CSR

Chevrolet · NHTSA safety record

2012 Chevrolet Cruze

Every safety complaint, recall and defect investigation the US government holds on this vehicle.

864

Complaints

62

Crashes

17

Fires

30

Injuries

0

Deaths

Owners of the 2012 Chevrolet Cruze have filed 864 safety complaints with NHTSA between October 2011 and June 2026. The most complained-about system is the engine, named in 267 of them (31%). The typical failure was reported at 54,351 miles, the median across the 716 complaints that gave an odometer reading.

Complaints fell 33% year on year: 6 in the twelve months to 2026-Q1, against 9 in the twelve before.

NHTSA has issued 7 recalls covering this vehicle.

Recalls (7)

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION

16V502000 · July 5, 2016

The defect
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Buick Verano and 2016 Chevrolet Malibu as the electronic park lock lever may allow the ignition key to be removed without the transmission being in PARK. Also, certain 2013 Buick Encore, 2011 Buick Regal, 2013-2014 Buick Verano, 2011-2016 Chevrolet Cruze, 2010-2013 Chevrolet Equinox 2013-2015 Chevrolet Malibu, and 2011-2013 GMC Terrain vehicles may have been serviced with similar defective replacement electronic park lock levers. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 114, "Theft Protection and Rollaway Prevention."
The risk
If the key is removed without the transmission in PARK, the vehicle may rollaway as occupants are exiting, increasing the risk of injury.
The remedy
GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and if necessary replace the key cylinder lock housing, free of charge. The recall began on October 14, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, Buick 1-800-521-7300, and GMC 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 50490 and 50491.

General Motors LLC · up to 8,367 vehicles across all model years covered

AIR BAGS

14V300000 · June 6, 2014

The defect
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2012 Buick Verano vehicles manufactured December 2, 2011 to July, 16, 2012, Chevrolet Cruze vehicles manufactured December 7, 2011 to July 25, 2012, Chevrolet Sonic vehicles manufactured December 5, 2011 to August 2, 2012, and Chevrolet Camaro vehicles manufactured December 1, 2011 to June 11, 2012. The driver side frontal air bag has a shorting bar which may intermittently contact the air bag terminals.
The risk
If the bar and terminals are contacting each other at the time of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, that air bag will not deploy, increasing the driver's risk of injury.
The remedy
GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the steering wheel air bag coil, free of charge. The recall began on July 25, 2014. Chevrolet owners may contact GM at 1-800-222-1020. Buick owners may contact GM at 1-800-521-7300. Note: This is an expansion of recalls 12V-522 and 13V-023.

General Motors LLC · up to 31,520 vehicles across all model years covered

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST

13V360000 · August 15, 2013

The defect
General Motors (GM) is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 Chevrolet Cruze vehicles equipped with 1.4L DOHC gasoline turbo engines and 6T40 front wheel drive automatic transmissions and equipped with an electric vacuum pump to provide supplemental vacuum for brake assist, when needed. In the affected vehicles, the pump may not activate, resulting in an intermittent reduction or loss of brake assist.
The risk
A loss of braking assistance will require extra pedal force and/or distance to bring the vehicle to a stop, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy
General Motors will notify owners, and dealers will replace a microswitch in the power brake vacuum pipe assembly, free of charge. The recall began on October 7, 2013. Owners may contact Chevrolet at 1-800-222-1020. GM's recall number is 12213.

General Motors LLC · up to 292,879 vehicles across all model years covered

AIR BAGS

13V023000 · January 24, 2013

The defect
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2012 Chevrolet Camaro, Cruze and Sonic, and model year 2012 Buick Verano vehicles. The driver side frontal air bag has a shorting bar which may intermittently contact the air bag terminals.
The risk
If the bar and terminals are contacting each other at the time of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, that air bag will not deploy, increasing the driver's risk of injury.
The remedy
GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the steering wheel air bag coil, free of charge. The safety recall began on February 13, 2013. Owners may contact General Motors at 1-800-521-7300.

General Motors LLC · up to 4,167 vehicles across all model years covered

AIR BAGS

12V522000 · October 31, 2012

The defect
General Motors is recalling certain model year 2012 Buick Verano, Chevrolet Cruze, and Chevrolet Sonic vehicles. The driver side frontal air bag has a shorting bar which may intermittently contact the air bag terminals.
The risk
If the bar and terminals are contacting each other at the time of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal airbag, that airbag will not deploy, increasing the driver's risk of injury.
The remedy
General Motors will notify owners, and dealers will replace the steering wheel airbag coil, free of charge. The safety recall began on January 11, 2013. Owners may contact General Motors at 1-800-521-7300.

General Motors LLC · up to 2,949 vehicles across all model years covered

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:MOUNTING

12V289000 · June 22, 2012

The defect
GENERAL MOTORS (GM) IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 AND 2012 CHEVROLET CRUZE VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 2, 2009, THROUGH MAY 14, 2012. ATTACHMENT WELDS FOR THE FUEL TANK STRAP SECONDARY BRACKETS MAY HAVE BEEN OMITTED.
The risk
THE FUEL TANK COULD COME LOOSE IN A CRASH, POSSIBLY ALLOWING FUEL TO LEAK FROM THE TANK. A FUEL LEAK IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
The remedy
GM WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE VEHICLE FOR MISSING WELDS. IF THE VEHICLE IS MISSING WELDS, DEALERS WILL SECURE THE BRACKET ATTACHMENTS WITH FASTENERS. REPAIRS WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 9, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT THE CHEVROLET OWNER CENTER AT 1-866-694-6546.

GENERAL MOTORS LLC · up to 53,239 vehicles across all model years covered

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

12V288000 · June 22, 2012

The defect
GENERAL MOTORS (GM) IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 AND 2012 CHEVROLET CRUZE VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 2, 2009, THROUGH MAY 31, 2012. SPILLED OR DRIPPING OIL (SUCH AS AFTER AN OIL CHANGE) MAY COLLECT IN THE ENGINE SHIELD (BELLYPAN) NEAR HOT ENGINE OR EXHAUST SYSTEM SURFACES. AS A RESULT, THE OIL AND THE ENGINE SHIELD MAY IGNITE AND BURN.
The risk
EITHER CONDITION COULD RESULT IN AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE, POSSIBLY CAUSING INJURY OR DEATH.
The remedy
GM WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL MODIFY THE ENGINE SHIELD TO PREVENT FLUID FROM CONTACTING THE SHIELD. ALSO, ON VEHICLES WITH A MANUAL TRANSMISSION, DEALERS WILL APPLY A PROTECTIVE TAPE TO THE ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING WIRE HARNESS. REPAIRS WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE TO THE OWNER. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 10, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT THE CHEVROLET OWNER CENTER AT 1-866-694-6546.

GENERAL MOTORS LLC · up to 413,148 vehicles across all model years covered

Defect investigations (3)

An investigation means NHTSA has decided a pattern is worth examining. A preliminary evaluation is often closed with no action; an engineering analysis is the stage that usually precedes a recall.

Air Bag Non-deployment

RQ13002

Closed recall query · opened May 31, 2013 · closed July 9, 2014 · led to recall 13V023000

the air bags

General Motors (GM) has initiated a safety recall of 31,520 model year (MY) 2012 Buick Verano and Chevrolet Camaro, Cruze and Sonic vehicles to address a defect condition that could result in the primary or secondary stage air bag not deploying.These vehicles are a small percentage of all MY 2012 vehicles and were built on several specific production dates broadly ranging from December 1, 2011 to August 2, 2012 (see NHTSA recall 14V-300 for more information).Also, see attached additional report for more information.This investigation was opened to evaluate the scope of two uninfluenced safety recalls (NHTSA recalls 12V-522 and 13V-023) of certain MY 2012 Verano, Camaro, Cruze and Sonic vehicles.These recalls involved the same defect issue as the new recall mentioned above.Accordingly, this investigation is closed based on the recall actions GM is undertaking.

