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2016 Chevrolet Cruze Problems & Owner Complaints

247 NHTSA owner complaints
19 crash 6 fire 14 injury

Age-normalised, this year draws ~22.5 complaints per year on the road — ranking 3 of 7 Chevrolet Cruze years we track (1 = most complaints per year).

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What owners report

Engine is the most-reported problem area on the 2016 Chevrolet Cruze, cited in 100 of 247 filed complaints (40%).

Electrical System is next (58 complaints, 23%), followed by Fuel/Propulsion System (34), Power Train (31), Air Bags (21).

Across all complaints, 19 report a crash, 6 report a fire, 14 report injuries.

The most safety-critical cluster is Air Bags: 12 crash, 8 injury report(s).

Complaints by vehicle system

Owner complaints filed with the U.S. NHTSA for the 2016 Chevrolet Cruze, grouped by the vehicle system each cites. A single complaint can name more than one system, so the group totals can add up to more than 247.

Engine 100 3 crash 2 fire 1 injury

“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 complaint #11396071, 2021 · crash · 1 injury(ies)

“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 W…”
NHTSA complaint #10917708, 2016 · fire

“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 complaint #10917216, 2016 · fire

Electrical System 58 2 crash 4 fire 1 injury

“I WAS IN A CRASH ON JULY 27,2020,PM HOURS.I WAS DRIVING STRAIGHT ON INTERSTATE,IT BEGAN RAINING,I SLOWED DOWN & ADJUSTED TRACTION CONTROL/STABILITY CONTROL SETTING.THE CAR VEERED TO THE RIGHT FOR SOME REASON,I GOT CAR BACK IN STRAIGHT MOTION,THEN IN A SPLIT SECOND,IT SHOT TO THE LEFT OF THE ROAD WAY.I TRIED GAINING CONTROL,TO GET BACK IN THE CORRECT LANE,AND THE CAR RAN INTO THE GUARDRAIL IN TRYING TO GET CONTROL OF IT. I DO NOT THINK THAT THE RATE OF SPEED,NOR WEATHER,WERE THE ONLY REASONS FOR THIS ACCIDENT. PRIOR TO THIS CRASH,MONTHS BEFORE,AT VARIOUS TIMES,AND AND FOR NO REASON, THE SERVICE…”
NHTSA complaint #11351042, 2020 · crash · 1 injury(ies)

“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 complaint #11013367, 2017 · fire

“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 W…”
NHTSA complaint #10917708, 2016 · fire

Unknown Or Other 43 2 crash 2 fire 1 injury

“[XXX] OF EBARA FLUID HANDLING DIVISION WITH THE SHOP FLOOR'S PERMISSION AND WITHOUT MINE PLACE PLAY EQUIPMENT IN VEHICLE AND PASSED OUT PIECES TO SPY ON ME. TO MY KNOWLEDGE THE COPS HAVE RECOVERED SOME OF THE PIECES. BUT, THE FOLLOWING INDIVUALS OF EBARA INTL CORPORATION STILL HAVE SOME OF THE PIECES THEY REFUSE TO GIVE BACK. [XXX]- HUMAN RESOURCES, [XXX]- HUMAN RESOURCES, AND [XXX] - MARKETING HAVE USED THIS EQUIPMENT TO SPY ON ME AND HARASS ME WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY BY MAKING THERE VOICES POP UP IN DIFFERENT PARTS OF MY VEHICLE. YOU MAY CONTACT THEM AT [XXX] AND ASK FOR [XXX] FOR FURTH…”
NHTSA complaint #11244761, 2016 · 1 injury(ies)

“I was driving down the road when my son said he smelled something and made pull over. There were what I thought were small flames on the floor so i dumped my water on them, then i realized the seat itself was melting and dripping stuff on the floor. then the seat went up. Very shortly after that the car was completely engulfed and is now a total loss.”
NHTSA complaint #11549008, 2023 · fire

“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 complaint #10917216, 2016 · fire

Fuel/Propulsion System 34 1 crash 1 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 complaint #10950295, 2017 · crash · 1 injury(ies)

“My engine needed oil I checked the dip stick added the oil the next day my engine started leaking and over heating come to find out there’s a pcv issue the valve cover gasket along with multiple other seals need replaced I was unaware of anything wrong no indication of over heating I just smelled the heat and was able to see after popping the hood the radiator fan is now not working and gas is coming through the valves”
NHTSA complaint #11736714, 2026

“I was driving the car, stopped at a light took my foot off the brake started to move and the car completely shut off. No warning lights went on. I had to start the car again. I took the car to a local dealership to be looked at. They pulled the codes, nothing showed up. I did an internet search for a possible cause, sent my search results to the dealership and I asked them to check the fuel system, they found a bad injector. They then cleaned the fuel system and replaced the bad injector.”
NHTSA complaint #11618314, 2024

Power Train 31 1 fire

“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 VE…”
NHTSA complaint #10986039, 2017 · fire

“Component or System Failed/Malfunctioned: The turbocharger has been identified by a GM service center as the component that failed or malfunctioned. It is available for inspection upon request at the service center where the diagnosis was made. Safety Risk: The safety of myself and others was compromised due to the vehicle stalling unexpectedly while driving. This resulted in potential rear-end collisions, as well as the inability to accelerate, posing a risk in traffic situations. Confirmation by Dealer or Independent Service Center: Yes, the issue has been confirmed by a GM service center…”
NHTSA complaint #11602910, 2024

“My vehicle gives the message "shift to park" even when it placed in park, making it impossible to lock and possibly causing the battery to run down. Continuing to restart the vehicle and placing in park until the message goes away has been my only resolution. The issue has been reproduced by an independent service center. They were unable to ascertain what was causing the issue. I am aware a recall was issued for this problem in earlier model Chevy Cruzes. It seems my vehicle should have also been included in this recall. It is evident this has been a huge problems in GM vehicles and wh…”
NHTSA complaint #11545361, 2023

Air Bags 21 12 crash 8 injury

“The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Cruze D2. The contact stated that while driving 20-25 MPH, the contact crashed into another vehicle. The air bags failed to deploy. As a result, the contact had whiplash to the neck and the front seat passenger head hit the windshield and whiplash to the neck. Medical attention was required. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a tow lot. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer nor the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 58,000.”
NHTSA complaint #11494862, 2022 · crash · 2 injury(ies)

“Hit a buck on highway. When airbags went off I felt sudden sharp pain in my left arm. I was later advised that it most likely was shrapnel from the airbag. It was obvious from the injury something hit my arm with a lot of force. The car was a total loss and in possession of insurance company. Concerned that it could have been my eye.”
NHTSA complaint #11553696, 2023 · crash · 1 injury(ies)

“My 21 yr old daughter was in serious accident May 3. 2022 on the way to her college. The accident was horrific. Her left hand middle finger was impaled by a piece of metal L shaped. The hospital said it was an airbag pin. She was covered in cuts and injuries but her finger/ hand were the worst by far. She has had a surgery and will need additional surgeries. I would like it looked into please. I was very grateful it wasn’t her eye or neck.”
NHTSA complaint #11522958, 2022 · crash · 1 injury(ies)

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Service Brakes 18 2 crash 1 injury

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2016 CHEVROLET CRUZE. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH AND ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A TURN, THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO FISHTAIL. THE VEHICLE STRUCK A GUARDRAIL AND COLLIDED WITH A TREE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE GROUND WAS DRY. THE CONTACT HAD TO BE TRANSPORTED BY AMBULANCE TO THE HOSPITAL AND HAD HIP SURGERY AND LACERATIONS TO THE BACK OF THE HEAD, WHICH REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,135.”
NHTSA complaint #10926924, 2016 · crash · 1 injury(ies)

“I PARKED MY CAR IN THE PARKING LOT AT MY WORK AND I HAD THE BRAKE UP BUT THE CAR ROLLED BACK AND HIT A PARKED CAR. THANKFULLY, NOT A LOT OF DAMAGE WAS DONE TO THE CAR BUT I COULDN'T RELAX ABOUT MY CAR. I TOOK MY CAR INTO THE DEALERSHIP BECAUSE I HAD THE CAR ONLY 1 1/2 YEARS AND THEY HAD MY CAR FOR 4 HOURS. WHEN I CALLED THEM, I FELT LIKE THEY WERE TALKING DOWN TO ME BECAUSE I'M A GIRL AND THEN THEY TOLD ME THAT THE CAR WAS WORKING THE WAY THAT THE MANUFACTURER DESIGNED IT. I HAVE DRIVEN A STICK SHIFT FOR OVER 20 YEARS AND THE MANUFACTURERS SHOULDN'T BE DESIGNING CARS SO THAT THE BRAKES DON…”
NHTSA complaint #11083145, 2018 · crash

“The rear brakes lights have a crack causing water to leak through. The water caused damage to the converter output”
NHTSA complaint #11695471, 2025

Steering 18 1 crash 1 injury

“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 complaint #11396071, 2021 · crash · 1 injury(ies)

“While driving, I went to make a right turn and the power steering went out making the turn very difficult using manual muscle to complete the turn. Fortunately, it was in a parking lot. After the ignition was turned off for about 45 minutes, I turned it back on and the steering functioned normally. However, I am very concerned if this problem would again happen and I am driving at a speed and this problem would appear, it could possibly cause a serious accident because of the unexpected action that would be required.”
NHTSA complaint #11731311, 2026

“The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Cruze. The contact stated while driving on several occasions at various speeds, the steering wheel pulled to the left forcibly. The contact also stated that the vehicle was oversteered, and the wheel made the vehicle move in a straight line. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the inner tie rod had separated from the steering gear and both inner tie rods and tires needed to be replaced. The contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V442000 (Steering). The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was…”
NHTSA complaint #11602979, 2024

Electronic Stability Control (Esc) 16 1 crash 1 injury

“I WAS IN A CRASH ON JULY 27,2020,PM HOURS.I WAS DRIVING STRAIGHT ON INTERSTATE,IT BEGAN RAINING,I SLOWED DOWN & ADJUSTED TRACTION CONTROL/STABILITY CONTROL SETTING.THE CAR VEERED TO THE RIGHT FOR SOME REASON,I GOT CAR BACK IN STRAIGHT MOTION,THEN IN A SPLIT SECOND,IT SHOT TO THE LEFT OF THE ROAD WAY.I TRIED GAINING CONTROL,TO GET BACK IN THE CORRECT LANE,AND THE CAR RAN INTO THE GUARDRAIL IN TRYING TO GET CONTROL OF IT. I DO NOT THINK THAT THE RATE OF SPEED,NOR WEATHER,WERE THE ONLY REASONS FOR THIS ACCIDENT. PRIOR TO THIS CRASH,MONTHS BEFORE,AT VARIOUS TIMES,AND AND FOR NO REASON, THE SERVICE…”
NHTSA complaint #11351042, 2020 · crash · 1 injury(ies)

“I JUST PURCHASED THIS CAR AND SEVERAL TIMES WHILE I'M DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY THE RADIO SHUTS OF THEN TURNS BACK ON NUMEROUS TIMES. THEN I USUALLY GET A STABILITY'S ERROR MESSAGE. THEN THE BEST PART. THE POWER STEERING WILL COMPLETELY GO OUT WHILE CHANGING LANES OR IN MID TURN. I HAVE BEEN DRIVING THROUGH A ROUND ABOUT AND ALSO WHILE MAKING SHARP TURNS TO GET ON AND OFF THE FREEWAY. THIS IS SO DANGEROUS! I SEE THAT SO MANY PEOPLE ARE REPORTING THE SAME EXACT PROBLEM! SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE ABOUT THIS! I CALLED ONSTAR 3 TIMES IN ONE TRIP. FIRST IT DISCONNECTS BECAUSE ALL ELECTRICAL COMPON…”
NHTSA complaint #11343767, 2020

“SERVICE STABILTRAK LIGHT FLASHED, FOLLOWED BY THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMING ON. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME SINCE I PURCHASED THIS CAR IN 2018 THAT THIS SAME ISSUE HAS HAPPENED. MY CAR WILL SHAKE WHILE STALLED AT RED LIGHTS OR STOP SIGNS. WHEN I GO TO PUT ON THE GAS MY CAR IS SLOW TO GET BACK IN GEAR AND ALMOST CAME TO A COMPLETE HALT AT A STOPLIGHT WHICH COULD HAVE RESULTED IN A COLLISION IF THE PERSON BEHIND ME WAS NOT PAYING ATTENTION. DOES NOT FEEL SAFE TO DRIVE AT ALL. THIS HAS HAPPENED TWICE TO MY CAR IN THE LAST YEAR AND A HALF. *TR”
NHTSA complaint #11327218, 2020

Vehicle Speed Control 10 2 crash 1 injury

“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 complaint #11396071, 2021 · crash · 1 injury(ies)

“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 complaint #11024207, 2017 · crash

“The car randomly shuts off when driving. It also has problems with accelerating when the AC system is turned on.”
NHTSA complaint #11483272, 2022

Structure 7

“Water leak in trunk. Took car in 3 time to have it fixed after them doing the recall( 84279073 f-lamp kit). Every time it went in they found a leak in a different spot. 15Feb17 they found water leaking from right side of the spoiler retainer holes. Dealer removed spoiler applied double back tape and sealer. Reinstalled spoiler 02Mar17 found pin hole leak in weather strip. Dealer replaced weather strip. 01jan24 start having electrical issues. Hard starting/ running weird and finally dead battery. Had les swabs install battery and remove water in trunk. Car starts but shuts off when driving.…”
NHTSA complaint #11592463, 2024

“MY DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW FELL INTO THE DOOR UNEXPECTEDLY. NO DAMAGE, NO ACCIDENT. JUST SEEMED TO FALL INTO DOOR WITH NO PRECURSOR.”
NHTSA complaint #11362673, 2020

“2016 CHEVROLET CRUZE LS REAR-WINDSHIELD OUTER BRAKE LIGHT PLASTIC HOUSING HAS VERTICAL CRACK ON THE RIGHT-HAND SIDE OF THE OUTER PLASTIC HOUSING. UPON RESEARCHING, THIS WRITER FOUND ONLINE THREADS AND OTHER COMPLAINTS OF THE SAME ISSUES WITH THE OUTER PLASTIC HOUSING HAVING A VEHICLE CRACK.”
NHTSA complaint #11362594, 2020

Engine And Engine Cooling 6 1 fire

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2016 CHEVROLET CRUZE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE CHECK POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. WHEN ATTEMPTING TO STOP THE VEHICLE, THE BRAKES WERE INOPERABLE. AFTER COASTING TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, BLACK SMOKE WAS PRESENT COMING FROM THE WINDOW VENTS. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO EXIT THE VEHICLE, THE DOORS WOULD NOT IMMEDIATELY UNLOCK. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO EXIT THE VEHICLE AND WITNESSED FLAMES UNDER THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED TO THE SCENE AND EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE WAS NOT DETERMIN…”
NHTSA complaint #10888542, 2016 · fire

“The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Cruze. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, an abnormal burning odor was coming from the vehicle. The contact stated that while driving 40 MPH, the temperature gauge indicated that the engine was hot(H). The contact pulled over, added water to the coolant reservoir, and the vehicle returned to normal operation. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 104,000.”
NHTSA complaint #11646493, 2025

“The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Cruze. The contact stated while driving 25 MPH and depressing the brake pedal, the check engine warning light illuminated, and the message "Service Brake System" was displayed simultaneously. The vehicle failed to respond. The contact stated that he applied more pressure to the brake pedal and the vehicle responded. The contact was able to continue driving; however, the failure recurred while driving to the residence. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the vacuum pump had seized, which fractured the camshaft. The mech…”
NHTSA complaint #11536538, 2023

Exterior Lighting 6

“I BOUGHT A 2016 CHEVROLET CRUZ NG ON SEPTEMBER 7, 2016. ON SEPTEMBER 10, 2019, I TOOK MY VEHICLE TO THE CHEVROLET AGENCY TO CHECK THE WATER FILTERING OF THE 3 LIGHT STOP OF THE CAR, IT LEAKED WATER AGAIN AFTER THE REPAIR OF THE RECALL N162064340 . ON THIS VISIT I WAS NOTIFIED THAT THE CAR HAD A RECALL OF THE STEERING SYSTEM (RECALL N182201620) WHICH PRESENTS A FAILURE IN THE PACKAGING OF THE STEERING BOX CAUSING MOISTURE TO ENTER THE PART AND DEACTIVATE THE POWER STEERING. AFTER CHECKING THE CAR THE AGENCY INDICATED THAT THERE WAS NO PROBLEM WITH THE STEERING SYSTEM AND THE AGENCY CLOSED THE…”
NHTSA complaint #11281917, 2019

“THE DRIVER INFORMATION CENTER, SPEEDOMETER, TACHOMETER, FUEL GAUGE, TEMP GAUGE, AND TOUCHSCREEN DISPLAY QUIT WORKING THIS MORNING ON OUR '16 CRUZE. CAR STARTS AND RUNS FINE BUT KNOW WAY OF KNOWING OUR SPEED OR WHAT GEAR IT'S IN. PERSISTS THROUGH BATTERY DISCONNECT.”
NHTSA complaint #11252095, 2019

“MY DOOR AJAR ALARM GOES OFF NOT STOP WHEN CAR IS IN MOTION AFTER 3 MINS THE LOCKS TRY TO UNLOCK AND LOCK GOING DOWN THE ROAD AND THE DOME LIGHTS FLASH ON AND OFF. MY ALARM SYSTEM GOES OFF EVERY 10 TO 20 MIN IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT OR DAY SO YOU CANT SET YOUR ALARMS AND ALL ORDER FOR THE PART ARE ON BACK ORDER. THE DOOR SENSOR TRIGGERS THE MOST WHEN MAKING A HARD RIGHT TURN. MOVING PARKED OR SITTING I DRIVE THE SENSOR STILL ALARMS OUT”
NHTSA complaint #11133197, 2018

Wheels 5 1 crash 2 injury

“On [XXX], the right front passenger side control arm/ball joint broke as my daughters were driving home. The car was in motion on a major street in Kansas City, KS when the control arm/ball joint broke. My daughter was in the right-hand lane when it broke as the car was in motion. The front of the car forcefully propelled in the air, landed, and jerked my daughter into the side walk. Afterwards, she fought the car over to the left-hand turn lane to stop in a somewhat safer spot on a major street. My oldest daughter driving suffered neck injuries from the seatbelt and my youngest daughter bumpe…”
NHTSA complaint #11600176, 2024 · 2 injury(ies)

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2016 CHEVROLET CRUZE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 25 MPH THEN MAKING A RIGHT TURN, THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL FEEL OFF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE ROLLED OVER THE WHEEL AND THE SIDE AIR BAGS ENGAGED BUT THE FRONT AIR BAGS DID NOT. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED BY THE CONTACT'S INSURANCE COMPANY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER HENDRICK CHEVROLET SHAWNEE MISSION 8300 SHAWNEE MISSION PKWY, MERRIAM, KS 66202 (913) 225-7967 AND THEY ALONG WITH THE INSURANCE REPRESENTATIVE TOTALED THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILE…”
NHTSA complaint #11361111, 2020 · crash

“Purchased a 2016 Chevrolet Cruze on [XXX]. [XXX]. As of July 26th I paid $862 on repairs for the car to be smoking this morning on my way to work [XXX]. In total I’ve spent Almost or close to $2,000 in car repairs. This purchase was for my 17 year old daughter as a graduation present and for college. She was driving and car started to run hot and cut off in a busy intersection. She was unable to take the car to North Carolina. The owner blocked me and the staff haven’t been accommodating since this process. Nor will they look at the car. This has put me in a financial burden and the safety co…”
NHTSA complaint #11611143, 2024

Seats 4 1 fire

“I was driving down the road when my son said he smelled something and made pull over. There were what I thought were small flames on the floor so i dumped my water on them, then i realized the seat itself was melting and dripping stuff on the floor. then the seat went up. Very shortly after that the car was completely engulfed and is now a total loss.”
NHTSA complaint #11549008, 2023 · fire

“PASSINGER FRONT SEAT IS JAMMED AND CAN NOT BE MOVED FORWARD OR BACKWARD”
NHTSA complaint #11373748, 2020

“AFTER I ADJUST MY SEAT BACK SUPPORT AND RELEASE THE LEVER. IT WILL STILL POP BACK LIKE IT WAS NEVER LOCKED IN POSITION AND THE WHOLE SEAT SEEMS LIKE IT LEANS TO THE RIGHT.”
NHTSA complaint #11101541, 2018

Seat Belts 3

“Both side airbags deployed without crash or damage to the vehicle. Passenger and driver seatbelts locked. Front airbags did not deploy.”
NHTSA complaint #11452248, 2022

“IN SEPTEMBER, MY DAUGHTERS 4 SIDE AIRBAGS BLEW OUT WHILE DRIVING. SHE WASN'T IN ANY COLLISION OR ACCIDENT, THEY JUST BLEW OUT AND THE PIECE THAT BLEW OUT ON HER SIDE, HIT HER IN THE HEAD TOO.IN MAY, LESS THAN A WEEK AFTER WE GOT THE CAR, SHE WAS GOING UP AROUND A CURVE, SOMEONE CAME AROUND THAT CURVE ON HER SIDE, HITTING HER DRIVER SIDE MIRROR, CRACKING,AND BREAKING THE GLASS. SHE WAS RAN OFF THE ROAD BY THE OTHER DRIVER, AND SHE DID GO OVER ROCKS, SCRATCHING THE BOTTOM OF THE CAR, WE PUT IT ON A LIFT AND THERE WASN'T ANY DAMAGE, JUST SCRATCHED. AFTER HER AIRBAGS DEPLOYED, I WAS TOLD TO CONTAC…”
NHTSA complaint #11376491, 2020

“MY SEAT BELT ON THE DRIVER SIDE WILL NOT LATCH. I CAN'T HOOK MY SEAT BELT AND IF I GET IN A ACCIDENT THEN I WILL GET HURT. I NEED THIS TO BE TAKING CARE OF AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.”
NHTSA complaint #11085004, 2018

Fuel System 2

“The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Cruze. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle inadvertently shut off without warning. The contact stated that soon after the failure, the vehicle independently restarted, and the vehicle resumed normal vehicle operation. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where a diagnostic test was performed and recommended that the fuel system be cleaned. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 33,000.”
NHTSA complaint #11557053, 2023

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 CHEVROLET CRUZE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V304000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE DEALER (SCHUMACHER CHEVROLET OF LIVINGSTON, 606 W MT PLEASANT AVE, LIVINGSTON, NJ 07039, (877) 849-2010) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND WAS NOT ABLE TO CONFIRM WHEN THE PARTS WERE TO BECOME AVAILABL…”
NHTSA complaint #11101608, 2018

Back Over Prevention 1

“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…”
NHTSA complaint #10928326, 2016

Equipment 1 1 injury

“[XXX] OF EBARA FLUID HANDLING DIVISION WITH THE SHOP FLOOR'S PERMISSION AND WITHOUT MINE PLACE PLAY EQUIPMENT IN VEHICLE AND PASSED OUT PIECES TO SPY ON ME. TO MY KNOWLEDGE THE COPS HAVE RECOVERED SOME OF THE PIECES. BUT, THE FOLLOWING INDIVUALS OF EBARA INTL CORPORATION STILL HAVE SOME OF THE PIECES THEY REFUSE TO GIVE BACK. [XXX]- HUMAN RESOURCES, [XXX]- HUMAN RESOURCES, AND [XXX] - MARKETING HAVE USED THIS EQUIPMENT TO SPY ON ME AND HARASS ME WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY BY MAKING THERE VOICES POP UP IN DIFFERENT PARTS OF MY VEHICLE. YOU MAY CONTACT THEM AT [XXX] AND ASK FOR [XXX] FOR FURTH…”
NHTSA complaint #11244761, 2016 · 1 injury(ies)

Forward Collision Avoidance 1

“I HAVE A 2016 CHEVROLET CRUZE AND THE TURBOCHARGER INTERCOOLER HOSE BASICALLY BROKE FROM WHERE THE END OF THE HOSE STARTS AND A LITTLE BIT DOWN IN THE MIDDLE AREA OF THE END PART OF THE HOSE. AND THIS CAUSED MY ENGINE'S POWER TO BE REDUCED INMENSLY. TO THE POINT THAT I HAD MY FOOT PRESSING ALL THE WAY DOWN ON THE ACCELERATOR AND IT COULD NOT GO ANY FURTHER DOWN, AND MY CAR WAS MOVING SLOWER THAN A TURTLE, AND THIS IS NOT AN EXAGGERATION! AND ALSO, AT TIMES WHEN I HAVE BEEN AT A RED LIGHT MY CAR TURNS OFF. ONE TIME MY CAR TURNED OFF WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON THE STREET WITH CARS BEHIND ME. LUCKILY…”
NHTSA complaint #11608482, 2024

Lane Departure 1 1 crash

“When I start my car it will sputter then die, also cuts off while driving. It cuts off but will crank up and die again after so many tries it will drive a while and do it again. The check engine was on and I have fixed the O2 sensor, the mass air flow sensor, Ive replaced the turbo hose it had a big chunk ripped out of it which we have no clue how that happened, I just changed the PCV valves a few weeks ago and the car started but would not go in drive nor reverse put it back in shop and cleaned the throttle body and it ran good the whole day today I started cutting off again.”
NHTSA complaint #11533949, 2023 · crash

Suspension 1

“THERE IS A DISTINCT "CLUNKING" NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE WHEN TRAVELING OVER A BUMP, THROUGH A DIP OR ON AN UNEVEN ROAD SURFACE. THE CHEVROLET DEALER HAS CONFIRMED THAT THE PROBLEM IS IN THE REAR SUSPENSION, BUT THAT CHEVROLET DOES NOT HAVE A REPAIR FOR THE PROBLEM. I HAVE DRIVEN FOUR OTHER 2016 CHEVROLET CRUSE VEHICLES WITH SIMILAR MILES AND THEY ALSO HAVE THE PROBLEM. THE CHEVROLET DEALER STATES THAT THEY ALSO HAVE ENCOUNTERED THE PROBLEM IN NUMEROUS 2016 CHEVROLET CRUZE VEHICLES. I AM BEING TOLD TO OPERATE THE VEHICLE WITH THIS KNOWN CONDITION AS CHEVROLET MAY OR MAY NOT…”
NHTSA complaint #10837479, 2016

Tires 1

“The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Cruze equipped with Continental Tires, Tire Line: Conti Pro Contact, Tire Size: 195/65/R15, DOT Number: P5AEWBNU1018. The contact stated while driving 45 MPH, there was an abnormally loud sound coming from the front and rear passenger’s side tires. Upon visual inspection, that contact found no issues with the tires. The contact stated that the tires were original tires. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 89,000.”
NHTSA complaint #11526035, 2023

Visibility 1

“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 complaint #11429214, 2019

Visibility/Wiper 1

“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 complaint #11431737, 2021

How we read this (methodology)

How to read this: raw complaint totals are not a clean reliability score — a model year with more cars sold, or simply more years on the road, accumulates more complaints regardless of how good it is. So this page leans on two signals that are not distorted by sales volume: the share of complaints falling on each vehicle system (the breakdown above) and NHTSA's own crash / fire / injury / death flags. When we compare model years of the same model, we normalise by years on the road (complaints ÷ vehicle age) rather than comparing raw totals. Age-normalised, the 2016 Chevrolet Cruze draws about 22.5 complaints per year on the road, ranking 3 of 7 among the Chevrolet Cruze model years we have ingested (1 = most complaints per year on road).

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