Home · 2016 Chevrolet Cruze Limited · Complaints

What 240 owners told NHTSA about the 2016 Chevrolet Cruze Limited

These are the actual owner complaints behind this car’s reliability verdict, filed with the federal government, unedited. They’re unverified reports, not confirmed defects: read them as leads for your pre-purchase inspection, not a diagnosis.

All (240)Crash / fire / injury (27)Engine (98)Electrical system (57)Fuel system (34)Transmission & drivetrain (31)Airbags (21)Brakes (17)Steering (17)Electronic Stability Control (esc) (16)Speed control (10)Body & structure (7)

98 of 240 complaints match · Engine · clear filters · page 4 of 4

Jun 24, 2019BrakesEngine

MY ENGINE WILL JUST SHUT OFF RANDOMLY, WITH NO WARNING AT ALL. I HAVE TOOK IT INTO DEALER BECASE IT WAS STILL COVERED UNTIL POWERTRAIN, OF COURSE THEY FOUND NOTHING AFTER HAVING MY CAR FOR 4 DAYS. MY CAR SHUTS OFF ON THE HIGHWAY, IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC, OR WHILE COMING OFF THE HIGHWAY WITH CARS TRAILING BEHIND ME. IT SHUTS OFF SITTING AT RED LIGHTS, WHEN THE AUTO START COMES BACK ON IT NEVER FULLY WILL COME BACK ON, AND JUST COMPLETELY SHUTS OFF. IN WHICH I HAVE TO PUT MY CAR IN PARK AND START THE CAR AGAIN, AND AT TIMES IT DOESN'T START RIGHT AWAY! MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAS BEEN UP, HOWEVER, THE DEALERSHIP AND AN AUTO STORE BOTH PULLED CODES AND NONE HAD ANYTHING TO DO WITH THE ACTUAL ENGINE. THERE IS ALSO A "SERVICE BRAKE ASSIST" WARNING THAT HAS BEEN ON AS WELL. MY BREAKS WORK, BUT YOU HAVE TO PUSH DOWN VERY HARD FOR THEM TO WORK AT 100%. I HAVE 2 CHILDREN, AND AM A SINGLE MOM, THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY CONCERN AND PUTTING ALL OF OUR LIVES AT RISK! NO ONE SEEMS TO KNOW WHAT IS WRONG WITH THE CAR, AND I DON'T WANT ANY OF US TO GET INJURED OR DIE BECAUSE OF THIS ISSUE, BECAUSE SOONER OR LATER SOMEONE WILL.

NHTSA ODI 11222136

Jun 10, 2019Transmission & drivetrainSpeed controlEngine

OVERHEATING, SPEED DROP WHEN I DRIVING, ENGINE MAKE WEIRD NOISE DEALER CAN'T FIX IT THIS IS SAFETY ISSUE

NHTSA ODI 11219148

May 30, 2019Engine

TAKATA RECALL GOING DOWN THE ROAD COOLENT OUTLET HOUSING DISINTEGRATED WHILE HOSE ON THE RADIATOR WAS IN MOTION ON HIGHWAY IT CRACKED WHERE THE PART IS MOLDED PART IS GETS BAD QUICKLY OVERTIME AND HEAT

NHTSA ODI 11216920

May 10, 2019EngineFuel system

MY 2016 CHEVY CRUZE LIMITED STARTED TO LOSE ACCELERATION AND WOULDN'T GO OVER 40 MILES AN HOUR. NO CODE LIGHTS ARE ON AND NONE DETECTED. SO I DROVE HOME AND PARKED THE CAR AND WAITED UNTIL IT WAS COOLED DOWN AND OPENED THE HOOD TO CHECK MY OIL. I UNSCREWED THE OIL CAP WHERE YOU ADD OIL AND IT COMPLETELY SMELLED LIKE GASOLINE. NOW THE ENGINE IS STARTING TO GO CRAZY AND I AM TAKING IT IN BEFORE IT CATCHES FIRE AND PUTS ME AND ANYONE ELSE IN DANGER.

NHTSA ODI 11206908

Mar 13, 2019Engine

I WENT TO START THE CAR AND IT WOULD NOT START. TRIED A SECOND TIME AND IT STARTED WITH A WARNING THAT IT WAS IN "REDUCED ENGINE POWER". COULD NOT DRIVE THE CAR. PUT IT IN PARK, SHUT IT OFF. TRIED TO START IT AGAIN AND IT STARTED IN FULL ENGINE POWER BUT WITH THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON. IT WAS RECENTLY SERVICED AT DENOOYER CHEVROLET IN KALAMAZOO MICHIGAN DUE TO THE SAME ISSUES, 3 TIMES PRIOR TO THIS. CAR HAS 70,000 MILES ON IT AND DOES NOT SEEM TO BE RELIABLE AT ALL WITH SAME ISSUE OCCURING SHORTLY AFTER "SERVICE/REPAIR". I WANT SOMETHING DONE ABOUT THIS. I DO NOT FEEL SAFE!!

NHTSA ODI 11186674

Mar 7, 2019Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 CHEVROLET CRUZE. WHEN DRIVING IN COLD WEATHER, THE TURBO BOOSTER FAILED TO OPERATE. THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE ENGINE SEIZED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO WALSER POLAR CHEVROLET (612-284-4672, LOCATED AT 1801 COUNTY RD F EAST, WHITE BEAR LAKE, MN 55110) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT DRIVING IN THE COLD TEMPERATURE CAUSED MOISTURE TO FREEZE UP THE TURBO BOOSTER. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THERE WAS NO CURRENT REMEDY FOR THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THERE WAS NO REMEDY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 59,000.

NHTSA ODI 11184840

Mar 6, 2019Engine

THE CAR OVERHEATED AND THERE IS NO COOLANT IN THE TANK AND OIL IS POURING OUT OF THE HEAD GASKET THE CAR ONLY HAS LESS THAN 70K MILES.

NHTSA ODI 11184738

Feb 25, 2019Electronic Stability Control (esc)Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 CHEVROLET CRUZE. WHILE DRIVING UP A HILL AT APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY LOST POWER AND DECELERATED TO 20 MPH. ALSO, THE SERVICE STABILITRAC AND CHECK ENGINE INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO WEIMER CHEVROLET (10355 MT. SAVAGE ROAD NW, CUMBERLAND, MD) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE PISTON FAILED AND THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 82,800.

NHTSA ODI 11182355

Feb 22, 2019Engine

ENGINE STALLS OUT WHEN TRYING TO ACCELERATE OVER 30MPH AND AFTER 5-10 SECONDS THE ENGINE UNSTALLS AND CAR SHOOTS FORWARD. PROBLEM HAPPENS MORE FREQUENTLY WHEN THE AIR CONDITIONING IS RUNNING. TOOK CAR TO DEALERSHIP FOR WARRANTY SERVICE AND SERVICE ADVISOR SAID THAT HIS 2010 CRUZE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. SERVICE TECHS COULD NOT DIAGNOSE THE ISSUE AND SAID NOTHING COULD BE DONE TO RESOLVE THE ISSUE

NHTSA ODI 11182051

Feb 16, 2019Electrical systemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Engine

I HAVE HAD ISSUES WITH ENGINE LOSING POWER OR STALING WITHOUT WARNING. NO WARNING LIGHTS WILL COME ON BEFORE HAND. I FIRST STARTED EXPERIENCE ISSUE IN JULY 2018, THE ENGINE STALLED AT STOP LIGHT; THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AND RETURNED IN AUGUST. THE ISSUE RETURNED IN OCT, AT THIS TIME IT STALED GOING THREW INTERSECTION WHICH ALMOST RESULTED IN A WRECK. DEC IT LOSS POWER WHILE GOING DOWN HEY I PULLED TO SIDE AND HAD CAR PULLED IN. LAST WEEK IT STALLED WHILE GOING DOWN HIGHWAY HAD NO POWER, I CALLED DEALERSHIP AND CHEVY AND WAS GIVING AN APPOINTMENT TO BRING IT IN. ITIS CURRENTLY IN THE SHOP FOR THE SAME ISSUES. I HAVE MADE SEVERAL COMPLAINTS TO CHEVOLET AND DEALERSHIP WITH NO RESULTS. THE CAR IS BEING SERVICE AT PARIS TEXAS CHEVOLET (903) 784-7446 FOR THE 4TH TIME.

NHTSA ODI 11180543

Jan 3, 2019Transmission & drivetrainEngineFuel system

CONTINUING ILLUMINATION OF THE "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT. TIED TO EMISSION SUSPECT MALFUNCTION CODES. HAS BEEN SERVICE FOR THIS PROBLEM AT LEAST FIVE TIMES. REPLACED FUEL INDUCTION SYSTEM, TURBO, FUEL INDUCTION SOLENOID AND OTHER COMPONENTS. STILL NO RESOLUTION. PROBLEM IS MADE KNOWN BY ILLUMINATION OF "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT WHILE THE CAR IS RUNNING. NO AFTER MARKET PARTS, APPROX 48,000 MILES. THE DEALER SERVICE DEPARTMENT CANNOT SEEM TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM AFTER MULTIPLE TRIES.

NHTSA ODI 11165659

Jul 16, 2018Speed controlElectronic Stability Control (esc)Engine

CODE U0164 :DATA COMMUNICATION WITH THE CLIMATE CONTROL SYSTEM HAS BEEN LOST OR INTERRUPTED. CODE U0155 : DATA COMMUNICATION WITH THE INSTRUMENT PANEL SYSTEM HAS BEEN LOST OR INTERRUPTED. RECEIVED THESE CODES FROM ON STSR TOOK MY VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP NEXT DAY THEY SAID THEY FOUND NO ERRORS. BUT, I DON'T KNOW HOW NOW WHEN EVER I USE XM SIRIUS RADIO IT ALWAYS SAYS LOST CONNECTION/SIGNAL. ALSO, VEHICLE IS ALWAYS HOT LIKE THE HEATER IS ON WHEN IT'S NOT ON. HAS LOST IN ACCELERATION WHILE DRIVING HIGHWAY AND CITY STREETS BEEN DOING THAT FOR THE LAST MONTH OR 2. ALSO THE DASHBOARD SEEMS TO NOT BE WORKING NO LIGHTS COME ON WHEN FLUIDS ARE NEEDED.

NHTSA ODI 11111489

Jun 28, 2018Transmission & drivetrainElectrical systemEngine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 CHEVROLET CRUZE. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE WAS SHIFTED INTO PARK AND RESTARTED ON THE FIRST ATTEMPT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO HURRICANE CHEVROLET (200 SATURN WAY, HURRICANE, WV 25526, (304) 562-3005) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CONVERTER MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED BACK TO THE DEALER AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE WIRE TO WIRE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS AT THE DEALER AWAITING FURTHER DIAGNOSTIC TESTING AND REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 25,000. *TT *TR

NHTSA ODI 11104519

May 29, 2018SteeringElectrical systemEngine

I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY ON MY WAY TO DROP OFF MY DAUGHTER TO THE BABYSITTER WHEN SUDDENLY MY STEERING WHEEL STARTED GETTING HARD AND THE CAR WOULDN'T RUN, I KEPT PUSHING THE GAS PETAL AND NOTHING, MY CAR WASN'T RUNNING. WHEN SUDDENLY THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STARTED BLINKING AND THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT AS WELL. THE CAR WAS OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF THE FREEWAY, LUCKILY THERE WAS TRAFFIC AND THE CARS WERE BARELY MOVING. UNTIL FINALLY I TURNED IT BACK ON AND CONTINUED DRIVING. THE FOLLOWING DAY WHEN I WAS LEAVING TO GO TO WORK MY CAR FELT HARD AND THE ENGINE WAS SHAKING RIDICULOUSLY AND I'D PUSH ON THE GAS PETAL ON THE CAR AND IT WOULDN'T DRIVE. I HAD TO LEAVE THE CAR AT HOME AND I WASN'T ABLE TO CALL THE DEALER BECAUSE IT WAS CLOSED DUE TO MEMORIAL DAY. MY CAR WON'T GO AND I'M WAITING TO SEE WHAT THE DEALER IS GOING TO TELL ME. KEEPING IN MIND THAT THE CAR WAS BRAND NEW OLDS WHEN I GOT IT OUT OF THE DEALER.

NHTSA ODI 11098377

Oct 10, 2017EngineFuel system

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 CHEVROLET CRUZE. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO WALKER CHEVROLET (3940 CAR OTHERS PKWY, FRANKLIN, TN, 37067) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CO2 SENSOR FAILED. THE SENSOR WAS REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, TWO MONTHS LATER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. AFTER MULTIPLE ATTEMPTS, THE VEHICLE RESTARTED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE SECOND LOCAL DEALER (LUCAS CHEVROLET CADILLAC, 101 S JAMES CAMPBELL BLVD, COLUMBIA, TN, 38401). IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT DUE TO AMBIENT TEMPERATURES OVER 100 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT, VAPOR BUILD-UP WAS IN THE FUEL FEED LINE AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO STALL. THE DEALER STATED THAT THERE WAS NO REMEDY EXCEPT HIGHER OCTANE. THE DEALER ALSO RECOMMENDED THAT THE VEHICLE BE KEPT IN COOLER TEMPERATURES AND REFRAIN FROM IDLING. THE FAILURE WAS UNDER BULLETIN PIP5507B. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 60,000. .UPDATED 11/09/17 *BF UPDATED 11/13/2017*JS

NHTSA ODI 11032666

Oct 2, 2017SteeringElectronic Stability Control (esc)Engine

CAR GOES INTO LIMP MODE AFTER WARMS UP AND SAYS SERVICE POWER STEERING AND SERVICE TRACK STABILITY VERY DANGEROUS IN TRAFFIC

NHTSA ODI 11030802

Sep 28, 2017Engine

AT LEAST ONCE A WEEK, MY CHEVY CRUZE 2016 ENGINE SHUTS OFF COMPLETELY WHILE IDLE AT A STOP SIGN OF RED LIGHT. I HAVE AUTO SHUT OFF AND WHEN THE AUTO SHUT OFF IS IN PLAY IT NEVER CUTS BACK ON WHEN TAKING MY FOOT OFF THE BRAKE. I HAVE TO PUT MY CAR INTO PARK AND RESTART THE ENGINE.

NHTSA ODI 11030393

Jun 13, 2017Engine

CAR STALLED WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN IN TRAFFIC- A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION.

NHTSA ODI 10994634

Dec 2, 2016Electrical systemEngine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 CHEVROLET CRUZE. WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE, THE "START, STOP" FEATURE WAS ACTIVATED WHEN THE CONTACT APPROACHED A RED LIGHT. WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS APPLIED WHILE MAKING A RIGHT TURN, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER AND WAS ALMOST STRUCK BY ANOTHER VEHICLE FROM THE REAR. THE FAILURE RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED, BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,400.

NHTSA ODI 10929617

Nov 29, 2016Engine

RECEIVED FIRST INSPECTION, LEAVING THE DEALER, THE CAR SMELLED OF POSSIBLY A BURNING OR SOMETHING UNKNOWN. I DID NOT ASSUME THIS WASN'T NORMAL AS THEY HAD TO CHECK SEVERAL THINGS FOR THE INSPECTION. I HAD TO DRIVE VEHICLE WITH OPEN WINDOWS FOR A FEW DAYS. BUT I THOUGHT THAT PERHAPS WHILE CHECKING THE OIL THEY MAY HAVE GOTTEN SOME ON THE ENGINE OR SOMETHING. A FEW DAYS LATER, THE CAR WAS MAKING A CLANK SOUND WHEN DRIVE GEAR ENGAGED FROM FULL STOP. 11 DAYS LATER, STARTED THE CAR AND IT HAD REVVED OVER 4000 RPM. STOPPED ITSELF WITHIN SEVERAL SECONDS. FOOT WAS STILL ON THE BRAKE. DROVE 5 MILES, STOPPED AND PARKED VEHICLE. RETURNING HOME, ON A HIGHWAY, MY CAR SUDDENLY WENT OVER 4000 RPM AGAIN WHILE NOT ACCELERATING EXCESSIVELY, FLAT AND STRAIGHT ROADWAY, OVERCAST DAY, MID AFTERNOON. WAS DOING @54 MILES MPH. AT THE HIGH REV, THE CAR HAD STOPPED ITS MOMENTUM AND WAS SLOWING DOWN, BUT THE RPM DID NOT. THE CAR WENT THROUGH SEVERAL GEARS THEN ORIENTED ITSELF MANY SECONDS LATER. RECOVERY SPEED WAS 42 MPH. IMMEDIATELY CALLED THE DEALER AND SCHEDULED A DROP OFF. HAS @10,000 MILES ON IT. MOSTLY HIGHWAY DRIVING, A FEW DAYS A WEEK. OTHERWISE IT IS PARKED. MY FEAR WAS FAILURE TO CONTINUE MOMENTUM RESULTING IN ANOTHER VEHICLE COLLIDING WITH MINE AND THE INABILITY TO TAKE ANY STEPS TO PREVENT THAT FROM OCCURRING DUE TO LOSS OF MOBILITY AND CONTROL OF ACCELERATION. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10928655

Oct 20, 2016Electrical systemEngineFire

AS I WAS DRIVING ABOUT 35 ON A CITY STREET, EVERYTHING SEEMED LIKE JUST ANY OTHER DAY. BUT IT WAS FAR FROM IT. I STARTED TO SMELL A FUNNY PLASTIC/RUBBER LIKE SMELL COMING FROM THE FRONT OF MY CAR. SO IMMEDIATELY PULLED OVER TO CHECK WHAT WAS GOING ON. IT IS KEY TO NOTE THAT I ALSO CHECKED MY ENGINE TEMPERATURE, SPECULATING THAT MAYBE I FORGOT TO TOP OFF THE COOLANT OR SOMETHING, BUT THE TEMPERATURE WAS PERFECT. I STOPPED THE CAR, POPPED THE HOOD, AND SAW WHAT WAS TO MY SHOCK JUST INSANE... A 3 FOOT FLAME THAT WAS BURNING UP MY WHOLE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. I DID NOT EVEN TRY TO PUT THE FLAME OUT WITH ANY MEANS BECAUSE THE FLAME WAS LOCATED TOO CLOSE TO THE FUEL INJECTORS AND I WAS NOT CONFIDENT ENOUGH TO RISK IT AND TRY TO PUT OUT THE FLAME. I CALLED 911 AND IN SEVERAL MINUTES, TO MY LUCK, THEY WERE THERE AND PUT THE FLAME OUT BEFORE THE CAR BLEW UP. HOWEVER, THE WHOLE FRONT OF THE CAR AND SOME OF FRONT INTERIOR IS BASICALLY MELTED AND THE CAR IS NOT USEFUL FOR ANYTHING ANYMORE. THIS WAS A SPONTANEOUS FLAME THAT HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING NORMALLY AT ABOUT 35 MPH ON A 70 DEGREE DAY. WHAT HAPPENED? I DO NOT KNOW... BUT WHAT I DO KNOW IS THAT CARS ARE NOT SUPPOSED TO PUT THEIR DRIVERS AND PASSENGERS AT RISK OF DYING JUST BECAUSE A PERSON WANTS TO PEACEFULLY DRIVE DOWN TO POINT B FROM POINT A. PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS, WHOEVER WILL BE DOING SO. THIS KIND OF CAR MANUFACTURING IS UNACCEPTABLE! *TR

NHTSA ODI 10917708

Oct 18, 2016Electrical systemEngineFire

VEHICLE PROVED TO BE SPONTANEOUSLY COMBUSTIVE THUS THE CAR BURNED UP IN A FIRE DUE TO ELECTRICAL HARNESS CATCHING FIRE AS STATED FIRE FIRE DEPARTMENT FIRE INSPECTOR. NO SIGNS SHOWED ANY IMMINENT DANGER, THE DRIVER OF THE VEHICLE BARELY ESCAPED BEFORE CAR WENT UP IN FLAMES. THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION BEING DRIVEN ON A CITY STREET.

NHTSA ODI 10917216

Jun 28, 2016Electrical systemEngine

CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON WITH MY 2016 CHEVY CRUZE WITH LESS THAN 1300 MILES ONIT. DEALERSHIP CANT GET ME IN UNTIL LATE NEXT WEEK!!! WHY IS THIS ON ALREADY!!

NHTSA ODI 10881312

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Working with the data? Download all 240 complaints as CSV · fetched from NHTSA July 26, 2026

How to use these: a complaint is one owner’s report, filed voluntarily and published unverified. Patterns matter more than any single story. If several owners describe the same failure at similar mileage, put that system at the top of your pre-purchase inspection list. Back to the full 2016 Chevrolet Cruze Limited verdict →