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
250 reports, newest first.
Air bags, May 2, 2020, crash
CAR ACCIDENT. AIRBAGS NEVER DEPLOYED.
Air bags, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Apr 21, 2020
CAR WHILE DRIVING SUDDENLY SPUTTERS AND STALLS. I GET AN ERROR MESSAGE SAYING TO CHECK AIRBAGS. THE LOCKS ON THE DOORS WILL UNLOCK AND LOCK AND UNLOCK AN LOCK MULTIPLE TIMES WHILE DRIVING. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON. WHEN I PUMP GAS THE CAR WONT START IMMEDIATELY IT SPUTTERS AND CLICKS EVERY TIME.
Engine, Apr 7, 2020
MY CAR HAS A BAD SMELL COMING FROM THE ENGINE. IT STARTED SMELLING LIKE A DEAD ANIMAL UNDER THE HOOD, THEN IT SMELLED LIKE ANIMAL URINE, AND NOW IT SMELLS NAUSEATING, I'M NOT SURE WHERE IT IS COMING FROM OR WHY IT'S THERE, WE ALREADY CHECKED UNDER THE HOOD FOR ANY VISIBLE DAMAGE TO THE HOSES AND IT IS DISAPPOINTING THAT THERE IS NOT A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM THAT CHEVY CRUZE OWNERS SEEM TO COMPLAIN ABOUT. MY CAR ONLY HAS 48K MILES ON IT AND WE LET IT SIT IN THE DRIVEWAY MORE THAN RUN IT BECAUSE OF THE SMELL. THE SMELL IS THERE WHEN YOU START THE CAR -- WE HAVE TO DRIVE WITH THE WINDOWS OPEN A LITTLE BIT SO THAT WE DON'T OVERWHELMED WITH THE SMELL.
Engine, Apr 5, 2020
MY TURBO IS GOING OUT. THE CAR HEAVILY SHAKES WHEN IN IDLE OR AT A STOP LIGHT. IT STOPPED IN HEAVY TRAFFIC WHILE TRYING TO CROSS THE STREET, I HAD MY FOOT COMPLETELY DOWN ON THE GAS AND THE CAR DIDNT BUDGE FOR 2 MINUTES LEAVING ME SITTING IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD IN HEAVY TRAFFIC..
Power train, Electrical system, Engine, Mar 15, 2020
AFTER REPAIRING THE COOLANT SYSTEM CAR, I DROVE IT AROUND THE BLOCK TO ENSURE IT WAS WORKING PROPERLY. UPON DOING SO, ALL GAUGES STOPPED WORKING. I ALSO PUT THE CAR IN REVERSE TO PARK IT IN THE DRIVEWAY AND THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT GO INTO THE SELECTED GEAR. WE HAD TO PUT THE CAR INTO NEUTRAL AND PUSH IT INTO THE DRIVEWAY. ALSO, ALL NOTIFICATION LIGHTS WERE ALSO LIT AT THE TIME. WHEN IT FINALLY SHIFTED INTO DRIVE THE CAR JERKED VERY HARD.
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.
Air bags, Feb 28, 2020
IN LESS THAN A YEAR THE AIRBAG NEEDS SERVICING MEANING IT WILL NOT DEPLOY IN AN ACCIDENT.
Steering, Feb 23, 2020
IN THE MIDDLE OF DRIVING HOME THE CAR WAS NOT OPERABLE AND WOULD NOT ALLOW ME TO TURN THE VEHICLE AND IT STARTED DOING A SCRUBBING SOUND BEFORE IT STOPPED TURNING COMPLETELY
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.
Steering, Electrical system, Jan 23, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 CHEVROLET CRUZE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE HOME SCREEN BECAME INOPERABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING CEASED AND THE STABILITRAK WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO BE DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000.
Engine, Jan 14, 2020
I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM NEW MEXICO ON THE INTERSTATE AND MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT RANDOMLY CAME ON. WHEN I FINALLY MADE IT HOME I TOOK IT TO A CHEVY DEALERSHIP AND SAID I HAD A TURBO LEAK. THEY DIDN'T GIVE ME ANY SPECIFICS.
