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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.

About this comparison →

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

What owners actually said

249 reports
15,000 miles · Dec 7, 2016
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 CHEVROLET CRUZE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FAILED, THE VEHICLE DECELERATED WHILE DRIVING, AND THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTING DIMMED. DURING THE FAILURES, THE ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES FOR THE FAILURE. THE DEALER RESEATED …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 CHEVROLET CRUZE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FAILED, THE VEHICLE DECELERATED WHILE DRIVING, AND THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTING DIMMED. DURING THE FAILURES, THE ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES FOR THE FAILURE. THE DEALER RESEATED THE COMPUTER SYSTEM AND SERVICED THE FUEL INJECTOR, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 15,000.

NHTSA ODI #10930344

1,400 miles · Dec 2, 2016
Electrical SystemEngine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 CHEVROLET CRUZE. WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE, THE "START, STOP" FEATURE WAS ACTIVATED WHEN THE CONTACT APPROACHED A RED LIGHT. WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS APPLIED WHILE MAKING A RIGHT TURN, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER AND WAS ALMOST STRUCK BY ANOTHER VEHICLE FROM THE REAR. THE FAILURE RECURRED MULTIPLE TI…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 CHEVROLET CRUZE. WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE, THE "START, STOP" FEATURE WAS ACTIVATED WHEN THE CONTACT APPROACHED A RED LIGHT. WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS APPLIED WHILE MAKING A RIGHT TURN, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER AND WAS ALMOST STRUCK BY ANOTHER VEHICLE FROM THE REAR. THE FAILURE RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED, BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,400.

NHTSA ODI #10929617

10,000 miles · Nov 29, 2016
EngineUnknown Or Other

RECEIVED FIRST INSPECTION, LEAVING THE DEALER, THE CAR SMELLED OF POSSIBLY A BURNING OR SOMETHING UNKNOWN. I DID NOT ASSUME THIS WASN'T NORMAL AS THEY HAD TO CHECK SEVERAL THINGS FOR THE INSPECTION. I HAD TO DRIVE VEHICLE WITH OPEN WINDOWS FOR A FEW DAYS. BUT I THOUGHT THAT PERHAPS WHILE CHECKING THE OIL THEY MAY HAVE GOTTEN S…

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RECEIVED FIRST INSPECTION, LEAVING THE DEALER, THE CAR SMELLED OF POSSIBLY A BURNING OR SOMETHING UNKNOWN. I DID NOT ASSUME THIS WASN'T NORMAL AS THEY HAD TO CHECK SEVERAL THINGS FOR THE INSPECTION. I HAD TO DRIVE VEHICLE WITH OPEN WINDOWS FOR A FEW DAYS. BUT I THOUGHT THAT PERHAPS WHILE CHECKING THE OIL THEY MAY HAVE GOTTEN SOME ON THE ENGINE OR SOMETHING. A FEW DAYS LATER, THE CAR WAS MAKING A CLANK SOUND WHEN DRIVE GEAR ENGAGED FROM FULL STOP. 11 DAYS LATER, STARTED THE CAR AND IT HAD REVVED OVER 4000 RPM. STOPPED ITSELF WITHIN SEVERAL SECONDS. FOOT WAS STILL ON THE BRAKE. DROVE 5 MILES, STOPPED AND PARKED VEHICLE. RETURNING HOME, ON A HIGHWAY, MY CAR SUDDENLY WENT OVER 4000 RPM AGAIN WHILE NOT ACCELERATING EXCESSIVELY, FLAT AND STRAIGHT ROADWAY, OVERCAST DAY, MID AFTERNOON. WAS DOING @54 MILES MPH. AT THE HIGH REV, THE CAR HAD STOPPED ITS MOMENTUM AND WAS SLOWING DOWN, BUT THE RPM DID NOT. THE CAR WENT THROUGH SEVERAL GEARS THEN ORIENTED ITSELF MANY SECONDS LATER. RECOVERY SPEED WAS 42 MPH. IMMEDIATELY CALLED THE DEALER AND SCHEDULED A DROP OFF. HAS @10,000 MILES ON IT. MOSTLY HIGHWAY DRIVING, A FEW DAYS A WEEK. OTHERWISE IT IS PARKED. MY FEAR WAS FAILURE TO CONTINUE MOMENTUM RESULTING IN ANOTHER VEHICLE COLLIDING WITH MINE AND THE INABILITY TO TAKE ANY STEPS TO PREVENT THAT FROM OCCURRING DUE TO LOSS OF MOBILITY AND CONTROL OF ACCELERATION. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10928655

2,100 miles · Nov 28, 2016
Back Over PreventionElectrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 CHEVROLET CRUZE. LESS THAN A MONTH AFTER LEASING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT BEGAN HAVING ISSUES WITH THE REAR CAMERA. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE CENTER CONSOLE WOULD NOT ILLUMINATE, THE BUTTONS WOULD NOT WORK, AND THE REAR CAMERA WOULD NOT OPERATE WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS IN REVERSE. THE FAILURES OCCU…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 CHEVROLET CRUZE. LESS THAN A MONTH AFTER LEASING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT BEGAN HAVING ISSUES WITH THE REAR CAMERA. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE CENTER CONSOLE WOULD NOT ILLUMINATE, THE BUTTONS WOULD NOT WORK, AND THE REAR CAMERA WOULD NOT OPERATE WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS IN REVERSE. THE FAILURES OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER AND A RADIO ERROR THAT CONTROLLED THE CONSOLE AND THE SOFTWARE WAS UPDATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER, BUT THE DIAGNOSIS WAS UNKNOWN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK A THIRD TIME BECAUSE GM RECOMMENDED REPLACING THE RADIO. THE RADIO WAS REPLACED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,100.

NHTSA ODI #10928326

2,135 miles · Nov 18, 2016
Service BrakesCrashInjury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2016 CHEVROLET CRUZE. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH AND ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A TURN, THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO FISHTAIL. THE VEHICLE STRUCK A GUARDRAIL AND COLLIDED WITH A TREE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE GROUND WAS DRY. THE CONTACT HAD TO BE TRANSPORTED BY AMBULANCE TO THE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2016 CHEVROLET CRUZE. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH AND ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A TURN, THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO FISHTAIL. THE VEHICLE STRUCK A GUARDRAIL AND COLLIDED WITH A TREE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE GROUND WAS DRY. THE CONTACT HAD TO BE TRANSPORTED BY AMBULANCE TO THE HOSPITAL AND HAD HIP SURGERY AND LACERATIONS TO THE BACK OF THE HEAD, WHICH REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,135.

NHTSA ODI #10926924

1,000 miles · Oct 20, 2016
Electrical SystemEngineFire

AS I WAS DRIVING ABOUT 35 ON A CITY STREET, EVERYTHING SEEMED LIKE JUST ANY OTHER DAY. BUT IT WAS FAR FROM IT. I STARTED TO SMELL A FUNNY PLASTIC/RUBBER LIKE SMELL COMING FROM THE FRONT OF MY CAR. SO IMMEDIATELY PULLED OVER TO CHECK WHAT WAS GOING ON. IT IS KEY TO NOTE THAT I ALSO CHECKED MY ENGINE TEMPERATURE, SPECULATING THAT …

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AS I WAS DRIVING ABOUT 35 ON A CITY STREET, EVERYTHING SEEMED LIKE JUST ANY OTHER DAY. BUT IT WAS FAR FROM IT. I STARTED TO SMELL A FUNNY PLASTIC/RUBBER LIKE SMELL COMING FROM THE FRONT OF MY CAR. SO IMMEDIATELY PULLED OVER TO CHECK WHAT WAS GOING ON. IT IS KEY TO NOTE THAT I ALSO CHECKED MY ENGINE TEMPERATURE, SPECULATING THAT MAYBE I FORGOT TO TOP OFF THE COOLANT OR SOMETHING, BUT THE TEMPERATURE WAS PERFECT. I STOPPED THE CAR, POPPED THE HOOD, AND SAW WHAT WAS TO MY SHOCK JUST INSANE... A 3 FOOT FLAME THAT WAS BURNING UP MY WHOLE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. I DID NOT EVEN TRY TO PUT THE FLAME OUT WITH ANY MEANS BECAUSE THE FLAME WAS LOCATED TOO CLOSE TO THE FUEL INJECTORS AND I WAS NOT CONFIDENT ENOUGH TO RISK IT AND TRY TO PUT OUT THE FLAME. I CALLED 911 AND IN SEVERAL MINUTES, TO MY LUCK, THEY WERE THERE AND PUT THE FLAME OUT BEFORE THE CAR BLEW UP. HOWEVER, THE WHOLE FRONT OF THE CAR AND SOME OF FRONT INTERIOR IS BASICALLY MELTED AND THE CAR IS NOT USEFUL FOR ANYTHING ANYMORE. THIS WAS A SPONTANEOUS FLAME THAT HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING NORMALLY AT ABOUT 35 MPH ON A 70 DEGREE DAY. WHAT HAPPENED? I DO NOT KNOW... BUT WHAT I DO KNOW IS THAT CARS ARE NOT SUPPOSED TO PUT THEIR DRIVERS AND PASSENGERS AT RISK OF DYING JUST BECAUSE A PERSON WANTS TO PEACEFULLY DRIVE DOWN TO POINT B FROM POINT A. PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS, WHOEVER WILL BE DOING SO. THIS KIND OF CAR MANUFACTURING IS UNACCEPTABLE! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10917708

1,000 miles · Oct 18, 2016
Electrical SystemEngineUnknown Or OtherFire

VEHICLE PROVED TO BE SPONTANEOUSLY COMBUSTIVE THUS THE CAR BURNED UP IN A FIRE DUE TO ELECTRICAL HARNESS CATCHING FIRE AS STATED FIRE FIRE DEPARTMENT FIRE INSPECTOR. NO SIGNS SHOWED ANY IMMINENT DANGER, THE DRIVER OF THE VEHICLE BARELY ESCAPED BEFORE CAR WENT UP IN FLAMES. THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION BEING DRIVEN ON A CITY STREET.

NHTSA ODI #10917216

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

1,400 miles · Sep 10, 2016
Air BagsCrashInjury

IN NOVEMBER OF 2015 I WAS SITTING AT A STOP SIGN AND SOMEBODY HIT ME HEAD ON AT APPROXIMATELY 45 TO 50 MPH CAUSING A SUBSTANTIAL AMOUNT OF DAMAGE TO THE FRONT END OF MY CAR COSTING NEARLY A TOTAL OF $9,000. THE AIR BAGS DIDNT DEPLOY RESULTING MINOR INJURIES. ON MARCH 06, 2016 MY VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A HEAD ON COLLISION WITH A…

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IN NOVEMBER OF 2015 I WAS SITTING AT A STOP SIGN AND SOMEBODY HIT ME HEAD ON AT APPROXIMATELY 45 TO 50 MPH CAUSING A SUBSTANTIAL AMOUNT OF DAMAGE TO THE FRONT END OF MY CAR COSTING NEARLY A TOTAL OF $9,000. THE AIR BAGS DIDNT DEPLOY RESULTING MINOR INJURIES. ON MARCH 06, 2016 MY VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A HEAD ON COLLISION WITH A DEER AT APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH RESULTING IN $8,100 WORTH OF DAMAGE TO MY VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AGAIN ONLY THIS TIME NO INJURIES WERE CAUSED. RIGHT AFTER THE ACCIDENT BEFORE THE CAR WAS TOWED FROM THE SCENE THERE WAS A AIRBAG LIGHT ON MY DASHBOARD THAT WAS STAYING ON FOR A COUPLE DAYS THEN WENT AWAY. I CONTACTED GM PERSONALLY AND THEY TOLD ME THAT THERE IS NOTHING THAT THEY CAN DO FOR ME. BOTH THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I PURCHASED THE CAR AND MY INSURANCE COMPANY HAVE STATED THAT BASED ON ALL INFORMATION GIVEN, THEY BELIEVE THAT THE AIRBAGS SHOULD HAVE DEPLOYED AND THAT GIVEN THAT THEY DIDN'T THERE IS A FAULT IN PERFORMANCE.

NHTSA ODI #10905160

Mileage unknown · Sep 9, 2016
Electrical System

RENTAL CAR FROM AVIS HAS AN OPEN RECALL AND THEY RENTED THE CAR IN ATLANTA, GA ON SEPTEMBER 9TH.

NHTSA ODI #10904936

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.