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:
4 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
3 / 0
Average Mileage:
48,959 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.
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.
My car jerked a few times before it stopped in moving traffic going 30 miles and without warning except clicking noises. I had my three grandkids with me. I coasted to get out of traffic. Was told my transmission went. II am the only owner, 68,000 miles on my car. I am highly upset. Please advise.
I was driving down interstate with no overheads no car in front or back of me and my sunroof exploded. Shattered glass filled my car and it was so scary. I have no idea why this happened, however GM needs to find out why their sunroofs will explode and shatter. I want it replaced, what do I do?
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.
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.
My husband has realized that my car is leaking oil and he can not find where it is coming from due to the cold weather. He was changing the oil when he found this.
Engine coolant leaked from the water pump while driving. The pump leaked, leading to a drip of coolant onto the engine and onto the ground. Over time, the loss of coolant reduced cooling performance and eventually lead to engine overheating. The 'service engine' indicator light came on, an 'engine hot, ac off' message appeared, a chime then the engine power reduced. This coverage should have been covered by GM service bulletin 14371A but we are being denied reimbursement because the VIN number is not listed as defective. I am seeking reimbursement approval since this repair was made by a third party. After speaking with a GM representative, they suggested escalating this issue with NHTSA. The GM case number is 8-3599435878.
This car has had issues since we purchased it brand new in 2012. Does not accelerate when merging on freeway or trying to pick up speed. It puts the driver at a very high risk of an accident. This car was purchased for my daughter to attend college and she feels very unsafe. We have had to have it towed and taken into shop several time for check engine light and loud shaking noise. This car has been nothing but a nightmare and seem to think based on reviews that these cars fall into the lemon category. We will be taking it to a very reliable mechanic this week and will wait to see what they find.
Car slow to crank, check power steering comes on or check anti theft system occasionally. Sometimes the wipers, emergency lights or trunk pops open. No on can give me an answer as to what the heck is going on with my 2012 cruz. This happens while the car is stationary.
Wipers started stopping when on. If you turn them off and then on they work for a very short time then stop again. When the wipers are in the off position they stop right in front of the drivers view. Took to dealer, dealer stated the body control module was going out and would affect more and more of the car and could pose a safety hazard.
Tires light all the time, overheating all the time spend 100 of dollar on anti-freeze coolant ran in overflow tank spent over $769 0N people giving false report on what wrong with vehicle. I tried to file for bankrupty but wasn't successful due low income. Stop on city street.
I own and drive a 2012 Chevy Cruze ls. I am 87 yrs. Young and fortunately able to drive back & forth from NY to fla. With the assistance of auto train in va. For the longest time I have found that after on the road for a short while, I would smell rubber/fuel burning and blaming it on a truck or vehicle ahead of me of engine problems, therefore I would close the cabin vent, forget about it, which was a routine event...then my son drove my car and he experienced the same issue.. now, after a short drive, a mile or so, that smell comes thru the vents whether or not the heater or A/C is on. I've gone to a local dealership (manfredi Chevy dealership of staten island, NY) & their mechanic didn't detect a smell but blame it on something else like a clogged A/C vent and charged me big money. Their mechanic didn't try to duplicate the problem. I am not stupid or senile. My neighbor and others can smell the 'burning rubber' smell especially when using the heater, which I've had to use only in extreme cold weather with the vents closed. My fear is an engine fire. I have called & emailed GM and according to the VIN #, there is no issue for a recall with that criteria, etc. Yet, I go on line and there are thousands of other owners with the same model & year that have the same issue. Some fluid is leaking on a hot engine and burning creating the smell. My children have done some research and have come up with the same complaints and GM denying there's a problem. I only have 15,000 plus miles on that engine...still like new. I hope to keep and drive it for as long as god lets me. I have 11 grandchildren & 7 great grandchildren...and one of them will inherit this car. I'd appreciate any assistance or info on my issue. Thank you
In motion, after roughly 50-100 feet, there is a single "twang" sound underneath the frame. I don't know what it is, but I called GM, but they never heard of such an incident...I'm not complaining, I'm just notifying nhsta... on the "calendar" section of the webpage, it asks, "when did this happen?" I put in today, but it happens every time that I drive the car (it's a good car; I just want to know if there is something loose, or something else...)
Driving a N 80west at 65mph, light comes on and says transmission hot/idle engine I pulled and let car cool for 30 minutes. Light goes off and I proceeded to drive again. After driving about 15 minutes, car started accelerate at a fast pace. I pulled over to shoulder again and and was towed to gray Chevrolet in stroudsburg, pa. They tried to diagnose problem but says it never happened when they drove the car. I now have to now drive my car home nit knowing what happened to the car and if its going to do it again. They gave me a lot of reasons what it could be but couldnt prove it. So it was released back to me.
Clutch smell very strong door dust all over engine car has 9000 miles on it also getting a engine code says cruise control sensor this car don't have cruise control dealer says clutch not under warranty I'm very dissapointed with the power in the engine car has no power for going up any slope or hills way under powered.
Blown turbo/oil cooling system. Replaced, $2050.,, coolant reservoir cracked/ replaced/with labor $200. Valve cover, inner crack(gasket crack) also, $175, , tire total flat(tried to fill with air) tire became flat within 1 minute, , had to buy new tire. $125/.. coil pack replaced, $175, , battery(died), replaced $125// ocu/ replaced, $200// oil plug replaced $27 GM part. Partsdirect price with shipping $7 !!!, I reelly got the shaft on that 1 !! on star cover unglued & fell off, , other than all this, it is the most fuel efficient motor vehicle I have ever owned..I have gotten as much as 54mpg highway, , on a test of 1,10th of a gallon(=12.8oz) 9miles, their is a secret to getting this milage, these replacements have occured over the course of 4.5years, 168000miles. Repairs totalling with tires, oil changes, etc. $5200, eye opener, jaw dropper.
I was driving by myself down a busy road, luckily not too busy with traffic and the service engine soon light came on with comment stability traction. I immediately pulled over, turned the car off and called our Chevy dealer. I was instructed to leave the car off a few minutes then turn it back on which I did. All the lights went away. I scheduled an appointment for several days later to have the car checked. The car was fine the rest of the day. The next day around 3 pm I was leaving work the stability traction light came on and then the reduced engine speed light came on. My car dropped to 10 miles an hour I was about rear ended. I turned on hazards. I right at an intersection, I started blowing my horn cause the light turned yellow. I turned into a parking lot. I immediately turned the car off and called the dealer again. The guy on the phone stated turn the car off and on for a few minutes and it did reset. He said I see you have an upcoming appointment. I said yes but I am dropping the car off tonight and he stated okay. Next day they phone me and the"throttle body" was bad. Many, many complaints online about this. He stated he also had to replace the outlet housing, something to do with oil. This was just re-placed 15 months ago but was now out of warranty. A day later I was out $1,053.99. Luckily I had the money! my point is not only myself but others, many others all over the internet have issues with this throttle body. Why not recall it" do you realize what danger I was in??" thank you.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Greenville, MS, USA