RoadVitals

2012 Chevrolet Cruze Exterior lighting Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the exterior lighting system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Exterior lighting 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.
15
Latest Jun 24, 2021
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.
0
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
0

What this page shows

Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting. 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. 15 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 exterior lighting

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

ElectricalExterior lightingSteering
Filed Jun 24, 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
ElectricalExterior lighting
Filed Feb 25, 2020

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
Driver assistanceElectricalExterior lighting
Filed Apr 21, 2019

A WEEK OR SO AGO WHILE DRIVING HOME FROM WORK ON THE INTERSTATE THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER WENT DARK AND THE DISPLAY IN THE CENTER OF IT COMPLETELY SHUT OFF. I FINISHED THE REMAINING 30 MINS. OF MY DRIVE WITHOUT IT RETURNING TO NORMAL(LIGHTS OFF DISPLAY REMAINED OFF). I DIDN'T HAVE ANY MORE ISSUES UNTIL TODAY. THIS AFTERNOON I DROVE TO A FAMILY GET TOGETHER AND WHILE STILL IN THE CITY MY INSTRUMENT CLUSTER PLUS MY RADIO DISPLAY STARTED TO RANDOMLY SHUT OFF THEN COME BACK ON AFTER A SECOND OR TWO SOMETIMES CONTINUOUSLY FOR 10-20 SECONDS AND ONCE FOR AROUND 30 SECONDS. EACH TIME THEY WENT OFF THE SPEAKERS WOULD SHUT OFF TOO AND I'M NOT SURE IF THE TURN SIGNALS WORKED DUE TO THE LACK OF A DISPLAY AND AUDIO. ONE INSTANCE I ALSO ENCOUNTERED EITHER REDUCED POWER STEERING OR COMPLETE LOSS OF IT FOR SEVERAL SECONDS WHILE LOSING POWER TO THE DISPLAYS AND REGAINING IT APPROXIMATELY 15 TIMES OVER ABOUT A 30 SECOND TIMEFRAME. AFTER THAT I GOT A STABILITRAK MESSAGE BUT STEERING WAS NORMAL FOR THE REST OF THE DRIVE. HOWEVER THE CLUSTER, RADIO DISPLAY, SPEAKERS, ETC. CONTINUED TO RANDOMLY TURN OFF FOR A SECOND OR TWO THEN COME BACK ON. WHEN WE LEFT THE GATHERING WITHIN A MINUTE OF STARTING THE CAR(HADN'T EVEN MADE IT OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY) EVERYTHING STARTED SHUTTING DOWN THEN COMING BACK ON JUST LIKE EARLIER BUT STEERING WASN'T EFFECTED AGAIN AND NO STABILITRAK MESSAGE ON THE WAY HOME EITHER. TODAY THE DRIVE STARTED IN A CITY THEN WAS OPEN HIGHWAY FOR ABOUT 20 MINS. AND THE GATHERING WAS AT A HOUSE ON THE OUTSKIRTS OF A TOWN. THE LOSS OF POWER TO THE THINGS I MENTIONED ABOVE SEEMED TO BE COMPLETELY RANDOM AND WERE NOT EFFECTED BY SPEED, STOP AND GO TRAFFIC, OR OPEN HIGHWAY. THE ONE TIME STEERING WAS EFFECTED I WAS TAKING OFF AT A STOP LIGHT BUT IT'S HARD TO SAY IF THAT WAS A FACTOR SINCE NONE OF THE OTHER STOPS WERE.

