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CarComplaints.com Notes: In many ways, the 2012 Cruze continues the legacy of its predecessor. It's a legacy of sluggish transmissions and coolant leaks, but it's still a legacy.

To be fair, the number of complaints about the cooling system are way down versus the 2011 model which led to a class-action lawsuit.

On the flip-side, there's more concerns about brake problems.

However, there were far more Cruze vehicles sold for the 2012 model year so we'll give it our "Beware of this Clunker" badge rather than the "Avoid Like the Plague."

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
5 / 3
Injuries / Deaths:
3 / 0
Average Mileage:
51,335 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2012 Chevrolet Cruze drivetrain problems

drivetrain problem

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2012 Chevrolet Cruze Owner Comments (Page 3 of 7)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #89

Nov 202018

Cruze

  • 60,408 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I have had my car since 2012 and have not had any issues, until now. My car was running fine when out of the blue, while driving home from work on a city street, my car would not go over 30 mph. I was able to make it home and when I went to take it to a dealer to have it looked at, I could not back the car out the garage. The car would go forward, but not back. I had to have the car towed to the dealer where he was able to diagnose the car with a broken shifter plate that damaged other parts of the transmission. I regularly maintenance my car and only have 60,409 miles on it (mostly highway miles). A car this young and with that few miles should not have transmission issues. I looked up the issue and it seems to be common with this car (see the below links). Since this is not a normal wear and tear issue, it seems to be a manufacturing problem, I am requesting that a service bulletin or recall be issued so no other person deals with this issue. I also ask that you review the attached repair documents so that I may get some sort of compensation for the repairs. I take care of my car and should not have had to spend almost $4,000 for repairs that were not due to neglect. Https://www.carcomplaints.com/Chevrolet/Cruze/2012/transmission/transmission_failure.shtml https://www.cruzetalk.com/forum/25-gen1-service-issues/114713-transmission-problems.html https://www.cruzetalk.com/forum/9-general-discussion/208234-help-2012-Cruze-wont-go-reverse-neutral.html

- Loves Park, IL, USA

problem #88

Nov 202018

Cruze

  • 119,000 miles
After several trips to dealer for coolant issues, car was fine for awhile. Noticed low coolant yet again, filled it and 2 weeks later during oil change was informed that I had no coolant. 3 days later transmission failed while driving on the freeway during rush hour traffic, I was able fortunately, to pull it over to the shoulder and had it towed. Very dangerous situation! 120.000 miles and no prior indication of any issues. Just contacted Chevrolet to see if any assistance is available. This car has been great except for the coolant issues....until this! the car is no longer driveable!

- Parma, OH, USA

problem #87

Nov 252018

Cruze

  • 51,000 miles
2012 Chevrolet Cruze ls with 51,000 miles. Event occurred Nov. 25, 2018. Without prior symptoms, the car began to jerk while driving forward at city speeds. Made it to destination a short distance away. Check engine light came on. Attempted to move car, and the reverse gear would not engage. Drove (limped) the car in D to a local autozone to have the trouble code read. P0700 tcm issue. Still no reverse. Upon leaving, nosed out on busy 5 lane thoroughfare and the car no longer would go forward as the transmission had disengaged. Could have been disastrous if this occurred in the middle of the busy road. Pushed the car back to the autozone lot. Nov 26, 2018 called GM and opened a case but was told there are no recalls and we are out of warranty, must have a certified GM shop assess the issue at our cost. Nov 27, 2018 towed to local GM dealer where car was purchased for evaluation. Complaint:this car is out of warranty on time only. It has a sealed tranny and the first recommended fluid change is 97,500 miles. Obviously driven carefully and daily without neglect for only 51,000 miles. Should not have major un-warrantied transmission issues. Researched this condition on forums etc. There are enough instances with very similar or same symptoms that GM knows of this and should make it good.

- Lake Charles, LA, USA

problem #86

Oct 062018

Cruze

  • 111,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Every time I take a long trip on the high way I get a transmission hot idle engine message. I idle for about 3 mins and I go off I see a lot of cars have a similar problem it must be a recall on the transmission. Also looking under the hood it's transmission fluid all on the top

- Charlotte, NC, USA

problem #85

Jan 082018

Cruze

  • 80,560 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Cruze. While driving various speeds, the transmission failed. The contact stated that the vehicle accelerated improperly between the third and fifth gears. Furthermore, the vehicle failed to accelerate forward in the middle of oncoming traffic on several occasions. The contact stated that the vehicle's manual transmission would not shift properly after it was engaged in third gear. The vehicle failed to accelerate to highway speeds, when necessary. An independent mechanic was made aware of the failures. Autonation Chevrolet laurel (500 Washington blvd, laurel, Maryland 20707, (240) 294-5149) requested that a diagnostic be performed on the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 80,560.

- Hyattsville, MD, USA

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problem #84

Nov 012016

Cruze

  • 80,000 miles
Transmission failed after parking. Had 80K miles

- Plainsboro, NJ, USA

problem #83

Aug 112018

Cruze

  • 99,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

My transmission was shifting hard then I parked it got back in put in reverse and it won't move, it moved in drive so many feet making horrible noise and then went out of gear...now won't move at all

- Palmer, TN, USA

problem #82

May 112018

Cruze

  • miles
My car is very dangerous! shuts off while on freeway! jerks forward while on brakes, caused an accident! cruise control does not work! electrical things flashing all the time! jerks and locks up all 4 wheels while driving! just today is shut down on the highway I struggled to get it home while the RPM's were up above 6! you name it, it has it. Think there should be a class action lawsuit against the makers of this vehicle!! class action lawsuit!!!!!

- Wixom, MI, USA

problem #81

Aug 162017

Cruze

  • 105,000 miles
Transmission failed on a busy highway out of nowhere. I slowed down due to traffic, and my vehicle stalled. I felt a shudder / pop, and I was not able to accelerate to get my car moving again. I was lucky not to be in a serious accident. Conveniently failed right out of warranty.

- Liberty Township, OH, USA

problem #80

Mar 102018

Cruze

  • miles
Overheating. Loud noise in engine with loss of power that we determined to be the turbo. Cars breaks have been changed several times since purchase. Consistent warning lights on dash. The car has a very loud rattling sound when driving. It isn't as lound when sitting still at a redlight.

- Greenback, TN, USA

problem #79

Apr 042018

Cruze

  • 56,680 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

2012 Cruze lt. The third turbo was installed 2 days before extended warranty expired. It has 56668 miles now. I spent 4 hours putting glue putty in the cracks on the bottom intake manifold, to plenum junction corners of cylinders 2 and 4 because of the GM plastic [xxx], curing the low boost and lean mixture codes at idle, on easter. The first month I had the car the transmission would start in first skip second gear rev up then chirp the tires until it warmed up, and was fixed by a program change to a lesser version and now at the higher mileage it waits before it engages first at all. Another neat thing is to turn left at 5mph hard and feel the car do a jig to the right for an instant before continuing on with the turn. Lastly, the water pump was replaced along with a cracked water outlet but not the rotted recirculation overflow hose that broke at 4 am to my fishing hole in September. I can say that the 2017 Cruze must be better because the dumdums paid by the GM insurance company to change oil put more new oil in the motor without draining it first. No serious issues for a whole week I might be able to drive it by may it's been 5 months since then. Fyi the dealership who performed this fancy work is not in riverton either.

- Draper, UT, USA

problem #78

Mar 252018

Cruze

  • 69,000 miles
2012 cruz new from the dealer and never had an issue with my car other than a water pump only reg mat always praised how great my car was and it is the first new car I ever bought. My car has 69K miles on it and my warranty was 5yrs 100K my warranty was just up this past Oct and Sunday my car wouldn't accelerate or shift and sounded horrible in reverse. I had my car towed to my work for diagnostics and there were issues with the trans so we tried to drive it to the dealer and it didnt make it so yet another tow. The dealer had to diagnose the car which was $125 I got a call late afternoon the next day and was told the 3T and 5T wave / clutch plates broke in my car and they would need to replace them as well as the clutch, piston, seals, ect and the cost would be $3100 please also keep in mind I owe $900 on the car, the service dept said we hope GM will pay for majority or most of the cost bc this shouldn't have happened. I was told that they would only cover 30% so out of pocket about $2200 I said that if its something that shouldn't have happened why would I have to pay so much I know I'm 5 months out warranty but im still under 100K miles I called GM and asked about good faith warranty and stated my situation. Two days later they and I was told that they will not help anymore with the cost, bc of the yr warranty, ive only bought one car from the dealer, and I did not take my car to the dealer for routine mat.... I told the rep that my dad who is a mechanic did my oil or my work bc I work at a repair shop and if you were me you would do the same and this rep told me " I don't go to the dealer I go to walmart!" I also asked about goodfaithwarranty and she stated "we dont do that on our vehicles" needless to say I am very disappointed all around trans dont go out on cars with 69K miles repairs were $2610 and an additional $331 for diag and towing.

- Lombard, IL, USA

problem #77

Mar 092018

Cruze

  • 45,000 miles
Three transmission failures in 5-1/2 years, with total mileage approximately 45,000..all three failures occurred on interstates, resulting in loss of power & drivability causing immediate and severe danger of high-speed collision form other traffic. First failure in April 2013 after 6 months of ownership, under 1,500 miles. Clutch plate disintegrated. Problem was determined to be a factory defect of the transmissiom; car was repaired by GM (not replaced). In May 2014 complained to dealer (hawk Chevrolet of bridgeview) of problems with clutch - that it was falling to the floor, there was difficulty shifting. Dealer claimed to be unable to find any problem. Complaimed of same problem in October 2014 (GM case 71-1379518666); again dealer "unable to find a problem". 2nd failure occurred August 2015; clutch plate was stuck to transaxle. Mileage was 14,500. GM case #8-1545250753. GM tried to attribute failure to "normal wear". ultimate covered the repair but refused to admit any defect. 3rd failure occurred March 9, 2018. Again, clutch pedal fell to floor and car became undrivable. Car was towed to dealer. GM case #8-4000371239.

- Bridgeview, IL, USA

problem #76

Feb 122018

Cruze

  • 130,000 miles
The transmission will not hold the car it will roll backward when on an slight incline. While on my way to work I was slowing to cross a set of train tracks on a state highway in a small town and the transmission went completely out. Luckily I was able to get off the tracks. I am unsure of the name of the part that is broken. After talking to many many transmission specialists I have found that this happens very frequently. It seems the exact same thing that recall 14234 was issued for has also effected the Cruze. I did have to have the car towed home.

- Hillsboro, OH, USA

problem #75

Dec 232017

Cruze

  • 63,400 miles
As I was driving downhill from flagstaff to phoenix, Arizona, I noticed my car wasn't accelerating the way it should. So, I was driving from a 7000 feet elevation to a 2000 feet elevation on steep hills not understanding why I didn't have full control over my car. It was scary to say the least. I brought my car to my Chevy dealer 3 times before it finally did this and it finally gave out on me 2 days after the warranty expired. I went to the dealer 3 times to fix the issue until my transmission finally decided to give out on me. And now Chevy is saying that they can't help me at all.

- Los Angeles, CA, USA

problem #74

Nov 292017

Cruze

  • 78,000 miles
While driving my car would not accelerate. The car will not move when changing gears. I took the car to the dealership because the check engine light and stabilik service light came on. The mechanic diagnosed the car and replaced a connector. Now, the car gears don't work. Misdiagnosis.

- Harrison Township, MI, USA

problem #73

Oct 202017

Cruze

  • 72,000 miles
I have a 2012 Chevy Cruze lt, it doesn't even have 75K and I've only had it for 2 years. Driving through North little rock on the interstate my temperature gage shot from cool to red, my car dinged and posted a message A/C off due to high engine temps. My A/C was not on, as I was pulling over another message dinged and my engine power was reduced. I let the car idle as the next message instructed me to do, the temp would not go down. I turned the car off and called for a ride. Thankfully a nlr police officer sat with me until my boyfriend came as I was broke down on a bad side of town. That being said, we had the car towed to our ase independent mechanic to have it diagnosed as we thought it was just the thermostat sticking. Nope! blown head gasket! all because of a faulty water inlet. It is a known problem all across the forums. My mechanic had replaced numerous inlets on these cars and Chevy had yet to do a recall. I contacted GM and filed a complaint. They are only replacing faulty water pumps, even though the water pump replacement parts include the water inlet. I was told I had to have it diagnosed by their dealership and after much back and forth finally got the diagnostic fee waived. I received a call today from the dealer informing me that I have a cracked head, warped gasket, and need to replace the engine. This is all due to a defect the manufacturer knows about. To too it off the power train warranty expired in March and my extended warranty expired 5K miles ago. Chevy wants me to pay out of pocket to replace all the damage that occurred from their defect. I am contacting the BBB, my attorney general, and any news outlet I can to get this issue brought to light. With a vehicle just over 5 years old and not even 100,000 miles on it to have to replace an engine is ludicrous.

- Conway, AR, USA

problem #72

Oct 022017

Cruze

  • 70,200 miles
How many complaints have been made as the transmission can seem laggy an unresponsive at times in these vehicles. I purchased this vehicle at 42000 miles and at 70,000 miles the transmission has went out. While going down the road the transmission lags as in it doesn't have enough fluid or it is slamming into gear. Oh going down the road and switching gears you hear clunk and it jerks you back in your seat. The shifter indicator on the dash when put into drive will not appear all the time causing engine to misfire turning off traction control and stability causing the car to go into limp mode when starting the car from the stationary position. As of yesterday when shifting into gear the transmission went completely out. Car was taken to the dealership told it was out of warranty and would have to pay for the repairs. Car was actually produced in 2011 the year that Chevy did have recall on the Chevrolet Cruze for transmission issues. Car was bought November 2011 by previous owner.

- Milford, OH, USA

problem #71

Aug 012017

Cruze

  • 99,000 miles
Valve cover replacement - my car has had various codes going for months. These various codes all point to an emissions leak from the valve cover and now I have to replace this and it is one entire unit. I see many complaints about these springs and valve covers. If Chevrolet knew it was a problem, why wouldn't they recall these and fix this before making a single mom like me whose trying to go back to school, pay for this! I have to worry about pulling out in front someone and the car stalling and risking my and my children's lives all because Chevy used a cheap, poorly designed part for this!

- Madison Heights, VA, USA

problem #70

Aug 192017

Cruze

  • 22,878 miles
On August 19, 2017, I was on the road, drove passed South center mall when I felt that there was something wrong with my engine because it wasn't driving fast as usual. I pulled over to the side of the road, at inspirus credit union in tukwila to check the engine if it was okay when I smelled a faint scent of smoke. I drove back home to park it for fear of the engine exploding. Our family mechanic checked the engine and said that the fan is too loud as if something is causing it to be overworked. The engine fan has always been loud after my oil change on July 21, 2017. The engine light has not been turned off since the oil change and I know that there is something wrong with the vehicle. Also, I entered the VIN number online and it said that the recall on my car is incomplete. The dealer did not inform me about the recall nor mentioned anything about it when I bought it. They did not give me a written letter of the recall or even specified the recall being incomplete.

- Seattle, WA, USA

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