← New search

2016 Chevrolet Cruze

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2016 Chevrolet Cruze do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 250.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

149 reports with mileage · 100 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Engine. Review the 102 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 58 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Fuel/propulsion System. Review the 35 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

19 crash reports6 fire reports12 injury reports

Engine complaints

102 reports
Clear category filter
59,000 miles · Jul 16, 2018
Electronic Stability Control (esc)EngineVehicle Speed Control

CODE U0164 :DATA COMMUNICATION WITH THE CLIMATE CONTROL SYSTEM HAS BEEN LOST OR INTERRUPTED. CODE U0155 : DATA COMMUNICATION WITH THE INSTRUMENT PANEL SYSTEM HAS BEEN LOST OR INTERRUPTED. RECEIVED THESE CODES FROM ON STSR TOOK MY VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP NEXT DAY THEY SAID THEY FOUND NO ERRORS. BUT, I DON'T KNOW HOW NOW WHEN EVER…

Read full complaint

CODE U0164 :DATA COMMUNICATION WITH THE CLIMATE CONTROL SYSTEM HAS BEEN LOST OR INTERRUPTED. CODE U0155 : DATA COMMUNICATION WITH THE INSTRUMENT PANEL SYSTEM HAS BEEN LOST OR INTERRUPTED. RECEIVED THESE CODES FROM ON STSR TOOK MY VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP NEXT DAY THEY SAID THEY FOUND NO ERRORS. BUT, I DON'T KNOW HOW NOW WHEN EVER I USE XM SIRIUS RADIO IT ALWAYS SAYS LOST CONNECTION/SIGNAL. ALSO, VEHICLE IS ALWAYS HOT LIKE THE HEATER IS ON WHEN IT'S NOT ON. HAS LOST IN ACCELERATION WHILE DRIVING HIGHWAY AND CITY STREETS BEEN DOING THAT FOR THE LAST MONTH OR 2. ALSO THE DASHBOARD SEEMS TO NOT BE WORKING NO LIGHTS COME ON WHEN FLUIDS ARE NEEDED.

NHTSA ODI #11111489

25,000 miles · Jun 28, 2018
Electrical SystemEnginePower Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 CHEVROLET CRUZE. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE WAS SHIFTED INTO PARK AND RESTARTED ON THE FIRST ATTEMPT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO HURRICANE CHEVROLET (200 SATURN WAY, H…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 CHEVROLET CRUZE. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE WAS SHIFTED INTO PARK AND RESTARTED ON THE FIRST ATTEMPT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO HURRICANE CHEVROLET (200 SATURN WAY, HURRICANE, WV 25526, (304) 562-3005) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CONVERTER MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED BACK TO THE DEALER AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE WIRE TO WIRE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS AT THE DEALER AWAITING FURTHER DIAGNOSTIC TESTING AND REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 25,000. *TT *TR

NHTSA ODI #11104519

15,980 miles · May 29, 2018
Electrical SystemEngineSteering

I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY ON MY WAY TO DROP OFF MY DAUGHTER TO THE BABYSITTER WHEN SUDDENLY MY STEERING WHEEL STARTED GETTING HARD AND THE CAR WOULDN'T RUN, I KEPT PUSHING THE GAS PETAL AND NOTHING, MY CAR WASN'T RUNNING. WHEN SUDDENLY THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STARTED BLINKING AND THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT AS WELL. THE CAR WAS…

Read full complaint

I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY ON MY WAY TO DROP OFF MY DAUGHTER TO THE BABYSITTER WHEN SUDDENLY MY STEERING WHEEL STARTED GETTING HARD AND THE CAR WOULDN'T RUN, I KEPT PUSHING THE GAS PETAL AND NOTHING, MY CAR WASN'T RUNNING. WHEN SUDDENLY THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STARTED BLINKING AND THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT AS WELL. THE CAR WAS OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF THE FREEWAY, LUCKILY THERE WAS TRAFFIC AND THE CARS WERE BARELY MOVING. UNTIL FINALLY I TURNED IT BACK ON AND CONTINUED DRIVING. THE FOLLOWING DAY WHEN I WAS LEAVING TO GO TO WORK MY CAR FELT HARD AND THE ENGINE WAS SHAKING RIDICULOUSLY AND I'D PUSH ON THE GAS PETAL ON THE CAR AND IT WOULDN'T DRIVE. I HAD TO LEAVE THE CAR AT HOME AND I WASN'T ABLE TO CALL THE DEALER BECAUSE IT WAS CLOSED DUE TO MEMORIAL DAY. MY CAR WON'T GO AND I'M WAITING TO SEE WHAT THE DEALER IS GOING TO TELL ME. KEEPING IN MIND THAT THE CAR WAS BRAND NEW OLDS WHEN I GOT IT OUT OF THE DEALER.

