2012 Chevrolet Cruze Electrical Problems

My breaks do not work in reverse. Pump valve seems to be bad

NHTSA ID

11741926

Incident

May 28, 2026

The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Cruze. The contact stated that while driving at 40 MPH and accelerating over a speed bump, the key slid out of the ignition switch. An independent mechanic was contacted. The vehicle was taken to the independent mechanic, and it was determined that the ignition switch needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V502000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, POWER TRAIN); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and a case was opened. The failure mileage was 74,522.

NHTSA ID

11733293

Incident

Mar 30, 2026

Mileage

74,522 mi

My car keeps telling me my trunk is open then it dings constantly going back and forth from tire monitor system to the trunk open. Then Everytime I turn the car off I have to wiggle the battery cable to get my car to start and my power steering keeps going out. I'm aware there are recalls.for my car but beings my check engine light is on they r refusing to fix my car. I don't understand. I thought recalls were mandatory and had to be fixed. This car barely has 85,000 miles on it. I shouldn't be having all these issues. It's all electrical it seems like. I need help.

NHTSA ID

11611181

Incident

Jul 11, 2024

Everything that has to do with the air in cabin and air intake for engine fails. Have issues all the time with it , told I need to fix one part then that fails again. Can’t use the AC in this car more than half the time if not an issue arises. Now I can’t get my inspection because again the same codes: P0097, P0171,P11c3, P 2199 At first I had only an issue with the MAF new one was placed and now all these errors popped up. The electrical also gave me issues before the lights are not as bright anymore in the car not the headlights. Too afraid to change them because I need the vehicle for my medical appointments and to pick up kids from school

NHTSA ID

11554698

Incident

Oct 10, 2023

The car's theft deterrent is not able to be turned off and is causing the car to stop working. I was driving my car on the highway and all of a sudden it completely shut off. I had it towed home. I replaced the battery and it worked for a short period of time but then shut off again. My mechanic states that the theft deterrent is getting triggered. We replaced the battery, fob battery, and checked everything it could possibly be with no luck. The car is too dangerous to drive and has caused missed work and loss of income.

NHTSA ID

11554508

Incident

Oct 16, 2023

Engine valve cover explode

NHTSA ID

11546213

Incident

Sep 15, 2022

Value covers leaking oil and I replace it 6 times and it keep leaking

NHTSA ID

11521869

Incident

May 13, 2023

The car began to shake uncontrollably on the freeway at 55/MPH . The car then marked "Engine Power is Reduced", causing the car to no longer accelerate more than 5-7/MPH. This is a very dangerous situation because it can cause a terrible accident on the road since it's a random inconvenience. I have heard that many of these types of cars "Chevy Cruze" seem to experience the same type of problem. With that being said it's safe to say that as an owner this situation is far out of my control and it's definitely a collective problem with the type of car and make that it is. I ask for this to be immediately looked into.

NHTSA ID

11482259

Incident

Aug 31, 2022

When the ac on the brake pad will lock and there no brakes you can't push it down it gets hard but when you turn the ac turns off the brake pad goes back to normal but it's damage to be driving and this happen .. Also the trac control light comes on along with the sailablzie light

NHTSA ID

11469091

Incident

Jun 13, 2022

Loses power replace the maf sensor new air filter replaced both thermostat sensors, the thing that regulates the gas and 3 oil changes only had the car 2 months. Now a differnt code is showing about a mis fire.. i dnt think any of the recalls were completed on my car

NHTSA ID

11461937

Incident

Apr 24, 2022

The temperature gauge never shows the hand even get to half on the hot cold fail however the car could have no coolant and be 400 degrees the sail will Or reflect so. This has caused many probable s bc I can’t tell when it over hears it’s mezwwzs the comupeter

NHTSA ID

11456379

Incident

Dec 3, 2021

Steering fades , blinkers go out, stability trac goes in and out. Radio goes on and off. Radio sometimes stays on after car is shut off.

NHTSA ID

11447630

Incident

Nov 26, 2021

It keeps running pot. And it also needs any houses now and I have done replaced the thermostat and the thermostat housing I'm going to voicemail

NHTSA ID

11440428

Incident

May 19, 2021

The problem I have is a very, very common problem and a huge safety issue to my life or anyone with the same car within around 2011 to 2015. The cheap plastic levers for the mode actuator for my defrost and vents do not work. They have broken and this I barely have any heat coming out of the front vents and absolutely none coming from the defrost. This is a huge issue and highly affects my driving in the cold and snowy, or even rainy, weather. I’m so upset there has not been a recall thus far. No one wants to spend 1000 dollars for a five dollar part when it’s not their fault that the levers are faulty! This is Chevrolets and thus, GMCs problem. My safety is highly threatened when I can’t defrost the ice nor the fog over my windshield meaning I cannot see!! I scrape it and as soon as I drive it gets worse I had to pull over today because I couldn’t see at all! It’s scary and not okay! Please admit to the mistake and fix the problem. Please!

NHTSA ID

11439256

Incident

Nov 3, 2021

Service Bulletin Number: 14311B, Date: June 2015, Service Bulletin: SB-10057574-8899 CONDITION On certain 2011–2015 model year Chevrolet Cruze vehicles, the negative battery cable terminal clamp may have an insufficient crimp at the battery negative terminal. Over time, the internal resistance increases and vehicle electrical systems do not receive adequate power. With this condition, the following effects are possible: the Radio/HVAC Display may turn off and on; the Antilock Brake System, Service Traction System, Service Stabilitrac and Steering vehicle messages may come on and off; the turn signal sound may not be heard; “Battery Saver Active” and “Service Steering” may display in the Driver Information Center (DIC); and the interior and exterior lighting may flicker. Power steering assist may also be lost, and greater effort may be needed to turn the steering wheel at low speeds or while the vehicle is stopped. It's in the Service Bulletin Provided below. I am not sure if my 2012 Chevy Cruze Eco is included in this Service Bulletin (Below), but this Service Bulletin is the closest thing I could find that describes what is going on with my Vehicle. Lights blinking, steering hard to turn, steering warning light coming on (Stabilitrac), and other things as well described in the Service Bulletin. Again, I am not sure if my car's VIN Number, is included in the Service Bulletin, I would like to know if it is? or not?, before taking it in to the Dealer Ship, for repairs/service, because it is unsafe to drive at this point forward.

NHTSA ID

11422081

Incident

Jun 23, 2021

WHILE DRIVING AT SPEED THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT WOULD COME ON ENGINE WOULD START TO JERK AND THEN LOST POWER

NHTSA ID

11407139

Incident

Apr 7, 2021

Mileage

104,033 mi

I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE AT ANAHEIM AUTO HUB LAST JUNE 6, 2020 FOR MY DAUGHTER. COUPLE MONTHS LATER IT STARTED LEAKING AND SMELLS LIKE BURNING OIL. AND THE STABILI TRACK SENSOR AND THE TRACTION CONTROL SENSORS CAME ON. AND, AS WELL AS THE KEY GOT STUCK INSIDE THE IGNITION COUPLE OF TIMES. SO I TOOK IT THE MECHANIC TO GET THE LEAKS FIX. THE MECHANIC FOUND THAT THE VALVE COVER GASKET LEAK AND VALVE TIMING SOLENOID. SO THE MECHANIC REPLACED THE VALVE GASKET COVER AND THE VALVE TIMING SOLENOID LEAK, AND RIGHT AFTER THAT BEING SAID, ONE WEEK LATER WE FOUND LEAKING SO, I TOOK IT BACK TO MECHANIC AGAIN, NOW THEY FOUND 3 DIFFERENT LEAK, FROM THE OIL COOLER LEAK, ENGINE OIL PAN GASKET AND LEAKING ON ENGINE TIMING COVER GASKET. AND I FOUND 7 RECALLS ON THIS VEHICLE THAT HAS NEVER FIX. AND I AM THE NEW OWNER AND I JUST FINING THIS OUT. HERE ARE THE RECALLS THAT HAVE NOT BEEN RESOLVE ON 2012 CHEVROLET CRUZE ECO: RECALL SUBJECT: AIR BAGS/ CAMPAIGN# 13V23000 RECALL SUBJECT: AIR BAGS / CAMPAIGN# 12V522000 RECALL SUBJECT: ENGINE & ENGINE COOLING / CAMPAIGN# 12V288000 RECALL SUBJECT: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE STORAGE TANK, ASSEMBLY MOUNTING / CAMPAIGN# 12V289000 RECALL SUBJECT: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, POWER ASSIST / CAMPAIGN# 13V360000 RECALL SUBJECT: POWER TRAIN, AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE (TCM,PCM)

