Problems · NHTSA complaints
2016 Chevrolet Cruze Limited problems
Owners filed 240 complaints about the 2016 Chevrolet Cruze Limited with NHTSA between Feb 2016 and Apr 2025. The most-cited component is engine (98).
Complaints
240
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
19
Reported by owners
Fires
6
Reported by owners
Injuries
14
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
Complaints by component
One complaint can cite several components
- Engine98
- Electrical system57
- Fuel/propulsion system32
- Power train31
- Air bags21
- Steering17
- Service brakes16
- Electronic stability control (esc)16
- Vehicle speed control10
- Structure7
- Engine and engine cooling6
- Exterior lighting6
- Wheels5
- Seats4
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 11, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
When complaints were filed
Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
21
17
32
42
44
24
27
20
11
2
View as table
| Model year | Complaints filed per calendar year |
|---|---|
| 2016 | 21 |
| 2017 | 17 |
| 2018 | 32 |
| 2019 | 42 |
| 2020 | 44 |
| 2021 | 24 |
| 2022 | 27 |
| 2023 | 20 |
| 2024 | 11 |
| 2025 | 2 |
Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.
Top problems in owners’ words
Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
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.”
Power train
31 reports1 fire
“Component or System Failed/Malfunctioned: The turbocharger has been identified by a GM service center as the component that failed or malfunctioned. It is available for inspection upon request at the service center where the diagnosis was made. Safety Risk: The safety of myself and others was compromised due to the vehicle stalling unexpectedly while driving. This resulted in potential rear-end collisions, as well as the inability to accelerate, posing a risk in traffic situations. Confirmation by Dealer or Independent Service Center: Yes, the issue has been confirmed by a GM service center where the turbocharger was diagnosed as the problem. They provided a repair estimate of $2,170 for the turbocharger replacement. Inspections by Manufacturer, Police, Insurance, etc.: The vehicle has been inspected by a GM service center, but it has not been inspected by police, insurance representatives, or other independent parties beyond the GM service center. Warning Lamps, Messages, Symptoms: Prior to the vehicle stalling, warning messages such as "Service Stabilitrak" appeared on the dashboard. These messages were accompanied by engine shaking, and the car did not…”
Air bags
21 reports12 crashes
“Hit a buck on highway. When airbags went off I felt sudden sharp pain in my left arm. I was later advised that it most likely was shrapnel from the airbag. It was obvious from the injury something hit my arm with a lot of force. The car was a total loss and in possession of insurance company. Concerned that it could have been my eye.”
Steering
17 reports1 crash
“The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Cruze. The contact stated while driving on several occasions at various speeds, the steering wheel pulled to the left forcibly. The contact also stated that the vehicle was oversteered, and the wheel made the vehicle move in a straight line. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the inner tie rod had separated from the steering gear and both inner tie rods and tires needed to be replaced. The contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V442000 (Steering). The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 61,000.”
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 11, 2026
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.