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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

Fuel/propulsion System complaints

35 reports
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123,000 miles · Jul 14, 2020
EngineFuel/propulsion System

MY VALVE COVER HAS WENT BAD AND STARTED LEAKING OIL AROUND MY SPARK PLUGS. UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATION OF MY OWN I HAVE FOUND OUT THAT THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE FOR MANY YEAR MODELS OF THE CHEVY CRUZE. MY VALVE COVER IS AN UPDATED VERSION OF THE PLASTIC ON THE 2015 AND OLDER AND IS NOW A METAL ONE. I SPOKE WITH A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO …

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MY VALVE COVER HAS WENT BAD AND STARTED LEAKING OIL AROUND MY SPARK PLUGS. UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATION OF MY OWN I HAVE FOUND OUT THAT THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE FOR MANY YEAR MODELS OF THE CHEVY CRUZE. MY VALVE COVER IS AN UPDATED VERSION OF THE PLASTIC ON THE 2015 AND OLDER AND IS NOW A METAL ONE. I SPOKE WITH A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO INFORMED ME HE HAS REPLACED 75 NEW VALVE COVERS THAT GENERAL MOTORS HAS BUILT A NEW VALVE COVER TO REPLACE THE METAL ONE ON MY CAR. ALSO THIS METAL VALVE COVER HAS CAUSED MY CAR TO START SMOKING HEAVILY WHEN I DROVE IT TO MAKE ME HAVE TO HAVE MY CAR TOWED HOME UNTIL I CAN GET THE ISSUE FIXED.

NHTSA ODI #11339423

80,000 miles · Apr 21, 2020
Air BagsEngineFuel/propulsion System

CAR WHILE DRIVING SUDDENLY SPUTTERS AND STALLS. I GET AN ERROR MESSAGE SAYING TO CHECK AIRBAGS. THE LOCKS ON THE DOORS WILL UNLOCK AND LOCK AND UNLOCK AN LOCK MULTIPLE TIMES WHILE DRIVING. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON. WHEN I PUMP GAS THE CAR WONT START IMMEDIATELY IT SPUTTERS AND CLICKS EVERY TIME.

NHTSA ODI #11321775

27,500 miles · Dec 2, 2019
Fuel/propulsion System

CLUTCH HYDRAULICS FAILED WHILE DRIVING IN MY STANDARD TRANSMISSION CAR DUE TO POORLY MANUFACTURED PARTS. CLUTCH WOULD STAY ON THE FLOOR WHEN PUSHED DOWN. MULTIPLE MECHANICS STATED AIR WAS GETTING INTO HYDRAULIC LINE DUE TO POOR MANUFACTURING.

NHTSA ODI #11286321

72,680 miles · Oct 29, 2019
Electrical SystemEngineFuel/propulsion System

I PURCHASED A USED VEHICLE FROM ATLANTA LUXURY MOTORS AT KIA SOUTH ON AUGUST 11, 2019. I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE AS-IS, BUT NO MECHANIC CLAIMS TO HAVE FOUND ANY ISSUES AT THE TIME OF INSPECTION. THE VEHICLE IS A 2016 CHEVROLET CRUZE AND ONLY HAD 70,000 MILES ON IT AT THE TIME OF PURCHASE. ABOUT TWO WEEKS AFTER PURCHASE, THE ENGIN…

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I PURCHASED A USED VEHICLE FROM ATLANTA LUXURY MOTORS AT KIA SOUTH ON AUGUST 11, 2019. I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE AS-IS, BUT NO MECHANIC CLAIMS TO HAVE FOUND ANY ISSUES AT THE TIME OF INSPECTION. THE VEHICLE IS A 2016 CHEVROLET CRUZE AND ONLY HAD 70,000 MILES ON IT AT THE TIME OF PURCHASE. ABOUT TWO WEEKS AFTER PURCHASE, THE ENGINE CUT OFF AFTER THE AUTO-STOP INITIATED AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I HAD TO RESTART THE VEHICLE IN ORDER TO GET OUT OF THE ROAD. SINCE THEN, THE NUMBER OF TIMES THE ENGINE HAS CUT OFF HAS INCREASED IMMENSELY. AS OF OCTOBER 29, 2019, MY ENGINE CUTS OFF ANYTIME THE CAR FALLS INTO AUTO-STOP. TODAY IT HAPPENED EIGHT TIMES DURING ONE FORTY-FIVE MINUTE COMMUTE.