NHTSA ID

11389702

Incident

Nov 21, 2020

Mileage

94,500 mi

SHORTLY AFTER PURCHASING CAR, THE CAR STARTED AND LIGHTS STARTED FLASHING BY ITSELF MORE THAN 10 MINUTES AFTER EXITING THE CAR. THEN HEAT STOPPED WORKING IN 0 DEGREE WEATHER. WHILE DRIVING NOTIFICATION SAID "AC OFF DUE TO HIGHT ENGINE TEMP". WHILE DRIVING CAR SHUT DOWN AND WOULDN'T START SAYING "SERVICE STABILI TRACK" TOOK TO MECHANIC AND THEY SAID I NEED A NEW WATER PUMP AND HEAD GASKET. MIND YOU HEAT STOPPED WORKING AS WELL AGAIN. THEY CONFIRMED THERE WAS NO ANTIFREEZE BECAUSE ITS LEAKING. NOW THANK GOODNESS I WAS JUST GETTING HOME, COULD BARELY GET INTO THE DRIVEWAY BECAUSE NOW I'M GETTING A NOTIFICATION "SERVICE POWER STEERING". FROM EVERYTHING I'VE READ THERE HAVE BEEN RECALLS DUE TO ALL OF THESE ISSUES BUT MY VIN ISN'T LISTED. I STILL OWE ALMOST 5000.00 ON THIS CRAPPY CAR AND I'M COMPLETELY OVER IT... WORST CAR EVER

NHTSA ID

11373249

Incident

Nov 5, 2020

OIL IS RUNNING FROM A CAST NUT THAT HOLDS AN ALTERNATOR BRACKET TO THE ENGINE BLOCK AND WITH THE CAR GOING DOWN THE ROAD AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS THERE' A STRONG POSSIBILITY THAT OIL COMING FROM THIS CAST NUT THAT CANT HOLD THE BRACKET STABLE IS LETTING THE PRESSURE OF THE OIL TO RUN OUT AND POSSIBLY COME IN CONTACT WITH THE INTERNAL WORKINGS OF THE ALTERNATOR AND SHORT IT OUT WITH THE POSSIBILITY OF A FIRE STARTING AND CAUSING OTHER PROBLEMS UNDER THE HOOD PLUS THE CHANCE OF DESTROYING THE ENGINE IF THE LEAK OF THE OIL PRESSURE PUSHES THAT END OF THE BRACKET OUT OF THE ENGINE BLOCK AND THE OIL WILL COME OUT LIKE WATER COMING OUT OF A WATER HOSE. WHAT IS HAPPENING NOW EVERY TIME I DRIVE THE CAR AND STOP IT LEAVES OIL ALL OVER DIFFERENT PARTS OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND THE OIL LEAVES A BIG PUDDLE ON MY GARAGE FLOOR AND I END UP HAVING TO CRAWL UNDER THE CAR TO CLEAN EXCESS OIL OFF THE ENGINE AND THE GARAGE FLOOR ON A REGULAR BASIS. YOU TUBE IS SHOWING THAT SEVERAL DIFFERENT PEOPLE HAVE THIS PROBLEM THE BRACKET IS PUSHING OUT DUE THE FACT THAT THE CAST NUT IS BREAKING DOWN DUE TO THE HEAT AND IN TURN OIL STARTS RUNNING ALL OVER THE TOP SIDE OF THE MOTOR AND INTO DIFFERENT AREAS OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. IT MIGHT REALLY GIVE YOU A BETTER IDEAL OF THIS PROBLEM IF YOU LOOK ON YOU TUBE CONCERNING OIL LEAK PROBLEMS WITH THE CHEVROLET CRUZE 1.4L ENGINE STARTING IN 2012 AND IT STARTED ON APPROX. 10-15-2020 AND CONTINUES TO HAPPEN ACCORDING TO HOW FAR I DRIVE AND HOW LONG THE ENGINE IS AT OPERATING TEMPERATURE. IF I CAN HELP YOU TO HELP ME AND A LOT OF OTHER PEOPLE THAT ARE HAVING THIS PROBLEM . THANKS FOR YOUR TIME AND I HOPE THIS CAN BE TAKEN CARE FOR THE SAFETY ASPECT! THANKS AGAIN I REALLY APPRECIATE YOUR HELP.

NHTSA ID

11372583

Incident

Oct 15, 2020

Mileage

29,500 mi

MY CAR HAS STARTED TO GET HARD TO BRAKE. EVEN GOING FORWARD OR REVERSE SLOWLY THE CAR DOES NOT WANT TO BRAKE. I TRY TO BRAKE AND THE CAR STILL SLIDES FORWARD OR REVERSE. I SOMETIMES HAVE TO PUMP THE BRAKE MULTIPLE TIME AND IT DOES NOT ALWAYS HELP. I HEARD THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THIS ISSUE BUT MY CAR'S VIN IS NOT APART OF THE RECALL WITH THE SAME ISSUE. I BLEED THE BRAKES AND PUT NEW FLUID AND NOT MUCH HAS REALLY CHANGED. I HAVE A CHEVROLET CRUZE ECO 1.4L, ANY HELP WOULD BE APPRECIATED.

NHTSA ID

11341805

Incident

Jul 6, 2020

Mileage

150,000 mi

LET ME LIST ALL THAT IS WRONG WITH MY CAR: STABILLITRACK TRACTION CONTROL PURGE VALVE TIRE SENSOR TRANSMISSION LIGHTS FLICKER WHEN I COME TO A STOP AND USE MY TURN SIGNAL INTAKE MANIFOLD BRAKE BOOSTER CAR STALLS AND SOMETIMES DOESN'T EVEN WANT TO START. ALL OF THESE THINGS ARE PART OF THE RECALL FOR MY 2012 CHEVY CRUZE BUT FOR SOME REASON IT SAYS MY VIN # ISN'T PART OF THE RECALL. HOW IS THAT?? *TR

NHTSA ID

11328084

Incident

Jan 1, 2019

PASSENGER HEADLIGHT WILL NOT KEEP LOW BEAM/HIGH BEAM ON EVEN WITH NEW BULBS, CHANGED SOCKET CONNECTORS, PROBLEM SEEMS TO REAPPEAR, HAPPENS WHILE DRIVING AND STATIONARY

NHTSA ID

11311352

Incident

Feb 23, 2020

Mileage

140,000 mi

THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STAYS ON. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO NUMEROUS MECHANICS WHO HAVE REPLACED THINGS AND IT STILL COMES ON. THE HEATING AND COOLING HAND WILL GO HAYWIRE BUT IT'S NOT RUNNING HOT AND ALL THE OTHER LIGHTS ON THE DASH WILL BLINK ON AND OFF. I THINK THE COMPUTER IS BAD.

