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ProblemsByVin File / 2012-CHEVROLET-CRUZE
2012 · chevrolet

chevrolet Cruze problems

4 safety recalls. 861 owner complaints. We mapped every trouble spot before you sign the papers.

0 5 10
Reliability score
5.6 / 10

Average for the segment. Some recurring trouble spots worth knowing about.

1
Critical
3
Severe
0
Moderate

Top trouble spots 8 categories with 3+ complaints

engine
166 reports · avg $3,100
severe
electrical
133 reports · avg $850
severe
powertrain
125 reports · avg $2,500
severe
brakes
115 reports · avg $450
severe
steering
103 reports · avg $700
severe
visibility
38 reports · avg $350
moderate
airbags
28 reports · avg $1,100
severe
cruise control
28 reports · avg $600
moderate

What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim

2012 Cruze · other
THE VEHICLE HAS HAIL DAMAGE WHICH CAUSED IT TO BECOME A SALVAGE TITLE WATER PUMP LEAKING ANTIFREEZE WHICH HAS A RECALL ON IT AND CHEVROLET WILL NOT HONOR RECALL ONLY HAVE 112000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE I KEPT THE CAR INSTEAD OF SELLING IT TO THE INSURANCE COMPANY I HAVE PUT ABOUT…
12/31/2020 · NHTSA ODI #11385803.0
2012 Cruze · visibility
MY PASSENGER SIDE WINDSHIELD WIPER STOPPED WORKING.I WAS TRYING TO MAKE IT A FEW DAYS UNTIL I COULD AFFORD TO FIX MY PASSENGER WIPER AND MY DRIVER SIDE STOPPED WORKING ON MY WAY TO WORK ON THE HIGHWAY WHILE I WAS IN MOTION. WHEN THIS HAPPENED I HAD TO HANG MY HEAD OUT THE WINDOW…
12/31/2018 · NHTSA ODI #11164164.0
2012 Cruze · electrical
I JUST WANT TO START OFF BY SAYING WE PURCHASED THIS CAR BRAND NEW FROM KOCOUREK CHEVROLET IN WAUSAU, WI. DEC 2012 OR JAN 2013 BUMPER FELL OFF WITHIN 3 MONTHS OF PURCHASE WHILE DRIVING. YES, FELL OFF. THE DEALERSHIP WHERE WE PURCHASED THE CAR HESITANTLY REPLACED IT AS THE CLIPS…
12/31/2018 · NHTSA ODI #11164203.0
2012 Cruze · powertrain
feel like it downshift first really fast before going in 5 th gear. Feel like you’re going to fly out the windshield. If seatbelt wasn’t on you would get whiplash. When driving in automatic it go in limp mode. burning oil. Now
12/30/2023 · NHTSA ODI #11562724.0

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Active recalls showing 3 of 4

critical NHTSA 12V288000 22/06/2012

GENERAL MOTORS (GM) IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 AND 2012 CHEVROLET CRUZE VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 2, 2009, THROUGH MAY 31, 2012

EITHER CONDITION COULD RESULT IN AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE, POSSIBLY CAUSING INJURY OR DEATH.

Fix: GM WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL MODIFY THE ENGINE SHIELD TO PREVENT FLUID FROM CONTACTING THE SHIELD. ALSO, ON VEHICLES WITH A MANUAL TRANSMISSION, DEALERS WILL APPLY A PROTECTIVE TAPE TO THE ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING WIRE HARNESS. REPAIRS WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE TO THE OWNER. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 10, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT THE CHEVROLET OWNER CENTER AT 1-866-694-6546.
severe NHTSA 12V522000 31/10/2012

General Motors is recalling certain model year 2012 Buick Verano, Chevrolet Cruze, and Chevrolet Sonic vehicles

If the bar and terminals are contacting each other at the time of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal airbag, that airbag will not deploy, increasing the driver's risk of injury.

Fix: General Motors will notify owners, and dealers will replace the steering wheel airbag coil, free of charge. The safety recall began on January 11, 2013. Owners may contact General Motors at 1-800-521-7300.
severe NHTSA 12V289000 22/06/2012

GENERAL MOTORS (GM) IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 AND 2012 CHEVROLET CRUZE VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 2, 2009, THROUGH MAY 14, 2012

THE FUEL TANK COULD COME LOOSE IN A CRASH, POSSIBLY ALLOWING FUEL TO LEAK FROM THE TANK. A FUEL LEAK IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

Fix: GM WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE VEHICLE FOR MISSING WELDS. IF THE VEHICLE IS MISSING WELDS, DEALERS WILL SECURE THE BRACKET ATTACHMENTS WITH FASTENERS. REPAIRS WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 9, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT THE CHEVROLET OWNER CENTER AT 1-866-694-6546.
View all 4 recalls →

Common questions

Is the 2012 Chevrolet Cruze reliable?

It's got known weak points. With a reliability score of 5.6 out of 10 based on 861 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2012 Chevrolet Cruze has a higher-than-average rate of reported issues. The areas to watch are listed above. Whether it's worth owning depends on price, condition, and how much repair exposure you can absorb.

What's the most common problem on the 2012 Chevrolet Cruze?

Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is engine, with 166 complaints filed. Average repair cost runs about $3,100 at an independent shop.

What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?

The engine is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $3,100 at an independent shop. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.

How do I check if my Chevrolet Cruze has open recalls?

Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.

Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2012 Chevrolet Cruze?

Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 861 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $3,100, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans aren't always better value.

Related vehicles

Recall and complaint data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) public records database, last synced 10 hours ago. Editorial commentary written by ProblemsByVin contributors and reviewed by ASE-certified mechanics. We are not affiliated with chevrolet. Some links on this page are affiliate links and we may earn a commission if you complete a quote or purchase.
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