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: other or unspecified
43 reports, newest first. Show all
Other or unspecified, Fuel/propulsion system, Jun 22, 2026
After 3 years of having this car it’s overheating each summer requiring the coolant system, hoses, thermostat, and water pump to be replaced each summer. As well as major oil leaking after full tune ups.
Other or unspecified, Engine, Jun 9, 2026
Coolant system and engine fan
Other or unspecified, Apr 13, 2026
There has been no accident to report. My check engine light comes on periodically and will remain on for a lengthy time. It is the light that looks like a water spigot. When I have it checked they say it’s either the “Turbo” or “Air Filter” . I can. It get a clear answer as to what it is and why it comes on or how to fix the problem. My car is actually a 2016 Chevy Cruze Premier but that’s not an option to choose.
Other or unspecified, Apr 15, 2025
My husband was driving and noticed smoke coming from the engine so we pulled over and he lifted the hood and when he did we clearly saw a part of the Bosch manifold absolute pressure map sensor had come off and appeared to have melted off. I have taken it to a mechanic and have photos to show the exact parts.
Seats, Other or unspecified, Oct 9, 2023, fire
I was driving down the road when my son said he smelled something and made pull over. There were what I thought were small flames on the floor so i dumped my water on them, then i realized the seat itself was melting and dripping stuff on the floor. then the seat went up. Very shortly after that the car was completely engulfed and is now a total loss.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Engine, Sep 13, 2023, crash
At first, and only on cold/rainy/snowy weather, while driving the radio would randomly turn off and turn itself back on (i have videos of this). Sometimes it would last a few seconds, sometimes a few minutes. While this was happening, the blinker sounds wouldn't work. I brought it to Chevy in Geneva, NY for diagnostics. No check engine codes ever. They told me that the radio computer needed to be updated. I had them fix it, only to find out that the problem would still happen. Over a few months, it developed more symptoms. It started to not shut off when I pushed the button, and it also started stalling when it went into auto off, but would turn back on if I put it in park and re started. At first it would stall in auto off at random times. This caused an accident in the summer of 2019. I was at a stop sign, waiting to make a right hand turn, took my foot off the brake and car stalled. The car behind me thought I was going and rear ended me. I had to drive around in the summer with the heat on, as it was the only way to prevent the car from going into auto off. I had the car looked at a few more times after that (paying $100 diagnostic fees every time). Brought it back to chevy and the told me it was because of the damage to my trunk allowing water to get to the battery (it wasn't). Issues then turned into stalling at auto off, but not turning back on once in park. I brought it to the dealership I bought it from and they looked at the alternator and had them clean all battery terminals and replace the battery. This worked for 2 weeks before continuing. It got to the point that I had to jump start my car everytime I wanted to drive it or it stalled. Finally it just wouldnt start, So i had it towed to chevy again in 2021. They determined the issue was the starter and replaced. It worked but as of now (9/13/23) my car has began stalling at auto off. It is very dangerous, car gives no warning!! There is too much to say with limited space
Other or unspecified, Sep 2, 2023
I have a 2016 cheavy cruise. It keeps overheating I have replaced the thermostat and thermostat housing and still have had issues with it overheating. I have done research and several cruises with this year have had the same issues.
Other or unspecified, Engine, Lane departure, Jul 23, 2023, crash
When I start my car it will sputter then die, also cuts off while driving. It cuts off but will crank up and die again after so many tries it will drive a while and do it again. The check engine was on and I have fixed the O2 sensor, the mass air flow sensor, Ive replaced the turbo hose it had a big chunk ripped out of it which we have no clue how that happened, I just changed the PCV valves a few weeks ago and the car started but would not go in drive nor reverse put it back in shop and cleaned the throttle body and it ran good the whole day today I started cutting off again.
Other or unspecified, Sep 16, 2022
The turbo is messed up my car would not pull when stepping on the gas. Almost got in an accident on the freeway and hood started smoking. Spoke to a mechanic and said it was due to the turbo charger
Other or unspecified, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Sep 6, 2022
My 2016 Chevy Cruise heating and cooling system failed. Car engine over heats causing engine to stop in mid drive. Hoses (main) and connections to heating and cooling systems faulty. Main hose to cooling system faulty (dry rotted ).
Other or unspecified, Mar 1, 2022
There was a recall on leaking antifreeze for previous Chevy Cruze years but that is also happening with my 2016 Cruze in the same way. My car would not warm up in the cold and would not clear the sight of my windshield over the ice, I waited about an hour for the sun due to lack of heat. While on my way my car then overheated while on the highway which created an even bigger safety issue. The problem has been recalled before on different Cruze year types, my mom had a 2013 Cruze with the same issue I am experiencing. It has not been inspected yet by those listed but when I add more coolant it is empty within an hour of just sitting there. The only light is when it was overheating, but I’ve been having to refill my antifreeze repeatedly and unsure as to why until I discovered the previous recall information and it sounded like my exact issue.
Other or unspecified, Engine, Oct 2, 2021
I have a Chevy Cruze LT 1.4 l turbo engine and it has an exhaust leak by the manifold or the Cadillac converter is not working, a mechanic we took it to has confirmed that one of the hoses going into the Cadillac converter burst due to the Cadillac converter not working properly today is October 2nd it happened three days ago from today I have talked to other Chevy Cruze owners and confirmed the day also had the same problem I heard there is a recall for this problem on 2016 Chevy cruise so I would like to know if my car is on that recall list so I can go and get it fixed I have $133,000 miles on my car so it's not under the manufacturer's warranty anymore it is a very pricey repair which I do not have the money for due to the pandemic as we all know so please contact me through my email you guys have onfile and also because of this problem I cannot work I use my car for work,My car is a 2016 Chevy Cruze LT with a 1.4 L turbo engine thank you
Power train, Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Apr 16, 2021
MY 2016 CHEVROLET CRUZE IS ONLY 4 YEARS OLD. I HAD TO REPLACE THE THERMOSTAT AND AFTER A INSPECTION. THE (VVT) VARIABLE VALVE TIMING WHEN TRYING TO START MY CAR, IT WOULD CLICK BUT WOULDN'T TURN OVER ALL LIGHTS AND POWER WAS ON BUT CAR WOULD NOT START. ALSO, MY ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON AND AND THE METAL WIRE RING INSIDE OF THE STARTER WAS COMPLETELY BROKEN IN HALF.AND HAD TO BE REPLACED
Other or unspecified, Engine, Apr 4, 2021
LEAKING OIL RIGHT BENEATH THE DIPSTICK BUT NOT DIRECTLY OUT OF THE DIPSTICK. COMING FROM UNDER THE PLASTIC ECO TECH COVER
Other or unspecified, Mar 6, 2021
I HAVE A 2016 CHEVY CRUSE WITH 70,000 MILES AND AS OF 3-4-2021 I HAVE A CRACK ENGINE BLOCK. MY CAR AS BEEN SERVICED ACCORDING TO BOOKLET.I HAVE CALLED DANVERS CHEVROLET WHERE CAR WAS PURCHASED AND THEY ARE UNWILLING TO HELP. THIS IS A SERIOUS ISSUE AND I AM DISAPPOINTED THAT HERB CHAMBERS SELLS CUSTOMERS CARS THAT BREAK DOWN AFTER WARRANTY. CUSTOMER SERVICE AND MODEL OF CAR WAS DECISIVE IN MY PURCHASE OF THIS VEHICLE. MY EXPECTATIONS OF HERB CHAMBERS CUSTOMER SERVICE IS A LETDOWN. I COULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUSLY INJURED WHILE DRIVING WHEN THE CAR DIED IN THE BOURNE ROTARY
Other or unspecified, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Jan 13, 2021
CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. TOOK CAR TO DEALERSHIP TO GET CHECKED. THE PURGE VALVE, WATER PUMP, AND CAM ACTUATOR SEALS ALL WENT BAD.
Other or unspecified, Engine, Jan 10, 2021
BEFORE LEAVING WORK, I TURNED ON MY CAR FOR ABOUT TEN MINUTES TO WARM UP. WHEN I ENTERED THE CAR TO LEAVE WORK, I WAS OVERCOME WITH THE SMELL OF WHAT I THOUGHT WAS GASOLINE. I DROVE LIKE NORMAL ON MY WAY HOME, ROLLING THE WINDOW DOWN TO GET RID OF THE SMELL, AND I ALSO THOUGHT SOME SMOKE OR HAZE MAY HAVE ENTERED MY CAR, ALTHOUGH IT WAS DARK AND FOGGY SO I CANNOT BE SURE. WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, MY CAR'S (2016 CHEVY CRUZE) OIL LIGHT CAME ON. IT GAVE ME AN URGENT MESSAGE OF "LOW OIL PRESSURE- STOP ENGINE" AND BEEPED CONTINUOUSLY, WHILE A THICK SMELL OF OIL FILLED THE CAR. I AM VERY LUCKY THAT I WAS NEAR AN EXIT AND I PULLED OFF IMMEDIATELY INTO A GROCERY STORE PARKING LOT. THE CAR HAD TO BE TOWED AND LATER THAT WEEK, I LEARNED THAT MY CAR HAD LEAKED 3.3 QUARTS OF OIL, LEAVING ME WITH 1.25 QUARTS. THE MECHANIC TOLD ME THAT I WAS LUCKY I PULLED OFF WHEN I DID, AND THAT THERE WAS A SERIOUS RISK OF ENGINE DAMAGE. HE ALSO LET ME KNOW THAT ANOTHER CAR, SAME MAKE AND MODEL, WAS ALSO IN THE SHOP WITH THE SAME EXACT PROBLEM, AND THAT THAT CAR'S ENGINE HAD TO BE REPLACED. I QUOTE FROM MY $500+ INVOICE, "THE TURBO OIL FEED PIPE WAS LEAKING AT THE OIL COOLER DUE TO POOR SEALING. VEHICLE WAS 3.3 QUARTS LOW ON FLUID."
Other or unspecified, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Oct 20, 2020
REOCCURING PROBLEMS WITH PCV SYSTEM.EMISSIONS SYSTEM, MASS AIR FLOW SENSORS,O2 SENSORS,INTAKE MANIFOLD, VALVE COVERS WONT ACCELERRATE, STALLS WHILE DRIVING AND IDLING, HARD SHIFTING, STABILITY CONTROL SSUES AND STABILITRACK ISSUES, INTAKE AIR FLOW SYSTEM,FUEL TRIM SYSTEM LEAN BANK
Structure, Other or unspecified, Oct 3, 2020
2016 CHEVROLET CRUZE LS REAR-WINDSHIELD OUTER BRAKE LIGHT PLASTIC HOUSING HAS VERTICAL CRACK ON THE RIGHT-HAND SIDE OF THE OUTER PLASTIC HOUSING. UPON RESEARCHING, THIS WRITER FOUND ONLINE THREADS AND OTHER COMPLAINTS OF THE SAME ISSUES WITH THE OUTER PLASTIC HOUSING HAVING A VEHICLE CRACK.
Other or unspecified, Sep 8, 2020
P0171 CODE CONTINUES TO COME UP, VALVE COVER AND INTAKE MANIFOLD HAVE BEEN REPLACED MULTIPLE TIMES, WITHIN A WEEK BREAKS AGAIN.
Other or unspecified, Aug 2, 2020
TURBO
Other or unspecified, Jun 28, 2020
MY OLD COMPANY EBARA INTL CORPORATION GOT A HOLD OF MY VIN NUMBER AND MESSED WITH THE COMPUTER SYSTEM. THEIR IT GUY RICK JOHAN
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Engine, Mar 2, 2020
CAR STALLS OUT AFTER AUTO STOP IS DISENGAGED. BATTERY IS DEAD CAR WONT START EVEN THO BATTERY HAS POWER. DOOR LOCKS LOCK AND UNLOCK ON THERE OWN. TOUCH SCREEN FLICKERS.
Other or unspecified, Feb 19, 2020
STABILITY OF DRIVING IS OFF, IDLING IS HARD AND SLIPS GEARS WITH LACK OF POWER AND ELECTRICAL IS GLITCHY. STARTED WHEN I WOULD DRIVE UP HILL AND DEALERSHIP CALLED IT INTERMEDIATE PROBLEM NOTHING DONE. NOW ITS ALL HAPPENING DAILY. SHIFT IS INTO THE RED ON RPM LACK OF POWER AND MY HEAD LIGHTS FLICKER AND RANDOMLY TRUNK OPENS.
Other or unspecified, Electronic stability control (ESC), Engine, Nov 12, 2019
I LIVE IN COLORADO, AND EVER TIME ITS COLD IN THE MORNING WHEN I START UP MY CAR IT GIVES ME HARD TIME AND THEN DOES AN ANT THEFT SYSTEM LOCK. WHEN IM HOME, OKAY ITS DURABLE BUT NOW ITS DONE IT WHILE IM DRIVING, AND WHEN I WAS AT THE CAR WASH. COMPLETE LOCK, STEERING WHEEL, KEY IS LOCKED IN THE IGNITION. THIS IS SUPER UNSAFE!! IVE GOTTEN THIS CAR FIXED SOOOOOO MANY TIMES THIS OUTRAGEOUS.