2012 Chevrolet Cruze Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often write about engine problems — oil leaks and coolant leaks leading to overheating, and reduced-power episodes with warning lights — usually at higher mileage. Brake-assist complaints (a hard pedal, especially when reversing or at low speed) and transmission troubles (slipping, whining, loss of a gear) are also common, with many reports arriving between roughly 75,000 and 120,000 miles. Electrical and stability-control warnings appear throughout the sample, sometimes on cars with comparatively low miles.

1. 1
   Engine

   Coolant loss and overheating (water pump, thermostat, head

   • 169 complaints (20%)
   • median 60,071 mi at 4.8 yrs old (128 state mileage)
   • 12 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $2,025 (median of 12 quotes)
   • filed 2012–2026

   Complaints describe losing coolant, temperature gauges climbing, white smoke, and messages about turning off the A/C because of high engine temperature. Several owners report repeated repairs — water pump, thermostat housing, coolant lines, head gasket — with the overheating returning afterwards. Some say they were told a head gasket or water pump was needed while the vehicle was in for routine service. Mostly reported between about 40,000 and 140,000 miles, often noticed during stop-and-go driving or on long highway runs.

   Recall 12V2880002 related service bulletins

   What to check: Check the coolant reservoir level and look for residue or staining around the water pump and thermostat housing; ask whether the water pump or thermostat has been replaced and whether the cooling system was pressure-tested.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “My car overheats every time the seasons change. One day it will be running fine with normal temperature readings, I keep a close eye on the temperature due to it's tendency to overheat, and then the next moment it is smoking and idling my engine secondary to high engine temperature”

   NHTSA complaint #11322727, filed 2020-04, 74,000 miles

   “I have had to change multiple parts relating to the cooling system of this vehicle. The plastic parts have each melted and required replacement. Upon research, many others have had similar issues. My vehicle continues to over heat, and parts continue to need replacement.”

   NHTSA complaint #11361588, filed 2020-09, 95,000 miles
2. 2
   Brakes

   Brake pedal needs extra effort (brake assist)

   • 168 complaints (19%)
   • median 47,221 mi at 3.7 yrs old (146 state mileage)
   • 30 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $2,250 (median of 6 quotes)
   • filed 2012–2026

   Owners describe a brake pedal that takes much more pressure than expected, particularly when backing up, at low speed, or right after starting the car with the A/C on; some say pumping the pedal is needed to stop. Several complaints reference the brake-assist recall and state their vehicle was not covered by it. Dealers and independent shops in the reports diagnosed brake-assist or booster components needing replacement. Reported from roughly 56,000 to 150,000 miles, often in stop-and-go traffic, parking maneuvers, or with the A/C running.

   Recall 13V360000

   What to check: Test the pedal feel from a cold start with the A/C on and while reversing; ask a mechanic to check the brake-assist system and whether recall 13V360000 applies to the VIN.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I've noticed this problem getting worse over the last month. When I'm backing up, I have to push really hard on the break peddle to get the car to come to a stop. Then today I started having the same problem while in drive and coming to a stop at a stop sign. I think the break booster or some component in the breaking system is faulty. Ive heard of a lot of other people having the same problem.”

   NHTSA complaint #11340053, filed 2020-07, 149,000 miles

   “Almost every time I start my car and turn on the AC and then put my car in forward/reverse I have no brake assistance at all. It will also do this while sitting in a drive through for fast food as well. It has only occurred after first start up with AC running and after coming to a complete stop at a light, stop sign, drive through etc. With AC running. It started doing this approximately 3 months after I purchased in 2015 and has happened more frequently since then.”

   NHTSA complaint #11352861, filed 2020-09, 75,600 miles
3. 3
   Engine

   Oil leaks from valve cover, oil cooler and filter adapter

   • 72 complaints (8%)
   • median 85,730 mi at 6.5 yrs old (54 state mileage)
   • 8 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $2,025 (median of 6 quotes)
   • filed 2012–2026

   Complaints describe oil dripping onto the driveway, a burning-oil smell, and smoke from the engine bay after oil collects on hot surfaces. Owners report the valve cover gasket, oil cooler seals, and oil filter adapter being resealed or replaced, sometimes more than once, and some mention the check engine light coming on alongside the leak. Mostly between about 80,000 and 150,000 miles, sometimes noticed shortly after a purchase or an oil change.

