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ProblemsByVinFile / 2016-CHEVROLET-CRUZENHTSA data synced 1 day ago
Chevrolet
2016 Chevrolet Cruze problems
The 2016 Chevrolet Cruze has 247 NHTSA owner complaints and 4 active recall campaigns on file. Here's the breakdown — what's serious, what's noise, and what a working mechanic would actually do about it.
The 2016 Chevrolet Cruze has 247 NHTSA owner complaints and 4 recalls on file (U.S. federal records, as of August 2026). The most-reported system is engine at 53 complaints, typically surfacing around 72,528 miles (~$3,100 to repair). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.
Average for the segment. Some recurring trouble spots worth knowing about.
0
Critical
4
Severe
0
Moderate
Should you avoid this 2016 Cruze?
Acceptable — with caveats
Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy.
Electrical system: 46 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 15,000–61,263 mi
Reliability score 6.6/10 — 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.
NHTSA crash-test safety ratings
4 / 5 overall
Overall★★★★★4/5
Frontal crash★★★★★5/5
Side crash★★★★★4/5
Rollover★★★★★4/5
Driver-assist features on the tested model:
Electronic stability control: Standard · Forward collision warning: Optional · Lane departure warning: No
Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program — tested configuration: 2016 Chevrolet Cruze 4 DR FWD. Stars rate crash protection in NHTSA's tests, not overall reliability — see the owner-complaint data below for what actually goes wrong.
Buying a used 2016 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 — 53 owner reports
· tends to show around 72,528 mi · ~$3,100 to fix
electrical — 46 owner reports
· tends to show around 45,579 mi · ~$850 to fix
powertrain — 31 owner reports
· tends to show around 54,360 mi · ~$2,500 to fix
airbags — 19 owner reports
· tends to show around 58,855 mi · ~$1,100 to fix
⚠ The one to take seriously: electrical is flagged
severe on this model
, showing up around 45,579 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: 6.6/10 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
2016 Cruze· powertrain
My cars cam shaft was replaced six months ago, and it was still under warranty. Now I'm having a bunch of other issues some of the problems are because the Chevy dealership, that replaced it my cam shaft wheel they had to to take parts off and back on to fix it now those parts…
Paid thousands of dollars into getting a thermostat housing and thermostat leaking antifreeze a couple months ago started leaking antifreeze again just now
While the engine is running, the transmission suddenly and without warning fails. Car is in gear but doesn't move. First occurrence was when car was parked in the morning and put into reverse to blackout and second occurrence was a couple weeks later when stopped at a red light.…
My tire pressure sensor keeps coming on even after I had it worked on. 3 of them shows the pressure level but one shows 2 lines but no pressure level but there’s air in the tire. The other problem I’m having is the check engine light is on. Please advise if any issues are…
Had a problem with your 2016 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 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
A fuel leak, in the presence of an ignition source, increases the risk of a fire.
Fix: 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.
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2016-2017 Chevrolet Cruze vehicles
In a crash, the seat-backs for the front seats may break, increasing the risk of injury to the occupants.
Fix: 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.
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
If the key is removed without the transmission in PARK, the vehicle may rollaway as occupants are exiting, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix: 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.
It's got known weak points. With a reliability score of 6.6 out of 10 based on 247 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2016 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 2016 Chevrolet Cruze?
The 2016 Chevrolet Cruze is acceptable, with specific caveats. Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy. The record behind that call: Electrical system: 46 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 15,000–61,263 mi; Reliability score 6.6/10 — 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 2016 Chevrolet Cruze?
Inspect the engine first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 53 owner complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 72,528 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 2016 Chevrolet Cruze a good used car to buy?
It scores 6.6 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 247 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is engine. Typical failure occurs around 72,528 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 2016 Chevrolet Cruze?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is engine, with 53 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 72,528 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 72,528 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 2016 Chevrolet Cruze?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 247 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/2016/Chevrolet/Cruze.
Editorial commentary written by ProblemsByVin contributors and reviewed by ASE-certified mechanics.
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