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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."

8.3

pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
$450
Average Mileage:
53,750 miles
Total Complaints:
7 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

  1. not sure (3 reports)
  2. engine replacement (1 reports)
  3. repaced accelerator pedal assembly (1 reports)
  4. replaced throttle body (1 reports)
  5. turbo charger replacement (1 reports)
2012 Chevrolet Cruze engine problems

engine problem

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2012 Chevrolet Cruze Owner Comments

problem #7

Jun 252020

Cruze LT

  • Automatic transmission
  • 73,000 miles

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

Car went into low power mode one morning in January 2019. Had it towed to a local Chevy dealer and the throttle body was replaced. Car was fine until June 2020, when it would suddenly go into low power mode during acceleration, with the dash showing "Service Stabilitrak", "Service Traction", "Low Power Mode", and the Check Engine light would come on. Pulling over (scary and difficult, in traffic), cutting the car off, and waiting about a minute would seem to clear the error and the car would then operate o.k.

This kept happening, at irregular intervals.

After the third time, I took it back to the Chevy dealer and they replaced the accelerator pedal, saying that that should fix the problem. The issue happened three more times (twice, in one day), and I took it back to the Chevy dealer. They drove it, trying to get the problem to repeat so that they could get the error code to identify the issue. Because the error code disappears after the car is turned off, they had to drive with the code reader in the car to try to diagnose the problem while the engine was running. The problem did not recur while they had it, even though they drove the car a long distance several times over a two week period.

Because they couldn't diagnose the problem and therefore couldn't attempt a fix, they advised me to come pick the car up. They couldn't tell me the car was safe to drive or give me any advice on what to do when the problem happened again. I reached out to GM to see if they could help but they also couldn't offer any good advice. I've avoided driving the car because all the low power episodes have left me rattled and I'm afraid of being rear-ended. I'm stuck with a car with 73,000 miles on it that I can't get fixed and can't, in good conscience, sell to someone. I'm reading about other people who've experienced similar problems, so it sounds like it's not just a fluke. Sorry I bought this car.

- Lisa W., Mechanicsville, VA, US

problem #6

Jan 132018

Cruze LS V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 75,000 miles

This car has been in the shop 3 times for the check engine light at least. The car lost power and was ticking. The dealer could not find anything wrong because the check engine light was not on. Three days later the light came on and they fixed the problem supposedly. The ticking was still there. I asked them why it was ticking and they told us the rear left wheel was ticking. I asked the how the wheel could tick when the car is not moving. They had no answer. 1 week later the check engine light comes on and I lose power. I drop it off again. This time they said the 2nd and 3rd chambers are loosing pressure. $3400 to fix it or $6500 to replace the engine. This is ridiculous. This car has had every recall issue fixed plus other issues that have been listed on the internet.

- Bonnie C., Finksburg, US

problem #5

Jan 042018

Cruze 1.4L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 76,000 miles

to chevy: vin# 1g1pf5sc5c7382175

why did you even build this car if you didn't put the American spirit in it like you preach in your commercials? my car for the second time is losing power when driving. the instrument cluster says "service stabiltrac" and service traction control." "Engine low power". I cannot accelerate or anything. I coast to the side of the road and shut it down...turn it back on and it runs fine for a few then does it again. damn it. its like -5 degrees in Michigan right now. I do not have the time or money to fix it again. Anybody want to buy a chevy cruze that's not backed by the people that built it, let me know. I'm selling it dirt f&*king cheap.

- D W., Garden City, US

problem #4

Jan 152017

Cruze LT 1.4L Turbo

  • Automatic transmission
  • 43,496 miles

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

I was driving, turning a corner and I lost all power. "Engine Power Reduced" and "Service Stabilitrak System" warnings came on, as well as the check engine light. I managed to get pulled into a parking lot at a mere 8km/h which is what I was limited to, to get out of traffic. Husband came to help me, shut the engine off and back on, engine codes went away and he drove it back home no problem. It was fine the rest of the day. Thought that maybe due to snow build up, some sensor was messed up or something.

The next day, on my way to work, I was waiting at a light and the errors came on again. Had to put on my hazards, turned the car off and on a few times in order to be able to go again.

On the way home, the same thing happened 8 times, usually at a red light, but once when I was traveling 80km/h.

Had the car towed to the dealership where they said it was the throttle body, which was conveniently not covered under my extended warranty despite being a part of the engine.

- Jennifer G., Calgary, AB, Canada

problem #3

Mar 272017

Cruze LS 1.8L 14mpi

  • Automatic transmission
  • 50,000 miles

The Stablik Track causes the car to basically stall out. This has happened to my on 4 separate occasions, luckily I was not going very fast or a highway, as you go into reduced power until you can turn the car off and reset the system. How can GM get away with not recalling this problem. I have had the car at the dealership 3 times in less than a month, only to have the Trottle Body Sensor replaced, and now less than 2 weeks later have the same thing happen to me again. The Mechanic says they cant retrieve the codes. I do not feel safe driving my vehicle. How would you like driving a car and not know if you are going to get rear ended at any moment, because your call stalls out for no reason.

- Laura A., Schaumburg, IL, US

problem #2

Oct 132015

Cruze LTZ

  • Automatic transmission
  • 56,236 miles

Bought my 2012 Cruze LTZ December of 2012. In July of 2013 while on vacation I had to replace the Valve Cover at 43,000 miles. In October of 2013 had to take my vehicle in for a second time and this time I had to replace the turbo charger at 56,000 miles. In March of 2014 I had to take it in again to have the Valve Cover replaced again at 74,000 miles. I just took my car in again at 130,000 miles and have to have the turbo charger and the valve cover replaced AGAIN!! Now I am being told because it is out of warranty I am responsible for the cost...$1800!!! I am not a mechanic, but do have a general knowledge of cars an what I don't know I google. These parts should not have to be replaced this many times on one vehicle in such a short period of time! I feel like there is a problem with my car that is causing these issues to happen over and over. My vehicle gets regular maintenance and it is not driven hard. Yes it has a lot of highway miles on it, but I have never had this many problems with a vehicle in my life!!! I own a 01 Chevy Silverado 2500HD with 330,000 miles on it and have never had to replace anything major on it. I also have a 07 Chevy Tahoe with 160,000 miles on it is still purring like a kitten!!! I have always bought Chevy products because they have always been so dependable. I am sooooo frustrated with this whole situation and was wondering if anyone else was having these same issues.

- shinkle, Post, TX, US

problem #1

Oct 132012

Cruze LS 1.4L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 2,504 miles

It was repaired after a week wait as part had to come in from Illinois USA. Picked up car on Fri. Oct.19th. On Sat when i turned on car to go shopping, the same problem recurred. Showed loss of engine power, no stabiltrack and check engine light. Currently at dealership since Oct.20th. Dealership provide rental car and helpful, however I will never have confidence with this vehicle again Only had car since Apr.26th, 2012 and low mileage.

- Corinne G., Scarborough, Ontario, Canada

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