2012 Chevrolet Cruze reliability

Is it reliable?

NHTSA's file on the 2012 Chevrolet Cruze holds 865 complaints after 15 years, a rate of 95 per year. That is the most complaints per year among the 8 Cruze years on this site. NHTSA has 7 recalls on file, including Ignition, Air bags, and Power assist.

Complaints

865

Per year

Recalls

Years on the road

What owners report

The complaints owners file most often name Engine (268 of 865), then Electrical system (196) and Service brakes (142). Those filings include 62 that report a crash, 18 that report a fire, and 21 that report an injury.

Next to 2013

The 2013 Cruze has 586 complaints, 62 per year. The 2012 has more complaints per year than the 2013.

The complaint rate is complaints filed in this year’s first 3 years on the road, divided by however many of those years have passed. Recalls are a separate count. The numbers are for the US-market 2012 Chevrolet Cruze. How we count. Data as of 2026-10-16.

Recalls (7)

Recall electrical system, ignition 2016-07-05 · NHTSA campaign 16V502000

Summary General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Buick Verano and 2016 Chevrolet Malibu as the electronic park lock lever may allow the ignition key to be removed without the transmission being in PARK. Also, certain 2013 Buick Encore, 2011 Buick Regal, 2013-2014 Buick Verano, 2011-2016 Chevrolet Cruze, 2010-2013 Chevrolet Equinox 2013-2015 Chevrolet Malibu, and 2011-2013 GMC Terrain vehicles may have been serviced with similar defective replacement electronic park lock levers. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 114, "Theft Protection and Rollaway Prevention."

Remedy GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and if necessary replace the key cylinder lock housing, free of charge. The recall began on October 14, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, Buick 1-800-521-7300, and GMC 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 50490 and 50491.

Recall Air bags 2014-06-06 · NHTSA campaign 14V300000

Summary General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2012 Buick Verano vehicles manufactured December 2, 2011 to July, 16, 2012, Chevrolet Cruze vehicles manufactured December 7, 2011 to July 25, 2012, Chevrolet Sonic vehicles manufactured December 5, 2011 to August 2, 2012, and Chevrolet Camaro vehicles manufactured December 1, 2011 to June 11, 2012. The driver side frontal air bag has a shorting bar which may intermittently contact the air bag terminals.

Remedy GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the steering wheel air bag coil, free of charge. The recall began on July 25, 2014. Chevrolet owners may contact GM at 1-800-222-1020. Buick owners may contact GM at 1-800-521-7300. Note: This is an expansion of recalls 12V-522 and 13V-023.

Recall hydraulic brakes, power assist 2013-08-15 · NHTSA campaign 13V360000

Summary General Motors (GM) is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 Chevrolet Cruze vehicles equipped with 1.4L DOHC gasoline turbo engines and 6T40 front wheel drive automatic transmissions and equipped with an electric vacuum pump to provide supplemental vacuum for brake assist, when needed. In the affected vehicles, the pump may not activate, resulting in an intermittent reduction or loss of brake assist.

Remedy General Motors will notify owners, and dealers will replace a microswitch in the power brake vacuum pipe assembly, free of charge. The recall began on October 7, 2013. Owners may contact Chevrolet at 1-800-222-1020. GM's recall number is 12213.

Recall Air bags 2013-01-24 · NHTSA campaign 13V023000

Summary General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2012 Chevrolet Camaro, Cruze and Sonic, and model year 2012 Buick Verano vehicles. The driver side frontal air bag has a shorting bar which may intermittently contact the air bag terminals.

Remedy GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the steering wheel air bag coil, free of charge. The safety recall began on February 13, 2013. Owners may contact General Motors at 1-800-521-7300.

Recall Air bags 2012-10-31 · NHTSA campaign 12V522000

Summary General Motors is recalling certain model year 2012 Buick Verano, Chevrolet Cruze, and Chevrolet Sonic vehicles. The driver side frontal air bag has a shorting bar which may intermittently contact the air bag terminals.

Remedy General Motors will notify owners, and dealers will replace the steering wheel airbag coil, free of charge. The safety recall began on January 11, 2013. Owners may contact General Motors at 1-800-521-7300.

Recall Engine and engine cooling 2012-06-22 · NHTSA campaign 12V288000

Summary GENERAL MOTORS (GM) IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 AND 2012 CHEVROLET CRUZE VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 2, 2009, THROUGH MAY 31, 2012. SPILLED OR DRIPPING OIL (SUCH AS AFTER AN OIL CHANGE) MAY COLLECT IN THE ENGINE SHIELD (BELLYPAN) NEAR HOT ENGINE OR EXHAUST SYSTEM SURFACES. AS A RESULT, THE OIL AND THE ENGINE SHIELD MAY IGNITE AND BURN.

Remedy GM WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL MODIFY THE ENGINE SHIELD TO PREVENT FLUID FROM CONTACTING THE SHIELD. ALSO, ON VEHICLES WITH A MANUAL TRANSMISSION, DEALERS WILL APPLY A PROTECTIVE TAPE TO THE ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING WIRE HARNESS. REPAIRS WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE TO THE OWNER. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 10, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT THE CHEVROLET OWNER CENTER AT 1-866-694-6546.

Recall gasoline fuel system, storage, tank, mounting 2012-06-22 · NHTSA campaign 12V289000

Summary GENERAL MOTORS (GM) IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 AND 2012 CHEVROLET CRUZE VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 2, 2009, THROUGH MAY 14, 2012. ATTACHMENT WELDS FOR THE FUEL TANK STRAP SECONDARY BRACKETS MAY HAVE BEEN OMITTED.

Remedy GM WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE VEHICLE FOR MISSING WELDS. IF THE VEHICLE IS MISSING WELDS, DEALERS WILL SECURE THE BRACKET ATTACHMENTS WITH FASTENERS. REPAIRS WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 9, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT THE CHEVROLET OWNER CENTER AT 1-866-694-6546.

Complaints by component (865 total)

Engine

268

Electrical system

196

Service brakes

142

Powertrain

137

Electronic stability control (ESC)

108

Steering

103

Speed control

Fuel and propulsion system

Engine and engine cooling

Visibility and wipers

Air bags

Structure

Exterior lighting

Hydraulic brakes

Tires

Visibility

Wheels

Seat belts

Suspension

Equipment

Fuel system, gasoline

Seats

Latches, locks, and linkages

Traction control

Adaptive and mobility equipment

Forward collision avoidance

Interior lighting

Show 19 more Show less

Crash-flagged

Fire-flagged

Injury reports

Death reports

Complaints filed per year

Excerpts from recent NHTSA complaint filings

"I was driving and the engine caught on fire. The flames came from the turbo gasket compartment not sure why or how it ignited. Thankfully the damage was not that extensive the car was towed to my residence and it is not…"
Engine · filed 2026-08-31
"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 2026-06-16
"My breaks do not work in reverse. Pump valve seems to be bad"
Electrical system, Unknown or other, Service brakes · filed 2026-06-03
"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…"
Powertrain, Service brakes, Engine · filed 2026-04-27
"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…"
Powertrain, Electrical system · filed 2026-04-23

NHTSA crash ratings

Version	Overall	Front	Side	Rollover
2012 Chevrolet Cruze 4 DR FWD	5 stars	5 stars	5 stars	4 stars

Stars are how this vehicle did in NHTSA crash tests. They are a safety result, separate from the complaint record. Not rated means that test was not run for this version.

Fuel economy

Trim	Engine	Transmission	Drive	City	Hwy	Combined	Annual fuel cost
Cruze	1.8L, 4-cyl	Automatic (6-speed)	Front-wheel drive	22	34	26 MPG	$2500
Cruze	1.8L, 4-cyl	Manual 6-speed	Front-wheel drive	25	35	29 MPG	$2250
Cruze	1.4L, 4-cyl	Manual 6-speed	Front-wheel drive	26	37	30 MPG	$2150
Cruze	1.4L, 4-cyl	Automatic (6-speed)	Front-wheel drive	26	36	30 MPG	$2150
Cruze Eco	1.4L, 4-cyl	Automatic 6-speed	Front-wheel drive	26	38	30 MPG	$2150
Cruze Eco	1.4L, 4-cyl	Manual 6-speed	Front-wheel drive	28	40	32 MPG	$2050

Specs and fitment

2nd generation, 2012–2016

Body styles Sedan, Hatchback

Oil 5W-30 (1.8L); 5W-30 (1.4L turbo where equipped) , 4.2 qt capacity

Tire size 215/60R16 to 225/45R18 (trim-dependent)

Known issues for this generation

Recall 12V-288 covers certain 2011-2012 Chevrolet Cruze vehicles: spilled or dripping oil may collect in the engine shield near hot surfaces and ignite. Recall 13V-360 covers certain 2011-2012 Cruze vehicles with the 1.4L turbo and electric vacuum brake assist pump: the pump may not activate, reducing brake assist on some starts. Recall 14V-151 covers certain 2013-2014 Cruze vehicles with the 1.4L turbo: the right front half shaft may fracture and separate.

Compare

Next year 2013 Chevrolet Cruze See every Chevrolet Cruze model year →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2012 Chevrolet Cruze reliable?

What are common problems with a 2012 Chevrolet Cruze?

Is the 2012 Chevrolet Cruze more reliable than the years next to it?

The 2013 Cruze has 586 complaints, 62 per year. The 2012 has more complaints per year than the 2013.

Has the 2012 Chevrolet Cruze been recalled?

The 2012 Chevrolet Cruze has 7 recalls on file with NHTSA. See the recalls table on this page for dates, components, and remedies.

How many complaints have owners filed about the 2012 Chevrolet Cruze?

Owners have filed 865 complaints about the 2012 Chevrolet Cruze with NHTSA.

What mpg does a 2012 Chevrolet Cruze get?

EPA-rated combined fuel economy for the 2012 Chevrolet Cruze is 29.5 MPG. See the fuel economy table on this page for city and highway figures by engine and transmission.

When did Chevrolet stop selling the Cruze in the US?

The US catalog ends with the 2019 model year.

What engine oil does a Chevrolet Cruze use?

5W-30 (1.8L); 5W-30 (1.4L turbo where equipped)

What does NHTSA recall 12V-288 cover on the Chevrolet Cruze?

Recall 12V-288 covers certain 2011-2012 Chevrolet Cruze vehicles: spilled or dripping oil may collect in the engine shield near hot surfaces and ignite.