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
2012 chevrolet Cruze powertrain problems
severe 125 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $2,500
Complaints
125
Recalls
0
Crashes
5
Avg fix
$2,500
What owners are reporting 5 most recent
WHEN CAR IS SHIFTED INTO PARK, AFTER SHUTTING THE CAR OFF THE DIC STATES "SHIFT CAR INTO PARK". I PUSH UP ON THE GEAR SHIFTER THEN THE DIC SCREEN WILL GO OFF AND CAR SEEM TO BE INTO PARK.
ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS WHILE CAR IS DRIVING, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TURNED ON AND CAR WAS UNABLE TO ACCELERATE. (ALSO HAPPENED ONCE AFTER CAR HAD BEEN PARKED) IT ONLY LASTS ABOUT AN HOUR BEFORE CAR CAN ACCELERATE AGAIN AND THEN CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WILL EVENTUALLY TURN OFF. ALSO, CAR FEELS ROUGH SHIFTING BETWEEN GEARS AND HAS TROUBLE ACCELERATING OFTEN.
AS I WAS DRIVING DOWNHILL FROM FLAGSTAFF TO PHOENIX, ARIZONA, I NOTICED MY CAR WASN'T ACCELERATING THE WAY IT SHOULD. SO, I WAS DRIVING FROM A 7000 FEET ELEVATION TO A 2000 FEET ELEVATION ON STEEP HILLS NOT UNDERSTANDING WHY I DIDN'T HAVE FULL CONTROL OVER MY CAR. IT WAS SCARY TO SAY THE LEAST. I BROUGHT MY CAR TO MY CHEVY DEALER 3 TIMES BEFORE IT FINALLY DID THIS AND IT FINALLY GAVE OUT ON ME 2 D…
DRIVER SIDE WINDSHIELD WIPER BECOMES DETACHED FROM WIPER TRANSMISSION WHEN DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS AND SIMULTANEOUSLY USING WINDSHIELD WIPERS. THIS POSES SIGNIFICANT DANGER BECAUSE VISIBILITY IS DRASTICALLY REDUCED IN RAINY OR SNOWY CONDITIONS. CAR LURCHES FORWARD WHEN AT A STOP AND TRANSMISSION IS IN DRIVE. *TR
Common questions
How serious is the powertrain problem on the 2012 chevrolet Cruze?
It's a meaningful issue. 125 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $2,500.
At what mileage does the powertrain typically fail?
Mileage data is limited for this issue. Owners report failures across a wide range, suggesting cause is more about driving conditions and maintenance than mileage alone.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $2,500 for powertrain repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to powertrain?
No active recalls currently cover powertrain issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Other problem areas on this vehicle
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities.
Repair cost estimates are independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area.
Some links on this page are affiliate links.