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2012 Chevrolet Cruze problems, recalls and owner complaints
What the 2012 Chevrolet Cruze has been recalled for, how often it fails the UK MOT and what owners report, from official government data. Updated October 25, 2026.
- 7safety recalls
- 865owner complaints
- 62crash reports
- 18fire reports
- 40%fail the UK MOT
The most complained-about Chevrolet Cruze year on file: 865 complaints, against an average of 303 for the other 7 model years.
Every Chevrolet Cruze model year with its number of owner complaints. Pick a year to compare.
What goes wrong with the 2012 Chevrolet Cruze?
The components named most often in the 865 owner complaints. One complaint can name several, so the shares can add up to more than 100%.
What symptoms do 2012 Chevrolet Cruze owners describe?
Found by reading the text of all 865 owner complaints. Tap a symptom for the answer, a real owner quote and any related recall.
- Why does my 2012 Chevrolet Cruze stall, lose power or shut off while driving?100 owners · 11.6%
- Why is the check engine light on in my 2012 Chevrolet Cruze?83 owners · 9.6%
- Why does my 2012 Chevrolet Cruze overheat?49 owners · 5.7%
- Why does my 2012 Chevrolet Cruze smell of burning or smoke?38 owners · 4.4% · Recall 12V288000
- Why do the brakes feel soft, fail or make noise on my 2012 Chevrolet Cruze?37 owners · 4.3% · Recall 13V360000
- Why is my 2012 Chevrolet Cruze burning or losing oil?30 owners · 3.5%
- Why are the ABS and stability control lights on in my 2012 Chevrolet Cruze?30 owners · 3.5%
- Why does my 2012 Chevrolet Cruze idle rough, misfire or hesitate?28 owners · 3.2%
Has the 2012 Chevrolet Cruze been recalled?
7 U.S. safety recalls. Repairs are free at a franchised dealer; some are done over the air.
Electrical System: Ignition 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."
Risk: If the key is removed without the transmission in PARK, the vehicle may rollaway as occupants are exiting, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix: 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.
Air Bags 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.
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.
Fix: 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.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic: Power Assist 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.
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.
Fix: 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.
Air Bags 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.
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.
Fix: 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.
Air Bags 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.
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.
Fix: 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.
Engine And Engine Cooling 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.
Risk: EITHER CONDITION COULD RESULT IN AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE, POSSIBLY CAUSING INJURY OR DEATH.
Fix: 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.
Fuel System, Gasoline: Storage: Tank Assembly: Mounting 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.
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.
Fix: 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.
Is the 2012 Chevrolet Cruze recalled in the UK or Europe?
Recalls issued by the UK's DVSA and through the EU's Safety Gate system that cover this model and build period. European models can differ from U.S. ones, and "years estimated" means the recall gave no build dates, so confirm your own car with your registration or VIN.
UK DVSAChevrolet UK Takata Drivers Airbag
Risk: On affected vehicles the chemicals in the Takata airbags may deteriorate over time which may cause the inflator to rupture and lead to serious injury.
Fix: Exchange affected airbag modules as a precautionary measure.
UK DVSADrive shaft may fracture
Risk: The tubular drive shaft may in some instances experience breakage on RH drive shaft neck area. In the event that the RH drive shaft is broken the vehicle will not be capable of acceleration; however steering and braking will be controllable
Fix: Vehicle drive shafts will be inspected and where necessary replaced free of charge.
EU Safety GateThe propellant in the driver airbag may deteriorate over time.If the airbags deploy, it can result in fragments from the inflator injuring the vehicle's occupants.
Measures: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer; Category of measure(s): Request to stop driving; Date of entry into force: 08/08/2025
EU Safety GateThe propellant in the inflator of the driver airbag may deteriorate over time.If the airbags deploy, it could result in fragments of the inflator injuring the vehicle's occupants.
Measures: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Other; Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users; Date of entry into force: Unknown
EU Safety GateThe front brake hose might be misassembled/twisted.This could increase the stress on the brake hose, eventually leading to a leak of brake fluid. If this happens, the vehicle may experience an increased braking distance and potential degradation of braking performance.
Measures: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Other; Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users; Date of entry into force: Unknown
EU Safety GateThe right-hand driveshaft may break in the neck area.If this happens the vehicle will not be able to accelerate.
Measures: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Other; Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users; Date of entry into force: 11/08/2014
How often does the 2012 Chevrolet Cruze fail its MOT?
Why they failed: the share of failed tests with at least one fault in each area (a test can fail on several). Cars first registered in 2012, tested in Great Britain in 2023; first registration is usually, but not always, the model year. Source: DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results, Open Government Licence v3.0.
What do 2012 Chevrolet Cruze owners report?
12 of the 865 complaints, the most recent for the most-reported components, as the owners wrote them. NHTSA removes names and VINs; long reports are trimmed. CarHooq has not verified individual claims.
I was driving and the engine caught on fire. The flames came from the turbo gasket compartment not sure why or how it ignited. Thankfully the damage was not that extensive the car was towed to my residence and it is not drivable it won't start.
Was driving and my car literally wouldn't go forward. Prior to I had an oil change and I would smell burning oil
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
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…
Had a 3-5-R wave plate failure. Symptoms started at around 87,000 miles. Bouncing/jerking when put into reverse. 5th gear slams hard into gear when upshifting and downshifting, making it feel like I have been rear ended. Now 3rd gear is starting to shift hard like 5th. Soon I'll have no gears. Car has been both regular and preventative maintained so should not have such a massive failure at under 100k miles. Other vehicles with the same transmission (6t40) have been recalled due to similar issues, like the 1.4 turbocharged Cruze, but not the 1.8l Cruze for whatever reason. Now I have to pay…
Coolant leaking , engine knock sound , turbo issue
My car keeps telling me my trunk is open then it dings constantly going back and forth from tire monitor system to the trunk open. Then Everytime I turn the car off I have to wiggle the battery cable to get my car to start and my power steering keeps going out. I'm aware there are recalls.for my car but beings my check engine light is on they r refusing to fix my car. I don't understand. I thought recalls were mandatory and had to be fixed. This car barely has 85,000 miles on it. I shouldn't be having all these issues. It's all electrical it seems like. I need help.
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)
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.
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
LESS THAN 30 DAYS I HAVE PURCHASE A CAR FROM GALLIMORE MOTORS STARTED HAVING ISSUES WITH THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPING REPORTED IT TO THE DEALER, WHO DID NOTHING. IT WAS LIKE OH WELL. THEN NOW THE STABILITRAK IS COMING ON, I HAVEN'T EVEN HAD THIS CAR FOR 30 DAYS UNTIL YESTERDAY.
2012 Chevrolet Cruze: questions owners ask
Is the 2012 Chevrolet Cruze reliable?
NHTSA data alone cannot rate reliability, but it shows what owners reported. Owners filed 865 complaints with NHTSA about the 2012 Chevrolet Cruze; the most common categories were engine (268, 31%), electrical system (196, 22.7%), service brakes (150, 17.3%). There are 7 safety recalls. 62 complaints mention a crash, 18 mention a fire, 30 injuries were reported.
What are the most common problems with the 2012 Chevrolet Cruze?
Across 865 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the categories mentioned most often are engine (31% of complaints), electrical system (22.7% of complaints), service brakes (17.3% of complaints), power train (15.8% of complaints), electronic stability control (esc) (12.5% of complaints). One complaint can name several components.
Does the 2012 Chevrolet Cruze have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 7 recalls for the 2012 Chevrolet Cruze; the most recent (campaign 16V502000, 2016-07-05) concerns Electrical System: Ignition. Recall repairs are free at a franchised dealer; check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Why does my 2012 Chevrolet Cruze stall, lose power or shut off while driving?
100 of the 865 owner complaints NHTSA has on file for the 2012 Chevrolet Cruze (11.6%) describe the engine stalling, losing power or shutting off while driving. One owner wrote: "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." (NHTSA complaint 11734134, April 2026). If it happens to your car, check your VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls and report the problem to NHTSA; complaints are what trigger investigations.
Why is the check engine light on in my 2012 Chevrolet Cruze?
83 of the 865 owner complaints NHTSA has on file for the 2012 Chevrolet Cruze (9.6%) describe the check engine light coming on. One owner wrote: "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, November 2024). If it happens to your car, check your VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls and report the problem to NHTSA; complaints are what trigger investigations.
Why does my 2012 Chevrolet Cruze overheat?
49 of the 865 owner complaints NHTSA has on file for the 2012 Chevrolet Cruze (5.7%) describe the engine overheating or coolant loss. One owner wrote: "Repetitive coolant leak repaired 5+ times over 9 years; incurred costs over $X,XXX. Coolant (toxic) leak causes burn off in the engine compartment and the vapors from this are transferred into the cabin, posing a risk to driver and passenger health." (NHTSA complaint 11685443, September 2025). If it happens to your car, check your VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls and report the problem to NHTSA; complaints are what trigger investigations.
Why does my 2012 Chevrolet Cruze smell of burning or smoke?
38 of the 865 owner complaints NHTSA has on file for the 2012 Chevrolet Cruze (4.4%) describe a burning smell or smoke. A related recall exists: campaign 12V288000 (engine and engine cooling). The fix: GM WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL MODIFY THE ENGINE SHIELD TO PREVENT FLUID FROM CONTACTING THE SHIELD. One owner wrote: "feel like it downshift first really fast before going in 5 th gear. Feel like you’re going to fly out the windshield. If seatbelt wasn’t on you would get whiplash. When driving in automatic it go in limp mode. burning oil. Now" (NHTSA complaint 11562724, December 2023). Recall repairs are free at a dealer; check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Why do the brakes feel soft, fail or make noise on my 2012 Chevrolet Cruze?
37 of the 865 owner complaints NHTSA has on file for the 2012 Chevrolet Cruze (4.3%) describe brakes feeling soft, failing, grinding or squealing. A related recall exists: campaign 13V360000 (service brakes, hydraulic: power assist). The fix: General Motors will notify owners, and dealers will replace a microswitch in the power brake vacuum pipe assembly, free of charge. One owner wrote: "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 .." (NHTSA complaint 11469091, June 2022). Recall repairs are free at a dealer; check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Why is my 2012 Chevrolet Cruze burning or losing oil?
30 of the 865 owner complaints NHTSA has on file for the 2012 Chevrolet Cruze (3.5%) describe excessive oil consumption or oil leaks. One owner wrote: "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." (NHTSA complaint 11734134, April 2026). If it happens to your car, check your VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls and report the problem to NHTSA; complaints are what trigger investigations.
Why are the ABS and stability control lights on in my 2012 Chevrolet Cruze?
30 of the 865 owner complaints NHTSA has on file for the 2012 Chevrolet Cruze (3.5%) describe ABS, traction or stability control warnings or faults. One owner wrote: "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." (NHTSA complaint 11566301, January 2024). If it happens to your car, check your VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls and report the problem to NHTSA; complaints are what trigger investigations.
Why does my 2012 Chevrolet Cruze idle rough, misfire or hesitate?
28 of the 865 owner complaints NHTSA has on file for the 2012 Chevrolet Cruze (3.2%) describe rough idling, misfires or hesitation when accelerating. One owner wrote: "When i try and start my car sometime it stalls like it doesn't want to crank up and when i finally do get it crank the emergency lights flash, power steering comes on the screen and then windshield wipers come on." (NHTSA complaint 11020084, August 2017). If it happens to your car, check your VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls and report the problem to NHTSA; complaints are what trigger investigations.
Check your own Cruze
Counts are a starting point, not a verdict: popular models collect more complaints because more of them are on the road, and NHTSA does not verify individual reports. To see whether a recall is still open on your car, enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls (U.S.) or your registration at check-vehicle-recalls.service.gov.uk (UK). Had a safety problem? Report it to NHTSA; complaints are what trigger investigations and recalls.
Data: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation recall and complaint databases (public domain), DVSA anonymised MOT results (Open Government Licence v3.0), DVSA vehicle recalls (Open Government Licence v3.0), EU Safety Gate alerts (© European Union), retrieved October 25, 2026. Model year 2012 only.