What Are the Most Common Problems With the 2012 Chevy Cruze?

The 2012 Chevy Cruze was a popular compact car, but it had its fair share of issues. From recalls to reliability problems, here are some of the most common issues owners faced:
Recalls
The 2012 Cruze was subject to seven NHTSA recalls, some of which were quite serious:

Potential fuel tank welds could cause the tank to come loose in an accident, leading to fuel leaks and fire risk. 53,239 cars were affected.
Oil drips or spills could collect in the engine’s bellypan and be ignited by the hot engine and exhaust, posing a fire hazard. 413,148 cars were recalled.
The driver’s side airbag might not deploy if the bar and terminals were contacting each other. Over 30,000 cars were recalled for this issue.
Possible loss of brake assistance, requiring extra pedal force and longer stopping distances, affecting 292,879 cars.
The key could potentially be removed from the ignition without the car in Park, leading to rollaway situations. Around 8,000 cars were included in this recall.

These recalls highlight the serious issues the 2012 Cruze faced, from fire risks to safety concerns.

Reliability Issues
Beyond the recalls, the 2012 Cruze had numerous reliability problems, especially with the 1.4-liter turbo engine:

Engine and Transmission Leaks

The biggest issue was that the Cruze leaked a lot – oil from the engine, transmission, and lines throughout the engine compartment. Coolant leaks from the thermostat housing and radiator lines were also common.

Throttle Body Failure

Engine problems leading to a loss of power were frequent, often due to throttle body failure. Replacing the assembly cost around $450.

Transmission Failures

Transmission problems, including complete failures, were very common, often occurring around 80,000 miles. Replacement cost about $3,400.

Other Issues

Other problems included faulty PCV diaphragms leading to excessive oil consumption, loose battery cables, and issues with the trunk release switch.
With so many recalls and reliability issues, the 2012 Chevy Cruze was a questionable purchase. While it had impressive safety ratings and build quality for a compact car, the problems mentioned are important to keep in mind when shopping for one used.