MYRModel Year Report

2016 Chevrolet Cruze

▲ Better than typical
2016 Chevrolet Cruze
BUILT 2026-08-02

This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than 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 PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Chevrolet Cruze Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 2016 highlighted. 2010: 2 complaints 2010 2011: 731 complaints 2012: 864 complaints 2012 2013: 585 complaints 2014: 698 complaints 2014 2015: 251 complaints 2016: 247 complaints 2016 2017: 201 complaints 2018: 109 complaints 2018 2019: 20 complaints 2019
2016: 247 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
20102
2011731
2012864
2013585
2014698
2015251
2016247
2017201
2018109
201920

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

ENGINE 40%

40% of complaints: engine — 100 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

At first, and only on cold/rainy/snowy weather, while driving the radio would randomly turn off and turn itself back on (i have videos of this). Sometimes it would last a few seconds, sometimes a few minutes.

NHTSA ODI report, 20230913

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 23%

23% of complaints: electrical system — 58 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

At first, and only on cold/rainy/snowy weather, while driving the radio would randomly turn off and turn itself back on (i have videos of this). Sometimes it would last a few seconds, sometimes a few minutes.

NHTSA ODI report, 20230913

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2016 CHEVROLET CRUZE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE CHECK POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. WHEN ATTEMPTING TO STOP THE VEHICLE, THE BRAKES WERE INOPERABLE.

NHTSA ODI report, 20160726

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 14%

14% of complaints: fuel/propulsion system — 34 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY
POWER TRAIN 12%

12% of complaints: power train — 29 distinct reports on file.

FIRE
AIR BAGS 9%

9% of complaints: air bags — 21 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

TAKATA RECALL. I WAS LEAVING A PARKING LOT AND WENT TO TURN INTO MY LANE AND SOMEONE CUT OVER AT THE LAST MINUTE CAUSING ME TO JERK MY WHEEL OUT OF REACTION AND THE FRONT END OF MY CAR SLAMMED INTO THE GUARD RAIL.

NHTSA ODI report, 20180915

RECENTLY INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT WHERE I WAS REAR ENDED. WAS STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT, LIGHT HAD JUST CHANGED, I PUT MY FOOT ON THE GAS PEDAL TO ACCELERATE WHEN I WAS HIT FROM BEHIND.

NHTSA ODI report, 20180427

IN NOVEMBER OF 2015 I WAS SITTING AT A STOP SIGN AND SOMEBODY HIT ME HEAD ON AT APPROXIMATELY 45 TO 50 MPH CAUSING A SUBSTANTIAL AMOUNT OF DAMAGE TO THE FRONT END OF MY CAR COSTING NEARLY A TOTAL OF $9,000.

NHTSA ODI report, 20160910

SAFETY TIMELINE

R 20160811 — exterior lighting

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2016 Cruze vehicles manufactured November 5, 2015, to May 26, 2016. The headlight assemblies are not marked with a three-digit identifier code used to properly aim the headlights.

Remedy: GM will mail owners instructions and adhesive labels, with the correct code, to install on their headlight assemblies. Owners may also bring the vehicle to a GM dealership for any assistance with applying the label, free of charge.

Campaign 16V498000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20161014 — electrical system, power train

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.

Campaign 16V502000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20170228 — seats

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2016-2017 Chevrolet Cruze vehicles.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the front passenger seats, replacing any with seat-back frames that are incorrectly welded, free of charge. The recall began on February 28, 2017.

Campaign 17V057000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20180607 — fuel system, gasoline

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Chevrolet Cruze LS vehicles, equipped with a gasoline engine and a tire inflator kit instead of a spare tire. The vehicles may leak gasoline following a rear-impact crash and a rollover.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will install a lock-ring on the fuel tank that will shield the fuel tank vapor pressure sensor from damage in a rear-impact crash, free of charge. The recall began June 7, 2018.

Campaign 18V304000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

2016 Chevrolet Cruze — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for engine issues (100 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for electrical system issues (58 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for fuel/propulsion system issues (34 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 16V498000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 16V502000 (electrical system, power train) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 17V057000 (seats) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 18V304000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 2018 ▲ 2017 ▲ 2015

WORST YEARS

■ 2012 ■ 2011 ■ 2014

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 2016 Chevrolet Cruze reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2016 Chevrolet Cruze is rated "better than typical".

What are the most common problems with the 2016 Chevrolet Cruze?

The most-reported component is engine, accounting for 40% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 2016 Chevrolet Cruze have?

4 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.