2012 Chevrolet Cruze problems
Owners have filed 1,353 complaints about the 2012 Chevrolet Cruze with NHTSA. Engine accounts for 19.7% of them — narrowly the most common, ahead of electrical system at 14.6%.
Complaints1,353
Crashes104
Fires25
Injuries36
Deaths0
What owners report breaking
Engine 19.7% · 267
Electrical system 14.6% · 197
Service brakes 10.5% · 142
Power train 10.2% · 138
Electronic stability control (ESC) 8.0% · 108
Steering 7.8% · 105
Unknown or other 6.2% · 84
Vehicle speed control 3.8% · 51
Severity
Of those complaints, 104 describe a crash, 25 describe a fire and 36 report an injury.
Reading the numbers
Across the 8 model years of the Chevrolet Cruze in this data, 2012 draws the most complaints of any of them.
Filings have fallen off, 38 in the last three years against 133 in the three before. That is normal as a generation leaves the road.
The median odometer reading at the time of complaint was 54,639 miles.
In owners' own words
I was at a red light and when the light turned green, I was about to push the gas pedal. The vehicle dash read engine power is reduced and shut off. I tried several times to start the vehicle but it shut down saying the same thing on the dash. I'm afraid because someone could have ran into me from the rear and I have a 7yr old daughter. I think this should be handled immediately. This is not safe at all. Engine · reported at 63,000 miles
Have called about this starting 2020. Had 137000. Also previous owner since 99000mi. Drive train & Turbo. Brake assist. Oil leaks, shutting off while driving. Now as of Saturday April 25 2026 Car shut off while driving and has been towed to dealership. Car deemed lemon by GM. In 2020 car to have been replaced I have all service contact numbers as well as my receipts. Car is a death trap. Do better Chevrolet & GM Engine
Fuel damper is literally spraying a steady stream of gasoline inside engine bay. Apparently a very common problem because parts are on back order everywhere I call. My daughter drives this car, and to have her safety in jeopardy is unacceptable. This vehicle was recalled because of oil plate under engine which would pool oil and risk a fire, but gasoline spraying in engine bay has no attention to a recall Engine · reported at 79,000 miles
Verbatim from NHTSA filings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.
Safety recalls
Checking NHTSA for open recalls…