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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."

6.8

fairly significant
Typical Repair Cost:
No data
Average Mileage:
59,850 miles
Total Complaints:
5 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

  1. not sure (4 reports)
  2. replace transmission (1 reports)
2012 Chevrolet Cruze transmission problems

transmission problem

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2012 Chevrolet Cruze Owner Comments

problem #5

Aug 182017

Cruze 1.4L Turbo

  • Manual transmission
  • 62,137 miles

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

Yet another game of Chevy Cruze. This time our transmission was making some noise, lazy shifting into second gear from first. Went into Chevy for a fix of something else and they were very quick to tell me to bring my car in for a transmission replacement!!!!! It was crazy how on top of that they were. Obviously they have had problems. Funny thing is.. my car is doing it again.

DO NOT BUY A CRUZE!!!

- Michelle H., Qualicum Beach, BC, Canada

problem #4

Mar 092018

Cruze LS 1.8L V4

  • Automatic transmission
  • 75,000 miles

Shifting into reverse takes up to 3 seconds to shift. There's times when the transmission is cold, select reverse and have to wait until I feel the car shift, which can take 2-3 seconds. If I press the gas without waiting, the car shifts hard into reverse. The reverse shifting takes the longest of all my 5 cars. Until now, have not found a resolution, guessing only resolution in replacing. Notice problem happening when it almost reached 70k miles. Now it's at 75k miles. The problem occurs more often when it's cold outside.

- J O., Tucson, az, US

problem #3

Dec 212017

Cruze LT 1.4L 4 cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 124,274 miles

This problem is occurring increasingly more. When you shift from reverse to drive the car take a second or two, before finally slamming into gear. This happens in low gears as well but is less noticeable.

- Mike C., Toronto, ON, Canada

problem #2

Dec 312012

Cruze LX 1.4L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 21,000 miles

took to dealer first thing they said when I told problem of shifting hard was oh you have the chevy cruz what I got from that was they were having a lot of problems with this.they test drove but could not get it to shift hard.said keep on driving that I had a warranty on it to 100,000 miles but I would much rather have problem fixed.

- rickeyvirginia, Orange, VA, US

problem #1

Dec 012012

Cruze LS

  • Manual transmission
  • 16,700 miles

Tranny makes a clunk noise shifting from 1st into 2nd gear been going on for months, onlt happens when cars has been shut off, not driving aroudn just on take off. I took it to Dealer twice & they said it's normal, its the ABS Pump & ALL the Cruze's do that. I said, Ya I dont think so!!!

- mflick, Victorville, CA, US

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