This page covers 6 recalls, 862 owner complaints, NHTSA crash-test ratings and EPA fuel economy for the 2012 Chevrolet Cruze.
26–30 mpg combined
7.8–9 L/100km
Midsize Cars
Fuel economy data from fueleconomy.gov (EPA / U.S. Dept. of Energy). Annual cost based on 15,000 mi/yr at 55% city driving and current fuel prices. MPG is U.S. gallons; L/100km converted. Ranges reflect the 4 tested variants for this model year.
5/5 Overall
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Rating
Engine complaints dominate the 2012 Cruze, with owners frequently describing oil leaks, coolant leaks, and overheating. The oil leak pattern commonly involves the valve cover gasket area, where dripping oil reaches hot engine components and produces smoke and a burning smell. Coolant leaks show up repeatedly as well, often accompanied by the check engine light and overheating warnings. Service brake and powertrain complaints follow at similarly high volumes, though their reported symptoms are less consistent across narratives. A smaller cluster of owners describes the engine shutting off unexpectedly while driving. One isolated report mentions the ignition key sliding out of the switch during low-speed driving. The oil leak and overheating combination appears most often in higher-mileage examples, with several owners noting onset around or past 100,000 miles.
862
Total Complaints
62
Crash-Related
17
Fire-Related
21
With Injuries
By System
The 2012 Chevrolet Cruze has 6 recalls, the most serious being two separate fire risks: a fuel tank that can break loose in a crash and leak fuel near ignition sources, and oil pooling in the engine undershield where it can ignite against hot exhaust surfaces.
The driver's frontal airbag has a shorting bar that can intermittently contact the airbag terminals, and if that contact is present at the moment of a crash, the airbag will not deploy. On the brake side, certain vehicles with the 1.4L turbocharged engine and automatic transmission use an electric vacuum pump to assist braking, and if that pump fails, the brake pedal requires significantly more force and distance to stop the vehicle. There is also an ignition concern: the electronic park lock lever may allow the key to be removed before the transmission is fully in Park, which can allow the vehicle to roll away while someone is getting out.
At a glance
What can fail
The electronic park lock lever may allow you to remove the ignition key even when the transmission is not in PARK, which can lead to unintended vehicle movement.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect and replace the key cylinder lock housing if necessary, at no cost to you.
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Ratings from NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program (NCAP).
Complaints are owner-reported and reflect individual experiences, not confirmed defects. They are distinct from recalls. Data sourced from the national vehicle safety complaint database. See trending complaints →
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The electric vacuum pump that helps boost braking may fail to activate, causing occasional loss or reduction of brake assist power.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace a microswitch in the brake vacuum pump assembly at no cost to restore proper brake assist operation.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The driver-side front air bag contains a shorting bar that may occasionally touch the air bag terminals, interrupting the electrical connection.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the steering wheel air bag coil at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The driver's side frontal air bag contains a shorting bar that may intermittently contact the air bag terminals, potentially causing the air bag to malfunction.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the steering wheel airbag coil at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Oil spilled during oil changes can collect in the engine shield under the engine. If this oil contacts hot engine or exhaust surfaces, it may ignite and burn.
What the fix does
Dealers will modify the engine shield to prevent fluid buildup. On manual transmission vehicles, protective tape will be applied to the power steering wire harness.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The welds that attach the fuel tank strap secondary brackets may not have been installed, potentially allowing the brackets to come loose.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect for missing welds and secure any loose bracket attachments using fasteners at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
