2012 CHEVROLET CRUZE Complaints

View complaints related to 2012 CHEVROLET CRUZE. The complaints found here are submitted by actual consumers with first hand experience. There are more than 840 complaints submitted for the 2012 CHEVROLET CRUZE. You can submit your own complaint to the NHTSA or call the Hotline, Monday-Friday 8am to 8pm at (888) 327-4236, TTY: (800) 424-9153.

  • 2012 CHEVROLET CRUZE
    - Cincinnati, OH

    UNKNOWN. My 2012 Chevy Cruz sits most of the time in my driveway as I drive a second vehicle. Unbeknownst to me, this vehicle has been completely consumed by mold and upon further research on the internet, i discovered that other GM owners have had similar issues with mold. I have owned other vehicles that have sat for long periods of time in my driveway and have NEVER had an issue with mold. I don’t know the exact date that this issue started. All I know is that I looked inside the vehicle last week to jump the battery and found it consumed with mold. Based on the comments of other owners, this appears to be a defect with GM vehicles ranging from the Silverado to the Impala and the Cruz. Owners should not be forced to pay to rectify this s horrible issue or to be out of money when told to salvage their cars.

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE
  • 2012 CHEVROLET CRUZE
    - Yakima, WA

    Please print off the scanned documents and add them to the complaint form # 11512592. I needed more room to upload 4 more jpeg files to show the history of the problem with the valve cover and PCV valve attached to it. Thank you.

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE
  • 2012 CHEVROLET CRUZE
    - Yakima , WA

    Please attache the scans attached to this email to incident/complaint # 11512592. I needed more room to upload my history with this car and the issues with it.

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE
  • 2012 CHEVROLET CRUZE
    - Yakima, WA

    I am wondering when GM is gonna admit fault on these Chevy Cruzes? My mechanic father owns one. He's had to replace Valve cover gasket on his 3x. Mine at least 4-5x now. One bad oil change at a dealership almost cost me my engine at Sunfair Chevrolet. They left 2 rings on the oil fuel filter causing it to leak all over my engine compartment which left me roadside the next day after driving it 2 hours the night before back in Aug 2016. So they gave us 10K miles over this incident in case my engine blew. It ran a bit hotter than it did before this incident. I also noticed a burning smell. Enclosed in the scanned documents you will find a letter from Chevrolet discussing a "engine light" coming on and engine coolant leak from the water pump reservoir leading to a drip of coolant onto the engine or onto the ground. Overtime, the loss of coolant will reduce cooling performance and eventually could lead to engine overheating. Well, that isn't the only issue. Look at my scanned documents to see how many times the valve cover has been the issue. Always the engine light coming on and pull codes. A mechanic friend, replaced the valve cover gasket for me before it became a recall to save me$. Engine light came on again in 1 year. The PCV valve was built into the valve cove creating a chronic problem. Leads to a loss of turbo power. The last time manifold had to be repaired, they lifted the valve cover to get to it; leaked oil one day after my husband just replaced it. We assumed that was the issue (again), so instead of taking it in, he replaced the seal before taking it in. Someone please help us. Last fix was Aug. 2023, one day after it was in the shop. over $1200 in repairs I called GM, they told me to take it into the dealership. They focused on an oil leak from oil feed line. 4 days in still wasn't repaired. 1-20-14 I think was first incident of a valve cover issue. This is only 2 years after the car was "NEW". 137K miles on it now. Faithful with oil changes.

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE
  • 2012 CHEVROLET CRUZE
    - Shawnee, OK

    The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Cruze. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the turbo and water pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was then taken to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the valve cover, engine coolant hose, and various unknown sensors needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that the warranty had expired. The failure mileage was unknown.

    Source: HOTLINE VEHICLE OWNERS QUESTIONNAIRE
  • 2012 CHEVROLET CRUZE
    - Union City, MI

    Driving straight down the road the steering wheel hangs and becomes difficult to steer. There are no warning lights associated with this issue.

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE
  • 2012 CHEVROLET CRUZE
    - Columbus, IN

    The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Cruze. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH, he smelled a burning odor and saw smoke coming from underneath the hood of the vehicle. The contact then drove the vehicle to a local dealer where it was diagnosed that the front valve cover gasket and oil pan were leaking. The front valve cover gasket and seals were replaced; however, the failure reoccurred. Additionally, the contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the message "Low Power" was displayed, and the vehicle lost motive power. The contact veered to the side of the road. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer where the front valve cover gasket and seals were replaced. Additionally, the dealer diagnosed that the thermostat had overheated and had melted the coolant hoses. The thermostat and coolant hoses were replaced; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was towed back to the dealer where the front valve cover gasket and seals, the thermostat, five coolant hoses and coolant reservoir were replaced; however, the oil leak persisted. The vehicle was taken to a second dealer, Curry Center Auto Center, Inc. Chevrolet (2906 E Buick Cadillac Blvd, Bloomington, IN 47401) where the coolant sealant hoses, the front crank seal, the oil cooler, and other unknown repairs were completed; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle model had been discontinued. The manufacturer referred the contact to the NHTSA hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 95,000.

    Source: HOTLINE VEHICLE OWNERS QUESTIONNAIRE
  • 2012 CHEVROLET CRUZE
    - Bardstown, KY

    The contact owns a 2013 Chevrolet Cruze. The contact stated that while her daughter was driving at an undisclosed speed, the engine overheating message was displayed. The contact's daughter pulled over, and the vehicle was towed to the residence. Upon inspection, the contact noticed that the hose was damaged, and antifreeze was leaking into the engine oil. The contact replaced the hose and added antifreeze; however, the failure recurred with the vehicle making hissing sounds. The contact related the failure to a blown head gasket. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.

    Source: HOTLINE VEHICLE OWNERS QUESTIONNAIRE
  • 2012 CHEVROLET CRUZE
    - Dobbins, CA

    The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Cruze. The contact initially received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 13V360000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) and the vehicle was taken to the dealer and repaired. After the vehicle was repaired, the contact stated that upon a cold start, extra brake pedal force was needed to stop the vehicle. Over time, the failure worsened as the contact was forced to use the parking brake to stop the vehicle. Two unknown dealers were notified of the failure and informed her that there was no defect with the vehicle. The vehicle was then taken to an independent mechanic who informed her that the vacuum pump was defective. The contact was also informed that the vehicle was still under warranty; however, the dealer informed her that the warranty was closed. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and she was provided the same information as the dealer. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was unknown.

    Source: HOTLINE VEHICLE OWNERS QUESTIONNAIRE
  • 2012 CHEVROLET CRUZE
    - New Hudson, MI

    The cars turbo system fails. This causes a loss of power when accelerating. Pulling out into traffic or merging onto the freeway are all unsafe now as the car suddenly doesn't accelerate. This can cause crashes. I have pulled out and assumed I was at a very safe distance only to have the car not pick up as it usually does. I feel very unsafe.

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE