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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:
10 / 3
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
44,336 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 electrical problems

electrical problem

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2012 Chevrolet Cruze Owner Comments (Page 5 of 10)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #113

Feb 012016

Cruze

  • 50,000 miles

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

While driving the power steering shuts off, radio blinks on and off, and the brakes get spongy making it hard to drive and stop. I have had it in the shop and the mechanics were unable to find an problem.

- Burnet, TX, USA

problem #112

Feb 092016

Cruze

  • 36,000 miles
I just purchased my 2012 Chevy Cruze 3 months ago, it has 36,000 miles. Last week when I started off to work I got a reduced engine power message and the car would not accelerate. I read the manuel and followed the instructions, turned off the car, waited and restarted, but it still would not accelerate. I checked online for reported problems with the car and found that many people have had the same issue. I called the dealership and was told I could take the car in but would have to pay for any repairs because there was no recall on this problem. A few days later I started the car and it seemed fine so I tried driving it. It was fine for the first 15 minutes but then the reduced engine power light came on again and the car would not accelerate once again. I had to pull off to the side of the road, turn off the car and wait several minutes to be able to drive a short distance before the problem happened again. Thank god I was not on the highway when this happened or I could have been in a terrible accident. I can not believe that with so many owners reporting the same problem there has not been a recall. Also it appears the manufacturer was aware of the problem from the beginning because in the owners manuel they tell you what to do if this should happen.

- Fortville, IN, USA

problem #111

Feb 132016

Cruze

  • 87,000 miles
Recall 14311 but dealer does not do anything about it, my car have done this few times already but last couple of times it was really scary because I lost total control over the vehicle including steering and braking the car just show a sing on the dash and radio goes of as well as the rest of the vehicle electrical parts, almost causing a crash due to this issue, I was driving about 35mph and 40mph when this happen, also I notice the it happens when I use my turn signals and when I press up or down on the windows

- Franklin Park, IL, USA

problem #110

Jan 012016

Cruze

  • 58,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Cruze. While driving at an unknown speed, the power steering warning lights illuminated and the headlamps turned off without warning. The contact experienced several electrical issues with the vehicle, including the key failing to dislodge from the ignition switch. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 58,000.

- Norman, OK, USA

problem #109

Dec 272015

Cruze 4-cyl

  • 100,000 miles
Ac off due to high temp, thermostat replaced 2014. Ac off due to high temp again, thermostat replaced May 20, 2015.. Dec 27th, 2015 ac off due to high temp again- car overheated in 10 degre weather. Thermostat being replaced for the third time!!

- South Lake Tahoe, CA, USA

problem #108

Sep 152015

Cruze

  • 75,000 miles
My 2012 Chevrolet Cruze starting in September this year 2015 the car had 75,000 miles on it when it started with the dash lights, fan, radio and display all randomly shutting off and turning on. Sometimes when this happens the stabilitrack display will come on and this can happen at anytime but usually when the car is going slow or stopped, I first noticed it when applying the breaks. This however is not the extent of it as now when I shut the car off it has kept my keys and would not start either. Eventually when this has happened fortunately it came back to life and displayed a theft protection display. I called the local GM dealer who services my car and I was told they have never heard of such a problem however when I go online there are dozens if not hundreds of complaints related directly to these type of issues with the Chevrolet Cruze. I also posted a complaint on a car website to try to help communicate this issue with other Chevrolet Cruze owners who have the same or similar issues.

- Chippewa Falls, WI, USA

problem #107

Oct 212015

Cruze

  • 58,000 miles

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

My radio flickers on and off, my ABS llight, check engine light and other lights flicker off and on real fast and on my odometer I get a reading "traction control" and something about stabilitrak control. Everything flickers so fast it's hard to see everything that lights up. Apparently many others have had the exact same issues.

- Shawnee, KS, USA

problem #106

Sep 302015

Cruze

  • 15,000 miles
While driving the electrical functions such as radio and instrument panel will start to flash on and off with the radio display rebooting at intermittent times, and sometimes constantly. Power has on occasion been lost completely while driving. Sometimes the symptoms are only the radio and console below it losing power, but when it gets really frequent, a couple of the instrument warning lights regarding ABS and another one I cannot remember off hand flash, and the stabilitrac warning is displaying "service traction control". this can last for 5 minutes or as long as a day or more. I noticed on at least two occasions, the problems started on very humid days at both early morning and evening time frames, and necessarily while driving in rain. When problem gets extremely bad, I usually pull over somewhere and take off the "negative" battery cable for about 20 seconds using a wrench I must carry in the vehicle, forcing the control module of the vehicle to reset. This temporarily fixes the problem for an undetermined amount of time. The vehicle was brought to the Chevy dealer and they claimed they couldn't find anything nor have they ever heard of the problem. This problem occurs while vehicle is moving or stationery. This problem also occurs on expressways or city streets. This problem has occured in multiple states(North Carolina along the coast and in Chicago area. This problem has been ongoing for at least two years. The last time was on Sept. 30, 2015. I do have videos that I captured with my phone but it doesn't appear that your website can support them.

- Glen Ellyn, IL, USA

problem #105

Oct 182015

Cruze

  • 41,000 miles
Driving the radio cuts in and out meanwhile service stabilitrac warning comes on. Does this around 6-12 times in a 30 minute drive to and from work. On a few instances the vehicle lost all power while driving. This occures on a daily basis. This happens while driving and at a stand still. Also the check engine light has come on numerous times. It is a P0597 code stating temp sensor is inoperable. Non of these issues should be going on in a 2012 with less than 45,000 miles on it.

- Northlake, TX, USA

problem #104

Oct 172015

Cruze

  • 37,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Cruze. While driving 65 mph, the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle was able to be restarted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired and the failure recurred. The failure mileage was 37,000.

- Hawthorne, CA, USA

problem #103

Sep 042015

Cruze

  • 33,400 miles

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

The main console in the car starting turning on and off, the lights doing this as well. It affected the turn signals when I was making a turn, making them turn on and off as well. Turned off headlights as well, while I was on my way home. Once I got home I turned off the car and restarted it, and the whole system rebooted and I had to fix the date and time. This happened again when I used the auto-start on the key fob, drove a little bit as the console kept turning on and off, pulled over and tried to restart car. Couldn't remove the key from ignition, eventually got car to restart after trying to restart it for about fifteen minutes. The next day the same thing happened, so I parked the car and turned it off and tried to restart it again. Wouldn't start and the key would not come out of ignition for at least forty-five minutes. Finally got the car to start and drove home. When I got home, turned car off but could not get the key out of ignition. Sat for another fifteen minutes trying to get key free. Eventually able to remove, restart and turn car off normally. But after locking the car, and then coming back to get things out of car, the doors would not unlock and I cannot get into the vehicle.

- Urbana, IL, USA

problem #102

Sep 112015

Cruze

  • 23,300 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Cruze. The contact stated that after starting the vehicle and shifting into reverse, the vehicle drifted and accelerated independently, causing the contact to crash into another vehicle. The contact shifted into drive and crashed into the garage and the toolshed from their residence. A police report was filed. There was one injury reported that required medical attention. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 23,300.

- Warren, OH, USA

problem #101

Sep 122015

Cruze

  • 83,508 miles
For the whole month the red warning lights have been flashing, today the lights were dimming and radio was going on and off. The steering wheel locked on its own and the key wouldn't come out when tried to remove and the truck wouldn't pop up when tried to open it from the outside. Vehicle is not cranking at moment and key is still in ignition. This is a serious safety problem or issue. Electrical problem hazard that could kill any driver or passengers when driving. Has to be as major safety recall. Contact the owner as soon as possible at [xxx] this is my daughter [xxx] cell number and I am her dad [xxx] at [xxx]. please is there a recall on vehicle? my daughter drives this car to college classes every day. Please advice asap. Her life is in danger here. James and pamela are the owners but daughter drives vehicle to college. I am biological father and very concerned. Due to mother and stepfather at wife's surgery please notify me of matter to get help. Parts of this document have been redacted to protect personally identifiable information pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Greenville, AL, USA

problem #100

Aug 212015

Cruze

  • 66,000 miles
Purchased car new for my daughter going to college. Car has been good but she called me that she started her car in a parking lot and she had a stabilitrac light, power steering, and tones going off. She was scared but I called a repair shop and they suggested to turn off and on. She did this and all but stabilitrac went off. She drove to take to dealer. She stopped to get gas and when turned car back on, all lights stopped. She drove car home and took to local repair. He said he could not find issue. A week later, she was driving on the interstate and the lights came on again. She video taped the lights. She pulled off and turned car off and then on and everything was reset. We are concerned that error cant be tracted but continues to be issue.

- Cynthiana, KY, USA

problem #99

Jul 292014

Cruze

  • 41,000 miles
Driving down highway and the dic starts flashing and then the power steering failed and the car then lost power and the engine cut out. I was able to pull the car over to the shoulder and stop the car. I was able to restart the vehicle. I took to dealer and they replaced the negative battery cable. I soon received an extended warranty for the cable from GM for 10 yrs or 120000 miles. So they are aware of the issue and cars cutting out and losing power on the highway is not considered dangerous to the drivers or their passengers.

- Islip, NY, USA

problem #98

May 012014

Cruze

  • 38,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Cruze. While driving with the cruise control set to 75 mph, the vehicle traveled at 80 mph independently. Additionally, while reversing at very low mileage, the vehicle abnormally accelerated and reversed into a pole. The contact was able to drive away from the scene without any injuries. The vehicle was taken to the dealer four times however, the dealer was unable to duplicate the failure. The contact believed that the vehicle had a "mind of its own" and would erroneously perform in ways that it was not designed. The contact requested the bluetooth be removed from the vehicle and inquired about having the gps removed, as she believed that the transmitter was the cause of the failures. The manufacturer was contacted, but offered no assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 38,000.

- Hendreson, NV, USA

problem #97

Jul 142015

Cruze

  • 108,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Cruze. While driving at approximately 45 mph, the vehicle stalled without warning and lost all electrical power. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the electronic control module came in contact with water and failed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 108,000.

- Whitehall, AR, USA

problem #96

Mar 122015

Cruze

  • miles
Since March 2015, I have been experiencing issues with and I have video evidence while in failure mode, of what I believe to be failures of the body computer(s) in this vehicle. The dashboard displays have been going on and off under a wide variety of driving situations, and while sitting at idle. They fault when the vehicle is simply driving down the highway. More often I notice it when utilizing turn signals, hazard lights, and breaking. During these faults, the center information display for the HVAC and entertainment will frequently turn off. This kills the radio. It at times kills the HVAC systems and the turn signals (at least the noise for the turn signal indicators). At times, the center display above the steering column will go black and then display a message about the stabilitrak having failed and requiring it to be checked or the ABS needing to be serviced. Then it returns to normal mode. The frequency has increased to every time I drive the vehicle. Also on at least 3 occasions the ABS has actually failed. On one of those occasions, I hit another vehicle while parking. Thankfully there was no damage to either vehicle. When connecting the vehicle to a diagnostic device, no issues are indicated. I'm in the military in germany where the roads and highways are extremely hilly and it snows heavily. I'd rather not die in an accident before this issue is rectified.

- Dallas, TX, USA

problem #95

Mar 012013

Cruze

  • 5,000 miles
Since March 30, 2015, I have been experiencing issues with and I have video evidence while in failure mode, of what I believe to be failures of the body computer(s) in this vehicle. The dashboard displays have been going on and off under a wide variety of driving situations, and while sitting at idle. They fault when the vehicle is simply driving down the highway. During these faults, the center information display for the HVAC and entertainment will frequently turn off. This kills the radio. It at times kills the HVAC systems and the turn signals (at least the noise for the turn signal indicators). At times, the center display above the steering column will go black and then display a message about the stabilitrak having failed and requiring it to be checked. Then it returns to normal mode. This is less frequent an occurrence. While driving on the highway under cruise control, the vehicle experienced one incident of unintended acceleration while the displays were in fault modes. This occurred on April 1, 2015 I believe. The driver's feet were on the floorboards. Not touching any pedals at all. The incident was stopped by the driver firmly pressing down on the brake pedal. When sufficient video evidence is accumulated on these failures the vehicle will be taken into the dealership. Lacking actual demonstrative evidence of the failures, the dealership will not be able to know what to repair or replace. The car has a history of dash display issues. The owner, a retired librarian/researcher from General Motors advanced engineering staff and the R&D center, has worked on unintended acceleration legal cases for the company, and has supported litigation defense work on such issues while at the company. He is still gathering evidence but feels the need to document this incident as soon as possible for NHTSA should an accident occur to him due to this. Is a very high risk

- Phoenix, AZ, USA

problem #94

Jun 232015

Cruze

  • 90,200 miles
My Chevy Cruze has been experiencing similar problems from past repairs and would shut off while driving. While driving the car would lose power, multiple warning lights would flash on the dash, the car would lose the ability to accelerate and the doors would unlock while driving. This has occurred several times yesterday (6/23/15): While driving over a bump at a low speed and while merging onto the freeway at about 60mph. During yesterday's incident I had to go into the emergency lane and put my emergency lights on as my car lost the ability to accelerate. The car lost power for a few seconds and the car would gain power immediately after. There have been two prior incidents where my car has lost complete power while driving, both times a safety report has been filed. This is a very scary issue and hope that this does not occur again.

- Murrieta, CA, USA

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