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10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
3 / 2
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
37,439 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.

2016 Chevrolet Cruze engine problems

engine problem

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2016 Chevrolet Cruze Owner Comments (Page 2 of 5)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #72

May 202022

Cruze

  • miles

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

Vehicle is leaking coolant I've had it fixed and continue to have issues with it. When I go to add coolant it sounds like it is boiling in the motor and car is becoming very hot and smokes from the motor. Was driving through town heard a hissing noise and somehow coolant had sprayed all over the hood and windshield of my car.

- Connersville , IN, USA

problem #71

Feb 182022

Cruze

  • miles
The car started smoking from under the hood and completely stopped and the mechanic I took the vehicle to told me that the engine is done and needs to be replaced at an estimated cost of $3,700. Luckily, this did not happen on the highway and I was able to get the car pulled into a retail space parking lot and get it towed to the mechanic. Wile driving, the low oil light flashed on for a moment a couple of times. Not long after that, the vehicle stalled. The mechanic changed the oil but the car was smoking with white smoke billowed out the exhaust. The vehicle has just under 114,000 miles and we have already put much money into this car to get the check engine light fixed.

- Lorain, OH, USA

problem #70

Dec 152021

Cruze 4-cyl

  • miles
The engine and engine parts of my vehicle malfunctioned and caused excessive oil leakage. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request. The safety of my family is put at risk because: - The vehicle engine sputters while driving. - The engine leaks oil excessively, smokes, and lets off an oil burning odor. - The radio screen blanks out frequently. All of the issues combined worry me because I have had the vehicle serviced multiple times and the safety issues still exist. The vehicle was serviced by the manufacturer. The problems found were: engine concern for squeaking drive belt, front timing cover leaking oil, and camshaft cover leaking. The vehicle had special coverage warranties with the manufacturer for some of the parts that needed to be repaired. There were not any warning lamps, messages, or indicators for the engine issues. I encountered the engine smoking, the vehicle sputtering, a strong odor of oil burning, and excessive oil leakage spots in my driveway. These issues made me take the vehicle in. The engine light did not light up for the issues. No indicator light(s) were on when the vehicle was taken in to be serviced. The vehicle was serviced and the faulty parts were replaced. However, the same issues are present and have not subsided after being serviced, replaced, and or repaired. I worry that the engine issues for my vehicle can not be corrected and that select engine parts should be recalled.

- Bourbonnais, IL, USA

problem #69

Feb 212022

Cruze

  • miles

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

Cracked Thermostat Housing Unit. No sensors went off, and smoke started pouring out from under the hood obscuring vision. Vehicle is already under repair so not available for inspection. The Thermostat Housing Units, after first repair taking the one that came with the vehicle, have also all cracked, and has had to be replaced multiple times.

- Spencer, IN, USA

problem #68

Dec 112021

Cruze

  • miles
1st of all the motor was running g great! Then all of a sudden it started running rough and shaking. Was driving on the highway at 65 mph.no warni g lights or anything. Then a warning light came on for the brakes and it was hard to stop. The vacuum pump went out for the brakes and almost ended up in the ditch. Well put a vacuum pump on it and that fixed that problem but it was missing like crazy. Had it checked out and here the #1cylinder piston broke apart. Now it needs a motor. Almost cost me my life on that one.Motor is not cheap and don't know if it is worth it. I have been reading alot on them and people are having to change motors at 8,000 miles and sometimes twice in the same car before 18,000 miles. Don't you think there is something wrong with that?

- Thomas , WV, USA

problem #67

Oct 012018

Cruze

  • miles
PCM failure Almost had numerous accidents. The problem has not been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or service center. It has been reproduced by other people after explaining the issue. Also has been reproduced on another Gm product around the same year. Vehicle has been inspected by an independent shop, the only thing that was found was excessive brake wear in rear. Problem appeared when I first started driving the car. It is definitely a software issue. Software should be polling the wheel speed sensor while in engine off. There were no idiot lights. Recently, on a private road that had an inclination, I reproduce the problem. The vehicle obtained at least two miles an hour rolling backwards for about a minute. The speedometer did not register any speed. I did not want to test this any longer for fear of engine starting back up and damaging the transmission. Approaching a stop softly applying the brakes with an incline, whether at a controlled intersection or in traffic, when the auto engine shutdown activates, the vehicle rolls backwards.

- Franklinville , NJ, USA

problem #66

Aug 302021

Cruze

  • miles

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

I have a Chevy Cruze LT 1.4 l turbo engine and it has an exhaust leak by the manifold or the Cadillac converter is not working, a mechanic we took it to has confirmed that one of the hoses going into the Cadillac converter burst due to the Cadillac converter not working properly today is October 2nd it happened three days ago from today I have talked to other Chevy Cruze owners and confirmed the day also had the same problem I heard there is a recall for this problem on 2016 Chevy cruise so I would like to know if my car is on that recall list so I can go and get it fixed I have $133,000 miles on my car so it's not under the manufacturer's warranty anymore it is a very pricey repair which I do not have the money for due to the pandemic as we all know so please contact me through my email you guys have onfile and also because of this problem I cannot work I use my car for work, My car is a 2016 Chevy Cruze LT with a 1.4 L turbo engine thank you

- Ontario, CA, USA

problem #65

Mar 022020

Cruze

  • miles
My car and 2 other Chevrolet Cruzes that I know of have had overheating problems with the engines.

- Adamsburg, PA, USA

problem #64

Jul 072021

Cruze

  • miles
When slowing down car just dies out. Not check engine light on and no codes are being thrown. It-€™s very dangerous when your on the freeway In stop and go traffic and your car just dies with out warning. Everything freezes up the steering and brakes. Thankful car starts back up after a few minutes

- Washington , TX, USA

problem #63

Jul 262021

Cruze

  • miles
Coolant system. I had to pull over on a major I-70 coming into Kansas City. A major extremely dangerous and busy area. I had to get off on exit 69South. It was 100 degrees outside. was not able to let the car cool down all of the way. I would wait for 45 mins, drive two miles and have to pull over again. Check engine light came on. Overheating alarm came on with turn off ac. Which I did and turned on the heater. AGAIN, it was 100 degrees outside. I was without a vehicle in a dangerous part of town.

- Manhattan, KS, USA

problem #62

Jun 042021

Cruze

  • miles

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

I was driving my 2016 Chevy Cruze and a light appears om my dashboard saying the my engine was overheating. My mechanic was booked, and recommended a shop down the road. I brought my car in on 4/8/21. The Coolant housing and hose. Then on May 27th I was driving to the store and I received the same message that my car was overheating. I brought it to my mechanic after the long holiday weekend. He says it needs another coolant hose. My research shows that this is not uncommon in these cars. Isn't there something that can be done? I bought the car used in 2018. I have 97k miles on it, and I am still making payments.

- Concord, MA, USA

problem #61

Sep 292020

Cruze

  • 85,053 miles
The check engine light went on and I paid $940 to try to fix the problem. The problem was not fixed and the quote to fix the problem was estimated to be approximately $2,000. I can drive the car, but I will not pass the oh emissions test until it is fixed.

- Lorain, OH, USA

problem #60

Apr 012021

Cruze

  • 50,824 miles
Leaking oil right beneath the dipstick but not directly out of the dipstick. Coming from under the plastic eco tech cover

- New Richmond, WI, USA

problem #59

Feb 112021

Cruze

  • 60,000 miles
Second report I'm making about this cars engine problems the stability track and reduced engine power caused my car to stop on the expressway and I almost hit someone ! please investigate into this issue their are several people under this post from different parts of the world saying the same thing

- Chicago, IL, USA

problem #58

Feb 132021

Cruze

  • miles
Check engine light came on I paid out of pocket for 3 different diagnostics for them to say they fixed it and still have this problem. Car goes in stability track and reduced engine power wont drive over 5mph this is the same problem I see numerous other people with this car are complaining about why are you guys not investigating or recalling this engine because it's clearly a manufacturer issue

- Chicago, IL, USA

problem #57

Jun 152020

Cruze

  • miles
My check engine light had come on I got it checked at my mechanic but can't seem to figure out the problem. When you first start the ignition it feels like the car is bobbing back and fourth. Also after the auto stop goes on and you take your foot off the brake and put it on the gas pedal the car stutters. I also had a problem when I was coming out of my driveway it stalled and lost all power steering I had to turn the car off and back on again.

- New Hampton, NY, USA

problem #56

Dec 152020

Cruze

  • 98,000 miles
Vehicle was shaking profusely on local street, did not accelerate beyond 5 mph, and had a 'stabilitrak' error code. Barely made it back to the driveway. Had it towed to a dealership and confirmed piston/cylinder problem, which will require a completely new engine. Bought it used in 2018 (with 54K miles) from a dealer, but was not made aware of service bulletin pip5421; and the mfg'ers warranty is no longer valid as there is over 90K miles (but still within 5 years). Dealer indicates it will cost $9500 to put new engine in, and we still owe on it....worthless car!

- San Jose, CA, USA

problem #55

Jan 122021

Cruze

  • 71,600 miles
Check engine light came on. Took car to dealership to get checked. The purge valve, water pump, and cam actuator seals all went bad.

- Terre Haute, IN, USA

problem #54

Jan 042021

Cruze

  • 66,445 miles
Before leaving work, I turned on my car for about ten minutes to warm up. When I entered the car to leave work, I was overcome with the smell of what I thought was gasoline. I drove like normal on my way home, rolling the window down to get rid of the smell, and I also thought some smoke or haze may have entered my car, although it was dark and foggy so I cannot be sure. While driving on the highway, my car's (2016 Chevy Cruze) oil light came on. It gave me an urgent message of "low oil pressure- stop engine" and beeped continuously, while a thick smell of oil filled the car. I am very lucky that I was near an exit and I pulled off immediately into a grocery store parking lot. The car had to be towed and later that week, I learned that my car had leaked 3.3 quarts of oil, leaving me with 1.25 quarts. The mechanic told me that I was lucky I pulled off when I did, and that there was a serious risk of engine damage. He also let me know that another car, same make and model, was also in the shop with the same exact problem, and that that car's engine had to be replaced. I quote from my $500+ invoice, "the turbo oil feed pipe was leaking at the oil cooler due to poor sealing. Vehicle was 3.3 quarts low on fluid."

- Madison, WI, USA

problem #53

Oct 072019

Cruze

  • 70,000 miles
I purchased a 2016 Chevrolet Cruze with an auto stop feature. The vehicle was purchased as a used vehicle in August of 2019. At the time of purchase, it had 70,000 miles on it. Less than two month into having the vehicle, the car started shutting off each time I came to a complete stop. The only way to get the car moving again was by placing it in park and restarting the vehicle. This issue occurs in all settings including city streets and highways. I have to be in traffic in order for the issue to present itself on the highway. The issue presents itself on the street anytime I stop at a light, stop sign, or yield to oncoming traffic. It has done this hundreds of times to date. I took the car to a Chevrolet dealership in October of 2019 shortly after the issue began. A representative explained that this happened because the auto-stop component wasn't able to receive enough power to stay on. I had the component replaced out of pocket, since my warranty didn't cover. The same day I drove the vehicle home, the issue persisted. Since then, I have also had the battery replaced. As of November 2020, the car is still experiencing the same issues, coupled with a check engine light that comes on and goes off each time restart the vehicle. The technicians have not been able to properly diagnose this vehicle's issue after multiple visits. Much of my time and money has been wasted trying to fix a vehicle with no active recalls. This is also the second time I am filing a complaint with the NHTSA.

- Hampton, GA, USA

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