2012 Chevrolet Cruze Problems

Was driving and my car literally wouldn't go forward. Prior to I had an oil change and I would smell burning oil

Have called about this starting 2020. Had 137000. Also previous owner since 99000mi. Drive train & Turbo. Brake assist. Oil leaks, shutting off while driving. Now as of Saturday April 25 2026 Car shut off while driving and has been towed to dealership. Car deemed lemon by GM. In 2020 car to have been replaced I have all service contact numbers as well as my receipts. Car is a death trap. Do better Chevrolet & GM

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

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.

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

Have called about this starting 2020. Had 137000. Also previous owner since 99000mi. Drive train & Turbo. Brake assist. Oil leaks, shutting off while driving. Now as of Saturday April 25 2026 Car shut off while driving and has been towed to dealership. Car deemed lemon by GM. In 2020 car to have been replaced I have all service contact numbers as well as my receipts. Car is a death trap. Do better Chevrolet & GM

Coolant leaking , engine knock sound , turbo issue

Check engine light, traction control light, tire pressure light came on. Message on dash reported reduced engine power, service stabilitrak, and car slowed to 16 no more than 20mph and would not go any higher.

Have called about this starting 2020. Had 137000. Also previous owner since 99000mi. Drive train & Turbo. Brake assist. Oil leaks, shutting off while driving. Now as of Saturday April 25 2026 Car shut off while driving and has been towed to dealership. Car deemed lemon by GM. In 2020 car to have been replaced I have all service contact numbers as well as my receipts. Car is a death trap. Do better Chevrolet & GM

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.

I purchased this vehicle almost three weeks ago…I’m assuming it’s out of warranty…J am spending out of pocket expenses to have this car repaired….It has a faulty leakage in transmission that mechanics seem to can’t fix….I need my car for transportation….ATP I’m assuming the car is a lemon

Driving straight down the road the steering wheel hangs and becomes difficult to steer. There are no warning lights associated with this issue.

Coolant leaking , engine knock sound , turbo issue

The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Cruze. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact connected a diagnostic machine to the vehicle and retrieved a DTC code for a failure with the purge valve and the catalytic convertor. The contact replaced the purge valve; however, the failure reoccurred. The contact stated that several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that the warning lights blinked on and off. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 98,039.

The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Cruze. The contact stated that the windshield defroster would not operate as needed without warning. The vehicle had yet to be diagnosed or repaired. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.

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!

The "service airbag" alert comes up every time the vehicle is turned on. My mechanic told me that this may have been due to a faulty seat belt. This car has never been in a collision, is clean title, and otherwise is in good working conditions. The estimate for this repair was $950 parts and labor.

I just recently had an accident, a deer ran out and hit me and I was going 60 mph. Once we impacted the airbag sensor came on and said airbags deployed. Then the sensor went off but you could smell the powder of the airbags but the airbags did not deploy.

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)

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.

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.

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

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

2012 CHEVROLET CRUZE. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO WATER PUMP LEAKAGE. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE WATER PUMP WAS REPAIRED AND BEGAN TO LEAK AGAIN THE SAME DAY *JS

TIRE WENT FLAT SITTING OVER NIGHT. GOODYEAR ASSURANCE TIRE INNER BELT BROKE AND PROTRUDED THROUGH SIDEWALL OF TIRE WHILE PARKED IN DRIVE WAY. IF THIS WOULD HAVE HAPPENED ON THE ROAD IT COULD OF CAUSED A BLOWOUT AND POSSIBLY INJURIES OR EVEN FATALITIES. GOODYEAR IS OFFERING TO PAY 50% OF NEW GOODYEAR TIRE.

I HAVE A 2012 CHEVY CRUZ WITH A TIRE THAT KEEPS LOSING PRESSURE. THE CHEVY GARAGE TOLD ME THAT IT HAS SEVERAL MICRO HOLES AND RECOMMENDED REPLACEMENT AT $250/TIRE AND THAT I NEEDED TO BUY 2 (BECAUSE YOU CAN'T JUST REPLACE ONE). I ASKED THE TECHNICIAN HOW THIS CAN HAPPEN AND HE SAID IT'S NOTHING I DID AND THAT MICHELIN TIRES ARE KNOWN TO HAVE FLAWS SUCH AS THIS BUT NO RECALL ON MY TIRES YET. DOT: B9MT 003X 0912 (P225 45R18) 91W (MICHELIN PILOT HX MXM4) (134388M) . VERY FRUSTRATED AS THIS IS A NEW CAR. *TR

I GOT IN THE CAR PUT MY SEAT BELT ON LEFT MY HOUSE TO GO TO THE GROCERY STORE AND I HEARD A DING SOUND LIKE I HAD NOT CLICKED MY SEAT BELT IN. I THOUGHT THIS IS ODD I TRIED TO UNLOCK IT BY PUSHING ON THE BUTTON BUT IT WOULD NOT POP OUT I HAD A TOENAIL CLIPPER IN MY PURSE AND WHEN I GOT TO THE GROCERY I HAD TO WIGGLE IT AROUND TO FREE MYSELF OF THE SEAT BELT DUE TO IT BEING STUCK IT FINALLY POPPED OUT NOW I CAN NOT WEAR MY BELT BECAUSE IT WILL NOT GO BACK IN . I HAVE NEVER HAD ANY PROBLEMS NOR BEEN IN ANY ACCIDENTS SO I'M CONFUSED AS TO WHAT IS WRONG WITH IT. I WAS ON A CITY STREET SITTING AT A RED LIGHT WHEN THE SENSOR FOR THE SEAT BELT WENT OFF

THIS VEHICLE (CHEVY CRUZE 2012) IS THE WORST VEHICLE MADE POSSIBLE. THERE IS OIL LEAKS THAT HAVE BEEN FIXED THAT OCCUR AGAIN . THERE IS A COOLANT LEAK THAT WAS FIXED BY THE RADIATOR CONNECTOR. 15 MINUTES LATER OF DRIVING THE VEHICLE 2 MORE HOSES POPPED AND CAUSED THE COOLANT TO LEAK AGAIN. THE RADIATOR WENT BAD AND WAS CHANGED THE VEHICLE STILL OVER HEATED . THE THERMOSTAT WAS CHANGED AND THE VEHICLE WAS FINE FOR 2 DAYS. I GO TO START THE VEHICLE AND IT DOESN'T WANT TO TURN OVER . COME TO FIND OUT AT THE SAME MECHANIC THAT I HAD THE THERMOSTAT CHANGED APPARENTLY SAID THE HEAD GASKET WAS BLOWN . THEN SAYS THERE'S SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE CYLINDER HEADS . SO ALL IN ALL . THIS VEHICLE HAS HAD OIL LEAKS , COOLANT LEAKS , ENGINE LIGHTS , RADIATOR ISSUES , CYLINDERR HEAD PROBLEMS , MISFIRING AND NOW A HEAD GASKET PROBLEM . THIS BRINGS A SAFETY ISSUE TO ME THAT WHILE I AM DRIVING MY CAR IS MISFIRING ON ME IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD WHILE THERE IS TRAFFIC GOING ON AND TONS OF PEOPLE ON THE ROAD . I COULD POTENTIALLY BE DRIVING THIS VEHICLE AND BECAUSE OF ALL OF THIS ELECTRICAL ISSUES THAT GM IS NOT CAPABLE OF MANUFACTURING CORRECTLY ON THESE VEHICLES (CHEVY CRUZE) MY CAR COULD OF BLEW UP WHILE DRIVING IT. I HAVE MY NIECES AND NEPHEWS IN THE CAR WHILE THE CAR SHAKES OUT OF NOWHERE WHICH COULD OF PUT THERE LIFE IN DANGER . CHEVY IS NO HELP WHAT SO EVER THEY ONLY WANT TO CHARGE TO EVEN LOOK AT A CAR THEY MANUFACTURED!!!! I ASK FOR HELP FROM THEM AND THEY SEEM SO CAREFREE . MY LIFE IS IN DANGER AND NO ONE CARES!! SOMEONE WILL DIE BY GM HANDS IF THIS ISSUE CANNOT BE CORRECTLY FIXED ON THESE VEHICLES . YOU GUYS ARE SELLING CARS THAT CAN KILL SOMEONE AND ONCE YOU GUYS ARE NOTIFIED OF THIS NO ONE CARES . ONCE THERE IS A LAWSUIT UNDER YOUR COMPANY THEN MAYBE YOU GUYS WILL TAKE THIS SERIOUS .

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET CRUZE. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AXLE FRACTURED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THE VEHICLE AND DETERMINED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AXLE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 62,654.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET CRUZE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE COLLAPSED TOWARDS THE GROUND. THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING AND THEN ROLLED INTO AN UNOCCUPIED PARKED VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AXLE FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 67,000.

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.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET CRUZE. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE TRUNK LATCH OPENED INDEPENDENTLY WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE MANUAL SENSOR FAILED DUE TO THE FAILURE OF THE TRUNK. THIS WAS A RECURRING FAILURE. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRUNK RELEASE WITH HARNESS AND A TWO STEP BUTTON NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET CRUZE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CLUTCH ASSEMBLY FAILED TO ENGAGE AND DISENGAGE WITHOUT WARNING. THE DEALER REPLACED THE PART; HOWEVER, WITHIN LESS THAN 60 DAYS OF OWNING THE VEHICLE, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT SMELLED AN ABNORMAL BURNING ODOR COMING FROM THE AREA OF THE CLUTCH ASSEMBLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CLUTCH ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED A SECOND TIME. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.

PURCHASED 4/25/2012. AFTER DRIVING A LITTLE, NOTICED LACK OF POWER, EASILY STALLS, SOMETHING ROLLING AROUND IN THE TRUNK LID, CONSOLE PIECE GAPED OUT, PASSENGER SIDE TAIL LAMP INSIDE TRUNK BENT, ENGINE SHUTTERS (AFTER 500 MILES IT STARTED) WHEN TURNED ON AND OFF. THE LACK OF POWER AND ENGINE STALLING ARE THE MAJOR SAFETY CONCERNS. WHEN IN A STOPPED POSITION, THE CAR WILL STALL WHEN THE CLUTCH IS OPERATED CORRECTLY. WHILE MAKING A RIGHT HAND TURN FROM A STOP SIGN, ONTO ROUTE 30, AT A BLIND INTERSECTION, THE CAR WOULD NOT MOVE, ONCE I LET THE CLUTCH OUT AND WAS IN 1ST GEAR, THE CAR JUST DID NOT MOVE, I HAD THE GAS PUSHED TO THE FLOOR AND I WAS ONLY MOVING INCHES FORWARD. I WAS SCARED, I HAD MY CHILD IN THE CAR WITH ME, A TRACTOR TRAILER COULD HAVE COME UP ON ME 50+ MPH HIT ME OR SWERVED TO MISS ME AND HIT SOMEONE ELSE. THE CAR FINALLY MOVED AFTER ABOUT 45 SEC. I THEN GOT UP TO SPEED IN 6TH GEAR. THE CAR THEN AGAIN LOST POWER, I HAD TO DOWN SHIFT FROM 6TH GEAR TO 4TH GEAR TO GET SPEED BUILT BACK UP. I GOT HOME, ABOUT 2 MILES, WAS UPSET AND SCARED, CALLED APPLE CHEVROLET, THE CAR SAT UNTIL I DROVE IT TO THE DEALERSHIP 35 MINS FROM MY HOME THE NEXT MORNING. I TOLD THEM THAT IT DOES NOT HAPPEN EVERY DAY SO THE CHANCES OF IT HAPPENING AGAIN ARE SLIM. THIS WOULD BE THE 3RD VISIT TO THE SERVICE DEPT FOR THE LACK OF POWER COMPLAINT. I DROVE WITH THE TECH ANYWAY KNOWING THAT IT WAS NOT GOING TO BE DUPLICATED. I TOLD THE SERVICE REP THAT I WANTED A TURBO BOOST GAUGE PUT ON IT BECAUSE IT DOES NOT SEEM TO BE BOOSTING ALL THE TIME. WHEN I WAS CALLED THAT MY CAR WAS DONE AND NOTHING WAS DUPLICATED, I WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS BOOSTING IN RANGE. WHEN I PICKED MY CAR UP THE NEXT DAY, THERE WAS NOTHING ON MY BILL THAT STATED THAT THE TURBO WAS EVEN CHECKED. I WAS TOLD THAT THEY CANNOT PUT EVERY PIECE OF EQUIPMENT THAT THEY USE ON EACH CAR ON EVERY BILL. ETC...

IN MAY OF 2013, OUR 2012 CHEVY CRUZE AIR CONDITIONER STOPPED FLOWING COLD AIR AND WOULD BLOW ONLY HOT AIR. AFTER BEING DIAGNOSED BY DEALER GM MECHANIC IT WAS FOUND THAT THE CONDENSER HAD BEEN HIT BY FOREIGN MATERIAL (ROCK) CREATING A HOLE IN THE CONDENSER AND LETTING ALL OF THE FREON OUT. IT COST ABOUT $600-700 TO FIX. ON MY OWN I FOUND THAT THERE WERE NUMEROUS OTHER REPORTS OF CONDENSERS BEING DAMAGED BY ROCKS, AND THAT THROUGH A GM TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN (TSB PI0461B) ISSUED IN THE SUMMER OF 2012 THE PROPER REPAIR FOR THIS WAS REPLACING THE CONDENSER AND INSTALLING A CONDENSER PROTECTIVE SCREEN. SINCE THE TSB INCLUDES ADDING A PROTECTIVE SCREEN AS A DESIGN MODIFICATION IT IS APPARENT THAT GM/CHEVY ACKNOWLEDGES THAT THERE IS A DESIGN DEFECT IN THE CRUZE, AND THAT THE PLACEMENT OF THE CONDENSER MAKES IT SUSCEPTIBLE TO DAMAGE FROM ROCKS. THIS WAS THE POINT THAT I ATTEMPTED TO ARGUE WITH GM WITH NO AVAIL, THAT SINCE THIS DEFECT WAS IDENTIFIED PRIOR TO MY PURCHASE OF THE CAR, THEY SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE. ALTHOUGH, I WAS UNSUCCESSFUL IN GETTING GM TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THEIR PRODUCT, I HOPE TO HELP ANYONE THAT IS THINKING ABOUT BUYING A CRUZE OR HAS A CRUZE STILL UNDER WARRANTY. FOR THOSE OF YOU WITH CRUZES STILL UNDER FACTORY WARRANTY AND HAVE A DAMAGED CONDENSER MAKE SURE THEY INSTALL THE CONDENSER SCREEN. FOR PROSPECTIVE BUYERS I WOULD ADVISE YOU TO INSIST THAT YOUR CRUZE HAVE THE CONDENSER SCREEN INSTALLED PRIOR TO PURCHASE. *TR