FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Coolant leaking , engine knock sound , turbo issue
NHTSA complaint #11650936 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
52 of the 1,353 complaints about the 2012 Chevrolet Cruze are about the fuel system — 4% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 57,340 miles.
52
Complaints
2
Crashes
0
Fires
0
Injuries
Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Coolant leaking , engine knock sound , turbo issue
NHTSA complaint #11650936 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:EVAPORATIVE EMISSIONS:CANISTER
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.
NHTSA complaint #11613565 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
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 complaint #11554698 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Engine valve cover explode
NHTSA complaint #11546213 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
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
NHTSA complaint #11544875 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Started the purchase June 2022 when dealer said everything is good, Carfax no accidents, good car, nothing wrong. Dealers had me drive MI to CT to get the car, had 5-y.o. kid w/me. Brought car to mechanic when finally delivered July 6, ebrake almost gone; dealers had me drive w/my kiddo CT to MI with no ebrake on 6 speed turbo manual, wonderful. In writing said they would fix & some extras for all the issues they caused such as selling a vehicle w/o having title. Made it home in one peice. Next few weeks, car started shaking and stalling out losing complete power while driving, stopping at lights/signs, it hasn't stopped. Different smells of fluids coming inside ever since. Clouds of smoke coming from exhaust. Fuel seems to slip like sputtering/jolting, more smells coming in car. Check engine light on, went to Advanced Auto, showed me code has to do w/fuel/fuel tank & it showed dealer cleared out check engine without repairing. More research, they fraudulently passed the car for inspections/emissions & said it was good & passed, never received copies. They passed brakes when in writing they were to repair at no cost due to deceptive practices. No, nothing has been fixed; no, they never transferred title/registered vehicle. Now May 2023. Drove it now/then keep it going; MI awful winters. This winter heater went out for 3 days, no blower, no noise, magically started working. Roughly a dozen times when I shut it off, theres noises from front by grille like a ticking, no clue. I've drivien car 5,000 mostly from trip to get it. Dealers never provided the 3 special 10 yr warranties that car had. I found out, they were all expired, nothing I could do. They didn't disclose issues & 3 wks after purchase, accident on Carfax. So much fraud, it is sickening. One of the dealers violated their FTC Orders. Lies & lies, also @3 times stabilization/traction both need repairs then disappears 2 days. Loses power, definitely does not feel turbolike. Issues 7.6.22 & continue
NHTSA complaint #11522176 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
I am wondering when GM is gonna admit fault on these Chevy Cruzes? My mechanic father owns one. He's had to replace Valve cover gasket on his 3x. Mine at least 4-5x now. One bad oil change at a dealership almost cost me my engine at Sunfair Chevrolet. They left 2 rings on the oil fuel filter causing it to leak all over my engine compartment which left me roadside the next day after driving it 2 hours the night before back in Aug 2016. So they gave us 10K miles over this incident in case my engine blew. It ran a bit hotter than it did before this incident. I also noticed a burning smell. Enclosed in the scanned documents you will find a letter from Chevrolet discussing a "engine light" coming on and engine coolant leak from the water pump reservoir leading to a drip of coolant onto the engine or onto the ground. Overtime, the loss of coolant will reduce cooling performance and eventually could lead to engine overheating. Well, that isn't the only issue. Look at my scanned documents to see how many times the valve cover has been the issue. Always the engine light coming on and pull codes. A mechanic friend, replaced the valve cover gasket for me before it became a recall to save me$. Engine light came on again in 1 year. The PCV valve was built into the valve cove creating a chronic problem. Leads to a loss of turbo power. The last time manifold had to be repaired, they lifted the valve cover to get to it; leaked oil one day after my husband just replaced it. We assumed that was the issue (again), so instead of taking it in, he replaced the seal before taking it in. Someone please help us. Last fix was Aug. 2023, one day after it was in the shop. over $1200 in repairs I called GM, they told me to take it into the dealership. They focused on an oil leak from oil feed line. 4 days in still wasn't repaired. 1-20-14 I think was first incident of a valve cover issue. This is only 2 years after the car was "NEW". 137K miles on it now. Faithful with oil changes.
NHTSA complaint #11512592 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Please attache the scans attached to this email to incident/complaint # 11512592. I needed more room to upload my history with this car and the issues with it.
NHTSA complaint #11512593 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Please print off the scanned documents and add them to the complaint form # 11512592. I needed more room to upload 4 more jpeg files to show the history of the problem with the valve cover and PCV valve attached to it. Thank you.
NHTSA complaint #11512594 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
The cars turbo system fails. This causes a loss of power when accelerating. Pulling out into traffic or merging onto the freeway are all unsafe now as the car suddenly doesn't accelerate. This can cause crashes. I have pulled out and assumed I was at a very safe distance only to have the car not pick up as it usually does. I feel very unsafe.
NHTSA complaint #11484649 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
I had no heat for a long time, as well as the engine light constantly being on and never knowing why. There was a lag to accelerate. Also it would suddenly overheat and say turn off ac due to overheating, as well as suddenly fluctuate to cold and back to normal. I change the throttle body inlet heater hose to see if that would get it working. It did for a day. Then all over a sudden the same issues started happening. From what I can tell it is an extremely common issue that has not been address yet or had a recall yet....the thermostat. That is the only thing it could be at this point. I am going to try and bleed out the coolant for air again. But other than that it is the thermostat, it is the only thing that covers every symptom and it is an extremely, well documented problem with these types of cars.
NHTSA complaint #11431594 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
I have filed a complaint 2 other times on my car from the power train to the electrical and now my radiator. Because of the date of my car, which is one week off, my car doesn't fall under all the recalls that have been made. Everything wrong with my car is a recall including the head gasket! I have paid to fix my car out of pocket every time and now the repair isn't worth fixing because i never know whats going to happen next! Just like every other government agency NHTSA is controlled by the big corporations while the little guy gets screwed over! Times are hard as is now throw in this plandemic and car problems life becomes unmanageable at times.
NHTSA complaint #11428042 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
I've had this car for less than 2 months I've already spent $3,500 I've had to replace the thermostat the resvoir tank most oxygen sensors lower stream and upper stream now has a blown head gasket and a possible fuel pump
NHTSA complaint #11427813 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
IT KEEP SAYING A/C OFF DUE TO HIGH ENGINE TEMP BUT IT STAY IN COLD N I GOT COOLANT SENSOR RADIATOR SENSOR ALL FIXED N IT KEEP SAYIN THE SAME STUFF IT'S GIVING ME A HEAD ACHE WEN I GO FOR LONG DRIVES TO MALL OR STORE IT POPS ON
NHTSA complaint #11402534 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
REPLACED PCV VALVE ASSEMBLY TWICE AND STILL LEAKS OIL FROM COVER AND CAP. RUNS ROUGH ESPECIALLY WHEN IDLING, BAD GAS MILEAGE.
NHTSA complaint #11377206 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
THE CAR HAS HAD ISSUES SINCE I BOUGHT IT. EVERYTHING FROM THE TRANSMISSION TO THE SEATBELTS TO THE ENGINE TO THE BRAKES THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG. MY VIN NUMBER DOESNT MATCH THE RECALLS BUT TEVERYTHING THAT IS WRONG IS RECALLED ON THE 2012 AND 2013 BUT I MISSED THE RECALL BY A WEEK? SOUNDS LIKE TO ME GM KNEW THE MOST ISSUES WERE ON THE CAR MANAUFACTURED WHEN MINE WAS AND DIDNT WANT TO FIX THE PROBLEM
NHTSA complaint #11365131 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
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 complaint #11298405 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
LOW PREASSURE ON TURBO, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TURNS ON, AND LOW ENGINE PERFORMANCE
NHTSA complaint #11232832 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
THE VEHICLE WILL BE DRIPPING ENGINE COOLANTS. HOSES WILL MALFUNCTION, CAUSING MULTIPLE REPLACEMENT.
NHTSA complaint #11219081 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
CATALYTIC CONVERTER, ENGINE LIGHT ON AND SULPHER SMELL
NHTSA complaint #11193885 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
PCV VALVE COVER GASKET KEEPS HAVING LEAK ISSUES. IN THREE YEARS I HAVE REPLACE THREE PCV VALVE COVER GASKETS. I HAVE TALKED WITH THE CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP AND THEY ADMIT THAT IT'S A DESIGN FLAW PROBLEM. THIS SHOULD HAVE BEEN A RECALL AND I SHOULD NOT HAVE HAD TO PURCHASE THIS THREE TIMES AND HAVE IT PUT ON ONE EACH TIME.
NHTSA complaint #11185526 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
TURBO CHARGER VALVE FAILED CAUSING MULTIPLE OTHER ISSUES. CAR SHUTS OFF RANDOMLY. STABILITY TRACK KEEPS COMING ON EVEN AFTER THE WIRE TO THE BATTERY WAS REPLACED.
NHTSA complaint #11176229 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
I AM HAVING ISSUES WITH MY TURBO. AFTER TAKING IT TO MY MECHANIC I AM TOLD THAT IT IS A COMMON ISSUE
NHTSA complaint #11173282 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
MY TRANSMISSION WAS SHIFTING HARD THEN I PARKED IT GOT BACK IN PUT IN REVERSE AND IT WON'T MOVE,IT MOVED IN DRIVE SO MANY FEET MAKING HORRIBLE NOISE AND THEN WENT OUT OF GEAR...NOW WON'T MOVE AT ALL
NHTSA complaint #11119477 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
I GOT GAS ON JUNE 1ST AND NOT EVEN 15 MILES AFTERWORDS MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I CHECKED TO MAKE SURE THE GAS CAP WAS ON PROPERLY AND LIGHT STILL DID NOT GO OFF. I TOOK CAR TO GET OBDII READ AND IT STATED THAT THE MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR WAS BAD AND ALSO THE FUEL INJECTORS AS WELL. ONE MECHANIC STATED IT WAS FROM BAD GAS BUT WAS UNABLE TO PROVE IT. I HAVE DONE PERSONAL RESEARCH AND FOUND THAT THE PCV IS CLOGGED AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED OR CLEANED. THE CAR PROCEEDS TO RUN "ROUGH" AND STALLS WHEN PLACED IN PARK. I HOWEVER DON'T NOTICE A PROBLEM WHEN IN MANUAL GEAR.
NHTSA complaint #11114404 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
CAR DOES NOT RUN RIGHT. WHEN ACCELERATING THE CAR DOES NOT BUDGE AND STALLS OUT. FOUND OUT IF THE AC IS OFF IT IS LESS LIKELY TO STALL OUT AFTER STOPPING. WAS TOLD IT IS A POSSIBLE CLOGGED CATALYTIC CONVERTER. THE STABILITRAK AND TRACTION CONTROL WANINGS POP UP. TOOK IT TO AUTO ZONE AND THEY TOLD ME IT WAS BAD GAS. SOMETHING IS OFF AND IT'S NOT A EASY DIAGNOSIS.
NHTSA complaint #11112364 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
2012 CRUZE LT. THE THIRD TURBO WAS INSTALLED 2 DAYS BEFORE EXTENDED WARRANTY EXPIRED. IT HAS 56668 MILES NOW. I SPENT 4 HOURS PUTTING GLUE PUTTY IN THE CRACKS ON THE BOTTOM INTAKE MANIFOLD, TO PLENUM JUNCTION CORNERS OF CYLINDERS 2 AND 4 BECAUSE OF THE GM PLASTIC [XXX], CURING THE LOW BOOST AND LEAN MIXTURE CODES AT IDLE, ON EASTER. THE FIRST MONTH I HAD THE CAR THE TRANSMISSION WOULD START IN FIRST SKIP SECOND GEAR REV UP THEN CHIRP THE TIRES UNTIL IT WARMED UP, AND WAS FIXED BY A PROGRAM CHANGE TO A LESSER VERSION AND NOW AT THE HIGHER MILEAGE IT WAITS BEFORE IT ENGAGES FIRST AT ALL. ANOTHER NEAT THING IS TO TURN LEFT AT 5MPH HARD AND FEEL THE CAR DO A JIG TO THE RIGHT FOR AN INSTANT BEFORE CONTINUING ON WITH THE TURN. LASTLY, THE WATER PUMP WAS REPLACED ALONG WITH A CRACKED WATER OUTLET BUT NOT THE ROTTED RECIRCULATION OVERFLOW HOSE THAT BROKE AT 4 AM TO MY FISHING HOLE IN SEPTEMBER. I CAN SAY THAT THE 2017 CRUZE MUST BE BETTER BECAUSE THE DUMDUMS PAID BY THE GM INSURANCE COMPANY TO CHANGE OIL PUT MORE NEW OIL IN THE MOTOR WITHOUT DRAINING IT FIRST. NO SERIOUS ISSUES FOR A WHOLE WEEK I MIGHT BE ABLE TO DRIVE IT BY MAY IT'S BEEN 5 MONTHS SINCE THEN. FYI THE DEALERSHIP WHO PERFORMED THIS FANCY WORK IS NOT IN RIVERTON EITHER.
NHTSA complaint #11083287 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
OVERHEATING. LOUD NOISE IN ENGINE WITH LOSS OF POWER THAT WE DETERMINED TO BE THE TURBO. CARS BREAKS HAVE BEEN CHANGED SEVERAL TIMES SINCE PURCHASE. CONSISTENT WARNING LIGHTS ON DASH. THE CAR HAS A VERY LOUD RATTLING SOUND WHEN DRIVING. IT ISN'T AS LOUND WHEN SITTING STILL AT A REDLIGHT.
NHTSA complaint #11083308 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
WHILE DRIVING, ON AT LEAST FOUR OCCASIONS, I HAVE LOST POWER COMPLETELY, CAUSING ALL ELECTRICAL FUNCTIONINGS TO STOP, MAKING ME LOSE ABILITY TO ACCELERATE, CAUSING MY LIGHTS TO SHUT OFF, AND ALL OTHER FUNCTIONALITIES OF THE CAR, BESIDES STEERING AND USING INERTIA, RESULTING IN PULLING OVER WITHOUT ENDANGERING MYSELF OR OTHER DRIVERS. THERE ALSO SEEMS TO BE A SKIPPING OR JUMPING INVOLVING THE FUEL INJECTION WHEN ACCELERATING, WHICH MAKES SPEED REGULATION IRREGULAR, SPORADIC, AND DOES NOT ALLOW THE DRIVER TO MAKE ACCURATE JUDGEMENTS ON THE CARS CAPABILITIES CONCERNING TIMING AND DISTANCE TO OTHER DRIVERS. RECENTLY, I WAS IN MOTION DRIVING THROUGH CHATANOOGA, TN, WHERE IT IS MOUNTAINOUS AND HAS STEEP HILLS, DURING NIGHTTIME, SO VISIBILITY WAS LESSENED, AND DANGER, DUE TO THE TYPE OF ROAD IT WAS, WAS INCREASED. WHILE GOING DOWNHILL, LUCKILY, WITH OTHER CARS AROUND ME TRAVELING AT 70 MPH, MY CAR JUST SHUT OFF, COMPLETELY. I LOST THE ABILITY TO ACCELERATE, MY LIGHTS SHUT OFF, ALMOST CAUSING AN ACCIDENT WITH THE CARS AROUND ME. LUCKILY, I PULLED ONTO THE SHOULDER WITHOUT ANY DAMAGES. THIS HAPPENED AGAIN, ABOUT TWO MONTHS AGO, AT A STOP LIGHT. I BEGAN TO ACCELERATE, AND IN THE MIDDLE OF THE INTERSECTION, MY CAR SHUT OFF, I HAD TO COAST OFF OF THE ROAD, LOST ALL ACCELERATION, AND AGAIN ALMOST WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT.
NHTSA complaint #11063511 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
THE CAR SAYS IN THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER "ENGINE LOOSES POWER" AND TO "SERVICE STABILITRAC." THEN I LOOSE ACCELERATION. I HAVE TO COAST TO THE SHOULDER SHUT THE CAR DOWN AND RESTART. IT HAPPENS MORE OFTEN ON THE FREEWAY WHICH IS SUPER SCARY. THIS HAPPENS EVERY TIME DRIVE.
NHTSA complaint #11060707 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.