2012 Chevrolet CRUZE problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
865 owner complaints analyzed
7 distinct recall campaigns
54,351 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2012 model year. Data snapshot: . 716 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 268 of 865 complaints (31.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 202 | 23.4% |
| Steering behavior | 142 | 16.4% |
| Transmission and shifting | 101 | 11.7% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 82 | 9.5% |
| Engine operation | 67 | 7.7% |
| Fuel system concerns | 11 | 1.3% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Engine | 268 |
| Electrical System | 196 |
| Service Brakes | 142 |
| Power Train | 135 |
| Electronic Stability Control (Esc) | 108 |
| Steering | 103 |
| Unknown Or Other | 84 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 50 |
Engine: 268; Electrical System: 196; Service Brakes: 142; Power Train: 135; Electronic Stability Control (Esc): 108; Steering: 103; Unknown Or Other: 84; Vehicle Speed Control: 50
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 157 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 165 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 159 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 108 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 113 |
| 150,000 and above | 14 |
Under 25,000: 157; 25,000 to 49,999: 165; 50,000 to 74,999: 159; 75,000 to 99,999: 108; 100,000 to 149,999: 113; 150,000 and above: 14
25,000 to 49,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (165). 149 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2011 | 4 |
| 2012 | 44 |
| 2013 | 75 |
| 2014 | 161 |
| 2015 | 98 |
| 2016 | 87 |
| 2017 | 92 |
| 2018 | 85 |
| 2019 | 78 |
| 2020 | 40 |
| 2021 | 31 |
| 2022 | 18 |
| 2023 | 26 |
| 2024 | 13 |
| 2025 | 6 |
| 2026 | 7 |
2011: 4; 2012: 44; 2013: 75; 2014: 161; 2015: 98; 2016: 87; 2017: 92; 2018: 85; 2019: 78; 2020: 40; 2021: 31; 2022: 18; 2023: 26; 2024: 13; 2025: 6; 2026: 7
Pattern summary
Engine leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 202 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 142 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 101 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10456727 · 2012-04-27 (April 27, 2012)
BACK IN JANUARY 2012, I BOUGHT A CHEVY CRUZE 2012 WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. AFTER TWO MONTH USING THIS VEHICLE, I FOUND OUT IT HAS A PROBLEM WHILE DRIVING UP/DOWN HILL. DRIVING UPHILL, ONCE I PUT THE TRANSMISSION INTO DRIVE AND RELEASE THE BRAKE PEDAL THIS CAR ROLLS BACK AND THE ENGINE CUT OFF. DRIVING DOWNHILL, ONCE I PUT THE TRANSMISSION INTO REAR AND RELEASE THE BRAKE PEDAL THIS CAR GOES DOWN AND THE ENGINE CUT OFF. I WENT TO A CHEVROLET DEALER, THEY TESTED MY CAR AND ANOTHER 2012 CRUZE FROM THEIR INVENTORY AND BOTH CARS DID THE…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10456727 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10459266 · 2012-05-22 (May 22, 2012)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET CRUZE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER SHIFTING THE VEHICLE INTO REVERSE, THE BRAKES BECAME INOPERABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE VACUUM PUMP WAS REPLACED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 13,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 13,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10459266 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10437369 · 2011-11-27 (November 27, 2011)
I JUST BOUGHT A 2012 CHEVY CRUZE. AT TAKE OFF AND TURNING AROUND CURVES AT LOW SPEED THE STEERING AND THE WHEELS SHAKE. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP. AND COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH IT BUT IT CONTINUES TO DO IT. VERY UPSETTING THAT IT IS BRAND NEW AND ALREADY HAVING PROBLEMS. I REALLY LIKE MY CAR BUT WISH IT WAS FIXED. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10437369 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10470389 · 2012-08-13 (August 13, 2012)
STEERING: AROUND ONE WEEK PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT, I HAD MY 2012 CHEVY CRUZE UNDER PANEL MODIFIED DUE TO A POTENTIAL ENGINE FIRE. THE FOLLOWING WEEK, WHILE DRIVING HOME FROM WORK, I EXPERIENCED A "WANDERING" IN MY VEHICLE. I NOTICED IT AGAIN DRIVING HOME THE NEXT DAY. NOW, WHENEVER THIS IS WIND, I EXPERIENCE MY VEHICLE "WANDERING." WHEN THIS OCCURS, MY CAR DRIFTS LEFT AND RIGHT MUCH MORE AND THE FRONT END FEELS LIGHTER AND FAR TOO RESPONSIVE. FUEL: AFTER THE MODIFICATION TO MY UNDER PANEL, I HAVE NOTICED A DROP IN MY FUEL MILEAGE. I HAVE SEEN …
Owner-reported narrative. 24,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10470389 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10433103 · 2011-10-28 (October 28, 2011)
MY 2012 CHEVROLET CRUZE ECO WITH THE 6-SPEED MANUAL TRANSMISSION HAS OCCASIONALLY REFUSED TO GO INTO 4TH GEAR, AND GRINDS OCCASIONALLY WHEN GOING INTO 2ND GEAR. I GET THE GRIND AT ABOUT 1200 RPM AND UP. MOST OF MY SHIFTING IS DONE AT OR BELOW 2500 RPM FOR FUEL ECONOMY REASONS. THE CLUTCH PEDAL CAN BE PUSHED TO THE FLOOR, THE ENGINE REV-MATCHED, AND IT WILL STILL BALK/GRIND IN THOSE GEARS.THIS IS MY SECOND MANUAL TRANSMISSION CAR AFTER PUTTING 70,000 MILES ON MY FIRST ONE, SO I KNOW HOW TO DRIVE A MANUAL TRANSMISSION WITHOUT GRINDING THE GEARS. …
Owner-reported narrative. 1,672 miles reported. Look up ODI 10433103 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10456130 · 2012-04-23 (April 23, 2012)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET CRUZE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HESITATED TO ACCELERATE FROM A STOP. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED NUMEROUS TRANSMISSION FAILURES IN WHICH THE VEHICLE HESITATED TO CHANGE GEARS WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PERFORMING TO SPECIFICATIONS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALSO MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PERFORMING AS INTENDED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE …
Owner-reported narrative. 100 miles reported. Look up ODI 10456130 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10469806 · 2012-08-07 (August 7, 2012)
2012 CHEVROLET CRUZE. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO ENGINE SHIELD MODIFICATION *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED AFTER THE RECALL WAS PERFORMED, ALL THE LIGHTS ON THE DASHBOARD ILLUMINATED , POWER WAS REDUCED AND THE WORD ENGINE POWER REDUCED APPEARED ILLUMINATED AS WELL. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER. AFTER CHECKING ALL THE WIRING NEAR THE LOCATIONS OF THE CUTS OF THE SHIELD, THE DEALER TESTED OTHER POSSIBILITIES AND INFORMED THE CONSUMER, THAT CAUSE WAS A BAD POTENTIOMETER ON THE GAS THROTTLE.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10469806 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10519876 · 2013-06-14 (June 14, 2013)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET CRUZE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE AND STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. IN ADDITION, THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FAILED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE PROBLEM PERSISTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,800. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 3,800 miles reported. Look up ODI 10519876 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10469194 · 2012-08-04 (August 4, 2012)
2012 CHEVROLET CRUZE LT1 RS PACKAGE, AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION ON JUNE 27 I WAS IN MURRAY, KY DRIVING HOME FROM MURRAY STATE UNIVERSITY. I WAS IN HEAVY TRAFFIC. AFTER THE LIGHT CHANGED I GAVE THE ACCELERATOR A LIGHT TAP TO MOVE THE CAR FORWARD. IT STARTED SLOWLY BUT AFTER A FEW SECONDS, IT SEEMS THAT THE CAR STALLED. THE TRANSMISSION DOWNSHIFTED AND WHEN I GAVE THE ACCELERATOR A TAP, NOTHING. AT THIS TIME, I WAS CERTAIN I WOULD BE IN AN ACCIDENT. AGAIN, I GAVE THE ACCELERATOR A TAP (MIND YOU, I DIDN'T MASH THE PETAL TO THE FLOOR BOARD, I …
Owner-reported narrative. 28,551 miles reported. Look up ODI 10469194 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10469782 · 2012-08-01 (August 1, 2012)
PURCHASED 4/25/2012. AFTER DRIVING A LITTLE, NOTICED LACK OF POWER, EASILY STALLS, SOMETHING ROLLING AROUND IN THE TRUNK LID, CONSOLE PIECE GAPED OUT, PASSENGER SIDE TAIL LAMP INSIDE TRUNK BENT, ENGINE SHUTTERS (AFTER 500 MILES IT STARTED) WHEN TURNED ON AND OFF. THE LACK OF POWER AND ENGINE STALLING ARE THE MAJOR SAFETY CONCERNS. WHEN IN A STOPPED POSITION, THE CAR WILL STALL WHEN THE CLUTCH IS OPERATED CORRECTLY. WHILE MAKING A RIGHT HAND TURN FROM A STOP SIGN, ONTO ROUTE 30, AT A BLIND INTERSECTION, THE CAR WOULD NOT MOVE, ONCE I LET THE…
Owner-reported narrative. 80 miles reported. Look up ODI 10469782 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10575676 · 2014-03-30 (March 30, 2014)
AFTER STOPPING AT A STOP SIGN, I ATTEMPTED TO PROCEED THRU THE INTERSECTION WHEN THE CAR STARTING MISSING AND THEN STOPPED AND WOULD NOT START. CAR WAS TOWED TO PROGRESSIVE CHEVROLET AND THEY REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP CONTROL MODULE. THIS IS WHAT THEY THOUGHT WAS THE PROBLEM AND IT WAS NOT. I WILL OPEN SEPARATE COMPLAINTS FOR EACH INCIDENT WITH THE CAR. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 44,286 miles reported. Look up ODI 10575676 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10575677 · 2014-03-30 (March 30, 2014)
STOPPED AT A STOP SIGN AND CAR STARTED MISSING WHEN ATTEMPTING TO GO THRU INTERSECTION. CAR STOPPED AND WOULD NOT START. CAR WAS TOWED TO SERPENTINI CHEVROLET IN STRONGSVILLE. THEY INDICATED THE CAR STARTED AT THEIR FACILITY BUT WAS GIVING THE SAME CODE (HECK Z - U0109) THAT PROGRESSIVE CHEVROLET IN CANTON HAD GOTTEN AND PROGRESSIVE REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP CONTROL MODULE 3 DAYS PRIOR. SERPENTINI INDICATED THE CAR WAS FINE. I COMPLAINED TO PROGRESSIVE AND THEY HAD THE CAR TOWED FROM SERPENTINI BACK TO THEIR FACILITY. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 44,524 miles reported. Look up ODI 10575677 at NHTSA ↗