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: other or unspecified
84 reports, newest first. Show all
Other or unspecified, Engine, Mar 4, 2020
MY CAR STARTED JERKING, FAN RUNNING CONSTANT, AND OVER HEATING. I HAVE BROUGHT IT TO THE SAME DEALERSHIP DAVE GILL CHEVROLET FOR SERVICE 5 TIMES AND EVERY TIME THEY FIX AN ISSUE COMES BACK AND THE ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AND I HAVE TO BRING IT BACK.
Other or unspecified, Jan 27, 2020
VEHICLE HAS SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL/SERVICE STABILITRAK LIGHT THAT POPS UP EVERY TIME THE CAR IS STARTED. THERE IS ALSO A MISFIRE CODE IN CYLINDER NUMBER 1 WHICH CAUSES THE ENGINE TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY WHEN PARKED IN IDLE OR SOMETIMES WHEN STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT. THERE HAS BEEN A HANDFUL OF TIMES WHEN I HAVE MADE A TURN INTO AN INTERSECTION WHICH IS USUALLY ROUTINE, BUT WHEN I STEP ON THE GAS THERE IS NO RESPONSE FROM THE ENGINE AT ALL AND IT LEADS ME TO COAST FOR A FEW SECONDS AT SPEEDS USUALLY FROM 2-5 MPH. THE GAS PEDAL CAN ALSO BE PUSHED IN TO THE FLOOR AND THE CAR WILL NOT INCREASE IN SPEED FOR AT LEAST 5 SECONDS. IT IS VERY SCARY WHEN ENTERING INTERSECTIONS AFTER BEING STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT OR WHEN TRYING TO LEAVE A PARKING LOT. I BROUGHT MY CAR TO A CHEVY DEALER AND THEY SAID THEY HAD NO IDEA WHAT WAS WRONG WITH IT. FROM THERE I BROUGHT IT TO A MECHANIC WHO RAN TESTS, CHANGED PARTS, AND CLEANED CARBON FROM THE ENGINE FOR 2 WEEKS. AFTER THE 2 WEEKS THERE WAS STILL NO CLEAR EXPLANATION TO WHY THIS IS HAPPENING OR HOW TO FIX IT. THIS PROBLEM IS DEFINITELY A BIG CONCERN FOR SAFETY THAT SHOULD NOT BE HAPPENING.
Other or unspecified, Engine, Jan 2, 2020
THE CAR DOES A LOT OF STALLING WHEN YOU'RE DRIVING IT. ALSO THE ENGIN LIGHT WILL COME ON AND STAY ON MAYBE A DAY, THEN GO OFF. JUST ON AND OFF ANYTIME. AUTOMOBILE LOSSES POWER WHEN THIS HAPPENS..
Other or unspecified, Oct 21, 2019
CAR OVERHEATED. MESSSAGE THAT A.C. SHUTTING DOWN BECAUSE OF HIGH TEMP. HOSE IN ENGINE BLEW. MECHANIC COULD FIND NOTHING. TOOK IT BACK ON ROAD DIDN'T GET A MILE AWAY TEMP IS BACK UP TO 235/240. BACK TO MECHANIC NOTHING. SAFE TO DRIVE. I RESEARCH SEE THE PROBLEMS WITH MY YEAR MODEL ETC. DRIVE ROUND TRIP OF 20 MILES ( NOT OVER 40 MPH BECAUSE OF TEMP). ANTI FREEZE LEAKS FROM BOTTOM. MECHANIC SAYS IT'S A FAULTY SENSOR. WHILE THERE MAY BE A FAULTY SENSOR. . STILL LEAKING ANTI FREEZE. C ANT GET SENSOR DUE TO STRIKE ISSUE. 48000 MILES ON THIS 2012 CRUZE. TEMP JUMPS FROM 180-235 FOR NO REASON. I WON'T TAKE IT ON A HIGHWAY ANYMORE. I DON'T KNOW WHAT IT WILL DO.MOON ROOF JUST STOPPED WORKING FOR NO REASON. FUSES FINE.
Power train, Other or unspecified, Engine, Oct 21, 2019
I NOTICED THAT MY VEHICLE SEEMED TO BE HAVING ISSUES WHEN I PRESSED ON THE BRAKE, SO I TOOK IT IN. I FOUND OUT THAT IT WAS A COMPLETELY UNRELATED ISSUE, AND HAD TO DO WITH A CRACK RUNNING THROUGH THE MANIFOLD. THIS WAS CAUSING OIL AND COOLANT TO LEAK ONTO THE ALTERNATOR. IF I HAD NOT CAUGHT THIS EARLY ENOUGH, THEY SAID I WOULD HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO GET IT FIXED. THEY REPAIRED THE LEAK, BUT A COUPLE WEEKS LATER I NOTICED MY CAR LOSING SIGNIFICANT AMOUNTS OF COOLANT/OIL. THIS IS CAUSING OIL AND COOLANT TO AFFECT THE TURBO SETTING OF MY MANUAL CAR, AND HAS COST ME UP TO $2,000 IN REPAIRS. THIS HAS BEEN THE UNDERLYING PROBLEM AS TO WHY I HAD TO GET MY FLYWHEEL REPLACED 2 YEARS AGO, WHICH WAS ANOTHER $1,500. THIS IS ALSO WHAT CAUSED THE TRANSMISSION FAILURE 3 YEARS AGO, ANOTHER THOUSAND DOLLARS. I NOTED THAT THE VEHICLE BEGAN LEAKING FLUID AFTER BEING STATIONARY OR MOVING WHILE/AFTER RUNNING FOR 10 MINUTES OR LONGER.
Other or unspecified, Oct 9, 2019
JUST STALLS WHENEVER IT FEELS LIKE. COULD BE REVERSING FROM A PARKING SPOT AND IT JUST STALLED AND WHEN PRESSED GAS THERE WAS NOTHING. JUST REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION IN JANURARY. IN A PARKING LOT,
Other or unspecified, Aug 16, 2019
COOLANT SYSTEM HAS FAILED ON MY MULTIPLE TIMES WITHIN A 4 YEAR PERIOD
Other or unspecified, Aug 12, 2019
WHEN AT STOP LIGHT OR STOP SIGN CAR JERKS.
Other or unspecified, Jun 14, 2019
COOLANT LEAKS AND DOES NOT REACH THE RADIATOR, HEATING SYSTEM IS NOT FUNCTIONAL.
Other or unspecified, May 29, 2019
MY CAR JERKED WHILE DRIVING IT DOWN THE ROAD THEN THE SERVICE STABLIZER LIGHT COME ON THEN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. WHEN I HAD IT LOOKED AT IT CAME BACK THAT THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR WAS BAD AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. AFTER RESEARCHING I NOTICED THAT SEVERAL PEOPLE HAD THE SAME ISSUE. IF SO MANY ARE HAVING THE ISSUE WHY HASNT THERE BEEN A RECALL DONE ON THIS YET.
Other or unspecified, Electronic stability control (ESC), May 3, 2019
5/1/2019 MY RADIO STARTED GOING ON AND OFF WHILE DRIVING HOME THEN ON 5/2/2019 IT STARTED BLINKING "STALIBITRAK" ON MY GAUGE PANEL ALONG WITH THE RADIO GOING ON AND OFF. IS THIS SOMETHING I NEED TO BE CONCERNED WITH AS MY CAR IS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY AND I'M NOT RAKING IN THE DOUGH TO HAVE THIS ON MY PLATE ALONG WITH THE OTHER ISSUES WITH THE CAR. I'VE ONLY HAD THIS CAR FOR A YEAR AND A HALF.
Other or unspecified, Apr 11, 2019
I HAVE A 2012 CHEVY CRUZE 6 SPEED MANUAL TRANSMISSION. WHEN DRIVING AND BARLEY ACCELERATING IN 3RD GEAR IT GRINDS AND POPS OUT OF GEAR. ONLY 3RD GEAR NO OTHER ISSUES!
Other or unspecified, Apr 8, 2019
SUNROOF LEAKING WATER AT THE 4TH WATER OUTLETS PROBLEM FLEXIBLE PIPE GET LOOSE NOT HOLDING THE HOSES TIGHT SERIOUS PROBLEM YOU HAVE ELECTRICAL CONNECTIONS ON THE HEADLINER
Other or unspecified, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Apr 4, 2019
CATALYTIC CONVERTER, ENGINE LIGHT ON AND SULPHER SMELL
Other or unspecified, Feb 19, 2019
I OWN BOTH A 2012 & 2013 CRUZ AND THEY BOTH HAVE A LEAK IN THE SAME PLACE. I ALSO HAVE A CO-WORK THAT HAS ONE AND IS HAVE THE SAME WATER LEAK AT FIRST I TOUGHHT MY CAR HAD BEEN WRECKED BUT IT SEEMS THAT IF IT'S NOT JUST ME IT IS NOT THE CASE
Other or unspecified, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Jan 31, 2019
I AM HAVING ISSUES WITH MY TURBO. AFTER TAKING IT TO MY MECHANIC I AM TOLD THAT IT IS A COMMON ISSUE
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Engine, Dec 31, 2018
I JUST WANT TO START OFF BY SAYING WE PURCHASED THIS CAR BRAND NEW FROM KOCOUREK CHEVROLET IN WAUSAU, WI. DEC 2012 OR JAN 2013 BUMPER FELL OFF WITHIN 3 MONTHS OF PURCHASE WHILE DRIVING. YES, FELL OFF. THE DEALERSHIP WHERE WE PURCHASED THE CAR HESITANTLY REPLACED IT AS THE CLIPS WERE BROKE OFF. DEC 2012 TRUNK BUTTON DOES NOT WORK PROPERLY - HAS BEEN REPLACED MULTIPLE TIMES (BY KOCOUREK). AND NOT IT HAS RECENTLY ONCE IT OPENS, IT WILL NOT CLOSE DESPITE BEING SLAMMED SHUT 8 TO 10 TIMES. OCT 2012 HAD AN ANTIFREEZE LEAK FROM DAY ONE - DEALERSHIP TELLS US THEY CAN'T FIND ANYTHING EVEN WHEN POINTED OUT. I GO THOUGH A GALLON OF DEXOS ANTIFREEZE EVERY 2 WEEKS. BUT AS THE DEALERSHIP SAYS, THAT'S FINE AND NORMAL.... UM... NOT TO ME!!!! JAN 2018 - THE CAR STALLS OUT CONSTANTLY - REDUCED ENGINE POWER, WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, IN THE CITY OR EVEN JUST PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY. I HAVE BEEN VERY NEARLY REAR ENDED MULTIPLE TIMES BECAUSE OF THIS. WE HAVE YET TO FIND THE SOURCE OF THIS. JAN 2018 CODES FOR THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR ISSUES EVEN THOUGH IT HAS BEEN REPLACED MULTIPLE TIMES. STILL CAN'T FIND THE SOURCE OF THIS. DEC 2018 AFTER BEING STARTED, THE CAR WILL SHUT ITSELF OFF OR DIE OFF. STILL CANT FIND THE SOURCE. AUG 2018 RECENTLY, THE CAR HAS DASH WARNINGS THAT STATE "AC OFF DUE TO HIGH ENGINE TEMP" EVEN WHEN IT IS 30 DEGREES OUT. THE TEMP GAUGE WILL ALSO DROP TO COLD. WE HAVE ALSO CHANGED THE THERMOSTAT MULTIPLE TIMES AS WELL. THIS CAR IS BEYOND A LEMON. WE HAVE HAD ISSUES WITH THIS CAR FROM DAY 1. AND WHAT IS MORE RIDICULOUS IS THAT THE DEALERSHIP WILL NOT STAND BEHIND IT. I HAVE SERVICE RECORDS DOCUMENTING THE COMPLAINTS OF THE ISSUES AND THE DEALERSHIP "NOT FINDING ANYTHING WRONG" OR "UNABLE TO DUPLICATE ISSUES". WE HAVE GIVEN UP WITH CHEVY AND ALSO WITH KOCOUREK CHEVROLET IN WAUSAU. THESE ISSUES HAVE BEEN ONGOING SINCE WE PURCHASED THE CAR SEPTEMBER 2012.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Engine, Aug 27, 2018
ENGINE COOLING SYSTEM EXPLODED WHILE CAR IN MOTION COOLANT WAS EVERYWHERE UNDERNEATH THE HOOD. BELT BROKEN.AND HAS OIL LEAKING.WITH AN 800 HUNDRED DOLLARS BILL WHILE ON VACATION.
Other or unspecified, May 28, 2018
MY CAR JERKED A FEW TIMES BEFORE IT STOPPED IN MOVING TRAFFIC GOING 30 MILES AND WITHOUT WARNING EXCEPT CLICKING NOISES. I HAD MY THREE GRANDKIDS WITH ME. I COASTED TO GET OUT OF TRAFFIC. WAS TOLD MY TRANSMISSION WENT. II AM THE ONLY OWNER, 68,000 MILES ON MY CAR. I AM HIGHLY UPSET. PLEASE ADVISE.
Other or unspecified, May 10, 2018
I WAS DRIVING DOWN INTERSTATE WITH NO OVERHEADS NO CAR IN FRONT OR BACK OF ME AND MY SUNROOF EXPLODED. SHATTERED GLASS FILLED MY CAR AND IT WAS SO SCARY. I HAVE NO IDEA WHY THIS HAPPENED, HOWEVER GM NEEDS TO FIND OUT WHY THEIR SUNROOFS WILL EXPLODE AND SHATTER. I WANT IT REPLACED, WHAT DO I DO?
Other or unspecified, Engine, Apr 13, 2018
BURNING OIL SMELL STARTED AFTER AN OIL CHANGE. I HAVE REPLACED THE INTAKE TUBING THAT LEADS IN THE TURBO BECAUSE WHEN I REPLACED THE THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR IN THE TURBO AREA, THERE WAS OIL IN THE TURBO INTAKE. IT HAS LOST SOME POWER SINCE I STARTED EXPERIENCING THE BURNING SMELL. IT NOW SMELLS LIKE PLASTIC BURNING SINCE REPLACING THE INTAKE TUBING/GASKET.
Other or unspecified, Mar 1, 2018
INTERIOR DOOR HANDLES PEELING
Other or unspecified, Electronic stability control (ESC), Engine, Feb 25, 2018
SINCE NOVEMBER 2016 AT 56,000 MILES THE CAR HAS BEEN CONSTANTLY OVERHEATING. THE ENGINE COOLANT FLANGE, WATER PUMP, AND THERMOSTAT HAVE BEEN REPLACED 2XS. WHEN THIS HAPPENS THE CAR FLASHES SPORADIC MESSAGES SUCH AS A/C OFF HIGH ENGINE HEAT, SERVICE STABILITRAK, CHANGE OIL, ETC. THE CAR ALSO HAS STARTED LEAKING OIL. FINALLY ON FEBRUARY 10TH, 2018 THE CAR HAD THESE SAME ISSUES AGAIN AND THIS TIME THE ENGINE WENT ENTIRELY. THE CAR HAD TOTAL ENGINE FAILURE AT 83,500 MILES AND NOW REQUIRES A NEW ENGINE. THIS IS THE WORST CAR I HAVE EVER OWNED AND I WOULD NEVER RECOMMEND IT TO ANYONE. UPON GOING ONLINE EVERYONE HAS THESE SAME EXACT ISSUES SO I HAVE NO IDEA WHY MASSIVE RECALLS HAVE NOT BEEN MADE.
Steering, Other or unspecified, Jan 24, 2018
MY CARS OVER HEATING SIGNAL COMES ON AND TELLS ME TO SHUT OFF THE CAR ALL THE TIME WHILE DRIVING, ALSO THE POWER STEERING LOCKS UP WHILE TURNING.
Other or unspecified, Jan 12, 2018
MY HUSBAND HAS REALIZED THAT MY CAR IS LEAKING OIL AND HE CAN NOT FIND WHERE IT IS COMING FROM DUE TO THE COLD WEATHER. HE WAS CHANGING THE OIL WHEN HE FOUND THIS.