2016 Chevrolet Cruze Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 59about this part
- Share
- 24%of 250 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 40,500miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 59 complaints about the electrical system of the 2016 Chevrolet Cruze, 24% of the 250 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 40,500 miles. 2 of these say a crash was involved and 4 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.
“Negative battery cable shorted out, failing a main fuse and the starter. Car turned off while driving down I-5. We were able to get the car to restart one time, then once we were to a safe place to pull over turned off the car and the electrical in the car would not turn off (stereo, lights, etc..) push button start in car. Once we finally got everything to turn off the car would not start again and was towed to the repair shop.”
NHTSA complaint #11375261, filed 2020-11, 80,000 miles“When the vehicle goes into auto shut off at a stop sign or during traffic jams where I am just stopped by my brake but not in park it fails to restart and shuts the engine completely off. I have to quickly put it in park and press the button to start the engine in order to go.”
NHTSA complaint #11268400, filed 2019-10, 61,000 miles“After repairing the coolant system car, I drove it around the block to ensure it was working properly. Upon doing so, all gauges stopped working. I also put the car in reverse to park it in the driveway and the transmission would not go into the selected gear. We had to put the car into neutral and push it into the driveway. Also, all notification lights were also lit at the time. When it finally shifted into drive the car jerked very hard.”
NHTSA complaint #11318168, filed 2020-03, 65,000 miles“The driver information center, speedometer, tachometer, fuel gauge, temp gauge, and touchscreen display quit working this morning on our '16 Cruze. Car starts and runs fine but know way of knowing our speed or what gear it's in. Persists through battery disconnect.”
NHTSA complaint #11252095, filed 2019-08, 61,000 miles“My door ajar alarm goes off not stop when car is in motion after 3 mins the locks try to unlock and lock going down the road and the dome lights flash on and off. My alarm system goes off every 10 to 20 min in the middle of the night or day so you cant set your alarms and all order for the part are on back order. The door sensor triggers the most when making a hard right turn. Moving parked or sitting I drive the sensor still alarms out”
NHTSA complaint #11133197, filed 2018-10, 55,000 milesRelated recalls
- 16V502000Jul 5, 2016General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Buick Verano and 2016 Chevrolet Malibu as the electronic park lock lever may allow the…Covers: Chevrolet Cruze 2011–2016, Equinox 2010–2013, Malibu 2013–2016 +4 more
Related service bulletins
- 11025552Oct 4, 2025This service bulletin provides procedures to correct customer concerns of Poor Engine Performance in Extremely Cold Weather Conditions, Charge Air Cooler (CAC) Icing…
- 11017595Apr 3, 2025This service bulletin provides information on the proper Reflective High Temperature Heat and/or Insulating Tape to use for certain repairs, such as Wiring Harness Repairs.
- 11017244Mar 31, 2025The intent of this service bulletin is to identify aftermarket ALDL or DLC interface devices as potential sources for causing multiple customer concerns that do not have other…
- 11017207Mar 21, 2025This service bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on Service Programming System (SPS) Error Codes E4398, E4399, E4401, E4403, M4404, M4413, M6954, M6955, E4414…
- 11017031Mar 12, 2025This service bulletin provides information to diagnose batteries that have set for a long period of time and/or cold weather climates and testing those batteries.
- 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.
- 11013069Jan 9, 2025This bulletin provides information on identifying Non-GM Engine Calibrations for Gasoline Engines using the Tech 2 or GDS 2.
- 11012929Jan 7, 2025This warranty administration bulletin provides policy information on the requirements for 12V battery testing and warranty replacements.
- 11011805Dec 6, 2024This Preliminary information communicates a GM part number for reflective high temperature heat or insulating tape when repairing wiring harnesses.
- 11009170Oct 25, 2024This Preliminary information communicates additional information on how a LIN bus operates and diagnostic tips when working on a LIN bus.
Electrical system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 4 | 17% |
| 2018 | 14 | 13% |
| 2017 | 33 | 16% |
| 2016 | 59 | 24% |
| 2015 | 50 | 20% |
| 2014 | 187 | 27% |
| 2013 | 122 | 21% |
| 2012 | 196 | 23% |
| 2011 | 96 | 13% |
Other parts of the 2016 Chevrolet Cruze
102 complaintsOther or unknown
43 complaintsFuel system
37 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
31 complaintsAir bags
21 complaintsBrakes
19 complaintsSteering
18 complaintsElectronic stability control
16 complaintsVehicle speed control
11 complaintsBody and structure
8 complaintsEngine cooling
6 complaintsExterior lighting
6 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2016 Chevrolet Cruze
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 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