What 240 owners told NHTSA about the 2016 Chevrolet Cruze Limited

My car was brought to the dealership around December of 2021because every time I stop at a red light or stop sign the auto stop would cut the car completely off. The dealership said it was because the throttle body needed cleaning out. That is not the case because I can be driving and the car will cut off out of nowhere while driving. Also at times the car seems as if it doesn’t want to crank.

NHTSA ODI 11472463

Vehicle is leaking coolant I've had it fixed and continue to have issues with it. When I go to add coolant it sounds like it is boiling in the motor and car is becoming very hot and smokes from the motor. Was driving through town heard a hissing noise and somehow coolant had sprayed all over the hood and windshield of my car.

NHTSA ODI 11466625

The car started smoking from under the hood and completely stopped and the mechanic I took the vehicle to told me that the engine is done and needs to be replaced at an estimated cost of $3,700.00. Luckily, this did not happen on the highway and I was able to get the car pulled into a retail space parking lot and get it towed to the mechanic. Wile driving, the low oil light flashed on for a moment a couple of times. Not long after that, the vehicle stalled. The mechanic changed the oil but the car was smoking with white smoke billowed out the exhaust. The vehicle has just under 114,000 miles and we have already put much money into this car to get the check engine light fixed.

NHTSA ODI 11461448

The engine and engine parts of my vehicle malfunctioned and caused excessive oil leakage. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request. The safety of my family is put at risk because: - The vehicle engine sputters while driving. - The engine leaks oil excessively, smokes, and lets off an oil burning odor. - The radio screen blanks out frequently. All of the issues combined worry me because I have had the vehicle serviced multiple times and the safety issues still exist. The vehicle was serviced by the manufacturer. The problems found were: engine concern for squeaking drive belt, front timing cover leaking oil, and camshaft cover leaking. The vehicle had special coverage warranties with the manufacturer for some of the parts that needed to be repaired. There were not any warning lamps, messages, or indicators for the engine issues. I encountered the engine smoking, the vehicle sputtering, a strong odor of oil burning, and excessive oil leakage spots in my driveway. These issues made me take the vehicle in. The engine light did not light up for the issues. No indicator light(s) were on when the vehicle was taken in to be serviced. The vehicle was serviced and the faulty parts were replaced. However, the same issues are present and have not subsided after being serviced, replaced, and or repaired. I worry that the engine issues for my vehicle can not be corrected and that select engine parts should be recalled.

NHTSA ODI 11457569

Cracked Thermostat Housing Unit. No sensors went off, and smoke started pouring out from under the hood obscuring vision. Vehicle is already under repair so not available for inspection. The Thermostat Housing Units, after first repair taking the one that came with the vehicle, have also all cracked, and has had to be replaced multiple times.

NHTSA ODI 11453444

1st of all the motor was running g great! Then all of a sudden it started running rough and shaking. Was driving on the highway at 65 mph.no warni g lights or anything. Then a warning light came on for the brakes and it was hard to stop. The vacuum pump went out for the brakes and almost ended up in the ditch. Well put a vacuum pump on it and that fixed that problem but it was missing like crazy. Had it checked out and here the #1cylinder piston broke apart. Now it needs a motor. Almost cost me my life on that one.Motor is not cheap and don't know if it is worth it. I have been reading alot on them and people are having to change motors at 8,000 miles and sometimes twice in the same car before 18,000 miles. Don't you think there is something wrong with that?

NHTSA ODI 11443887

PCM failure Almost had numerous accidents. The problem has not been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or service center. It has been reproduced by other people after explaining the issue. Also has been reproduced on another Gm product around the same year. Vehicle has been inspected by an independent shop, the only thing that was found was excessive brake wear in rear. Problem appeared when I first started driving the car. It is definitely a software issue. Software should be polling the wheel speed sensor while in engine off. There were no idiot lights. Recently, on a private road that had an inclination, I reproduce the problem. The vehicle obtained at least two miles an hour rolling backwards for about a minute. The speedometer did not register any speed. I did not want to test this any longer for fear of engine starting back up and damaging the transmission. Approaching a stop softly applying the brakes with an incline, whether at a controlled intersection or in traffic, when the auto engine shutdown activates, the vehicle rolls backwards.

NHTSA ODI 11438781

I have a Chevy Cruze LT 1.4 l turbo engine and it has an exhaust leak by the manifold or the Cadillac converter is not working, a mechanic we took it to has confirmed that one of the hoses going into the Cadillac converter burst due to the Cadillac converter not working properly today is October 2nd it happened three days ago from today I have talked to other Chevy Cruze owners and confirmed the day also had the same problem I heard there is a recall for this problem on 2016 Chevy cruise so I would like to know if my car is on that recall list so I can go and get it fixed I have $133,000 miles on my car so it's not under the manufacturer's warranty anymore it is a very pricey repair which I do not have the money for due to the pandemic as we all know so please contact me through my email you guys have onfile and also because of this problem I cannot work I use my car for work,My car is a 2016 Chevy Cruze LT with a 1.4 L turbo engine thank you

NHTSA ODI 11435247

My car and 2 other Chevrolet Cruzes that I know of have had overheating problems with the engines.

NHTSA ODI 11428909

Coolant system. I had to pull over on a major I-70 coming into Kansas City. A major extremely dangerous and busy area. I had to get off on exit 69South. It was 100 degrees outside. was not able to let the car cool down all of the way. I would wait for 45 mins, drive two miles and have to pull over again. Check engine light came on. Overheating alarm came on with turn off ac. Which I did and turned on the heater. AGAIN, it was 100 degrees outside. I was without a vehicle in a dangerous part of town.

NHTSA ODI 11426786

When slowing down car just dies out. Not check engine light on and no codes are being thrown. It’s very dangerous when your on the freeway In stop and go traffic and your car just dies with out warning. Everything freezes up the steering and brakes. Thankful car starts back up after a few minutes

NHTSA ODI 11426867

I was driving my 2016 Chevy Cruze and a light appears om my dashboard saying the my engine was overheating. My mechanic was booked, and recommended a shop down the road. I brought my car in on 4/8/21. The Coolant housing and hose. Then on May 27th I was driving to the store and I received the same message that my car was overheating. I brought it to my mechanic after the long holiday weekend. He says it needs another coolant hose. My research shows that this is not uncommon in these cars. Isn't there something that can be done? I bought the car used in 2018. I have 97k miles on it, and I am still making payments.

NHTSA ODI 11419678

THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WENT ON AND I PAID $940.00 TO TRY TO FIX THE PROBLEM. THE PROBLEM WAS NOT FIXED AND THE QUOTE TO FIX THE PROBLEM WAS ESTIMATED TO BE APPROXIMATELY $2,000.00. I CAN DRIVE THE CAR, BUT I WILL NOT PASS THE OH EMISSIONS TEST UNTIL IT IS FIXED.

NHTSA ODI 11416608

LEAKING OIL RIGHT BENEATH THE DIPSTICK BUT NOT DIRECTLY OUT OF THE DIPSTICK. COMING FROM UNDER THE PLASTIC ECO TECH COVER

NHTSA ODI 11406314

CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON I PAID OUT OF POCKET FOR 3 DIFFERENT DIAGNOSTICS FOR THEM TO SAY THEY FIXED IT AND STILL HAVE THIS PROBLEM. CAR GOES IN STABILITY TRACK AND REDUCED ENGINE POWER WONT DRIVE OVER 5MPH THIS IS THE SAME PROBLEM I SEE NUMEROUS OTHER PEOPLE WITH THIS CAR ARE COMPLAINING ABOUT WHY ARE YOU GUYS NOT INVESTIGATING OR RECALLING THIS ENGINE BECAUSE IT'S CLEARLY A MANUFACTURER ISSUE

NHTSA ODI 11396069

SECOND REPORT I'M MAKING ABOUT THIS CARS ENGINE PROBLEMS THE STABILITY TRACK AND REDUCED ENGINE POWER CAUSED MY CAR TO STOP ON THE EXPRESSWAY AND I ALMOST HIT SOMEONE ! PLEASE INVESTIGATE INTO THIS ISSUE THEIR ARE SEVERAL PEOPLE UNDER THIS POST FROM DIFFERENT PARTS OF THE WORLD SAYING THE SAME THING

NHTSA ODI 11396071

MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAD COME ON I GOT IT CHECKED AT MY MECHANIC BUT CAN'T SEEM TO FIGURE OUT THE PROBLEM. WHEN YOU FIRST START THE IGNITION IT FEELS LIKE THE CAR IS BOBBING BACK AND FOURTH. ALSO AFTER THE AUTO STOP GOES ON AND YOU TAKE YOUR FOOT OFF THE BRAKE AND PUT IT ON THE GAS PEDAL THE CAR STUTTERS. I ALSO HAD A PROBLEM WHEN I WAS COMING OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY IT STALLED AND LOST ALL POWER STEERING I HAD TO TURN THE CAR OFF AND BACK ON AGAIN.

