The Lemon Index2012 Chevrolet Cruze.
The 2012 Chevrolet Cruze is worse than average by owner complaints: 382 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 140, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about electrical, it has 7 recalls, and it gets 26 to 32 mpg combined. The best Chevrolet Cruze year is 2019.
Worse than average. 1.4× the average car's complaints.
Best year 2019
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
Fixes owners look up most.
From 100 YouTube videos about the 2011–2016 Chevy Cruze, 23.0M views. The 2012 is the same generation.
- Oil changes & service1.8M views
How to Diagnose and Fix Service Stabilitrak Traction Control Problem 2011 - 2015 Chevy CruzeDeuceLiter · 1.3M views · 4 videos - Heat, A/C & blend door956K views
Fixing 'AC Off Due to High Engine Temp' Error on 2011 Chevy CruzeFixologist Unscripted · 780K views · 3 videos - Cooling system871K views
How to Replace Coolant By-Pass Hose 2011-2015 Chevy CruzeTRQ · 189K views · 7 videos - Infotainment, battery & electrical841K views
2011-2015 CHEVY CRUZE SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL (STABILITRAK) & RADIO TURNS OFF FIX!!Falcon's Garage · 390K views · 5 videos
Show 4 more
- Oil leaks & gaskets780K views
How to Replace Valve Cover 2011-2015 Chevy CruzeTRQ · 294K views · 5 videos - Intake, EGR & engine sensors452K views
How to Replace Intake Manifold 2011-2015 Chevy CruzeTRQ · 194K views · 3 videos - Windows, doors & mirrors437K views
How to Replace Front Window Regulator 2011-2015 Chevrolet CruzeTRQ · 219K views · 3 videos - Transmission & shifter294K views
How to Service the auto transmission on the Chevrolet Cruze 2011 to 2015Haynes Manuals · 158K views · 2 videos
Before you buy, watch
Top 5 Problems: Chevy Cruze Sedan 2008-16 1st Gen1A Auto: Repair Tips & Secrets Only Mechanics Know · 1.4M views
Top 5 Problems With The Chevy Cruze (1st Generation 2008-2016)Alex The Car Doctor · 515K views
2011 Chevrolet Cruze REVIEWthedriversseat · 465K viewsViews show how many people looked up each fix, not how often it breaks. Videos belong to their creators; we link to them.
How serious. Out of 865 owner complaints, owners reported:
Every Chevrolet Cruze year. 2012 is highlighted. Lower is better.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 29K to 83K miles on the car (716 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- engine complaints mostly came at 30K–96K miles
- electrical complaints mostly came at 31K–72K miles
- brakes complaints mostly came at 19K–77K miles
Recalls 7
- electrical 2016
As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Sta.
- airbags 2014
The driver side frontal air bag has a shorting bar which may intermittently contact the air bag terminals.
- brakes 2013
In the affected vehicles, the pump may not activate, resulting in an intermittent reduction or loss of brake assist.
Show all 7 recalls
- airbags 2013
The driver side frontal air bag has a shorting bar which may intermittently contact the air bag terminals.
- airbags 2012
The driver side frontal air bag has a shorting bar which may intermittently contact the air bag terminals.
- fuel system, gasoline 2012
GENERAL MOTORS (GM) IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 AND 2012 CHEVROLET CRUZE VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 2, 2009, THROUGH MAY 14, 2012.
- engine 2012
GENERAL MOTORS (GM) IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 AND 2012 CHEVROLET CRUZE VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 2, 2009, THROUGH MAY 31, 2012.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Problems Chevy told dealers about
Chevy sent dealers 1817 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Reservoir for power steering fluid is heat damaged and leaking
- Gmc/chevrolet/buick: transmission pump needs inspecting due to engine cranking but fails to…
- Engine rattle/knock noise, loose or broken front crankshaft pulley bolt and/or flywheel bolts
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Government investigations
- ClosedAir bag non-deployment2013–2014
- ClosedChapman chevrolet / cruze engine recall2012–2014
- ClosedEngine compartment fire2012
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash test details
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chevrolet Cruze 4 DR FWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
Fuel cost and engines
About $2000–2450 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 1.4L 4-cyl, 1.8L 4-cyl.
In owners' words
Tire monitor system gives warning that it needs service, have been to dealership twice in the past two days for same problem and now must go again because warning light is back on to service tire monitor system.
2012 Chevrolet Cruze owner · NHTSA complaint 10466309
More owner reports
After you shut the car off and get out of the car, it sounds like the motor is still running.
NHTSA complaint 10604324
Loud whining/electronic noise come from engine after the car has been turned off and ac has run. Happens most warm/hot days the ac has run.
NHTSA complaint 10619125
Quick answers
Is the 2012 Chevrolet Cruze reliable?
No, it is worse than average by government complaints. It drew 1.4× the average car's complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 140; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Chevrolet Cruze year by this measure is 2019.
What are the most common 2012 Chevrolet Cruze problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are electrical (29%), engine (21%) and steering (20%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2012 Chevrolet Cruze have?
7 safety recalls (latest: electrical). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2012 Chevrolet Cruze get?
26 to 32 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Is the 2012 Chevrolet Cruze safe?
NHTSA gave it 5 out of 5 stars overall in its best tested version. Ratings differ by body style, and the full table is on the advanced page.
At what mileage do 2012 Chevrolet Cruze problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 29,600 and 83,900 miles. The middle report was at 54,400 miles, from 716 complaints.
Does the 2012 Chevrolet Cruze have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 13% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2012 Chevrolet Cruze cost in fuel a year?
About $2000 to $2450 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2012 Chevrolet Cruze have?
1.4L 4-cyl, 1.8L 4-cyl.
What Chevrolet Cruze year is better than the 2012?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2019, 2018 and 2015.
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works