2016 Chevrolet Cruze
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Engine is the leading concern among 250 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 6th highest complaint count among 10 Cruze model years with reports.
Of the 2016 reports, 19 involved a crash and 6 involved a fire. 14 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Fuel system, gasolineMay 10, 2018
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Chevrolet Cruze LS vehicles, equipped with a gasoline engine and a tire inflator kit instead of a spare tire. The vehicles may leak gasoline following a rear-impact crash and a rollover. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 301, "Fuel System Integrity."
A fuel leak, in the presence of an ignition source, increases the risk of a fire.
GM will notify owners, and dealers will install a lock-ring on the fuel tank that will shield the fuel tank vapor pressure sensor from damage in a rear-impact crash, free of charge. The recall began June 7, 2018. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 18159.
Campaign 18V304000 on NHTSA.gov
Seats, front assembly, head restraintJan 26, 2017
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2016-2017 Chevrolet Cruze vehicles. A bracket used in the driver or front passenger seat-back recliner mechanism may have been incorrectly welded to the seat-back frame, as a result, in the event of a crash, the head-restraints may not function properly. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 202a, "Head Restraints."
In a crash, the seat-backs for the front seats may break, increasing the risk of injury to the occupants.
GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the front passenger seats, replacing any with seat-back frames that are incorrectly welded, free of charge. The recall began on February 28, 2017. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 17035.
Campaign 17V057000 on NHTSA.gov
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
Exterior lighting, headlightsJul 1, 2016
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2016 Cruze vehicles manufactured November 5, 2015, to May 26, 2016. The headlight assemblies are not marked with a three-digit identifier code used to properly aim the headlights. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Assoc. Equipment."
Without the identification code, the headlights may be improperly aimed during service, reducing nighttime visibility and increasing the risk of a crash.
GM will mail owners instructions and adhesive labels, with the correct code, to install on their headlight assemblies. Owners may also bring the vehicle to a GM dealership for any assistance with applying the label, free of charge. The recall began on August 11, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet Customer Service Department at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 50190.
Campaign 16V498000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: electrical system
59 reports, newest first. Show all
Electrical system, Back over prevention, Nov 28, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 CHEVROLET CRUZE. LESS THAN A MONTH AFTER LEASING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT BEGAN HAVING ISSUES WITH THE REAR CAMERA. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE CENTER CONSOLE WOULD NOT ILLUMINATE, THE BUTTONS WOULD NOT WORK, AND THE REAR CAMERA WOULD NOT OPERATE WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS IN REVERSE. THE FAILURES OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER AND A RADIO ERROR THAT CONTROLLED THE CONSOLE AND THE SOFTWARE WAS UPDATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER, BUT THE DIAGNOSIS WAS UNKNOWN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK A THIRD TIME BECAUSE GM RECOMMENDED REPLACING THE RADIO. THE RADIO WAS REPLACED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,100.
Electrical system, Engine, Oct 20, 2016, fire
AS I WAS DRIVING ABOUT 35 ON A CITY STREET, EVERYTHING SEEMED LIKE JUST ANY OTHER DAY. BUT IT WAS FAR FROM IT. I STARTED TO SMELL A FUNNY PLASTIC/RUBBER LIKE SMELL COMING FROM THE FRONT OF MY CAR. SO IMMEDIATELY PULLED OVER TO CHECK WHAT WAS GOING ON. IT IS KEY TO NOTE THAT I ALSO CHECKED MY ENGINE TEMPERATURE, SPECULATING THAT MAYBE I FORGOT TO TOP OFF THE COOLANT OR SOMETHING, BUT THE TEMPERATURE WAS PERFECT. I STOPPED THE CAR, POPPED THE HOOD, AND SAW WHAT WAS TO MY SHOCK JUST INSANE... A 3 FOOT FLAME THAT WAS BURNING UP MY WHOLE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. I DID NOT EVEN TRY TO PUT THE FLAME OUT WITH ANY MEANS BECAUSE THE FLAME WAS LOCATED TOO CLOSE TO THE FUEL INJECTORS AND I WAS NOT CONFIDENT ENOUGH TO RISK IT AND TRY TO PUT OUT THE FLAME. I CALLED 911 AND IN SEVERAL MINUTES, TO MY LUCK, THEY WERE THERE AND PUT THE FLAME OUT BEFORE THE CAR BLEW UP. HOWEVER, THE WHOLE FRONT OF THE CAR AND SOME OF FRONT INTERIOR IS BASICALLY MELTED AND THE CAR IS NOT USEFUL FOR ANYTHING ANYMORE. THIS WAS A SPONTANEOUS FLAME THAT HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING NORMALLY AT ABOUT 35 MPH ON A 70 DEGREE DAY. WHAT HAPPENED? I DO NOT KNOW... BUT WHAT I DO KNOW IS THAT CARS ARE NOT SUPPOSED TO PUT THEIR DRIVERS AND PASSENGERS AT RISK OF DYING JUST BECAUSE A PERSON WANTS TO PEACEFULLY DRIVE DOWN TO POINT B FROM POINT A. PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS, WHOEVER WILL BE DOING SO. THIS KIND OF CAR MANUFACTURING IS UNACCEPTABLE! *TR
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Engine, Oct 18, 2016, fire
VEHICLE PROVED TO BE SPONTANEOUSLY COMBUSTIVE THUS THE CAR BURNED UP IN A FIRE DUE TO ELECTRICAL HARNESS CATCHING FIRE AS STATED FIRE FIRE DEPARTMENT FIRE INSPECTOR. NO SIGNS SHOWED ANY IMMINENT DANGER, THE DRIVER OF THE VEHICLE BARELY ESCAPED BEFORE CAR WENT UP IN FLAMES. THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION BEING DRIVEN ON A CITY STREET.
Steering, Electrical system, Sep 19, 2016
2016 CRUZE THE STEERING LOCKED AS I WAS MERGING INTO TRAFFIC WITH MY 16 YEAR DAUGHTER ALL ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WAS GOING OFF AND ON. AFTER A COUPLE OF MINUTES STEERING RELEASED AND RADIO SYSTEM CAME BACK ON AND WAS ABLE TO MAKE IT TO THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP. WE PURCHASED THIS CRUZE FOR MY 16 YR DAUGHTER AS HER FIRST CAR BUT FIND IT VERY UNSAFE. THIS PROBLEM IS A SAFETY HAZARD THIS PROBLEM NEEDS TO BE FIXED BEFORE SOMEBODY GETS SERIOUSLY INJURED OR KILLED. CHEVY NEEDS TO LOOK INTO THIS PROBLEM AND GET THIS FIXED. THIS HAPPENED 9/14/16 AND CAR IS STILL AT DEALERSHIP. SERVICE TECH CAN NOT FIGURE OUT WHAT IS WRONG WITH IT. HE WAS NOT EVEN ABLE TO DRIVE IT HIMSELF.
Electrical system, Sep 9, 2016
RENTAL CAR FROM AVIS HAS AN OPEN RECALL AND THEY RENTED THE CAR IN ATLANTA, GA ON SEPTEMBER 9TH.
Engine and engine cooling, Electrical system, Jul 26, 2016, fire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2016 CHEVROLET CRUZE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE CHECK POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. WHEN ATTEMPTING TO STOP THE VEHICLE, THE BRAKES WERE INOPERABLE. AFTER COASTING TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, BLACK SMOKE WAS PRESENT COMING FROM THE WINDOW VENTS. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO EXIT THE VEHICLE, THE DOORS WOULD NOT IMMEDIATELY UNLOCK. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO EXIT THE VEHICLE AND WITNESSED FLAMES UNDER THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED TO THE SCENE AND EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10,000. UPDATED 10/18/16*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. UPDATED 10/19/16.*JB
Electrical system, Engine, Jun 28, 2016
CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON WITH MY 2016 CHEVY CRUZE WITH LESS THAN 1300 MILES ONIT. DEALERSHIP CANT GET ME IN UNTIL LATE NEXT WEEK!!! WHY IS THIS ON ALREADY!!
Electrical system, Jun 7, 2016
CAR STOPPED AND WAS COMPLETELY DEAD IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HIGHWAY, HAZARD LIGHTS DIDN'T WORK. ONSTAR DIDN'T WORK, I COULDN'T ROLL WINDOWS DOWN AND COULD NOT UNLOCK DOORS TO GET OUT OF VEHICLE. 10 MINS LATER VEHICLE RESTARTED LIKE NOTHING HAD HAPPENED. AFTER HAVING IT TOWED BACK TO DEALERSHIP SEEING AS CAR WAS LEASED ONLY 14 DAYS PRIOR, THEY STATED THIS WAS A KNOWN RECALL AND THAT BATTERY CABLE WASN'T PROPERLY SECURED. I WAS NEVER MADE AWARE OF THE RECALL EVEN THOUGH GM SAID THEY ISSUED IT ON 5/24/16 AND THIS HAPPENED ON 6/1/16. DEALERSHIP AND GM BOTH REFUSED RESPONSIBILITY STATING IT WAS A KNOWN RECALL WHEN I ASKED TO RETURN THE CAR THAT ALMOST KILLED ME AND OFFERED ABSOLUTELY NO ESCAPE ROUTE. BEWARE THERE IS NO WAY OUT OF THE 2016 CHEVY CRUZE WITHOUT BATTERY POWER; DOORS AUTO LOCK AND "KNOB" RECEDES INTO DOOR AND CANNOT BE MANUALLY OPENED IN ANY WAY.
Electrical system, May 24, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 CHEVROLET CRUZE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN DRIVING, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE HAD OCCURRED ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.