NHTSA ODI #11276986

8,000 miles · Aug 13, 2019
Fuel/propulsion System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 CHEVROLET CRUZE. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE CONTACT NOTICED AN ABNORMAL FUEL ODOR COMING FROM THE FUEL TANK. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED AND THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND PROVIDED THE CONTACT WITH CASE NUMBER…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 CHEVROLET CRUZE. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE CONTACT NOTICED AN ABNORMAL FUEL ODOR COMING FROM THE FUEL TANK. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED AND THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND PROVIDED THE CONTACT WITH CASE NUMBER: 9-542-4410467. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V304000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 8,000.

NHTSA ODI #11243672

66,000 miles · May 10, 2019
EngineFuel/propulsion System

MY 2016 CHEVY CRUZE LIMITED STARTED TO LOSE ACCELERATION AND WOULDN'T GO OVER 40 MILES AN HOUR. NO CODE LIGHTS ARE ON AND NONE DETECTED. SO I DROVE HOME AND PARKED THE CAR AND WAITED UNTIL IT WAS COOLED DOWN AND OPENED THE HOOD TO CHECK MY OIL. I UNSCREWED THE OIL CAP WHERE YOU ADD OIL AND IT COMPLETELY SMELLED LIKE GASOLINE. NO…

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MY 2016 CHEVY CRUZE LIMITED STARTED TO LOSE ACCELERATION AND WOULDN'T GO OVER 40 MILES AN HOUR. NO CODE LIGHTS ARE ON AND NONE DETECTED. SO I DROVE HOME AND PARKED THE CAR AND WAITED UNTIL IT WAS COOLED DOWN AND OPENED THE HOOD TO CHECK MY OIL. I UNSCREWED THE OIL CAP WHERE YOU ADD OIL AND IT COMPLETELY SMELLED LIKE GASOLINE. NOW THE ENGINE IS STARTING TO GO CRAZY AND I AM TAKING IT IN BEFORE IT CATCHES FIRE AND PUTS ME AND ANYONE ELSE IN DANGER.

NHTSA ODI #11206908

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

48,000 miles · Jan 3, 2019
EngineFuel/propulsion SystemPower Train

CONTINUING ILLUMINATION OF THE "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT. TIED TO EMISSION SUSPECT MALFUNCTION CODES. HAS BEEN SERVICE FOR THIS PROBLEM AT LEAST FIVE TIMES. REPLACED FUEL INDUCTION SYSTEM, TURBO, FUEL INDUCTION SOLENOID AND OTHER COMPONENTS. STILL NO RESOLUTION. PROBLEM IS MADE KNOWN BY ILLUMINATION OF "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT WHILE …

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CONTINUING ILLUMINATION OF THE "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT. TIED TO EMISSION SUSPECT MALFUNCTION CODES. HAS BEEN SERVICE FOR THIS PROBLEM AT LEAST FIVE TIMES. REPLACED FUEL INDUCTION SYSTEM, TURBO, FUEL INDUCTION SOLENOID AND OTHER COMPONENTS. STILL NO RESOLUTION. PROBLEM IS MADE KNOWN BY ILLUMINATION OF "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT WHILE THE CAR IS RUNNING. NO AFTER MARKET PARTS, APPROX 48,000 MILES. THE DEALER SERVICE DEPARTMENT CANNOT SEEM TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM AFTER MULTIPLE TRIES.

NHTSA ODI #11165659

60,257 miles · Dec 13, 2018
Electrical SystemFuel/propulsion System

ENGINE IS KNOCKING CLICKING AND ROCKING. ACTING LIKE IT'S GOING TO STALL STATIONARY. ENGINE LIGHT ON, TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT ON AND ALL START DOES NOT WORK. ALL CAME ON AT THE SAME TIME.

NHTSA ODI #11161271

22,000 miles · Dec 10, 2018
Electrical SystemFuel/propulsion SystemWheels

TAKATA RECAL THE ENGINE SHUTDOWN COMPLETELY WITHOUT A REASON, GAS TANK ALL THE SUDDEN IS EMPTY AND THE WHEELS LOCKED AND SHUTDOWN.

NHTSA ODI #11157220

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.