NHTSA ODI #11098377

60,000 miles · Oct 10, 2017
EngineFuel/propulsion System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 CHEVROLET CRUZE. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO WALKER CHEVROLET (3940 CAR OTHERS PKWY, FRANKLIN, TN, 37067) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CO2 SENSOR FAILED. THE SENSOR …

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 CHEVROLET CRUZE. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO WALKER CHEVROLET (3940 CAR OTHERS PKWY, FRANKLIN, TN, 37067) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CO2 SENSOR FAILED. THE SENSOR WAS REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, TWO MONTHS LATER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. AFTER MULTIPLE ATTEMPTS, THE VEHICLE RESTARTED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE SECOND LOCAL DEALER (LUCAS CHEVROLET CADILLAC, 101 S JAMES CAMPBELL BLVD, COLUMBIA, TN, 38401). IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT DUE TO AMBIENT TEMPERATURES OVER 100 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT, VAPOR BUILD-UP WAS IN THE FUEL FEED LINE AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO STALL. THE DEALER STATED THAT THERE WAS NO REMEDY EXCEPT HIGHER OCTANE. THE DEALER ALSO RECOMMENDED THAT THE VEHICLE BE KEPT IN COOLER TEMPERATURES AND REFRAIN FROM IDLING. THE FAILURE WAS UNDER BULLETIN PIP5507B. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 60,000. .UPDATED 11/09/17 *BF UPDATED 11/13/2017*JS

NHTSA ODI #11032666

160,000 miles · Oct 2, 2017
Electronic Stability Control (esc)EngineSteering

CAR GOES INTO LIMP MODE AFTER WARMS UP AND SAYS SERVICE POWER STEERING AND SERVICE TRACK STABILITY VERY DANGEROUS IN TRAFFIC

NHTSA ODI #11030802

85,000 miles · Sep 28, 2017
Engine

AT LEAST ONCE A WEEK, MY CHEVY CRUZE 2016 ENGINE SHUTS OFF COMPLETELY WHILE IDLE AT A STOP SIGN OF RED LIGHT. I HAVE AUTO SHUT OFF AND WHEN THE AUTO SHUT OFF IS IN PLAY IT NEVER CUTS BACK ON WHEN TAKING MY FOOT OFF THE BRAKE. I HAVE TO PUT MY CAR INTO PARK AND RESTART THE ENGINE.

NHTSA ODI #11030393

7,568 miles · Jun 13, 2017
Engine

CAR STALLED WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN IN TRAFFIC- A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION.

NHTSA ODI #10994634

1,400 miles · Dec 2, 2016
Electrical SystemEngine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 CHEVROLET CRUZE. WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE, THE "START, STOP" FEATURE WAS ACTIVATED WHEN THE CONTACT APPROACHED A RED LIGHT. WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS APPLIED WHILE MAKING A RIGHT TURN, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER AND WAS ALMOST STRUCK BY ANOTHER VEHICLE FROM THE REAR. THE FAILURE RECURRED MULTIPLE TI…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 CHEVROLET CRUZE. WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE, THE "START, STOP" FEATURE WAS ACTIVATED WHEN THE CONTACT APPROACHED A RED LIGHT. WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS APPLIED WHILE MAKING A RIGHT TURN, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER AND WAS ALMOST STRUCK BY ANOTHER VEHICLE FROM THE REAR. THE FAILURE RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED, BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,400.

NHTSA ODI #10929617

10,000 miles · Nov 29, 2016
EngineUnknown Or Other

RECEIVED FIRST INSPECTION, LEAVING THE DEALER, THE CAR SMELLED OF POSSIBLY A BURNING OR SOMETHING UNKNOWN. I DID NOT ASSUME THIS WASN'T NORMAL AS THEY HAD TO CHECK SEVERAL THINGS FOR THE INSPECTION. I HAD TO DRIVE VEHICLE WITH OPEN WINDOWS FOR A FEW DAYS. BUT I THOUGHT THAT PERHAPS WHILE CHECKING THE OIL THEY MAY HAVE GOTTEN S…

Read full complaint

RECEIVED FIRST INSPECTION, LEAVING THE DEALER, THE CAR SMELLED OF POSSIBLY A BURNING OR SOMETHING UNKNOWN. I DID NOT ASSUME THIS WASN'T NORMAL AS THEY HAD TO CHECK SEVERAL THINGS FOR THE INSPECTION. I HAD TO DRIVE VEHICLE WITH OPEN WINDOWS FOR A FEW DAYS. BUT I THOUGHT THAT PERHAPS WHILE CHECKING THE OIL THEY MAY HAVE GOTTEN SOME ON THE ENGINE OR SOMETHING. A FEW DAYS LATER, THE CAR WAS MAKING A CLANK SOUND WHEN DRIVE GEAR ENGAGED FROM FULL STOP. 11 DAYS LATER, STARTED THE CAR AND IT HAD REVVED OVER 4000 RPM. STOPPED ITSELF WITHIN SEVERAL SECONDS. FOOT WAS STILL ON THE BRAKE. DROVE 5 MILES, STOPPED AND PARKED VEHICLE. RETURNING HOME, ON A HIGHWAY, MY CAR SUDDENLY WENT OVER 4000 RPM AGAIN WHILE NOT ACCELERATING EXCESSIVELY, FLAT AND STRAIGHT ROADWAY, OVERCAST DAY, MID AFTERNOON. WAS DOING @54 MILES MPH. AT THE HIGH REV, THE CAR HAD STOPPED ITS MOMENTUM AND WAS SLOWING DOWN, BUT THE RPM DID NOT. THE CAR WENT THROUGH SEVERAL GEARS THEN ORIENTED ITSELF MANY SECONDS LATER. RECOVERY SPEED WAS 42 MPH. IMMEDIATELY CALLED THE DEALER AND SCHEDULED A DROP OFF. HAS @10,000 MILES ON IT. MOSTLY HIGHWAY DRIVING, A FEW DAYS A WEEK. OTHERWISE IT IS PARKED. MY FEAR WAS FAILURE TO CONTINUE MOMENTUM RESULTING IN ANOTHER VEHICLE COLLIDING WITH MINE AND THE INABILITY TO TAKE ANY STEPS TO PREVENT THAT FROM OCCURRING DUE TO LOSS OF MOBILITY AND CONTROL OF ACCELERATION. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10928655

1,000 miles · Oct 20, 2016
Electrical SystemEngineFire

AS I WAS DRIVING ABOUT 35 ON A CITY STREET, EVERYTHING SEEMED LIKE JUST ANY OTHER DAY. BUT IT WAS FAR FROM IT. I STARTED TO SMELL A FUNNY PLASTIC/RUBBER LIKE SMELL COMING FROM THE FRONT OF MY CAR. SO IMMEDIATELY PULLED OVER TO CHECK WHAT WAS GOING ON. IT IS KEY TO NOTE THAT I ALSO CHECKED MY ENGINE TEMPERATURE, SPECULATING THAT …

