What 864 owners told NHTSA about the 2012 Chevrolet Cruze Limited

Value covers leaking oil and I replace it 6 times and it keep leaking

NHTSA ODI 11521869

The vehicle will start to smoke, filling the cab with smoke with a strong smell of antifreeze causing occupants to become sick to the stomach and dizzy. This will occur unrelated to speed and operating temperature, and has happened multiple times.

NHTSA ODI 11438762

I've had this car for less than 2 months I've already spent $3,500 I've had to replace the thermostat the resvoir tank most oxygen sensors lower stream and upper stream now has a blown head gasket and a possible fuel pump

NHTSA ODI 11427813

ON MY WAY TO WORK FEBRUARY 22 I HAD NOTICE A STRONG BURNING SMELL AND JUST ASSUMED IT WAS FROM SOMETHING OUTSIDE. SO I JUST IGNORED IT AND CONTINUED MY DRIVE. ONCE I GOT TO WORK I NOTICED THAT THERE WAS SOME LIGHT SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER MY HOOD SO I LIFTED IT AND CHECKED TO SEE IF ANYTHING LOOKED STRANGE BUT I DIDN'T NOTICE ANYTHING. SO I CONTINUE TO DRIVE FOR A FEW MORE DAYS BECOMING ACCUSTOMED TO THE SMELL AND SMOKE. MIND YOU I CHECK ALL MY FLUIDS ONCE A WEEK BECAUSE I DO ALOT OF LONG DISTANCE DRIVING. AFTER ABOUT 6-8 DAYS OF DRIVING TO MY NEW JOB THE SMOKE STARTED GETTING THICKER AND MORE WHITE AND I STARTED TO NOTICE THAT MY OIL LEVEL WAS DROPPING. SO I BOUGHT SOME TO KEEP IN MY CAR SO I DIDN'T RUN IT DRY. BUT I HAD TO KEEP DRIVING IT TO WORK BECAUSE I NEEDED TO HAVE A PAYCHECK COMING IN. I HAD BEEN OFF WORK FOR ABOUT 3 MONTHS DUE TO THE PANDEMIC AND COULDN'T AFFORD TO BRING IT TO A MECHANIC UNTIL MY FIRST PAY DAY. WELL NEEDLESS TO SAY AS I PULLED UP TO MY HOUSE ON THE 8TH (TWO DAYS BEFORE MY VISIT TO THE MECHANIC) I NOTICED THE SMOKE WAS MUCX MORE INTENSE THEN IT WAS BEFORE SO I LIFTED THE HOOD AND SAW FLAMES. SO I CLOSED THE HOOD AND GRABBED SOME BAKING SODA FROM MY HOUSE AND POURED IT OVER THE FLAMES. MY NEIGHBOR SAW WHAT HAD HAPPENED AND CAME OVER TO SEE WHAT WAS HAPPENING AND NOTICED WHERE THE OIL WAS COMING FROM AND SAID HE COULD PATCH IT TEMPORARILY SO I CAN MAKE IT TO THE MECHANIC. BUT I AM NOT WILLING TO TAKE THE RISK. ALSO ABOUT A MONTH AGO I NOTICED THAT THERE WAS A NOISE COMING FROM MY FRONT WHEELS AS I WAS DRIVING AND THE VEHICLE STARTED PULLING TO THE DRIVER'S SIDE.

NHTSA ODI 11404827

OIL WAS DRIPPING, WENT TO GO GET IT FIXED AND MY MECHANIC SUPPOSEDLY FIXED IT. DROVE FOR ABOUT A MILE AND CAR STARTED SMOKING AND MY BELT WAS ON FIRE AND CRUMBLED OFF MY CAR. I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE ALMOST ONE MONTH AGO AND ONLY BEEN ABLE TO DRIVE FOR A WEEK TOTAL BECAUSE OF THIS OIL ISSUE. I AM PAYING MONEY TO FIX AND THEY STILL CAN'T TELL ME WHAT'S WRONG SO I LOOKED IT UP FOR RECALLS AND SAW THIS HAD AND RECALL JUST LIKE I EXPLAINED BUT NOT ASSOCIATED WITH MY VIN. PLEASE HELP. MY CAR IS NOW UNDRIVEABLE. I WAS DRIVING WHEN THE CAR STARTED SMOKING AND I PULLED OVER AND NOTICED THE BELT ON THE GROUND BURNING. NOT DRIVING AFTER THAT.

NHTSA ODI 11220656

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2012 CHEVROLET CRUZE. WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, THE CONTACT WAS ALERTED BY ANOTHER MOTORIST THAT THERE WERE FLAMES UNDERNEATH HER VEHICLE. SHORTLY AFTER, THE CONTACT NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE VENTS AND THE SPEED WAS DECELERATING. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OFF THE ROAD AND THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 133,000.

NHTSA ODI 11194140

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET CRUZE. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE ENGINE OVERHEATED AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. SMOKE APPEARED FROM THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT PARKED THE VEHICLE ON THE SIDE OF THE STREET AND WAITED UNTIL ALL THE SMOKE CLEARED BEFORE CONTINUING TO DRIVE HOME. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE NOTIFIED SUMMIT CHEVROLET BUICK GMC (LOCATED AT 318 GRANT AVE, AUBURN, NY 13021, (315) 258-2000) AND THE MANUFACTURER OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 101,000.

NHTSA ODI 11194213

VEHICLE ENGINE LIGHT IS ON. VEHICLE IS SPILLING OIL CAUSING SMOKE TO BE EXHAUSTED OUT OF ENGINE WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE. ENGINE HAS HAD COOLANT LEAKS AND ENGINE HEAD GASKET IS BLOWN

NHTSA ODI 11141307

MY CAR IS VERY DANGEROUS! SHUTS OFF WHILE ON FREEWAY! JERKS FORWARD WHILE ON BRAKES, CAUSED AN ACCIDENT! CRUISE CONTROL DOES NOT WORK! ELECTRICAL THINGS FLASHING ALL THE TIME! JERKS AND LOCKS UP ALL 4 WHEELS WHILE DRIVING! JUST TODAY IS SHUT DOWN ON THE HIGHWAY I STRUGGLED TO GET IT HOME WHILE THE RPM'S WERE UP ABOVE 6! YOU NAME IT, IT HAS IT. THINK THERE SHOULD BE A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT AGAINST THE MAKERS OF THIS VEHICLE!! CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT!!!!!

NHTSA ODI 11101210

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET CRUZE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE STATIONARY, THE ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SMOKE CAME FROM UNDER THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE DIRECTLY AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED. CHEVROLET OF BROADSHEADVILLE, PENNSYLVANIA WAS MADE AWARE OF THE SERIES OF FAILURES AND DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE COOLANT THERMOSTAT WAS FAULTY. IN ADDITION, THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED, UNDER A MANUFACTURERS RECALL, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED THEREAFTER. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE CONTACT WOULD HAVE TO GET USED TO THE NEW TRANSMISSION AND THE WAY THE VEHICLE OPERATED AFTER THE REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY IN REGARDS TO THE MILEAGE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 78,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. UPDATED 09/06/17*LJ *JS

NHTSA ODI 11010726

TIRES LIGHT ALL THE TIME, OVERHEATING ALL THE TIME SPEND 100 OF DOLLAR ON ANTI-FREEZE COOLANT RAN IN OVERFLOW TANK SPENT OVER $769.00 0N PEOPLE GIVING FALSE REPORT ON WHAT WRONG WITH VEHICLE. I TRIED TO FILE FOR BANKRUPTY BUT WASN'T SUCCESSFUL DUE LOW INCOME. STOP ON CITY STREET.

NHTSA ODI 10994431

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET CRUZE. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE CONTACT NOTICED COOLANT ON THE GROUND. THE CONTACT'S WIFE ALSO NOTED SMOKE EMITTING FROM THE VEHICLE WHILE THE ENGINE WAS RUNNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE WATER OUTLET WAS LEAKING COOLANT OUT OF THE ENGINE ONTO THE TRANSMISSION. THE CONTACT REPAIRED THE VEHICLE HIMSELF. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND ADVISED THE CONTACT TO FILE A COMPLAINT WITH NHTSA. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000.

NHTSA ODI 10994234

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET CRUZE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE OIL WAS BURNING AND CAUSED AN ODOR TO EMIT FROM THE VENTS OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER ON THREE OCCASIONS WHERE THE TURBO RETURN LINE WAS REPLACED EACH TIME, BUT THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO CONFIRMED THAT THE ENGINE OIL WAS LEAKING ON THE ENGINE, THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER, AND OTHER HOT SURFACES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHERE THE PCP COVER WAS REPLACED ALONG WITH OTHER UNKNOWN REPAIRS, BUT THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT WHEN THE AIR CONDITIONER WAS ACTIVATED, THE CONTACT SMELLED THE ODOR OF BURNING ENGINE OIL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND OPENED CASE NUMBER: 8/284/0793442. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,660..UPDATED 08/23/17 *BF *CN

NHTSA ODI 10991141

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET CRUZE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AN ABNORMAL BURNING ODOR EMITTED FROM THE VEHICLE AND IT OVERHEATED. IN ADDITION, WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, THE VEHICLE HESITATED TO RESPOND AND THE BRAKES MADE AN ABNORMAL NOISE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE THERMOSTAT AND WATER PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 100,000.

NHTSA ODI 10884327

I'VE WENT THROUGH 7 TURBOS, I BOUGHT THE CAR BRAND NEW. IM NOW HAVING ELECTRICAL ISSUES WITH IT.

NHTSA ODI 10871944

CHEVROLET CRUZE RECALL MY 2012 CHEVROLET CRUZE WAS RECALLED TWICE, ONCE OF OVERHEATING WHILE DRIVING, AND ONCE FOR BRAKE FAILURE WHEN CRAWLING, SUCH A PARKING. THE DEALERSHIP TRIED TO FIX THESE PROBLEMS, BUT THE BRAKES STILL FAIL, AND NOW THE USES 1 QUART EVERY WEEK. THE BRAKE FAILURE RECENTLY REOCCURRED WHEN MY SPOUSE WAS PARKING AND SHE HIT A WALL AND DAMAGES THE CAR. THE DEALER HAS SINCE TOLD ME THEY DO NOT KNOW WHY THE CAR IS CONSUMING OIL, SO I HAVE ELEVATED THE ISSUE TO GM I THINK THAT THE NTSB HAS TO FURTHER MONITOR THIS PROBLEM TO ASCERTAIN WHY THE RECALLED ITEMS ARE STILL FAILING.

NHTSA ODI 10817305

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET CRUZE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THERE WAS A STRONG OIL ODOR COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. IN ADDITION, THERE WAS EXCESSIVE SMOKE COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THERE WAS AN OIL LEAK, BUT THE FAILURE WAS UNDETERMINED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ODI 10788266

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET CRUZE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THAT WHILE AT AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR ROUTINE REPAIRS, THE MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THAT THERE WAS OIL LEAKING FROM THE TURBO INTO THE INTAKE HOSE AND THE TURBO NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE CAM COVER ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. IN ADDITION, WHILE DRIVING AT 10 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED BUT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP. THE CONTACT HAD TO APPLY FORCE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL IN ORDER TO GET THE VEHICLE TO STOP, HOWEVER, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS AWARE OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V360000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC), HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 88,000.

NHTSA ODI 10749181

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET CRUZE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE BRAKES FAILED. THE VEHICLE DID NOT STOP WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS FULLY APPLIED, CAUSING THE CONTACT TO CRASH INTO THE REAR OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED OF THE INCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER BUT NO DIAGNOSES WAS PROVIDED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 13V36000(SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC) BUT DID NOT CONFIRM IF THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THIS FAILURE PERSISTED INTERMITTENTLY OVER A PERIOD OF ONE YEAR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 19,000. UPDATED 8/19/14*CN THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE'S TRUNK EXTERIOR MANUAL LATCH WOULD NOT OPEN THE TRUNK AND THE STEERING WHEEL AIR BAG IS ON RECALL. WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE WOULD HESITATE AND LURCH. UPDATED 08/28/2014 *JS

NHTSA ODI 10596304

TRYING TO MAKE A LEFT HAND TURN INTO A GAS STATION, AND HAD VERY LITTLE POWER TO COMPLETE TURN,SO I TRIED TO STOP SHORT, AND ONCOMING CAR HIT ME....WHEN IN REPAIR SHOP, THE DEALER INFORMED ME THE TURBOCHARGER WAS BROKEN......AND SAW THE TURBO PART BROKEN THE SAME WAY! *TR

NHTSA ODI 10595206

[XXX] VIN MY CAR WAS TAKEN TO DEALERSHIP BECAUSE IT STARTED MAKING A SOUND LIKE THE MOTOR WAS TICKING AND HAD BEEN OVERFILLED WITH OIL ABOUT 6 MONTHS BEFORE BY THE DEALERSHIP. THE SERVICEMAN WAITED UNTIL NEXT DAY TO DRIVE THE CAR. WHILE BEING TEST DROVE BY THE SERVICE MAN IT CAUGHT ON FIRE AND BURNED THE WHOLE MOTOR AND OUTSIDE OF THE CAR UP. ALL PLASTIC WAS COMPLETELY BURNED. MY INSURANCE MAN WHO WENT TO LOOK AT THE CAR SAID HE COULD NOT TELL IF THE PLASTIC SHIELD ON THE BOTTOM HAD OIL ON IT OR NOT BUT THEY COULD FURTHER INVESTIGATE AND WOULD BE ABLE TO FIND OUT. NOW I HAD INSURANCE FULL COVERAGE ON THE CAR AND I BOUGHT GAP FROM THE DEALERSHIP WHEN I PURCHASED THE CAR. I AM PAYING A 6.25 INTEREST RATE ON THE CAR WHICH CAME TO 22,740.00 PLUS 3,000.00 DOWN WHEN PURCHASED AND BEEN PAYING FOR 1 YEAR. PAID FOR EXTENDED WARRANTY AND GAP. I HAVE WAITED OVER A MONTH FOR GM TO INVESTIGATE THIS AND OF TODAY'S DATE THE DEALERSHIP SAYS THEY HAVE NOT COME TO DO THEIR JOB. I AM 64 YEARS OLD AND NEVER DREAMED THAT A LARGE DEALERSHIP COULD OR WOULD DO SOMEONE LIKE THEY HAVE DONE ME. THERE WAS VERY LARGE RECALL ON 2012 CARS AND I DON'T KNOW IF MINE WAS EVER FIXED BECAUSE I DIDN'T KNOW ABOUT THE RECALL UNTIL THIS HAPPENED. I JUST WANT MY MONEY BACK FOR THE DOWN PAYMENT SO I CAN BUY ANOTHER CAR AND FOR MY CAR TO BE PAID OFF BY THE DEALERSHIP BECAUSE THEY ARE THE ONES WHO OVER FILLED THE CAR IN THE FIRST PLACE. THE DEALERSHIP SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE CAR IT WAS IN THERE PLACE THERE SERVICE MEN WAS DRIVING IT WHEN IT CAUGHT ON FIRE. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ODI 10577268

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET CRUZE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING VARIOUS SPEEDS, A FIRE STARTED IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 47,000.

NHTSA ODI 10573739

NOXIOUS COOLANT SMELL INSIDE VEHICLE WHEN HEATER IS ON. COOLANT SMELL COMING FROM ENGINE COMPARTMENT WHEN IT IS WARM. THE WATER PUMP HAS BEEN CHANGED, NEXT REPAIR WAS RE ROUTING COOLANT RESERVOIR, NEXT REPAIR WAS MOLD FOUND IN HEATER CORE COMPARTMENT/CLEANED AND DEODERIZER WAS USED, LAST REPAIR WAS HEATER CORE CASE REPLACED. THIS PROBLEM STARTED WITH A LEAKING WATER PUMP AND HAS NOT BEEN ADDRESSED. SEEMS GM IS TRYING DIFFERENT REPAIRS IN HOPES IT WILL BE FIXED. THE PROBLEM DOESN'T,T SEEM TO BE DIAGNOSED. ONLY HAPPENS IN COLD WEATHER MONTHS WITH THE HEATER ON. HEATED AIR FROM THE VENTS SMELL LIKE BURNED COOLANT. VERY IRRITATING TO THE EYES AND THROAT, EYES ARE WATERY AND SWOLLEN, VERY DIFFICULT TO SEE AND DRIVE. THEN SEVERE COUGHING. WE CAN NOT SAFELY DRIVE LONGER THAN 20 MINUTES. MY DEALER TELLS ME THEY NEVER HEARD OF THIS PROBLEM YET IS QUICK SEARCH OF THE INTERNET SHOWS MANY DOCUMENTED CASES. THE SMELL OF COOLANT IS IN OUR CLOTHES AND THE FABRIC OF THE INTERIOR OF THE CAR. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10560892

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. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10554053

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET CRUZE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PARKED, HE NOTICED A BURNING ANTI-FREEZE SMELL THROUGH THE VENTS AND AROUND THE EXTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE. ADDITIONALLY, THE CONTACT NOTICED A JERKING MOTION AND A HESITATION WHEN ACCELERATING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FIVE TIMES FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE TECHNICIAN PERFORMED UPDATES TO THE TRANSMISSION AND REPLACED THE CANISTER INSIDE THE DASHBOARD TO ALLEVIATE THE BURNING SMELL. THE FAILURE CONTINUED AFTER THE REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT FURTHER REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 4,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10512536