The Lemon Index2016 Chevrolet Cruze.
The 2016 Chevrolet Cruze is better than average by owner complaints: 112 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 56, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about electrical, it has 4 recalls, and it gets 26 to 34 mpg combined. The best Chevrolet Cruze year is 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 2016 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 250 owner complaints, owners reported:
Every Chevrolet Cruze year. 2016 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 20K to 72K miles on the car (149 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 40K–84K miles
- electrical complaints mostly came at 11K–61K miles
- fuel or ev drive system complaints mostly came at 22K–71K miles
Recalls 4
- fuel system, gasoline 2018
The vehicles may leak gasoline following a rear-impact crash and a rollover.
- seats 2017
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.
- electrical 2016
As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Sta.
Show all 4 recalls
- lights 2016
The headlight assemblies are not marked with a three-digit identifier code used to properly aim the headlights.
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 1332 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- This informational bulletin provides information internal engine noise or damage after oil…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Safety
Crash test details
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chevrolet Cruze 4 DR FWD | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ |
| Chevrolet Cruze Limited 4 DR FWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
Fuel cost and engines
About $1900–2450 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 1.4L 4-cyl, 1.8L 4-cyl.
In owners' words
Door ajar sensor goes off while driving, parked cause alarm system to go off. Door locks go back and forth while driving. Dome lights go off and on.
2016 Chevrolet Cruze owner · NHTSA complaint 11133199
More owner reports
Wipers stopped working on my 2016 chevy Cruze. Only 2 years old and now can't wipe rain away cause it stopped with no warning and no problems prior
NHTSA complaint 11090306
Takata recal the engine shutdown completely without a reason, gas tank all the sudden is empty and the wheels locked and shutdown.
NHTSA complaint 11157220
Quick answers
Is the 2016 Chevrolet Cruze reliable?
Yes, better than average by government complaints. It drew 1.8× fewer complaints than average filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 56; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Chevrolet Cruze year by this measure is 2019.
What are the most common 2016 Chevrolet Cruze problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are electrical (34%), engine (29%) and fuel or ev drive system (12%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2016 Chevrolet Cruze have?
4 safety recalls (latest: fuel system, gasoline). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2016 Chevrolet Cruze get?
26 to 34 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Is the 2016 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 2016 Chevrolet Cruze problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 20,000 and 72,000 miles. The middle report was at 56,600 miles, from 149 complaints.
Does the 2016 Chevrolet Cruze have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 11% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2016 Chevrolet Cruze cost in fuel a year?
About $1900 to $2450 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2016 Chevrolet Cruze have?
1.4L 4-cyl, 1.8L 4-cyl.
What Chevrolet Cruze year is better than the 2016?
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