Print this page

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

Find something helpful? Spread the word.
Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2012 Chevrolet Cruze:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

2012 Chevrolet Cruze Owner Comments (Page 6 of 10)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #93

Oct 312014

Cruze

  • 56,000 miles

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

The electrical pad that you push to open the trunk is faulty and does not work anymore. Only way to get into trunk is to push key fob. If a child or adult got trapped inside it could be harmful due to fact that the push pad for the trunk open is faulty.

- Mount Pleasant, MI, USA

problem #92

Feb 092015

Cruze

  • 38,000 miles
While driving the car would continuously reboot the radio and the warning stabilitrak light as well as the power steering warning will show up on the dash. The car would experience very stiff steering and I almost got into a crash 3 times because of it. I took it to the autonation Chevrolet laurel, md dealership and they could not diagnose a problem with the battery. Another technician from tnt auto in columbia, md said that all the wires seem to be on there tight too.

- Beltsville, MD, USA

problem #91

Apr 012015

Cruze

  • 52,500 miles
Since March 30, 2015, I have been experiencing issues with and have been trying to collect 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.

- Royal Oak, MI, USA

problem #90

Mar 242015

Cruze

  • 56,788 miles

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

I was driving, and the radio dash began to flash on and off. Then the steering became very difficult, and the power steering light came on, the words "service power steering" came on, then the car began to pulse, and then "service traction" came on, then the car shut off completely.

- Baltimore, MD, USA

problem #89

Mar 022015

Cruze 4-cyl

  • 37,000 miles
While driving approx. 40 mph, vehicle stalled, traction stability and check engine lights illuminated, and steering locked. The radio shut off and the radio screen/ env control panel flickered on and off continuously. I continued to drive the car since I was a short distance from home. Checked the battery connections and all seemed to be tight. Drove car to work today but didn't have the issue. I literally just bought this car a week ago and it passed md state inspection. I am wondering now if the inspection included a obd check.

- Laplata, MD, USA

problem #88

Oct 102014

Cruze

  • 47,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Cruze. While driving approximately 35 mph and making a left turn, the steering wheel seized. In addition, the instrument panel and radio intermittently operated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The technician diagnosed that the positive battery cable and generator starter cable needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 47,000.

- Macomb , MI, USA

problem #87

Feb 242015

Cruze 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 66,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Cruze. The contact stated that the check engine light continued to illuminate. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The technician diagnosed that the map sensor was defective and needed to be replaced. The contact mentioned that the vehicle failed to pass inspection. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 66,000. Updated 4/30/15 the consumer stated the vehicle did not idle properly and the vehicle would stall when he attempted to pull out into traffic. Updated 06/23/15

- Lenoir, NC, USA

problem #86

Feb 062015

Cruze

  • 37,420 miles
2012 Chevy Cruze 6-speed eco. After driving approx 15 mile in city traffic, came to a stop and parked. Applied the parking brake and the car started beeping. I looked at the instrument panel and noticed speedometer was pegging at around 90mph and the display flashed that the hand brake was on. At the same time the radio volume raised. After I released the parking brake, within a few seconds the gauge returned to normal but the radio volume stayed high. I turned the car off.

- Maryland, MD, USA

problem #85

Feb 022015

Cruze

  • 64,028 miles
The car computer system is glitching. Turning on and off. Says to service stability trak. I have not messed this car up or been in any wrecks.

- Cartersville, GA, USA

problem #84

Jan 082015

Cruze

  • 42,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Cruze. The contact stated that while in a residential driveway, the vehicle caught on fire without warning. The vehicle was destroyed. It was unknown if a fire or police report was filed. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure was 42,000.

- Iowa Falls , IA, USA

problem #83

Aug 062013

Cruze 4-cyl

  • 28,374 miles

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

8/6/13-the trunk release switch does not work. Diagnosis was faulty trunk release switch, the technician replaced it. HVAC blower motor is noisy and rattles can be heard inside and outside of the car. Also had intermittent delay when turning HVAC on. Technician replaced the blower motor. Could not find reason for delay. 1/22/14 - HVAC burning smell when running heat. Technician replaced HVAC case with new design grease on it. Filled coolant. 7/24/14- same thing happened to trunk release was replaced again. Outside temperature sensor did not work, it was replaced. The vent in car for blow tab broke off, it was replaced.

- Dryden, MI, USA

problem #82

Jun 132013

Cruze 4-cyl

  • miles
2012 Chevrolet Cruze. Consumer stated the vehicle would power off, and ignition would not turn or keys could not be removed. The consumer stated the vehicle would spontaneously shut down while driving for no apparent reason. When the vehicle shut down, she was unable to turn the ignition or remove the key. Nothing in the vehicle worked, when the vehicle shut down. After 20 minutes, she was finally able to start the vehicle. After driving 100 feet, the vehicle would shut off again. The dealer examined the vehicle, but was unable to diagnose the problem. The consumer continued to experience the same problem. The consumer decided to sell the vehicle.

- Las Vegas, NM, USA

problem #81

Nov 242014

Cruze

  • 51,500 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Cruze. While driving approximately 30 mph, the radio shut off when the heat was activated. The contact also stated that the key fob failed to lock and unlock the doors. When the vehicle was in the park position, the stability track and traction control lights illuminated. The failures occurred numerous times. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failures. The approximate failure mileage was 51,500.

- Hirram, GA, USA

problem #80

Nov 212014

Cruze

  • 58,715 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Cruze. The contact stated while exiting a freeway at 30 mph, a loud clunk noise emitted as the vehicle failed to accelerate. After safely parking, the contact noticed that the check engine, service air bag, service power steering and emergency brake lights illuminated on the instrument panel. Also, the contact mentioned that all other electrical components such as door locks, hazard lights, and windows failed to work as well. The vehicle was towed to the dealer. The technician stated that the wiring to the power box had to be rewired. The vehicle was repaired. The failure mileage was 58,715.

- Chino Hills, CA, USA

problem #79

Nov 192014

Cruze 4-cyl

  • 75,300 miles
This is a very well known problem with Chevy owners. I have done countless hours of research and seen hundreds of forums and articles related exactly to this specific issue. Now it has to be brought to the attention of the federal government to issue a recall. I own a 1.4L turbo automatic 2lt Chevy Cruze 2012. This problem has been happening since the first year I purchased the vehicle however is getting much worse. Reduced engine power. The engine light comes on, a "!" shows up on the screen and the cars speed is reduced to 4 or 5 mph with in a matter of seconds. This has happened to myself as well as hundreds of other people from what the internet says. This is very unsafe especially considering some people have families and drive with children such as myself on highway systems. I experienced this while trying to accelerate into an intersection and got an immediate engine speed reduction. This could have killed my daughter and I if the vehicles in the intersection were unable to stop in time. Please do what is necessary to get this vehicle part or issue recalled and or recognized immediately!

- Muskego, WI, USA

problem #78

Apr 012014

Cruze

  • 19,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Cruze. The contact stated that the instrument panel darkened while driving various speeds. In addition, the key was stuck in the ignition when the contact attempted to restart the vehicle. The vehicle battery had to be disconnected in order to release the key from the ignition. The failure occurred numerous times. The vehicle was taken to the dealer six times for the failure; however, the dealer was unable to locate a failure code. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was unavailable. The failure mileage was 19,000.

- Clay , NY, USA

problem #77

Oct 302014

Cruze 4-cyl

  • 50,000 miles
My problems started with my trunk popping open on its own while driving and while parked. This is concerning not only to my loss of Focus on the road because of this, I also worry about who ever is driving behind me should something fly out of my trunk. Also my windshield wiper blade on the driver side comes off the motor clip this is very dangerous while raining I have to drive with out visibility. My car then decided not to start and when I finally got it to start it told my airbags needed servicing, my power steering, ABS brakes, traction control, and stabilitrack. There was no control of the car. That had went away and was able to get car safely to the dealership to get it serviced today. This seems to be a problem with other 2012 Chevy Cruze's in which I have done research. Something needs to be done about these electrical issues before someone ends up getting killed.

- Eau Claire, WI, USA

problem #76

Jan 012014

Cruze

  • miles
The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Cruze. The contact stated that while stopped at a traffic light, the radio would shut off and on independently, and the instrument panel gauges would flicker. Also, the contact mentioned that the warning lights on the instrument panel would randomly illuminate and the power steering failed causing her to use extreme force to control the steering wheel. The vehicle would resume normal operation. In addition, the key failed to release from the ignition and the contact had to have the vehicle jump started. The dealer diagnosed that all the electrical cords were corroded. However, the parts to the repair was unavailable. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 50,000.

- Naperville, IL, USA

problem #75

Oct 152014

Cruze 4-cyl

  • 35,000 miles
While driving down the road the radio display goes blank. This includes the radio- temperauire controls, etc- otherwise known as the digital info center.

- Effingham, SC, USA

problem #74

Jul 262014

Cruze

  • 19,230 miles
Driving on interstate 10 when electrical lighting, radio, etc start blinking on and off. I was on my way from Florida to North Carolina when it happened, I turned around and went to Chevrolet dealer where I bought it, was checked out and mechanic said they couldn't find anything wrong. Drove to North Carolina and when I arrived at my son's home the same thing happened twice. We took it to Chevrolet dealer in mooresville, nc, they found out through GM it was the electrical box causing all the problems and they replaced it with a new one. I wasn't in an accident but it made me scared to drive it. I feel as though GM should have recalled it and not make the consumer wondering. I would like GM to be notified about this and to also hear from them.

- Live Oak, FL, USA

Read the next 20 complaints »

Not what you are looking for?