2012 Chevrolet Cruze Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 137about this part
- Share
- 16%of 865 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 57,340miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 137 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2012 Chevrolet Cruze, 16% of the 865 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 57,340 miles. 5 of these say a crash was involved and 3 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 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“My service engine light has come on and not it will not shift gears all the time. Sometimes it drives forward. Sometimes it doesn't. I need this issue to be addressed. When you have over 100 complaints for the same thing corporate needs to listen. If someone dies because of this no amount of compensation will be enough”
NHTSA complaint #11282358, filed 2019-11, 105,000 miles“While in motion driving down a major city street... Without any dash lights/warning lights the vehicle would no longer accelerate and stopped moving. The vehicle was dead without prier warning. I did not have enough time to pull over on the side of the road creating a very dangerous situation for me. After getting the vehicle towed, I was told that the transmission had failed.”
NHTSA complaint #11162192, filed 2018-12, 65,000 miles“The vehicle has only 80,000 miles on it and it just quit running.I was able to have someone help to push it out of the road. I was told by a repair shop that the transmission is bad. I understand that GM is aware of the bad transmission but have not recalled the vehicle to fix it.”
NHTSA complaint #11270885, filed 2019-10, 80,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 11013069Jan 9, 2025This bulletin provides information on identifying Non-GM Engine Calibrations for Gasoline Engines using the Tech 2 or GDS 2.
- 11011205Oct 28, 2024This informational bulletin explains Unscheduled Supplemental Services and the importance of GM Simplified Maintenance Schedules.
- 11010651Oct 10, 2024This service bulletin informs the technician of an alternate lift procedure that has been developed when the lift plate does not fit the top of the transmission case for 6T30…
- 11009756Sep 17, 2024This bulletin provides information on Policies Applicable to All U.S. Dealers for Engine and Transmission Assembly Replacement Under Warranty, Policy or Customer Enthusiasm and…
- 11009088Sep 16, 2024This service bulletin provides information on some vehicles that may rock or move slightly forward or rearward while in Park at start up after cold soak. This condition may be…
- 11006421Jul 24, 2024GM is receiving damaged (cracked or broken) transmission cores returned to the reman facilities. The damage is being caused either in the removal process by the technician, or…
- 11005311Jul 9, 2024This service bulletin provides information on Driveline Clunk Noise and what is acceptable and what is considered normal operation.
- 11001321May 16, 2024This bulletin provides information on the harmful effects of water or ethylene glycol in transmission fluid.
- 11000119Apr 26, 2024This service bulletin provides technicians with information to help identify the differences between what is considered a fluid leak, and what is considered fluid seepage.
- 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…
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 8 | 35% |
| 2018 | 23 | 21% |
| 2017 | 39 | 19% |
| 2016 | 31 | 12% |
| 2015 | 38 | 15% |
| 2014 | 98 | 14% |
| 2013 | 113 | 19% |
| 2012 | 137 | 16% |
| 2011 | 193 | 26% |
Other parts of the 2012 Chevrolet Cruze
268 complaintsElectrical system
196 complaintsBrakes
150 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 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