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:
53,553 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.
Without any previous problems before this day.. my transmission went out with only 80,000 miles on June 7, 2018. Being on a busy 2 lane, curvy highway, my car just completely went out of gear and thankfully I was able cruise off to the side. A few minutes later an alert than came up on my dash and said "transmission hot, idle engine". I had bought this car in 2014 with only one previous owner that took really good care of it. It is ridiculous for my transmission to go out with such low mileage and to have to pay $5,000 for a new one and plus the car payments I still have on it. Unfortunately, I am not the only person to have this issue. There are many others. Just because they look nice doesn't mean it will last long.
My car is very dangerous! shuts off while on freeway! jerks forward while on brakes, caused an accident! cruise control does not work! electrical things flashing all the time! jerks and locks up all 4 wheels while driving! just today is shut down on the highway I struggled to get it home while the RPM's were up above 6! you name it, it has it. Think there should be a class action lawsuit against the makers of this vehicle!! class action lawsuit!!!!!
Burning oil smell started after an oil change. I have replaced the intake tubing that leads in the turbo because when I replaced the throttle position sensor in the turbo area, there was oil in the turbo intake. It has lost some power since I started experiencing the burning smell. It now smells like plastic burning since replacing the intake tubing/gasket.
Even after free repair due to being covered under warranty, the new PCV valve and cover are leaking again. Engine idles roughly, both in park and in drive. This is a known issue with Chevrolet Cruze, but my VIN is not part of the recall. Main error code P0171- bank 1 system too lean- is being picked up (check engine light came on yesterday morning (April 10, 2018)), along with error codes: P0106, P015B, P0236, P0237, P1101, P112D.
Engine coolant stench and loss of coolant since day one! I now have just over 45,600 miles and per the dealer a need a temp sensor housing and thermostat. While driving I got a message on the dash reading "ac off due to high engine temp" and the coolant temp read - - - and the needle on the temp gauge dropped to low from a prior midway point and coolant temp of 218 degrees. Back in 2014 I suddenly had black smoke coming from tailpipe and the "dealer replaced the water pump assembly with new base and thermostat." I also had a "service stabilitrac" notice and sudden loss of power while driving back in 2015 and the dealer said they couldn't duplicate the issue but that I needed a new coil pack which I had to pay for and repair on my own even though car was still under warranty!! this vehicle has smelled like antifreeze since the day I bought it, brand new, from the dealer that was performing all the services. In addition, the back window leaked from day one and I had 2" of standing water in my trunk and I had to pay, out of my own pocket!!, to replace the rear window = twice!!! this car is a piece of junk and has been nothing but problems and the dealer has forced me to do repairs that should have been covered by the warranty. I am sick and tired of the stench of antifreeze and the fact that I now have to repair the thermostat housing and thermostat due to engine overheating!!!
As I was driving my radio started going on and off then car completely shut off steering while went stiff to the left and locked as I was on the road scared the living spirit out of me was the scariest experiences luckly I was alone without my kids because that could of been a fatal accident. In was very lucky it was not a busy morning the first time it happen and I was able to keep to left until car came to a stop at the curve. This has happen to me more than once that I stopped driving car stopped paying it because it was a lemon so many things went wrong 3mnths after buying car at used dealers I felt cheated and stuck I even lost my job because I wasnt able to get to work on time or at all at times because of car problems
I have a very important issue I have regarding the 2012 Chevy Cruze I bought on April 26th, 2015 with approximately 29,000 miles on it. It was purchased through carmax. As of this time my car has 60,000 miles on it. On Sunday, February 18th while I was driving the car on a major highway suddenly, I could not accelerate faster than 25mph, the check engine light came on, and the 'd' for drive started flashing at me. It turns out that I needed a new transmission.
The car was moving down the road, and all of a sudden, the engine light came on, 'ac off due to high engine temperature'- fans kicked on and ran non stop. Coolant was added immediately only to find out that the head cracked- the coolant was running into the oil. This car was not very old and it for no reason should have cracked. I think it is in relation to recall campaign 12081.
Since November 2016 at 56,000 miles the car has been constantly overheating. The engine coolant flange, water pump, and thermostat have been replaced 2xs. When this happens the car flashes sporadic messages such as A/C off high engine heat, service stabilitrak, change oil, etc. The car also has started leaking oil. Finally on February 10th, 2018 the car had these same issues again and this time the engine went entirely. The car had total engine failure at 83,500 miles and now requires a new engine. This is the worst car I have ever owned and I would never recommend it to anyone. Upon going online everyone has these same exact issues so I have no idea why massive recalls have not been made.
The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Cruze. While driving approximately 10 mph, the engine power reduced warning indicator illuminated and the vehicle failed to accelerate. A local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure recurred once. The manufacturer was contact and informed the contact that there were no recalls on the vehicle as well as referred the contact to NHTSA. The approximate failure mileage was 120,000. The VIN was not available.
At 45K miles had gas cap message a couple of times. Then the check engine light came on. Took it to dealer and they stated that it was exhaust manifold which was $1000. I feel at 45K (rural town driving) there must have been some defect for this to happen. Does anyone know of any manufacture problems with the manifold on Chevy Cruze 2012. Also had problems with vehicle trying to die right before taking it to dealer.
"takata recall" I am the owner of a 2012 Chevy Cruze and it only has 44,000 miles this in which the transmission has went out. It started of down shifting hard when taking off and jerking. As I searched online I found that this is a common problem in these cars
The "check engine" light came on one evening and with a message to service the stabiltrack. I did get the car home. Next morning, started the car, was stopped at an intersection near my home when the engine lost power in the middle of the intersection. Was able to get the car home by turning it off and restarting it, but in trying to drive the car to the repair shop, was not able to get any acceleration and had to have the car towed from my driveway. Diagnostics revealed the throttle body had to be replaced and the sensor cleared. Was told by my mechanic that there is a service bulletin out for this issue from GM. This is a car with 41,000 miles on it.
The car says in the instrument cluster "engine looses power" and to "service stabilitrac." Then I loose acceleration. I have to coast to the shoulder shut the car down and restart. It happens more often on the freeway which is super scary. This happens every time drive.
When starting my car, my windshield wipers start going along with windshield wiper fluid coming out, my four ways start blinking, and my trunk opens up and will not shut. I have not touched anything that would cause any of this to happen. This has happened multiple times and it puts me in a huge inconvenience. I was driving today and it's 14 degrees outside, yet my car started to overheat and a warning came up on my dash saying something about the A/C being shut off due to overheating.... why would I be using my A/C at all?
After driving for a while like 8 to 10 miles stopping for a little while at a drive throw and the car fan came on and the car temperature gage isn't even half way on the gage and the fan comes on. The car heater is blowing cool air instead of heat but when driving or ramen the engine a little heat starts working
The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Cruze. While driving, the vehicle overheated and the check engine indicator illuminated. The vehicle shut down and was towed to champion Chevrolet Cadillac (36006 bristol hwy, johnson city, tn 37601) where it was diagnosed that head gasket needed to be replaced. It would cost an additional $500 for additional diagnostic testing. The manufacturer was notified of the issue and opened case number: 8-356-5888446. The manufacturer stated that the water pump was replaced in 2014 and referred the contact to NHTSA. No further assistance was provided. The VIN was unknown. The failure mileage was 138,000.
While driving my car would not accelerate. The car will not move when changing gears. I took the car to the dealership because the check engine light and stabilik service light came on. The mechanic diagnosed the car and replaced a connector. Now, the car gears don't work. Misdiagnosis.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Mount Washington, KY, USA