2012 Chevrolet Cruze Engine Problems
- Complaints
- 268about this part
- Share
- 31%of 865 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 67,000miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 268 complaints about the engine of the 2012 Chevrolet Cruze, 31% of the 865 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 67,000 miles. 10 of these say a crash was involved and 14 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Our chevy Cruze had started shifting strange while driving, losing power and it would start to idle rough, and just shut off, a day later the engine light came on and we ran a code scanner on it to find out what was wrong. 7 error codes came up and it all LED to a failed pcv valve. Two days later it was in the shop and we are now faced with a major repair cost.”
NHTSA complaint #11244899, filed 2019-08, 69,000 miles“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“Burning oil smell started after an oil change. I have replaced the intake tubing that leads in the turbo because when I replaced the throttle position sensor in the turbo area, there was oil in the turbo intake. It has lost some power since I started experiencing the burning smell. It now smells like plastic burning since replacing the intake tubing/gasket.”
NHTSA complaint #11084971, filed 2018-04, 118,000 miles“Fuel damper is literally spraying a steady stream of gasoline inside engine bay. Apparently a very common problem because parts are on back order everywhere I call. My daughter drives this car, and to have her safety in jeopardy is unacceptable. This vehicle was recalled because of oil plate under engine which would pool oil and risk a fire, but gasoline spraying in engine bay has no attention to a recall”
NHTSA complaint #11296767, filed 2020-01, 79,000 miles“It has been numerous times where I have been driving, whether it be on the highway or a city street, and my car gears have switched all the way down to the lowest gear and it causes my vehicle to jerk and slow all the way down. This is very dangerous especially when there is other vehicles behind me.”
NHTSA complaint #11279154, filed 2019-11, 95,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 11026017Jun 5, 2025This service bulletin provides information on replacing the intake manifold when the engine is replaced after severe internal engine damage.
- 11024485May 15, 2025The service bulletin advises the tech of a normal transmission shift condition and the delay in throttle response when the throttle plate is opened rapidly and advises the…
- 11016942Mar 4, 2025This bulletin advises the technician to flush the cooling system multiple times if oil has been found in the cooling system and replace the parts that may be contaminated due to…
- 11014230Jan 31, 2025This bulletin advises the dealers to maintain the vehicle stock on hand by doing a full inspection on the vehicles before being sold (prepping) to the customer.
- 11014233Jan 30, 2025This 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…
- 11013069Jan 9, 2025This bulletin provides information on identifying Non-GM Engine Calibrations for Gasoline Engines using the Tech 2 or GDS 2.
- 11011709Nov 5, 2024This bulletin advises the dealers to maintain the vehicle stock on hand by doing a full inspection on the vehicles before being sold (prepping) to the customer.
- 11011205Oct 28, 2024This informational bulletin explains Unscheduled Supplemental Services and the importance of GM Simplified Maintenance Schedules.
- 11010490Oct 5, 2024This service bulletin provides guidelines and diagnostic/repair information to technicians regarding vehicle engine oil consumption.
- 11009532Sep 27, 2024This service bulletin provides information for maintenance cleaning of the fuel injectors and gasoline detergent additive.
Engine: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 5 | 22% |
| 2018 | 27 | 25% |
| 2017 | 73 | 36% |
| 2016 | 102 | 41% |
| 2015 | 99 | 39% |
| 2014 | 217 | 31% |
| 2013 | 212 | 36% |
| 2012 | 268 | 31% |
| 2011 | 257 | 35% |
Other parts of the 2012 Chevrolet Cruze
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 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