The Lemon Index

All cars · Chevrolet Cruze · 2016

2016 Chevrolet Cruze. Advanced data.

The raw numbers: engines, recall campaign numbers, failure mileage and manufacturer communications.

Lemon Index56100 = average car
Complaints112NHTSA, first 3 years
Sold188,876U.S. model year
Per 100K sold59complaints
Year rank#5 of 9#1 = fewest complaints

Engines and drivetrains 5

EngineTransmissionDriveCity / hwy / combinedFuelFuel cost/yr
1.4L 4-cyl turboManual 6-spdFWD28 / 40 / 33Regular$1,900
1.4L 4-cyl turboAuto 6-spdFWD26 / 37 / 30Regular$2,100
1.4L 4-cyl turboAuto (S6)FWD26 / 36 / 30Regular$2,100
1.8L 4-cylManual 6-spdFWD25 / 35 / 29Regular$2,150
1.8L 4-cylAuto (S6)FWD22 / 34 / 26Regular$2,400

EPA test versions for this model year. Fuel cost is the EPA's current estimate, not the price in that year.

Failure mileage by system

Half of owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 20,000 and 72,000 miles. Median 56,600, from 149 complaints with a mileage.

SystemMedianMiddle halfComplaints
Engine66,20040,000–84,40056
Electrical40,50011,200–61,20040
Fuel or ev drive system48,00022,000–71,60019
Transmission & drivetrain48,00028,700–68,60017
Airbags71,00030,000–95,00013

Mileage owners typed into their NHTSA complaint, all complaints for this model year. People report some problems late, so read it as a range.

Complaints by system

SystemShare of complaints
Electrical34%
Engine29%
Fuel or ev drive system12%
Stability control11%
Transmission & drivetrain11%

One complaint can name more than one system, so shares can add to more than 100%.

Severity, all complaints

TotalCrashesFiresInjuriesDeathsTows
25019612018

As reported by owners to NHTSA. Not verified.

Recall campaigns 4

  • 18V304000 May 2018 Fuel System, Gasoline

    Defect. 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."

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

    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.

  • 17V057000 Jan 2017 Seats / Front Assembly / Head Restraint

    Defect. 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."

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

    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.

  • 16V502000 Jul 2016 Electrical System / Ignition

    Defect. 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 Sta

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

    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.

  • 16V498000 Jul 2016 Exterior Lighting / Headlights

    Defect. 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."

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

    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.

Manufacturer communications 1332

Chevy filed 1332 service communications for this car with NHTSA.

  • This informational bulletin provides information internal engine noise or damage after oil…

Crash ratings by version

VersionOverallFrontSideRollover
Chevrolet Cruze 4 DR FWD★★★★☆★★★★★★★★★☆★★★★☆
Chevrolet Cruze Limited 4 DR FWD★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★☆

Safety equipment

Electronic stabilityForward collision warningLane departure warning
StandardOptionalNo

YouTube repair topics

100 videos about the 2011–2016 Chevy Cruze, 23.0M views.

TopicVideosViews
Oil changes & service41.8M
Heat, A/C & blend door3956K
Cooling system7871K
Infotainment, battery & electrical5841K
Oil leaks & gaskets5780K
Intake, EGR & engine sensors3452K
Windows, doors & mirrors3437K
Transmission & shifter2294K

Nearby model years

YearLemon IndexComplaintsSoldTop system
201376232248,224Transmission & drivetrain
201482244273,060Electrical
20154197226,602Electrical
201656112188,876Electrical
201751100184,751Engine
20183962142,617Engine
2019221148,759Speed control

Sources: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer communications; EPA fuel economy data; YouTube video titles. Complaints are owner reports, not proof of a defect.

Updated

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