2012 Chevrolet Cruze Air bags Problems
- Complaints
- 34about this part
- Share
- 4%of 865 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 59,000miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 34 complaints about the air bags of the 2012 Chevrolet Cruze, 4% of the 865 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 59,000 miles. 18 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, according to the filers. 3 recall campaigns on record are filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“While traveling down a 4 line road with normal traffic, a car pulled out in front of me. I slammed on my brakes t boning her in her right door hitting my head on the steering wheel. My airbags didn't deploy and it scares the hell out of me...!!!! I'm reporting this matter and would like to know what to do next? Witness stayed talking to the police saying she was at fault.”
NHTSA complaint #10716976, filed 2015-05, 43,848 miles“I have had this problem for over two years now and its unable to be diagnosed. Still occurs with a new battery and terminals. Its under no recalls or fixes. It generates zero codes. 2012 chevy Cruze two chevy certified dealers looked at it and were like, we'll have to replace the airbag and that might fix the problem. It'll cost about $900 and the mechanics can not promise it will fix the problem or if the airbag is safe.”
NHTSA complaint #11153008, filed 2018-11, 40,000 miles“Takata inflators, I was involved in an accident 09/30/2016, where I was at a dead stop on city street, rear ended and pushed into the vehicle in front of me. The driver who hit me was going 50-55mph, I hit my head and chest on the steering wheel, air bags did not deploy, but the sensor for the air bag came on stating service airbag . My Cruze has had all recalls fixed, prior to the accident.”
NHTSA complaint #10915195, filed 2016-10, 64,000 miles“We were in a car accident and ended up rear-ending a vehicle that had already stopped. We hit at an estimated speed of 20-25mph and the airbags did not deploy. We were traveling at 45mph when the brakes were hit. It seems like the airbags should have deployed at this speed. We only have minor injuries, but if there is a possibility others could get hurt because of a similar issue I feel that it should be at least looked into. You will be better able to tell if the angle or the crash or something faulty that prohibited the airbags from deploying.”
NHTSA complaint #11365340, filed 2020-10, 141,000 miles“Car was hit on back drivers door and wheel well, it pushed the back bottom seat in. Car spun three times in the rain and none of the 10 air bags deployed. I hit my head on the side drivers window 3 times due to side seat air bags not deploying. Gm came out while car was in auto shop put some machine on it to address my ? Why air bags did not deploy when it was hit hard enough to push car frame in and spin whole car three times. They told body shop that it was hit in such a way the two seat air bags were not sensored. I have not felt safe in car since. …”
NHTSA complaint #11203387, filed 2019-04, 34,000 milesRelated recalls
- 14V300000Jun 6, 2014General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2012 Buick Verano vehicles manufactured December 2, 2011 to July, 16, 2012, Chevrolet Cruze vehicles…Covers: Chevrolet Cruze 2012, Sonic 2012, Buick Verano 2012 +1 more
- 13V023000Jan 24, 2013General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2012 Chevrolet Camaro, Cruze and Sonic, and model year 2012 Buick Verano vehicles. The driver side…Covers: Chevrolet Cruze 2012, Sonic 2012, Buick Verano 2012 +1 more
- 12V522000Oct 31, 2012General Motors is recalling certain model year 2012 Buick Verano, Chevrolet Cruze, and Chevrolet Sonic vehicles. The driver side frontal air bag has a…Covers: Chevrolet Cruze 2012, Sonic 2012, Buick Verano 2012
Related service bulletins
- 11024955Oct 31, 2025This engineering informational bulletin provides process for a GM engineering study on curtain Takata Airbag Steering Wheel Modules and needs the used Takata airbags to be…
- 10234237Mar 24, 2023This Preliminary information communication provides information to the technician with diagnostic tips for diagnosing reduced or low engine power with no Driver Information…
Air bags: other model years
Other parts of the 2012 Chevrolet Cruze
268 complaintsElectrical system
196 complaintsBrakes
150 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
137 complaintsElectronic stability control
108 complaintsSteering
103 complaintsOther or unknown
86 complaintsFuel system
52 complaintsVehicle speed control
51 complaintsEngine cooling
44 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
43 complaintsBody and structure
21 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2012 Chevrolet Cruze
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology