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: engine
108 reports, newest first. Show all
Engine, Sep 28, 2017
AT LEAST ONCE A WEEK, MY CHEVY CRUZE 2016 ENGINE SHUTS OFF COMPLETELY WHILE IDLE AT A STOP SIGN OF RED LIGHT. I HAVE AUTO SHUT OFF AND WHEN THE AUTO SHUT OFF IS IN PLAY IT NEVER CUTS BACK ON WHEN TAKING MY FOOT OFF THE BRAKE. I HAVE TO PUT MY CAR INTO PARK AND RESTART THE ENGINE.
Engine, Jun 13, 2017
CAR STALLED WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN IN TRAFFIC- A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION.
Electrical system, Engine, Dec 2, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 CHEVROLET CRUZE. WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE, THE "START, STOP" FEATURE WAS ACTIVATED WHEN THE CONTACT APPROACHED A RED LIGHT. WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS APPLIED WHILE MAKING A RIGHT TURN, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER AND WAS ALMOST STRUCK BY ANOTHER VEHICLE FROM THE REAR. THE FAILURE RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED, BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,400.
Other or unspecified, Engine, Nov 29, 2016
RECEIVED FIRST INSPECTION, LEAVING THE DEALER, THE CAR SMELLED OF POSSIBLY A BURNING OR SOMETHING UNKNOWN. I DID NOT ASSUME THIS WASN'T NORMAL AS THEY HAD TO CHECK SEVERAL THINGS FOR THE INSPECTION. I HAD TO DRIVE VEHICLE WITH OPEN WINDOWS FOR A FEW DAYS. BUT I THOUGHT THAT PERHAPS WHILE CHECKING THE OIL THEY MAY HAVE GOTTEN SOME ON THE ENGINE OR SOMETHING. A FEW DAYS LATER, THE CAR WAS MAKING A CLANK SOUND WHEN DRIVE GEAR ENGAGED FROM FULL STOP. 11 DAYS LATER, STARTED THE CAR AND IT HAD REVVED OVER 4000 RPM. STOPPED ITSELF WITHIN SEVERAL SECONDS. FOOT WAS STILL ON THE BRAKE. DROVE 5 MILES, STOPPED AND PARKED VEHICLE. RETURNING HOME, ON A HIGHWAY, MY CAR SUDDENLY WENT OVER 4000 RPM AGAIN WHILE NOT ACCELERATING EXCESSIVELY, FLAT AND STRAIGHT ROADWAY, OVERCAST DAY, MID AFTERNOON. WAS DOING @54 MILES MPH. AT THE HIGH REV, THE CAR HAD STOPPED ITS MOMENTUM AND WAS SLOWING DOWN, BUT THE RPM DID NOT. THE CAR WENT THROUGH SEVERAL GEARS THEN ORIENTED ITSELF MANY SECONDS LATER. RECOVERY SPEED WAS 42 MPH. IMMEDIATELY CALLED THE DEALER AND SCHEDULED A DROP OFF. HAS @10,000 MILES ON IT. MOSTLY HIGHWAY DRIVING, A FEW DAYS A WEEK. OTHERWISE IT IS PARKED. MY FEAR WAS FAILURE TO CONTINUE MOMENTUM RESULTING IN ANOTHER VEHICLE COLLIDING WITH MINE AND THE INABILITY TO TAKE ANY STEPS TO PREVENT THAT FROM OCCURRING DUE TO LOSS OF MOBILITY AND CONTROL OF ACCELERATION. *TR
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.
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!!