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ProblemsByVin Index / 2016-CHEVROLET-CRUZE / COMPLAINTS
Full complaint record · NHTSA

2016 Chevrolet Cruze owner complaints

246 complaints filed with NHTSA on this vehicle , including 1 reporting a crash, fire, injury, or fatality. Showing the 300 most recent — grouped by category for scanning.

electrical 6 complaints shown

46 total in this category · severe · avg repair $850 · see electrical cluster analysis →
12/29/2022 ODI #11499313.0

Paid thousands of dollars into getting a thermostat housing and thermostat leaking antifreeze a couple months ago started leaking antifreeze again just now

12/26/2024 ODI #11632488.0

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 recalls or do I need to take my car to a service center. Thank you

12/14/2016 ODI #10935326.0

Tl* the contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet cruze. Without warning, the vehicle had an internal leak that saturated the rear of the vehicle, the flooring, the electronic components, and caused various shorts within the vehicle. The vehicle was inspected by an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified. The vehicle's inner components were damaged due to the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 250.

12/13/2018 60,257 mi ODI #11161271.0

Engine is knocking clicking and rocking. Acting like it's going to stall stationary. Engine light on, traction control light on and all start does not work. All came on at the same time.

12/10/2018 22,000 mi ODI #11157220.0

Takata recal the engine shutdown completely without a reason, gas tank all the sudden is empty and the wheels locked and shutdown.

12/07/2016 15,000 mi ODI #10930344.0

Tl* the contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet cruze. The contact stated that the electrical system failed, the vehicle decelerated while driving, and the instrument panel lighting dimmed. During the failures, the engine warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer several times for the failure. The dealer reseated the computer system and serviced the fuel injector, but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was notified. The VIN was not available. The approximate failure mileage was 15,000.

powertrain 4 complaints shown

31 total in this category · moderate · avg repair $2,500 · see powertrain cluster analysis →
12/31/2020 40,000 mi ODI #11385959.0

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 they took off and now bad plus other bottoms up. It won't keep coolant. And keeps over heating, and the dealership, is trying to over price me on parts that I can get, for a fraction of the price there charging me, and now I'm with out a vehicle un less I come up with over $1400, I feel like they purposely didn't put everything back together right, cuz they new they could get and make more money out of it because some of the parts are still under warranty. Pluse when they fixed it the first time. They charge for a ne

12/27/2018 65,000 mi ODI #11163765.0

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. Turning the car off for a few minutes seems to temporarily correct the problem. I am worried the transmission will fail suddenly while in an intersection or other dangerous situation

12/21/2020 ODI #11384453.0

My car is parked looks like a rainbow color is coming out from under the engine. It looks like water from a distance until you get closer. I have notified the dealership where I bought it and he tells me there is nothing they can do

12/20/2017 41,000 mi ODI #11055623.0

Coolant reservoir cracked, possible blown head gasket, or bad water pump.

steering 3 complaints shown

18 total in this category · severe · avg repair $700 · see steering cluster analysis →
12/08/2016 12,000 mi ODI #10933978.0

Tl* the contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet cruze. While driving at any speed and attempting to make a turn, the steering column locked. The dealer repaired the steering gear. The failure recurred and all the instrument panel indicators illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a different dealer who was unable to diagnose the failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to NHTSA. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 12,000.

12/04/2018 60,000 mi ODI #11155971.0

2016 Chevy cruze ltz faulty battery negative cable causing battery corrosion, while driving car has power steering errors (loss of stable steering capabilities), traction system errors, reduced vehicle power, problems with cruise control (speeds up by itself). Contacted gm and informed them of this issue. They denied coverage, despite having identified the same safety issues with the 2011-2015 models.

