MYRModel Year Report

2012 Chevrolet Cruze

■ Significantly worse — known issue year
2012 Chevrolet Cruze
BUILT 2026-10-10

This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

Complaints
865
Recalls
7

Campaigns on file for 2012

Investigations
3

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Engine

31% of complaints

Complaints per year

2010: 2 complaints 2010 2011: 732 complaints 2012: 865 complaints 2012 865 2013: 587 complaints 2014: 702 complaints 2014 2015: 252 complaints 2016: 249 complaints 2016 2017: 201 complaints 2018: 109 complaints 2018 2019: 22 complaints
2010: 2 complaints 2010 2011: 732 complaints 2011 2012: 865 complaints 2012 865 2013: 587 complaints 2013 2014: 702 complaints 2014 2015: 252 complaints 2015 2016: 249 complaints 2016 2017: 201 complaints 2017 2018: 109 complaints 2018 2019: 22 complaints 2019
2010: 2 complaints 2010 2011: 732 complaints 2011 2012: 865 complaints 2012 865 2013: 587 complaints 2013 2014: 702 complaints 2014 2015: 252 complaints 2015 2016: 249 complaints 2016 2017: 201 complaints 2017 2018: 109 complaints 2018 2019: 22 complaints 2019

2012: 865 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
20102
2011732
2012865
2013587
2014702
2015252
2016249
2017201
2018109
201922

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Engine

31% · 268 reports
CRASHFIREINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

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 drivable it won't start.

NHTSA ODI report, 2026-08-31

I purchased this vehicle almost three weeks ago…I’m assuming it’s out of warranty…J am spending out of pocket expenses to have this car repaired….It has a faulty leakage in transmission that mechanics seem to can’t fix….I need my car...

NHTSA ODI report, 2023-09-16

- There is a severe oil leak that. - 1. The vehicle broke down when driving, which put the family and other drivers at risk. 2. The burning of the oil and the vapor coming from the burning was not safe to breathe.

NHTSA ODI report, 2023-09-08

Electrical system

23% · 197 reports

Most commonly citing wiring.

CRASHFIREINJURY

Service brakes

18% · 152 reports

Most commonly citing hydraulic.

CRASHFIREINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

2012 Chevrolet cruz. Consumer writes in regards to brakes malfunctioning when trying to stop vehicle. *ld the consumer stated it was discovered that a brake vacuum micro switch malfunctioned. The vehicle was repaired and the failure recurred.

NHTSA ODI report, 2018-03-16

Power train

16% · 138 reports

Most commonly citing manual transmission and clutch assembly.

CRASHFIREINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 2011-10-28

Electronic stability control (esc)

12% · 108 reports
CRASH

Safety timeline

7 recalls · 3 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. ▮
    2012Complaint volume 865 complaints filed for this model year.
  2. I
    2012-03-28Preliminary evaluationClosed 2012-07-19 Engine compartment fire
  3. R
    2012-07-09Fuel system, gasoline12V289000 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…

    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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  4. R
    2012-07-10Engine and engine cooling12V288000 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…

    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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  5. I
    2012-10-15Audit queryClosed 2014-10-20 Chapman Chevrolet / Cruze Engine Recall
  6. R
    2013-01-11Air bags12V522000 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…

    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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  7. R
    2013-02-13Air bags13V023000 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…

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  8. I
    2013-05-31Recall queryClosed 2014-07-09 Air Bag Non-deployment
  9. R
    2013-10-07Service brakes, hydraulic13V360000 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...

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  10. R
    2014-07-25Air bags14V300000 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...

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  11. R
    2016-10-14Electrical system, power train16V502000 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.

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

2012 Chevrolet Cruze — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Engine: 268 reports on file for this year.
  • Electrical system: 197 reports on file for this year.
  • Service brakes: 152 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 12V289000 · Fuel system, gasoline
  • Recall 12V288000 · Engine and engine cooling
  • Recall 12V522000 · Air bags
  • Recall 13V023000 · Air bags
  • Recall 13V360000 · Service brakes, hydraulic
  • Recall 14V300000 · Air bags
  • Recall 16V502000 · Electrical system, power train
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 2012 Chevrolet Cruze reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2012 Chevrolet Cruze is rated "significantly worse".
What are the most common problems with the 2012 Chevrolet Cruze?
The most-reported component is engine, accounting for 31% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2012 Chevrolet Cruze have?
7 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-10-09 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.