FaultScore

2012 Chevrolet Cruze other reported problems

84 of the 1,353 complaints about the 2012 Chevrolet Cruze are about the other systems — 6% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 77,000 miles.

B

84

Complaints

4

Crashes

1

Fires

2

Injuries

Exactly what failed

Unknown OR Other 84 100.0%

Other & Unspecified across every Chevrolet Cruze year

2011 75 16.1%
2012 84 18.0%
2013 75 16.1%
2014 89 19.1%
2015 45 9.7%
2016 43 9.2%
2017 31 6.7%
2018 24 5.2%

What owners said

Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.

Omaha, NE

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

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

NHTSA complaint #11741926 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Irvington, NJ

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

The check engine light keeps coming up after I buy gas in it and when I take it to Autozone for diagnose it keeps saying engine coolant which I just changed. After a while the light disappears but comes back when I fuel it.

NHTSA complaint #11627746 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SAN Antonio, TX

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

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)

NHTSA complaint #11578614 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Daytona Beach, FL

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Car is leaking coolant from unknown area.

NHTSA complaint #11575223 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Dayton, OH

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

The car's theft deterrent is not able to be turned off and is causing the car to stop working. I was driving my car on the highway and all of a sudden it completely shut off. I had it towed home. I replaced the battery and it worked for a short period of time but then shut off again. My mechanic states that the theft deterrent is getting triggered. We replaced the battery, fob battery, and checked everything it could possibly be with no luck. The car is too dangerous to drive and has caused missed work and loss of income.

NHTSA complaint #11554508 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Madison, MS

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Car dies while driving down the highway. Power steering and brake will not work. Has to be placed in park and then restarted. Mechanic has looked at it multiple times and has not been able to reproduce the problem.

NHTSA complaint #11551873 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Post Falls, ID

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

I reported on May 14 2023 incident 11521891 at Geiger Road near USPS building the fact there might be a tracking device on my Chevrolet Cruze or now I believe there is a concerted effort to target me to control information or assets. I am in no legal disputes but some harassers are using their "old style harassing" techniques and it has now carried over into the State of Idaho. I notified today the DMV office in the state of Idaho asking how standard license plates are assigned. My move to the state of Idaho was successful -- it was handled by Bekins Northwest and I am looking forward to enjoying this beautiful state. There is harassing signification to the standard license plate assigned to me [XXX], title no [XXX] and I am awaiting my license plates. I have directed a question to the DMV office in the state of Idaho mentioning that this license plate will be brining some further harassment. I can address this in a court of law; it involves Bekins Northwest and a representative who arrives during the initial move estimate. Why was I assigned license place [XXX] here in the state of Idaho? I have spent a great deal of money to move here and it is just another harassing maneuver. I will address this in a court of law should you in the Department of Transportation see a problem with license place [XXX] -- it reminds me of U-Haul trucks out of Reno, Nevada and I did not use a U-Haul truck out of Reno, Nevada. This is targeted victimization and harassment and the individuals who are doing this should be held accountable. It is now involving government employees and government agencies. I have asked the DMV office in the state of Idaho how I was assigned [XXX] as a standard license plate? I await their response and I also mentioned that they should forward to the attorney general in the state of Idaho. It is frustrating when these individuals perpetrating the harassment do not care how much it costs taxpayers individuals when this harassment occurs. INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORM

NHTSA complaint #11523905 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Spokane, WA

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

I believe there is a GPS tracking device associated with the electrical components of Sirius/Onstar still active in my car. I had my radio removed at a Chevrolet dealership in Raleigh, North Carolina (6/30/2015); because it appeared that this Sirius/radio/onstar component installed by the manufacturer was causing distractions; allowing tracking and harassment while living for less than 8 months in Raleigh, North Carolina. There was a continuous buzzing noise that emanated out of my apartment on the first floor of the [XXX] apartment complex and somehow it was connected with some computer equipment I had. I ditched my computer equipment, Microsoft operating system; some other harassing events occurred orchestrated by the blacks in Raleigh; The radio was disconnected at a Raleigh dealership (2015) and the buzzing noise ceased until the last several weeks when I was driving towards the United States postal service Airway Heights post office near one of the only highway islands, Geiger Road, in the Spokane area. I know there are many islands located in the state of Idaho but the state of Washington does not have that many. Geiger road intersection near the United States post office Airway Heights does have an island and this is where an incessant buzzing noise (just like I experienced while living at the [XXX] apartments in Raleigh, N.C.) loudly started to sound. This is somewhat of a sparsely populated area of Washington; however, it was a major distraction while I was driving and there were no other Apple devices on in my car at the time. I had shut off my Apple iPhone, placed it in the trunk of my car next to the spare tire -- the Apple device was shut off). A black man in his old cadillac(maybe Cadillac) arrived behind my car at the post office)I investigated to see if there was a GPS tracking device planted on my car. This activated some type of "black power" working out of Chevrolet, General Motors. INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA complaint #11521891 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Cincinnati, OH

