RoadVitals

2016 Chevrolet Cruze Fuel system Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the fuel system system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Fuel system 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.
36
Latest Jun 22, 2026
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.
15%
of 247 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.
1
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 fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2016 Chevrolet Cruze submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 36 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 fuel system

The 25 most recent of 36, in the owner's own words

Fuel system
Filed Jun 22, 2026

After 3 years of having this car it’s overheating each summer requiring the coolant system, hoses, thermostat, and water pump to be replaced each summer. As well as major oil leaking after full tune ups.

NHTSA ID
11745807
Incident
Aug 9, 2023
EngineFuel system
Filed May 9, 2026

My engine needed oil I checked the dip stick added the oil the next day my engine started leaking and over heating come to find out there’s a pcv issue the valve cover gasket along with multiple other seals need replaced I was unaware of anything wrong no indication of over heating I just smelled the heat and was able to see after popping the hood the radiator fan is now not working and gas is coming through the valves

NHTSA ID
11736714
Incident
May 1, 2026
Fuel system
Filed Oct 6, 2024

I was driving the car, stopped at a light took my foot off the brake started to move and the car completely shut off. No warning lights went on. I had to start the car again. I took the car to a local dealership to be looked at. They pulled the codes, nothing showed up. I did an internet search for a possible cause, sent my search results to the dealership and I asked them to check the fuel system, they found a bad injector. They then cleaned the fuel system and replaced the bad injector.

NHTSA ID
11618314
Incident
Sep 24, 2024
EngineFuel systemOther / unspecified
Filed Aug 27, 2024

Purchased a 2016 Chevrolet Cruze on [XXX]. [XXX]. As of July 26th I paid $862 on repairs for the car to be smoking this morning on my way to work [XXX]. In total I’ve spent Almost or close to $2,000 in car repairs. This purchase was for my 17 year old daughter as a graduation present and for college. She was driving and car started to run hot and cut off in a busy intersection. She was unable to take the car to North Carolina. The owner blocked me and the staff haven’t been accommodating since this process. Nor will they look at the car. This has put me in a financial burden and the safety conditions this vehicle is under. And damage this could have cause my daughter. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID
11611143
Incident
Jun 18, 2024
Body & structureElectricalFuel system
Filed Jun 4, 2024

Water leak in trunk. Took car in 3 time to have it fixed after them doing the recall( 84279073 f-lamp kit). Every time it went in they found a leak in a different spot. 15Feb17 they found water leaking from right side of the spoiler retainer holes. Dealer removed spoiler applied double back tape and sealer. Reinstalled spoiler 02Mar17 found pin hole leak in weather strip. Dealer replaced weather strip. 01jan24 start having electrical issues. Hard starting/ running weird and finally dead battery. Had les swabs install battery and remove water in trunk. Car starts but shuts off when driving. 05mar24 Dealer finds leak coming from right side spoiler and now 1 licence plat bolt. Charged me 600.00 . to reseal. Here we go again They could never stop/find the leak before and will not warranty previous work. Isn't this a fire/safty issue? That started the recall in the 1st place. And why wasn't drain plugs required for this yr.car. I believe it was in the newer one. I would like to know how many people had to take their car in multiple times to never have the problem truly fixed. Is this a tactic used to make consumers go away and say they fixed the recall, but never really did.

NHTSA ID
11592463
Incident
Jun 4, 2024
ElectricalEngineFuel system
Filed Nov 27, 2023

The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Cruze. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle inadvertently shut off without warning. The contact stated that soon after the failure, the vehicle independently restarted, and the vehicle resumed normal vehicle operation. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where a diagnostic test was performed and recommended that the fuel system be cleaned. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 33,000.

NHTSA ID
11557053
Incident
Oct 27, 2023
Mileage
33,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Sep 2, 2023

Stability Track came on randomly all of sudden car was stalling, running poorly and smell Gas , sure enough leaking Gas Everywhere, very dangerous. Lucky car did not catch on fire. I am still paying for this car. Just thankful no one got injured. THERE IS NO RECALLS FOR THIS VIN ABSOLUTELY SHOULD BE.

