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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.

To be fair, the number of complaints about the cooling system are way down versus the 2011 model which led to a class-action lawsuit.

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:
53,553 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 Cruze engine problems

engine problem

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2012 Chevrolet Cruze Owner Comments (Page 5 of 13)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #175

Jan 022019

Cruze

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I am having issues with my turbo. After taking it to my mechanic I am told that it is a common issue

- Madison, AL, USA

problem #174

Jul 152018

Cruze

  • 120,000 miles
Overheats regularly even with antifreeze, stops reading coolant temperature randomly

- Knoxville, GA, USA

problem #173

Jan 252019

Cruze

  • 62,000 miles
Car was stopped at a red light, ready to make a left-turn and completely shut off for no reason. It turned on after some minutes but there are many complaints online (https://www.cargurus.com/cars/discussion-T65940_ds765514) of the same issue with this make and model (including newer ones), a lot being while the car is actually driving. This is so dangerous!! we don't feel safe continuing to operate the car since finding out it's a recurrent problem for people with this car who have had no resolution even after filing multiple claims with car company and taking it to the mechanic.

- North Miami Beach, FL, USA

problem #172

Dec 102018

Cruze

  • 130,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Car was like new for a few months, driven to and from orlando maybe 4 times, but mostly use it for work to take my daughter to school then it started the check engine light being on, then shortly, car started jerking while parked, or on brake, and the "check stabili track control" light comes on, and then would just turn off. I would start smelling a very strong burnt smell but no oil was falling to the floor, but once I stopped driving there would've smoke everywhere. Was told there is a vacuum leak coming from PCV which is built in valve cover...have had valve cover changed 3 times in 3 weeks and each time, it looked like someone died under my hood and bled oil! am told that there is too much pressure coming in and so causes oil to find a way out and leaks it spills it slashes, and it's a mystery! also, there is another leak that all of a sudden strated from the side of the engine! when doing my research, there are soooooo many people with the same problems! this needs to be some sort of recall. Please help!

- Cutler Bay, FL, USA

problem #171

Jan 032019

Cruze

  • 117,000 miles
I took it to Firestone for an inspection because I was having issues with my car and was told that I had a faulty cylinder head.

- Bartow, FL, USA

problem #170

Oct 012012

Cruze

  • 60 miles
I just want to start off by saying we purchased this car brand new from kocourek Chevrolet in wausau, wi. Dec 2012 or Jan 2013 bumper fell off within 3 months of purchase while driving. Yes, fell off. The dealership where we purchased the car hesitantly replaced it as the clips were broke off. Dec 2012 trunk button does not work properly - has been replaced multiple times (by kocourek). And not it has recently once it opens, it will not close despite being slammed shut 8 to 10 times. Oct 2012 had an antifreeze leak from day one - dealership tells us they can't find anything even when pointed out. I go though a gallon of dexos antifreeze every 2 weeks. But as the dealership says, that's fine and normal.... um... not to me!!!! Jan 2018 - the car stalls out constantly - reduced engine power, while driving on the highway, in the city or even just parked in the driveway. I have been very nearly rear ended multiple times because of this. We have yet to find the source of this. Jan 2018 codes for throttle position sensor issues even though it has been replaced multiple times. Still can't find the source of this. Dec 2018 after being started, the car will shut itself off or die off. Still cant find the source. Aug 2018 recently, the car has dash warnings that state "ac off due to high engine temp" even when it is 30 degrees out. The temp gauge will also drop to cold. We have also changed the thermostat multiple times as well. This car is beyond a lemon. We have had issues with this car from day 1. and what is more ridiculous is that the dealership will not stand behind it. I have service records documenting the complaints of the issues and the dealership "not finding anything wrong" or "unable to duplicate issues". we have given up with Chevy and also with kocourek Chevrolet in wausau. These issues have been ongoing since we purchased the car September 2012.

- Hatley, WI, USA

problem #169

Jan 252018

Cruze

  • 75,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Catalayic converter plugged at 82000 miles which caused engine knock noise

- Romulus, MI, USA

problem #168

Dec 182018

Cruze

  • 140,000 miles
I bought my car in 2015, it is a 2012 Chevy Cruze eco. I've had to replace the camshaft cover(PCV) 2 times in a year due to the gasket being crap and causing horrible oil leaks! here I am again, changed it and it is again faulty and leaking oil. This needs to be warranty and covered by GM. I've already had to do the water pump myself because they wouldn't fix the water pump at any dealer. This is an ongoing issue with the oil leak, and needs to have a recall too fix anything, causing this problem.

- Las Vegas, NV, USA

problem #167

Nov 252018

Cruze

  • miles
Ac auto shutoff temp to high message comes on L. I have replaced the thermostat already three times. Then the car won't start. Disconnect the ground and put it back on and it starts just fine. You can drive it for a while then ac off comes back in and start the process again.

- Apple Valley, MN, USA

problem #166

Oct 102018

Cruze

  • 59,841 miles
My vehicle was stationary and no running. I entered the vehicle and started it. The service traction control light flashed then the service stabilitrak light flashed the lights went away and the vehicle drove fine. Several days later the same thing happened upon entering my driveway it started to sputter. Four days after that upon starting the vehicle the same lights came on in addition to the check engine light. Now when I start my vehicle the check engine light stays on and after the vehicle is warmed up the other two lights come on and then go off. My latest onstar diagnostic reports a problem with the ECM. I has been almost exactly three years to the date that these same things happened and were supposedly repaired under recall # 14801 and special coverage # 14311B. Please advise.

- Indianapolis, IN, USA

problem #165

May 052018

Cruze

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

This vehicle (Chevy Cruze 2012) is the worst vehicle made possible. There is oil leaks that have been fixed that occur again. There is a coolant leak that was fixed by the radiator connector. 15 minutes later of driving the vehicle 2 more hoses popped and caused the coolant to leak again. The radiator went bad and was changed the vehicle still over heated. The thermostat was changed and the vehicle was fine for 2 days. I go to start the vehicle and it doesn't want to turn over. Come to find out at the same mechanic that I had the thermostat changed apparently said the head gasket was blown. Then says there's something wrong with the cylinder heads. So all in all. This vehicle has had oil leaks, coolant leaks, engine lights, radiator issues, cylinderr head problems, misfiring and now a head gasket problem. This brings a safety issue to me that while I am driving my car is misfiring on me in the middle of the road while there is traffic going on and tons of people on the road. I could potentially be driving this vehicle and because of all of this electrical issues that GM is not capable of manufacturing correctly on these vehicles (Chevy Cruze) my car could of blew up while driving it. I have my nieces and nephews in the car while the car shakes out of nowhere which could of put there life in danger. Chevy is no help what so ever they only want to charge to even look at a car they manufactured!!!! I ask for help from them and they seem so carefree. My life is in danger and no one cares!! someone will die by GM hands if this issue cannot be correctly fixed on these vehicles. You guys are selling cars that can kill someone and once you guys are notified of this no one cares. Once there is a lawsuit under your company then maybe you guys will take this serious.

- Orlando, FL, USA

problem #164

Oct 312018

Cruze

  • 122,000 miles
While driving down the road still within city list, the car began making a knocking noise, the check engine light came on and a low oil pressure warning flashed. After taking it to a local mechanic we were told that the engine is blown with 122K miles on it.

- Oxford, NY, USA

problem #163

May 102018

Cruze

  • 126,000 miles
Vehicle engine light is on. Vehicle is spilling oil causing smoke to be exhausted out of engine while driving vehicle. Engine has had coolant leaks and engine head gasket is blown

- Orlando, FL, USA

problem #162

Sep 202018

Cruze

  • 89,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Cruze. While driving 55 mph, the contact heard a high pitched noise coming from the engine compartment. The vehicle was pulled over and turned off. When the vehicle was restarted, the check engine indicator illuminated. The vehicle was driven to nalley Chevrolet (4200 jonesboro rd, union city, ga 30291, (678) 369-6497) where it was diagnosed that the PCV valve was missing and the engine was intaking too much air. The dealer stated that they had to replace a shaft membrane. The manufacturer stated that there were no current recalls on the vehicle. The repairs were completed. The failure mileage was 89,000.

- Hyattsville, MD, USA

problem #161

Sep 012018

Cruze

  • 109,000 miles
While driving in the city at night, the vehicle completely shut off, including the engine and all electrical systems without any warnings. This caused all lights to turn off, loss of power steering, power to brakes, and little to control to the vehicle. Luckily, the vehicle behind me noticed and tailed me to a stop with their warning lights. I then proceeded to open the engine with a flashlight to discover that the battery was still properly connected (6 months old) with no frays or corrosion to the connectors or wiring. After about 5 minutes attempting to find a tow truck company the vehicle electrical system came back on with no intervention. I turned the ignition switch and the vehicle started with no issues and no engine lights on. I drove it the rest of the way home with no issues. When I got home I checked all the fuses and all were operable. The obd scanner found no codes. I am mid 30S 190ibs and fairly strong, I could only imagine if this happened in an intersection or during busy hours on the highway, I wouldn't be sitting here reporting this issue. I found numerous similar complaints on blogs concerning this model. I assume not many have reported properly since there is no recall issued for the electrical system.

- Decatur, GA, USA

problem #160

Aug 222018

Cruze

  • 125,000 miles
Engine cooling system exploded while car in motion coolant was everywhere underneath the hood. Belt broken.and has oil leaking.with an 800 hundred dollars bill while on vacation.

- Greenville, MS, USA

problem #159

Aug 112018

Cruze

  • 120,345 miles
The valve cover and PCV valve leaks air bad and is defective. It constantly causes surging and multiple obd codes and the stabili/trac to flash and the radio to flash off and on. It idles rough and shuts off rough too. The gas mileage isn't as good as it should and the power isn't as good as it should. There should be a recall on this known defective PCV valve cover to be fixed

- Alma, GA, USA

problem #158

Aug 112018

Cruze

  • 99,000 miles
My transmission was shifting hard then I parked it got back in put in reverse and it won't move, it moved in drive so many feet making horrible noise and then went out of gear...now won't move at all

- Palmer, TN, USA

problem #157

Mar 052018

Cruze

  • miles
Belt tensioner bolt came out and is now stuck in a spring in the engine..the light on my radio fades in and out.. rotor on drivers side had deformity to it.still have the rotor and the spring is still stuck in engine I can't afford to get it fixed

- Spencer, WI, USA

problem #156

Jun 302018

Cruze

  • 79,887 miles
Dangerous to drive this car 2012 Chevy cruz. My cc 12 decided to jerk, shake, all panels starting flashing, shake, make noise and increase speed and then suddenly brakes kick in and it stopped in the middle lane of I95. Becus powertran is over by 1 year, Chevrolet wont do anything about it. They said to take to official Chevy dealership. Which now incurred a cost of 370 with discount. Their rep told me a each time I call tha the powertrain is over however considering the trouble with the vehicle, you are on the perimeters of this. We get the diagnostics and work with you possible picking up some if not all of the cost. No such thing, instead their senior advisor advised me I am [xxx] out of luck on a 6 yrs old car with approx. 79 thousand miles. That's their response. Out of car now 11 days, handed a bill for $370 to tell me the same thing my mechanic told me. Information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Tamarac,, FL, USA

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