Power train, Jan 9, 2020
DURING DIAGNOSTIC FOUND EXCESSIVE OIL MIXED IN WITH THE COOLANT ALL THROUGH THE ENGINE. REMOVED SPARK PLUGS AND FOUND CYLINDER #4 HAD COOLANT ON TOP OF THE PISTON AND THE SPARK PLUG WAS SATURATED IN COOLANT AS WELL. REMOVED CYLINDER HEAD AND CLEANED HEAD GASKET SEALING SURFACE. INSPECTED FOR ANY SIGNS OF CRACKS AND FOUND NONE. USING A STRAIGHT EDGE COULD NOT FIND ANY AREAS OF THE CYLINDER HEAD THAT WERE WARPED OR DAMAGED INDICATING A HEAD GASKET FAILURE. HOWEVER ONLY FOUND OIL IN COOLING'SYSTEM BUT NO COOLANT IN THE ENGINE OIL. REMOVED OIL DRAIN PLUG AND FOUND NO SIGNS OF COOLANT. REMOVED TRANSMISSION DRAIN PLUG AND FOUND NO COOLANT IN THE TRANSMISSION FLUID EITHER. AFTER INSPECTING OIL COOLER FOUND IT HAD INTERNALLY FAILED CAUSING THE OIL TO LEAK IN TO THE COOLANT. RECOMMEND REPLACING HEAD GASKET, RADIATOR INLET HOSE, OIL COOLER INLET HOSE, HEATER CORE INLET HOSE, HEATER CORE OUTLET HOSE, BOTH TURBO CHARGER COOLER HOSES, THE TURBO CHARGER OIL INLET PIPE AND THE TURBO CHARGER OIL RETURN PIPE. AFTER COMPLETING REPAIRS CLEANED COOLING SYSTEM AND FLUSHED WITH WARM WATER 4 TIMES BEFORE FILLING COOLING SYSTEM WITH COOLANT. TEST DROVE VEHICLE AND NO PROBLEMS WERE FOUND AFTER TEST DRIVE. RECOMMEND CUSTOMER HAVE COOLANT FLUSHED DURING. NEXT .. OIL . CHANGE TO REMOVE ANY OIL THAT MAY HAVE BEEN LEFT IN THE COOLING SYSTEM AFTER REPAIRS WERE MADE
Engine, Jan 6, 2020
CAR HAS 66062 MILES SITTING TURNED ON THE CAR HOSES STARTED LEAKING AND THE CAR STARTED SMOKING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. TOWED IT TO THE MY SHOP FOR A PRESSURE TEST THEY ADVISED IT WOULD HAVE TO GO THE DEALER FOR A COOLANT HOSE PROBLEM THEY COULD NOT ADDRESS. TOWED IT TO THE CHEVY DEALER. REPAIRS DONE WATER PUMP REPLACEMENT AND THE WATER OUTLET HOSES WERE LEAKING. I RESEARCHED THIS PROBLEM AND THIS WAS A RECALL FOR THE VERY SAME MODEL ONLY FOR THE YEARS 2011-2014. THE 2016 MODELS SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THAT RECALL AS WELL BUT WERE NOT. I HAVE RESEARCHED MANY OF THE VERY SAME COMPLAINTS FOR THE 2016 MODELS BUT NO RECALL YET. RECALL WAS 1/2015 BULLETIN #14371B -ENGINE COOLANT LEAK FROM WATER PUMP. #
Air bags, Dec 15, 2019, crash
I WAS IN A CAR ACCIDENT. MY WHOLE FRONT END WAS DAMAGED AND MY VEHICLE AIR BAGS NEVER DEPLOYED LIKE THEY SHOULD HAVE.
Engine, Dec 13, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 CHEVROLET CRUZE. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND IDLING IN THE DRIVEWAY, IT TURNED OFF ON ITS OWN AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED THREE OTHER TIMES EVEN WHEN DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO KNIGHT AUTOMOTIVE INC (383 ROUTE 3, PLATTSBURGH, NY 12901) THREE TIMES WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THERE WAS COIL FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED THREE TIMES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 67,000.
Steering, Electrical system, Electronic stability control (ESC), Dec 3, 2019
WHILE DRIVING, THE CAR RADIO HAS CUT OUT MULTIPLE TIMES WHILE 'SERVICE STABILITRACK' HAS BEEN DISPLAYED ON THE DASH. THE BATTERY WAS REPLACED AND THE ISSUES CONTINUED. THIS IS MAINLY SEEN WHILE SLOWING DOWN OR STOPPING AT A RED LIGHT. THE LACK OF POWER TO THE CAR THREATENS SAFETY AS MY TURN SIGNALS FAILED TO WORK AND I LOST POWER STEERING ON ONE OCCASION. I PERSONALLY RESEARCHED THIS ISSUE THROUGH ONLINE FORUMS AND FOUND OUT THAT MANY OTHERS SHARE THE SAME PROBLEM. THE RESULT MAY BE A FAULTY NEGATIVE BATTERY CONNECTION.
Fuel/propulsion system, Dec 2, 2019
CLUTCH HYDRAULICS FAILED WHILE DRIVING IN MY STANDARD TRANSMISSION CAR DUE TO POORLY MANUFACTURED PARTS. CLUTCH WOULD STAY ON THE FLOOR WHEN PUSHED DOWN. MULTIPLE MECHANICS STATED AIR WAS GETTING INTO HYDRAULIC LINE DUE TO POOR MANUFACTURING.
Power train, Engine, Dec 2, 2019
MY 2016 CHEVROLET CRUZE WITH LESS THAN 90K MILES AT THE TIME WAS RUNNING HOT IN 2018,CAR WAS FIXED BY LOCAL CHEVY DEALERSHIP (_COOLANT JUG LEAK/ WATER HOUSING MADE OF PLASTIC CRACKED AT CLAMP CONNECTION AREA) WAS DIAGNOSTIC. AFTER FEW MONTHS IT STARTED RUNNING HOT AGAIN 2019, DEALERSHIP SAID DIAGNOSIS WAS THERMOSTAT, WATERPUMP, HOSES LEAKING.. AFTER ALL PARTS WAS REPLACED AND DRIVEN FOR COUPLE DAYS CAR DASHBOARD NOTIFICATION SAID A/C OFF/ IDLE ENGINE OVERHEATING. PAID FOR ANOTHER DIAGNOSTIC FROM DEALERSHIP AND NOW THEY ARE SAYING MAYBE A BLOWN HEADGASKET OR CRACKED ENGINE BLOCK DUE TO OVERHEATING.SEEMS AS THOUGH THE DEFECTED/ CHEAP PARTS CAUSED THIS FROM THE BEGINNING AND SHOULD BE RECALLED BEFORE SOMEONE ENGINE BLOW UP FROM OVERHEATING
Steering, Exterior lighting, Service brakes, Nov 23, 2019
I BOUGHT A 2016 CHEVROLET CRUZ NG ON SEPTEMBER 7, 2016. ON SEPTEMBER 10, 2019, I TOOK MY VEHICLE TO THE CHEVROLET AGENCY TO CHECK THE WATER FILTERING OF THE 3 LIGHT STOP OF THE CAR, IT LEAKED WATER AGAIN AFTER THE REPAIR OF THE RECALL N162064340 . ON THIS VISIT I WAS NOTIFIED THAT THE CAR HAD A RECALL OF THE STEERING SYSTEM (RECALL N182201620) WHICH PRESENTS A FAILURE IN THE PACKAGING OF THE STEERING BOX CAUSING MOISTURE TO ENTER THE PART AND DEACTIVATE THE POWER STEERING. AFTER CHECKING THE CAR THE AGENCY INDICATED THAT THERE WAS NO PROBLEM WITH THE STEERING SYSTEM AND THE AGENCY CLOSED THE RECALL N182201620. ON NOVEMBER 5, 2019, WHEN I STARTED MY VEHICLE AND PUT IT IN DRIVE, THE STEERING SYSTEM WAS DEACTIVATED, PREVENTING ME FROM TURNING, I IMMEDIATELY STOPPED THE VEHICLE, AND THE BOARD THREW A MESSAGE 'THE POWER STEERING HAS BEEN DEACTIVATED, DRIVE WITH CAUTION', THE STEERING WHEEL IS COMPLETELY HARD AND IT IS NOT POSSIBLE TO MANIPULATE IT. I CONTACTED THE AGENCY AND THE CAR WAS TOWED TO THE CHEVROLET WORKSHOP AT MY COST, THE AGENCY ANALYZED THE FAULT AND RESPONDED THAT IT WAS NOT RELATED TO RECALL N182201620 (SAME FAULT THAT IS NO LONGER SHOWN ON THE GM PAGE) AND THAT THE THE CAR HAD NO GUARANTEE, THE AGENCY NOTIFIED ME THAT I SHOULD PAY FOR THE CHANGE OF THE PART. TALK TO GM 01800 AND I REPORT THE SITUATION, THEY CONTACTED ME AFTER 72 HOURS WITHOUT AN ANSWER, AFTER 6 DAYS GM'S RESPONSE WAS THAT THE VEHICLE HAD NO WARRANTY AND THAT THEY WOULD NOT REPAIR IT, THE ADVISOR INDICATED THAT THE RECALL OF THE STEERING SYSTEM WAS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE AGENCY AND THAT GM WAS NOT RESPONSIBLE, THEY REFUSED TO GIVE ME A TECHNICAL RESPONSE OF THE FAILURE OF THE PIECE AND THEY VIOLATION OF IATF RULE 16949: 2016 CLAUSE 10.2.6, THEY REFUSED TO PERFORM AN ANALYSIS OF THE PIECE FAILED AND REFUSED TO CHANGE OR REPAIR THE FAULT OF THE STEERING SYSTEM FOR FREE.
