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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)

Newest first · 240 complaints · page 9 of 10

Feb 17, 2018

PROBLEM OF SICKENING, STRONG ODOR INSIDE THE CAR WHILE THE ENGINE IS RUNNING. SWEET SMELL OF COOLANT EMANATING FROM INSIDE THE DASHBOARD VENTILATION AREA SYSTEM. ODOR PERSISTS THROUGHOUT THE DRIVE. IT PERSISTS IN ALL SETTINGS OF VENTILATION, A.C., AIR, ETC. I HAVE BROUGHT THE CAR IN FOR REPEATED,FAILED ATTEMPTS BY THE CHEVY DEALERSHIP, LOU BACHRODT OF POMPANO BEACH, FL., TO CORRECT THE ISSUE ON 9/27/16, 11/07/16 AND 11/21/16. I BELIEVE THEY ONLY FUMIGATED THE CAR WITH AN ANTI-FUNGAL? RATHER THAN CORRECT THE SOURCE OF THE PROBLEM. THEY DID NOT ACKNOWLEDGE THERE WAS AN ISSUE EITHER WRITTEN ON MY WORK ORDERS OR WHEN I SPOKE WITH THE SERVICE REPS. MORE RECENTLY A SOUR, MOLDY ODOR IS PRESENT INSIDE THE VEHICLE BESIDES THE COOLANT LEAK ODOR. ORDINARILY, I DRIVE UNDER 10 MILES A DAY ON CITY STREETS AND THE ODORS PERSISTS THROUGHOUT.

NHTSA ODI 11073420

Jan 23, 2018Transmission & drivetrainBrakes

CAR HAS LESS THAN 17,000 MILES ON IT, AND THE CAR JERKS LIKE A FAILING TRANSMISSION. WHEN DRIVING AND STARTING UP AFTER STOPPING IT JERKS AND HESITATES. BRAKES ARE CONTINUOUSLY BEING BLOWN OUT AS THEY SQUEAL.

NHTSA ODI 11064308

Dec 20, 2017Transmission & drivetrain

COOLANT RESERVOIR CRACKED, POSSIBLE BLOWN HEAD GASKET, OR BAD WATER PUMP.

NHTSA ODI 11055623

Oct 27, 2017

MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING ALONG A FREEWAY IN NORTH CAROLINA WHEN SHE NOTICED THE TIRE PRESSURE MONITOR WARNING FOR THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE WAS DISPLAYING IN RED, THAT ONLY 12 POUNDS OF AIR WAS IN THAT TIRE. SHE STOPS AT A GAS STATION AND CHECK THE TIRE WHICH APPEARED NORMAL.SHE GETS BACK ONTO THE FREEWAY AND WITHIN A FEW MILES, THE RIGHT REAR TIRE BLOWS OUT, COMPLETELY SEPARATING THE THREADED PORTION FROM THE REST OF THE TIRE. FORTUNATELY SHE WAS ABLE TO GET TO THE SHOULDER AND STOP THE VEHICLE. SHE CALLS HER BOYFRIEND WHO IS A POLICE OFFICER.WHEN HE ARRIVES ON THE SCENE, HE INSPECTS WHAT WAS LEFT OF THE TIRE AND COULD NOT FIND ANY PUNCTURES OR DAMAGE THAT MAY HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO THE PROBLEM.THE NEXT DAY, I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP WHERE SHE PURCHASED IT AND SPOKE WITH THE SERVICE MANAGER TRYING TO DETERMINED IF THERE IS A SAFETY ISSUE OR FAULTY TIRE. I WAS TOLD THAT BECAUSE SHE HAD HAD THE TIRES ROTATED SEVERAL WEEKS EARLIER, THE TIRES PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM SHOULD HAVE BEEN RE-REGISTERED.IN OTHER WORDS, THERE SYSTEM WAS STILL MONITORING THE TIRE WHICH HAD BEEN ROTATED FROM THE FRONT AS IF IT WAS STILL THERE, ONLY THIS TIRE IS NOW ON THE REAR OF THE CAR. THE INDICATION SHOWED THAT THE FRONT TIRE WAS LOW WHEN IN FACT, IT WAS THE REAR TIRE THAT NEEDED ATTENTION. I'VE SPOKEN TO 2 WALMART AUTO SERVICE MANAGES AND A GOODYEAR SERVICE MANAGER WHO ALL TOLD ME THAT THEY DON'T EVER RE-REGISTER A TIRE MONITORING SYSTEM WHEN THEY SERVICE A VEHICLE.THE WALMART GUYS SAID THAT THEY HAD NEVER HEARD OF SUCH A THING.I MAY BE NAIVE, BUT I TOO WAS UNDER THE IMPRESSION THAT THE SYSTEM AUTOMATICALLY REGISTERED THE TIRE THAT IS THERE, NO MATTER IF THEY WERE ROTATED. I SPOKE WITH A CHEVROLET SALES ASSOCIATE WHO SAID THAT THE CONSUMER IS NOT MADE AWARE OF THIS WHEN THEY PURCHASE A VEHICLE. SEEMS TO ME THAT THIS IS A FLAWED SYSTEM. TIRE ROTATION RE-REGISTERING. I HAVE PICTURES.

NHTSA ODI 11040594

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

Sep 19, 2017Speed controlCrash

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 CHEVROLET CRUZE. WHILE STATIONARY, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED RAPIDLY WITHOUT WARNING AND CRASHED INTO A TREE. UPON REMOVING PRESSURE FROM THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES SUSTAINED. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE DRIVEN AWAY FROM THE SCENE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DESTROYED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,400.

NHTSA ODI 11024207

Aug 7, 2017Electrical systemFire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2017 CHEVROLET CRUZE. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN A PARKING LOT, THE CONTACT AND OTHERS BEGAN TO SMELL A BURNING ODOR OUTSIDE THE CHURCH BUILDING. WHEN THEY EXITED THE CHURCH, THE SMELL INTENSIFIED. FLAMES EMERGED FROM THE REAR SEAT AND THE VEHICLE WAS FILLED WITH SMOKE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE, WHICH HAD ALREADY SPREAD TO THE NEXT VEHICLE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,000.

NHTSA ODI 11013367

Jun 13, 2017Engine

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

NHTSA ODI 10994634

May 16, 2017Transmission & drivetrainFire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 CHEVROLET CRUZE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHAKE AND SMOKE BEGAN TO COME FROM UNDERNEATH THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER AND PLACED THE VEHICLE IN PARK HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO REVERSE ON ITS OWN. THE CONTACT REMOVED THEMSELVES FROM THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED LIQUID COMING FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE CAME TO A ROLLING STOP AT WHICH POINT THE CONTACT NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE VEHICLE AGAIN. THE CONTACT OPENED THE HOOD AND NOTICED A FIRE COMING FROM THE TRANSMISSION OF THE VEHICLE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE AND FILED A REPORT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT RECEIVED A DIAGNOSING FOR THE FAILURE AND WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED ANY INJURIES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO ADVISED TO CONTACT THEIR INSURANCE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 15,000.

NHTSA ODI 10986039

May 16, 2017Electronic Stability Control (esc)

I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE IN MARCH OF 2017 WITH 36,000 MILES ON IT. A FEW DAYS AFTER PURCHASE, I'VE NOTICED THAT THE RADIO WILL RANDOMLY SHUT OFF AND COME RIGHT BACK ON. EVERY TIME THIS HAPPENS I WILL ALSO SEE A MESSAGE APPEAR ON THE DASHBOARD STATING "SERVICE STABILITRAK". I NOTICE IT HAPPENS ONCE IN A WHILE IF I AM DRIVING THROUGH CITY STREETS. WHEN I DROVE THE CAR ON THE HIGHWAY, I REALIZED IT SHUTS OFF AND ON MORE FREQUENTLY. I ALSO NOTICED THAT WHEN MY RADIO FLICKERS OFF, MY LIGHTS AND TURN SIGNALS ALSO SHUT OFF.

NHTSA ODI 10986097

May 12, 2017Speed control

ON TWO OCCASIONS, DURING ACCELERATION, I EXPERIENCE A STUCK THROTTLE CONDITION ON MY 2016 CHEVY CRUISE. ONCE IN EARLY APRIL (REPORTED TO DEALER) ON A CITY STREET AND A SECOND TIME ON MAY 10TH, 2017 ON A FREEWAY ON RAMP. DURING THE FIRST INCIDENT I WAS ABLE HIT THE GAS PEDAL WITH MY FOOT AND IT RELEASED, DURING THE SECOND ACCELERATION INCIDENT, I TRIED TO UNSEAT THE PEDAL WITH MY FOOT TO NO AVAIL, I THEN PUSHED THE SHIFTER TO NEUTRAL AND THE ACCELERATOR DISLODGED. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO FISHER CHEVROLET ON MAY 10TH AND THEY ROAD TESTED THE CAR AND WERE UNABLE TO "VERIFY THE CONCERN." THE DEALER HAS SINCE CALLED ME AND STATED THAT THEY HAD CONTACTED GM ENGINEERING AND WERE TOLD THIS CONDITION COULD NOT HAVE HAPPENED. IT DID HAPPEN, ON TWO OCCASIONS. IN BOTH CASES I WAS FORTUNATE TO BE IN S SITUATION WHERE NO ONE WAS DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF ME. I'M GREATLY CONCERNED WITH THE VEHICLE'S CONDITION OF SAFETY. A STUCK THROTTLE IS A TERRIFYING AND SERIOUS SAFETY SITUATION. MY WIFE NOW REFUSES TO DRIVE THIS VEHICLE AND GM DENIES THE POSSIBILITY OF IT HAPPENING. "I'M OFFENDED BY THEIR RESPONSE. THEY WANT ME TO RETURN TO DEALERSHIP FOR MORE TESTING. AT THIS POINT, I AM EXTREMELY HESITANT TO BE TOLD "WE FIXED IT". I HAVE LOST ALL CONFIDENCE IN THE SAFETY OF THE CAR. I WANT GM TO BUY IT BACK! IT IS UNSAFE AND I'M HESITANT TO EVEN DRIVE THE VEHICLE... I'M PAYING TO DRIVE AN UNSAFE VEHICLE. YOUR IMMEDIATE ATTENTION TO THIS MATTER IS GREATLY APPRECIATED. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ODI 10985039

May 1, 2017AirbagsCrash1 injury

MY SON WAS INVOLVED IN A CAR ACCIDENT INVOLVING A 2016 CHEVY CRUZE. AIRBAGS WERE DEPLOYED AS THEY HIT ANOTHER CAR SITTING AT A RED LIGHT. THE VEHICLE MY SON WAS IN WAS TURNING LEFT CAUSING MOST OF THE IMPACT TO THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF THE CAR. HE WAS IN THE PASSENGER SEAT AND WAS THE ONLY ONE INJURED. A LARGE, DEEP, CLEAN CUT ON HIS FOREHEAD WAS HIS BIGGEST INJURY. DOCTOR EXPLAINED THAT IT SEEMS A PIECE OF METAL OR HARD PLASTIC MADE THE CUT. IT WAS CLEAN AND DOWN TO HIS CRANIUM. WE HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO IDENTIFY THE OBJECT THAT CAUSED THIS INJURY AND WE'RE LEAD TO INQUIRE ABOUT COMPONENTS IN THE AIRBAG.

NHTSA ODI 10981547

Apr 7, 2017Seats

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 CHEVROLET CRUZE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V057000 (SEATS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA ODI 10971082

Mar 2, 2017Electrical systemBody & structureElectronic Stability Control (esc)

TOOK MY CAR IN TO HAVE RECALL WORK DONE (HIGH MOUNT STOP LAMP FASTENERS LEAK ) CHMSL. AND I HAVE HAD A WATER LEAK EVER SINCE. MY CAR HAS BEEN TO THE DEALERSHIP 3 TIMES IN THE PAST MONTH. EVERY TIME THEY TELL ME ITS SOMETHING DIFFERENT THAT THEY FIX, YET I STILL HAVE A WATER LEAK THAT COULD CAUSE A SHORT IN THE PRINTED CIRCUIT BOARD RESULTING IN AN UNATTENDED FIRE.

NHTSA ODI 10957974

Feb 8, 2017Fuel systemCrash1 injury

APPROACHED A CURVE IN ROAD AT APPROXIMATELY 50MPH, TOOK FOOT OFF THE GAS AND ACCELERATOR DID NOT DISENGAGE AND CONTINUED AT FULL SPEED SO FAST COULD NOT NEGOTIATE THE CURVE AND WENT OFF THE CURVE AND CRASHED INTO RAVINE BELOW. THIS OCCURED ONE DAY AFTER THE CAR HAD BEEN SERVICED BY A GM GARAGE ON 1/31/17 ABOUT A COMPLAINT ABOUT THE GAS PEDAL.

NHTSA ODI 10950295

Feb 1, 2017Electrical system

I WAS PARKED IN AN OUTDOOR PARKING LOT. WHEN I GOT TO MY VEHICLE I COULD NOT ENTER MY IT EVEN THOUGH I HAD THE KEY FOB IN MY HAND (KEYLESS ENTRY). I USED THE CHEVROLET MYLINK APP TO GAIN ACCESS TO THE VEHICLE. THEN I COULD NOT START MY CAR USING THE START BUTTON. RECEIVED A MESSAGE ON DRIVER'S DISPLAY THAT THERE WAS AN ERROR WITH THE KEY FOB. I COULD NOT ACCESS THE ENTIRE MESSAGE, BECAUSE THE BUTTONS ON THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD NOT TOGGLE THROUGH AS IT SHOULD. SINCE I WAS 100 MILES FROM HOME I DECIDED TO PRESS THE ONSTAR BUTTON FOR ASSISTANCE. THE ONSTAR BUTTON WOULD NOT WORK EITHER -- PRESSED IT SEVERAL TIMES, BUT NOTHING WOULD HAPPEN. THEN I WAS LOCKED IN THE CAR AND COULDN'T GET OUT. I USED THE APP TO UNLOCK THE DOORS. I USED MY CELL PHONE TO CALL ONSTAR FOR ASSISTANCE. WAS TOLD TO PUT THE KEY FOB ON SOME TYPE OF TRAY TO "RESET" IT. THERE IS NOTHING LABELED IN THE CAR, NOR IS THERE IS ANYTHING IN THE OWNER'S MANUAL TO GUIDE ONE TO FIND THE TRAY. I WAS TRANSFERRED TO GM ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE FOR HELP. WAS TOLD TO PLACE THE KEY FOB IN A CUP HOLDER (NEAR THE FRONT OF THE CONSOLE AREA). I HAD ALREADY DONE THIS (OUT OF HABIT THIS IS WHERE I PLACE THE KEY WHEN I AM DRIVING). THIS RESET THE KEY FOB AND I WAS ABLE TO START THE CAR. IT WASN'T UNTIL THE KEY FOB WAS RESET AND I WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE THAT THE ONSTAR SERVICE WOULD WORK PROPERLY. THE CAR IS AT THE DEALERSHIP, AGAIN, SEE PREVIOUS NHTSA REPORT. THEY CAN FIND NO CODES TO INDICATE WHAT HAPPENED. THIS CAR IS A LEMON AND I WANT A NEW VEHICLE. IT HAS 5000 MILES ON IT. IT HAS SPENT 7 WEEKS OF THE 4 MONTHS I HAVE OWNED THE VEHICLE IN THE SHOP! HOW DO I GET THEM TO FIX THESE ISSUES SO I CAN RELY ON MY VEHICLE? IT IS UNSAFE AND I CAN'T DEPEND UPON IT TO GET ME WHERE I NEED TO GO! *TR

NHTSA ODI 10948927

Jan 17, 2017Electrical systemLights

JUST RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER OF SOME FORM FOR MY 2016 CHEVY CRUZ STATING THAT A FIRE MAY START WHEN THE D.C./D.C. CONVERTER IS POWERED DUE TO A RESISTIVE SHORT OCCURRING DUE TO ELECTRICAL/ LIGHTING PROBLEMS I BELIEVE THE LETTER DESCRIBES IT BETTER THEN I CAN. THE PROBLEM I HAVE IT THE LETTER STATES THAT CHEVROLET WILL PAY FOR A TEMP FIX IF I TAKE IT TO MY DEALERSHIP BEFORE JAN.31ST BUT AFTER THAT ANY PROBLEMS DUE TO THIS MANUFACTURING ERRROR WILL COME OUT OF MY POCKET. I HAVE TWO CHILDREN AND MY WIFE WHO USE THE VEHICLE OBVIOUSLY THIS IS A SERIOUS RISK FOR MY FAMILY THAT NEEDS TO BE PERMANTLY FIXED BY CHEVROLET NOT TEMPORALLY PREVENTED

NHTSA ODI 10945840

Dec 14, 2016Electrical systemBody & structure

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 CHEVROLET CRUZE. WITHOUT WARNING, THE VEHICLE HAD AN INTERNAL LEAK THAT SATURATED THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE, THE FLOORING, THE ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS, AND CAUSED VARIOUS SHORTS WITHIN THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE'S INNER COMPONENTS WERE DAMAGED DUE TO THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 250.

NHTSA ODI 10935326

Dec 8, 2016Steering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 CHEVROLET CRUZE. WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED AND ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A TURN, THE STEERING COLUMN LOCKED. THE DEALER REPAIRED THE STEERING GEAR. THE FAILURE RECURRED AND ALL THE INSTRUMENT PANEL INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DIFFERENT DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO NHTSA. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 12,000.

NHTSA ODI 10933978

Dec 7, 2016Electrical system

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 CHEVROLET CRUZE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FAILED, THE VEHICLE DECELERATED WHILE DRIVING, AND THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTING DIMMED. DURING THE FAILURES, THE ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES FOR THE FAILURE. THE DEALER RESEATED THE COMPUTER SYSTEM AND SERVICED THE FUEL INJECTOR, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 15,000.

NHTSA ODI 10930344

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

Nov 28, 2016Electrical systemBackup camera & sensors

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 CHEVROLET CRUZE. LESS THAN A MONTH AFTER LEASING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT BEGAN HAVING ISSUES WITH THE REAR CAMERA. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE CENTER CONSOLE WOULD NOT ILLUMINATE, THE BUTTONS WOULD NOT WORK, AND THE REAR CAMERA WOULD NOT OPERATE WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS IN REVERSE. THE FAILURES OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER AND A RADIO ERROR THAT CONTROLLED THE CONSOLE AND THE SOFTWARE WAS UPDATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER, BUT THE DIAGNOSIS WAS UNKNOWN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK A THIRD TIME BECAUSE GM RECOMMENDED REPLACING THE RADIO. THE RADIO WAS REPLACED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,100.

NHTSA ODI 10928326

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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 →