Print this page

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."

7.5

pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
No data
Average Mileage:
25,650 miles
Total Complaints:
11 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

  1. not sure (8 reports)
  2. replace transmission (1 reports)
  3. turbo replacement (1 reports)
  4. turn engine off for awhile and restart engine (1 reports)
2012 Chevrolet Cruze transmission problems

transmission problem

Find something helpful? Spread the word.
Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2012 Chevrolet Cruze:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

2012 Chevrolet Cruze Owner Comments

problem #11

Sep 142016

Cruze LXX 4 Cil

  • Automatic transmission
  • 45,000 miles

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

Hi my Cruz broke down. the toilet Transmission just don't move. first they call and tell me their s nothing wrong he drove it for an hour it ok I. Told him shut it off let it sit 15. Minutes then try again ok. Then they call back ok it needs a new transmission. ok under warranty then they call back I have to pay for a transmission line and a tie rod. Y should I have to pay for the parts there wasn't anything wrong thay broke it take ing it apart it a 2012 with 45000 miles by the way I am a ass master tech. 35 years. Can't get no help cars still at dealer now it still not done 2weeks and I was going to by another GM for. My wife. ????

- Stephen S., Levittown, PA, US

problem #10

Dec 142015

Cruze 4.0L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 54,000 miles

I have taken the car in several times they say it performs like this because it is a 4 cylinder

- Jacqueline K., Markham, IL, US

problem #9

Feb 112016

Cruze

  • Automatic transmission
  • 65,000 miles

I just recently bought a 2012 Cruze 2/11/16 and I don't like it at all, it takes forever to accelerate and it downshifts all the time. Also it feels like it's jumping gears, that's so annoying. The car has been to the shop 4 times since I've had it and they was saying nothing was wrong with it but yet change the ignition coil and a spark plug in the 3rd cylinder. The same problem is going on.

I always have burning smell coming from the vents and they claim its the cabin filter and they changed it but I still have the smell coming through and with my health conditions it's not good. I took it back to the dealership and they claimed the Transmission control Module was bad and they were going to replace it. Well they had the car for 2 weeks and once I picked up my car they only fixed the 3rd and 5th clutch and not the Module as mentioned. The jerking stopped for the most part but the accelerating is still horrible. It doesn't kick in to 1st, 2nd and sometimes 3rd gear until the RPM is at 3000 for some reason and I feel that's NOT normal.

Is anyone else having this problem with their car?

- K J., Columbus, OH, US

problem #8

Feb 032013

Cruze LS

  • Automatic transmission
  • 1,255 miles

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

This 2012 Cruze I currently have is the second I tried. The first one I purchased was a used 2011 Cruze Eco and it had the same slow driving problem. When I took it to the dealer the technicians told me that it was the natural and normal way of that car run, ("there is nothing wrong with the car they said"). I took it and still drove it for few more days and got tired of it and took it back to the dealer and tried returning it but they did not accept it. The only way to get rid of that car was to trade it in, so I did, and that's how I got this 2012 and it still drives the same way:/ It is not a great car to enter the freeway because it does not advance fast enough for you to enter quick as you need, instead you have to wait until car reaches the right speed to enter the freeway. It is frustrating! I would not recommend this car to a friend.

- Maria Teresa A., Norwalk, CA, US

problem #7

Jul 152013

Cruze ECO 4 Cylinders

  • Automatic transmission
  • 34,000 miles

Sluggish pick up is accompanied by Drive D flashing on screen. Drove to dealer and shut off and restarted and sluggish pick up and Drive D not flashing. Check engine light stays on overnight then everything normal again.

- stoffr, Sandia Park, NM, US

problem #6

Feb 142013

Cruze SL V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 9,000 miles

have a cruze that shifts hard. chevy mechanic said he could feel it shift hard but it did not throw a code.

said that cruzes were made to shifting hard. to me this is very weird. think of all the spilt liquid you could have, the damage to the parts inside the transmission. then it goes out and who is paying to have it replaced- the consumer. ours all the sudden jerks so bad it will make you hit your head on the seat. but yet can't report a code?? if this is normal (and that's what the guy said ) then i would tell you all that do not buy a cruze they need to have a fix made to them or the cruze are deliberately a lemon. for the American people. maybe if people stop buying they will stop making them this way.

who's brilliant idea was it to make a hard shifting car?? bets is got low mileage warranty on it too, so when it does go out its not cover. they make them that way give me a brake!

bought 2 chevrolet models at the same time but will think twice about this make when replacing them.

- Jenni S., Riverton, WY, US

problem #5

Feb 102013

Cruze LS

  • Manual transmission
  • 11,000 miles

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

Very sluggish performance when shifting, car has NO get up & for a 6 speed that sux.

ALSO GAS MILEAGE IS EXTREMEMY BAD ......IM GETTING BARELY 24MPG!!!!

- mflick, Victorville, CA, US

problem #4

Jan 012013

Cruze LS

  • Manual transmission
  • 16,700 miles

Cruze is a 6 speed manual.......few times idle got so low it shut off.

It's sluggish till you get thru to like 3rd gear, even worse with AC on.

Car is NOT what it's "deemed" to be at all.....I emailed Chevy/GMAC, they assigned somone & opened a case.

- mflick, Victorville, CA, US

problem #3

Apr 162013

Cruze LT 4 cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 45,904 miles

This is the 3rd time I have taken my car to the shop for the same thing. it loses power and I had a recall on the car. I have had it a year and I have had more problems than what it is worth!!!!!!!

- Wendy M., Edinburg, TX, US

problem #2

Mar 012012

Cruze

  • Automatic transmission
  • 100 miles

I have to agree. This car is a piece of crap! I can't wait to trade it in. If it functions like this now, then how bad would it be 5 years from now??? This thing has NO POWER at all!!! I am so sorry I bought this vehicle and I miss my Toyota Yaris. I should have stayed with that instead!

- dlgblg, Winchester, VA, US

problem #1

Dec 212011

Cruze

  • Automatic transmission
  • 100 miles

I am pissed I bought this car...I should have stayed with Toyota! The car is a slug! No get up and go power. When it's cold it's worse! When you step on gas...it lags out and then has a surge ... I just hope I don't get slammed by another car due to its sluggish acceleration... No has 1800 miles , and i regret having to pay for a new product that is a disgrace to the Chevy name.

- Richard J., Indianapolis, IN, US

Not what you are looking for?