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.
Electrical system, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Oct 29, 2019
I PURCHASED A USED VEHICLE FROM ATLANTA LUXURY MOTORS AT KIA SOUTH ON AUGUST 11, 2019. I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE AS-IS, BUT NO MECHANIC CLAIMS TO HAVE FOUND ANY ISSUES AT THE TIME OF INSPECTION. THE VEHICLE IS A 2016 CHEVROLET CRUZE AND ONLY HAD 70,000 MILES ON IT AT THE TIME OF PURCHASE. ABOUT TWO WEEKS AFTER PURCHASE, THE ENGINE CUT OFF AFTER THE AUTO-STOP INITIATED AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I HAD TO RESTART THE VEHICLE IN ORDER TO GET OUT OF THE ROAD. SINCE THEN, THE NUMBER OF TIMES THE ENGINE HAS CUT OFF HAS INCREASED IMMENSELY. AS OF OCTOBER 29, 2019, MY ENGINE CUTS OFF ANYTIME THE CAR FALLS INTO AUTO-STOP. TODAY IT HAPPENED EIGHT TIMES DURING ONE FORTY-FIVE MINUTE COMMUTE.
Electrical system, Oct 22, 2019
WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAYS OR CITY STREETS THE CAR JUST SHUTS OFF AT RANDOM TIMES. NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT OR ANY LIGHTS ARE ON THE DASHBOARD BEFORE IT HAPPENS. ONCE CAR HAS SHUT OFF, WE CAN PUT IT IN PARK TURN THE KEY OFF AND BACK ON. IT HAS BEEN HAPPENING MORE FREQUENTLY.
Engine, Oct 15, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 CHEVROLET CRUZE. WHILE IDLING AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT, THE VEHICLE SEIZED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RADIO WAS STILL OPERATING WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO SHIFT INTO PARK AND RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, BUT THE FAILURE WAS UNABLE TO BE DUPLICATED. THE CONTACT CALLED AN UNKNOWN DEALER AND WAS INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000.
Electrical system, Engine, Oct 14, 2019
WHEN THE VEHICLE GOES INTO AUTO SHUT OFF AT A STOP SIGN OR DURING TRAFFIC JAMS WHERE I AM JUST STOPPED BY MY BRAKE BUT NOT IN PARK IT FAILS TO RESTART AND SHUTS THE ENGINE COMPLETELY OFF. I HAVE TO QUICKLY PUT IT IN PARK AND PRESS THE BUTTON TO START THE ENGINE IN ORDER TO GO.
Power train, Oct 11, 2019
CAR WOULD NOT GO INTO PARK WHILE STATIONARY IN A PARKING LOT. THE SHIFTER WOULD MOVE BETWEEN REVERSE, NEUTRAL, AND DRIVE BUT STOPPED AT PARK. I HAD TO PUSH VERY HARD ON IT TO FORCE IT INTO PARK. DANGEROUS BECAUSE IT COULD ROLL. PLUS YOU CAN'T REMOVE THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION SO YOUR CAR COULD GET STOLEN. THE ENTIRE SHIFTER ASSEMBLY HAD TO BE REPLACED.