2016 Chevrolet Cruze problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Engine (52) · Power Train (23) · Fuel/Propulsion System (20)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Chevrolet Cruze model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
149 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (4)
Fuel System, Gasoline 2018-05-10 · campaign 18V304000 · 111,966 vehicles
Defect: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Chevrolet Cruze LS vehicles, equipped with a gasoline engine and a tire inflator kit instead of a spare tire. The vehicles may leak gasoline following a rear-impact crash and a rollover. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 301, "Fuel System Integrity."
Risk: A fuel leak, in the presence of an ignition source, increases the risk of a fire.
Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will install a lock-ring on the fuel tank that will shield the fuel tank vapor pressure sensor from damage in a rear-impact crash, free of charge. The recall began June 7, 2018. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 18159.
Seats:front Assembly:head Restraint 2017-01-26 · campaign 17V057000 · 17,197 vehicles
Defect: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2016-2017 Chevrolet Cruze vehicles. A bracket used in the driver or front passenger seat-back recliner mechanism may have been incorrectly welded to the seat-back frame, as a result, in the event of a crash, the head-restraints may not function properly. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 202a, "Head Restraints."
Risk: In a crash, the seat-backs for the front seats may break, increasing the risk of injury to the occupants.
Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the front passenger seats, replacing any with seat-back frames that are incorrectly welded, free of charge. The recall began on February 28, 2017. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 17035.
Electrical System:ignition 2016-07-05 · campaign 16V502000 · 8,367 vehicles
Defect: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Buick Verano and 2016 Chevrolet Malibu as the electronic park lock lever may allow the ignition key to be removed without the transmission being in PARK. Also, certain 2013 Buick Encore, 2011 Buick Regal, 2013-2014 Buick Verano, 2011-2016 Chevrolet Cruze, 2010-2013 Chevrolet Equinox 2013-2015 Chevrolet Malibu, and 2011-2013 GMC Terrain vehicles may have been serviced with similar defective replacement electronic park lock lever
Risk: If the key is removed without the transmission in PARK, the vehicle may rollaway as occupants are exiting, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and if necessary replace the key cylinder lock housing, free of charge. The recall began on October 14, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, Buick 1-800-521-7300, and GMC 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 50490 and 50491.
Exterior Lighting:headlights 2016-07-01 · campaign 16V498000 · 32,913 vehicles
Defect: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2016 Cruze vehicles manufactured November 5, 2015, to May 26, 2016. The headlight assemblies are not marked with a three-digit identifier code used to properly aim the headlights. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Assoc. Equipment."
Risk: Without the identification code, the headlights may be improperly aimed during service, reducing nighttime visibility and increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: GM will mail owners instructions and adhesive labels, with the correct code, to install on their headlight assemblies. Owners may also bring the vehicle to a GM dealership for any assistance with applying the label, free of charge. The recall began on August 11, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet Customer Service Department at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 50190.
Service bulletins (1,332)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Unknown Or Other 2026-09-26 · PIT5698F · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this pi provides diagnostics tips on how the lin bus works and how to diagnosis it.
Unknown Or Other 2026-09-04 · PIP4902W · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email gds2 session logs into technical assistance.
Unknown Or Other 2026-07-21 · PIT5099J · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
pi to help diagnose a/c concern
Unknown Or Other 2026-04-01 · PIT3271Q · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this preliminary information communicates information about how to determine if a wheel and tires size change is available.
Unknown Or Other 2026-03-09 · PIP6104 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this preliminary information communicates the steps on how to save a gds2 session log and upload to a technical assistance case in cx connect.
Unknown Or Other 2026-03-09 · PIP4902V · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email gds2 session logs into technical assistance.
Showing the 6 most recent of 1,332 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-09-17 · Vehicle Speed Control“i am filing this complaint due to repeated mechanical and safety problems with my 2016 chevrolet cruze. the vehicle has had ongoing acceleration problems, including times when it would not accelerate properly even with the a/c on its lowest setting. the turbocharger has needed to be replaced multiple times, yet acceleration problems have continued…”
2026-08-27 · Service Brakes“car has been overheating run while i take the keys out doors will lock with keys in the ignition lots of lights will come on car will slow way down constantly adding antifreeze in it heat and air will stop working i have had trouble ever since i bought this a year ago…”
2026-08-24 · Engine“manufacturer: general motors / chevrolet vehicle: 2016 chevrolet cruze lt (vin: [xxx]) corporate case number: xxx nature of dispute: premature mechanical failure of a major drivetrain assembly and administrative bad faith. factual timeline: initial failure & prior liability: at 51,490 miles, the vehicle suffered a mechanical failure of the turbocha…”
2026-06-22 · Unknown Or Other“after 3 years of having this car it’s overheating each summer requiring the coolant system, hoses, thermostat, and water pump to be replaced each summer. as well as major oil leaking after full tune ups. …”
2026-05-09 · Fuel/Propulsion System“my engine needed oil i checked the dip stick added the oil the next day my engine started leaking and over heating come to find out there’s a pcv issue the valve cover gasket along with multiple other seals need replaced i was unaware of anything wrong no indication of over heating i just smelled the heat and was able to see after popping the hood …”
2026-04-15 · Steering“while driving, i went to make a right turn and the power steering went out making the turn very difficult using manual muscle to complete the turn. fortunately, it was in a parking lot. after the ignition was turned off for about 45 minutes, i turned it back on and the steering functioned normally. however, i am very concerned if this problem wo…”
2026-04-13 · Unknown Or Other“there has been no accident to report. my check engine light comes on periodically and will remain on for a lengthy time. it is the light that looks like a water spigot. when i have it checked they say it’s either the “turbo” or “air filter” . i can. it get a clear answer as to what it is and why it comes on or how to fix the problem. my car is actu…”
2025-10-24 · Service Brakes“the rear brakes lights have a crack causing water to leak through. the water caused damage to the converter output…”
2025-08-18 · Electrical System · 56,639 mi“the contact owns a 2016 chevrolet cruze. the contact stated that upon returning to the parked vehicle, while attempting to unlock the doors with the key fob, the doors failed to open. the contact was able to open the door manually using the key. the contact stated that upon entering the vehicle and closing the front driver's side door, the doors lo…”
2025-04-15 · Unknown Or Other“my husband was driving and noticed smoke coming from the engine so we pulled over and he lifted the hood and when he did we clearly saw a part of the bosch manifold absolute pressure map sensor had come off and appeared to have melted off. i have taken it to a mechanic and have photos to show the exact parts.…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.