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
Service brakes, Engine, Jan 1, 2016, crash
CHEVROLET CRUZE RECALL MY 2012 CHEVROLET CRUZE WAS RECALLED TWICE, ONCE OF OVERHEATING WHILE DRIVING, AND ONCE FOR BRAKE FAILURE WHEN CRAWLING, SUCH A PARKING. THE DEALERSHIP TRIED TO FIX THESE PROBLEMS, BUT THE BRAKES STILL FAIL, AND NOW THE USES 1 QUART EVERY WEEK. THE BRAKE FAILURE RECENTLY REOCCURRED WHEN MY SPOUSE WAS PARKING AND SHE HIT A WALL AND DAMAGES THE CAR. THE DEALER HAS SINCE TOLD ME THEY DO NOT KNOW WHY THE CAR IS CONSUMING OIL, SO I HAVE ELEVATED THE ISSUE TO GM I THINK THAT THE NTSB HAS TO FURTHER MONITOR THIS PROBLEM TO ASCERTAIN WHY THE RECALLED ITEMS ARE STILL FAILING.
Engine, Dec 10, 2015
WE HAD 6 RECALLS WE NEVER NEW ABOUT TURN OUT THE CAR BROKE DOWN CALL DEALER AND SAID WE RECEIVE THAT DAY A RECALL CAR WAS NOT DRIVABLE CALL POWER TRAIN THEY SENT A WREAKER RECALL WERE FIX NOW THEIR CHARGING 2,200 FOR A ECOTEC TURBOCHARGER THAT'S CRACK IN A GM WEB SITE WHERES THEIR IS A RECALL BUT YET HAVE NOT RECEIVE ONE THIS IS A SINGLE MOM OF 4 KIDS WE NEED CAR FIX ASAP HELP PLEASE MY BROTHER HAS A WRECKER SERVICE ITS IN FORT STOCKTON TX NOT DRIVABLE BAD LOAD NOSE JUST STARTED IN MOTION THIS CAR 3YRS OLD VERY UPSET.
Engine, Dec 9, 2015
SMELLS LIKE BURNING OIL TOOK CAR TO MY MECHANIC AND SAID THERE IS SOME OIL SPILLING ON SIDE OF ENGINE.
Engine, Nov 4, 2015, fire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET CRUZE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THERE WAS A STRONG OIL ODOR COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. IN ADDITION, THERE WAS EXCESSIVE SMOKE COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THERE WAS AN OIL LEAK, BUT THE FAILURE WAS UNDETERMINED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Nov 3, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET CRUZE. AFTER FILLING THE VEHICLE WITH FUEL, THE CONTACT STARTED THE VEHICLE AND IT MADE A SPUTTERING NOISE AND BEGAN TO SHAKE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR WAS CONSISTENTLY ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT TURNED THE KEY TO THE OFF POSITION; HOWEVER, THE ENGINE DID NOT POWER OFF. IT TOOK SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO POWER THE ENGINE OFF. THE CONTACT RELEASED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND KEPT THE VEHICLE PARKED FOR APPROXIMATELY FIVE MINUTES UNTIL THE SHAKING AND SPUTTERING CEASED. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS WHEN FUELING THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT AN UNKNOWN SENSOR WAS FAULTY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 106,000.
Engine, Oct 19, 2015
TWICE I HAVE WALKED BACK TO MY CAR & FOUND THAT THE ENGINE HAS REMAINED ON. AFTER PARKING, I PRESS THE ENGINE ON/OFF BUTTON, EXIT THE CAR, LOCK ALL DOORS WITH THE FOB AND WALK AWAY. THIS TIME, I PARKED IN A VERY LARGE, CROWDED PUBLIC PARKING LOT. I WAS AT LEAST 6 BLOCKS AWAY FROM THE CAR FOR 2 HOURS. THANKFULLY, THIS HAS OCCURRED WHEN THE CAR IS OUTSIDE, NOT IN MY GARAGE. IN RECENT LIGHT OF PEOPLE SUCCUMBING TO CARBON MONOXIDE POISONING DUE TO THIS VERY SITUATION OCCURRING WITH CARS IN CLOSED GARAGES, I WOULD EXPECT A VOLUNTARY OR FORCED RECALL TO REMEDY THIS GM ADMITTED DESIGN DECISION.
