IllustrationREOCCURING PROBLEMS WITH PCV SYSTEM.EMISSIONS SYSTEM, MASS AIR FLOW SENSORS,O2 SENSORS,INTAKE MANIFOLD, VALVE COVERS WONT ACCELERRATE, STALLS WHILE DRIVING AND IDLING, HARD SHIFTING, STABILITY CONTROL SSUES AND STABILITRACK ISSUES, INTAKE AIR FLOW SYSTEM,FUEL TRIM SYSTEM LEAN BANK
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 →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Cruze years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
400–25K
2525–50K
5050–75K
2175–100K
12100–150K
1150K+
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
What owners actually said
249 reportsCOOLANT HOSE LEAKAGE, CRACKED COOLANT HOSE CONNECTOR, THERMOSTAT BROKEN
MY DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW FELL INTO THE DOOR UNEXPECTEDLY. NO DAMAGE, NO ACCIDENT. JUST SEEMED TO FALL INTO DOOR WITH NO PRECURSOR.
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.
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.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2016 CHEVROLET CRUZE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 25 MPH THEN MAKING A RIGHT TURN, THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL FEEL OFF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE ROLLED OVER THE WHEEL AND THE SIDE AIR BAGS ENGAGED BUT THE FRONT AIR BAGS DID NOT. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEH…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2016 CHEVROLET CRUZE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 25 MPH THEN MAKING A RIGHT TURN, THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL FEEL OFF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE ROLLED OVER THE WHEEL AND THE SIDE AIR BAGS ENGAGED BUT THE FRONT AIR BAGS DID NOT. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED BY THE CONTACT'S INSURANCE COMPANY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER HENDRICK CHEVROLET SHAWNEE MISSION 8300 SHAWNEE MISSION PKWY, MERRIAM, KS 66202 (913) 225-7967 AND THEY ALONG WITH THE INSURANCE REPRESENTATIVE TOTALED THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 28,000.
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.
CAR SUDDENLY OVERHEATED AND WITHIN 30 SECONDS MANAGED TO SPRAY COOLANT EVERYWHERE. THE COOLANT WENT IN THE SPARK PLUGS, WARPED THE HEAD AND MANAGED TO ENTER THE PISTON COMPRESSION CHAMBER. THE HEAD WARPED AND ALLOWED COOLANT IN THE ENGINE. THIS ISSUE SHOULD HAVE BEEN JUST A SIMPLE FIX AND A REFILLING OF COOLANT BUT INSTEAD HAS B…
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CAR SUDDENLY OVERHEATED AND WITHIN 30 SECONDS MANAGED TO SPRAY COOLANT EVERYWHERE. THE COOLANT WENT IN THE SPARK PLUGS, WARPED THE HEAD AND MANAGED TO ENTER THE PISTON COMPRESSION CHAMBER. THE HEAD WARPED AND ALLOWED COOLANT IN THE ENGINE. THIS ISSUE SHOULD HAVE BEEN JUST A SIMPLE FIX AND A REFILLING OF COOLANT BUT INSTEAD HAS BECOME A FULL ENGINE DISASTER. LUCKILY I WAS NOT ON A HIGHWAY WHEN THIS HAPPENED AND I WAS ON AN EMPTY ROAD GOING 55 OR THIS COULD HAVE BECOME A GREATER ISSUE. WHEN THE COOLANT HOUSING BUSTED IT SPRAYED ALL OVER THE ENGINE BAY AND SOME EVEN MADE IT ON THE WINDSHIELD CUTTING SOME OF MY VISABILITY. I FEEL FORTUNATE THAT I WAS DRIVING IN A STRAIGHT LINE AND NOT IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC OR A WINDING ROAD.
P0171 CODE CONTINUES TO COME UP, VALVE COVER AND INTAKE MANIFOLD HAVE BEEN REPLACED MULTIPLE TIMES, WITHIN A WEEK BREAKS AGAIN.
DTC CODE P0011 IS AN ISSUE WITH 2016 CHEVY CRUZE LIMITED CHEVY IS AWARE PIP4543D CHEVY NEEDS TO COVER THE COST OF THIS REPAIR IT IS GOING TO CAUSE ME TO GET HURT IN THIS CAR AND IF SO I WILL HOLD CHEVY RESPONSIBILE THEY NEED TO DO THE RIGHT THING THE CAR AS 90,000 MILES ON IT AND CONTIMUES TO HAVE THIS ISSUE DAILY
Official recalls
418V304000 · 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
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.