAKE TIME OFF OF WORK TO TAKE IT TO THE DEALERSHIP, SO I AM IN A "CATCH 22". READ NUMEROUS REPORTS OF THE SAME THING HAPPENING TO OTHER PEOPLE. *TR
Electrical system, Engine, May 21, 2014
RADIO FLASHED ON AND OFF AND ALL BRAKE LIGHTS ON DASH WOULD LIGHT UP. SERVICE STABILITY CONTROL NOTICE WOULD APPEAR. THEN IT WOULD GO AWAY AND REAPPEAR. DID THIS FOR AN ENTIRE HOUR AND A HALF RIDE ON HIGHWAY. RADIO ON RADIO OFF DASHBOARD LIGHTS ON AND OFF. BLINKER NO LONGER CLICKED WHEN USED... DISCONCERTING TO DRIVE A CAR WITH SUCH PROBLEMS. A WEEK EARLIER I HAD CAR ISSUES COVERED UNDER POWER TRAN WARRANTY... AND NOW THIS...ALL AFTER A MASSIVE RECALL ANNOUNCED. THINK GM NEEDS TO RE LOOK AT ALL OF THEIR CARS... *TR
Fuel system, Gasoline, Engine, May 16, 2014
DURING ACCELERATION I SMELL GAS, OIL BURNING, EXHAUST FUELS IN MY CAR. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE DEALER WHO KEEPS STATING IT RUNNING LIKE IT SHOULD. NOW I BELIEVE MY WARRANTY IS OVER AND MY NEW CAR FUNCTIONS LIKE ITS 20 YEARS OLD. I CAN'T GET THEM TO BELIEVE ME AND I DON'T BELIEVE THEY EVEN BOTHER TEST DRIVING IT. I MENTIONED THE SMELL WHEN I BROUGHT MY CAR IN FOR THEM TO REPLACE MY TURBO CHARGER THAT MALFUNCTIONED. EVER AFTER. *TR
Engine, Apr 28, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET CRUZE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, SHE NOTICED THAT OIL LEAKED FROM THE ENGINE AND ONTO THE GROUND. THE FAILURE OCCURRED AFTER AN OIL CHANGE WAS PERFORMED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 12V288000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) BUT THE FAILURE PERSISTED AFTER THE RECALL REMEDY WAS PERFORMED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 13,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Structure, Engine, Apr 3, 2014, fire
[XXX] VIN MY CAR WAS TAKEN TO DEALERSHIP BECAUSE IT STARTED MAKING A SOUND LIKE THE MOTOR WAS TICKING AND HAD BEEN OVERFILLED WITH OIL ABOUT 6 MONTHS BEFORE BY THE DEALERSHIP. THE SERVICEMAN WAITED UNTIL NEXT DAY TO DRIVE THE CAR. WHILE BEING TEST DROVE BY THE SERVICE MAN IT CAUGHT ON FIRE AND BURNED THE WHOLE MOTOR AND OUTSIDE OF THE CAR UP. ALL PLASTIC WAS COMPLETELY BURNED. MY INSURANCE MAN WHO WENT TO LOOK AT THE CAR SAID HE COULD NOT TELL IF THE PLASTIC SHIELD ON THE BOTTOM HAD OIL ON IT OR NOT BUT THEY COULD FURTHER INVESTIGATE AND WOULD BE ABLE TO FIND OUT. NOW I HAD INSURANCE FULL COVERAGE ON THE CAR AND I BOUGHT GAP FROM THE DEALERSHIP WHEN I PURCHASED THE CAR. I AM PAYING A 6.25 INTEREST RATE ON THE CAR WHICH CAME TO 22,740.00 PLUS 3,000.00 DOWN WHEN PURCHASED AND BEEN PAYING FOR 1 YEAR. PAID FOR EXTENDED WARRANTY AND GAP. I HAVE WAITED OVER A MONTH FOR GM TO INVESTIGATE THIS AND OF TODAY'S DATE THE DEALERSHIP SAYS THEY HAVE NOT COME TO DO THEIR JOB. I AM 64 YEARS OLD AND NEVER DREAMED THAT A LARGE DEALERSHIP COULD OR WOULD DO SOMEONE LIKE THEY HAVE DONE ME. THERE WAS VERY LARGE RECALL ON 2012 CARS AND I DON'T KNOW IF MINE WAS EVER FIXED BECAUSE I DIDN'T KNOW ABOUT THE RECALL UNTIL THIS HAPPENED. I JUST WANT MY MONEY BACK FOR THE DOWN PAYMENT SO I CAN BUY ANOTHER CAR AND FOR MY CAR TO BE PAID OFF BY THE DEALERSHIP BECAUSE THEY ARE THE ONES WHO OVER FILLED THE CAR IN THE FIRST PLACE. THE DEALERSHIP SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE CAR IT WAS IN THERE PLACE THERE SERVICE MEN WAS DRIVING IT WHEN IT CAUGHT ON FIRE. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Engine, Mar 20, 2014, fire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET CRUZE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING VARIOUS SPEEDS, A FIRE STARTED IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 47,000.
Engine and engine cooling, Mar 19, 2014
CHEMICAL SMELL WHEN HEATER ON. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Mar 13, 2014
SICKENING COOLANT SMELL WHEN HEATER IS ON HOT POSITION. THIS OCCURS REGULARLY. IT IS AN AWFUL SICKENING SMELL COMING FROM THE HEATING VENTS. THE HIGHER THE FAN SPEED THE WORSE IT GETS. IT DOES NOT OCCUR IF HEAT CONTROL IS NOT ON HOTTER SETTINGS WHICH ARE NECESSARY IN WINTER. ALTHOUGH NOT AN IMMEDIATE SAFETY ISSUE I BELIEVE IT TO BE A HEALTH CONCERN AS THE FUMES ARE STRONG. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Feb 19, 2014
UPON VEHICLE BEING WARMED UP THERE IS A COOLANT SMELL FROM THE HEATING SYSTEM. THIS IS A COMMON OCCURRENCE WITH CHEVROLET CRUZE AND IS A HEALTH HAZARD. I CANNOT KEEP THE HEAT ON WITHOUT THE WINDOWS DOWN. *TR THIS SEEMS TO OCCUR ONLY WHEN VEHICLE IS FULLY WARMED UP AND ONLY SEEMS TO COME OUT OF THE LEFTMOST DUCT. *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Engine and engine cooling, Feb 17, 2014
THERE IS A SMALL OF ANTIFREEZE IN MY CAR THAT HAS BEEN MAKING ME SICK SINCE THREE MONTHS AFTER I PURCHASED CAR AND GM OR THE DEALER HAS NO WAY OF FIXING IT DOING ALL KINDS OF OTHER THINGS AND TELLING ME THAT THEY CANT SMELL IT. ALSO I HAVE BEEN HAVING BRAKE PROBLEMS AS WELL AND FINALLY ON FEB 1, 2014 THEY DECIDED TO REPLACED BRAKES AND ROTORS ON MY CAR. *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Engine and engine cooling, Jan 28, 2014
COOLANT ODOR IN PASSENGER COMPARTMENT FROM DAY ONE. WATER PUMP REPLACED TWICE IN THE PREVIOUS 8 MONTHS. STILL LEAKS COOLANT. VEHICLE IS UNSAFE BECAUSE YOU NEVER KNOW WHEN OR WHERE YOU WILL BECOME DISABLED AND NEED TO BE TOWED IE: HIGHWAY LOCATION, NIGHT, BAD NEIGHBORHOOD ETC. . MY WIFE NO LONGER WANTS TO DRIVE THIS VEHICLE. ALSO HAVE HAD THE BRAKING RECALL DONE TWICE NOW, SO FAR SO GOOD, BUT FOR HOW LONG? *TR
Engine, Jan 26, 2014
DRIVING ON RURAL ROAD TEMPERATURE GAUGE WENT ALL THE WAY TO HOT. STOPPED CAR LOOKED UNDER HOOD THERE WAS NO LIQUID IN THE ANTIFREEZE TANK WENT TO A HOUSE AND GOT WATER TO FILL IT UP. TEMP GAUGE WENT BACK TO NORMAL. CHECK ENGINE STAYED ON. TOOK CAR TO DEALER FOR INSPECTION THEY SAID THERMOSTAT HOUSING REPLACED . EVERY THING FINE. ON 1/24/2014 THE SAME THING HAPPENED THIS TIME THE COOLING FAN WAS RACING LIKE I HAD NEVER HEARD BEFORE PULLED IN TO A MALL PARKING LOT RAISED HOOD ANTIFREEZE TANK EMPTY. I LOOKED AND SAW GREEN LIQUID WHERE THE PIPE FROM ANTIFREEZE TANK CONNECTS TO THE ENGINE . THE VEHICLE IS DEFINITELY LOOSING ANTIFREEZE WHERE THE COOLANT GOES IN TO THE ENGINE.. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME I ALMOST BURNED THE ENGINE. *TR
Engine, Jan 21, 2014
NOXIOUS COOLANT SMELL INSIDE VEHICLE WHEN HEATER IS ON. COOLANT SMELL COMING FROM ENGINE COMPARTMENT WHEN IT IS WARM. THE WATER PUMP HAS BEEN CHANGED, NEXT REPAIR WAS RE ROUTING COOLANT RESERVOIR, NEXT REPAIR WAS MOLD FOUND IN HEATER CORE COMPARTMENT/CLEANED AND DEODERIZER WAS USED, LAST REPAIR WAS HEATER CORE CASE REPLACED. THIS PROBLEM STARTED WITH A LEAKING WATER PUMP AND HAS NOT BEEN ADDRESSED. SEEMS GM IS TRYING DIFFERENT REPAIRS IN HOPES IT WILL BE FIXED. THE PROBLEM DOESN'T,T SEEM TO BE DIAGNOSED. ONLY HAPPENS IN COLD WEATHER MONTHS WITH THE HEATER ON. HEATED AIR FROM THE VENTS SMELL LIKE BURNED COOLANT. VERY IRRITATING TO THE EYES AND THROAT, EYES ARE WATERY AND SWOLLEN, VERY DIFFICULT TO SEE AND DRIVE. THEN SEVERE COUGHING. WE CAN NOT SAFELY DRIVE LONGER THAN 20 MINUTES. MY DEALER TELLS ME THEY NEVER HEARD OF THIS PROBLEM YET IS QUICK SEARCH OF THE INTERNET SHOWS MANY DOCUMENTED CASES. THE SMELL OF COOLANT IS IN OUR CLOTHES AND THE FABRIC OF THE INTERIOR OF THE CAR. *TR
Engine, Jan 21, 2014
ENGINE DOES NOT MAINTAIN ENGINE TEMPERATURE AND CONSEQUENTLY DOES NOT HAVE CONSISTENT HEAT. IT WILL GO FROM 170 DEGREES TO 100 IN LESS THAN 3 BLOCKS. THIS WILL CAUSE THE WINDOWS TO FROST OVER AND LIMIT VISIBILITY. IT HAS BECOME UNSAFE TO DRIVE IN THE WINTER. IT HAS BEEN IN FOR REPAIRS ABOUT 8 TIMES IN TWO YEARS WITH NO SUCCESS. I ALSO CONTACTED CHEVROLET CUSTOMER CARE. THEY TOLD ME NOT TO TURN THE HEATER FAN IN PAST LEVEL 2 UNTIL THE ENGINE REACHES OPERATING TEMPERATURE. THE PROBLEM IS THAT IT RARELY DOES OR HOLDS IT VERY LONG. THIS WINTER IN MN HAS RANGED ALL THE WAY TO -20. REGARDLESS OF TEMPERATURE IT DOES THE SAME THING. MY RESEARCH INDICATES THIS HAS BEEN AN ISSUE WITH THE CRUZE AT LEAST SINCE 2011. *TR
Power train, Engine, Jan 18, 2014
COOLANT SMELL INSIDE VEHICLE CABIN AND OUTSIDE OF VEHICLE. NOTICED WHEN I FIRST PURCHASED THE CAR DURING THE WINTER. THIS OCCURS AFTER EXTENDED DRIVES, TYPICALLY MORE THAN 30 MINUTES, DURING COLD WEATHER WHEN USING THE HEAT. PROBLEM HAS PROGRESSIVELY GOTTEN WORSE. GM HAS LOOKED INTO IT APPROXIMATELY 8 TIMES. 4 REPAIR ATTEMPTS (COOLANT RESERVOIR CAP REPLACEMENT, WATER PUMP, COOLANT RESERVOIR MODIFICATION AND HVAC ASSEMBLY REPLACEMENT). PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN RESOLVED. INTERNET SEARCH HAS REVEALED MANY OWNERS EXPERIENCING THE SAME CONDITION, AS WELL AS A CLASS ACTION LAW SUIT DUE TO THE COOLANT SMELL INSIDE THE VEHICLE CABIN. THIS IS A HEALTH RISK TO ALL OCCUPANTS. FURTHER RESEARCH REVEALED AFFECTED MODELS INCLUDE THE: CRUZE, MALIBU AND SONIC. *TR
Engine, Nov 28, 2013, crash
I BOUGHT A 2012 CHEVY CRUZE RECEIVED RECALL LETTER FIRST OF 10/13 WAS STATED IN LETTER NO PARTS WERE AVAILABLE BUT WHEN THEY WERE I WOULD GET IT FIXED FREE. I APPROACHED INTERSECTION MY BRAKE WENT TO FLOOR WAS T BONED AND TOTAL LOSS OF MY CAR THIS CAR HAS 6 AIRBAGS NONE OF THEM DEPLOYED ..NOT GETTING ANYWHERE WITH GM. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Power train, Engine, Oct 17, 2013
TO BEGIN WITH,I HAVE HAD SEVERAL PROBLEMS WITH MY 2012 CHEVY CRUZE AND HAVE BEEN GIVEN THE RUNAROUND. MY FIRST CONCERN IS THAT I BOUGHT MY 2012 CHEVY CRUZE ON 09/18/2012 AND WAS NOTIFIED DAYS LATER OF A MAJOR SAFETY RECALL ABOUT THE POSSIBILITY OF ENGINE FIRES FROM FLUID SPILLS. I FIND OUT THAT THIS RECALL WAS ANNOUNCED ON 06/22/12.(NHTSA CAMPAIGN #:12V288000) WHY WAS I SOLD A VEHICLE THAT WAS UNDER RECALL FOR 3 MONTHS? AND WAS NEVER EVEN MENTIONED PRIOR OR POST SALE. ONSTAR HAD TO NOTIFY ME AND THEN I HAD TO GET IT FIXED. MY SECOND CONCERN IS THAT THERE IS AN COOLANT SMELL IN THE CAB OF THE VEHICLE AND ALTHOUGH NOT ALWAYS NOTICEABLE, IT IS MORE NOTICEABLE IN COLDER WEATHER. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER AND THEY PLAYED STUPID AND SAID THEY DON'T SMELL ANYTHING AND THAT THE SMELL COULD BE A "DIRTY CABIN AIR-FILTER"? NOBODY WANTS TO SMELL COOLANT WHEN DRIVING!! MY THIRD CONCERN IS THAT WHEN TAKING OFF FROM A DEAD STOP OR ACCELERATING AFTER LETTING OFF THE GAS FOR A SECOND THE VEHICLE ALMOST ALWAYS SHIFTS ROUGHLY. TOOK TO DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT ITS PROBABLY JUST THE "TURBO KICKING IN". MY FOURTH CONCERN IS ABOUT THE RECALL (NHTSA CAMPAIGN #:12V288000) MY VEHICLE(WHERE THE ENGINE SHIELD WAS) IS ALREADY RUSTING AND IS A VERY BIG CONCERN WITH THE FUTURE OF MY VEHICLE(EVEN AFTER WARRANTY PERIOD) RUST NEVER GOES WELL WITH A VEHICLE! I'M CONCERNED THAT PARTS WILL WEAR PREMATURELY BECAUSE OF THIS! NOT TO MENTION THAT I AM GETTING LESS MPG SINCE THE SHIELDS BEEN REMOVED. NOW TODAY I GET ANOTHER MAJOR SAFETY RECALL ABOUT MY BRAKES.(NHTSA CAMPAIGN #:13V360000) WHICH WOULD EXPLAIN WHY MY BRAKES SOMETIMES REQUIRE ME TO PRESS THEM REALLY HARD ALL THE WAY DOWN TO STOP IT. IT CURRENTLY SITS AT AROUND 26,000 MILES, I AM THUS FAR VERY DISSATISFIED WITH THE VEHICLE. I DON'T KNOW MY OPTIONS BUT KNOW THAT IF THINGS DON'T START LOOKING BETTER, I WILL NEVER BUY CHEVY OR RECOMMEND CHEVY AGAIN. *TR
Engine, Sep 23, 2013
STARTED VEHICLE DROVE 2 MILES ENGINE RPM STARTED INCREASING WITHOUT PRESSING EXCELLERATOR I LOOKED DOWN AT TEMPERATURE GAGE AND IT WAS MAXED ALL THE WAY TO HOT. STOPPED THE TURNED ENGINE OFF RAISED THE HOOD COULDN'T SEE ANY REASON FOR CAR TO BE HOT IN SUCH A SHORT DISTANCE OF DRIVING. AFTER ABOUT 45 MINUTES STARTED CAR UP CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON WILL NOT GO OFF. THE CAR INFORMATION CENTER SAID OIL LIFE ZERO. THE OIL WAS CHANGED 3000 MILE AGO. A WEEK BEFORE I CHECKED THE INFO CENTER ON OIL LIFE AND IT SAID 60% LUCKLY I LIVE IN A RURAL AREA NOT IN A CITY WITH TRAFFIC. WHEN THE ENGINE REVED UP IT SPED UP AND MY FOOT WAS OFF THE GAS.