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: fuel/propulsion system
35 reports, newest first. Show all
Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, May 10, 2019
MY 2016 CHEVY CRUZE LIMITED STARTED TO LOSE ACCELERATION AND WOULDN'T GO OVER 40 MILES AN HOUR. NO CODE LIGHTS ARE ON AND NONE DETECTED. SO I DROVE HOME AND PARKED THE CAR AND WAITED UNTIL IT WAS COOLED DOWN AND OPENED THE HOOD TO CHECK MY OIL. I UNSCREWED THE OIL CAP WHERE YOU ADD OIL AND IT COMPLETELY SMELLED LIKE GASOLINE. NOW THE ENGINE IS STARTING TO GO CRAZY AND I AM TAKING IT IN BEFORE IT CATCHES FIRE AND PUTS ME AND ANYONE ELSE IN DANGER.
Electrical system, Electronic stability control (ESC), Fuel/propulsion system, Jan 26, 2019
"TAKATA RECALL" CAR RANDOMLY LOOSES POWER AND SHUTS OFF WHILE DRIVING ON FREEWAY, ELECTRICAL OUTLETS WON'T WORK, STABILIZATION WARNING APPEAR, BATTERY LEAKS ACID.
Power train, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Jan 3, 2019
CONTINUING ILLUMINATION OF THE "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT. TIED TO EMISSION SUSPECT MALFUNCTION CODES. HAS BEEN SERVICE FOR THIS PROBLEM AT LEAST FIVE TIMES. REPLACED FUEL INDUCTION SYSTEM, TURBO, FUEL INDUCTION SOLENOID AND OTHER COMPONENTS. STILL NO RESOLUTION. PROBLEM IS MADE KNOWN BY ILLUMINATION OF "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT WHILE THE CAR IS RUNNING. NO AFTER MARKET PARTS, APPROX 48,000 MILES. THE DEALER SERVICE DEPARTMENT CANNOT SEEM TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM AFTER MULTIPLE TRIES.
Electrical system, Fuel/propulsion system, Dec 13, 2018
ENGINE IS KNOCKING CLICKING AND ROCKING. ACTING LIKE IT'S GOING TO STALL STATIONARY. ENGINE LIGHT ON, TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT ON AND ALL START DOES NOT WORK. ALL CAME ON AT THE SAME TIME.
Electrical system, Wheels, Fuel/propulsion system, Dec 10, 2018
TAKATA RECAL THE ENGINE SHUTDOWN COMPLETELY WITHOUT A REASON, GAS TANK ALL THE SUDDEN IS EMPTY AND THE WHEELS LOCKED AND SHUTDOWN.
Fuel/propulsion system, Nov 15, 2018
I WENT TO THE DEALER WHERE I BUT MY CAR AND THEY TOLD THAT THEY SOLD THE SERVICE CONTRACT TO ANOTHER DEALER WHO IS TO FAR FROM WHERE I LEAVE AN I AM A DIALYSIS PATIENT AND 74 YRS OLD TAHTS WHY I CAN TAKE THE CAR FOR BE INSPECTED. THE DEALER ALBERIC COLON AUTO SALES
Fuel/propulsion system, Sep 16, 2018
WAS IN REVERSE GOING OUT THE DRIVE WAY THAT WAS ON A SLIGHT HILL. CAR CUT OFF AND WOULD NOT START. GOT OUT CAR AND SEEN GAS LEAKING AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. THE CAR WAS IN MOTION ON A NEIGHBORHOOD ROAD. HAD TO HAVE CAR TOW WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. ON 8/8/2018 TOOK CAR TO BRADSHAW OF GREER BECAUSE OF A RECALL ON THE FUEL LEAK. CERTAIN GM VEHICLES COULD POSSIBLY HAVE AN ISSUE THAT COULD CAUSE A FUEL LEAK AND THE VPS SENSOR NEEDS A LOCK RING INSTALLED. HAD THE CAR WORKED ON FOR THE RECALL AND I STILL HAD A GAS LEAK. VERY DANGEROUS AND UNSAFE. DEALER SHIP WOULD NOT HAVE MY CAR TOW AFTER THE RECALL SHOULD HAD BEEN FIXED. 18159 NONCOMPLIANCE RECALL---FUEL LEAK DURING F/CMVSS TESTING
Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Oct 10, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 CHEVROLET CRUZE. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO WALKER CHEVROLET (3940 CAR OTHERS PKWY, FRANKLIN, TN, 37067) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CO2 SENSOR FAILED. THE SENSOR WAS REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, TWO MONTHS LATER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. AFTER MULTIPLE ATTEMPTS, THE VEHICLE RESTARTED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE SECOND LOCAL DEALER (LUCAS CHEVROLET CADILLAC, 101 S JAMES CAMPBELL BLVD, COLUMBIA, TN, 38401). IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT DUE TO AMBIENT TEMPERATURES OVER 100 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT, VAPOR BUILD-UP WAS IN THE FUEL FEED LINE AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO STALL. THE DEALER STATED THAT THERE WAS NO REMEDY EXCEPT HIGHER OCTANE. THE DEALER ALSO RECOMMENDED THAT THE VEHICLE BE KEPT IN COOLER TEMPERATURES AND REFRAIN FROM IDLING. THE FAILURE WAS UNDER BULLETIN PIP5507B. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 60,000. .UPDATED 11/09/17 *BF UPDATED 11/13/2017*JS
Fuel/propulsion system, Feb 8, 2017, crash
APPROACHED A CURVE IN ROAD AT APPROXIMATELY 50MPH, TOOK FOOT OFF THE GAS AND ACCELERATOR DID NOT DISENGAGE AND CONTINUED AT FULL SPEED SO FAST COULD NOT NEGOTIATE THE CURVE AND WENT OFF THE CURVE AND CRASHED INTO RAVINE BELOW. THIS OCCURED ONE DAY AFTER THE CAR HAD BEEN SERVICED BY A GM GARAGE ON 1/31/17 ABOUT A COMPLAINT ABOUT THE GAS PEDAL.
Vehicle speed control, Fuel/propulsion system, Mar 7, 2016
THE THROTTLE STICKS. ITS HAPPENED THREE TIMES NOW