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2012 Chevrolet Cruze

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Cruze years

Owner complaints for the 2012 Chevrolet Cruze are substantially higher than the model-year median of 250.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

716 reports with mileage · 149 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Engine. Review the 268 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 196 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Service Brakes. Review the 142 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

62 crash reports18 fire reports21 injury reports

Engine complaints

268 reports
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65,000 miles · Jan 26, 2014
Engine

DRIVING ON RURAL ROAD TEMPERATURE GAUGE WENT ALL THE WAY TO HOT. STOPPED CAR LOOKED UNDER HOOD THERE WAS NO LIQUID IN THE ANTIFREEZE TANK WENT TO A HOUSE AND GOT WATER TO FILL IT UP. TEMP GAUGE WENT BACK TO NORMAL. CHECK ENGINE STAYED ON. TOOK CAR TO DEALER FOR INSPECTION THEY SAID THERMOSTAT HOUSING REPLACED . EVERY THING FINE.…

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DRIVING ON RURAL ROAD TEMPERATURE GAUGE WENT ALL THE WAY TO HOT. STOPPED CAR LOOKED UNDER HOOD THERE WAS NO LIQUID IN THE ANTIFREEZE TANK WENT TO A HOUSE AND GOT WATER TO FILL IT UP. TEMP GAUGE WENT BACK TO NORMAL. CHECK ENGINE STAYED ON. TOOK CAR TO DEALER FOR INSPECTION THEY SAID THERMOSTAT HOUSING REPLACED . EVERY THING FINE. ON 1/24/2014 THE SAME THING HAPPENED THIS TIME THE COOLING FAN WAS RACING LIKE I HAD NEVER HEARD BEFORE PULLED IN TO A MALL PARKING LOT RAISED HOOD ANTIFREEZE TANK EMPTY. I LOOKED AND SAW GREEN LIQUID WHERE THE PIPE FROM ANTIFREEZE TANK CONNECTS TO THE ENGINE . THE VEHICLE IS DEFINITELY LOOSING ANTIFREEZE WHERE THE COOLANT GOES IN TO THE ENGINE.. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME I ALMOST BURNED THE ENGINE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10561502

16,000 miles · Jan 21, 2014
EngineInjury

NOXIOUS COOLANT SMELL INSIDE VEHICLE WHEN HEATER IS ON. COOLANT SMELL COMING FROM ENGINE COMPARTMENT WHEN IT IS WARM. THE WATER PUMP HAS BEEN CHANGED, NEXT REPAIR WAS RE ROUTING COOLANT RESERVOIR, NEXT REPAIR WAS MOLD FOUND IN HEATER CORE COMPARTMENT/CLEANED AND DEODERIZER WAS USED, LAST REPAIR WAS HEATER CORE CASE REPLACED. …

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NOXIOUS COOLANT SMELL INSIDE VEHICLE WHEN HEATER IS ON. COOLANT SMELL COMING FROM ENGINE COMPARTMENT WHEN IT IS WARM. THE WATER PUMP HAS BEEN CHANGED, NEXT REPAIR WAS RE ROUTING COOLANT RESERVOIR, NEXT REPAIR WAS MOLD FOUND IN HEATER CORE COMPARTMENT/CLEANED AND DEODERIZER WAS USED, LAST REPAIR WAS HEATER CORE CASE REPLACED. THIS PROBLEM STARTED WITH A LEAKING WATER PUMP AND HAS NOT BEEN ADDRESSED. SEEMS GM IS TRYING DIFFERENT REPAIRS IN HOPES IT WILL BE FIXED. THE PROBLEM DOESN'T,T SEEM TO BE DIAGNOSED. ONLY HAPPENS IN COLD WEATHER MONTHS WITH THE HEATER ON. HEATED AIR FROM THE VENTS SMELL LIKE BURNED COOLANT. VERY IRRITATING TO THE EYES AND THROAT, EYES ARE WATERY AND SWOLLEN, VERY DIFFICULT TO SEE AND DRIVE. THEN SEVERE COUGHING. WE CAN NOT SAFELY DRIVE LONGER THAN 20 MINUTES. MY DEALER TELLS ME THEY NEVER HEARD OF THIS PROBLEM YET IS QUICK SEARCH OF THE INTERNET SHOWS MANY DOCUMENTED CASES. THE SMELL OF COOLANT IS IN OUR CLOTHES AND THE FABRIC OF THE INTERIOR OF THE CAR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10560892

12,000 miles · Jan 21, 2014
Engine

ENGINE DOES NOT MAINTAIN ENGINE TEMPERATURE AND CONSEQUENTLY DOES NOT HAVE CONSISTENT HEAT. IT WILL GO FROM 170 DEGREES TO 100 IN LESS THAN 3 BLOCKS. THIS WILL CAUSE THE WINDOWS TO FROST OVER AND LIMIT VISIBILITY. IT HAS BECOME UNSAFE TO DRIVE IN THE WINTER. IT HAS BEEN IN FOR REPAIRS ABOUT 8 TIMES IN TWO YEARS WITH NO SUCCES…

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ENGINE DOES NOT MAINTAIN ENGINE TEMPERATURE AND CONSEQUENTLY DOES NOT HAVE CONSISTENT HEAT. IT WILL GO FROM 170 DEGREES TO 100 IN LESS THAN 3 BLOCKS. THIS WILL CAUSE THE WINDOWS TO FROST OVER AND LIMIT VISIBILITY. IT HAS BECOME UNSAFE TO DRIVE IN THE WINTER. IT HAS BEEN IN FOR REPAIRS ABOUT 8 TIMES IN TWO YEARS WITH NO SUCCESS. I ALSO CONTACTED CHEVROLET CUSTOMER CARE. THEY TOLD ME NOT TO TURN THE HEATER FAN IN PAST LEVEL 2 UNTIL THE ENGINE REACHES OPERATING TEMPERATURE. THE PROBLEM IS THAT IT RARELY DOES OR HOLDS IT VERY LONG. THIS WINTER IN MN HAS RANGED ALL THE WAY TO -20. REGARDLESS OF TEMPERATURE IT DOES THE SAME THING. MY RESEARCH INDICATES THIS HAS BEEN AN ISSUE WITH THE CRUZE AT LEAST SINCE 2011. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10560761

900 miles · Jan 18, 2014
EnginePower Train

COOLANT SMELL INSIDE VEHICLE CABIN AND OUTSIDE OF VEHICLE. NOTICED WHEN I FIRST PURCHASED THE CAR DURING THE WINTER. THIS OCCURS AFTER EXTENDED DRIVES, TYPICALLY MORE THAN 30 MINUTES, DURING COLD WEATHER WHEN USING THE HEAT. PROBLEM HAS PROGRESSIVELY GOTTEN WORSE. GM HAS LOOKED INTO IT APPROXIMATELY 8 TIMES. 4 REPAIR ATTEMP…

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COOLANT SMELL INSIDE VEHICLE CABIN AND OUTSIDE OF VEHICLE. NOTICED WHEN I FIRST PURCHASED THE CAR DURING THE WINTER. THIS OCCURS AFTER EXTENDED DRIVES, TYPICALLY MORE THAN 30 MINUTES, DURING COLD WEATHER WHEN USING THE HEAT. PROBLEM HAS PROGRESSIVELY GOTTEN WORSE. GM HAS LOOKED INTO IT APPROXIMATELY 8 TIMES. 4 REPAIR ATTEMPTS (COOLANT RESERVOIR CAP REPLACEMENT, WATER PUMP, COOLANT RESERVOIR MODIFICATION AND HVAC ASSEMBLY REPLACEMENT). PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN RESOLVED. INTERNET SEARCH HAS REVEALED MANY OWNERS EXPERIENCING THE SAME CONDITION, AS WELL AS A CLASS ACTION LAW SUIT DUE TO THE COOLANT SMELL INSIDE THE VEHICLE CABIN. THIS IS A HEALTH RISK TO ALL OCCUPANTS. FURTHER RESEARCH REVEALED AFFECTED MODELS INCLUDE THE: CRUZE, MALIBU AND SONIC. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10560521

48,000 miles · Nov 28, 2013
EngineCrashInjury

I BOUGHT A 2012 CHEVY CRUZE RECEIVED RECALL LETTER FIRST OF 10/13 WAS STATED IN LETTER NO PARTS WERE AVAILABLE BUT WHEN THEY WERE I WOULD GET IT FIXED FREE. I APPROACHED INTERSECTION MY BRAKE WENT TO FLOOR WAS T BONED AND TOTAL LOSS OF MY CAR THIS CAR HAS 6 AIRBAGS NONE OF THEM DEPLOYED ..NOT GETTING ANYWHERE WITH GM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10554053

600 miles · Oct 17, 2013
EngineEngine And Engine CoolingPower Train

TO BEGIN WITH,I HAVE HAD SEVERAL PROBLEMS WITH MY 2012 CHEVY CRUZE AND HAVE BEEN GIVEN THE RUNAROUND. MY FIRST CONCERN IS THAT I BOUGHT MY 2012 CHEVY CRUZE ON 09/18/2012 AND WAS NOTIFIED DAYS LATER OF A MAJOR SAFETY RECALL ABOUT THE POSSIBILITY OF ENGINE FIRES FROM FLUID SPILLS. I FIND OUT THAT THIS RECALL WAS ANNOUNCED ON 06/22…

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TO BEGIN WITH,I HAVE HAD SEVERAL PROBLEMS WITH MY 2012 CHEVY CRUZE AND HAVE BEEN GIVEN THE RUNAROUND. MY FIRST CONCERN IS THAT I BOUGHT MY 2012 CHEVY CRUZE ON 09/18/2012 AND WAS NOTIFIED DAYS LATER OF A MAJOR SAFETY RECALL ABOUT THE POSSIBILITY OF ENGINE FIRES FROM FLUID SPILLS. I FIND OUT THAT THIS RECALL WAS ANNOUNCED ON 06/22/12.(NHTSA CAMPAIGN #:12V288000) WHY WAS I SOLD A VEHICLE THAT WAS UNDER RECALL FOR 3 MONTHS? AND WAS NEVER EVEN MENTIONED PRIOR OR POST SALE. ONSTAR HAD TO NOTIFY ME AND THEN I HAD TO GET IT FIXED. MY SECOND CONCERN IS THAT THERE IS AN COOLANT SMELL IN THE CAB OF THE VEHICLE AND ALTHOUGH NOT ALWAYS NOTICEABLE, IT IS MORE NOTICEABLE IN COLDER WEATHER. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER AND THEY PLAYED STUPID AND SAID THEY DON'T SMELL ANYTHING AND THAT THE SMELL COULD BE A "DIRTY CABIN AIR-FILTER"? NOBODY WANTS TO SMELL COOLANT WHEN DRIVING!! MY THIRD CONCERN IS THAT WHEN TAKING OFF FROM A DEAD STOP OR ACCELERATING AFTER LETTING OFF THE GAS FOR A SECOND THE VEHICLE ALMOST ALWAYS SHIFTS ROUGHLY. TOOK TO DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT ITS PROBABLY JUST THE "TURBO KICKING IN". MY FOURTH CONCERN IS ABOUT THE RECALL (NHTSA CAMPAIGN #:12V288000) MY VEHICLE(WHERE THE ENGINE SHIELD WAS) IS ALREADY RUSTING AND IS A VERY BIG CONCERN WITH THE FUTURE OF MY VEHICLE(EVEN AFTER WARRANTY PERIOD) RUST NEVER GOES WELL WITH A VEHICLE! I'M CONCERNED THAT PARTS WILL WEAR PREMATURELY BECAUSE OF THIS! NOT TO MENTION THAT I AM GETTING LESS MPG SINCE THE SHIELDS BEEN REMOVED. NOW TODAY I GET ANOTHER MAJOR SAFETY RECALL ABOUT MY BRAKES.(NHTSA CAMPAIGN #:13V360000) WHICH WOULD EXPLAIN WHY MY BRAKES SOMETIMES REQUIRE ME TO PRESS THEM REALLY HARD ALL THE WAY DOWN TO STOP IT. IT CURRENTLY SITS AT AROUND 26,000 MILES, I AM THUS FAR VERY DISSATISFIED WITH THE VEHICLE. I DON'T KNOW MY OPTIONS BUT KNOW THAT IF THINGS DON'T START LOOKING BETTER, I WILL NEVER BUY CHEVY OR RECOMMEND CHEVY AGAIN. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10548191

61,000 miles · Sep 23, 2013
Engine

STARTED VEHICLE DROVE 2 MILES ENGINE RPM STARTED INCREASING WITHOUT PRESSING EXCELLERATOR I LOOKED DOWN AT TEMPERATURE GAGE AND IT WAS MAXED ALL THE WAY TO HOT. STOPPED THE TURNED ENGINE OFF RAISED THE HOOD COULDN'T SEE ANY REASON FOR CAR TO BE HOT IN SUCH A SHORT DISTANCE OF DRIVING. AFTER ABOUT 45 MINUTES STARTED CAR UP CHE…

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STARTED VEHICLE DROVE 2 MILES ENGINE RPM STARTED INCREASING WITHOUT PRESSING EXCELLERATOR I LOOKED DOWN AT TEMPERATURE GAGE AND IT WAS MAXED ALL THE WAY TO HOT. STOPPED THE TURNED ENGINE OFF RAISED THE HOOD COULDN'T SEE ANY REASON FOR CAR TO BE HOT IN SUCH A SHORT DISTANCE OF DRIVING. AFTER ABOUT 45 MINUTES STARTED CAR UP CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON WILL NOT GO OFF. THE CAR INFORMATION CENTER SAID OIL LIFE ZERO. THE OIL WAS CHANGED 3000 MILE AGO. A WEEK BEFORE I CHECKED THE INFO CENTER ON OIL LIFE AND IT SAID 60% LUCKLY I LIVE IN A RURAL AREA NOT IN A CITY WITH TRAFFIC. WHEN THE ENGINE REVED UP IT SPED UP AND MY FOOT WAS OFF THE GAS.

NHTSA ODI #10544899

400 miles · Aug 7, 2013
Electrical SystemEngine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET CRUZE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE NAVIGATIONAL SYSTEM PROVIDED FAILED AND WOULD PROVIDE ERRONEOUS DIRECTIONS. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED ABOUT THE PUSH-TO-START BUTTON FEATURE BECAUSE THE VEHICLE COULD BE STARTED WITHIN FIVE MINUTES OF BEING PARKED WITHOUT THE KEY BEING USED. IN…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET CRUZE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE NAVIGATIONAL SYSTEM PROVIDED FAILED AND WOULD PROVIDE ERRONEOUS DIRECTIONS. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED ABOUT THE PUSH-TO-START BUTTON FEATURE BECAUSE THE VEHICLE COULD BE STARTED WITHIN FIVE MINUTES OF BEING PARKED WITHOUT THE KEY BEING USED. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PUSH-TO-START FEATURE COULD NOT RECOGNIZE THE KEY WHILE IT WAS IN THE TRUNK OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES FOR THE FAILURES. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE NAVIGATIONAL SYSTEM CHIP NEEDED TO BE UPDATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALSO CONTACTED AND ADVISED THAT THE PUSH-TO-START FEATURE WAS OPERATING AS DESIGNED AND THAT THE VEHICLE COULD NOT READ THE KEY WHILE IT WAS IN THE TRUNK BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT EQUIPPED WITH THE ONSTAR SYSTEM THAT WAS ABLE TO PERFORM THAT FUNCTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 400 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 10,500.

NHTSA ODI #10534072

30,000 miles · Jun 18, 2013
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET CRUZE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE AIR CONDITIONER FAILED AND EMITTED HOT AIR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHO CONFIRMED THAT THE CONDENSER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMAT…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET CRUZE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE AIR CONDITIONER FAILED AND EMITTED HOT AIR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHO CONFIRMED THAT THE CONDENSER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 31,000. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10520413

8,000 miles · Jun 10, 2013
Engine

I DON'T BELIEVE THE CURRENT RESOLUTION TO GM'S RECALL ON THE CHEVY CRUZE CONCERNING THE ENGINE SPLASH PAN IS ADEQUATE AS IT ONLY ADDRESSES SAFETY AND NOT CUSTOMER SATISFACTION. AS THIS PART DIRECTLY AFFECTS THE FUEL MILEAGE AS ADVERTISED AS WELL AS THE DEGRADATION OF UNDERWOOD PARTS DUE TO WATER ENCROACHMENT, I DON'T BELIEVE BUT…

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I DON'T BELIEVE THE CURRENT RESOLUTION TO GM'S RECALL ON THE CHEVY CRUZE CONCERNING THE ENGINE SPLASH PAN IS ADEQUATE AS IT ONLY ADDRESSES SAFETY AND NOT CUSTOMER SATISFACTION. AS THIS PART DIRECTLY AFFECTS THE FUEL MILEAGE AS ADVERTISED AS WELL AS THE DEGRADATION OF UNDERWOOD PARTS DUE TO WATER ENCROACHMENT, I DON'T BELIEVE BUTCHERING THE EXISTING PAN IS FAIR TO THE CONSUMER. AT THE LEAST, THE REDESIGNED PAN ON THE 2013 AND ANY OR ALL UPDATES MADE TO THE 2013 MODEL REGARDING THIS SAFETY ISSUE ARE WHAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN COMPLETED. I AM NOT SATISFIED WITH THE CURRENT SOLUTION IN THAT I NO LONGER HAVE WHAT I PAID FOR DUE TO SAID RECALL AND ITS POOR SOLUTION. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10516093

Official recalls

7

16V502000 · Electrical System:ignition; Power Train:automatic Transmission:control Module (tcm/pcm/tecm)

Jul 5, 2016

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 levers. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 114, "Theft Protection and Rollaway Prevention."

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If the key is removed without the transmission in PARK, the vehicle may rollaway as occupants are exiting, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy: 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.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Electrical System:ignition

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 levers. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 114, "Theft Protection and Rollaway Prevention."

Consequence: If the key is removed without the transmission in PARK, the vehicle may rollaway as occupants are exiting, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy: 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.

Power Train:automatic Transmission:control Module (tcm/pcm/tecm)

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 levers. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 114, "Theft Protection and Rollaway Prevention."

Consequence: If the key is removed without the transmission in PARK, the vehicle may rollaway as occupants are exiting, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy: 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.

14V300000 · Air Bags

Jun 6, 2014

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2012 Buick Verano vehicles manufactured December 2, 2011 to July, 16, 2012, Chevrolet Cruze vehicles manufactured December 7, 2011 to July 25, 2012, Chevrolet Sonic vehicles manufactured December 5, 2011 to August 2, 2012, and Chevrolet Camaro vehicles manufactured December 1, 2011 to June 11, 2012. The driver side frontal air bag has a shorting bar which may intermittently contact the air bag terminals.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If the bar and terminals are contacting each other at the time of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, that air bag will not deploy, increasing the driver's risk of injury.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the steering wheel air bag coil, free of charge. The recall began on July 25, 2014. Chevrolet owners may contact GM at 1-800-222-1020. Buick owners may contact GM at 1-800-521-7300. Note: This is an expansion of recalls 12V-522 and 13V-023.

13V360000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:power Assist

Aug 15, 2013

General Motors (GM) is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 Chevrolet Cruze vehicles equipped with 1.4L DOHC gasoline turbo engines and 6T40 front wheel drive automatic transmissions and equipped with an electric vacuum pump to provide supplemental vacuum for brake assist, when needed. In the affected vehicles, the pump may not activate, resulting in an intermittent reduction or loss of brake assist.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A loss of braking assistance will require extra pedal force and/or distance to bring the vehicle to a stop, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: General Motors will notify owners, and dealers will replace a microswitch in the power brake vacuum pipe assembly, free of charge. The recall began on October 7, 2013. Owners may contact Chevrolet at 1-800-222-1020. GM's recall number is 12213.

13V023000 · Air Bags

Jan 24, 2013

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2012 Chevrolet Camaro, Cruze and Sonic, and model year 2012 Buick Verano vehicles. The driver side frontal air bag has a shorting bar which may intermittently contact the air bag terminals.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If the bar and terminals are contacting each other at the time of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, that air bag will not deploy, increasing the driver's risk of injury.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the steering wheel air bag coil, free of charge. The safety recall began on February 13, 2013. Owners may contact General Motors at 1-800-521-7300.

12V522000 · Air Bags

Oct 31, 2012

General Motors is recalling certain model year 2012 Buick Verano, Chevrolet Cruze, and Chevrolet Sonic vehicles. The driver side frontal air bag has a shorting bar which may intermittently contact the air bag terminals.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If the bar and terminals are contacting each other at the time of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal airbag, that airbag will not deploy, increasing the driver's risk of injury.

Remedy: General Motors will notify owners, and dealers will replace the steering wheel airbag coil, free of charge. The safety recall began on January 11, 2013. Owners may contact General Motors at 1-800-521-7300.

12V288000 · Engine And Engine Cooling

Jun 22, 2012

GENERAL MOTORS (GM) IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 AND 2012 CHEVROLET CRUZE VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 2, 2009, THROUGH MAY 31, 2012. SPILLED OR DRIPPING OIL (SUCH AS AFTER AN OIL CHANGE) MAY COLLECT IN THE ENGINE SHIELD (BELLYPAN) NEAR HOT ENGINE OR EXHAUST SYSTEM SURFACES. AS A RESULT, THE OIL AND THE ENGINE SHIELD MAY IGNITE AND BURN.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: EITHER CONDITION COULD RESULT IN AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE, POSSIBLY CAUSING INJURY OR DEATH.

Remedy: GM WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL MODIFY THE ENGINE SHIELD TO PREVENT FLUID FROM CONTACTING THE SHIELD. ALSO, ON VEHICLES WITH A MANUAL TRANSMISSION, DEALERS WILL APPLY A PROTECTIVE TAPE TO THE ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING WIRE HARNESS. REPAIRS WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE TO THE OWNER. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 10, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT THE CHEVROLET OWNER CENTER AT 1-866-694-6546.

12V289000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly:mounting

Jun 22, 2012

GENERAL MOTORS (GM) IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 AND 2012 CHEVROLET CRUZE VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 2, 2009, THROUGH MAY 14, 2012. ATTACHMENT WELDS FOR THE FUEL TANK STRAP SECONDARY BRACKETS MAY HAVE BEEN OMITTED.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THE FUEL TANK COULD COME LOOSE IN A CRASH, POSSIBLY ALLOWING FUEL TO LEAK FROM THE TANK. A FUEL LEAK IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy: GM WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE VEHICLE FOR MISSING WELDS. IF THE VEHICLE IS MISSING WELDS, DEALERS WILL SECURE THE BRACKET ATTACHMENTS WITH FASTENERS. REPAIRS WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 9, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT THE CHEVROLET OWNER CENTER AT 1-866-694-6546.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

3

RQ13002 · Air Bag Non-deployment

Opened May 31, 2013 · Closed Jul 9, 2014

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Air Bags; Air Bags:frontal; Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module

General Motors (GM) has initiated a safety recall of 31,520 model year (MY) 2012 Buick Verano and Chevrolet Camaro, Cruze and Sonic vehicles to address a defect condition that could result in the primary or secondary stage air bag not deploying.These vehicles are a small percentage of all MY 2012 vehicles and were built on several specific production dates broadly ranging from December 1, 2011 to August 2, 2012 (see NHTSA recall 14V-300 for more information).Also, see attached additional report for more information.This investigation was opened to evaluate the scope of two uninfluenced safety recalls (NHTSA recalls 12V-522 and 13V-023) of certain MY 2012 Verano, Camaro, Cruze and Sonic vehicles.These recalls involved the same defect issue as the new recall mentioned above.Accordingly, this investigation is closed based on the recall actions GM is undertaking.

Additional source detail variants (6)

Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module

General Motors (GM) has initiated a safety recall of 31,520 model year (MY) 2012 Buick Verano and Chevrolet Camaro, Cruze and Sonic vehicles to address a defect condition that could result in the primary or secondary stage air bag not deploying.These vehicles are a small percentage of all MY 2012 vehicles and were built on several specific production dates broadly ranging from December 1, 2011 to August 2, 2012 (see NHTSA recall 14V-300 for more information).Also, see attached additional report for more information.This investigation was opened to evaluate the scope of two uninfluenced safety recalls (NHTSA recalls 12V-522 and 13V-023) of certain MY 2012 Verano, Camaro, Cruze and Sonic vehicles.These recalls involved the same defect issue as the new recall mentioned above.Accordingly, this investigation is closed based on the recall actions GM is undertaking.

Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module

General Motors (GM) has initiated a safety recall of 31,520 model year (MY) 2012 Buick Verano and Chevrolet Camaro, Cruze and Sonic vehicles to address a defect condition that could result in the primary or secondary stage air bag not deploying.These vehicles are a small percentage of all MY 2012 vehicles and were built on several specific production dates broadly ranging from December 1, 2011 to August 2, 2012 (see NHTSA recall 14V-300 for more information).Also, see attached additional report for more information.This investigation was opened to evaluate the scope of two uninfluenced safety recalls (NHTSA recalls 12V-522 and 13V-023) of certain MY 2012 Verano, Camaro, Cruze and Sonic vehicles.These recalls involved the same defect issue as the new recall mentioned above.Accordingly, this investigation is closed based on the recall actions GM is undertaking.

Air Bags:frontal

General Motors (GM) has initiated a safety recall of 31,520 model year (MY) 2012 Buick Verano and Chevrolet Camaro, Cruze and Sonic vehicles to address a defect condition that could result in the primary or secondary stage air bag not deploying.These vehicles are a small percentage of all MY 2012 vehicles and were built on several specific production dates broadly ranging from December 1, 2011 to August 2, 2012 (see NHTSA recall 14V-300 for more information).Also, see attached additional report for more information.This investigation was opened to evaluate the scope of two uninfluenced safety recalls (NHTSA recalls 12V-522 and 13V-023) of certain MY 2012 Verano, Camaro, Cruze and Sonic vehicles.These recalls involved the same defect issue as the new recall mentioned above.Accordingly, this investigation is closed based on the recall actions GM is undertaking.

Air Bags:frontal

General Motors (GM) has initiated a safety recall of 31,520 model year (MY) 2012 Buick Verano and Chevrolet Camaro, Cruze and Sonic vehicles to address a defect condition that could result in the primary or secondary stage air bag not deploying.These vehicles are a small percentage of all MY 2012 vehicles and were built on several specific production dates broadly ranging from December 1, 2011 to August 2, 2012 (see NHTSA recall 14V-300 for more information).Also, see attached additional report for more information.This investigation was opened to evaluate the scope of two uninfluenced safety recalls (NHTSA recalls 12V-522 and 13V-023) of certain MY 2012 Verano, Camaro, Cruze and Sonic vehicles.These recalls involved the same defect issue as the new recall mentioned above.Accordingly, this investigation is closed based on the recall actions GM is undertaking.

Air Bags

General Motors (GM) has initiated a safety recall of 31,520 model year (MY) 2012 Buick Verano and Chevrolet Camaro, Cruze and Sonic vehicles to address a defect condition that could result in the primary or secondary stage air bag not deploying.These vehicles are a small percentage of all MY 2012 vehicles and were built on several specific production dates broadly ranging from December 1, 2011 to August 2, 2012 (see NHTSA recall 14V-300 for more information).Also, see attached additional report for more information.This investigation was opened to evaluate the scope of two uninfluenced safety recalls (NHTSA recalls 12V-522 and 13V-023) of certain MY 2012 Verano, Camaro, Cruze and Sonic vehicles.These recalls involved the same defect issue as the new recall mentioned above.Accordingly, this investigation is closed based on the recall actions GM is undertaking.

Air Bags

General Motors (GM) has initiated a safety recall of 31,520 model year (MY) 2012 Buick Verano and Chevrolet Camaro, Cruze and Sonic vehicles to address a defect condition that could result in the primary or secondary stage air bag not deploying.These vehicles are a small percentage of all MY 2012 vehicles and were built on several specific production dates broadly ranging from December 1, 2011 to August 2, 2012 (see NHTSA recall 14V-300 for more information).Also, see attached additional report for more information.This investigation was opened to evaluate the scope of two uninfluenced safety recalls (NHTSA recalls 12V-522 and 13V-023) of certain MY 2012 Verano, Camaro, Cruze and Sonic vehicles.These recalls involved the same defect issue as the new recall mentioned above.Accordingly, this investigation is closed based on the recall actions GM is undertaking.

AQ12002 · Chapman Chevrolet / Cruze Engine Recall

Opened Oct 15, 2012 · Closed Oct 20, 2014

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:gasoline

NHTSA opened AQ12-002 to determine whether Chapman Chevrolet of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania complied with the requirements of the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act, 49 U.S.C.Chapter 301 (Safety Act) and its implementing regulations.The Safety Act requires, among other things, that a manufacturer notify its dealers of defects related to motor vehicle safety and non-compliances with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards and, in turn, that a dealer not sell a new vehicle subject to a recall unless the recall remedy has been performed (49 U.S.C. ? 30120(i)). NHTSA issued an information request (IR) letter to Chapman Chevrolet on October 16, 2012.Chapman Chevrolet responded to this request on November 8, 2012.To gather additional information, NHTSA mailed an IR letter to General Motors LLC (GM) on February 25, 2013.GM responded to this request on April 1, 2013.NHTSA then issued a second IR letter to Chapman Chevrolet on July 2, 2013.Chapman Chevrolet supplied their response on July 30, 2013. NHTSA?s investigation indicated that Chapman Chevrolet sold and delivered 23 recalled vehicles that did not have the recall remedy completed at the time the vehicles were delivered to the customers.NHTSA therefore concluded that Chapman Chevrolet was liable for civil penalties for violations of the Safety Act, pursuant to 49 U.S.C. ? 30165.Under a Settlement Agreement dated October 1, 2014, Chapman Chevrolet paid compromised civil penalties in the amount of $50,000.This Audit Query is closed.

PE12010 · Engine Compartment Fire

Opened Mar 28, 2012 · Closed Jul 19, 2012

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine

In a June 21, 2012 letter to NHTSA, General Motors LLC. (GM) submitted a Defect Information Report (DIR) identifying a defect in approximately 413,148 model year (MY) 2011 through 2012 Chevrolet Cruze vehicles manufactured from October 2, 2009 through May 31, 2012 (Recall 12V-288). According to GM, engine oil change procedures can result in spilling or dripping of oil on the engine shield.Also, manual transmission vehicles with a completely worn clutch may cause hydraulic fluid to be expelled from the clutch housing vent hole.If oil, debris or the burning hydraulic fluid contacts hot engine or exhaust system surfaces, and the engine shield, the shield may ignite and burn, leading to a possible engine compartment or vehicle fire.GM and its engine shield supplier, Hanwha, modified the engine shield to address factors that may contribute to engine compartment fire. The redesigned shields were completely implemented in production vehicles by June 2012.The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) analyzed complaint data provided by GM as well as complaints submitted to ODI from consumers. In total, there were 25 unique Chevrolet Cruze reports indicating hot surface ignition due to engine oil or hydraulic fluid contacting hot manifold, exhaust surfaces and the engine shield.Four additional fires were identified that resulted from other or unknown causes, including 1 attributed to a missing oil filler cap.Three fires of unknown cause all involved vehicles equipped with 1.4L L4 turbocharged engines.ODI will continue to monitor field experience in Cruze vehicles equipped with that engine.Owners of the recalled vehicles are notified to take their vehicle to a GM dealer, who will modify the engine shield to prevent oil fluids from contacting the shield.Also, on vehicles with a manual transmission, dealers are to apply a protective tape to the electronic power steering wire harness to prevent any incidents related to this issue. This preliminary evaluation is closed.The ODI reports cited above can be viewed at www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/owners/SearchNHTSAID under the following identification numbers (ODI Nos.): 10456338, 10453754, 10450556, 10446718.