What 240 owners told NHTSA about the 2016 Chevrolet Cruze Limited

As of January of 2022 my Chevy Cruz Limited LTZ engine was starting to over heat. I would pull the car over and turn off the engine and allow it to cool down before starting it up again, the last of February 2022 my engine had threw a head gasket, the machanic that I took it to confirmed that it was a head gasket and had told me that the motor had done this before due to the fact that the head gasket had already been replaced by a previous owner at one point in time, it had kept getting hot while I was trying to get it to the shop so I was having to pull over every few mins causing a safety risk for myself due to the fact I was having to constantly find a place to pull over, I reported the problem to my insurance company but they unfortunately did not cover what they considered wear and tear of the vehicle, there were no warning lamps, messages, or symptoms prior to the engine overheating, I took the car to the dealership for it's routine oil change and fixed the oil leak they found but did not fix. I also kept check on the oil level and made sure it wasn't low. I kept antifreeze in it as well and made sure that it didn't run low on that either considering both fluids could cause engine problems. It is now July of 2022 and I still do not have my Cruz running due to the fact I'm having to replace the head gasket or get a new motor if the engine that is in it already over heats again...

NHTSA ODI 11473282

The water pump leaks which will cause the vehicle to heat up. There is a recall on the same vehicles for prior years and it's the same parts. For some reason later years weren't added to the recall, but they are also defective. It is available for inspection, but I need to get it fixed quickly before it harms my engine. It is a 2016 model and have had it fixed once already while under warranty. I have not had any warning lights yet, but I noticed it leaking like the first time it happened. It puts my safety at risk if I get stranded somewhere because I can't drive my car home. I live in the desert and it's 100 degrees out most of the time which can cause heat stroke quickly. I have not taken it to the dealer, but I would rather use non dealer parts at this point or I will have to do this possibly again in a couple of years when it fails again. The vehicle has not been inspected yet, but it's the same thing as the first time. Same place.

NHTSA ODI 11473234

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

Issue has been reported by other owners, code PIP5558C Around 60k miles, clutch pedal started sticking to the floor and not returning unless manually lifted. By 118k miles issue had worsened to the point that car was no longer driveable. Clutch master cylinder was damaged/degraded, as well as clutch slave. Brake system lifespan was likely shortened, and I luckily didn't have a complete brake failure as has happened with others.

NHTSA ODI 11465085

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

There was a recall on leaking antifreeze for previous Chevy Cruze years but that is also happening with my 2016 Cruze in the same way. My car would not warm up in the cold and would not clear the sight of my windshield over the ice, I waited about an hour for the sun due to lack of heat. While on my way my car then overheated while on the highway which created an even bigger safety issue. The problem has been recalled before on different Cruze year types, my mom had a 2013 Cruze with the same issue I am experiencing. It has not been inspected yet by those listed but when I add more coolant it is empty within an hour of just sitting there. The only light is when it was overheating, but I’ve been having to refill my antifreeze repeatedly and unsure as to why until I discovered the previous recall information and it sounded like my exact issue.

NHTSA ODI 11454673

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

Both side airbags deployed without crash or damage to the vehicle. Passenger and driver seatbelts locked. Front airbags did not deploy.

NHTSA ODI 11452248

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

The driver's windshield wiper is not working properly. It seems that the wiper has become loose. I live in Florida and it rain a majority of the time, so this is a issue when it comes to driving everywhere.

NHTSA ODI 11431737

The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Cruze. The contact stated that after depressing the button to raise the front driver’s side window, a mechanical motor noise was present, and the window would not move and remained stuck in the halfway opened position. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the front passenger’s side window regulator was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer and local dealer were not yet notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 83,000.

NHTSA ODI 11429214

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

The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Cruze. The contact stated while driving 60 mph, the hydroplane warning light illuminated and the vehicle independently downshifted and decelerated to 50 mph. The contact stated that a couple of weeks later, the contact was driving at 65 mph and the vehicle independently downshifted and decelerated to 55 mph. The contact then stated that while driving at various speeds, the air bag warning light illuminated causing the vehicle to stall. The vehicle was not taken to a local dealer or independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 109,911.

NHTSA ODI 11425461

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

I WAS DRIVING, 55 MILES AND HOUR ON HIGHWAY. I WAS WAS STRUCK ON THE DRIVER FRONT SIDE BY ANOTHER VEHICLE AND THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. UPON DEPLOYMENT THE EXTREME FORCE OF THE CARS BAGS KNOCKED ME OUT THEREBY CAUSING ME TO RUN OFF THE ROAD. .

NHTSA ODI 11416503

MY 2016 CHEVROLET CRUZE IS ONLY 4 YEARS OLD. I HAD TO REPLACE THE THERMOSTAT AND AFTER A INSPECTION. THE (VVT) VARIABLE VALVE TIMING WHEN TRYING TO START MY CAR, IT WOULD CLICK BUT WOULDN'T TURN OVER ALL LIGHTS AND POWER WAS ON BUT CAR WOULD NOT START. ALSO, MY ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON AND AND THE METAL WIRE RING INSIDE OF THE STARTER WAS COMPLETELY BROKEN IN HALF.AND HAD TO BE REPLACED

NHTSA ODI 11408416

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

NHTSA ODI 11406314

I HAVE A 2016 CHEVY CRUSE WITH 70,000 MILES AND AS OF 3-4-2021 I HAVE A CRACK ENGINE BLOCK. MY CAR AS BEEN SERVICED ACCORDING TO BOOKLET.I HAVE CALLED DANVERS CHEVROLET WHERE CAR WAS PURCHASED AND THEY ARE UNWILLING TO HELP. THIS IS A SERIOUS ISSUE AND I AM DISAPPOINTED THAT HERB CHAMBERS SELLS CUSTOMERS CARS THAT BREAK DOWN AFTER WARRANTY. CUSTOMER SERVICE AND MODEL OF CAR WAS DECISIVE IN MY PURCHASE OF THIS VEHICLE. MY EXPECTATIONS OF HERB CHAMBERS CUSTOMER SERVICE IS A LETDOWN. I COULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUSLY INJURED WHILE DRIVING WHEN THE CAR DIED IN THE BOURNE ROTARY

NHTSA ODI 11399531