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 126 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $2,500 · see powertrain across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
126
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$2,500
5crashes
3fires
3injuries
When does it fail?
Of the 126 powertrain complaints filed for the 2012 Chevrolet Cruze, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 50,000-75,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Owners have filed 126 powertrain complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
Among the 9 model years of Chevrolet Cruze in our records for powertrain problems, this one ranks #2 by owner-complaint volume.
The failure pattern owners describe
Buyer takeaway: 2012 Chevrolet Cruze owners report pervasive powertrain failures—valve cover gasket leaks at 2 years, automatic transmission (6T40) failure between 46K and 100K miles, chronic shift lag and hard jerks, water pump leaks leading to blown head gaskets, turbocharger cracks, and repeated limp mode. Most failures occur at or just beyond the 5-year/100K-mile warranty, and GM routinely denies goodwill repairs; expect expensive out-of-warranty repair bills or consider walking away from this model.
The 2012 Cruze powertrain is a minefield of design and durability problems that surface early and recur relentlessly. Valve cover gaskets start leaking by year two, and the integrated PCV valve design means repeat leaks, check-engine lights, and turbo power loss. Owners cite four, five, or more gasket replacements in under seven years.
The automatic transmission (6T40) is the worst actor: it fails catastrophically between 46K and 100K miles with wave plate fractures, loss of reverse, hard jerks, or complete loss of drive. Owners report dealing with transmission shops while GM refuses warranty claims just months past the 5-year mark, leaving repair bills of $3,100 to $5,400. Manual clutches fuse to the flywheel at 8,000 miles; dealers blame operator abuse despite normal driving.
Water pumps leak coolant onto the engine block; mechanics confirm the faulty water inlet is a "known problem all across forums" but Chevy won't recall it. When coolant loss destroys the head gasket, engine replacement runs $2,000-plus in secondary damage.
Turbochargers crack or burn out, worsened by plastic oil lines that melt at operating temperature—a poor design choice owners point out loudly. Even after recall repairs, turbos fail again within weeks.
Transmission shifting is unpredictable: lag on acceleration, violent jerks, RPM surge without power, or sudden neutral engagements. Dealerships confirm the problem, shrug, and say there's nothing to fix. Add electrical glitches that kill the radio and dashboard, and a 2012 Cruze becomes a rolling liability before its warranty ends.
Same Chevrolet Cruze powertrain reports on nearby years: 2011 · 2013 · 2014 · 2015
Failure modes owners describe
Valve Cover Gasket and PCV Valve Failures
Chronic leaking of the integrated PCV valve and valve cover gasket, causing repeated oil leaks, engine light activation, and loss of turbo boost. The PCV valve design is built into the valve cover, creating a structural weakness.
When: 2 years after purchase; 137K miles reported; recurring at 1-5 year intervals
Symptoms owners cite: Engine oil leaks from valve cover gasket; Check engine light illumination; Burning smell from engine; Loss of turbo power; Leaking oil after valve cover replacement
Codes mentioned: Engine light codes (unspecified in narratives)
Repairs/costs cited: Valve cover gasket replacements, PCV valve servicing; costs cited as $1,200+ per repair
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Chevrolet issued a letter regarding engine light and water pump coolant leaks; no formal valve cover recall mentioned by owners
Transmission Failures – Automatic (6T40)
Sealed automatic transmission (6T40) experiences failure of wave plates (gears 3-5-R), inadequate fluid cooling, hard shifts, loss of drive, and complete transmission failure between 46K and 100K+ miles. Occurs well within typical ownership but at or beyond warranty expiration.
When: 46,942 miles; 50K-100K+ miles common; failures occurring at 5-7 years post-purchase
Symptoms owners cite: Transmission fails to upshift, engine revs without power; Loss of reverse or forward gears; Hard jerking between gears or into neutral; Sluggish acceleration; RPM surge without acceleration response; Transmission enters limp mode; reduced engine power mode; Check engine light and transmission control codes; Metal filings found inside transmission (internal wear debris)
Codes mentioned: P0700 (Transmission Control System Malfunction)
Repairs/costs cited: Transmission rebuild or replacement; costs $3,100–$5,400. GM offered goodwill repairs of 30–10% of cost; most owners out of warranty at failure time. One owner cited a $4,500 full transmission replacement at 46,942 miles.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: GM denies warranty coverage citing 5-year/100K mile warranty expiration, despite failures occurring near this threshold. One case mentioned recall 14801 (engine control module reprogramming). No formal transmission design recall issued for 2012 6T40 models despite multiple complaints.
Manual Transmission Clutch Failures
Manual transmission clutch fails prematurely, with clutch disc fusing to flywheel at low mileage. Dealers deny warranty coverage citing operator abuse despite normal operating procedures.
