CarComplaints.com Notes: In many ways, the 2012 Cruze continues the legacy of its predecessor. It's a legacy of sluggish transmissions and coolant leaks, but it's still a legacy.
On the flip-side, there's more concerns about brake problems.
However, there were far more Cruze vehicles sold for the 2012 model year so we'll give it our "Beware of this Clunker" badge rather than the "Avoid Like the Plague."
10.0
really awful
Crashes / Fires:
10 / 13
Injuries / Deaths:
5 / 0
Average Mileage:
53,677 miles
About These NHTSA Complaints:
This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.
So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.
2012 Chevrolet cruz. Consumer writes in regards to defective coolant system. The consumer stated after having both the hoses and clips replaced, the mechanic stated engine seal must have been leaking. The consumer requested to be reimbursed for the repairs.
It has been numerous times where I have been driving, whether it be on the highway or a city street, and my car gears have switched all the way down to the lowest gear and it causes my vehicle to jerk and slow all the way down. This is very dangerous especially when there is other vehicles behind me.
I noticed that my vehicle seemed to be having issues when I pressed on the brake, so I took it in. I found out that it was a completely unrelated issue, and had to do with a crack running through the manifold. This was causing oil and coolant to leak onto the alternator. If I had not caught this early enough, they said I would have not been able to get it fixed. They repaired the leak, but a couple weeks later I noticed my car losing significant amounts of coolant/oil. This is causing oil and coolant to affect the turbo setting of my manual car, and has cost me up to $2,000 in repairs. This has been the underlying problem as to why I had to get my flywheel replaced 2 years ago, which was another $1,500. This is also what caused the transmission failure 3 years ago, another thousand dollars. I noted that the vehicle began leaking fluid after being stationary or moving while/after running for 10 minutes or longer.
Sometimes when I slow to a stop or just driving car shuts off without warning. No lights or anything come on in the dash showing it's off. Starts right back up but very dangerous could cause an accident.
The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Cruze. While driving approximately 70 mph, the vehicle abruptly shut off and the start/stop button light flashed. The vehicle was restarted and driven to an independent mechanic where it was determined that the shut off valve failed and needed replacement. The vehicle was driven to autonation Chevrolet of North richland hills (7769 blvd 26, North richland hills, tx 76180), but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 123,000.
- Wichita, KS, USA
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Takata recall I hear a dripping sound under the hood, followed by a sound like the dripping is hitting something hot. Electronics such as the radio, signals, and the entire computer screen is out. The car is at the autonation service center on security blvd. In baltimore and they are looking to profit from these defects. It's sad...
Our Chevy Cruze had started shifting strange while driving, losing power and it would start to idle rough, and just shut off, a day later the engine light came on and we ran a code scanner on it to find out what was wrong. 7 error codes came up and it all led to a failed PCV valve. Two days later it was in the shop and we are now faced with a major repair cost.
While driving my 2012 Chevy Cruze, my radio will shut off randomly for about 10 seconds, and when it does, I lose complete control of the steering. It is like the car shuts off but when the radio turns back on, then the car will restore power. Very dangerous and scary!!! and yet, there is still no recall for my specific VIN. Also, for two mornings in a row, I have noticed a smell and some smoke coming from the engine. It will only do it for about 5 minutes and the car will not overheat. I swear it is one thing after another with this car.
Engine recall! the engine often makes sound that is different than normal. Over 100,000 miles, the problem starts! when not in motion, although the engine is on, the vehicle engine stops even in waiting at the traffic light stop.
The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Cruze. While driving 10 mph, the check engine warning indicator illuminated and the vehicle failed to accelerate. In addition, the contact stated that the vehicle consumed oil. The vehicle was taken to chuck hutton Chevrolet (located at 2471 mt moriah rd, memphis, tn 38115, (901) 318-3703) where it was diagnosed that the turbo head failed internally and was pushing exhaust fuel into the engine crankcase. The dealer stated that the turbo head needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and provided case number. The approximate failure mileage was 83,000.
Oil was dripping, went to go get it fixed and my mechanic supposedly fixed it. Drove for about a mile and car started smoking and my belt was on fire and crumbled off my car. I purchased this vehicle almost one month ago and only been able to drive for a week total because of this oil issue. I am paying money to fix and they still can't tell me what's wrong so I looked it up for recalls and saw this had and recall just like I explained but not associated with my VIN. Please help. My car is now undriveable. I was driving when the car started smoking and I pulled over and noticed the belt on the ground burning. Not driving after that.
The check engine light came on while I was driving stopped at advance soon as it came and then cut the car off and then it would not crank back. Had to have car towed to garage. Foudn out that it was the ECM computer messed up and only have 70,000 miles on the car. Garage called Chevy and they stopped covering the computer 3 years ago due to so many calls about the computer messing up. This should have been a recall then and they will not cover the repairs to my car.
The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Cruze. While driving 70 mph, the vehicle unintentionally decelerated. When the failure occurred, the vehicle took time to accelerate and the check engine indicator illuminated. Also, while the vehicle was at a stop light, it violently vibrated and stalled, but was able to restart. The vehicle was taken to feldman Chevrolet of lansing (2801 E Michigan ave, lansing, mi 48912, (517) 507-4948) where the contact was informed that the turbo in the engine needed to be replaced. The contact mentioned that the part was previously repaired. The vehicle was not repaired again. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 150,000.
The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Cruze. While driving approximately 35 mph, the vehicle started to jerk violently. The contact stated that the failure only occurred when the engine was warm. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the air intake failed and affected the valve cover and all the components. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 97,000.
The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Cruze. While driving 30 mph, the engine overheated and the check engine warning indicator illuminated. Smoke appeared from the front end of the vehicle. The contact parked the vehicle on the side of the street and waited until all the smoke cleared before continuing to drive home. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, but was not diagnosed or repaired. The notified summit Chevrolet Buick GMC (located at 318 grant ave, auburn, NY 13021, (315) 258-2000) and the manufacturer of the failure. The failure mileage was 101,000.
The contact owned a 2012 Chevrolet Cruze. While driving on the highway, the contact was alerted by another motorist that there were flames underneath her vehicle. Shortly after, the contact noticed smoke coming from the vents and the speed was decelerating. The vehicle was pulled off the road and the fire department extinguished the fire. There were no injuries. The vehicle was destroyed and towed. The dealer and manufacturer were not contacted. The cause of the failure was not diagnosed. The failure mileage was 133,000.
The valve cover is [xxx]! I've replaced three in a year an a half! this is causing massive oil leaks and needs to be fixed! the whole [xxx] thingb I'm getting really pissed about this parts of this document have been redacted to protect personally identifiable information pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Worthington, OH, USA