2012 Chevrolet Cruze Engine cooling Problems
- Complaints
- 44about this part
- Share
- 5%of 865 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 41,000miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 44 complaints about the engine cooling of the 2012 Chevrolet Cruze, 5% of the 865 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 41,000 miles. 1 a fire, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“There is a small of antifreeze in my car that has been making me sick since three months after I purchased car and GM or the dealer has no way of fixing it doing all kinds of other things and telling me that they cant smell it. Also I have been having brake problems as well and finally on feb 1, 2014 they decided to replaced brakes and rotors on my car.”
NHTSA complaint #10564614, filed 2014-02, 9,900 miles“Since march 30, 2015, I have been experiencing issues with and I have video evidence while in failure mode, of what I believe to be failures of the body computer(s) in this vehicle. The dashboard displays have been going on and off under a wide variety of driving situations, and while sitting at idle. They fault when the vehicle is simply driving down the highway. During these faults, the center information display for the HVAC and entertainment will frequently turn off. This kills the radio. …”
NHTSA complaint #10734176, filed 2015-07, 5,000 miles“Heat radiates from left side of center console into drivers side passenger compartment onto drivers right leg. Vehicle was under warranty and taken to dealership for warranty repairs. Gm declined to fix problem and offered no written reason. This vehicle was subjected to a earlier recall involving part of the engine heat shield being removed. The recall occurred when the vehicle had about 500 miles on it. I am claiming warranty fraud on the part of GM. I am considering litigation under the magnuson - moss warranty act.”
NHTSA complaint #10535964, filed 2013-08, 17,000 miles“To begin with,I have had several problems with my 2012 chevy Cruze and have been given the runaround. My first concern is that I bought my 2012 chevy Cruze on 09/18/2012 and was notified days later of a major safety recall about the possibility of engine fires from fluid spills. I find out that this recall was announced on 06/22/12.(NHTSA campaign #:12v288000) why was I sold a vehicle that was under recall for 3 months? And was never even mentioned prior or post sale. Onstar had to notify me and then I had to get it fixed. …”
NHTSA complaint #10548191, filed 2013-10, 600 miles“From the beginning I had a recall for the oil pan a week after purchasing the car. There has been numerous times the heating had to be worked on and still not fixed. It stills smells like antifreeze when its on. The right brake cylinder went bad a few months after the purchased. The windshield sometimes whistles when you go down the highway at 65 MPH. Now after my last oil change the other day, they said I need to take it back because there is a transmission leak. Not to mention where I got the car from, they act like they don't care to help fix the problem. Very frustrated!”
NHTSA complaint #10627851, filed 2014-08, 100 milesRelated recalls
- 12V288000Jun 22, 2012General motors (gm) is recalling certain model year 2011 and 2012 chevrolet cruze vehicles manufactured from october 2, 2009, through may 31, 2012. Spilled or…Covers: Chevrolet Cruze 2011–2012
Related service bulletins
- 10251890Mar 13, 2024This technical bulletin advises of a new fuel injection cleaner kit used for decarbonizing the intake valves to correct conditions of rough idle, Crank no start, extended crank…
- 10250775Feb 22, 2024This service bulletin provides service information to technicians on guidelines to replace Oil Cooler, Oil Cooler Lines and Oil Tank if the engine was replaced where large…
- 10250505Feb 7, 2024This service bulletin provides information on the cold start control system in DI engines to reduce cold start emissions and improve fuel economy.
- 10250503Feb 7, 2024This bulletin provides information on Engine Concerns that could result from lack of scheduled maintenance, improper service or aftermarket calibrations.
- 10250347Feb 2, 2024This Warranty Admin service bulletin provides guidelines for Dealers Not Required and for Dealers Required to Contact the PQC for engine or transmission assembly replacement and…
- 10250272Jan 30, 2024This service bulletin provides a information and diagnostic steps/tips for vehicles that are slow to heat up in cold temperatures.
- 10249579Jan 12, 2024This PI bulletin advises the technician on the proper way to install the pistons in an engine.
- 10247192Dec 8, 2023This warranty administration bulletin provides policy information on the requirements for 12V battery testing and warranty replacements.
- 10245395Nov 6, 2023This service bulletin provides a vibration analysis worksheet the technician can use in conjunction with the appropriate Vibration Analysis-Road testing procedure when diagnosing…
- 10244273Oct 6, 2023This service bulletin provides guidelines and diagnostic/repair information to technicians regarding vehicle engine oil consumption.
Engine cooling: 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 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
43 complaintsAir bags
34 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 27, 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