12/03/2019 30,000 mi ODI #11286635.0

While driving, the car radio has cut out multiple times while 'service stabilitrack' has been displayed on the dash. The battery was replaced and the issues continued. This is mainly seen while slowing down or stopping at a red light. The lack of power to the car threatens safety as my turn signals failed to work and I lost power steering on one occasion. I personally researched this issue through online forums and found out that many others share the same problem. The result may be a faulty negative battery connection.

engine 2 complaints shown

53 total in this category · moderate · avg repair $3,100 · see engine cluster analysis →
12/17/2020 81,000 mi ODI #11383926.0

The intake manifold blew out it's sensor. Not like it just went out, but some how pressure built up and blew it out of the manifold. This is exactly what the representative at the dealership just told me over the phone. Car is at the service department because of the ongoing issues with the turbo and the missing bolts and the fact that this engine was obviously a faulty build, as gm has already acknowledged. I am terrified to drive this car and I still owe on it. So now with the intake manifold blowing up and a leaking valve cover....I just don't understand how gm isn't responsible for getting these cars off the road. I am so afraid of blowing up while driving this car I don't know what to do and I believe in karma and do not want to trade it in for fear of risking someone else's life. I'

12/13/2019 67,000 mi ODI #11288919.0

Tl* the contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet cruze. While the vehicle was parked and idling in the driveway, it turned off on its own and the check engine warning indicator illuminated. The contact stated that the failure occurred three other times even when driving. The vehicle was taken to knight automotive inc (383 route 3, plattsburgh, ny 12901) three times where it was determined that there was coil failure. The vehicle was repaired three times. The manufacturer was not notified of the failures. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 67,000.

other 2 complaints shown

12/16/2018 20,000 mi ODI #11161814.0

Loss of coolant. Unable to be determined by dealer on multiple occasions. I have to keep adding antifreeze. There are no external leaks found. Loss of heat with loss of antifreeze.

12/02/2019 27,500 mi ODI #11286321.0

Clutch hydraulics failed while driving in my standard transmission car due to poorly manufactured parts. Clutch would stay on the floor when pushed down. Multiple mechanics stated air was getting into hydraulic line due to poor manufacturing.

brakes 1 complaint shown

13 total in this category · severe · avg repair $450 · see brakes cluster analysis →
12/15/2021 ODI #11443887.0

1st of all the motor was running g great! Then all of a sudden it started running rough and shaking. Was driving on the highway at 65 mph.no warni g lights or anything. Then a warning light came on for the brakes and it was hard to stop. The vacuum pump went out for the brakes and almost ended up in the ditch. Well put a vacuum pump on it and that fixed that problem but it was missing like crazy. Had it checked out and here the #1cylinder piston broke apart. Now it needs a motor. Almost cost me my life on that one.Motor is not cheap and don't know if it is worth it. I have been reading alot on them and people are having to change motors at 8,000 miles and sometimes twice in the same car before 18,000 miles. Don't you think there is something wrong with that?

airbags 1 complaint shown

19 total in this category · severe · avg repair $1,100 · see airbags cluster analysis →
12/15/2019 75,000 mi Crash ODI #11289205.0

I was in a car accident. My whole front end was damaged and my vehicle air bags never deployed like they should have.

cruise control 1 complaint shown

6 total in this category · severe · avg repair $600 · see cruise control cluster analysis →
12/08/2022 ODI #11496677.0

My car was recalled for problems with fuel system or something of that nature, I took it to get repaired not once but about 3 times and problem is still ongoing. When I press the gas, the car shoots all the way to the 3rd gear and gets stuck at about 27 miles which is very dangerous, especially when I’m on the freeway. It will also cut off in the middle of the road making me have to put my car in park and recrank the car, multiple people have almost ran dead into the back of my car. They basically told me it is no way to fix my car. Now, it has caused more problems. My car is now saying “engine power reduced” and “service brake assist” when I try to press the brakes, it’s literally almost impossible. I have to almost stand on the brake and it still does not stop all the way. My brakes are

Showing 300 of 246 total complaints. The full federal record is available at nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2016/Chevrolet/Cruze#complaints.
Source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) owner complaint database. Last synced 2026-06-14. Complaints are owner-submitted and unverified — the existence of a complaint is not proof of a defect, but a pattern of complaints around the same component is a signal worth weighing. Verify any specific filing at nhtsa.gov.
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