Power train, Other or unspecified, Engine, Sep 20, 2015
WHEN THE CAR FIRST STARTED MESSING UP IT WAS MINOR THINGS I NOTICED: THE IN DASH LIGHTER NOT WORKING, TRUNK LATCH DOESN'T WORK EXCEPT BY KEY, TURN SIGNALS WOULD GLITCH, CAN'T USE USB & AUDIO CORD AT SAME TIME WITHOUT IT CUTTING OFF BOTH COMPLETELY. THEN A COUPLE WEEKS LATER I NOTICED MY CAR HAD AN UNUSUAL DELAY IN INCREASING SPEED IT WAS AS IF I HAD TO PUSH IT TO THE FLOOR JUST TO GET TO 30 MPH. NOW THE MOST RECENT EVENT OCCURRED ON 9/17/15 WHICH IS WHAT'S PROMPTING ME TO FILE THIS COMPLAINT (KEEP IN MIND I'VE ONLY OWNED THE VEHICLE FOR 8 MONTHS, PURCHASED AT 54K MILES CURRENTLY HAS 70.9K) I DROVE TO MY HOUSE APPROX 30 MIN HWY FROM WHERE I WAS I GOT INTO MY CAR THE NEXT MORNING IT DIDN'T START AT ALL. MY BF CHECKED THE BATTERY VOLTAGE & IT WAS TOO DEAD TO TEST, WITH A JUMPER BOX MY CAR TOOK APPROX10 MIN TO EVEN TURN OVER, DURING THE TIME OF ME INSIDE THE CAR ATTEMPTING TO START IT MY STEERING COLUMN LOCKED UP, LIGHTS IN DASH, RADIO SYSTEM, HEADLIGHTS EVERYTHING FLASHING ON AND OFF, KEY WAS STUCK INSIDE IGNITION, A FOUL SMELL & CLICKING NOISE IS COMING FROM ENGINE, & COULDN'T LOCK DOORS ONCE I TURNED CAR OFF IMMEDIATELY. THIS ALL OCCURRED I'D SAY WITHIN A MATTER OF 30 SECONDS AFTER THE CAR TO TURNED OVER. WAS SO FREAKED OUT I DIDN'T TRY TO START AGAIN FOR 2-3 MIN AND ONCE I DID IT STARTED RIGHT UP. WITHIN 72 HRS I HAVE NOW SEEN THE STABILITRAC SERVICE ALERT, THEFT ALERT SYSTEM NEEDS SERVICED, ALONG W/ AIR BAGS, & BATTERY LIGHT FLICKERS ON & OFF. THE CLICKING UNDER MY HOOD HAS CONTINUED, THE ROTTEN EGG SMELL FROM ENGINE COMES & GOES, DASH LIGHTS GO DIM THEN GO BACK TO REGULAR. DROVE TO O'REILLYS, THEY WERE ABLE TO TELL ME I NOW HAVE A BAD ALTERNATOR AS WELL. RECALL 14801 WAS ISSUED FOR REPROGRAM ENGINE CONTROL MODULE, GETTING SERVICED THIS WEEK AT DEALERSHIP BUT COULD THIS POSSIBLY CAUSE ALL THIS?? ESPECIALLY CONSIDERING I DON'T WANT TO BE RESPONSIBLE FOR REPAIRS. HELP
Engine, Sep 11, 2015
THE ACCELERATION TAKES A LOT TO GO FROM 0-30 MPH AND WHEN IT DOES THE CAR FEELS AS THOUGH IT WILL STALL. VEHICLE IS SERVICED REGULARLY. THIS SEEMS TO BE WORSE WHEN THE DEFROST OR AIR IS ON. THE GAS PEDAL NEEDS TO BE ALMOST TO THE FLOOR FOR IT TO EVEN PICK UP AND WHEN IT DOES ACCELERATE IT JUMPS BETWEEN THE GEARS AND THE RPM REEVES UP AND THE VEHICLE IS SLOW TO MOVE.THE ENGINE FAN ALSO RUNS FOR 30 SECS, SHUTS OFF, 1-2 MINS LATER RUNS FOR 30 SECS AND SHUTS OFF. HAVE HAD ENGINE TEMP CHECKED AND NO ISSUES WITH THE CAR OVERHEATING BUT UNKNOWN WHY THE FAN RUNS ON HIGH ALL THE TIME AND IT TAKES AWAY THE POWER TO THE CAR.
Vehicle speed control, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Sep 8, 2015
I HAVE NOTICED THAT THE ACCELERATION TAKES ALOT TO GO FROM 0-30 MPH AND WHEN IT DOES THE CAR FEELS AS THOUGH IT WILL STALL. THERE IS A HALF TANK OF GAS, AND NO INDICATION IT SHOULD BE DOING THIS. OIL IS CHANGED REGULARLY. THIS HAS HAPPENED A FEW TIMES BEFORE THIS INCIDENT OF TODAY. THE GAS PEDAL NEEDS TO BE ALMOST TO THE FLOOR FOR IT TO EVEN PICK UP AND WHEN IT DOES ACCELERATE IT JUMPS BETWEEN THE GEARS AND THE RPM GOES BEYOND 4-5 TO GET IT TO EVEN 20MPH. I DID HAVE AN INCIDENT WHEN THE CAR STALLED AS I WAS IN REVERSE. THAT HAPPENED AT AROUND 30-35K MILES. I DECIDED TO GOOGLE THE ACCELERATION ISSUE AND SEE I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE. MY CAR ITSELF HAS HAD 3 RECALLS FIXED.
Engine, Sep 1, 2015
I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK ON THE HIGHWAY DOING ABOUT 60-65 MILES PER HOUR. THE CAR WAS DRIVING FINE BUT IT SUDDENLY STARTED TO LOOSE SPEED AND POWER. THEN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE CAR STALLED. I WAS ABLE TO MAKE IT TO THE SHOULDER SAFELY BUT TRAFFIC WAS FLYING BY ME AT VARYING SPEEDS FROM 50-75 MPH. THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHIN 30 SECONDS OF ME NOTICING THE LOSS OF POWER AND THE GAUGES DID NOT SHOW ANY WARNING LIGHTS OF HEATING OR EMPTY GAS TANK. I ALLOWED THE CAR TO COOL DOWN FOR ABOUT 10 MINUTES AFTER POPPING THE HOOD OPEN AND THEN I ATTEMPTED TO START IT. NO LUCK. THE STARTER WAS CRANKING BUT THE ENGINE WOULD NOT TURN. THE ENGINE TRIED TO TURN ON AS IF I KEPT THE KEY TURNED IN THE ON POSITION. I ALLOWED THE CAR TO COOL DOWN FOR ANOTHER 40 MINUTES (WITH THE HOOD OPEN) AS IT WAS A HOT DAY, 87F, I ATTEMPTED AGAIN AND THE SAME STARTING NOISE CAME, BUT THE CAR NEVER TURNED BACK ON. I HAD TO CALL A TOW TRUCK AND SPEND $130 TO TAKE IT HOME. I'M GLAD THAT I WAS ALONE AND THAT IT WAS DURING THE DAY. IMAGINE IF THIS HAPPENED AT NIGHT IN A WINTER ICY ROAD WHEN I HAVE MY FAMILY WITH ME!!! WOW... THIS SITUATION SCARED ME AND NOW I'M NOT SURE IF I SHOULD USE THE CAR FOR ANYMORE FOR ROAD TRIPS WITH THE FAMILY, ITS DANGEROUS. THE INTERIOR ALSO SMELLS LIKE ANTIFREEZE FLUID WHEN I TURN ON THE HEAT IN WINTER TIME. THAT IS ANOTHER ISSUE!!!. I HOPE TO HEAR FORM GM. THANK YOU *TR
Service brakes, Engine, Aug 17, 2015, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET CRUZE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THAT WHILE AT AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR ROUTINE REPAIRS, THE MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THAT THERE WAS OIL LEAKING FROM THE TURBO INTO THE INTAKE HOSE AND THE TURBO NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE CAM COVER ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. IN ADDITION, WHILE DRIVING AT 10 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED BUT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP. THE CONTACT HAD TO APPLY FORCE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL IN ORDER TO GET THE VEHICLE TO STOP, HOWEVER, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS AWARE OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V360000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC), HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 88,000.
Engine, Jul 23, 2015
A/C OFF DO TO HIGH ENGINE TEMP ENGINE OVERHEATING MESSAGES ON DASH. FALSE. STICKING THERMOSTAT
Engine and engine cooling, Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Jul 13, 2015
SINCE MARCH 30, 2015, I HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING ISSUES WITH AND I HAVE VIDEO EVIDENCE WHILE IN FAILURE MODE, OF WHAT I BELIEVE TO BE FAILURES OF THE BODY COMPUTER(S) IN THIS VEHICLE. THE DASHBOARD DISPLAYS HAVE BEEN GOING ON AND OFF UNDER A WIDE VARIETY OF DRIVING SITUATIONS, AND WHILE SITTING AT IDLE. THEY FAULT WHEN THE VEHICLE IS SIMPLY DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY. DURING THESE FAULTS, THE CENTER INFORMATION DISPLAY FOR THE HVAC AND ENTERTAINMENT WILL FREQUENTLY TURN OFF. THIS KILLS THE RADIO. IT AT TIMES KILLS THE HVAC SYSTEMS AND THE TURN SIGNALS (AT LEAST THE NOISE FOR THE TURN SIGNAL INDICATORS). AT TIMES, THE CENTER DISPLAY ABOVE THE STEERING COLUMN WILL GO BLACK AND THEN DISPLAY A MESSAGE ABOUT THE STABILITRAK HAVING FAILED AND REQUIRING IT TO BE CHECKED. THEN IT RETURNS TO NORMAL MODE. THIS IS LESS FREQUENT AN OCCURRENCE. WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY UNDER CRUISE CONTROL, THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED ONE INCIDENT OF UNINTENDED ACCELERATION WHILE THE DISPLAYS WERE IN FAULT MODES. THIS OCCURRED ON APRIL 1, 2015 I BELIEVE. THE DRIVER'S FEET WERE ON THE FLOORBOARDS. NOT TOUCHING ANY PEDALS AT ALL. THE INCIDENT WAS STOPPED BY THE DRIVER FIRMLY PRESSING DOWN ON THE BRAKE PEDAL. WHEN SUFFICIENT VIDEO EVIDENCE IS ACCUMULATED ON THESE FAILURES THE VEHICLE WILL BE TAKEN INTO THE DEALERSHIP. LACKING ACTUAL DEMONSTRATIVE EVIDENCE OF THE FAILURES, THE DEALERSHIP WILL NOT BE ABLE TO KNOW WHAT TO REPAIR OR REPLACE. THE CAR HAS A HISTORY OF DASH DISPLAY ISSUES. THE OWNER, A RETIRED LIBRARIAN/RESEARCHER FROM GENERAL MOTORS ADVANCED ENGINEERING STAFF AND THE R&D CENTER, HAS WORKED ON UNINTENDED ACCELERATION LEGAL CASES FOR THE COMPANY, AND HAS SUPPORTED LITIGATION DEFENSE WORK ON SUCH ISSUES WHILE AT THE COMPANY. HE IS STILL GATHERING EVIDENCE BUT FEELS THE NEED TO DOCUMENT THIS INCIDENT AS SOON AS POSSIBLE FOR NHTSA SHOULD AN ACCIDENT OCCUR TO HIM DUE TO THIS. IS A VERY HIGH RISK
Engine, Jun 11, 2015
I WENT TO MY FATHERS HOUSE AND HE NOTICED THE SMELL OF ANTIFREEZE STRONGLY. HE LOOKED UNDER MY HOOD AND ON THE GROUND AND ITS LEAKING EVERYWHERE. I HAD BOUGHT THIS CAR NOT EVEN 4 MONTHS AGO AND THE FIRST WEEK THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON.
Engine, Apr 6, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET CRUZE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS LEAKING AND THERE WAS AN ANTI FREEZE ODOR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FIVE TIMES, BUT THE FAILURE WAS UNABLE TO BE DETERMINED. THE DEALER REPLACED THE THERMOSTAT, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE ANTI FREEZE ODOR WAS STRONG, WHICH CAUSED HEADACHES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER ON A SEPARATE OCCASION WHERE DYE WAS ADDED INTO THE RADIATOR TO FIND A LEAK, BUT FAILED. ON ANOTHER OCCASION, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE A PRESSURE TEST WAS PERFORMED BUT THE ANTI FREEZE ODOR BECAME WORSE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 32,600.
