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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

Unknown Or Other complaints

43 reports
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111,000 miles · Aug 2, 2020
Unknown Or Other

TURBO

NHTSA ODI #11342816

53,000 miles · Jun 28, 2020
Unknown Or Other

MY OLD COMPANY EBARA INTL CORPORATION GOT A HOLD OF MY VIN NUMBER AND MESSED WITH THE COMPUTER SYSTEM. THEIR IT GUY RICK JOHAN

NHTSA ODI #11331372

25,380 miles · Mar 2, 2020
Electrical SystemEngineUnknown Or Other

CAR STALLS OUT AFTER AUTO STOP IS DISENGAGED. BATTERY IS DEAD CAR WONT START EVEN THO BATTERY HAS POWER. DOOR LOCKS LOCK AND UNLOCK ON THERE OWN. TOUCH SCREEN FLICKERS.

NHTSA ODI #11315736

7,500 miles · Feb 19, 2020
Unknown Or Other

STABILITY OF DRIVING IS OFF, IDLING IS HARD AND SLIPS GEARS WITH LACK OF POWER AND ELECTRICAL IS GLITCHY. STARTED WHEN I WOULD DRIVE UP HILL AND DEALERSHIP CALLED IT INTERMEDIATE PROBLEM NOTHING DONE. NOW ITS ALL HAPPENING DAILY. SHIFT IS INTO THE RED ON RPM LACK OF POWER AND MY HEAD LIGHTS FLICKER AND RANDOMLY TRUNK OPENS.

NHTSA ODI #11310093

53,000 miles · Nov 12, 2019
Electronic Stability Control (esc)EngineUnknown Or Other

I LIVE IN COLORADO, AND EVER TIME ITS COLD IN THE MORNING WHEN I START UP MY CAR IT GIVES ME HARD TIME AND THEN DOES AN ANT THEFT SYSTEM LOCK. WHEN IM HOME, OKAY ITS DURABLE BUT NOW ITS DONE IT WHILE IM DRIVING, AND WHEN I WAS AT THE CAR WASH. COMPLETE LOCK, STEERING WHEEL, KEY IS LOCKED IN THE IGNITION. THIS IS SUPER UNSAFE!! I…

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I LIVE IN COLORADO, AND EVER TIME ITS COLD IN THE MORNING WHEN I START UP MY CAR IT GIVES ME HARD TIME AND THEN DOES AN ANT THEFT SYSTEM LOCK. WHEN IM HOME, OKAY ITS DURABLE BUT NOW ITS DONE IT WHILE IM DRIVING, AND WHEN I WAS AT THE CAR WASH. COMPLETE LOCK, STEERING WHEEL, KEY IS LOCKED IN THE IGNITION. THIS IS SUPER UNSAFE!! IVE GOTTEN THIS CAR FIXED SOOOOOO MANY TIMES THIS OUTRAGEOUS.

NHTSA ODI #11279621

39,500 miles · Sep 12, 2019
Unknown Or Other

I OWN A 2016 CHEVY CRUZE LIMITED EDITION WITH LESS THAN 40,000 MILES AND MY RADIO HAS STOPPED WORKING. THE DISPLAY SCREEN AND PHONE CHARGER ARE ALL CONNECTED TO THE RADIO SO NONE OF THEM ARE CURRENTLY WORKING. I HAVE AN EXTENDED WARRANTY HOWEVER THE RADIO IS NOT COVERED. MY BIGGEST ISSUE IS THIS SHOULD BE COVERED UNDER THE 5YR…