NHTSA ID
11542265
Incident
Aug 31, 2023
EngineFuel system
Filed Feb 10, 2023

Keep having the engine light on. First time it was my Catalyst and now my engine light is on again with code P0420 and keeps leaving from the coolant

NHTSA ID
11506601
Incident
Dec 19, 2022
BrakesDriver assistanceFuel system
Filed Dec 8, 2022

My car was recalled for problems with fuel system or something of that nature, I took it to get repaired not once but about 3 times and problem is still ongoing. When I press the gas, the car shoots all the way to the 3rd gear and gets stuck at about 27 miles which is very dangerous, especially when I’m on the freeway. It will also cut off in the middle of the road making me have to put my car in park and recrank the car, multiple people have almost ran dead into the back of my car. They basically told me it is no way to fix my car. Now, it has caused more problems. My car is now saying “engine power reduced” and “service brake assist” when I try to press the brakes, it’s literally almost impossible. I have to almost stand on the brake and it still does not stop all the way. My brakes are new btw, so it shouldn’t still have this error message. I’m basically driving a lemon. This car is not reliable at ALL. I have put so much money into this car and with it being a 2016, you would think it wouldn’t have all of these problems… the car just jerks when I’m driving and nobody can seem to fix it! Oh, and let me not forget about the fuse that blew in my USB ports causing me not to be able to use all the features of my vehicle. This car is a nightmare. Also, I believe that when there are recalls for safety issues like this, we should be notified but of course that’s asking for too much. I have only had this car since 2019. It was serviced on 4/28/21, 5/26/21, 6/6/21 and after that I literally gave up and just hope I don’t wreck out and die.

NHTSA ID
11496677
Incident
Apr 28, 2021
EngineFuel system
Filed Nov 28, 2022

My car, started to get a messaged saying reduced engine power, after that it started to make a noise I took it to re pair and the car, sometimes makes that noise and I’m driving and out of nowhere the car turns off

NHTSA ID
11495143
Incident
Aug 1, 2022
Fuel systemPowertrain (other)
Filed Oct 18, 2022

Catalytic Converter , it is a 2016 , it absolutely should not be faulty/defective AT ALL . I checked with Dick Wolstrom Chevy Dealer , if this would be included in the Powertrain Warranty and they said it expired in December . I checked with the other Yearly Recalls for this problem, and it did show this exact same recall for the all the previous years of this make and model of car . It should be fixed , I never heard of a Catalytic Converter be defective like this especially in a newer year car . Can you please help me ? Also, I am having problem with the Fuel pressure Sensor , Air flow intake sensor, Knock sensor , all (3) this is crazy . This is the 2nd time the knock sensor has been replaced . My main concern is the Catalytic Converter , please advise , it should be covered in the powertrain warranty on this car , regardless . It is very expensive to be replaced .

NHTSA ID
11489828
Incident
Oct 17, 2022
ElectricalEngineFuel system
Filed Sep 18, 2022

While at red light, stop signs, or transitioning turns, the engine shuts off and does not restart. Sometimes it shuts down when driving at extremely low speeds. This is dangerous because I have had to push the car while transitioning in multipile lane intersections. Luckily others stop and help me push the car to shoulder or convenience gas stations. The battery and spark plugs are new, and the car has plenty of fuel.

NHTSA ID
11485101
Incident
Aug 15, 2022
EngineFuel system
Filed Sep 6, 2022

My 2016 Chevy Cruise heating and cooling system failed. Car engine over heats causing engine to stop in mid drive. Hoses (main) and connections to heating and cooling systems faulty. Main hose to cooling system faulty (dry rotted ).

NHTSA ID
11483126
Incident
Sep 3, 2022
Fuel system
Filed Feb 10, 2021

WHEN IM DRIVING AND STOP AT A LIGHT IT SOUNDS LIKE MY CAR IS GONNA DIE IT SPUTTERS AND ALMOST DIES AND NOW ITS DYING WHEN I STOP AT A LIGHT BUT CRANKS RIGHT BACK UP AFTER IT DIES THERE WAS A ERG VALVE RECALL WE GOT FIXED BUT IT SEEMS TO BE THE SAME ISSUE AS BEFORE

NHTSA ID
11395618
Incident
Feb 10, 2021
Mileage
4 mi
BrakesFuel systemPowertrain (other)
Filed Feb 4, 2021

THE VEH STARTED WITH A SMALL WATER LEAK, THEN A VERY LARGE LEAK. FOUND OUT THAT THE WATER PUMP WAS BAD AND THE THERMOSTAT WAS BAD. THE WINDSHIELD WIPER FLUID HOLDER HAS A LARGE CRACK IN IT. THE VEHICLE STILL NEEDS MAINTENANCE ON IT AND CAN'T AFFORD IT. NO PHOTOS TO SHARE BUT RECEIPTS OF MY BILL TO REPLACE IT

NHTSA ID
11394736
Incident
Dec 27, 2020
Mileage
2 mi
EngineFuel systemPowertrain (other)
Filed Jan 21, 2021

MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAD COME ON I GOT IT CHECKED AT MY MECHANIC BUT CAN'T SEEM TO FIGURE OUT THE PROBLEM. WHEN YOU FIRST START THE IGNITION IT FEELS LIKE THE CAR IS BOBBING BACK AND FOURTH. ALSO AFTER THE AUTO STOP GOES ON AND YOU TAKE YOUR FOOT OFF THE BRAKE AND PUT IT ON THE GAS PEDAL THE CAR STUTTERS. I ALSO HAD A PROBLEM WHEN I WAS COMING OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY IT STALLED AND LOST ALL POWER STEERING I HAD TO TURN THE CAR OFF AND BACK ON AGAIN.

NHTSA ID
11389330
Incident
Jun 15, 2020
EngineFuel system
Filed Jan 13, 2021

CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. TOOK CAR TO DEALERSHIP TO GET CHECKED. THE PURGE VALVE, WATER PUMP, AND CAM ACTUATOR SEALS ALL WENT BAD.

NHTSA ID
11387859
Incident
Jan 12, 2021
Mileage
71,600 mi
EngineFuel systemPowertrain (other)
Filed Dec 21, 2020

MY CAR IS PARKED LOOKS LIKE A RAINBOW COLOR IS COMING OUT FROM UNDER THE ENGINE. IT LOOKS LIKE WATER FROM A DISTANCE UNTIL YOU GET CLOSER. I HAVE NOTIFIED THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I BOUGHT IT AND HE TELLS ME THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO

NHTSA ID
11384453
Incident
Dec 1, 2020
EngineFuel system
Filed Dec 17, 2020

THE INTAKE MANIFOLD BLEW OUT IT'S SENSOR. NOT LIKE IT JUST WENT OUT, BUT SOME HOW PRESSURE BUILT UP AND BLEW IT OUT OF THE MANIFOLD. THIS IS EXACTLY WHAT THE REPRESENTATIVE AT THE DEALERSHIP JUST TOLD ME OVER THE PHONE. CAR IS AT THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT BECAUSE OF THE ONGOING ISSUES WITH THE TURBO AND THE MISSING BOLTS AND THE FACT THAT THIS ENGINE WAS OBVIOUSLY A FAULTY BUILD, AS GM HAS ALREADY ACKNOWLEDGED. I AM TERRIFIED TO DRIVE THIS CAR AND I STILL OWE ON IT. SO NOW WITH THE INTAKE MANIFOLD BLOWING UP AND A LEAKING VALVE COVER....I JUST DON'T UNDERSTAND HOW GM ISN'T RESPONSIBLE FOR GETTING THESE CARS OFF THE ROAD. I AM SO AFRAID OF BLOWING UP WHILE DRIVING THIS CAR I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO AND I BELIEVE IN KARMA AND DO NOT WANT TO TRADE IT IN FOR FEAR OF RISKING SOMEONE ELSE'S LIFE. I'VE OWNED A LOT OF VEHICLES IN THE 30 YEARS I'VE BEEN DRIVING AND AM THANKFUL I'VE NEVER HAD THIS PROBLEM BUT GOOD LORD, HOW DO I FIX THIS?

NHTSA ID
11383926
Incident
Dec 16, 2020
Mileage
81,000 mi
EngineFuel system
Filed Oct 20, 2020

REOCCURING PROBLEMS WITH PCV SYSTEM.EMISSIONS SYSTEM, MASS AIR FLOW SENSORS,O2 SENSORS,INTAKE MANIFOLD, VALVE COVERS WONT ACCELERRATE, STALLS WHILE DRIVING AND IDLING, HARD SHIFTING, STABILITY CONTROL SSUES AND STABILITRACK ISSUES, INTAKE AIR FLOW SYSTEM,FUEL TRIM SYSTEM LEAN BANK

NHTSA ID
11365475
Incident
Jul 15, 2019
Mileage
67,240 mi
EngineFuel system
Filed Jul 14, 2020

MY VALVE COVER HAS WENT BAD AND STARTED LEAKING OIL AROUND MY SPARK PLUGS. UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATION OF MY OWN I HAVE FOUND OUT THAT THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE FOR MANY YEAR MODELS OF THE CHEVY CRUZE. MY VALVE COVER IS AN UPDATED VERSION OF THE PLASTIC ON THE 2015 AND OLDER AND IS NOW A METAL ONE. I SPOKE WITH A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO INFORMED ME HE HAS REPLACED 75 NEW VALVE COVERS THAT GENERAL MOTORS HAS BUILT A NEW VALVE COVER TO REPLACE THE METAL ONE ON MY CAR. ALSO THIS METAL VALVE COVER HAS CAUSED MY CAR TO START SMOKING HEAVILY WHEN I DROVE IT TO MAKE ME HAVE TO HAVE MY CAR TOWED HOME UNTIL I CAN GET THE ISSUE FIXED.

NHTSA ID
11339423
Incident
Jun 10, 2020
Mileage
123,000 mi
AirbagsEngineFuel system
Filed Apr 21, 2020

CAR WHILE DRIVING SUDDENLY SPUTTERS AND STALLS. I GET AN ERROR MESSAGE SAYING TO CHECK AIRBAGS. THE LOCKS ON THE DOORS WILL UNLOCK AND LOCK AND UNLOCK AN LOCK MULTIPLE TIMES WHILE DRIVING. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON. WHEN I PUMP GAS THE CAR WONT START IMMEDIATELY IT SPUTTERS AND CLICKS EVERY TIME.

NHTSA ID
11321775
Incident
Apr 21, 2020
Mileage
80,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Dec 2, 2019

CLUTCH HYDRAULICS FAILED WHILE DRIVING IN MY STANDARD TRANSMISSION CAR DUE TO POORLY MANUFACTURED PARTS. CLUTCH WOULD STAY ON THE FLOOR WHEN PUSHED DOWN. MULTIPLE MECHANICS STATED AIR WAS GETTING INTO HYDRAULIC LINE DUE TO POOR MANUFACTURING.

NHTSA ID
11286321
Incident
Nov 25, 2019
Mileage
27,500 mi
ElectricalEngineFuel system
Filed Oct 29, 2019

I PURCHASED A USED VEHICLE FROM ATLANTA LUXURY MOTORS AT KIA SOUTH ON AUGUST 11, 2019. I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE AS-IS, BUT NO MECHANIC CLAIMS TO HAVE FOUND ANY ISSUES AT THE TIME OF INSPECTION. THE VEHICLE IS A 2016 CHEVROLET CRUZE AND ONLY HAD 70,000 MILES ON IT AT THE TIME OF PURCHASE. ABOUT TWO WEEKS AFTER PURCHASE, THE ENGINE CUT OFF AFTER THE AUTO-STOP INITIATED AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I HAD TO RESTART THE VEHICLE IN ORDER TO GET OUT OF THE ROAD. SINCE THEN, THE NUMBER OF TIMES THE ENGINE HAS CUT OFF HAS INCREASED IMMENSELY. AS OF OCTOBER 29, 2019, MY ENGINE CUTS OFF ANYTIME THE CAR FALLS INTO AUTO-STOP. TODAY IT HAPPENED EIGHT TIMES DURING ONE FORTY-FIVE MINUTE COMMUTE.

NHTSA ID
11276986
Incident
Aug 27, 2019
Mileage
72,680 mi
Fuel system
Filed Aug 13, 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 CHEVROLET CRUZE. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE CONTACT NOTICED AN ABNORMAL FUEL ODOR COMING FROM THE FUEL TANK. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED AND THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND PROVIDED THE CONTACT WITH CASE NUMBER: 9-542-4410467. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V304000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 8,000.

NHTSA ID
11243672
Incident
Aug 13, 2019
Mileage
8,000 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.

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Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .