RoadVitals

2012 Chevrolet Cruze Body & structure Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the body or structure system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Body & structure reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
21
Latest Mar 21, 2024
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
2%
of 864 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
6
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
1

What this page shows

Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2012 Chevrolet Cruze submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 21 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming body or structure

Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed

Body & structureBrakes
Filed Mar 21, 2024

Runs like the black stallion with a stud of a hide [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID
11578614
Incident
Mar 21, 2024
AirbagsBody & structure
Filed Oct 20, 2020
Crash reported1 injury reported

WE WERE IN A CAR ACCIDENT AND ENDED UP REAR-ENDING A VEHICLE THAT HAD ALREADY STOPPED. WE HIT AT AN ESTIMATED SPEED OF 20-25MPH AND THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. WE WERE TRAVELING AT 45MPH WHEN THE BRAKES WERE HIT. IT SEEMS LIKE THE AIRBAGS SHOULD HAVE DEPLOYED AT THIS SPEED. WE ONLY HAVE MINOR INJURIES, BUT IF THERE IS A POSSIBILITY OTHERS COULD GET HURT BECAUSE OF A SIMILAR ISSUE I FEEL THAT IT SHOULD BE AT LEAST LOOKED INTO. YOU WILL BE BETTER ABLE TO TELL IF THE ANGLE OR THE CRASH OR SOMETHING FAULTY THAT PROHIBITED THE AIRBAGS FROM DEPLOYING.

NHTSA ID
11365340
Incident
Oct 16, 2020
Mileage
141,000 mi
AirbagsBody & structureInterior & seats
Filed Apr 24, 2019
Crash reported

CAR WAS HIT ON BACK DRIVERS DOOR AND WHEEL WELL, IT PUSHED THE BACK BOTTOM SEAT IN. CAR SPUN THREE TIMES IN THE RAIN AND NONE OF THE 10 AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. I HIT MY HEAD ON THE SIDE DRIVERS WINDOW 3 TIMES DUE TO SIDE SEAT AIR BAGS NOT DEPLOYING. GM CAME OUT WHILE CAR WAS IN AUTO SHOP PUT SOME MACHINE ON IT TO ADDRESS MY ? WHY AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY WHEN IT WAS HIT HARD ENOUGH TO PUSH CAR FRAME IN AND SPIN WHOLE CAR THREE TIMES. THEY TOLD BODY SHOP THAT IT WAS HIT IN SUCH A WAY THE TWO SEAT AIR BAGS WERE NOT SENSORED. I HAVE NOT FELT SAFE IN CAR SINCE. CAR WAS ON A RUAL STREET WHEN HIT AT ABOUT SPEED OF 40 MILE AN HOUR. I CAN EMAIL PICTURES OF CAR DAMAGE IF NEEDED.

NHTSA ID
11203387
Incident
Dec 26, 2015
Mileage
34,000 mi
Body & structureEnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Jan 26, 2019

CAR WAS STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT, READY TO MAKE A LEFT-TURN AND COMPLETELY SHUT OFF FOR NO REASON. IT TURNED ON AFTER SOME MINUTES BUT THERE ARE MANY COMPLAINTS ONLINE (HTTPS://WWW.CARGURUS.COM/CARS/DISCUSSION-T65940_DS765514) OF THE SAME ISSUE WITH THIS MAKE AND MODEL (INCLUDING NEWER ONES), A LOT BEING WHILE THE CAR IS ACTUALLY DRIVING. THIS IS SO DANGEROUS!! WE DON'T FEEL SAFE CONTINUING TO OPERATE THE CAR SINCE FINDING OUT IT'S A RECURRENT PROBLEM FOR PEOPLE WITH THIS CAR WHO HAVE HAD NO RESOLUTION EVEN AFTER FILING MULTIPLE CLAIMS WITH CAR COMPANY AND TAKING IT TO THE MECHANIC.

NHTSA ID
11172287
Incident
Jan 25, 2019
Mileage
62,000 mi
Body & structureElectrical
Filed May 15, 2017

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET CRUZE. WHILE STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE TRUNK OPENED AND THE HAZARD LIGHTS ACTIVATED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 63,278.

NHTSA ID
10985803
Incident
May 1, 2017
Mileage
63,278 mi
Body & structure
Filed Feb 6, 2017

I AM HAVING PROBLEMS WITH MY TRUNK RELEASE. THE TRUNK WILL RANDOMLY POP OPEN WHEN THE CAR IS IN PARK AND WHEN I START THE CAR AND, WHEN THE CAR IS OFF AND IN PARK.

NHTSA ID
10949723
Incident
Feb 5, 2017
Body & structureElectrical
Filed Jun 12, 2016

TRUNK ELECTRIC OPEN BUTTON DOES NOT WORK, MUST USE THE REMOTE TRUNK BUTTON TO OPEN TRUNK. I HOPE THAT NO SMALL CHILD SHOULD CLIMB IN TRUNK AND CLOSE THE TRUNK LID. WHEN CAR IS STATIONARY. AND REMOTE IS NOT CLOSE BY.

NHTSA ID
10873754
Incident
Jun 12, 2016
Body & structureBrakes
Filed Jun 30, 2015
Crash reported

I WAS TRYING TO PARK MY 2012 CHEVROLET CRUZE CAR IN A PARKING PLACE. I TURNED INTO THE PARKING SPOT AND WHEN I PLACED MY FOOT ON THE BRAKES, NOTHING HAPPENED. I LOOKED DOWN AT MY FOOT AND WATCHING MYSELF REPEATEDLY PUMP THE BRAKES. INSTEAD OF STOPPING, MY CAR WENT OVER THE PARKING SPOT YELLOW CURB, OVER A SIDEWALK AND SOME GRASS, AND I HIT A PARKED VEHICLE. BEFORE I HIT THE VEHICLE, I LUCKILY TURNED MY WHEEL, CAUSING LESS DAMAGE TO THE PARKED VEHICLE. AFTER I HIT THE VEHICLE, MY CAR TURNED BACK INTO THE PARKING LOT WHERE IT FINALLY STOPPED. I AM NOT SURE IF IT STOPPED BECAUSE OF ME REPEATEDLY PUMPING THE BRAKES, OR THAT I FINALLY RAN OUT OF MOMENTUM, SINCE I HAD NOT HIT THE ACCELERATOR SINCE BEFORE TRYING TO PARK. MY BUMPER IS DAMAGED, HAD TO HAVE CAR TOWED BECAUSE I AM TOO AFRAID TO DRIVE IT. MY 5 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER WAS IN THE BACKSEAT, IN HER BOOSTER SEAT, DURING ALL OF THIS, AND I AM AFRAID THINKING OF HOW WORSE IT COULD HAVE BEEN, WITH THE BRAKES NOT WORKING. I FOUND OUT AFTER THE FACT THAT THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THIS YEAR AND MODEL CAR FOR THE BRAKES, AND THAT RECALL WAS BEFORE I OWNED THE CAR.

NHTSA ID
10731175
Incident
Jun 28, 2015
Mileage
48,000 mi
Body & structureElectrical
Filed May 20, 2015

THE ELECTRICAL PAD THAT YOU PUSH TO OPEN THE TRUNK IS FAULTY AND DOES NOT WORK ANYMORE. ONLY WAY TO GET INTO TRUNK IS TO PUSH KEY FOB. IF A CHILD OR ADULT GOT TRAPPED INSIDE IT COULD BE HARMFUL DUE TO FACT THAT THE PUSH PAD FOR THE TRUNK OPEN IS FAULTY.

NHTSA ID
10717452
Incident
Oct 31, 2014
Mileage
56,000 mi
Body & structureElectrical
Filed Dec 22, 2014

8/6/13-THE TRUNK RELEASE SWITCH DOES NOT WORK. DIAGNOSIS WAS FAULTY TRUNK RELEASE SWITCH, THE TECHNICIAN REPLACED IT. HVAC BLOWER MOTOR IS NOISY AND RATTLES CAN BE HEARD INSIDE AND OUTSIDE OF THE CAR. ALSO HAD INTERMITTENT DELAY WHEN TURNING HVAC ON. TECHNICIAN REPLACED THE BLOWER MOTOR. COULD NOT FIND REASON FOR DELAY. 1/22/14 - HVAC BURNING SMELL WHEN RUNNING HEAT. TECHNICIAN REPLACED HVAC CASE WITH NEW DESIGN GREASE ON IT. FILLED COOLANT. 7/24/14- SAME THING HAPPENED TO TRUNK RELEASE WAS REPLACED AGAIN. OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE SENSOR DID NOT WORK, IT WAS REPLACED. THE VENT IN CAR FOR BLOW TAB BROKE OFF, IT WAS REPLACED. *TR

NHTSA ID
10667590
Incident
Aug 6, 2013
Mileage
28,374 mi
Body & structureElectrical
Filed Oct 9, 2014

MY TRUNK OPENED AT RANDOM WHEN I WAS HEADED TO WORK. THIS OCCURRED MANY TIMES WHEN I WAS DRIVING AND AS WELL AS WHEN THE CAR WAS PARKED AND LOCKED. IT COULD HAVE CAUSED AN ACCIDENT DUE TO A DISTRACTION AND HAVING TO PULL OVER, ITEMS FALLING OUT IN FRONT OF VEHICLE FOLLOWING, AND ALSO COULD HAVE HAD ITEMS STOLEN. SINCE THE MIDDLE OF SUMMER, IT HAS STOPPED THAT ISSUE BUT, THE TRUNK WILL NOT OPEN WITH THE BUTTON ON THE REAR OF THE TRUNK. THE ONLY WAY IT OPEN IS WITH THE KEY FOB. THIS IS VERY INCONVENIENT AND HAS HAPPENED TO MANY OTHERS. I HAVE STOPPED AT A FEW CHEVROLET DEALERS ASKING FOR THEM TO FIX THIS BEFORE MY WARRANTY EXPIRED BUT THEY WOULD NOT COVER IT. *TR

NHTSA ID
10643714
Incident
Jan 15, 2014
Mileage
50,000 mi
Body & structureOther / unspecified
Filed Sep 25, 2014
Crash reported

VEHICLE TURNED OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF TAKING A LEFT TURN. CAUSED THE CAR TO GO OFF THE ROAD INTO A GRADED LOT. AT THIS POINT CAUSING MY TIRE TO GO FLAT AND DAMAGING THE FENDER AND PASSENGER DOOR. THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TIME THE CAR HAS TURNED OFF ON ME. I HAVE HAD IT IN THE SHOP 3 TIMES IN THE 4 MONTHS THAT I HAVE OWNED THIS VEHICLE AND STILL NOTHING IS RESOLVED. *TR

NHTSA ID
10639184
Incident
Aug 29, 2014
Mileage
32,945 mi
Body & structure
Filed Sep 3, 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET CRUZE. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE DOOR LATCH BECAME INOPERABLE. AS A RESULT, THE DOORS FAILED TO OPEN AT VARIOUS TIMES AND NO WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. IN ADDITION, WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED THE ENGINE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 46,000. THE VIN NUMBER WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID
10630508
Incident
Feb 20, 2014
Body & structureEngine
Filed Apr 3, 2014
Fire reported

[XXX] VIN MY CAR WAS TAKEN TO DEALERSHIP BECAUSE IT STARTED MAKING A SOUND LIKE THE MOTOR WAS TICKING AND HAD BEEN OVERFILLED WITH OIL ABOUT 6 MONTHS BEFORE BY THE DEALERSHIP. THE SERVICEMAN WAITED UNTIL NEXT DAY TO DRIVE THE CAR. WHILE BEING TEST DROVE BY THE SERVICE MAN IT CAUGHT ON FIRE AND BURNED THE WHOLE MOTOR AND OUTSIDE OF THE CAR UP. ALL PLASTIC WAS COMPLETELY BURNED. MY INSURANCE MAN WHO WENT TO LOOK AT THE CAR SAID HE COULD NOT TELL IF THE PLASTIC SHIELD ON THE BOTTOM HAD OIL ON IT OR NOT BUT THEY COULD FURTHER INVESTIGATE AND WOULD BE ABLE TO FIND OUT. NOW I HAD INSURANCE FULL COVERAGE ON THE CAR AND I BOUGHT GAP FROM THE DEALERSHIP WHEN I PURCHASED THE CAR. I AM PAYING A 6.25 INTEREST RATE ON THE CAR WHICH CAME TO 22,740.00 PLUS 3,000.00 DOWN WHEN PURCHASED AND BEEN PAYING FOR 1 YEAR. PAID FOR EXTENDED WARRANTY AND GAP. I HAVE WAITED OVER A MONTH FOR GM TO INVESTIGATE THIS AND OF TODAY'S DATE THE DEALERSHIP SAYS THEY HAVE NOT COME TO DO THEIR JOB. I AM 64 YEARS OLD AND NEVER DREAMED THAT A LARGE DEALERSHIP COULD OR WOULD DO SOMEONE LIKE THEY HAVE DONE ME. THERE WAS VERY LARGE RECALL ON 2012 CARS AND I DON'T KNOW IF MINE WAS EVER FIXED BECAUSE I DIDN'T KNOW ABOUT THE RECALL UNTIL THIS HAPPENED. I JUST WANT MY MONEY BACK FOR THE DOWN PAYMENT SO I CAN BUY ANOTHER CAR AND FOR MY CAR TO BE PAID OFF BY THE DEALERSHIP BECAUSE THEY ARE THE ONES WHO OVER FILLED THE CAR IN THE FIRST PLACE. THE DEALERSHIP SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE CAR IT WAS IN THERE PLACE THERE SERVICE MEN WAS DRIVING IT WHEN IT CAUGHT ON FIRE. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ID
10577268
Incident
Feb 22, 2013
Mileage
43,000 mi
AirbagsBody & structureBrakes
Filed Oct 22, 2013
Crash reported

DRIVER WAS TRAVELING APPROX. 15-20 MPH WHEN TRAFFIC STOPPED IN FRONT OF HER. DRIVER WAS AT A SAFE DISTANCE BEHIND THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF HER. HOWEVER, AFTER APPLYING THE BRAKES THE CAR DID NOT STOP AND HIT THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF HER. THE DRIVER COULD NOT FIGURE OUT WHY THE CRASH HAPPENED AS SHE APPLIED THE BRAKES AND THE CAR FELT LIKE IT WOULDN'T STOP. NOT ONLY DID THE VEHICLE NOT STOP BUT IT ALSO HAD EXTENSIVE FRONT END DAMAGE WITHOUT ANY AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT. BOTH ISSUES ARE VERY CONCERNING TO THE DRIVER. THE VEHICLE HAS SINCE BEEN REPAIRED BUT STILL FEELS LIKE THE BRAKES ARE NOT FUNCTIONING LIKE THEY SHOULD. *TR

NHTSA ID
10548952
Incident
Jul 28, 2013
Mileage
10,000 mi
Body & structureElectrical
Filed Aug 14, 2013

THE TRUNK RELEASE SWITCH THAT IS LOCATED ON THE TRUNK OF THE VEHICLE DOES NOT WORK. THE ONLY WAY TO OPEN THE TRUNK IS BY USING THE KEYLESS ENTRY REMOTE. THOUGH THIS DOES NOT POSE A DIRECT THREAT TO SAFETY IT IS EXTREMELY INCONVENIENT DUE TO THE NEED FOR THE KEY JUST TO OPEN AN UNLOCKED VEHICLES TRUNK. I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE ONLY BEING ONE YEAR OLD WITH 50,000 MILES (SO THE WARRANTY IS OUT) AND THE DEALERSHIP SAYS THAT THEY CAN'T DO ANYTHING UNLESS I PAY FULL PRICE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10535361
Incident
Jul 27, 2013
Mileage
50,000 mi
Body & structureElectricalEngine
Filed Mar 27, 2013

STRONG ODOR OF COOLANT ENTERING THE INTERIOR OF CAR WHEN HEATER IS USED. BECOMES STRONGER IF WINDOW IS OPEN WHILE DRIVING . ODOR IS NOT PRESENT WHEN AT STANDSTILL. OPEN OPENING HOOD WITH ENGINE OFF ODOR CAN BE SENSED NEAR THE WATER PUMP AREA. DEALER REPLACED WATER PUMP A WEEK AGO TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE HAS 28 K ON IT. *TR

NHTSA ID
10504687
Incident
Mar 27, 2013
Mileage
28,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Mar 1, 2013

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET CRUZE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER A SEVERE HAIL STORM, THERE WERE LARGE DENTS IN THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THEY ADVISED HIM THAT THE HAIL STORM CAUSED $7,000 WORTH OF DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY OF THE STEEL IF HE WERE TO BE INVOLVED IN A CRASH. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 5,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 19,000. UPDATED 05/08/13*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED A VEHICE PARKED NEXT TO THE THIS ONE HAD MINIMAL HAIL DAMAGE. AAA MADE 3 VISITS IN ORDER TO REPAIR THE DAMAGE. UPDATED 06/04/2013 *JS

NHTSA ID
10500943
Incident
Mar 1, 2012
Mileage
5,000 mi
Body & structureEngineSteering
Filed Sep 12, 2012

AFTER HAVING THE UNDERBELLY SHIELD MODIFIED ON MY SISTER'S 2012 CHEVROLET CRUZE ECO PER THE RECALL (NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 12V288000) I NOTICED AN INCREASE IN BUFFETING AND HIGHWAY SPEED WANDERING IN THE HANDLING OF HER CAR.THIS IS MOST NOTICEABLE AT SPEEDS OF APPROX 75 MPH AND HIGHER. THE CAR FELT LESS STABLE THAN IT DID PRIOR TO THE RECALL SERVICE BEING PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE. BECAUSE OF THIS, I PURCHASED A REPLACEMENT UNDERBODY SHIELD FROM A DEALER AND RE-INSTALLED IT. THE RESULT OF THIS RE-INSTALLATION WAS NOISE BACK TO NORMAL, HANDLING BACK TO NORMAL. *TR

NHTSA ID
10475246
Incident
Aug 15, 2012
Mileage
14,000 mi
Body & structureEnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Aug 11, 2012

CHEVROLET'S RECALL FIX ON THE 2011-2012 CHEVY CRUZE INVOLVE CUTTING OFF LARGE PORTIONS OF THE UNDERNEATH HEAT SHIELD, THIS PIECE IS ALSO A DEBRIS SHIELD. BUT NOW WITH THE HEAT SHIELD COMPLETELY GONE, THERE NOW IS NO PROTECTION FROM DEBRIS ENTERING UNDER THE HOOD AND CAUSING MORE DAMAGE, ALSO WITH THIS FIX GM IS COMPROMISING THE BIGGEST SELLING POINT OF THIS CAR WHICH IS THE GAS MILEAGE, THIS SHIELD IS ALSO USED TO REDUCE DRAG UNDERNEATH THE CAR AND IN TURN INCREASING GAS MILEAGE, BUT NOW DRAG WILL INCREASE UNDERHOOD WHICH WILL DECREASE FUEL MILEAGE. IN VERY WET CLIMATES THIS SHIELD HELPED PREVENT WATER FROM SPRAYING UP UNDER THE HOOD AS WELL, AND BY REMOVING THIS SHIELD OUR CARS ARE NOW MORE PRONE RUST, CORROSION AND ABNORMAL WEAR TO VITAL PARTS. GM HAS DONE A HORRIBLE JOB AT FIXING THIS PROBLEM, NO LOGIC OR OBVIOUS CARE WERE TAKEN INTO CONSIDERATION WHEN ADDRESSING THIS ISSUE. IF THIS KIND OF SIMILAR PROBLEM HAPPENED ON A CADILLAC OR A CORVETTE WOULD HAVE THEY FIXED THE PROBLEM THE SAME WAY?? PROBABLY NOT, SO WHAT MAKES MY CHEVY CRUZE ANY LESS IMPORTANT? *TR

NHTSA ID
10470274
Incident
Aug 11, 2012
Mileage
10,259 mi
Body & structureBrakesSuspension+1 more
Filed Jun 4, 2012

I TOOK MY VEHICLE IN COMPLAINING OF A STRANGE NOISE, ALMOST LIKE A "POP" WHEN BRAKING. WHEN THE DEALERSHIP LOOKED AT IT THEY TOLD ME IT WAS THE STRUTS. THEY STATED THEY WERE WAITING ON A RECALL FROM CHEVROLET AND THAT I SHOULD JUST CONTINUE TO KEEP CALLING AND CHECKING ON IT. I CALLED THEM EACH MONTH SINCE. EACH TIME THEY ASSURED ME IT WOULD NOT AFFECT MY VEHICLE AT ALL AND THAT IT WOULD BE FINE. OBVIOUSLY, A STRUT IS A PART OF THE CAR, IT MUST BE NEEDED TO FUNCTION OR IT WOULD NOT BE ON THERE. I HAVE NO IDEA HOW THIS IS AFFECTING MY VEHICLE INCLUDING MY TIRE WEAR, BRAKES, AND OVERALL STRUCTURE OF THE VEHICLE. THERE HAS STILL BEEN NO RECALL ISSUED AND THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. *TR

NHTSA ID
10460606
Incident
Apr 1, 2012
Mileage
100 mi

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

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Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .