NHTSA vehicle safety data

2012 Chevrolet Cruze Recalls, Ratings & Complaints

The 2012 Chevrolet Cruze has 7 NHTSA recall campaigns and 865 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Chevrolet dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2012 Chevrolet Cruze, plus NCAP crash-test ratings. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

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2012 Chevrolet Cruze owner complaints

Owners have filed 865 complaints with NHTSA about the 2012 Chevrolet Cruze, describing incidents dated February 15, 2011 to August 30, 2026.

Most-cited components

Engine 308 complaints
Electrical System 196 complaints
Service Brakes 150 complaints
Power Train 137 complaints
Electronic Stability Control (ESC) 108 complaints
Steering 103 complaints

Of the 865 complaints on file, 62 report a crash and 18 a fire; across all 865 complaints, owners report 30 injuries (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

ODI #11760905 · Filed August 31, 2026
I was driving and the engine caught on fire. The flames came from the turbo gasket compartment not sure why or how it ignited. Thankfully the damage was not that extensive the car was towed to my residence and it is not drivable it won't start.
ODI #11744364 · Filed June 16, 2026
Was driving and my car literally wouldn't go forward. Prior to I had an oil change and I would smell burning oil
ODI #11741926 · Filed June 3, 2026
My breaks do not work in reverse. Pump valve seems to be bad

Read all 865 complaints

Owner-reported

2012 Chevrolet Cruze mileage at failure

704 of the 865 complaints on file for the 2012 Chevrolet Cruze give the vehicle's mileage when the problem happened.

Mileage at failure by component, from owners' complaints to NHTSA
Component	Median	Middle half	Based on
Engine	Median 70,000 miles	Middle half 35,000–100,000 miles	Based on 230 complaints
Electrical System	Median 50,000 miles	Middle half 35,000–70,000 miles	Based on 157 complaints
Service Brakes	Median 50,000 miles	Middle half 20,000–80,000 miles	Based on 127 complaints
Power Train	Median 60,000 miles	Middle half 35,000–85,000 miles	Based on 109 complaints
Electronic Stability Control (ESC)	Median 60,000 miles	Middle half 40,000–85,000 miles	Based on 102 complaints
Steering	Median 45,000 miles	Middle half 25,000–60,000 miles	Based on 84 complaints

A component's median is its 50th percentile, and its middle half runs from its 25th to its 75th percentile.

Owners give the mileage themselves, often as a round number, and NHTSA doesn't check it. A complaint that names several components counts under each one, and mileages that can't be right, such as 999,999, or 50 miles on a five-year-old car, are left out.

These figures describe the complaints owners filed. They don't predict when a particular vehicle will have a problem, and vehicles that never had one aren't counted.

Most complaints NHTSA received since May 17, 2021 give no mileage. So that they aren't undercounted, each one received since then that gives a mileage also stands in for those that gave none, which can put a component's median above most of the mileages it is based on.

Mileage from NHTSA's complaints file of October 31, 2026. How these figures are worked out

NHTSA defect investigations

NHTSA's investigations file lists the 2012 Chevrolet Cruze in 3 investigations. Audit Queries and Equipment Queries are administrative investigations: they look at whether companies complied with federal vehicle safety requirements, such as reporting, recall and certification rules, not at a possible vehicle defect. A listed model year means only that an investigation names it; it says nothing about any particular vehicle. An open investigation is not a finding that a safety defect exists, and NHTSA can close one without a recall.

Audit Query AQ12-002: Chapman Chevrolet / Cruze Engine Recall
Closed October 20, 2014
Recall Query RQ13-002: Air Bag Non-deployment
Closed July 9, 2014
- Recall 13V-023
- Recall 14V-300
Preliminary Evaluation PE12-010: Engine compartment fire
Closed July 19, 2012
- Recall 12V-288

