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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

Structure complaints

7 reports
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Mileage unknown · Jun 4, 2024
Electrical SystemFuel/propulsion SystemStructure

Water leak in trunk. Took car in 3 time to have it fixed after them doing the recall( 84279073 f-lamp kit). Every time it went in they found a leak in a different spot. 15Feb17 they found water leaking from right side of the spoiler retainer holes. Dealer removed spoiler applied double back tape and sealer. Reinstalled spoiler…

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Water leak in trunk. Took car in 3 time to have it fixed after them doing the recall( 84279073 f-lamp kit). Every time it went in they found a leak in a different spot. 15Feb17 they found water leaking from right side of the spoiler retainer holes. Dealer removed spoiler applied double back tape and sealer. Reinstalled spoiler 02Mar17 found pin hole leak in weather strip. Dealer replaced weather strip. 01jan24 start having electrical issues. Hard starting/ running weird and finally dead battery. Had les swabs install battery and remove water in trunk. Car starts but shuts off when driving. 05mar24 Dealer finds leak coming from right side spoiler and now 1 licence plat bolt. Charged me 600.00 . to reseal. Here we go again They could never stop/find the leak before and will not warranty previous work. Isn't this a fire/safty issue? That started the recall in the 1st place. And why wasn't drain plugs required for this yr.car. I believe it was in the newer one. I would like to know how many people had to take their car in multiple times to never have the problem truly fixed. Is this a tactic used to make consumers go away and say they fixed the recall, but never really did.

NHTSA ODI #11592463

70,000 miles · Oct 4, 2020
Structure

MY DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW FELL INTO THE DOOR UNEXPECTEDLY. NO DAMAGE, NO ACCIDENT. JUST SEEMED TO FALL INTO DOOR WITH NO PRECURSOR.

NHTSA ODI #11362673

62,000 miles · Oct 3, 2020
StructureUnknown Or Other

2016 CHEVROLET CRUZE LS REAR-WINDSHIELD OUTER BRAKE LIGHT PLASTIC HOUSING HAS VERTICAL CRACK ON THE RIGHT-HAND SIDE OF THE OUTER PLASTIC HOUSING. UPON RESEARCHING, THIS WRITER FOUND ONLINE THREADS AND OTHER COMPLAINTS OF THE SAME ISSUES WITH THE OUTER PLASTIC HOUSING HAVING A VEHICLE CRACK.

NHTSA ODI #11362594

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…

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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 · Apr 7, 2018
Structure

TAKATA RECALL WINDOW ON DRIVER SIDE NOT GOING UP OR DOWN IF WE GET IT TO GO DOWN WE HAVE TO SLAM THE DOOR 3 TIMES THEN THE WINDOW WILL GO UP . I HAVEN'T HAD MY CAR A FULL YEAR YET.

NHTSA ODI #11083744

Mileage unknown · Mar 2, 2017
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Structure

TOOK MY CAR IN TO HAVE RECALL WORK DONE (HIGH MOUNT STOP LAMP FASTENERS LEAK ) CHMSL. AND I HAVE HAD A WATER LEAK EVER SINCE. MY CAR HAS BEEN TO THE DEALERSHIP 3 TIMES IN THE PAST MONTH. EVERY TIME THEY TELL ME ITS SOMETHING DIFFERENT THAT THEY FIX, YET I STILL HAVE A WATER LEAK THAT COULD CAUSE A SHORT IN THE PRINTED CIRCUIT BO…

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TOOK MY CAR IN TO HAVE RECALL WORK DONE (HIGH MOUNT STOP LAMP FASTENERS LEAK ) CHMSL. AND I HAVE HAD A WATER LEAK EVER SINCE. MY CAR HAS BEEN TO THE DEALERSHIP 3 TIMES IN THE PAST MONTH. EVERY TIME THEY TELL ME ITS SOMETHING DIFFERENT THAT THEY FIX, YET I STILL HAVE A WATER LEAK THAT COULD CAUSE A SHORT IN THE PRINTED CIRCUIT BOARD RESULTING IN AN UNATTENDED FIRE.

NHTSA ODI #10957974

250 miles · Dec 14, 2016
Electrical SystemStructure

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 CHEVROLET CRUZE. WITHOUT WARNING, THE VEHICLE HAD AN INTERNAL LEAK THAT SATURATED THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE, THE FLOORING, THE ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS, AND CAUSED VARIOUS SHORTS WITHIN THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFAC…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 CHEVROLET CRUZE. WITHOUT WARNING, THE VEHICLE HAD AN INTERNAL LEAK THAT SATURATED THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE, THE FLOORING, THE ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS, AND CAUSED VARIOUS SHORTS WITHIN THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE'S INNER COMPONENTS WERE DAMAGED DUE TO THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 250.

NHTSA ODI #10935326

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.