← New search

2016 Chevrolet Cruze

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2016 Chevrolet Cruze do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 250.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

149 reports with mileage · 100 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 102 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 58 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Fuel/propulsion System. Review the 35 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

19 crash reports6 fire reports12 injury reports

Electrical System complaints

58 reports
Clear category filter
Mileage unknown · Feb 13, 2021
Electrical SystemEngineVehicle Speed Control

CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON I PAID OUT OF POCKET FOR 3 DIFFERENT DIAGNOSTICS FOR THEM TO SAY THEY FIXED IT AND STILL HAVE THIS PROBLEM. CAR GOES IN STABILITY TRACK AND REDUCED ENGINE POWER WONT DRIVE OVER 5MPH THIS IS THE SAME PROBLEM I SEE NUMEROUS OTHER PEOPLE WITH THIS CAR ARE COMPLAINING ABOUT WHY ARE YOU GUYS NOT INVESTIGATI…

Read full complaint

CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON I PAID OUT OF POCKET FOR 3 DIFFERENT DIAGNOSTICS FOR THEM TO SAY THEY FIXED IT AND STILL HAVE THIS PROBLEM. CAR GOES IN STABILITY TRACK AND REDUCED ENGINE POWER WONT DRIVE OVER 5MPH THIS IS THE SAME PROBLEM I SEE NUMEROUS OTHER PEOPLE WITH THIS CAR ARE COMPLAINING ABOUT WHY ARE YOU GUYS NOT INVESTIGATING OR RECALLING THIS ENGINE BECAUSE IT'S CLEARLY A MANUFACTURER ISSUE

NHTSA ODI #11396069

70,000 miles · Jan 5, 2021
Electrical SystemEngine

I PURCHASED A 2016 CHEVROLET CRUZE WITH AN AUTO STOP FEATURE. THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED AS A USED VEHICLE IN AUGUST OF 2019. AT THE TIME OF PURCHASE, IT HAD 70,000 MILES ON IT. LESS THAN TWO MONTH INTO HAVING THE VEHICLE, THE CAR STARTED SHUTTING OFF EACH TIME I CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP. THE ONLY WAY TO GET THE CAR MOVING AGAIN W…

Read full complaint

I PURCHASED A 2016 CHEVROLET CRUZE WITH AN AUTO STOP FEATURE. THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED AS A USED VEHICLE IN AUGUST OF 2019. AT THE TIME OF PURCHASE, IT HAD 70,000 MILES ON IT. LESS THAN TWO MONTH INTO HAVING THE VEHICLE, THE CAR STARTED SHUTTING OFF EACH TIME I CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP. THE ONLY WAY TO GET THE CAR MOVING AGAIN WAS BY PLACING IT IN PARK AND RESTARTING THE VEHICLE. THIS ISSUE OCCURS IN ALL SETTINGS INCLUDING CITY STREETS AND HIGHWAYS. I HAVE TO BE IN TRAFFIC IN ORDER FOR THE ISSUE TO PRESENT ITSELF ON THE HIGHWAY. THE ISSUE PRESENTS ITSELF ON THE STREET ANYTIME I STOP AT A LIGHT, STOP SIGN, OR YIELD TO ONCOMING TRAFFIC. IT HAS DONE THIS HUNDREDS OF TIMES TO DATE. I TOOK THE CAR TO A CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP IN OCTOBER OF 2019 SHORTLY AFTER THE ISSUE BEGAN. A REPRESENTATIVE EXPLAINED THAT THIS HAPPENED BECAUSE THE AUTO-STOP COMPONENT WASN'T ABLE TO RECEIVE ENOUGH POWER TO STAY ON. I HAD THE COMPONENT REPLACED OUT OF POCKET, SINCE MY WARRANTY DIDN'T COVER. THE SAME DAY I DROVE THE VEHICLE HOME, THE ISSUE PERSISTED. SINCE THEN, I HAVE ALSO HAD THE BATTERY REPLACED. AS OF NOVEMBER 2020, THE CAR IS STILL EXPERIENCING THE SAME ISSUES, COUPLED WITH A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT THAT COMES ON AND GOES OFF EACH TIME RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE TECHNICIANS HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO PROPERLY DIAGNOSE THIS VEHICLE'S ISSUE AFTER MULTIPLE VISITS. MUCH OF MY TIME AND MONEY HAS BEEN WASTED TRYING TO FIX A VEHICLE WITH NO ACTIVE RECALLS. THIS IS ALSO THE SECOND TIME I AM FILING A COMPLAINT WITH THE NHTSA.

NHTSA ODI #11386555

80,000 miles · Nov 18, 2020
Electrical System

NEGATIVE BATTERY CABLE SHORTED OUT, FAILING A MAIN FUSE AND THE STARTER. CAR TURNED OFF WHILE DRIVING DOWN I-5. WE WERE ABLE TO GET THE CAR TO RESTART ONE TIME, THEN ONCE WE WERE TO A SAFE PLACE TO PULL OVER TURNED OFF THE CAR AND THE ELECTRICAL IN THE CAR WOULD NOT TURN OFF (STEREO, LIGHTS, ETC..) PUSH BUTTON START IN CAR. ONCE…

Read full complaint

NEGATIVE BATTERY CABLE SHORTED OUT, FAILING A MAIN FUSE AND THE STARTER. CAR TURNED OFF WHILE DRIVING DOWN I-5. WE WERE ABLE TO GET THE CAR TO RESTART ONE TIME, THEN ONCE WE WERE TO A SAFE PLACE TO PULL OVER TURNED OFF THE CAR AND THE ELECTRICAL IN THE CAR WOULD NOT TURN OFF (STEREO, LIGHTS, ETC..) PUSH BUTTON START IN CAR. ONCE WE FINALLY GOT EVERYTHING TO TURN OFF THE CAR WOULD NOT START AGAIN AND WAS TOWED TO THE REPAIR SHOP.

NHTSA ODI #11375261

52,000 miles · Sep 30, 2020
Electrical SystemStructure

HIGH-MOUNT STOP LIGHT LEAKING AGAIN AFTER RECALL REPAIR. SCREW MOUNTING HIGH MOUNT STOP LIGHT HAS BACKED OUT AGAIN CAUSING LEAKING ONTO THE HEADLINER AND WATER COLLECTING IN THE BATTERY TUB. DEALER REFUSES TO COVER COST OF FIXING IT DUE TO "WORK WARRANTY" LAPSED. EXTENDED WARRANTY REFUSES TO COVER IT AS IT IS CLASSI…

Read full complaint

HIGH-MOUNT STOP LIGHT LEAKING AGAIN AFTER RECALL REPAIR. SCREW MOUNTING HIGH MOUNT STOP LIGHT HAS BACKED OUT AGAIN CAUSING LEAKING ONTO THE HEADLINER AND WATER COLLECTING IN THE BATTERY TUB. DEALER REFUSES TO COVER COST OF FIXING IT DUE TO "WORK WARRANTY" LAPSED. EXTENDED WARRANTY REFUSES TO COVER IT AS IT IS CLASSIFIED AS A 'TRIM PIECE' EVEN THOUGH IT IS REQUIRED BY D.O.T. I SHOULDN'T HAVE TO PAY TO HAVE THIS FIXED AGAIN AS IT'S ALREADY A KNOWN ISSUE THAT WAS RECALLED ONCE BEFORE AND THEIR 'FIX' OBVIOUSLY DIDN'T WORK.

NHTSA ODI #11361947

Mileage unknown · Sep 23, 2020
Electrical SystemEngine

THE WHOLE ENGINE WENT OUT AND THE AUTO REPAIR SHOP THAT I TOOK IT TOO IS SAYING THE WHOLE ENGINE NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. I'M ALSO NOT THE ONLY WHO IS HAVING THIS PROBLEM WITH THIS CAR. WHAT IS GOING ON IS THAT THE ENGINE IS ALWAYS OVERHEATING AND HAVING PROBLEMS.

NHTSA ODI #11360810

143,000 miles · Aug 24, 2020
Air BagsElectrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)CrashInjury

I WAS IN A CRASH ON JULY 27,2020,PM HOURS.I WAS DRIVING STRAIGHT ON INTERSTATE,IT BEGAN RAINING,I SLOWED DOWN & ADJUSTED TRACTION CONTROL/STABILITY CONTROL SETTING.THE CAR VEERED TO THE RIGHT FOR SOME REASON,I GOT CAR BACK IN STRAIGHT MOTION,THEN IN A SPLIT SECOND,IT SHOT TO THE LEFT OF THE ROAD WAY.I TRIED GAINING CONTROL,TO GE…

Read full complaint

I WAS IN A CRASH ON JULY 27,2020,PM HOURS.I WAS DRIVING STRAIGHT ON INTERSTATE,IT BEGAN RAINING,I SLOWED DOWN & ADJUSTED TRACTION CONTROL/STABILITY CONTROL SETTING.THE CAR VEERED TO THE RIGHT FOR SOME REASON,I GOT CAR BACK IN STRAIGHT MOTION,THEN IN A SPLIT SECOND,IT SHOT TO THE LEFT OF THE ROAD WAY.I TRIED GAINING CONTROL,TO GET BACK IN THE CORRECT LANE,AND THE CAR RAN INTO THE GUARDRAIL IN TRYING TO GET CONTROL OF IT. I DO NOT THINK THAT THE RATE OF SPEED,NOR WEATHER,WERE THE ONLY REASONS FOR THIS ACCIDENT. PRIOR TO THIS CRASH,MONTHS BEFORE,AT VARIOUS TIMES,AND AND FOR NO REASON, THE SERVICE POWER STEERING,AT TIMES THE SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL,AND AT TIMES THE SERVICE STABILITY MESSAGE WOULD APPEAR,ONLY FOR A SPLIT COUPLE OF SECONDS,AT RANDOM TIMES. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON,AND A PRIOR CERTIFIED MECHANIC DIAGNOSED IT AS BANK 1 CATALYCT CONCERTER CLOGGED. WE,WERE TRYING TO GET THE VEHICHLE RE-DIAGNOSED BY A DIFFERENT MECHANIC SHOP,AT THE TIME FRAME THIS ACCIDENT HAPPENED,BUT,COVID 19,MADE THINGS TO DIFFICULT TO ARRANGE AND PLANS WERE IN PROGRESS TO HAVE IT CHECKED ASAP.I BELEIVE THE VEHICHLE HAD A MALFUNCTION AND HOPE TO GET THE SENSORS,COMPUTERS,RELAYS OR ANY OTHER CHECKED OUT BY YOU,NOT ONLY GM. EVERY AIRBAG ALONG DOORS OF CAR DEPLOYED.BUT, THE STEERING WHEEL AIRBAG DID NOT. MY HEAD HIT EITHER THE STEERING WHEEL OR WINDSHEILD. I HAD A BLOW TO MY HEAD. IF ALL OTHER AIRBAGS DEPLOYED,THEN I FEEL STEERING WHEEL BAG SHOULD HAVE ALSO. THIS IS SERIOUS MALFUNCTIONS. THERE WERE PROBLEMS FROM THIS CAR FROM DAY 1. THINGS WENT WRONG WAY BEFORE EXPECTED TIME FOR. SUCH AS HEATERCORE, IGNITION COIL,COOLANT LEAKS, THERMOSTAT HOUSING OUTLET, DRIVER DOOR WINDOW & MOTOR,ALL OF MOST WENT BAD BEFORE 80,000 MILES.EVEN ELECTRICAL SUCH AS DOOR CHIME,LIGHTS NOT WORKING AT CORRECT TIME. AIR BAG MALFUNCTION LED TO MY HEAD BEING HURT.THANK YOU.

NHTSA ODI #11351042

36,000 miles · Aug 6, 2020
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Steering

I JUST PURCHASED THIS CAR AND SEVERAL TIMES WHILE I'M DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY THE RADIO SHUTS OF THEN TURNS BACK ON NUMEROUS TIMES. THEN I USUALLY GET A STABILITY'S ERROR MESSAGE. THEN THE BEST PART. THE POWER STEERING WILL COMPLETELY GO OUT WHILE CHANGING LANES OR IN MID TURN. I HAVE BEEN DRIVING THROUGH A ROUND ABOUT AND ALSO…

Read full complaint

I JUST PURCHASED THIS CAR AND SEVERAL TIMES WHILE I'M DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY THE RADIO SHUTS OF THEN TURNS BACK ON NUMEROUS TIMES. THEN I USUALLY GET A STABILITY'S ERROR MESSAGE. THEN THE BEST PART. THE POWER STEERING WILL COMPLETELY GO OUT WHILE CHANGING LANES OR IN MID TURN. I HAVE BEEN DRIVING THROUGH A ROUND ABOUT AND ALSO WHILE MAKING SHARP TURNS TO GET ON AND OFF THE FREEWAY. THIS IS SO DANGEROUS! I SEE THAT SO MANY PEOPLE ARE REPORTING THE SAME EXACT PROBLEM! SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE ABOUT THIS! I CALLED ONSTAR 3 TIMES IN ONE TRIP. FIRST IT DISCONNECTS BECAUSE ALL ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS SHUT OFF, THEN THEY ACTUALLY TOLD ME I HAVE TO WAIT TO CALL THEM BACK WHILE I AM LOSING MY STEERING. ONLY TO CONCLUDE THEY CAN ONLY HELP AFTER I AM IN AN ACCIDENT. WHEN THIS IS NOT GOING ON THE CAR RUNS GREAT AND I LOVE IT SO IT IS OBVIOUSLY SOME KIND OF MANUFACTURE DEFECT.

NHTSA ODI #11343767

65,000 miles · Mar 15, 2020
Electrical SystemEnginePower Train

AFTER REPAIRING THE COOLANT SYSTEM CAR, I DROVE IT AROUND THE BLOCK TO ENSURE IT WAS WORKING PROPERLY. UPON DOING SO, ALL GAUGES STOPPED WORKING. I ALSO PUT THE CAR IN REVERSE TO PARK IT IN THE DRIVEWAY AND THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT GO INTO THE SELECTED GEAR. WE HAD TO PUT THE CAR INTO NEUTRAL AND PUSH IT INTO THE DRIVEWAY. ALS…

Read full complaint

AFTER REPAIRING THE COOLANT SYSTEM CAR, I DROVE IT AROUND THE BLOCK TO ENSURE IT WAS WORKING PROPERLY. UPON DOING SO, ALL GAUGES STOPPED WORKING. I ALSO PUT THE CAR IN REVERSE TO PARK IT IN THE DRIVEWAY AND THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT GO INTO THE SELECTED GEAR. WE HAD TO PUT THE CAR INTO NEUTRAL AND PUSH IT INTO THE DRIVEWAY. ALSO, ALL NOTIFICATION LIGHTS WERE ALSO LIT AT THE TIME. WHEN IT FINALLY SHIFTED INTO DRIVE THE CAR JERKED VERY HARD.

NHTSA ODI #11318168

25,380 miles · Mar 2, 2020
Electrical SystemEngineUnknown Or Other

CAR STALLS OUT AFTER AUTO STOP IS DISENGAGED. BATTERY IS DEAD CAR WONT START EVEN THO BATTERY HAS POWER. DOOR LOCKS LOCK AND UNLOCK ON THERE OWN. TOUCH SCREEN FLICKERS.

NHTSA ODI #11315736

85,000 miles · Jan 23, 2020
Electrical SystemSteering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 CHEVROLET CRUZE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE HOME SCREEN BECAME INOPERABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING CEASED AND THE STABILITRAK WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO BE DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACT…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 CHEVROLET CRUZE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE HOME SCREEN BECAME INOPERABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING CEASED AND THE STABILITRAK WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO BE DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000.

NHTSA ODI #11301466

Official recalls

4

18V304000 · Fuel System, Gasoline

May 10, 2018

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."

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A fuel leak, in the presence of an ignition source, increases the risk of a fire.

Remedy: 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.

17V057000 · Seats:front Assembly:head Restraint

Jan 26, 2017

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."

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: In a crash, the seat-backs for the front seats may break, increasing the risk of injury to the occupants.

Remedy: 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.

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.

16V498000 · Exterior Lighting:headlights

Jul 1, 2016

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."

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: Without the identification code, the headlights may be improperly aimed during service, reducing nighttime visibility and increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: 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.

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

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.