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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

Steering complaints

18 reports
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60,000 miles · Dec 4, 2018
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Steering

2016 CHEVY CRUZE LTZ FAULTY BATTERY NEGATIVE CABLE CAUSING BATTERY CORROSION, WHILE DRIVING CAR HAS POWER STEERING ERRORS (LOSS OF STABLE STEERING CAPABILITIES), TRACTION SYSTEM ERRORS, REDUCED VEHICLE POWER, PROBLEMS WITH CRUISE CONTROL (SPEEDS UP BY ITSELF). CONTACTED GM AND INFORMED THEM OF THIS ISSUE. THEY DENIED COVERAGE, D…

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2016 CHEVY CRUZE LTZ FAULTY BATTERY NEGATIVE CABLE CAUSING BATTERY CORROSION, WHILE DRIVING CAR HAS POWER STEERING ERRORS (LOSS OF STABLE STEERING CAPABILITIES), TRACTION SYSTEM ERRORS, REDUCED VEHICLE POWER, PROBLEMS WITH CRUISE CONTROL (SPEEDS UP BY ITSELF). CONTACTED GM AND INFORMED THEM OF THIS ISSUE. THEY DENIED COVERAGE, DESPITE HAVING IDENTIFIED THE SAME SAFETY ISSUES WITH THE 2011-2015 MODELS.

NHTSA ODI #11155971

28,650 miles · Sep 14, 2018
Steering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 CHEVROLET CRUZE. WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMAL NOISE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE NEAR THE PASSENGER SIDE TIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO ANCIRA CHEVROLET (6111 BANDERA RD, SAN ANTONIO, TX 78238, 210-681-4900) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE RACK AND PINION COULD BE THE CA…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 CHEVROLET CRUZE. WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMAL NOISE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE NEAR THE PASSENGER SIDE TIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO ANCIRA CHEVROLET (6111 BANDERA RD, SAN ANTONIO, TX 78238, 210-681-4900) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE RACK AND PINION COULD BE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED THE SAME SYMPTOMS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THAT THEY WOULD LAUNCH AN INVESTIGATION. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 28,650.

NHTSA ODI #11129541

15,980 miles · May 29, 2018
Electrical SystemEngineSteering

I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY ON MY WAY TO DROP OFF MY DAUGHTER TO THE BABYSITTER WHEN SUDDENLY MY STEERING WHEEL STARTED GETTING HARD AND THE CAR WOULDN'T RUN, I KEPT PUSHING THE GAS PETAL AND NOTHING, MY CAR WASN'T RUNNING. WHEN SUDDENLY THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STARTED BLINKING AND THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT AS WELL. THE CAR WAS…

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I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY ON MY WAY TO DROP OFF MY DAUGHTER TO THE BABYSITTER WHEN SUDDENLY MY STEERING WHEEL STARTED GETTING HARD AND THE CAR WOULDN'T RUN, I KEPT PUSHING THE GAS PETAL AND NOTHING, MY CAR WASN'T RUNNING. WHEN SUDDENLY THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STARTED BLINKING AND THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT AS WELL. THE CAR WAS OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF THE FREEWAY, LUCKILY THERE WAS TRAFFIC AND THE CARS WERE BARELY MOVING. UNTIL FINALLY I TURNED IT BACK ON AND CONTINUED DRIVING. THE FOLLOWING DAY WHEN I WAS LEAVING TO GO TO WORK MY CAR FELT HARD AND THE ENGINE WAS SHAKING RIDICULOUSLY AND I'D PUSH ON THE GAS PETAL ON THE CAR AND IT WOULDN'T DRIVE. I HAD TO LEAVE THE CAR AT HOME AND I WASN'T ABLE TO CALL THE DEALER BECAUSE IT WAS CLOSED DUE TO MEMORIAL DAY. MY CAR WON'T GO AND I'M WAITING TO SEE WHAT THE DEALER IS GOING TO TELL ME. KEEPING IN MIND THAT THE CAR WAS BRAND NEW OLDS WHEN I GOT IT OUT OF THE DEALER.

NHTSA ODI #11098377

9,070 miles · Feb 27, 2018
Steering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 CHEVROLET CRUZE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH AND MAKING A LEFT TURN, A GRINDING TYPE NOISE WAS PRESENT COMING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. THE POWER STEERING MALFUNCTIONED AND MADE THE STEERING WHEEL VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN. DURING THE FAILURE, THE "SERVICE STABILITRAC" AND "SERVICE POWER STEERING"…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 CHEVROLET CRUZE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH AND MAKING A LEFT TURN, A GRINDING TYPE NOISE WAS PRESENT COMING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. THE POWER STEERING MALFUNCTIONED AND MADE THE STEERING WHEEL VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN. DURING THE FAILURE, THE "SERVICE STABILITRAC" AND "SERVICE POWER STEERING" MESSAGES DISPLAYED. THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER AND LOCAL DEALER WERE NOT NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS INVALID. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 9,070.

NHTSA ODI #11075251

160,000 miles · Oct 2, 2017
Electronic Stability Control (esc)EngineSteering

CAR GOES INTO LIMP MODE AFTER WARMS UP AND SAYS SERVICE POWER STEERING AND SERVICE TRACK STABILITY VERY DANGEROUS IN TRAFFIC

NHTSA ODI #11030802

12,000 miles · Dec 8, 2016
Steering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 CHEVROLET CRUZE. WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED AND ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A TURN, THE STEERING COLUMN LOCKED. THE DEALER REPAIRED THE STEERING GEAR. THE FAILURE RECURRED AND ALL THE INSTRUMENT PANEL INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DIFFERENT DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. TH…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 CHEVROLET CRUZE. WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED AND ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A TURN, THE STEERING COLUMN LOCKED. THE DEALER REPAIRED THE STEERING GEAR. THE FAILURE RECURRED AND ALL THE INSTRUMENT PANEL INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DIFFERENT DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO NHTSA. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 12,000.

NHTSA ODI #10933978

Mileage unknown · Sep 19, 2016
Electrical SystemSteering

2016 CRUZE THE STEERING LOCKED AS I WAS MERGING INTO TRAFFIC WITH MY 16 YEAR DAUGHTER ALL ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WAS GOING OFF AND ON. AFTER A COUPLE OF MINUTES STEERING RELEASED AND RADIO SYSTEM CAME BACK ON AND WAS ABLE TO MAKE IT TO THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP. WE PURCHASED THIS CRUZE FOR MY 16 YR DAUGHTER AS HER FIRST CAR BUT FIND IT …

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2016 CRUZE THE STEERING LOCKED AS I WAS MERGING INTO TRAFFIC WITH MY 16 YEAR DAUGHTER ALL ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WAS GOING OFF AND ON. AFTER A COUPLE OF MINUTES STEERING RELEASED AND RADIO SYSTEM CAME BACK ON AND WAS ABLE TO MAKE IT TO THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP. WE PURCHASED THIS CRUZE FOR MY 16 YR DAUGHTER AS HER FIRST CAR BUT FIND IT VERY UNSAFE. THIS PROBLEM IS A SAFETY HAZARD THIS PROBLEM NEEDS TO BE FIXED BEFORE SOMEBODY GETS SERIOUSLY INJURED OR KILLED. CHEVY NEEDS TO LOOK INTO THIS PROBLEM AND GET THIS FIXED. THIS HAPPENED 9/14/16 AND CAR IS STILL AT DEALERSHIP. SERVICE TECH CAN NOT FIGURE OUT WHAT IS WRONG WITH IT. HE WAS NOT EVEN ABLE TO DRIVE IT HIMSELF.

NHTSA ODI #10908050

6,850 miles · Feb 25, 2016
Steering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 CHEVROLET CRUZE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO MANUVER AND REQUIRED EXCESSIVE FORCE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING ON A STRAIGHT ROAD FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME AND 55 MPH OR GREATER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE VEHICLE …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 CHEVROLET CRUZE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO MANUVER AND REQUIRED EXCESSIVE FORCE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING ON A STRAIGHT ROAD FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME AND 55 MPH OR GREATER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS TEST DRIVEN; HOWEVER, THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE DEALER FAILED TO PERFORM DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 6,850.

NHTSA ODI #10838142

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.