Model year
2012 Chevrolet Cruze
NHTSA lists 7 recalls and 865 complaints for the 2012 Chevrolet Cruze (recall file dated Oct 23, 2026; complaint file dated Oct 23, 2026). The components listed on the most complaints are ENGINE (268), ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (196), SERVICE BRAKES (142). NHTSA lists 3 investigations. NHTSA rated the 4 DR FWD 5 stars overall. EPA rates it 26–32 mpg combined depending on configuration (fuel economy file dated Sep 29, 2026). EPA's annual fuel-cost figures for these configurations are $2,100–$2,600, based on 15,000 miles and 55% city driving.
- 2011 732 complaints
- 2012 865 complaints
- 2013 587 complaints
- 2014 702 complaints
- 2015 252 complaints
- 2016 250 complaints
- 2017 201 complaints
- 2018 109 complaints
- 2019 23 complaints
Recalls
16V502000 · Jul 5, 2016
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION; POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)
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,…
14V300000 · Jun 6, 2014
AIR BAGS
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,…
13V360000 · Aug 15, 2013
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST
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,…
13V023000 · Jan 24, 2013
AIR BAGS
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.
12V522000 · Oct 31, 2012
AIR BAGS
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.
12V289000 · Jun 22, 2012
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:MOUNTING
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.
12V288000 · Jun 22, 2012
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
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…
Complaints
865 distinct complaints. Crash flag on 62, fire flag on 18, injury field 30, deaths field 0. A complaint can be counted under more than one component. The injury and death figures are the file's numbers (the highest value on each complaint, then added), not a separate verified count of people.
Investigations
| Action | Subject | Opened | Closed |
|---|---|---|---|
| PE12010 | Engine compartment fire · ENGINE | Mar 28, 2012 | Jul 19, 2012 |
| AQ12002 | Chapman Chevrolet / Cruze Engine Recall · ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE | Oct 15, 2012 | Oct 20, 2014 |
| RQ13002 | Air Bag Non-deployment · AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE; AIR BAGS:FRONTAL; AIR BAGS | May 31, 2013 | Jul 9, 2014 |
Safety ratings
| Variant | Overall | Front | Side | Pole | Rollover | Photo |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 DR FWD | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 4 · possibility 0.109 | NHTSA photo |
Fuel economy
| Configuration | Fuel | City | Hwy | Comb | kWh/100 mi | Range | Annual fuel cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cruze Eco · 1.4L · Automatic 6-spd · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 26 | 38 | 30 | — | — | $2,250 |
| Cruze · 1.4L · Automatic (S6) · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 26 | 36 | 30 | — | — | $2,250 |
| Cruze · 1.8L · Automatic (S6) · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 22 | 34 | 26 | — | — | $2,600 |
| Cruze · 1.4L · Manual 6-spd · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 26 | 37 | 30 | — | — | $2,250 |
| Cruze · 1.8L · Manual 6-spd · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 25 | 35 | 29 | — | — | $2,300 |
| Cruze Eco · 1.4L · Manual 6-spd · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 28 | 40 | 32 | — | — | $2,100 |
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Check a vehicle
This page is not a VIN lookup. NHTSA's recall tool checks a specific vehicle: nhtsa.gov/recalls. NHTSA's page for this model year is 2012 Chevrolet Cruze at NHTSA. Complaint narratives stay on NHTSA's site and are not copied here.