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I OWN A 2016 CHEVY CRUZE LIMITED EDITION WITH LESS THAN 40,000 MILES AND MY RADIO HAS STOPPED WORKING. THE DISPLAY SCREEN AND PHONE CHARGER ARE ALL CONNECTED TO THE RADIO SO NONE OF THEM ARE CURRENTLY WORKING. I HAVE AN EXTENDED WARRANTY HOWEVER THE RADIO IS NOT COVERED. MY BIGGEST ISSUE IS THIS SHOULD BE COVERED UNDER THE 5YR WARRANTY ON THE CAR. I WAS TOLD BY THE DEALERSHIP THAT TO REPLACE IT WOULD COST $1206.34. EVEN THOUGH ONCE YOU GET USE TO THIS FEATURE YOU MISS IT WHEN IT'S NOT WORKING HOWEVER THIS DOES NOT HAVE ANY BEARING ON RUNNING THE CAR HOWEVER THE COST WOULD MAKE YOU THINK IT DOES. I THINK GM/CHEVROLET SHOULD STAND BEHIND THEIR PRODUCT AND REPLACE THE REPLACE THE RADIO. THE CAR IS ONLY A 2016 AND I HAVE OWNED 4 CHEVROLET CARS AND HAVE NEVER HAD THIS TYPE OF ISSUE. I'M NOT HAPPY ABOUT THIS IS ISSUE AND WOULD LIKE A BETTER RESOLUTION.

NHTSA ODI #11255185

44,000 miles · Sep 11, 2019
Unknown Or Other

THE PROBLEM INVOLVES THE AUTO STOP/START FEATURE ON MY CAR. WHEN MY CAR IS IN DRIVE, THE BRAKE PETAL IS DEPRESSED, AND COMES TO A COMPLETE STOP, SAID FEATURE WILL ENGAGE AND SHUT THE ENGINE OFF. THE ANOMALY OCCURS WHEN THE BRAKE PETAL IS RELEASED AND THE ENGINE IS SUPPOSE TO REIGNITE; HOWEVER, MY CAR'S ENGINE WILL NOT COME BAC…

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THE PROBLEM INVOLVES THE AUTO STOP/START FEATURE ON MY CAR. WHEN MY CAR IS IN DRIVE, THE BRAKE PETAL IS DEPRESSED, AND COMES TO A COMPLETE STOP, SAID FEATURE WILL ENGAGE AND SHUT THE ENGINE OFF. THE ANOMALY OCCURS WHEN THE BRAKE PETAL IS RELEASED AND THE ENGINE IS SUPPOSE TO REIGNITE; HOWEVER, MY CAR'S ENGINE WILL NOT COME BACK ON. INSTEAD THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WILL ILLUMINATE, AND THE ENGINE WILL TURN TO AN IDLE STATE. DURING THIS STATE, THE ELECTRONICS (RADIO, SCREEN DISPLAY, AND INSTRUMENT PANEL) STILL WORK, BUT THE CAR WILL NOT ACCELERATE. TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM, THE CAR MUST BE PUT IN PARK AND KEY MUST TURNED AGAIN TO START THE IGNITION. THE RATE AT WHICH THE PROBLEM OCCURS SEEMS TO BE SPORADIC. IT HAS OCCURRED AS OFTEN AS THREE SEPARATE TIMES IN TEN MINUTES, AND IT HAS GONE AS LONG AS TWO WEEKS WITHOUT BEFORE THE NEXT INCIDENT. THE LAST TIME THE ISSUE OCCURRED, I WAS SITUATED ON AN INCLINE STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT. WHEN MY FOOT RELEASED THE BRAKE PETAL AND THE CAR MALFUNCTIONED, MY CAR PROCEEDED TO ROLL BACKWARDS DOWN THE INCLINE AND ALMOST COLLIDED WITH THE CAR BEHIND ME. I BRAKE BEFORE THIS HAPPENED. I PROMPTLY TOOK MY CAR TO THE SAME CERTIFIED CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP FOR THE THIRD TIME FOR THIS EXACT SAME ISSUE. THE DEALERSHIP HAS BEEN UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM AND HAS BEEN UNSUCCESSFUL IN RECREATING THE ISSUE; HOWEVER, THE CARS FAULT REPORTING SYSTEM HAS PRODUCED ERROR CODES AS EVIDENCE THAT A PROBLEM EXISTS. I HAVE OPENED A CASE WITH CHEVROLET'S CUSTOMER SERVICE CENTER TO RECEIVE FURTHER HELP. I WAS DIRECTED TO GET A RENTAL CAR FROM ENTERPRISE, AND I WAS TOLD THE COST WOULD BE REIMBURSED FOR UP TO THREE DAYS. LATER THAT DAY I RENT A CAR. MY CASE WAS ELEVATED TO A HIGHER STATUS BECAUSE OF THE SAFETY CONCERN. TWO DAYS LATER, I RECIEVED A CALL FROM A SENIOR ADVISER STATING THAT MY RENTAL CAR COST WOULD NOT BE REIMBURSED.

NHTSA ODI #11254830

61,000 miles · Aug 28, 2019
Electrical SystemExterior LightingUnknown Or Other

THE DRIVER INFORMATION CENTER, SPEEDOMETER, TACHOMETER, FUEL GAUGE, TEMP GAUGE, AND TOUCHSCREEN DISPLAY QUIT WORKING THIS MORNING ON OUR '16 CRUZE. CAR STARTS AND RUNS FINE BUT KNOW WAY OF KNOWING OUR SPEED OR WHAT GEAR IT'S IN. PERSISTS THROUGH BATTERY DISCONNECT.

NHTSA ODI #11252095

Mileage unknown · Aug 18, 2019
EquipmentUnknown Or OtherInjury

[XXX] OF EBARA FLUID HANDLING DIVISION WITH THE SHOP FLOOR'S PERMISSION AND WITHOUT MINE PLACE PLAY EQUIPMENT IN VEHICLE AND PASSED OUT PIECES TO SPY ON ME. TO MY KNOWLEDGE THE COPS HAVE RECOVERED SOME OF THE PIECES. BUT, THE FOLLOWING INDIVUALS OF EBARA INTL CORPORATION STILL HAVE SOME OF THE PIECES THEY REFUSE TO GIVE BACK. [X…

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[XXX] OF EBARA FLUID HANDLING DIVISION WITH THE SHOP FLOOR'S PERMISSION AND WITHOUT MINE PLACE PLAY EQUIPMENT IN VEHICLE AND PASSED OUT PIECES TO SPY ON ME. TO MY KNOWLEDGE THE COPS HAVE RECOVERED SOME OF THE PIECES. BUT, THE FOLLOWING INDIVUALS OF EBARA INTL CORPORATION STILL HAVE SOME OF THE PIECES THEY REFUSE TO GIVE BACK. [XXX]- HUMAN RESOURCES, [XXX]- HUMAN RESOURCES, AND [XXX] - MARKETING HAVE USED THIS EQUIPMENT TO SPY ON ME AND HARASS ME WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY BY MAKING THERE VOICES POP UP IN DIFFERENT PARTS OF MY VEHICLE. YOU MAY CONTACT THEM AT [XXX] AND ASK FOR [XXX] FOR FURTHER DETAILS. YOU MAY FIND MY VEHICLE BY THE LICENSE PLATE [XXX]. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ODI #11244761

53,825 miles · Apr 2, 2019
Power TrainUnknown Or Other

WHEN LEAVING A GROCERY STORE, ROUGHLY 2 MILES, MY HUSBAND SAID THE GAS PEDDLE CLICKED. MOMENTS LATER, THE CAR STARTED SHIFTING WEIRD. WOULD NOT GET PAST FIRST GEAR. SECOND GEAR MADE THE CAR SUPER SHAKY AND THEN IT SHUT OFF. WHEN RESTARTING, CAR WOULD DRIVE NORMAL FOR A MINUTE THEN ACT UP AGAIN. WE WOULD PUT IT IN NEURAL AND COAS…

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WHEN LEAVING A GROCERY STORE, ROUGHLY 2 MILES, MY HUSBAND SAID THE GAS PEDDLE CLICKED. MOMENTS LATER, THE CAR STARTED SHIFTING WEIRD. WOULD NOT GET PAST FIRST GEAR. SECOND GEAR MADE THE CAR SUPER SHAKY AND THEN IT SHUT OFF. WHEN RESTARTING, CAR WOULD DRIVE NORMAL FOR A MINUTE THEN ACT UP AGAIN. WE WOULD PUT IT IN NEURAL AND COAST IT WITH NO PROBLEMS UNTIL IT DIED AGAIN. WHEN WE GOT HOME ABOUT 30 MINUTES LATER, I PULLED THE CODE AND IT WAS PULLING O2 BANK 1 SENSOR 2. CAR IS AT THE DEALERSHIP NOW. WAITING FOR A CALL ON THE DIAGNOSIS.

NHTSA ODI #11193361

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.