Read full complaint

AS I WAS DRIVING ABOUT 35 ON A CITY STREET, EVERYTHING SEEMED LIKE JUST ANY OTHER DAY. BUT IT WAS FAR FROM IT. I STARTED TO SMELL A FUNNY PLASTIC/RUBBER LIKE SMELL COMING FROM THE FRONT OF MY CAR. SO IMMEDIATELY PULLED OVER TO CHECK WHAT WAS GOING ON. IT IS KEY TO NOTE THAT I ALSO CHECKED MY ENGINE TEMPERATURE, SPECULATING THAT MAYBE I FORGOT TO TOP OFF THE COOLANT OR SOMETHING, BUT THE TEMPERATURE WAS PERFECT. I STOPPED THE CAR, POPPED THE HOOD, AND SAW WHAT WAS TO MY SHOCK JUST INSANE... A 3 FOOT FLAME THAT WAS BURNING UP MY WHOLE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. I DID NOT EVEN TRY TO PUT THE FLAME OUT WITH ANY MEANS BECAUSE THE FLAME WAS LOCATED TOO CLOSE TO THE FUEL INJECTORS AND I WAS NOT CONFIDENT ENOUGH TO RISK IT AND TRY TO PUT OUT THE FLAME. I CALLED 911 AND IN SEVERAL MINUTES, TO MY LUCK, THEY WERE THERE AND PUT THE FLAME OUT BEFORE THE CAR BLEW UP. HOWEVER, THE WHOLE FRONT OF THE CAR AND SOME OF FRONT INTERIOR IS BASICALLY MELTED AND THE CAR IS NOT USEFUL FOR ANYTHING ANYMORE. THIS WAS A SPONTANEOUS FLAME THAT HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING NORMALLY AT ABOUT 35 MPH ON A 70 DEGREE DAY. WHAT HAPPENED? I DO NOT KNOW... BUT WHAT I DO KNOW IS THAT CARS ARE NOT SUPPOSED TO PUT THEIR DRIVERS AND PASSENGERS AT RISK OF DYING JUST BECAUSE A PERSON WANTS TO PEACEFULLY DRIVE DOWN TO POINT B FROM POINT A. PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS, WHOEVER WILL BE DOING SO. THIS KIND OF CAR MANUFACTURING IS UNACCEPTABLE! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10917708

Official recalls

4

18V304000 · Fuel System, Gasoline

May 10, 2018

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Chevrolet Cruze LS vehicles, equipped with a gasoline engine and a tire inflator kit instead of a spare tire. The vehicles may leak gasoline following a rear-impact crash and a rollover. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 301, "Fuel System Integrity."

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A fuel leak, in the presence of an ignition source, increases the risk of a fire.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will install a lock-ring on the fuel tank that will shield the fuel tank vapor pressure sensor from damage in a rear-impact crash, free of charge. The recall began June 7, 2018. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 18159.

17V057000 · Seats:front Assembly:head Restraint

Jan 26, 2017

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2016-2017 Chevrolet Cruze vehicles. A bracket used in the driver or front passenger seat-back recliner mechanism may have been incorrectly welded to the seat-back frame, as a result, in the event of a crash, the head-restraints may not function properly. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 202a, "Head Restraints."

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: In a crash, the seat-backs for the front seats may break, increasing the risk of injury to the occupants.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the front passenger seats, replacing any with seat-back frames that are incorrectly welded, free of charge. The recall began on February 28, 2017. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 17035.

16V502000 · Electrical System:ignition; Power Train:automatic Transmission:control Module (tcm/pcm/tecm)

Jul 5, 2016

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."

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If the key is removed without the transmission in PARK, the vehicle may rollaway as occupants are exiting, increasing the risk of injury.

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.

Additional source detail variants (2)

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."

Consequence: If the key is removed without the transmission in PARK, the vehicle may rollaway as occupants are exiting, increasing the risk of injury.

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.

Power Train:automatic Transmission:control Module (tcm/pcm/tecm)

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."

Consequence: If the key is removed without the transmission in PARK, the vehicle may rollaway as occupants are exiting, increasing the risk of injury.

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.

16V498000 · Exterior Lighting:headlights

Jul 1, 2016

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2016 Cruze vehicles manufactured November 5, 2015, to May 26, 2016. The headlight assemblies are not marked with a three-digit identifier code used to properly aim the headlights. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Assoc. Equipment."

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: Without the identification code, the headlights may be improperly aimed during service, reducing nighttime visibility and increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: GM will mail owners instructions and adhesive labels, with the correct code, to install on their headlight assemblies. Owners may also bring the vehicle to a GM dealership for any assistance with applying the label, free of charge. The recall began on August 11, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet Customer Service Department at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 50190.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.