2016 Chevrolet Cruze
Common Problems
Ranked from 86 federal NHTSA complaints and 2 recalls. Every problem links to the complaint IDs behind it.
13 Common Problems
Ordered by how often owners reported each one to NHTSA. The bar shows how common a problem is relative to the most-reported on this vehicle. Expand any problem to see the federal complaint IDs.
- 1
Engine Overheating
23complaintsHigh severityEngineThe engine overheats frequently, leading to coolant leaks and requiring multiple repairs.
$150–$1,200est. cooling-system diagnosis + repair · 1–6 hrs laborGet local quotes - 2
Check Engine Light On Without Warning
15complaintsMedium severityEngineThe check engine light comes on without any warning lights indicating a specific issue, leading to reduced engine performance.
$100–$250est. professional diagnosis · 1–2 hrs laborGet local quotes - 3
Engine Stall During Driving
13complaintsMedium severityEngineThe engine stalls during driving, especially when the air conditioning is on or at higher speeds.
$150–$1,200est. stalling / shutdown diagnosis + repair · 1–5 hrs laborGet local quotes - 4
Stop-Start System Failure
9complaintsHigh severityEngineThe stop-start system malfunctions, causing the car to unexpectedly shut off while driving.
$150–$900est. stop-start system diagnosis · 1–4 hrs laborGet local quotes - 5
Coolant System Leaks
7complaintsMedium severityFuel systemThe coolant system leaks, causing the engine to overheat and potentially leading to engine failure.
Related recall: 18V304000
- 6
Electrical System Glitches
7complaintsMedium severityElectricalRandom radio shutdowns and touch screen flickers occur while driving.
Related recall: 16V502000
- 7
Service Brake Malfunction
7complaintsHigh severityBrakesThe service brake assist light comes on unexpectedly, indicating a potential brake system issue.
$150–$1,000est. brake system diagnosis + repair · 1–4 hrs laborGet local quotes - 8
Steering Lock-up During Driving
7complaintsHigh severitySteeringThe steering wheel locks up during driving, making it difficult to control the vehicle.
$200–$1,500est. power-steering / eps repair · 1–6 hrs laborGet local quotes - 9
Battery Issues Causing Electrical System Malfunctions
6complaintsMedium severityElectricalFaulty battery connections cause intermittent electrical system failures, including loss of power steering and traction control.
Related recall: 16V502000
- 10
Engine Performance Issues
6complaintsHigh severityEngineThe engine performance is poor, with issues like stalling, sputtering, and reduced power.
- 11
Air Bag Deployment Failure
5complaintsHigh severityElectricalThe air bags fail to deploy during a collision, increasing the risk of injury or death.
Related recall: 16V502000
- 12
Steering Issues Caused by Faulty Battery Connections
2complaintsMedium severitySteeringFaulty battery connections lead to steering errors, loss of stable steering capabilities, and traction system errors.
- 13
Suspension Clunking Noise
2complaintsLow severitySuspensionThere is a distinct clunking noise from the rear suspension when traveling over bumps or uneven surfaces.
$150–$1,200est. suspension diagnosis + repair · 1–5 hrs laborGet local quotes
Other years & sources
Data source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) owner complaints and recalls. Problems are clustered and ranked from the complaint record; occurrence counts reflect corroborating complaints, not total incidence. Vehicle image is illustrative. Repair-cost figures are typical U.S. independent-shop ranges (parts + labor) for the class of repair shown — actual quotes vary by region, engine, and diagnosis; always confirm with a local shop.