Research · Midsize Cars
2016 Chevrolet Cruze LimitedRecalls, problems, MPG & safety
NHTSA lists 0 safety recalls and 240 owner complaints for the 2016 Chevrolet Cruze Limited. Most complaints involve engine (98) and electrical system (57). The EPA rates it 26–33 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 5 stars overall.
Combined MPG
26–33mpg
EPA · 6 versions
NHTSA overall
5of 5 stars
NCAP crash tests
Safety recalls
0campaigns
NHTSA
Owner complaints
240
Top: engine
Fuel cost / yr
$1,900est.
EPA estimate, best version
Safety recalls
NHTSA campaigns for this model year
0 recalls found in NHTSA data for the 2016 Chevrolet Cruze Limited as of Nov 11, 2026.
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 11, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
Owner complaints by component
240 complaints filed with NHTSA · Feb 2016 – Apr 2025
- Engine98
- Electrical system57
- Fuel/propulsion system32
- Power train31
- Air bags21
- Steering17
- Service brakes16
- Electronic stability control (esc)16
- Vehicle speed control10
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
By model year
Complaints for each Cruze Limited model year we’ve synced.
Only one model year synced so far.
- Crashes reported
- 19
- Fires reported
- 6
- Injuries reported
- 14
- Deaths reported
- 0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 11, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
What owners report most
Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component
Engine
98 reports3 crashes2 fires
“The turbo has gone out twice, it was replaced under an extended warranty policy and it has gone out again and is out of warranty, also the plastic intake manifold has gone bad again. also there is a plastic piece that comes off the engine and distributes coolant to the heater core etc...it has gone bad as well and is common on all 1.4 turbos..”
Electrical system
57 reports2 crashes4 fires
“My tire pressure sensor keeps coming on even after I had it worked on. 3 of them shows the pressure level but one shows 2 lines but no pressure level but there’s air in the tire. The other problem I’m having is the check engine light is on. Please advise if any issues are recalls or do I need to take my car to a service center. Thank you”
Fuel/propulsion system
32 reports1 crash
“I was driving the car, stopped at a light took my foot off the brake started to move and the car completely shut off. No warning lights went on. I had to start the car again. I took the car to a local dealership to be looked at. They pulled the codes, nothing showed up. I did an internet search for a possible cause, sent my search results to the dealership and I asked them to check the fuel system, they found a bad injector. They then cleaned the fuel system and replaced the bad injector.”
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 11, 2026
Engines, transmissions & drive
6 versions rated by the EPA
- EPA class
- Midsize Cars
- Engines
- 1.4L 4-cyl turbo · 1.8L 4-cyl
- Transmissions
- Manual 6-spd · Automatic (S6) · Automatic 6-spd
- Drive
- Front-Wheel Drive
- Fuel
- Regular Gasoline
Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 11, 2026EPA listing
EPA fuel economy by version
City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
| Version | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cruze Limited Eco Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 1.4 L, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive | 28 | 40 | 33 | $1,900 | 274 |
| Cruze Limited Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 1.4 L, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive | 26 | 36 | 30 | $2,100 | 300 |
| Cruze Limited Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 1.4 L, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive | 26 | 37 | 30 | $2,100 | 298 |
| Cruze Limited Eco Auto 6-spd, 4 cyl, 1.4 L, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive | 26 | 37 | 30 | $2,100 | 295 |
| Cruze Limited Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 1.8 L · Front-Wheel Drive | 25 | 35 | 29 | $2,150 | 309 |
| Cruze Limited Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 1.8 L · Front-Wheel Drive | 22 | 34 | 26 | $2,400 | 336 |
- 33mpg comb.
- 30mpg comb.
- 30mpg comb.
- 30mpg comb.
- 29mpg comb.
- 26mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 11, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings
1 tested variant
Overall rating
5/ 5
5 of 5Chevrolet Cruze Limited 4 DR FWD
- Frontal crash
- 5 of 5
- Side crash
- 5 of 5
- Side pole
- 5 of 5
- Rollover
- 4 of 5
- Rollover risk
- 10.9%
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 11, 2026Vehicle 10045
Maintenance basics
General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
| Item | Miles | Time | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine oil & filter | 5,000–10,000 mi | 6–12 months | Follow the oil-life monitor if fitted |
| Tire rotation | 5,000–7,500 mi | Every oil change | Check pressure monthly |
| Engine air filter | 15,000–30,000 mi | 1–2 years | Sooner in dusty areas |
| Cabin air filter | 15,000–25,000 mi | 1–2 years | |
| Brake fluid | — | 2–3 years | Absorbs moisture over time |
| Coolant | 60,000–100,000 mi | 5–10 years | Long-life coolants last longer |
| Spark plugs | 60,000–100,000 mi | — | Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end |
| 12V battery | — | 3–5 years | Heat shortens battery life |
- Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
6–12 months - Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
Every oil change - Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
1–2 years - Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
1–2 years - Brake fluid—
2–3 years - Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
5–10 years - Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
— - 12V battery—
3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
2016 Cruze Limited questions
How many recalls does the 2016 Chevrolet Cruze Limited have?
0 recalls found in NHTSA data as of Nov 11, 2026.
What are the most common 2016 Chevrolet Cruze Limited problems?
Owners filed 240 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are engine (98), electrical system (57), fuel/propulsion system (32). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
What MPG does the 2016 Chevrolet Cruze Limited get?
The EPA rates the 2016 Chevrolet Cruze Limited at 26–33 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (6 versions rated).
How safe is the 2016 Chevrolet Cruze Limited?
NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2016 Chevrolet Cruze Limited 5 out of 5 stars overall.
Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 11, 2026