NHTSA vehicle safety data

2016 Chevrolet Cruze Recalls, Ratings & Complaints

The 2016 Chevrolet Cruze has 4 NHTSA recall campaigns and 250 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 2016 Chevrolet Cruze, plus NCAP crash-test ratings. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

2016 Chevrolet Cruze owner complaints

Owners have filed 250 complaints with NHTSA about the 2016 Chevrolet Cruze, describing incidents dated January 14, 2016 to September 16, 2026.

Most-cited components

  • Engine 108 complaints
  • Electrical System 59 complaints
  • Unknown or Other 43 complaints
  • Fuel/Propulsion System 37 complaints
  • Power Train 31 complaints
  • Air Bags 21 complaints

Of the 250 complaints on file, 19 report a crash and 6 a fire; across all 250 complaints, owners report 14 injuries (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

  • ODI #11764992 · Filed

    I am filing this complaint due to repeated mechanical and safety problems with my 2016 Chevrolet Cruze. The vehicle has had ongoing acceleration problems, including times when it would not accelerate properly even with the A/C on its lowest setting. The turbocharger has needed to be replaced…

  • ODI #11760031 · Filed

    car has been overheating run while i take the keys out doors will lock with keys in the ignition lots of lights will come on car will slow way down constantly adding antifreeze in it heat and air will stop working i have had trouble ever since i bought this a year ago

  • ODI #11759000 · Filed

    Manufacturer: General Motors / Chevrolet Vehicle: 2016 Chevrolet Cruze LT (VIN: [XXX]) Corporate Case Number: XXX Nature of Dispute: Premature mechanical failure of a major drivetrain assembly and administrative bad faith. Factual Timeline: Initial Failure & Prior Liability: At 51,490 miles, the…

Read all 250 complaints

Owner-reported

2016 Chevrolet Cruze mileage at failure

147 of the 250 complaints on file for the 2016 Chevrolet Cruze give the vehicle's mileage when the problem happened.

Mileage at failure by component, from owners' complaints to NHTSA
Electrical SystemMedian 45,000 milesMiddle half 16,000–60,000 milesBased on 40 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

Fuel Leak in Rollover After Crash/FMVSS 301

NHTSA #18V304000 · Fuel System, Gasoline · NHTSA notice

Reported May 10, 2018 · General Motors LLC

Potentially affected: 111,966 vehicles

Repair completion: 83.26% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Manufacturer campaign 18159 · Owners notified June 7, 2018 · Vehicles built November 9, 2015 – May 1, 2018 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Chevrolet Cruze LS vehicles, equipped with a gasoline engine and a tire inflator kit instead of a spare tire. The vehicles may leak gasoline following a rear-impact crash and a rollover. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 301, "Fuel System Integrity."

Safety consequence

A fuel leak, in the presence of an ignition source, increases the risk of a fire.

Manufacturer remedy

GM will notify owners, and dealers will install a lock-ring on the fuel tank that will shield the fuel tank vapor pressure sensor from damage in a rear-impact crash, free of charge. The recall began June 7, 2018. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 18159.

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.

Incorrectly Welded Seat Back Frame/FMVSS 202a

NHTSA #17V057000 · Seats — Front Assembly — Head Restraint · NHTSA notice

Reported January 26, 2017 · General Motors LLC

Potentially affected: 17,197 vehicles

Repair completion: 91.88% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Manufacturer campaign 17035 · Owners notified February 28, 2017 · Vehicles built June 28, 2016 – July 21, 2016 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2016-2017 Chevrolet Cruze vehicles. A bracket used in the driver or front passenger seat-back recliner mechanism may have been incorrectly welded to the seat-back frame, as a result, in the event of a crash, the head-restraints may not function properly. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 202a, "Head Restraints."

Safety consequence

In a crash, the seat-backs for the front seats may break, increasing the risk of injury to the occupants.

Manufacturer remedy

GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the front passenger seats, replacing any with seat-back frames that are incorrectly welded, free of charge. The recall began on February 28, 2017. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 17035.

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.

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.

Headlights may be Incorrectly Aimed/FMVSS 108

NHTSA #16V498000 · Exterior Lighting — Headlights · NHTSA notice

Reported July 1, 2016 · General Motors LLC

Potentially affected: 32,913 vehicles

Repair completion: 100% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Manufacturer campaign 50190 · Owners notified August 11, 2016 · Vehicles built November 5, 2015 – May 26, 2016 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2016 Cruze vehicles manufactured November 5, 2015, to May 26, 2016. The headlight assemblies are not marked with a three-digit identifier code used to properly aim the headlights. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Assoc. Equipment."

Safety consequence

Without the identification code, the headlights may be improperly aimed during service, reducing nighttime visibility and increasing the risk of a crash.

Manufacturer remedy

GM will mail owners instructions and adhesive labels, with the correct code, to install on their headlight assemblies. Owners may also bring the vehicle to a GM dealership for any assistance with applying the label, free of charge. The recall began on August 11, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet Customer Service Department at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 50190.

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.

Other Chevrolet Cruze model years

Check your 2016 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.

Check a Chevrolet VIN