Vehicle speed control, Engine, Mar 17, 2015
DROVE MY CAR ABOUT 70 MILES ON THE INTERSTATE ONCE I GOT INTO TOWN AND STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT THE CAR BEGAN TO SPUTTER, WHEN I ACCELERATED THE CAR WAS HESITANT. MAJOR SAFETY CONCERN, I COULD HAVE BEEN REAR ENDED. ALSO, WHEN MAKING A LEFT HAND TURN ONTO A BUSY STATE ROUTE THE CAR WOULD NOT ACCELERATE IT WAS VERY HESITANT MAKING THE TURN TO A POINT I THOUGHT THE CAR WAS GOING TO STALL, IN FRONT OF ONCOMING TRAFFIC. THE CAR IS AT THE DEALER TODAY GETTING THE COOLANT RECALL COMPLETED AND IT WILL BE COMPUTER CHECKED FOR THE ENGINE LIGHT. FROM WHAT I WAS TOLD BY ANOTHER MECHANIC, THE CAR IS LOOSING VACUUM PRESSURE AND THE VALVES OR VALVE COVER IS LEAKING. *TR
Engine, Mar 6, 2015
WHILE ACCELERATING FROM A STOP, ENGINE SUDDENLY LOST POWER, WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON, "REDUCED ENGINE POWER" MESSAGE DISPLAYED. BROUGHT CAR TO A STOP, ACCELERATOR PEDAL DID NOTHING, ENGINE WOULD ONLY IDLE. SHUT ENGINE OFF FOR 20 SECONDS, RESTARTED, AND PEDAL WORKED, CAR WOULD ACCELERATE. RETURNED HOME, SCANNED ENGINE CONTROL MODULE FOR CODES, FOUND P2135 FOR THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR. TOOK TO DEALER FOR REPAIRS UNDER WARRANTY, THEY CLEANED THROTTLE BODY. HAD CAR BACK FOR 2 DAYS AND PROBLEM OCCURRED AGAIN. FOUND SAME CODE, RETURNED CAR TO DEALER. CHEVY DEALER WAS RELUCTANT TO REPLACE THROTTLE BODY, DIDN'T EVEN MENTION THE MALFUNCTION AND WANTED TO INSTEAD REPLACE A COOLANT SENSOR. I WAS ABLE TO CONVINCE THEM TO REPLACE THROTTLE BODY, AND THE REPAIR ORDER STATES THAT THEY UPDATED THE ECM SOFTWARE LEVEL. I BELIEVE THERE IS A TSB WHICH SHOULD BE A RECALL. SUDDEN LOSS OF ENGINE POWER IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS WHEN PULLING INTO TRAFFIC, MERGING, ETC. *TR
Engine, Feb 28, 2015
REPORTED OIL PRESSURE DROP ALERT ON MY CAR, STRONG RUBBER BURNING SMELL AND SMOKE COMING FROM ENGINE. OIL WAS SPRAYING OUT ON ENGINE, REPORTED THE ISSUE TO CHEVY, HOWEVER THEY STATE NOTHING CAN BE DONE UNTIL MID APRIL. WAS SENT HOME DRIVING CAR IN THIS CONDITION AND WAS NOT OFFERED HELP NOR WAS MY CAR SERVICED OR FIXED DURING THE APPOINTMENT I MADE AT THE SUNRISE CHEVROLET LOCATION. *TR
Electrical system, Engine, Feb 25, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET CRUZE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CONTINUED TO ILLUMINATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE MAP SENSOR WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO PASS INSPECTION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 66,000. UPDATED 4/30/15*CN THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE DID NOT IDLE PROPERLY AND THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL WHEN HE ATTEMPTED TO PULL OUT INTO TRAFFIC. UPDATED 06/23/15*JB
Vehicle speed control, Engine, Feb 14, 2015
FOR THE PAST SEVERAL MONTHS SINCE JUNE 2014, I HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING THE VEHICLE ACCELERATION PERFORMANCE DECREASE. ONCE AT A STOP OR STOP LIGHT, IT TAKES THE VEHICLE BETWEEN 10 TO 40 SECONDS TO FULLY PICK UP SPEED UPON PRESSING ON THE ACCELERATION. TODAY (02/14/2015) THE VEHICLE STOPPED WITH ENGINE LIGHT ON WHILE I WAS TRYING TO MOVE FROM A STOP SIGN. THIS WAS SCARY. I IMAGINED THIS WOUND HAVE BEEN TERRIBLE IF I WAS IN THE MIDST OF FAST MOVING VEHICLES. I WENT ONLINE TO CHECK IF THERE WAS A TREND IN THE CHEVY CRUZE ACCELERATION AND RANDOM ENGINE SHUT DOWN; SADLY I CAME ACROSS SEVERAL COMPLAINTS FROM THE FOLLOWING LINK: HTTP://WWW.CARCOMPLAINTS.COM/CHEVROLET/CRUZE/2012/ENGINE/ENGINE.SHTML THIS IS A SERIOUS ISSUE, AND I URGE THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TO INVESTIGATE THESE COMPLAINTS AND NOTIFY GM TO TAKE IMMEDIATE ACTION UPON COMPLETION OF THE FED INVESTIGATION. IT IS SAD THAT WE CANNOT EVEN RELY ON HOME MADE PRODUCTS. *TR
Engine, Feb 12, 2015
VERY STRONG SMELL OF BURNING OIL WHEN CAR COMES TO A STOP. OIL SPRAYED ALL OVER THE TOP REAR OF ENGINE AND DOWN BACK OF ENGINE. DEALER REPLACED PCV VALVE AND MANIFOLD COVER AT 44,678 MILES DUE TO RECURRING ANTIFREEZE LEAK AND LEAN FUEL / LOW VACUUM CONDITION. GOING BACK TO DEALER AGAIN I GUESS BEFORE IT BURSTS INTO FLAMES. *TR
Engine, Feb 12, 2015
STRONG SMELL OF ANTIFREEZE WHILE DRIVING, STRONG SMELL OF ANTIFREEZE UNDER THE HOOD, ANTIFREEZE LEAKING ON SERPENTINE BELT AND SPRAYED AROUND ENGINE COMPARTMENT. DEALER REPLACED WATER PUMP. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Jan 23, 2015
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET CRUZE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, OIL AND COOLANT FUMES EMITTED INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE OIL AND COOLANT NEEDED TO BE CHANGED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10,000.
Power train, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Jan 14, 2015
DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT ROUGHLY 70MPH WHEN CAR SHUDDERED, AND LOST POWER IMMEDIATELY. AFTER THIS THE CAR WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. FORTUNATELY THERE WERE NO VEHICLES DIRECTLY BEHIND ME, SO I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED AND THE DASHBOARD READ THREE ERRORS: "ENGINE POWER IS REDUCED", "SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL", "SERVICE STABILITRACK". AFTER TURNING THE CAR OFF, WAITING, AND TURNING BACK ON THE VEHICLE WORKED CORRECTLY, BUT THE ISSUE OCCURRED AFTER ANOTHER 15 MINUTES ON THE ROAD. I DROVE IN THE RIGHT LANE THE REST OF THE WAY HOME TO ENSURE OUR SAFETY, AND THIS OCCURRED 4 TIMES IN TOTAL. THIS WAS AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS SITUATION DURING A BUSY HOLIDAY TRAVEL WEEKEND. HAD THIS OCCURRED AT THE WRONG TIME, THIS COULD HAVE BEEN CATASTROPHIC. QUICK RESEARCH ONLINE HAS SHOWN THIS TO BE AN ISSUE WITH THE MAKE AND MODEL, AS MANY OTHER PEOPLE HAVE REPORTED THIS EXACT DEFECT. *TR
Engine, Dec 23, 2014
I WAS AT A RED LIGHT AND WHEN THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN, I WAS ABOUT TO PUSH THE GAS PEDAL. THE VEHICLE DASH READ ENGINE POWER IS REDUCED AND SHUT OFF. I TRIED SEVERAL TIMES TO START THE VEHICLE BUT IT SHUT DOWN SAYING THE SAME THING ON THE DASH. I'M AFRAID BECAUSE SOMEONE COULD HAVE RAN INTO ME FROM THE REAR AND I HAVE A 7YR OLD DAUGHTER. I THINK THIS SHOULD BE HANDLED IMMEDIATELY. THIS IS NOT SAFE AT ALL. *TR