NHTSA ODI 11389330

VEHICLE WAS SHAKING PROFUSELY ON LOCAL STREET, DID NOT ACCELERATE BEYOND 5 MPH, AND HAD A 'STABILITRAK' ERROR CODE. BARELY MADE IT BACK TO THE DRIVEWAY. HAD IT TOWED TO A DEALERSHIP AND CONFIRMED PISTON/CYLINDER PROBLEM, WHICH WILL REQUIRE A COMPLETELY NEW ENGINE. BOUGHT IT USED IN 2018 (WITH 54K MILES) FROM A DEALER, BUT WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF SERVICE BULLETIN PIP5421; AND THE MFG'ERS WARRANTY IS NO LONGER VALID AS THERE IS OVER 90K MILES (BUT STILL WITHIN 5 YEARS). DEALER INDICATES IT WILL COST $9500 TO PUT NEW ENGINE IN, AND WE STILL OWE ON IT....WORTHLESS CAR!

NHTSA ODI 11389060

CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. TOOK CAR TO DEALERSHIP TO GET CHECKED. THE PURGE VALVE, WATER PUMP, AND CAM ACTUATOR SEALS ALL WENT BAD.

NHTSA ODI 11387859

BEFORE LEAVING WORK, I TURNED ON MY CAR FOR ABOUT TEN MINUTES TO WARM UP. WHEN I ENTERED THE CAR TO LEAVE WORK, I WAS OVERCOME WITH THE SMELL OF WHAT I THOUGHT WAS GASOLINE. I DROVE LIKE NORMAL ON MY WAY HOME, ROLLING THE WINDOW DOWN TO GET RID OF THE SMELL, AND I ALSO THOUGHT SOME SMOKE OR HAZE MAY HAVE ENTERED MY CAR, ALTHOUGH IT WAS DARK AND FOGGY SO I CANNOT BE SURE. WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, MY CAR'S (2016 CHEVY CRUZE) OIL LIGHT CAME ON. IT GAVE ME AN URGENT MESSAGE OF "LOW OIL PRESSURE- STOP ENGINE" AND BEEPED CONTINUOUSLY, WHILE A THICK SMELL OF OIL FILLED THE CAR. I AM VERY LUCKY THAT I WAS NEAR AN EXIT AND I PULLED OFF IMMEDIATELY INTO A GROCERY STORE PARKING LOT. THE CAR HAD TO BE TOWED AND LATER THAT WEEK, I LEARNED THAT MY CAR HAD LEAKED 3.3 QUARTS OF OIL, LEAVING ME WITH 1.25 QUARTS. THE MECHANIC TOLD ME THAT I WAS LUCKY I PULLED OFF WHEN I DID, AND THAT THERE WAS A SERIOUS RISK OF ENGINE DAMAGE. HE ALSO LET ME KNOW THAT ANOTHER CAR, SAME MAKE AND MODEL, WAS ALSO IN THE SHOP WITH THE SAME EXACT PROBLEM, AND THAT THAT CAR'S ENGINE HAD TO BE REPLACED. I QUOTE FROM MY $500+ INVOICE, "THE TURBO OIL FEED PIPE WAS LEAKING AT THE OIL COOLER DUE TO POOR SEALING. VEHICLE WAS 3.3 QUARTS LOW ON FLUID."

NHTSA ODI 11387432

I PURCHASED A 2016 CHEVROLET CRUZE WITH AN AUTO STOP FEATURE. THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED AS A USED VEHICLE IN AUGUST OF 2019. AT THE TIME OF PURCHASE, IT HAD 70,000 MILES ON IT. LESS THAN TWO MONTH INTO HAVING THE VEHICLE, THE CAR STARTED SHUTTING OFF EACH TIME I CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP. THE ONLY WAY TO GET THE CAR MOVING AGAIN WAS BY PLACING IT IN PARK AND RESTARTING THE VEHICLE. THIS ISSUE OCCURS IN ALL SETTINGS INCLUDING CITY STREETS AND HIGHWAYS. I HAVE TO BE IN TRAFFIC IN ORDER FOR THE ISSUE TO PRESENT ITSELF ON THE HIGHWAY. THE ISSUE PRESENTS ITSELF ON THE STREET ANYTIME I STOP AT A LIGHT, STOP SIGN, OR YIELD TO ONCOMING TRAFFIC. IT HAS DONE THIS HUNDREDS OF TIMES TO DATE. I TOOK THE CAR TO A CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP IN OCTOBER OF 2019 SHORTLY AFTER THE ISSUE BEGAN. A REPRESENTATIVE EXPLAINED THAT THIS HAPPENED BECAUSE THE AUTO-STOP COMPONENT WASN'T ABLE TO RECEIVE ENOUGH POWER TO STAY ON. I HAD THE COMPONENT REPLACED OUT OF POCKET, SINCE MY WARRANTY DIDN'T COVER. THE SAME DAY I DROVE THE VEHICLE HOME, THE ISSUE PERSISTED. SINCE THEN, I HAVE ALSO HAD THE BATTERY REPLACED. AS OF NOVEMBER 2020, THE CAR IS STILL EXPERIENCING THE SAME ISSUES, COUPLED WITH A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT THAT COMES ON AND GOES OFF EACH TIME RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE TECHNICIANS HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO PROPERLY DIAGNOSE THIS VEHICLE'S ISSUE AFTER MULTIPLE VISITS. MUCH OF MY TIME AND MONEY HAS BEEN WASTED TRYING TO FIX A VEHICLE WITH NO ACTIVE RECALLS. THIS IS ALSO THE SECOND TIME I AM FILING A COMPLAINT WITH THE NHTSA.

NHTSA ODI 11386555

MY CARS CAM SHAFT WAS REPLACED SIX MONTHS AGO, AND IT WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY. NOW I'M HAVING A BUNCH OF OTHER ISSUES SOME OF THE PROBLEMS ARE BECAUSE THE CHEVY DEALERSHIP, THAT REPLACED IT MY CAM SHAFT WHEEL THEY HAD TO TO TAKE PARTS OFF AND BACK ON TO FIX IT NOW THOSE PARTS THEY TOOK OFF AND NOW BAD PLUS OTHER BOTTOMS UP. IT WON'T KEEP COOLANT. AND KEEPS OVER HEATING, AND THE DEALERSHIP, IS TRYING TO OVER PRICE ME ON PARTS THAT I CAN GET, FOR A FRACTION OF THE PRICE THERE CHARGING ME, AND NOW I'M WITH OUT A VEHICLE UN LESS I COME UP WITH OVER $1400, I FEEL LIKE THEY PURPOSELY DIDN'T PUT EVERYTHING BACK TOGETHER RIGHT, CUZ THEY NEW THEY COULD GET AND MAKE MORE MONEY OUT OF IT BECAUSE SOME OF THE PARTS ARE STILL UNDER WARRANTY. PLUSE WHEN THEY FIXED IT THE FIRST TIME. THEY CHARGE FOR A NEW BELT ON THE CAR AND I ALREADY HADE ONE WHICH WASN'T MINE TO START WITH, IT BELONG TO A FRIEND OF MINE, AND THE STOLE IT AND PUT IT ON MY CAR THEN CHARGE ME FOR IT. BE CAUSE IT WAS IN THE BACK SEAT, MY VEHICLE IS SITTING AT THE SHOP NOW. IT'S AT LEACH-WILSON CHEVROLET-BUICK IN SHELBYVILLE ILLINOIS, THERE GOING TO START WORKING ON IT ON JANUARY 11TH, THAT'S WHAT THEY SAID ANYWAYS AND I DON'T FEEL SAFE WITH THEM DOING THAT BUT I HAVE NO OTHER OPTION RIGHT NOW. AND I'M BEING FORCED TO PAY OVER $1400. PLUS THEY STOLE PARTS OUT OF MY CAR I WAS HOLDING FOR A FRIEND AND I HAD IN THE CAR AND THEY USE THEM AND CHARGED THE WARRANTY FOR THOSE PARTS AND IT WASN'T THEIRS TO SELL LIKE THAT

NHTSA ODI 11385959

MY CAR IS PARKED LOOKS LIKE A RAINBOW COLOR IS COMING OUT FROM UNDER THE ENGINE. IT LOOKS LIKE WATER FROM A DISTANCE UNTIL YOU GET CLOSER. I HAVE NOTIFIED THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I BOUGHT IT AND HE TELLS ME THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO

NHTSA ODI 11384453

THE INTAKE MANIFOLD BLEW OUT IT'S SENSOR. NOT LIKE IT JUST WENT OUT, BUT SOME HOW PRESSURE BUILT UP AND BLEW IT OUT OF THE MANIFOLD. THIS IS EXACTLY WHAT THE REPRESENTATIVE AT THE DEALERSHIP JUST TOLD ME OVER THE PHONE. CAR IS AT THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT BECAUSE OF THE ONGOING ISSUES WITH THE TURBO AND THE MISSING BOLTS AND THE FACT THAT THIS ENGINE WAS OBVIOUSLY A FAULTY BUILD, AS GM HAS ALREADY ACKNOWLEDGED. I AM TERRIFIED TO DRIVE THIS CAR AND I STILL OWE ON IT. SO NOW WITH THE INTAKE MANIFOLD BLOWING UP AND A LEAKING VALVE COVER....I JUST DON'T UNDERSTAND HOW GM ISN'T RESPONSIBLE FOR GETTING THESE CARS OFF THE ROAD. I AM SO AFRAID OF BLOWING UP WHILE DRIVING THIS CAR I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO AND I BELIEVE IN KARMA AND DO NOT WANT TO TRADE IT IN FOR FEAR OF RISKING SOMEONE ELSE'S LIFE. I'VE OWNED A LOT OF VEHICLES IN THE 30 YEARS I'VE BEEN DRIVING AND AM THANKFUL I'VE NEVER HAD THIS PROBLEM BUT GOOD LORD, HOW DO I FIX THIS?

NHTSA ODI 11383926

NEW 2016 CRUZE LIMITED, 2 YEARS AFTER THE PURCHASE OF THE CAR, WATER PUMP AND THERMOSTAT HOUSING REPLACEMENT(COVERED BY THE DRIVE-TRAIN WARRANTY),2 YEARS LATER, CAR OVERHEATS AGAIN, I AM APPARENTLY LOSING WATER BUT NOT EVIDENT IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT, I TAKE IT BACK TO THE DEALER, TOLD THEM WHAT I THOUGHT WAS HAPPENING AGAIN AND THEY CONDUCTED AN ANALYSIS FOR WHICH I HAD TO PAY $96.00, (CAR HAS 72,000 MILES, OUT OF WARRANTY) TELLING ME THE SAME THING I HAD ALREADY FIGURED OUT, THAT I NEED A NEW WATER PUMP AND THERMOSTAT HOUSING. THEY TELL ME IT WILL COST ME ABOUT $870.00. TO REPLACE THE WATER PUMP AND THERMOSTAT. NOW UNDERSTAND, MY WIFE AND I BOUGHT THIS CAR ON GOOD FAITH THAT IT WAS GOING TO BE SOMETHING THAT WE COULD RELY ON. I AM RETIRED AND SHE IS DISABLED. I NEEDED A DEPENDABLE MODE OF TRANSPORTATION. WHEN WE FIRST BOUGHT IT, IT WAS GREAT. BUT BACK TO OUR DILEMMA, AFTER I WAS GIVEN THE ESTIMATE, I TOLD THEM I DID NOT HAVE THAT KIND OF MONEY FOR THE REPAIR, AND THEY MADE SURE THE COOLANT WAS FULL AND I LIMPED IT BACK TO MY HOUSE. I PURCHASED A NEW WATER PUMP, THERMOSTAT HOUSING, AND A WATER OUTLET ASSEMBLY AND REPLACED IT MYSELF. I AM AN EXPERIENCED MECHANIC. AFTER REPLACEMENT, WHILE ON OUR WAY TO AN APPOINTMENT THE NEXT DAY, THE CAR OVER HEATED AGAIN. GOT IT BACK TO THE HOUSE, FOUND NO LEAKS, BLED THE SYSTEM TO MAKE SURE THERE WAS NO AIR IN THE LINES. DROVE IT THE NEXT DAY AND THE ENGINE STOPPED ON ME ON THE ROAD WHILE I WAS DRIVING, IT WOULD NOT RE-START. CHECKED THE OIL DIPSTICK AND FOUND WATER IN ENGINE! SOME ANALYSIS I WAS GIVEN. HAD IT TOWED TO MY HOUSE. HERE WE ARE WITH A 4 YEAR OLD CAR, 72,000 MILE ENGINE AND IT IS DONE. WE LIVE ON SOCIAL SECURITY AND I STILL OWE PAYMENTS. WHY WEREN'T THESE CARS RECALLED IF THEY KNEW SO MANY PEOPLE WERE HAVING THIS COOLING PROBLEM ON THE CARS? NOW WHAT DO WE DO? I DON'T WANT TO MAKE PAYMENTS ON A BROKEN CAR!

NHTSA ODI 11365853