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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:
4 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
3 / 0
Average Mileage:
50,818 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 miscellaneous problems

miscellaneous problem

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2012 Chevrolet Cruze Owner Comments (Page 2 of 4)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #59

Nov 222019

Cruze

  • 134,397 miles

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

My car started jerking, fan running constant, and over heating. I have brought it to the same dealership dave gill Chevrolet for service 5 times and every time they fix an issue comes back and the engine light comes on and I have to bring it back.

- Columbus, OH, USA

problem #58

Jan 132020

Cruze

  • miles
Vehicle has service traction control/service stabilitrak light that pops up every time the car is started. There is also a misfire code in cylinder number 1 which causes the engine to shake violently when parked in idle or sometimes when stopped at a red light. There has been a handful of times when I have made a turn into an intersection which is usually routine, but when I step on the gas there is no response from the engine at all and it leads me to coast for a few seconds at speeds usually from 2-5 mph. The gas pedal can also be pushed in to the floor and the car will not increase in speed for at least 5 seconds. It is very scary when entering intersections after being stopped at a red light or when trying to leave a parking lot. I brought my car to a Chevy dealer and they said they had no idea what was wrong with it. From there I brought it to a mechanic who ran tests, changed parts, and cleaned carbon from the engine for 2 weeks. After the 2 weeks there was still no clear explanation to why this is happening or how to fix it. This problem is definitely a big concern for safety that should not be happening.

- Chelmsford, MA, USA

problem #57

Aug 172019

Cruze

  • 150,000 miles
The car does a lot of stalling when you're driving it. Also the engin light will come on and stay on maybe a day, then go off. Just on and off anytime. Automobile losses power when this happens..

- Alton, VA, USA

problem #56

Oct 212019

Cruze

  • 48,000 miles

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

Car overheated. Messsage that a.C. shutting down because of high temp. Hose in engine blew. Mechanic could find nothing. Took it back on road didn't get a mile away temp is back up to 235/240. Back to mechanic nothing. Safe to drive. I research see the problems with my year model etc. Drive round trip of 20 miles ( not over 40 mph because of temp). Anti freeze leaks from bottom. Mechanic says it's a faulty sensor. While there may be a faulty sensor.. still leaking anti freeze. C ant get sensor due to strike issue. 48000 miles on this 2012 Cruze. Temp jumps from 180-235 for no reason. I won't take it on a highway anymore. I don't know what it will do.moon roof just stopped working for no reason. Fuses fine.

- Media, PA, USA

problem #55

Aug 152019

Cruze

  • 97,000 miles
I noticed that my vehicle seemed to be having issues when I pressed on the brake, so I took it in. I found out that it was a completely unrelated issue, and had to do with a crack running through the manifold. This was causing oil and coolant to leak onto the alternator. If I had not caught this early enough, they said I would have not been able to get it fixed. They repaired the leak, but a couple weeks later I noticed my car losing significant amounts of coolant/oil. This is causing oil and coolant to affect the turbo setting of my manual car, and has cost me up to $2,000 in repairs. This has been the underlying problem as to why I had to get my flywheel replaced 2 years ago, which was another $1,500. This is also what caused the transmission failure 3 years ago, another thousand dollars. I noted that the vehicle began leaking fluid after being stationary or moving while/after running for 10 minutes or longer.

- Clarksville, TN, USA

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problem #54

Oct 092019

Cruze

  • 111,200 miles
Just stalls whenever it feels like. Could be reversing from a parking spot and it just stalled and when pressed gas there was nothing. Just replaced the transmission in janurary. In a parking lot,

- Peyton, CO, USA

problem #53

Aug 102019

Cruze

  • 130,000 miles

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

Coolant system has failed on my multiple times within a 4 year period

- Defuniak Springs, FL, USA

problem #52

Aug 112019

Cruze

  • miles
When at stop light or stop sign car jerks.

- Kenosha, WI, USA

problem #51

Jun 142019

Cruze

  • 94,800 miles
Coolant leaks and does not reach the radiator, heating system is not functional.

- Harrisburg, PA, USA

problem #50

May 242019

Cruze

  • 8,334 miles
My car jerked while driving it down the road then the service stablizer light come on then the check engine light. When I had it looked at it came back that the crankshaft position sensor was bad and needed to be replaced. After researching I noticed that several people had the same issue. If so many are having the issue why hasnt there been a recall done on this yet.

- Lexington, KY, USA

problem #49

May 012019

Cruze

  • 93,000 miles

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

5/1/2019 my radio started going on and off while driving home then on 5/2/2019 it started blinking "stalibitrak" on my gauge panel along with the radio going on and off. Is this something I need to be concerned with as my car is no longer under warranty and I'm not raking in the dough to have this on my plate along with the other issues with the car. I've only had this car for a year and a half.

- Mesa, AZ, USA

problem #48

Mar 302019

Cruze

  • 66,000 miles
I have a 2012 Chevy Cruze 6 speed manual transmission. When driving and barley accelerating in 3rd gear it grinds and pops out of gear. Only 3rd gear no other issues!

- Iron Mountain, MI, USA

problem #47

Mar 032019

Cruze

  • 91,017 miles
Sunroof leaking water at the 4th water outlets problem flexible pipe get loose not holding the hoses tight serious problem you have electrical connections on the headliner

- Panorama City, CA, USA

problem #46

Jan 252019

Cruze

  • miles
Catalytic converter, engine light on and sulpher smell

- Abingdon, MD, USA

problem #45

Feb 192019

Cruze

  • miles
I own both a 2012 & 2013 cruz and they both have a leak in the same place. I also have a co-work that has one and is have the same water leak at first I toughht my car had been wrecked but it seems that if it's not just me it is not the case

- Memphis, TN, USA

problem #44

Jan 022019

Cruze

  • miles
I am having issues with my turbo. After taking it to my mechanic I am told that it is a common issue

- Madison, AL, USA

problem #43

Oct 012012

Cruze

  • 60 miles
I just want to start off by saying we purchased this car brand new from kocourek Chevrolet in wausau, wi. Dec 2012 or Jan 2013 bumper fell off within 3 months of purchase while driving. Yes, fell off. The dealership where we purchased the car hesitantly replaced it as the clips were broke off. Dec 2012 trunk button does not work properly - has been replaced multiple times (by kocourek). And not it has recently once it opens, it will not close despite being slammed shut 8 to 10 times. Oct 2012 had an antifreeze leak from day one - dealership tells us they can't find anything even when pointed out. I go though a gallon of dexos antifreeze every 2 weeks. But as the dealership says, that's fine and normal.... um... not to me!!!! Jan 2018 - the car stalls out constantly - reduced engine power, while driving on the highway, in the city or even just parked in the driveway. I have been very nearly rear ended multiple times because of this. We have yet to find the source of this. Jan 2018 codes for throttle position sensor issues even though it has been replaced multiple times. Still can't find the source of this. Dec 2018 after being started, the car will shut itself off or die off. Still cant find the source. Aug 2018 recently, the car has dash warnings that state "ac off due to high engine temp" even when it is 30 degrees out. The temp gauge will also drop to cold. We have also changed the thermostat multiple times as well. This car is beyond a lemon. We have had issues with this car from day 1. and what is more ridiculous is that the dealership will not stand behind it. I have service records documenting the complaints of the issues and the dealership "not finding anything wrong" or "unable to duplicate issues". we have given up with Chevy and also with kocourek Chevrolet in wausau. These issues have been ongoing since we purchased the car September 2012.

- Hatley, WI, USA

problem #42

Aug 222018

Cruze

  • 125,000 miles
Engine cooling system exploded while car in motion coolant was everywhere underneath the hood. Belt broken.and has oil leaking.with an 800 hundred dollars bill while on vacation.

- Greenville, MS, USA

problem #41

May 262018

Cruze

  • 68,000 miles
My car jerked a few times before it stopped in moving traffic going 30 miles and without warning except clicking noises. I had my three grandkids with me. I coasted to get out of traffic. Was told my transmission went. II am the only owner, 68,000 miles on my car. I am highly upset. Please advise.

- Ravena, NY, USA

problem #40

May 102018

Cruze

  • 130,000 miles
I was driving down interstate with no overheads no car in front or back of me and my sunroof exploded. Shattered glass filled my car and it was so scary. I have no idea why this happened, however GM needs to find out why their sunroofs will explode and shatter. I want it replaced, what do I do?

- Tallapoosa, GA, USA

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