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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.

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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

Electronic Stability Control (esc) complaints

16 reports
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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…

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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…

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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

45,000 miles · Jul 9, 2020
Electronic Stability Control (esc)

THE ENGINE LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON. THERE DOESN'T APPEAR TO BE ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE ENGINE. THE LIGHT WILL CLEAR ITSELF EVENTUALLY, BUT THEN IT WILL COME BACK ON AGAIN. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR ABOUT 1 YEAR.

NHTSA ODI #11338344

89,000 miles · Jun 4, 2020
Electronic Stability Control (esc)

SERVICE STABILTRAK LIGHT FLASHED, FOLLOWED BY THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMING ON. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME SINCE I PURCHASED THIS CAR IN 2018 THAT THIS SAME ISSUE HAS HAPPENED. MY CAR WILL SHAKE WHILE STALLED AT RED LIGHTS OR STOP SIGNS. WHEN I GO TO PUT ON THE GAS MY CAR IS SLOW TO GET BACK IN GEAR AND ALMOST CAME TO A COMPLETE HA…

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SERVICE STABILTRAK LIGHT FLASHED, FOLLOWED BY THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMING ON. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME SINCE I PURCHASED THIS CAR IN 2018 THAT THIS SAME ISSUE HAS HAPPENED. MY CAR WILL SHAKE WHILE STALLED AT RED LIGHTS OR STOP SIGNS. WHEN I GO TO PUT ON THE GAS MY CAR IS SLOW TO GET BACK IN GEAR AND ALMOST CAME TO A COMPLETE HALT AT A STOPLIGHT WHICH COULD HAVE RESULTED IN A COLLISION IF THE PERSON BEHIND ME WAS NOT PAYING ATTENTION. DOES NOT FEEL SAFE TO DRIVE AT ALL. THIS HAS HAPPENED TWICE TO MY CAR IN THE LAST YEAR AND A HALF. *TR

NHTSA ODI #11327218

30,000 miles · Dec 3, 2019
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Steering

WHILE DRIVING, THE CAR RADIO HAS CUT OUT MULTIPLE TIMES WHILE 'SERVICE STABILITRACK' HAS BEEN DISPLAYED ON THE DASH. THE BATTERY WAS REPLACED AND THE ISSUES CONTINUED. THIS IS MAINLY SEEN WHILE SLOWING DOWN OR STOPPING AT A RED LIGHT. THE LACK OF POWER TO THE CAR THREATENS SAFETY AS MY TURN SIGNALS FAILED TO WORK AND I LOST POWE…

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WHILE DRIVING, THE CAR RADIO HAS CUT OUT MULTIPLE TIMES WHILE 'SERVICE STABILITRACK' HAS BEEN DISPLAYED ON THE DASH. THE BATTERY WAS REPLACED AND THE ISSUES CONTINUED. THIS IS MAINLY SEEN WHILE SLOWING DOWN OR STOPPING AT A RED LIGHT. THE LACK OF POWER TO THE CAR THREATENS SAFETY AS MY TURN SIGNALS FAILED TO WORK AND I LOST POWER STEERING ON ONE OCCASION. I PERSONALLY RESEARCHED THIS ISSUE THROUGH ONLINE FORUMS AND FOUND OUT THAT MANY OTHERS SHARE THE SAME PROBLEM. THE RESULT MAY BE A FAULTY NEGATIVE BATTERY CONNECTION.

NHTSA ODI #11286635

53,000 miles · Nov 12, 2019
Electronic Stability Control (esc)EngineUnknown Or Other

I LIVE IN COLORADO, AND EVER TIME ITS COLD IN THE MORNING WHEN I START UP MY CAR IT GIVES ME HARD TIME AND THEN DOES AN ANT THEFT SYSTEM LOCK. WHEN IM HOME, OKAY ITS DURABLE BUT NOW ITS DONE IT WHILE IM DRIVING, AND WHEN I WAS AT THE CAR WASH. COMPLETE LOCK, STEERING WHEEL, KEY IS LOCKED IN THE IGNITION. THIS IS SUPER UNSAFE!! I…

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I LIVE IN COLORADO, AND EVER TIME ITS COLD IN THE MORNING WHEN I START UP MY CAR IT GIVES ME HARD TIME AND THEN DOES AN ANT THEFT SYSTEM LOCK. WHEN IM HOME, OKAY ITS DURABLE BUT NOW ITS DONE IT WHILE IM DRIVING, AND WHEN I WAS AT THE CAR WASH. COMPLETE LOCK, STEERING WHEEL, KEY IS LOCKED IN THE IGNITION. THIS IS SUPER UNSAFE!! IVE GOTTEN THIS CAR FIXED SOOOOOO MANY TIMES THIS OUTRAGEOUS.