Open and recently closed NHTSA defect investigations

Key May Be Removed When Not In Park/FMVSS 114

NHTSA #16V502000 · Electrical System — Ignition · NHTSA notice

Reported July 5, 2016 · General Motors LLC

Potentially affected: 8,367 vehicles

Repair completion: 97.87% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Manufacturer campaign 50490, 50491 · Owners notified October 14, 2016 · Vehicles built January 11, 2011 – August 14, 2015 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Buick Verano and 2016 Chevrolet Malibu as the electronic park lock lever may allow the ignition key to be removed without the transmission being in PARK. Also, certain 2013 Buick Encore, 2011 Buick Regal, 2013-2014 Buick Verano, 2011-2016 Chevrolet Cruze, 2010-2013 Chevrolet Equinox 2013-2015 Chevrolet Malibu, and 2011-2013 GMC Terrain vehicles may have been serviced with similar defective replacement electronic park lock levers. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 114, "Theft Protection and Rollaway Prevention."

Safety consequence

If the key is removed without the transmission in PARK, the vehicle may rollaway as occupants are exiting, increasing the risk of injury.

Manufacturer remedy

GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and if necessary replace the key cylinder lock housing, free of charge. The recall began on October 14, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, Buick 1-800-521-7300, and GMC 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 50490 and 50491.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Driver Side Frontal Air Bag May Not Deploy

NHTSA #14V300000 · Air Bags · NHTSA notice

Reported June 6, 2014 · General Motors LLC

Potentially affected: 31,520 vehicles

Repair completion: 81.71% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Manufacturer campaign 12261 · Owners notified July 25, 2014 · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation

Defect description

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2012 Buick Verano vehicles manufactured December 2, 2011 to July, 16, 2012, Chevrolet Cruze vehicles manufactured December 7, 2011 to July 25, 2012, Chevrolet Sonic vehicles manufactured December 5, 2011 to August 2, 2012, and Chevrolet Camaro vehicles manufactured December 1, 2011 to June 11, 2012. The driver side frontal air bag has a shorting bar which may intermittently contact the air bag terminals.

Safety consequence

If the bar and terminals are contacting each other at the time of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, that air bag will not deploy, increasing the driver's risk of injury.

Manufacturer remedy

GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the steering wheel air bag coil, free of charge. The recall began on July 25, 2014. Chevrolet owners may contact GM at 1-800-222-1020. Buick owners may contact GM at 1-800-521-7300. Note: This is an expansion of recalls 12V-522 and 13V-023.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Possible Loss of Braking Assist

NHTSA #13V360000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic — Power Assist · NHTSA notice

Reported August 15, 2013 · General Motors LLC

Potentially affected: 292,879 vehicles

Repair completion: 91.77% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Manufacturer campaign 12213 · Owners notified October 7, 2013 · Vehicles built April 6, 2011 – August 7, 2012 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

General Motors (GM) is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 Chevrolet Cruze vehicles equipped with 1.4L DOHC gasoline turbo engines and 6T40 front wheel drive automatic transmissions and equipped with an electric vacuum pump to provide supplemental vacuum for brake assist, when needed. In the affected vehicles, the pump may not activate, resulting in an intermittent reduction or loss of brake assist.

Safety consequence

A loss of braking assistance will require extra pedal force and/or distance to bring the vehicle to a stop, increasing the risk of a crash.

Manufacturer remedy

General Motors will notify owners, and dealers will replace a microswitch in the power brake vacuum pipe assembly, free of charge. The recall began on October 7, 2013. Owners may contact Chevrolet at 1-800-222-1020. GM's recall number is 12213.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Driver Side Frontal Air bag may not Deploy

NHTSA #13V023000 · Air Bags · NHTSA notice

Reported January 24, 2013 · General Motors LLC

Potentially affected: 4,167 vehicles

Repair completion: 86.44% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Manufacturer campaign 12261 · Owners notified February 13, 2013 · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation

Defect description

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2012 Chevrolet Camaro, Cruze and Sonic, and model year 2012 Buick Verano vehicles. The driver side frontal air bag has a shorting bar which may intermittently contact the air bag terminals.

Safety consequence

Manufacturer remedy

GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the steering wheel air bag coil, free of charge. The safety recall began on February 13, 2013. Owners may contact General Motors at 1-800-521-7300.

Notes

This is General Motors recall number 12261 and is an expansion of NHTSA recall 12V-522.Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Driver Side Frontal Airbag may not Deploy

NHTSA #12V522000 · Air Bags · NHTSA notice

Reported October 31, 2012 · General Motors LLC

Potentially affected: 2,949 vehicles

Manufacturer campaign 12261 · Owners notified January 11, 2013

Defect description

General Motors is recalling certain model year 2012 Buick Verano, Chevrolet Cruze, and Chevrolet Sonic vehicles. The driver side frontal air bag has a shorting bar which may intermittently contact the air bag terminals.

Safety consequence

If the bar and terminals are contacting each other at the time of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal airbag, that airbag will not deploy, increasing the driver's risk of injury.

Manufacturer remedy

General Motors will notify owners, and dealers will replace the steering wheel airbag coil, free of charge. The safety recall began on January 11, 2013. Owners may contact General Motors at 1-800-521-7300.

Notes

This is General Motors recall number 12261.Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

FUEL TANK WELD SPOTS/FUEL LEAK/POSSIBLE FIRE

NHTSA #12V289000 · Fuel System, Gasoline — Storage — Tank Assembly — Mounting · NHTSA notice

Reported June 22, 2012 · GENERAL MOTORS LLC

Potentially affected: 53,239 vehicles

Manufacturer campaign 12133 · Owners notified July 9, 2012 · Vehicles built June 23, 2011 – May 14, 2012 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

GENERAL MOTORS (GM) IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 AND 2012 CHEVROLET CRUZE VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 2, 2009, THROUGH MAY 14, 2012. ATTACHMENT WELDS FOR THE FUEL TANK STRAP SECONDARY BRACKETS MAY HAVE BEEN OMITTED.

Safety consequence

THE FUEL TANK COULD COME LOOSE IN A CRASH, POSSIBLY ALLOWING FUEL TO LEAK FROM THE TANK. A FUEL LEAK IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

Manufacturer remedy

GM WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE VEHICLE FOR MISSING WELDS. IF THE VEHICLE IS MISSING WELDS, DEALERS WILL SECURE THE BRACKET ATTACHMENTS WITH FASTENERS. REPAIRS WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 9, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT THE CHEVROLET OWNER CENTER AT 1-866-694-6546.

Notes

GMS CAMPAIGN NUMBER IS 12133.OWNERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO <A HREF=HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV>HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV</A> .

OIL SPILLING OR DRIPPING/ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE

NHTSA #12V288000 · Engine and Engine Cooling · NHTSA notice

Reported June 22, 2012 · GENERAL MOTORS LLC

Potentially affected: 413,148 vehicles

Manufacturer campaign 12081 · Owners notified July 10, 2012 · Vehicles built February 8, 2011 – May 31, 2012 (per NHTSA) · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation

Defect description

GENERAL MOTORS (GM) IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 AND 2012 CHEVROLET CRUZE VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 2, 2009, THROUGH MAY 31, 2012. SPILLED OR DRIPPING OIL (SUCH AS AFTER AN OIL CHANGE) MAY COLLECT IN THE ENGINE SHIELD (BELLYPAN) NEAR HOT ENGINE OR EXHAUST SYSTEM SURFACES. AS A RESULT, THE OIL AND THE ENGINE SHIELD MAY IGNITE AND BURN.

Safety consequence

EITHER CONDITION COULD RESULT IN AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE, POSSIBLY CAUSING INJURY OR DEATH.

Manufacturer remedy

GM WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL MODIFY THE ENGINE SHIELD TO PREVENT FLUID FROM CONTACTING THE SHIELD. ALSO, ON VEHICLES WITH A MANUAL TRANSMISSION, DEALERS WILL APPLY A PROTECTIVE TAPE TO THE ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING WIRE HARNESS. REPAIRS WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE TO THE OWNER. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 10, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT THE CHEVROLET OWNER CENTER AT 1-866-694-6546.

Notes

GMS CAMPAIGN NUMBER IS 12081.OWNERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO <A HREF=HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV>HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV</A> .

2012 Chevrolet Cruze 4 DR FWD

out of 5

Overall Safety Rating

Frontal Crash

Driver: 5, Passenger: 5

Side Crash

Driver: 5, Passenger: 5

Side Pole

Rollover

11% rollover risk

Safety Technology

Electronic Stability Control

3 investigations

865 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2012 Chevrolet Cruze.

Engine

ODI #11760905

Fire

Incident: August 30, 2026 · Filed: August 31, 2026

I was driving and the engine caught on fire. The flames came from the turbo gasket compartment not sure why or how it ignited. Thankfully the damage was not that extensive the car was towed to my residence and it is not drivable it won't start.

Engine

ODI #11744364

Incident: June 15, 2026 · Filed: June 16, 2026

Was driving and my car literally wouldn't go forward. Prior to I had an oil change and I would smell burning oil

Electrical System; Unknown or Other; Service Brakes

ODI #11741926

Incident: May 28, 2026 · Filed: June 3, 2026

My breaks do not work in reverse. Pump valve seems to be bad

Power Train; Service Brakes; Engine

ODI #11734134

Incident: April 25, 2026 · Filed: April 27, 2026

Have called about this starting 2020. Had 137000. Also previous owner since 99000mi. Drive train & Turbo. Brake assist. Oil leaks, shutting off while driving. Now as of Saturday April 25 2026 Car shut off while driving and has been towed to dealership. Car deemed lemon by GM. In 2020 car to have been replaced I have all service contact numbers as well as my receipts. Car is a death trap. Do better Chevrolet & GM

Power Train; Electrical System

ODI #11733293

Incident: March 30, 2026 · Filed: April 23, 2026

The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Cruze. The contact stated that while driving at 40 MPH and accelerating over a speed bump, the key slid out of the ignition switch. An independent mechanic was contacted. The vehicle was taken to the independent mechanic, and it was determined that the ignition switch needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V502000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, POWER TRAIN); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and a case was opened. The failure mileage was 74,522.

Engine and Engine Cooling

ODI #11728123

Incident: March 21, 2026 · Filed: March 30, 2026

The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Cruze. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the engine started overheating, and a coolant leak was discovered. During the failure, the check engine warning light was displayed, and the message "A/C Off Due to High Engine Temp" was displayed even though the A/C was not activated. The temperature gauge was elevated, creating a risk that the engine might stall or catch on fire. The contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Number: 12V288000 ( ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING); however, the VIN was not included in the recall repair. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 144,000.

Engine

ODI #11711132

Incident: January 2, 2026 · Filed: January 15, 2026

Check engine light on Car smoking when driven and smells like burning oil

Engine

ODI #11693383

Incident: September 3, 2025 · Filed: October 14, 2025

My son just purchased this car and nearly hit 100,000 miles. It started leaking oil in the engine area the valve cover gasket. It's drips all over the car causing it to smoke and smell.

Engine

ODI #11685443

Incident: September 6, 2025 · Filed: September 6, 2025

Repetitive coolant leak repaired 5+ times over 9 years; incurred costs over $X,XXX. Coolant (toxic) leak causes burn off in the engine compartment and the vapors from this are transferred into the cabin, posing a risk to driver and passenger health.

Power Train

ODI #11655044

Incident: February 1, 2025 · Filed: April 16, 2025

Had a 3-5-R wave plate failure. Symptoms started at around 87,000 miles. Bouncing/jerking when put into reverse. 5th gear slams hard into gear when upshifting and downshifting, making it feel like I have been rear ended. Now 3rd gear is starting to shift hard like 5th. Soon I'll have no gears. Car has been both regular and preventative maintained so should not have such a massive failure at under 100k miles. Other vehicles with the same transmission (6t40) have been recalled due to similar issues, like the 1.4 turbocharged Cruze, but not the 1.8l Cruze for whatever reason. Now I have to pay $4k for a rebuild on something that Chevrolet should be liable to pay.

Other Chevrolet Cruze model years

Check your 2012 Chevrolet Cruze VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Chevrolet Cruze at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

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