NHTSA has 250 owner complaints on file for the 2016 Chevrolet Cruze, received from 2016 to 2026. The most-reported system is engine (108 complaints, 43%), followed by electrical system (59) and unknown or other (43). Owners reported 19 crashes, 6 fires, 14 injuries and 0 deaths. Median mileage at failure: 56,639 miles. Complaints peaked in 2020, with 44 received that year. 4 safety recalls cover this model year.
250NHTSA complaints
4safety recalls
19crashes reported
6fires reported
14injuries
0deaths
Quick answers
What is the most common problem with the 2016 Chevrolet Cruze?
Owners report engine problems most often: 108 of 250 NHTSA complaints (43%), followed by electrical system (59) and fuel system (37).
How many recalls does the 2016 Chevrolet Cruze have?
NHTSA lists 4 safety recalls for the 2016 Chevrolet Cruze. The most recent is 18V304000 (fuel system, 2018-05-10).
At what mileage do 2016 Chevrolet Cruze problems happen?
The median mileage at failure is 56,639 miles, across 149 complaints that reported mileage.
Have owners reported crashes or fires in the 2016 Chevrolet Cruze?
Yes. Owners reported 19 crashes, 6 fires, 14 injuries and 0 deaths in NHTSA complaints.
Problems by system
System
Complaints
Share
Crashes
Fires
Injuries
Median miles
Engine
108
43%
3
3
1
66,445
Electrical system
59
24%
2
4
1
40,500
Unknown or other
43
17%
2
2
1
53,000
Fuel system
37
15%
1
0
1
46,500
Power train
31
12%
0
1
0
48,000
Air bags
21
8%
12
0
8
71,000
Service brakes
19
8%
2
0
1
40,000
Steering
18
7%
1
0
1
57,000
Electronic stability control
16
6%
1
0
1
60,000
Speed control
11
4%
2
0
1
32,750
Structure
8
3%
0
0
0
57,000
Exterior lighting
6
2%
0
0
0
55,000
Wheels
5
2%
1
0
2
25,000
Seats
4
2%
0
1
0
8,000
Seat belts
3
1%
0
0
0
31,000
Visibility and wipers
2
1%
0
0
0
83,000
Backover prevention
1
<1%
0
0
0
2,100
Equipment
1
<1%
0
0
1
–
Forward collision avoidance
1
<1%
0
0
0
–
Lane departure
1
<1%
1
0
0
–
Suspension
1
<1%
0
0
0
2,664
Tires
1
<1%
0
0
0
89,000
A complaint can name more than one system, so shares can add up to more than 100%.
Defect: 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.
Remedy: 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.
Defect: 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.
Remedy: 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.
Defect: 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…
Risk: If the key is removed without the transmission in PARK, the vehicle may rollaway as occupants are exiting, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: 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.
Defect: 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.
Remedy: 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.
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
Engine · NHTSA complaint 11760031, received 2026-08-27
Manufacturer: General Motors / Chevrolet Vehicle: 2016 Chevrolet Cruze LT (VIN: [redacted]) 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…
Engine · NHTSA complaint 11759000, received 2026-08-24
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…
Electrical system · NHTSA complaint 11764992, received 2026-09-17
The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Cruze. The contact stated that upon returning to the parked vehicle, while attempting to unlock the doors with the key fob, the doors failed to open. The contact was able to open the door manually using the key. The contact stated that upon entering the vehicle…
Electrical system · NHTSA complaint 11681263, received 2025-08-18
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
Fuel system · NHTSA complaint 11760031, received 2026-08-27
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 system · NHTSA complaint 11745807, received 2026-06-22
Other Chevrolet Cruze model years
2010 · 2 complaints
2011 · 732 complaints
2012 · 865 complaints
2013 · 587 complaints
2014 · 702 complaints
2015 · 252 complaints
2017 · 201 complaints
2018 · 109 complaints
2019 · 23 complaints
Source
Built from the NHTSA complaints flat file and the NHTSA recalls flat files, data as of 2026-10-22. Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA. Counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular models collect more of them.