2016 Chevrolet Cruze Problems, Complaints & Recalls

Source: NHTSA · Updated Sep 17, 2026 · 250 owner complaints analyzed

Compared with other Cruze years
About as many complaints as other years 6th of 10 for complaints
NHTSA crash rating
4 out of 5 stars

Owners have filed 250 complaints with NHTSA about the 2016 Chevrolet Cruze. That ranks 6th out of 10 Cruze model years for complaints. The most reported problem area is engine (102 complaints, 41%), typically at around 66,248 miles. Complaints mention 19 crashes, 6 fires, 14 injuries. There are 4 safety recalls covering this model year.

Chevrolet Cruze
Photographed in Queens, New York. Representative photo; appearance varies by model year. Photo: Kevauto, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.

Compare with another car

Most common 2016 Chevrolet Cruze problems

Complaints grouped by the part of the car owners reported, with the median mileage when the problem happened.

Engine102 · ~66,248 mi
Electrical System59 · ~40,500 mi
Unknown or Other43 · ~53,000 mi
Fuel/propulsion System35 · ~48,000 mi
Power Train31 · ~48,000 mi
Air Bags21 · ~71,000 mi
Service Brakes18 · ~38,600 mi
Steering18 · ~57,000 mi
Electronic Stability Control (esc)16 · ~60,000 mi
Vehicle Speed Control11 · ~32,750 mi
Problem areaComplaintsShareMedian milesOwners mention mostTypical repair cost
Engine problems10241%66,248“put park” (7%)$3,800
Electrical System problems5924%40,500“auto stop” (8%)—
Unknown or Other4317%53,000——
Fuel/propulsion System3514%48,000——
Power Train3112%48,000——
Air Bags218%71,000——
Service Brakes187%38,600——
Steering187%57,000——
Electronic Stability Control (esc)166%60,000——
Vehicle Speed Control114%32,750——
Structure83%57,000——
Engine and Engine Cooling62%69,000——
Exterior Lighting62%55,000——
Wheels52%25,000——
Seats42%8,000——
Seat Belts31%31,000——
Fuel System, Gasoline21%33,000——
Back Over Prevention10%2,100——
Equipment10%———
Forward Collision Avoidance10%———
Fuel System, Other10%———
Lane Departure10%———
Service Brakes, Hydraulic10%108,000——
Suspension10%2,664——
Tires10%89,000——
Visibility10%83,000——
Visibility/wiper10%———

One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.

Complaints by year received

Peak: 2020, with 44 complaints
2016: 212016212017: 172017172018: 322018322019: 422019422020: 442020442021: 242021242022: 272022272023: 202023202024: 112024112025: 4202542026: 820268

n = 250 complaints · Source: NHTSA

2016 Chevrolet Cruze recalls (4)

Tap a recall to see the problem, the risk and the fix.

Fuel system, gasolineMay 10, 2018 · NHTSA campaign 18V304000 · 111,966 vehicles

Problem: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Chevrolet Cruze LS vehicles, equipped with a gasoline engine and a tire inflator kit instead of a spare tire. The vehicles may leak gasoline following a rear-impact crash and a rollover. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 301, "Fuel System Integrity."

Risk: A fuel leak, in the presence of an ignition source, increases the risk of a fire.

Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will install a lock-ring on the fuel tank that will shield the fuel tank vapor pressure sensor from damage in a rear-impact crash, free of charge. The recall began June 7, 2018. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 18159.

Seats:front assembly:head restraintJan 26, 2017 · NHTSA campaign 17V057000 · 17,197 vehicles

Problem: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2016-2017 Chevrolet Cruze vehicles. A bracket used in the driver or front passenger seat-back recliner mechanism may have been incorrectly welded to the seat-back frame, as a result, in the event of a crash, the head-restraints may not function properly. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 202a, "Head Restraints."

Risk: In a crash, the seat-backs for the front seats may break, increasing the risk of injury to the occupants.

Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the front passenger seats, replacing any with seat-back frames that are incorrectly welded, free of charge. The recall began on February 28, 2017. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 17035.

Electrical system:ignition; power train:automatic transmission:control module (tcm/pcm/tecm)Jul 5, 2016 · NHTSA campaign 16V502000 · 8,367 vehicles

Problem: General 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 ignition key to be removed without the transmission being in PARK. Also, certain 2013 Buick Encore, 2011 Buick Regal, 2013-2014 Buick Verano, 2011-2016 Chevrolet Cruze, 2010-2013 Chevrolet Equinox 2013-2015 Chevrolet Malibu, and 2011-2013 GMC Terrain vehicles may have been serviced with similar defective replacement electronic park lock levers. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 114, "Theft Protection and Rollaway Prevention."

Risk: If the key is removed without the transmission in PARK, the vehicle may rollaway as occupants are exiting, increasing the risk of injury.

Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and if necessary replace the key cylinder lock housing, free of charge. The recall began on October 14, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, Buick 1-800-521-7300, and GMC 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 50490 and 50491.

Exterior lighting:headlightsJul 1, 2016 · NHTSA campaign 16V498000 · 32,913 vehicles

Problem: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2016 Cruze vehicles manufactured November 5, 2015, to May 26, 2016. The headlight assemblies are not marked with a three-digit identifier code used to properly aim the headlights. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Assoc. Equipment."

Risk: Without the identification code, the headlights may be improperly aimed during service, reducing nighttime visibility and increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: GM will mail owners instructions and adhesive labels, with the correct code, to install on their headlight assemblies. Owners may also bring the vehicle to a GM dealership for any assistance with applying the label, free of charge. The recall began on August 11, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet Customer Service Department at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 50190.

To see whether a specific car still has an open recall, enter its VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup. You can also decode a VIN here.

Recent owner reports

Short excerpts of the latest complaints filed with NHTSA, with personal details removed. Full reports can be searched on NHTSA.gov.

I am filing this complaint due to repeated mechanical and safety problems with my 2016 Chevrolet Cruze. The vehicle has had ongoing acceleration problems, including times when it would not accelerate properly even with the A/C on its lowest setting. The turbocharger has needed to be replaced…

Structure · received Sep 17, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11764992

car has been overheating run while i take the keys out doors will lock with keys in the ignition lots of lights will come on car will slow way down constantly adding antifreeze in it heat and air will stop working i have had trouble ever since i bought this a year ago

Service Brakes · received Aug 27, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11760031

Manufacturer: General Motors / Chevrolet Vehicle: 2016 Chevrolet Cruze LT (VIN: [XXX]) Corporate Case Number: XXX Nature of Dispute: Premature mechanical failure of a major drivetrain assembly and administrative bad faith. Factual Timeline: Initial Failure & Prior Liability: At 51,490 miles, the…

Engine · received Aug 24, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11759000

After 3 years of having this car it’s overheating each summer requiring the coolant system, hoses, thermostat, and water pump to be replaced each summer. As well as major oil leaking after full tune ups.

Fuel/propulsion System · received Jun 22, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11745807

Coolant system and engine fan

Engine · received Jun 9, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11743067

Other Chevrolet Cruze years

← 2015 Cruze · 2017 Cruze →

YearComplaintsRecalls
2019 Cruze232
2018 Cruze1093
2017 Cruze2012
20162504
2015 Cruze2524
2014 Cruze70210
2013 Cruze5875
2012 Cruze8657
2011 Cruze7327
2010 Cruze20

See all Chevrolet Cruze problems by year, every Chevrolet model, or the Chevrolet VIN decoder.

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Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2016 Chevrolet Cruze?

Owners most often report engine, electrical system, unknown or other problems. The top one, engine, accounts for 102 complaints.

Was there a recall on the 2016 Chevrolet Cruze?

Yes, 4 safety recalls. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.

Was the 2016 Chevrolet Cruze a good year?

Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other Cruze model years, the 2016 has about as many complaints as a typical year, and NHTSA rates it 4 out of 5 stars overall in crash tests. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.