When: 8,000 miles; 1 week to 2 years post-purchase
Symptoms owners cite: Burning smell from clutch; Clutch pedal loses response; Vehicle will not go into gear or engage in any gear; Grinding noise when shifting; Difficulty shifting; gears will not engage
Repairs/costs cited: Clutch disc fused to flywheel; full transmission replacement cited by dealers; warranty denial noted
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealerships and GM field service representatives classify failure as operator abuse/misuse; deny factory warranty coverage despite extended warranty purchase
Transmission Shift Lag and Erratic Shifting
Transmission responds slowly or unpredictably to accelerator input, causing hard jerks, violent downshifts, surging RPM without acceleration, or failure to shift at all. Multiple dealerships confirm problem but cannot diagnose root cause.
When: Within 2 weeks to 2 years of ownership; recurring throughout ownership (30K–100K+ miles)
Symptoms owners cite: Delayed or sluggish acceleration response to pedal input; Extreme jerking or lurching during gear shifts; RPM surge without corresponding acceleration; Hard downshift to first gear; transmission downshifts too quickly; Vehicle struggles to reach 30 MPH despite full pedal input; Erratic acceleration in traffic; near-collision risk; Transmission shifts involuntarily between gears or into neutral; Unpredictable gear engagement; transmission holds gear too long
Codes mentioned: P0700 (Transmission Control System)
Repairs/costs cited: Dealers test-drive and confirm problem but state no diagnostic codes found or cannot determine repair. Transmission module reprogramming attempted; repairs range $0 (unresolved) to transmission replacement.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Multiple dealership service managers state the transmission exhibits this behavior by design; GM is aware but no fix available. Service bulletin mentioned but not cited by owners.
Engine Coolant Leaks and Water Pump / Water Inlet Failures
Water pump and water inlet failures cause coolant leaks that damage the engine. Leaking coolant drips onto the engine block; owners report faulty water inlet (a known problem per mechanics and forums) is not recalled despite being a precursor to blown head gaskets and engine replacement.
When: Within 2–5 years; under 100K miles common
Symptoms owners cite: Coolant smell inside and outside cabin (persistent despite multiple repair attempts); Visible coolant drips under engine or ground; Engine temperature gauge shoots to red; Engine power reduced message; Blown head gasket (secondary failure due to coolant loss); Warped and cracked head requiring engine replacement
Codes mentioned: High engine temperature codes (unspecified)
Repairs/costs cited: Water pump replacement attempted (includes water inlet in replacement part kit); coolant reservoir cap replacement, modification, and HVAC assembly replacement attempted without resolution. Full engine replacement cited at $2,000–$3,000+ in secondary damage. Multiple repair attempts (8 documented in one case) unsuccessful.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Chevrolet letter documented by owner acknowledging engine coolant leak from water pump reservoir and coolant loss risk. Mechanic states water inlet is 'known problem all across forums' and has replaced 'numerous inlets on these cars.' No formal recall issued despite manufacturer knowledge and third-party awareness.
Turbocharger Failures and Oil Line Melting
Turbocharger cracks, burns out, or fails due to faulty design (plastic oil supply lines melt at turbo operating temperatures). Loss of turbo power and premature turbo replacement occur. Recalls address turbo actuator but not broader turbo design defects.
When: 85,000–150,000 miles; recurring failures within 1 month after recall repair
Symptoms owners cite: Loss of power and acceleration; Cracked turbocharger housing; Turbo burned out; Plastic oil line melted (preventing oil flow to turbo); Exhaust leak from turbo area; Engine power loss while driving on interstate
Codes mentioned: Turbo-related fault codes (unspecified)
Repairs/costs cited: Turbocharger replacement; turbo actuator replacement under recall (campaign not specified). Costs $5,400+ cited. One owner had turbo replaced under warranty, then actuator recalled and replaced in Nov. 2019; turbo cracked again in Dec. 2019.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: GM issued recall on turbo actuator (mentioned by owner without campaign number). Dealers denote turbo failure as out-of-warranty. No recall for plastic oil line design defect despite owner report of poor design choice.
Oil Leaks from Multiple Engine Sources
Multiple sources of engine oil leaks including cracked intake manifold, oil cooler, engine oil pan gasket, engine timing cover gasket, and oil feed line to turbocharger. Leaks lead to secondary damage to turbo and transmission.
When: 1–7 years post-purchase; 42K–140K+ miles
Symptoms owners cite: Oil leaking from engine oil pan gasket; Oil cooler leak; Engine timing cover gasket leak; Oil feed line leak to turbocharger; Cracked intake manifold leaking oil and coolant; Large puddles under car; oil all over engine compartment; Burning smell when engine is hot; Steam emitting from engine compartment
Repairs/costs cited: Multiple gasket replacements and manifold repairs; oil cooler, timing cover, and pan gasket replacement. Costs $1,200+ per repair; 4–7 separate leak repairs documented in one owner narrative.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: One owner cited GM letter regarding oil leaks. Dealership repair attempts took 4+ days with limited success. No systematic recall issued.
Electrical System Failures and Dashboard Display Issues
Intermittent failure of body control computer, dashboard displays, and electronic systems causing loss of HVAC, infotainment, turn signals, and stability control. One incident involved unintended acceleration during display failure.