NHTSA ID
11202716
Incident
Apr 20, 2019
Mileage
75,000 mi
Driver assistanceEngineExterior lighting
Filed Jan 8, 2019

CAR WAS LIKE NEW FOR A FEW MONTHS, DRIVEN TO AND FROM ORLANDO MAYBE 4 TIMES, BUT MOSTLY USE IT FOR WORK TO TAKE MY DAUGHTER TO SCHOOL THEN IT STARTED THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT BEING ON, THEN SHORTLY, CAR STARTED JERKING WHILE PARKED, OR ON BRAKE, AND THE "CHECK STABILI TRACK CONTROL" LIGHT COMES ON, AND THEN WOULD JUST TURN OFF. I WOULD START SMELLING A VERY STRONG BURNT SMELL BUT NO OIL WAS FALLING TO THE FLOOR, BUT ONCE I STOPPED DRIVING THERE WOULD'VE SMOKE EVERYWHERE. WAS TOLD THERE IS A VACUUM LEAK COMING FROM PCV WHICH IS BUILT IN VALVE COVER...HAVE HAD VALVE COVER CHANGED 3 TIMES IN 3 WEEKS AND EACH TIME, IT LOOKED LIKE SOMEONE DIED UNDER MY HOOD AND BLED OIL! AM TOLD THAT THERE IS TOO MUCH PRESSURE COMING IN AND SO CAUSES OIL TO FIND A WAY OUT AND LEAKS IT SPILLS IT SLASHES, AND IT'S A MYSTERY! ALSO, THERE IS ANOTHER LEAK THAT ALL OF A SUDDEN STRATED FROM THE SIDE OF THE ENGINE! WHEN DOING MY RESEARCH, THERE ARE SOOOOOO MANY PEOPLE WITH THE SAME PROBLEMS! THIS NEEDS TO BE SOME SORT OF RECALL. PLEASE HELP!

NHTSA ID
11165933
Incident
Dec 10, 2018
Mileage
130,000 mi
Driver assistanceEngineExterior lighting
Filed Dec 27, 2017

WHEN STARTING MY CAR, MY WINDSHIELD WIPERS START GOING ALONG WITH WINDSHIELD WIPER FLUID COMING OUT, MY FOUR WAYS START BLINKING, AND MY TRUNK OPENS UP AND WILL NOT SHUT. I HAVE NOT TOUCHED ANYTHING THAT WOULD CAUSE ANY OF THIS TO HAPPEN. THIS HAS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES AND IT PUTS ME IN A HUGE INCONVENIENCE. I WAS DRIVING TODAY AND IT'S 14 DEGREES OUTSIDE, YET MY CAR STARTED TO OVERHEAT AND A WARNING CAME UP ON MY DASH SAYING SOMETHING ABOUT THE A/C BEING SHUT OFF DUE TO OVERHEATING.... WHY WOULD I BE USING MY A/C AT ALL?

NHTSA ID
11056953
Incident
Dec 27, 2017
Mileage
67,000 mi
Driver assistanceElectricalExterior lighting
Filed Aug 28, 2017

WHEN I TRY AND START MY CAR SOMETIME IT STALLS LIKE IT DOESN'T WANT TO CRANK UP AND WHEN I FINALLY DO GET IT CRANK THE EMERGENCY LIGHTS FLASH, POWER STEERING COMES ON THE SCREEN AND THEN WINDSHIELD WIPERS COME ON. I HAD THIS PROBLEM PREVIOUS A COUPLE MONTHS AGAIN TO WHERE WHEN I CRANK IT THE TRUNK CAME OPEN AND THE STABILITAK AND JERK AND OTHER THINGS WOULD POP UP. THEY PUT IT ON THE MACHINE AND IT SAID IT WAS MISFIRES SO I WENT AND GOT IT FIXED NOW IT'S HAPPENING AGAIN.

NHTSA ID
11020084
Incident
Aug 14, 2017
Mileage
134,882 mi
BrakesExterior lighting
Filed Aug 26, 2017

THE REAR CENTER BRAKE LIGHT STAYS LITE EVEN AFTER TAKING FOOT COMPLETELY OFF THE BRAKE PEDAL. I HAVE TO MANUALLY WITH MY FOOT LIFT /PUSH UP THE BRAKE PEDAL LIGHTLY IN ORDER TO HAVE THE BRAKE LIGHT TURN OFF. THIS HAPPENS VERY FREQUENTLY WHEN DRIVING IN HEAVY STOP AND GO TRAFFIC ON THE HIGHWAY.