NHTSA ID

11302992

Incident

Jan 28, 2020

Mileage

50,000 mi

I PURCHASED A CAR ON DECEMBER 19TH 2019 I PUT $4,000 DOWN ON A 2012 CHEVY CRUZE FROM A FROM A USED CAR LOT HERE IN DAYTONA BEACH FLORIDA I CANNOT GET MY OIL CHANGE THE SCREW THAT LETS THE OIL OUT OF THE OIL PAN HAS BEEN STRIPPED AND I WAS UNABLE TO GET THE OIL CHANGED BECAUSE IN ORDER TO DO THAT THEY WOULD HAVE TO BREAK IT AND SPOT WELDING WOULD NEED TO BE DONE ALSO EVERY TIME I SHUT MY CAR OFF AND GO TO TURN IT BACK ON I HAVE TO GET A JUMP MY CAR BATTERY LOSES ITS ENERGY OR WHATEVER YOU WANT TO CALL IT SO IT LOSES POWER MY BATTERY THE BATTERY IS 5 YEARS OLD ALSO MY ROTORS ARE BRAND-NEW BUT MY BRAKE PADS ARE BAD AND THEY WOULD NOT WHEN I SAY THEY I MEAN AUTOVENTURE IN HOLLY HILL FLORIDA WHERE I BOUGHT THE CAR WILL NOT GIVE ME A CARFAX INSTEAD THEY GAVE ME ANOTHER THING THAT'S LIKE CARFAX AND IT SAYS THAT MY CAR IS FULL IS AND THERE'S NOTHING WRONG WITH IT WHEN INDEED THE MOTOR ITSELF IS FROM A JUNKYARD AND THEY DID NOT DENY THAT SO THIS IS WITHIN THE FIRST THREE WEEKS OF ME HAVING THE CAR AND I'M ALREADY SEEING THIS MANY PROBLEMS. ALSO I HAVE AN OIL LEAK I WAS TOLD TO PURCHASE A A COVER TO WHERE YOU PUT THE OIL IN THE CAR CUZ THE COVER MIGHT BE OLD AND IT STILL MIGHT NOT BE AS GOOD SO I WENT TO CHEVY DEALERSHIP AND PURCHASE IT FOR $28 ONLY TO FIND OUT THAT VALVE COVER GASKET ALSO NEEDS TO BE REPLACED SO MY CAR IS LEAKING OIL THE OIL CHANGE PLACE WHERE I'VE BEEN TAKING MY CAR'S THE LAST 6 YEARS WOULD NOT TOUCH MY CAR AND GIVE ME AN OIL CHANGE DUE TO THE FACT THAT THE BOLT AT THE BOTTOM OF THE OIL PAN HAS BEEN STRIPPED SO NOT ONLY IS MY OIL AT 6% BUT NOW I CAN'T GET MY OIL CHANGED BECAUSE OF IT

NHTSA ID

11298405

Incident

Jan 9, 2020

I HAVE A 2012 CHEVY CRUZE 1.4 TURBO ENGINE THE ISSUE IS OVER HEATING .. THIS ISSUE IS REOCCURRING.. I WAS DRIVING FOR APPROXIMATELY 10 TO 20 MINUTES WHEN THE INDICATOR ON THE DASH READS THAT THE CAR IS TO HOT YO DRIVE AND WILL SHUT DOWN LEFT ME STRANDED ON THE ROAD SIDE. I TAKE IT TO CHEVY DEALER TO LEARN THERE HAS BEEN A THERMOSTAT PROBLEM I GET THE ISSUE REPAIRD IT RUNS OK FOR A WHILE THEN AGAIN SAME PROBLEM (OVER HEATED) ONE AGAIN. TAKE AGAIN TO CHEVY DEALER THEY TELL ME IT'S THE WATER PUMP. I HAVE THE WATER PUMP REPAIRED. ALL IS OK FOR A SHORT WHILE. AGAIN THE SAME ISSUE I CALL CHEVY DEALER AGAIN TO BRING MY CAR BACK FOR THE 4TH TIME. THEY SCHEDULE MY APPT. TO LOOK AT MY CAR ONE AGAIN AND ON MY WAY TO THE DEALER CAR OVER HEATS TURNS ITS SELF OFF AND WILL NOT START BACK AFTER COOLING DOWN. FINALLY I GET THE CAR TO THE DEAL TO LEARN THAT IT BLEW THE HEAD GASKET AND NOW BECAUSE IT' OVER HEADED SO MANY TIMES I NOW NEED AN ENGINE!!! THERE HAS BEEN EXTEND WARRANTY ON ALL OF THE COOLING PARTS OF THE ENGINE AND THIS ISSUE SHOULD ALSO BE COVERED HOWEVER THE DEALER WILL NOT FIX THE CAUSED PROBLEM FROM THE FAULTY PARTS !!!!!!

NHTSA ID

11287062

Incident

Nov 28, 2019

Mileage

146,000 mi