When: March 2015 onwards; occurring intermittently during driving and at idle
Symptoms owners cite: Dashboard display goes on and off; Radio kills unexpectedly; HVAC system shutdowns; Turn signal indicator noise loss; StabiliTrak failure message; system requires service check; Unintended acceleration while displays in fault mode (1 incident); Steering column locks up; Lights flashing on and off; Key stuck in ignition; Rotten egg/burning smell from engine; Clicking noise from engine
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership diagnostics inconclusive; no repairs completed by owners in narratives
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Owner (retired GM R&D engineer specializing in unintended acceleration litigation) documented incident for NHTSA in anticipation of future accident
Insufficient Braking Power and Brake Failures
Brake system loses pressure; brakes fail to engage or apply, causing loss of vehicle control and collision with fixed object.
When: Low mileage during parking maneuver
Symptoms owners cite: Brake pedal goes to floor without stopping vehicle; Vehicle vibrates and accelerates forward despite braking attempt; Loss of braking pressure
Repairs/costs cited: Brake system failure; speculation by owner that vacuum boost failed, causing turbo to engage unintentionally
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: GM classified incident as driver error; no recall or acknowledged defect
Check Engine Light and Engine Power Reduction (Limp Mode)
Check engine light illuminates; vehicle enters limp mode, restricting speed to 20 MPH or less. Occurs repeatedly; dealership diagnostics inconclusive or point to transmission control module without permanent fix.
When: Recurring throughout ownership; 25K–100K+ miles
Symptoms owners cite: Check engine light illumination; Service traction control light; Service StabiliTrak message; Engine power reduced message; Vehicle speed restricted to 20 MPH; Jerking and stalling at traffic lights; Traction control light on; car dies then restarts
Codes mentioned: P0700 (Transmission Control System), Output shaft speed sensor code
Repairs/costs cited: Transmission control module reprogramming; transmission module replacement; transmission coolant line replacement; no permanent resolution in multiple documented cases. Repairs repeat every 4 months to 1+ year.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealerships perform module reprogramming under unknown recall/service bulletin; permanent fix not achieved in cases documented
Engine Light and Smoke from Engine Compartment
Engine warning light; smoke and burning smell from engine compartment after routine maintenance (e.g., oil change). Suspected incomplete or improper repair work.
When: Days to weeks after dealership service
Symptoms owners cite: Check engine light on continuously after oil change; Loud engine fan overworking; Faint smoke smell; stronger burning smell; Engine light never turns off after service
Repairs/costs cited: Family mechanic noted engine fan working too hard; dealership oil change; incomplete recall (noted in VIN check) not performed or disclosed
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Incomplete recall not disclosed by dealership at purchase
Transmission Fluid Leak and Burning Smell
Transmission coolant lines or transmission fluid reservoir fails; visible leaks and strong burning smell of hot transmission fluid occur. One case involved transmission fluid and white smoke blowing from tailpipe with risk of fire.
When: Under 25K–75K miles; recurring at 6-month intervals
Symptoms owners cite: Hot transmission fluid smell inside and outside cabin (constant); Transmission coolant line leaks; White smoke from tailpipe; Transmission fluid visible underneath vehicle; Burnt plastic smell inside cabin; smoke inside car; Transmission fluid very flammable when heated by engine
Repairs/costs cited: Transmission coolant line replacement multiple times; costs and permanence unclear
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No manufacturer response documented in narratives
Ignition Key Failures
Ignition keys break or develop cracks under normal use. At least two instances noted in same vehicle.
When: Within 5 years of ownership
Symptoms owners cite: Ignition key breaks in half under normal use; Second key develops fracture on verge of snapping
Repairs/costs cited: Key replacement; cost not specified
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No manufacturer response documented
Heat Shield Recall with Design Trade-Offs
Recall fix for heat shield removal cuts off large portions of undershroud, eliminating debris protection, increasing drag, reducing fuel economy, and increasing rust/corrosion risk in wet climates.
When: Post-recall (timing not specified)
Symptoms owners cite: Loss of debris shield protection after recall fix; Increased drag underneath vehicle; Reduced fuel economy; Increased rust and corrosion in wet climates; Water spray under hood in wet conditions
Repairs/costs cited: Heat shield portions removed; no replacement protection installed
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: GM issued heat shield recall with flawed repair design; owner questions whether luxury models (Cadillac, Corvette) would receive same inferior fix
Transmission Shifter Plate Failure
Broken shifter plate inside transmission damages internal components, preventing vehicle from shifting into reverse or limiting forward speed.
When: 60,409 miles; mostly highway miles
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle will not go faster than 30 MPH; Vehicle will not shift into reverse (can move forward only); Broken shifter plate found during diagnosis
Repairs/costs cited: Full transmission replacement; cost approximately $4,000
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No manufacturer response documented; owner requested service bulletin or recall due to suspected manufacturing defect
Synthesized from 126 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
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…
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
Had powertrain trouble with your 2012 Chevrolet Cruze?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the powertrain problem on the 2012 Chevrolet Cruze?
It's a meaningful issue. 126 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?
Across the 92 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most powertrain failures cluster between 40,000 and 93,000 miles, with the median around 65,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 40,000; a quarter make it past 93,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
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.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2012/Chevrolet/Cruze.
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.