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2012 Chevrolet Cruze: common problems and reliability
· 2009-2016One of the worst Cruze years.
One of the Chevrolet Cruze years to avoid. All Cruze years
865 owner complaints, most about engine. 7 recalls.
Should I buy a 2012 Cruze?The 2012 Chevrolet Cruze has 865 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 7 recalls on record. The most-reported areas are engine and electrical system. Owners most often flag cooling system leaks (water pump, thermostat housing, coolant outlet, reservoir, hoses, turbo lines).
Safety record for the 2012 model year
Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for 2012 Chevrolet Cruze vehicles (US, public record).
The Year Score compares this year with other Cruze years only. How we score it
Is 2012 a good year for the Cruze?
Across the 10 Cruze model years we track, complaint volume runs from 2 (2010) to 865 (2012). With 865 complaints, the 2012 Cruze sits above the model's median of 490.
These are raw NHTSA complaint totals, not adjusted for how many cars sold or how long each model year has been on the road. Older and higher-selling years accumulate more complaints.
Where owners report problems
Recalls affecting the 2012 Cruze
electrical system:ignition
Campaign 16V502000General 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."
air bags
Campaign 14V300000General 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.
fuel system, gasoline:storage:tank assembly:mounting
Campaign 12V289000GENERAL 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.
engine and engine cooling
Campaign 12V288000GENERAL 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.
Show 3 more recalls
air bags
Campaign 12V522000General 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.
air bags
Campaign 13V023000General 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.
service brakes, hydraulic:power assist
Campaign 13V360000General 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.
What owners report on the 2009-2016 Cruze
Owner discussions about this generation are predominantly negative, with the cooling system and turbocharger reliability being the most frequent complaints.
- Very frequentCooling system leaks (water pump, thermostat housing, coolant outlet, reservoir, hoses, turbo lines)
- Very frequentPlastic cooling system components cracking and degrading over time
- RecurrentPCV system failure requiring valve cover replacement
- RecurrentTurbocharger failure or leaks
- RecurrentHead gasket failure
Owner insights for the 2009-2016 Cruze. Read the full 2009-2016 owner report.
Typical used price
Used Cruze listings typically run $6,848–$10,698 across 2011 to 2019 model years.
Other Cruze model years
Compare every Cruze year side by side to see how 2012 ranks against the rest.
Compare the Cruze against its rivals
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