Chapman Chevrolet / Cruze Engine Recall

AQ12002

Closed audit query · opened October 15, 2012 · closed October 20, 2014

the engine and its cooling

NHTSA opened AQ12-002 to determine whether Chapman Chevrolet of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania complied with the requirements of the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act, 49 U.S.C.Chapter 301 (Safety Act) and its implementing regulations.The Safety Act requires, among other things, that a manufacturer notify its dealers of defects related to motor vehicle safety and non-compliances with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards and, in turn, that a dealer not sell a new vehicle subject to a recall unless the recall remedy has been performed (49 U.S.C. ? 30120(i)). NHTSA issued an information request (IR) letter to Chapman Chevrolet on October 16, 2012.Chapman Chevrolet responded to this request on November 8, 2012.To gather additional information, NHTSA mailed an IR letter to General Motors LLC (GM) on February 25, 2013.GM responded to this request on April 1, 2013.NHTSA then issued a second IR letter to Chapman Chevrolet on July 2, 2013.Chapman Chevrolet supplied their response on July 30, 2013. NHTSA?s investigation indicated that Chapman Chevrolet sold and delivered 23 recalled vehicles that did not have the recall remedy completed at the time the vehicles were delivered to the customers.NHTSA therefore concluded that Chapman Chevrolet was liable for civil penalties for violations of the Safety Act, pursuant to 49 U.S.C. ? 30165.Under a Settlement Agreement dated October 1, 2014, Chapman Chevrolet paid compromised civil penalties in the amount of $50,000.This Audit Query is closed.

Engine compartment fire

PE12010

Closed preliminary evaluation · opened March 28, 2012 · closed July 19, 2012 · led to recall 12V288000

the engine

In a June 21, 2012 letter to NHTSA, General Motors LLC. (GM) submitted a Defect Information Report (DIR) identifying a defect in approximately 413,148 model year (MY) 2011 through 2012 Chevrolet Cruze vehicles manufactured from October 2, 2009 through May 31, 2012 (Recall 12V-288). According to GM, engine oil change procedures can result in spilling or dripping of oil on the engine shield.Also, manual transmission vehicles with a completely worn clutch may cause hydraulic fluid to be expelled from the clutch housing vent hole.If oil, debris or the burning hydraulic fluid contacts hot engine or exhaust system surfaces, and the engine shield, the shield may ignite and burn, leading to a possible engine compartment or vehicle fire.GM and its engine shield supplier, Hanwha, modified the engine shield to address factors that may contribute to engine compartment fire. The redesigned shields were completely implemented in production vehicles by June 2012.The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) analyzed complaint data provided by GM as well as complaints submitted to ODI from consumers. In total, there were 25 unique Chevrolet Cruze reports indicating hot surface ignition due to engine oil or hydraulic fluid contacting hot manifold, exhaust surfaces and the engine shield.Four additional fires were identified that resulted from other or unknown causes, including 1 attributed to a missing oil filler cap.Three fires of unknown cause all involved vehicles equipped with 1.4L L4 turbocharged engines.ODI will continue to monitor field experience in Cruze vehicles equipped with that engine.Owners of the recalled vehicles are notified to take their vehicle to a GM dealer, who will modify the engine shield to prevent oil fluids from contacting the shield.Also, on vehicles with a manual transmission, dealers are to apply a protective tape to the electronic power steering wire harness to prevent any incidents related to this issue. This preliminary evaluation is closed.The ODI reports cited above can be viewed at www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/owners/SearchNHTSAID under the following identification numbers (ODI Nos.): 10456338, 10453754, 10450556, 10446718.

What owners report

Complaints naming each system. One complaint can name several, so these add up to more than 864.

ENGINE 267 31%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 196 23%
SERVICE BRAKES 142 16%
POWER TRAIN 137 16%
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) 108 13%
STEERING 103 12%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 84 10%
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 51 6%
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 48 6%
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 44 5%
VISIBILITY/WIPER 35 4%
AIR BAGS 34 4%

When the complaints arrived

By the year NHTSA received them, which is not the year the failures happened. They peaked in 2014 at 161.

2011 2014 2026
2011 to 2026, the last of them a part year

In owners' own words

Quoted from NHTSA's complaint file. These are unverified accounts by the people who filed them, not findings of fault.

AIR BAGS

4 injured · crash · towed · 64,000 miles

TAKATA INFLATORS, I WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT 09/30/2016, WHERE I WAS AT A DEAD STOP ON CITY STREET, REAR ENDED AND PUSHED INTO THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME. THE DRIVER WHO HIT ME WAS GOING 50-55MPH, I HIT MY HEAD AND CHEST ON THE STEERING WHEEL, AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, BUT THE SENSOR FOR THE AIR BAG CAME ON STATING "SERVICE AIRBAG". MY CRUZE HAS HAD ALL RECALLS FIXED, PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT.

NHTSA complaint 10915195. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

AIR BAGS

4 injured · crash · 32,500 miles

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET CRUZE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE BACKING UP, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE REAR END OF THE VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A HEART CONTUSION, THE FRONT SEAT PASSENGER SUSTAINED A BROKEN THUMB AND A CONCUSSION, THE REAR MIDDLE SEAT PASSENGER SUSTAINED A BROKEN NOSE AND THE REAR DRIVER SIDE PASSENGER SUSTAINED INTERNAL STOMACH BLEEDING WHICH REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 32,500.

NHTSA complaint 10690344. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ENGINE

2 injured · crash · 48,000 miles

I BOUGHT A 2012 CHEVY CRUZE RECEIVED RECALL LETTER FIRST OF 10/13 WAS STATED IN LETTER NO PARTS WERE AVAILABLE BUT WHEN THEY WERE I WOULD GET IT FIXED FREE. I APPROACHED INTERSECTION MY BRAKE WENT TO FLOOR WAS T BONED AND TOTAL LOSS OF MY CAR THIS CAR HAS 6 AIRBAGS NONE OF THEM DEPLOYED ..NOT GETTING ANYWHERE WITH GM. *TR

NHTSA complaint 10554053. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

POWER TRAIN

2 injured · crash · 100 miles

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET CRUZE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH AND ENGAGING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT WHILE SLOWING DOWN FOR A TRAFFIC LIGHT, THE TRANSMISSION FAILED TO SHIFT DOWN TO FIRST GEAR AND REMAINED IN THIRD GEAR WHICH PREVENTED THE VEHICLE FROM ACCELERATING FROM A STANDING POSITION. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT WHILE DRIVING DOWN A HILL IN FIRST GEAR, THE TRANSMISSION WOULD ERRONEOUSLY SHIFT TO SECOND GEAR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN REPLACED A COMPUTER MODULE WHICH CORRECTED THE GEAR SHIFTING PROBLEM BUT THE ACCELERATION PROBLEMS PERSISTED. IN ADDITION, THE

NHTSA complaint 10659701, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

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

NHTSA complaint 11744364. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

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

NHTSA complaint 11741926. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ENGINE
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

NHTSA complaint 11734134. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

74,522 miles

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 complaint 11733293. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

144,000 miles

The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Cruze. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the engine started overheating, and a coolant leak was discovered. During the failure, the check engine warning light was displayed, and the message "A/C Off Due to High Engine Temp" was displayed even though the A/C was not activated. The temperature gauge was elevated, creating a risk that the engine might stall or catch on fire. The contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Number: 12V288000 ( ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING); however, the VIN was not included in the recall repair. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the

NHTSA complaint 11728123, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ENGINE
Check engine light on Car smoking when driven and smells like burning oil

NHTSA complaint 11711132. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

Compare

Other years of the Chevrolet Cruze

Model year Complaints Recalls Deaths
2019 20 2
2018 109 3 1
2017 201 2
2016 247 4
2015 251 4
2014 701 10
2013 585 5
2011 731 7 2

Other 2012 Chevrolet models

Every Chevrolet on this site — 298 vehicles, 747 recall campaigns and 5 open investigation s.

If this is your car and a dealer keeps failing to fix it, your state's lemon law may require the manufacturer to replace it or buy it back. What each state asks for , read from the statutes.

Where these numbers come from

A complaint is one owner's account and has not been verified by NHTSA or by us. A vehicle with more complaints is not necessarily worse: models that sold in larger numbers collect more of them. How this is counted.

Compiled and maintained by
Independent developer and analyst