NHTSA ODI #11279621

60,785 miles · Apr 5, 2019
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Steering

MY 2016 CHEVY CRUZE LS STARTED MAKING A ROARING NOISE WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD THEN THE STEERING GOT VERY STIFF I BARELY MADE IT HOME AND I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY INFORMED ME THAT IF I CONTINUE TO DRIVE THE CAR THIS WAY THE STEERING WILL LOCK UP AT ANYTIME AND IT COULD CAUSE A VERY BAD ACCIDENT FOR I WILL NOT HAVE NO …

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MY 2016 CHEVY CRUZE LS STARTED MAKING A ROARING NOISE WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD THEN THE STEERING GOT VERY STIFF I BARELY MADE IT HOME AND I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY INFORMED ME THAT IF I CONTINUE TO DRIVE THE CAR THIS WAY THE STEERING WILL LOCK UP AT ANYTIME AND IT COULD CAUSE A VERY BAD ACCIDENT FOR I WILL NOT HAVE NO CONTROL OVER THE CAR.

NHTSA ODI #11193976

82,800 miles · Feb 25, 2019
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 CHEVROLET CRUZE. WHILE DRIVING UP A HILL AT APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY LOST POWER AND DECELERATED TO 20 MPH. ALSO, THE SERVICE STABILITRAC AND CHECK ENGINE INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO WEIMER CHEVROLET (10355 MT. SAVAGE ROAD NW, CUMBERLAND, MD) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 CHEVROLET CRUZE. WHILE DRIVING UP A HILL AT APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY LOST POWER AND DECELERATED TO 20 MPH. ALSO, THE SERVICE STABILITRAC AND CHECK ENGINE INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO WEIMER CHEVROLET (10355 MT. SAVAGE ROAD NW, CUMBERLAND, MD) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE PISTON FAILED AND THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 82,800.

NHTSA ODI #11182355

Mileage unknown · Feb 16, 2019
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Engine

I HAVE HAD ISSUES WITH ENGINE LOSING POWER OR STALING WITHOUT WARNING. NO WARNING LIGHTS WILL COME ON BEFORE HAND. I FIRST STARTED EXPERIENCE ISSUE IN JULY 2018, THE ENGINE STALLED AT STOP LIGHT; THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AND RETURNED IN AUGUST. THE ISSUE RETURNED IN OCT, AT THIS TIME IT STALED GOING THREW INTERSECTION WHICH ALMO…

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I HAVE HAD ISSUES WITH ENGINE LOSING POWER OR STALING WITHOUT WARNING. NO WARNING LIGHTS WILL COME ON BEFORE HAND. I FIRST STARTED EXPERIENCE ISSUE IN JULY 2018, THE ENGINE STALLED AT STOP LIGHT; THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AND RETURNED IN AUGUST. THE ISSUE RETURNED IN OCT, AT THIS TIME IT STALED GOING THREW INTERSECTION WHICH ALMOST RESULTED IN A WRECK. DEC IT LOSS POWER WHILE GOING DOWN HEY I PULLED TO SIDE AND HAD CAR PULLED IN. LAST WEEK IT STALLED WHILE GOING DOWN HIGHWAY HAD NO POWER, I CALLED DEALERSHIP AND CHEVY AND WAS GIVING AN APPOINTMENT TO BRING IT IN. ITIS CURRENTLY IN THE SHOP FOR THE SAME ISSUES. I HAVE MADE SEVERAL COMPLAINTS TO CHEVOLET AND DEALERSHIP WITH NO RESULTS. THE CAR IS BEING SERVICE AT PARIS TEXAS CHEVOLET (903) 784-7446 FOR THE 4TH TIME.

NHTSA ODI #11180543

45,000 miles · Jan 26, 2019
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Fuel/propulsion System

"TAKATA RECALL" CAR RANDOMLY LOOSES POWER AND SHUTS OFF WHILE DRIVING ON FREEWAY, ELECTRICAL OUTLETS WON'T WORK, STABILIZATION WARNING APPEAR, BATTERY LEAKS ACID.

NHTSA ODI #11172218

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.