NHTSA ID
11019853
Incident
Aug 25, 2017
Mileage
34,500 mi
ElectricalExterior lighting
Filed Aug 25, 2017

WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD DOWN THE ROAD, RADIO TURNS ON AND OFF , AC STOPPED BLOWING, LIGHTS FLASHING ON AND OFF, STABILITY TRACK FLASHING, THIS IS A PROBLEM, FIX IT, TOO MANY PEOPLE ARE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE! UNACCEPTABLE!

NHTSA ID
11019781
Incident
Aug 25, 2017
BrakesEngineExterior lighting
Filed Feb 10, 2016

AROUND SUNRISE ON A HIGHWAY WITH AN ADULT PASSENGER THE CAR LOST ALL POWER INSTANTLY. THE STEERING WAS HEAVY AND THE BRAKES HAD VERY LITTLE POWER. WE WAS ABLE TO DRIFT OVER TO A SAFE AREA. THE WAY THIS CAR PERFORMS WITH LITTLE BRAKING EFFORT IT CAN CAUSE SOME BAD ACCIDENTS IN OTHER ENVIROMENTS SUCH AS MOUNTAINS. THE SAFETY OF THE CHEVROLET CRUZE MODELS NEEDS TO BE IMPROVE.

NHTSA ID
10825517
Incident
Feb 9, 2016
Mileage
69,265 mi
ElectricalExterior lightingSteering
Filed Jan 26, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET CRUZE. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED AND THE HEADLAMPS TURNED OFF WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED SEVERAL ELECTRICAL ISSUES WITH THE VEHICLE, INCLUDING THE KEY FAILING TO DISLODGE FROM THE IGNITION SWITCH. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 58,000.

NHTSA ID
10822306
Incident
Jan 1, 2016
Mileage
58,000 mi
ElectricalEngineExterior lighting
Filed Jul 13, 2015

SINCE MARCH 30, 2015, I HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING ISSUES WITH AND I HAVE VIDEO EVIDENCE WHILE IN FAILURE MODE, OF WHAT I BELIEVE TO BE FAILURES OF THE BODY COMPUTER(S) IN THIS VEHICLE. THE DASHBOARD DISPLAYS HAVE BEEN GOING ON AND OFF UNDER A WIDE VARIETY OF DRIVING SITUATIONS, AND WHILE SITTING AT IDLE. THEY FAULT WHEN THE VEHICLE IS SIMPLY DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY. DURING THESE FAULTS, THE CENTER INFORMATION DISPLAY FOR THE HVAC AND ENTERTAINMENT WILL FREQUENTLY TURN OFF. THIS KILLS THE RADIO. IT AT TIMES KILLS THE HVAC SYSTEMS AND THE TURN SIGNALS (AT LEAST THE NOISE FOR THE TURN SIGNAL INDICATORS). AT TIMES, THE CENTER DISPLAY ABOVE THE STEERING COLUMN WILL GO BLACK AND THEN DISPLAY A MESSAGE ABOUT THE STABILITRAK HAVING FAILED AND REQUIRING IT TO BE CHECKED. THEN IT RETURNS TO NORMAL MODE. THIS IS LESS FREQUENT AN OCCURRENCE. WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY UNDER CRUISE CONTROL, THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED ONE INCIDENT OF UNINTENDED ACCELERATION WHILE THE DISPLAYS WERE IN FAULT MODES. THIS OCCURRED ON APRIL 1, 2015 I BELIEVE. THE DRIVER'S FEET WERE ON THE FLOORBOARDS. NOT TOUCHING ANY PEDALS AT ALL. THE INCIDENT WAS STOPPED BY THE DRIVER FIRMLY PRESSING DOWN ON THE BRAKE PEDAL. WHEN SUFFICIENT VIDEO EVIDENCE IS ACCUMULATED ON THESE FAILURES THE VEHICLE WILL BE TAKEN INTO THE DEALERSHIP. LACKING ACTUAL DEMONSTRATIVE EVIDENCE OF THE FAILURES, THE DEALERSHIP WILL NOT BE ABLE TO KNOW WHAT TO REPAIR OR REPLACE. THE CAR HAS A HISTORY OF DASH DISPLAY ISSUES. THE OWNER, A RETIRED LIBRARIAN/RESEARCHER FROM GENERAL MOTORS ADVANCED ENGINEERING STAFF AND THE R&D CENTER, HAS WORKED ON UNINTENDED ACCELERATION LEGAL CASES FOR THE COMPANY, AND HAS SUPPORTED LITIGATION DEFENSE WORK ON SUCH ISSUES WHILE AT THE COMPANY. HE IS STILL GATHERING EVIDENCE BUT FEELS THE NEED TO DOCUMENT THIS INCIDENT AS SOON AS POSSIBLE FOR NHTSA SHOULD AN ACCIDENT OCCUR TO HIM DUE TO THIS. IS A VERY HIGH RISK

NHTSA ID
10734176
Incident
Mar 1, 2013
Mileage
5,000 mi
ElectricalExterior lighting
Filed Oct 21, 2014

DRIVING ON INTERSTATE 10 WHEN ELECTRICAL LIGHTING, RADIO, ETC START BLINKING ON AND OFF. I WAS ON MY WAY FROM FLORIDA TO NORTH CAROLINA WHEN IT HAPPENED, I TURNED AROUND AND WENT TO CHEVROLET DEALER WHERE I BOUGHT IT, WAS CHECKED OUT AND MECHANIC SAID THEY COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG. DROVE TO NORTH CAROLINA AND WHEN I ARRIVED AT MY SON'S HOME THE SAME THING HAPPENED TWICE. WE TOOK IT TO CHEVROLET DEALER IN MOORESVILLE,NC, THEY FOUND OUT THROUGH GM IT WAS THE ELECTRICAL BOX CAUSING ALL THE PROBLEMS AND THEY REPLACED IT WITH A NEW ONE. I WASN'T IN AN ACCIDENT BUT IT MADE ME SCARED TO DRIVE IT. I FEEL AS THOUGH GM SHOULD HAVE RECALLED IT AND NOT MAKE THE CONSUMER WONDERING. I WOULD LIKE GM TO BE NOTIFIED ABOUT THIS AND TO ALSO HEAR FROM THEM. *TR

NHTSA ID
10649180
Incident
Jul 26, 2014
Mileage
19,230 mi
ElectricalExterior lightingSteering
Filed Jul 5, 2014

-THE FOLLOWING SYMPTOMS OCCUR INTERMITTENTLY (APPROXIMATELY ONE TIME PER MONTH) -WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE ISSUE TYPICALLY BEGINS WITH THE CENTER RADIO DISPLAY AND SOUND FLICKERING ON AND OFF. -NEXT, VARIOUS ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS IN THE CAR BEGIN TO MALFUNCTION. THIS INCLUDES TRACTION CONTROL, POWER STEERING, HEADLIGHTS, TURN SIGNALS CRUISE CONTROL, WINDOW FUNCTIONS, AND BRAKE LIGHTS. -THE VEHICLE DOES NOT ONLY REPORT THE SYSTEM MALFUNCTION, BUT WILL ACTUALLY EXPERIENCE FAILURE (ETC, POWER STEERING IS ACTUALLY DISABLED IN THE CAR). POWER STEERING WAS ONCE LOST AT THE BOTTOM OF A SWITCHBACK IN THE MOUNTAINS. I NEARLY LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. -AFTER THIS ISSUE OCCURS, IF THE VEHICLE IS TURNED OFF IT WILL NOT RESTART FOR 30-60 MINUTES (UNLESS THE BATTERY IS DISCONNECTED AND RECONNECTED). -DURING THIS PERIOD IT WILL NOT RESTART, NONE OF THE ELECTRICAL FUNCTIONS OF THE CAR WILL WORK (DOORS WILL NOT LOCK, WINDOWS WILL NOT MOVE, LIGHTS WILL NOT TURN ON, ETC). -ALSO, DURING THIS PERIOD I HAVE NOTICED A SOUND WITHIN THE DASHBOARD. THIS SOUNDS LIKE A SMALL ELECTRIC MOTOR RUNNING FOR APPROXIMATELY 60 SECONDS. *TR

NHTSA ID
10608346
Incident
Jul 5, 2014
Mileage
67,000 mi
Driver assistanceElectricalExterior lighting
Filed Mar 12, 2014

CAR DRIVES FINE BUT INTERIOR LIGHTS GO OUT RADIO STARTS BLINKING AND SERVICE STABILITRAK, SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL, SERVICE ANTITHEFT, AND SERVICE POWER STEERING LIGHTS COME ON THE DASH. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE THEY REPLACED THE BCM. THIS DID NOTHING 4 DAYS LATER IT ALL STARTED AGAIN. AFTER TURNING THE CAR OFF EVERYTHING RESETS. ON SOME OCCASIONS THE ANTITHEFT STOPS THE CAR FROM STARTING BACK UP I HAVE TO LEAVE THE CAR SIT WITH THE KEY ON ENGINE OFF FOR ABOUT 5 MINUTES THEN IT WILL START. THERE IS NO LOSS OF POWER IN THE ENGINE AND ALL THE GAUGES STILL WORK. WHEN I APPLY THE BRAKES THIS HAPPENS, OR WHEN I TRY TO ROLL DOWN THE WINDOW, OR EVEN WHEN IM JUST CRUISING DOWN THE STREET WITHOUT AND CHANGING SPEED OR ANYTHING IN THE CAR. *TR

NHTSA ID
10568935
Incident
Mar 5, 2014
Mileage
29,500 mi
Driver assistanceElectricalExterior lighting
Filed Feb 27, 2014

WE HAVE VIDEO OF THE RADIO DISPLAY AREA GOING BLANK THEN COMING ON THEN GOING BLANK CONTINUALLY, IT TAKES OUT ALL SOUND I.E., RADIO, NAVIGATIONAL INSTRUCTIONS, BLINKER SOUND .. WHILE THROWING MULTIPLE ERROR CODES IN THE AREA FOR ODOMETER READING I.E., SERVICE STABILA TRACK, SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL. THE USERS MANUAL TELLS YOU THAT IF SOMETHING LIKE THIS HAPPENS TO SHUT OFF THE CAR TO RESET THE CAR. IF YOU DO SHUT IT OFF OR STALL OUT THE CAR (MANUAL TRANSMISSION) EVERYTHING GOES DEAD. IT CANNOT BE ACCESSED BY ONSTAR (I CALLED THEM ON 2-19-2014 AND ASKED THEM TO DOCUMENT THAT THEY COULD NOT ACCESS THE CAR ... IT SIMPLY READ "ERROR" FOR THEM) THE FOB KEY HAS NO EFFECT, THERE IS NO STEERING, NO BRAKES, NO LIGHTS, NO NOTHING FOR 20 TO 45 MINUTES. SO IF IN TRAFFIC .. THE CAR SIMPLY BECOMES EITHER A ROAD BLOCK OR A TARGET. THE CAR HAS BEEN INTO 2 DIFFERENT DEALERSHIPS AND EVEN WITH VIDEO OF THE INCIDENTS THEY SIMPLY SAY THEY CAN FIND NOTHING WRONG AND MAKE RIDICULOUS SUGGESTIONS. THE CAR AS IS, IS AN ACCIDENT OR WORSE WAITING TO HAPPEN. *TR!....UPDATED 07/31/14 *BF

NHTSA ID
10566386
Incident
Feb 19, 2014
Mileage
9,000 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.

Other components reported on this vehicle

Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .