2012 Chevrolet Cruze problems & reliability
864 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2012 Chevrolet Cruze, alongside 7 safety recall campaigns. Last verified Aug 7, 2026. Complaints are unverified reports submitted by owners to the federal Office of Defects Investigation.
Each complaint is counted once (by NHTSA case number), even when it names several vehicles.
21 complaints report injuries (30 injured).
Federal crash records (FARS 2020–2023): 2012 Chevrolet Cruze vehicles were involved in 153 fatal crashes with 83 occupant deaths. Involvement counts are not adjusted for how many are on the road and do not imply fault or a vehicle defect.
Most reported problems
| Component | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 267 | 31% |
| Electrical System | 196 | 23% |
| Service Brakes | 142 | 16% |
| Power Train | 137 | 16% |
| Electronic Stability Control (esc) | 108 | 13% |
| Steering | 103 | 12% |
| Unknown OR Other | 84 | 10% |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 51 | 6% |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 48 | 6% |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 44 | 5% |
Component groups as classified by NHTSA. A complaint can name more than one component, so shares may sum to more than 100%.
Common symptoms owners describe
Keyword analysis of complaint narratives; one complaint can describe several symptoms.
Mileage when problems occurred
Half of the failures with a reported odometer reading occurred by 56,283 miles (middle 50% between 32,986 and 85,250 miles), based on 692 complaints that included mileage.
Complaints by incident year
What owners report
“Was driving and my car literally wouldn't go forward. Prior to I had an oil change and I would smell burning oil”
Engine · filed Jun 16, 2026
“Have called about this starting 2020. Had 137000. Also previous owner since 99000mi. Drive train & Turbo. Brake assist. Oil leaks, shutting off while driving. Now as of Saturday April 25 2026 Car shut off while driving and has been towed to dealership. Car deemed lemon by GM. In 2020 car to have been replaced I have…”
Power Train · filed Apr 27, 2026
“The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Cruze. The contact stated that while driving at 40 MPH and accelerating over a speed bump, the key slid out of the ignition switch. An independent mechanic was contacted. The vehicle was taken to the independent mechanic, and it was determined that the ignition switch needed to be…”
Power Train · filed Apr 23, 2026
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Federal defect investigations
- Air Bag Non-deployment
Recall Query RQ13002 · opened May 31, 2013 · closed Jul 9, 2014 · led to recall 14V300000
- Chapman Chevrolet / Cruze Engine Recall
Audit Query AQ12002 · opened Oct 15, 2012 · closed Oct 20, 2014
- Engine compartment fire
Preliminary Evaluation PE12010 · opened Mar 28, 2012 · closed Jul 19, 2012 · led to recall 12V288000
Technical service bulletins
1,814 manufacturer communications (TSBs, service campaigns, warranty extensions) are on file with NHTSA for the 2012 Chevrolet Cruze. The 10 most recent:
This preliminary information communicates information about how to determine if a wheel and tires size change is available.
PIT3271Q · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Apr 1, 2026
This Preliminary information communicates the steps on how to save a GDS2 Session Log and upload to a Technical Assistance Case in CX Connect.
PIP6104 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Mar 9, 2026
This preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into Technical Assistance.
PIP4902V · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Mar 9, 2026
This preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into Technical Assistance.
PIP4902U · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jan 8, 2026
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have had multiple repair attempts that are being performed on customer’s vehicles that exhibit vibration conditions…
PIT5214G · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Nov 20, 2025
This engineering informational bulletin provides process for a GM engineering study on curtain Takata Airbag Steering Wheel Modules and needs the used Takata airbags to be returned to GM.
PIE0877 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Oct 31, 2025
New Vehicle Monitoring Programs Section in IVH
13598 · Other · issued Sep 9, 2025
This preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into Technical Assistance.
PIP4902T · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Aug 14, 2025
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have an intermittent no crank, no start, or start stall concern with the security light coming on. Technician may…
PIC5650M · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Aug 7, 2025
This preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into Technical Assistance.
PIP4902S · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jun 9, 2025
TSBs are repair guidance manufacturers send to dealers — they are not recalls and repairs are not automatically free. Full documents are available on NHTSA’s site.
Safety recalls
The 2012 Chevrolet Cruze has 7 NHTSA recall campaigns — recall repairs are free at franchised dealers regardless of the vehicle’s age.
Check whether your specific vehicle is affected
Recall campaigns often cover only certain VIN ranges. Enter your VIN on the official NHTSA site to confirm whether your vehicle is included and whether the repair is still open.
Check VIN on NHTSA →Buying a used 2012 Chevrolet Cruze?
- · Decode the seller’s VIN with our free VIN decoder to confirm the exact year, engine and trim.
- · Check for unrepaired recalls by VIN on NHTSA’s official lookup — recall repairs are free.
- · Owners most often reported problems around 56,283 miles — budget accordingly if the car is approaching that mileage.