2012 Chevrolet Cruze problems
Owners have filed 1,354 complaints with NHTSA about the 2012 Chevrolet Cruze. Engine is the most reported problem area, at 23% of complaints. After that come electrical system (15%) and brakes (11%).
At a glance
- Complaints
- 1,354 filed with NHTSA
- Most reported
- Engine 23% of complaints
- Crashes and fires
- 104 and 26
- Injuries and deaths
- 36 and 0
- Typical mileage
- 55,000 miles 1,102 complaints with mileage
Source: NHTSA owner complaints
Where the complaints are
Share of this model year's complaints by the part of the car involved. One complaint can name more than one part, so the shares can add up to more than 100%.
When problems show up
View the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 0k to 20k miles | 205 |
| 20k to 40k miles | 165 |
| 40k to 60k miles | 242 |
| 60k to 80k miles | 176 |
| 80k to 100k miles | 124 |
| 100k to 120k miles | 93 |
| 120k to 140k miles | 59 |
| 140k to 160k miles | 27 |
| 160k to 180k miles | 4 |
| 180k to 200k miles | 0 |
| 200k+ miles | 7 |
What the data shows
Among the 1,102 complaints that report mileage, the typical (median) problem appeared at about 55,000 miles. For engine specifically, the median reported mileage is about 64,000 miles (240 complaints with mileage).
Safety-related details: 104 complaints mention a crash; 26 complaints mention a fire; 36 injuries reported.
Looking only at complaints filed within five years of the model year (so older and newer years are comparable), the 2012 ranks 1st most-complained-about out of 9 model years of the Chevrolet Cruze with enough data (922 complaints in that window). It is also covered by 7 safety recall campaigns.
What owners wrote
A few complaints as filed, shortened and with personal details removed. The first ones are among the most serious reports for this model year; the rest are typical.
Tl*the contact owns a 2012 chevrolet cruze. The contact stated that while backing up, another vehicle crashed into the rear end of the vehicle. The air bags failed to deploy. The contact sustained a heart contusion, the front seat passenger sustained a broken thumb and a concussion, the rear middle seat passenger sustained a broken nose and the rear driver side passenger sustained internal stomach bleeding which required medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was destroyed.
Takata inflators, I was involved in an accident 09/30/2016, where I was at a dead stop on city street, rear ended and pushed into the vehicle in front of me. The driver who hit me was going 50-55MPH, I hit my head and chest on the steering wheel, air bags did not deploy, but the sensor for the air bag came on stating "service airbag". My cruze has had all recalls fixed, prior to the accident.
I bought a 2012 chevy cruze received recall letter first of 10/13 was stated in letter no parts were available but when they were I would get it fixed free. I approached intersection my brake went to floor was t boned and total loss of my car this car has 6 airbags none of them deployed ..not getting anywhere with GM.
While driving my 012 chevy cruze, a message came up stating 'service stabilitrak' and the radio shuts off and turns back on randomly. Also, when at a complete stop, the AC will stop blowing and then pick back up.
The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Cruze. The contact stated while driving approximately 10 mph, while depressing the brake pedal, the vehicle failed to stop. The contact had to pump the brake pedal several times before the vehicle stopped. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. Upon investigation, the contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 13V360000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the VIN was not included. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired.