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ProblemsByVinFile / 2012-CHEVROLET-CRUZENHTSA data synced 1 day ago
2012 · Chevrolet
Chevrolet Cruze problems
1 critical safety recall on file — the kind NHTSA opens when crashes, fires, or injuries are documented. 864 owner complaints alongside. Read those first.
Average for the segment. Some recurring trouble spots worth knowing about.
1
Critical
3
Severe
0
Moderate
Should you avoid this 2012 Cruze?
Avoid — the engine
The data says walk unless this exact vehicle has documented proof the engine was repaired or replaced.
7 fire-related complaints and 2 crash-related complaints on the engine
Electrical system: 134 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 34,000–76,000 mi
Reliability score 5.6/10 — around the segment average
4 recall campaigns on file
Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model —
not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.
Buying a used 2012 Chevrolet Cruze? Check these first
Here's what this model is known to do — so you can inspect for it, price it in, or
make the seller fix it before you sign.
What to inspect on this specific car
engine — 167 owner reports
· tends to show around 71,414 mi · ~$3,100 to fix
electrical — 134 owner reports
· tends to show around 59,132 mi · ~$850 to fix
powertrain — 126 owner reports
· tends to show around 65,479 mi · ~$2,500 to fix
brakes — 115 owner reports
· tends to show around 54,445 mi · ~$450 to fix
⚠ The one to take seriously: engine is flagged
severe on this model
, showing up around 71,414 mi.
Inspect it closely on a test drive.
Recalls to confirm are done
Run the VIN from the listing — 4 active recalls on this model. Recall repairs are always free.
Verdict for buyers: 5.6/10 model. The priciest documented failure is
engine (~$3,100) — get the
seller's service records for it or inspect closely. Otherwise an average-risk used buy at a fair price.
We tell you what this model is known for and what to inspect — a vehicle-history report
tells you what this exact car has been through. Smart buyers get both.
A noise, a warning light, a repair quote, "should I buy this?" — get an answer grounded in
this vehicle's actual NHTSA record, not generic advice.
Dash light, leak, worn part — snap it and we'll read it against this car's record.
Photo attached — type a question or just hit Ask.
Answers use this vehicle's NHTSA complaint & recall record — owner-reported and unverified, not a diagnosis. Verify anything safety-critical with a mechanic.
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When owners report each system failing, in actual miles — so you can see what's likely behind you,
what's due around now, and what to budget for next. Enter your mileage to mark where you are.
"Typical" = median owner-reported failure mileage from the NHTSA complaint record for this exact
year and model. Not a maintenance schedule — a heads-up on where this model's failures cluster.
What owners are saying
recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
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…
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…
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
Ac off due to high temp, thermostat replaced 2014. Ac off due to high temp again, thermostat replaced may 20, 2015.. Dec 27th, 2015 ac off due to high temp again- car overheated in 10 degre weather. Thermostat being replaced for the third time!! *js
Had a problem with your 2012 Chevrolet Cruze?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free and official — owner filings are what build the federal safety record behind this page.
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
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.
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.
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.
It's got known weak points. With a reliability score of 5.6 out of 10 based on 864 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.
Should you avoid the 2012 Chevrolet Cruze?
On the NHTSA data, the 2012 Chevrolet Cruze is one to avoid unless a specific vehicle proves otherwise. The data says walk unless this exact vehicle has documented proof the engine was repaired or replaced. The record behind that call: 7 fire-related complaints and 2 crash-related complaints on the engine; Electrical system: 134 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 34,000–76,000 mi; Reliability score 5.6/10 — around the segment average; 4 recall campaigns on file. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
What should I check before buying a used 2012 Chevrolet Cruze?
Inspect the engine first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 167 owner complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 71,414 miles. Average repair cost runs about $3,100 at an independent shop. Also confirm any open recalls have been completed by running the VIN, and ask for service records covering the problem areas listed above.
Is the 2012 Chevrolet Cruze a good used car to buy?
It scores 5.6 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 864 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is engine. Typical failure occurs around 71,414 miles. Priced fairly and clean on inspection, it's a reasonable used buy. Our data covers what this model is known for — pair it with a vehicle-history report on the VIN to see what that specific car has been through.
What's the most common problem on the 2012 Chevrolet Cruze?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is engine, with 167 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 71,414 miles. 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. Typical failure occurs around 71,414 miles. 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 864 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 are not always better value.
Recall and complaint data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database, last synced 1 day ago. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2012/Chevrolet/Cruze.
Editorial commentary written by ProblemsByVin contributors and reviewed by ASE-certified mechanics.
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