   Recall 12V2880002 related service bulletins

   What to check: Look under the engine and along the belly pan for fresh oil, and check for a burnt smell after a drive; ask whether the valve cover gasket and oil cooler seals have been replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “My car has been fitting the description of a specific recall on the same year and model. (I.e.: recall #12v288000 - date: 6/22/2012 - component engine and engine cooling) I purchased my car through carmax less than a year ago and have had multiple issues including, airbag senor problems, rmp issues, alternator replacement, etc. I've dealt with an oil leak from the valve cover most recently. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11390512, filed 2021-01, 96,000 miles

   “I purchased this vehicle at anaheim auto hub last june 6, 2020 for my daughter. Couple months later it started leaking and smells like burning oil. And the stabili track sensor and the traction control sensors came on. And, as well as the key got stuck inside the ignition couple of times. So I took it the mechanic to get the leaks fix. The mechanic found that the valve cover gasket leak and valve timing solenoid. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11389702, filed 2021-01, 94,500 miles
4. 4
   Transmission and drivetrain

   Transmission slipping, whining or losing a gear

   • 243 complaints (28%)
   • median 59,750 mi at 4.4 yrs old (220 state mileage)
   • 13 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $1,950 (median of 18 quotes)
   • filed 2011–2026

   Owners report slipping, a whining noise, harsh or delayed shifts, and sometimes a sudden loss of drive or a stuck gear, with the vehicle going into reduced-power mode. In several complaints a dealer or transmission shop diagnosed internal transmission failure requiring rebuild or replacement, and a few say no trouble codes were stored when it was first checked. Commonly reported between about 60,000 and 120,000 miles, sometimes after a short period of ownership.

   3 related service bulletins

   What to check: Drive at both low and highway speed and listen for whining or hesitation on shifts; ask whether the transmission fluid has been serviced and whether any rebuild or replacement has been done.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “My engine is leaking oil and my transmission is slipping. After I filled up the gas tank one day the car jerked and the engine light never went off. I'm not sure why there isn't a recall on it when apparently these cars are notorious for these issues. Jack maxton told me some gear broke inside my transmission.”

   NHTSA complaint #11329427, filed 2020-06, 120,000 miles

   “My car was parked and when I went to reverse it it would not reverse, then after getting it reverse I drove it and then it would not go over 23 MPH. After having it looked at and was told that the tranny is bad at 95699. After during my research I found out that the Cruze is notorious for the transmission going out between 70 k to 90 k. There should either be a recall on these, buy back etc”

   NHTSA complaint #11359938, filed 2020-09, 95,699 miles
5. 5
   Electronic stability control

   Reduced engine power with stability-control warnings

   • 157 complaints (18%)
   • median 56,788 mi at 3.9 yrs old (143 state mileage)
   • 6 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $1,053 (median of 5 quotes)
   • filed 2011–2026

   Complaints describe the car suddenly limiting speed — often described as limited to a few miles per hour — while the reduced-power message, stability-control and traction-control lights, and check engine light come on together. Owners report throttle body and throttle position sensor codes (P2135) being the cause in some cases, and some say the dealer could not reproduce the condition once the lights cleared. Reported from about 56,000 to 95,000 miles, often at highway or steady speeds and without prior warning.

   Recall 16V5020001 related service bulletin

   What to check: Ask whether any throttle body or throttle position sensor work has been done and whether stored codes were read; test drive at highway speed and note any hesitation, warning lights, or power cut.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Less than 30 days I have purchase a car from gallimore motors started having issues with the transmission slipping reported it to the dealer, who did nothing. It was like oh well. Then now the stabilitrak is coming on, I haven't even had this car for 30 days until yesterday.”

   NHTSA complaint #11365110, filed 2020-10, 100,000 miles

   “I was driving and the reduced engine power, service stabili track, check engine warnings came on. My car would only accelerate to 5mph. Luckily I wasn't on the freeway, was only going 20 MPH and almost home. Very dangerous. I put an end code reader on it and it's a p2135 code, throttle positioning sensor. I have been reading chevy Cruze forums as well as in chevy forums in the past week, a minimum of 1000 people that I can see have had this issue. Many have been in accidents because of this. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11302553, filed 2020-01, 93,900 miles

Buying note. Have a pre-purchase inspection focus on the cooling system, oil leak points, brake-assist function and transmission behavior, since these are where owners most often report trouble on this model year. Ask for service records and check whether open recalls have been completed for the specific VIN.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.