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

UNKNOWN. My 2012 Chevy Cruz sits most of the time in my driveway as I drive a second vehicle. Unbeknownst to me, this vehicle has been completely consumed by mold and upon further research on the internet, i discovered that other GM owners have had similar issues with mold. I have owned other vehicles that have sat for long periods of time in my driveway and have NEVER had an issue with mold. I don’t know the exact date that this issue started. All I know is that I looked inside the vehicle last week to jump the battery and found it consumed with mold. Based on the comments of other owners, this appears to be a defect with GM vehicles ranging from the Silverado to the Impala and the Cruz. Owners should not be forced to pay to rectify this s horrible issue or to be out of money when told to salvage their cars.

NHTSA complaint #11520255 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Andover, OH Crash

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

When the ac on the brake pad will lock and there no brakes you can't push it down it gets hard but when you turn the ac turns off the brake pad goes back to normal but it's damage to be driving and this happen .. Also the trac control light comes on along with the sailablzie light

NHTSA complaint #11469091 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Washington Park, IL

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Hi my name is [XXX] I am calling about the Cruze ,everytime I come to a complete stop and go my car do a jerk. INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA complaint #11458885 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Louisville, KY

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

The temperature gauge never shows the hand even get to half on the hot cold fail however the car could have no coolant and be 400 degrees the sail will Or reflect so. This has caused many probable s bc I can’t tell when it over hears it’s mezwwzs the comupeter

NHTSA complaint #11456379 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Hagerstown, MD

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

It is unknown exactly as to why this is happening but it has happened on more than one occasion. I was at a red light and when the light turned green I pushed the gas but my car wouldn’t drive, I was stuck in the middle of the road. This put me in significant danger as I was on a very busy road with a speed limit of 55. I had to jump out of the car onto the road and run to a side walk as I was afraid someone would crash into me had I stayed in the car. I then had to call the police to block off the lane where my car was so that no one driving on the road would get into an accident. There were NO warning signs at all making this situation even worse because had I been warned I would’ve at least been able to pull over safely. I took it to my mechanic and he thought he fixed the issue I got it back and it did the same exact thing a couple days later. My mechanic says he doesn’t know what else to do. I’m waiting for an appointment at the dealership.This car should seriously be recalled because I looked this issue up and many other people unfortunately have experienced the same exact thing with their 2012 Chevy Cruze shutting off in the middle of the road at a traffic light.

NHTSA complaint #11453014 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Potomac Falls, VA

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Cruze has been omitting an odor when the heater is engaged. The fumes create headaches, burning to the eyes, and general sick feeling. This physical reaction has been experienced by both adults and underage passengers. We have taken our cars multiple times to the Chevrolet dealership, but they continual cannot find anything. We have had this car since 2015 and have been in and out of the Chevy dealership regarding this problem; they cannot identify cause.

NHTSA complaint #11452497 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Cadiz, KY

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Steering fades , blinkers go out, stability trac goes in and out. Radio goes on and off. Radio sometimes stays on after car is shut off.

NHTSA complaint #11447630 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Akron, OH

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

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!

NHTSA complaint #11439256 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Janesville, WI 1 injured

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

The vehicle will start to smoke, filling the cab with smoke with a strong smell of antifreeze causing occupants to become sick to the stomach and dizzy. This will occur unrelated to speed and operating temperature, and has happened multiple times.

NHTSA complaint #11438762 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 161 miles Nashville, TN

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

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.

at 116,000 miles Grove City, OH

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

THE OIL COOLER NEEDS REPLACED. IT IS SOMEHOW LEAKING. THERE HAVE BEEN MULTIPLE CARS, THAT ARE THE SAME AS MINE, THAT HAVE COME INTO THE SAME DEALERSHIPS THAT HAVE THIS SAME PROBLEM. IN THE LAST WEEK, ONE OF THE DEALERSHIPS SAID 14 PEOPLE CAME IN BECAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM.

NHTSA complaint #11388722 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 112,000 miles Duncan, SC

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

THE VEHICLE HAS HAIL DAMAGE WHICH CAUSED IT TO BECOME A SALVAGE TITLE WATER PUMP LEAKING ANTIFREEZE WHICH HAS A RECALL ON IT AND CHEVROLET WILL NOT HONOR RECALL ONLY HAVE 112000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE I KEPT THE CAR INSTEAD OF SELLING IT TO THE INSURANCE COMPANY I HAVE PUT ABOUT $4000 IN REPAIRING TURBO CHARGER MANIFOLD RADIATOR AND LINE MANIFOLD AND THE LIST GOES ON.. FOR HAIL DAMAGE WHICH MADE IT A SALVAGE TITLE THAT I'M REFUSED A RECALL

NHTSA complaint #11385803 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Meadowviee, VA

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON THROWING 4 CODES. TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP CAN'T DETERMINE THE PROBLEM WITH VEHICLE. DEALERSHIP DID CONTACT US TO INFORM US THE WATER PUMP IS LEAKING BAD. CHARGE TO FIX 835.00. I HAVE SEEN SEVERAL RECALLS REGARDING WATERPUMPS HOWEVER MY VIN DOES NOT SHOW A RECALL.

NHTSA complaint #11350752 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 65,000 miles Portland, OR 2 injured

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

WHILE DRIVING, A SUDDEN ONSET OF DANGEROUSLY STRONG SMELLING VAPOR / FUMES EXPELLED THROUGH THE VENTILATION SYSTEM CAUSING ADVERSE REACTION TO DRIVER AND PASSENGERS. HAPPENS WHILE HEAT IS ON, BUT DOES NOT HAPPEN WHEN AIR CONDITIONING IS USED.

NHTSA complaint #11341277 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 131,000 miles Augusta, GA

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

PROBLEMS WITH CRACKED ANTIFREEZE AND WATER LEAKS.

NHTSA complaint #11340551 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 120,000 miles Columbus, OH

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

MY ENGINE IS LEAKING OIL AND MY TRANSMISSION IS SLIPPING. AFTER I FILLED UP THE GAS TANK ONE DAY THE CAR JERKED AND THE ENGINE LIGHT NEVER WENT OFF. I'M NOT SURE WHY THERE ISN'T A RECALL ON IT WHEN APPARENTLY THESE CARS ARE NOTORIOUS FOR THESE ISSUES. JACK MAXTON TOLD ME SOME GEAR BROKE INSIDE MY TRANSMISSION.

NHTSA complaint #11329427 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Garrett, IN

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

SEAT BELT NO LONGER WORKS. IT IS NOT PULLING OR RETIGHTENING LIKE IT SHOULD. NOT SURE HOW OR WHY. I RARELY HAVE ANYONE IN THE BACK SEATS. IT'S THE BACK DRIVER'S SIDE.

NHTSA complaint #11326669 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 134,397 miles Columbus, OH

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

MY CAR STARTED JERKING, FAN RUNNING CONSTANT, AND OVER HEATING. I HAVE BROUGHT IT TO THE SAME DEALERSHIP DAVE GILL CHEVROLET FOR SERVICE 5 TIMES AND EVERY TIME THEY FIX AN ISSUE COMES BACK AND THE ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AND I HAVE TO BRING IT BACK.

NHTSA complaint #11316125 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Chelmsford, MA

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

VEHICLE HAS SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL/SERVICE STABILITRAK LIGHT THAT POPS UP EVERY TIME THE CAR IS STARTED. THERE IS ALSO A MISFIRE CODE IN CYLINDER NUMBER 1 WHICH CAUSES THE ENGINE TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY WHEN PARKED IN IDLE OR SOMETIMES WHEN STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT. THERE HAS BEEN A HANDFUL OF TIMES WHEN I HAVE MADE A TURN INTO AN INTERSECTION WHICH IS USUALLY ROUTINE, BUT WHEN I STEP ON THE GAS THERE IS NO RESPONSE FROM THE ENGINE AT ALL AND IT LEADS ME TO COAST FOR A FEW SECONDS AT SPEEDS USUALLY FROM 2-5 MPH. THE GAS PEDAL CAN ALSO BE PUSHED IN TO THE FLOOR AND THE CAR WILL NOT INCREASE IN SPEED FOR AT LEAST 5 SECONDS. IT IS VERY SCARY WHEN ENTERING INTERSECTIONS AFTER BEING STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT OR WHEN TRYING TO LEAVE A PARKING LOT. I BROUGHT MY CAR TO A CHEVY DEALER AND THEY SAID THEY HAD NO IDEA WHAT WAS WRONG WITH IT. FROM THERE I BROUGHT IT TO A MECHANIC WHO RAN TESTS, CHANGED PARTS, AND CLEANED CARBON FROM THE ENGINE FOR 2 WEEKS. AFTER THE 2 WEEKS THERE WAS STILL NO CLEAR EXPLANATION TO WHY THIS IS HAPPENING OR HOW TO FIX IT. THIS PROBLEM IS DEFINITELY A BIG CONCERN FOR SAFETY THAT SHOULD NOT BE HAPPENING.

NHTSA complaint #11302414 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 150,000 miles Alton, VA

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

THE CAR DOES A LOT OF STALLING WHEN YOU'RE DRIVING IT. ALSO THE ENGIN LIGHT WILL COME ON AND STAY ON MAYBE A DAY, THEN GO OFF. JUST ON AND OFF ANYTIME. AUTOMOBILE LOSSES POWER WHEN THIS HAPPENS..

NHTSA complaint #11296690 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 97,000 miles Clarksville, TN

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

I NOTICED THAT MY VEHICLE SEEMED TO BE HAVING ISSUES WHEN I PRESSED ON THE BRAKE, SO I TOOK IT IN. I FOUND OUT THAT IT WAS A COMPLETELY UNRELATED ISSUE, AND HAD TO DO WITH A CRACK RUNNING THROUGH THE MANIFOLD. THIS WAS CAUSING OIL AND COOLANT TO LEAK ONTO THE ALTERNATOR. IF I HAD NOT CAUGHT THIS EARLY ENOUGH, THEY SAID I WOULD HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO GET IT FIXED. THEY REPAIRED THE LEAK, BUT A COUPLE WEEKS LATER I NOTICED MY CAR LOSING SIGNIFICANT AMOUNTS OF COOLANT/OIL. THIS IS CAUSING OIL AND COOLANT TO AFFECT THE TURBO SETTING OF MY MANUAL CAR, AND HAS COST ME UP TO $2,000 IN REPAIRS. THIS HAS BEEN THE UNDERLYING PROBLEM AS TO WHY I HAD TO GET MY FLYWHEEL REPLACED 2 YEARS AGO, WHICH WAS ANOTHER $1,500. THIS IS ALSO WHAT CAUSED THE TRANSMISSION FAILURE 3 YEARS AGO, ANOTHER THOUSAND DOLLARS. I NOTED THAT THE VEHICLE BEGAN LEAKING FLUID AFTER BEING STATIONARY OR MOVING WHILE/AFTER RUNNING FOR 10 MINUTES OR LONGER.

NHTSA complaint #11269938 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 48,000 miles Media, PA

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

CAR OVERHEATED. MESSSAGE THAT A.C. SHUTTING DOWN BECAUSE OF HIGH TEMP. HOSE IN ENGINE BLEW. MECHANIC COULD FIND NOTHING. TOOK IT BACK ON ROAD DIDN'T GET A MILE AWAY TEMP IS BACK UP TO 235/240. BACK TO MECHANIC NOTHING. SAFE TO DRIVE. I RESEARCH SEE THE PROBLEMS WITH MY YEAR MODEL ETC. DRIVE ROUND TRIP OF 20 MILES ( NOT OVER 40 MPH BECAUSE OF TEMP). ANTI FREEZE LEAKS FROM BOTTOM. MECHANIC SAYS IT'S A FAULTY SENSOR. WHILE THERE MAY BE A FAULTY SENSOR. . STILL LEAKING ANTI FREEZE. C ANT GET SENSOR DUE TO STRIKE ISSUE. 48000 MILES ON THIS 2012 CRUZE. TEMP JUMPS FROM 180-235 FOR NO REASON. I WON'T TAKE IT ON A HIGHWAY ANYMORE. I DON'T KNOW WHAT IT WILL DO.MOON ROOF JUST STOPPED WORKING FOR NO REASON. FUSES FINE.

NHTSA complaint #11270064 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other 2012 Chevrolet Cruze problems

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