Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power windows, windshield, wipers, mirrors, sunroof).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2012 Chevrolet Cruze owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The problem I have is a very, very common problem and a huge safety issue to my life or anyone with the same car within around 2011 to 2015. The cheap plastic levers for the mode actuator for my defrost and vents do not work. They have broken and this I barely have any heat coming out of the front vents and absolutely none coming from the defrost. This is a huge issue and highly affects my driving in the cold and snowy, or even rainy, weather. I'm so upset there has not been a recall thus far. No one wants to spend 1000 dollars for a five dollar part when it's not their fault that the levers are faulty! This is Chevrolets and thus, GMCs problem. My safety is highly threatened when I can't defrost the ice nor the fog over my windshield meaning I cannot see!! I scrape it and as soon as I drive it gets worse I had to pull over today because I couldn't see at all! It's scary and not okay! …
My windshield wipers had stopped working completely no movement at all, they were making a noise whenever you toggled the wiper control inside the car. So I mad an appointment for jan 5th, 2018 so that it could be looked at and fixed. They told me that it was my windshield wipers transmission that needed to be replaced. In which I knew I had been researching before hand needed to be sure . Auto shop told me that it would be $149 for the part that I would be responsible for, and they would take care of the labor and, then she said no it would be $74.00 for part and I told them to go ahead. They said they needed to order the part and it May not be there that day. …
Let me start by saying this issue was the not the first issue that's cause me to tow my car first was my engine failure due to coolant lines ripping while driving. And this issues is about defrost and heating in the general I was driving on the highway with me heat on the windshield but it didn't heat the front windshield instead is was heating my face the windows were already a little foggy but I expected it to be clear while driving but instead while going 65mph on the highway my windows completely become fogged completely white I couldn't see anything lucky for me I was on the right lane so I pulled over and was safe however if it happened even 5 seconds later I would of most likely hit or been hit as the highs had some renavations and the new turn had no pull over and had a long and tight turn. Anyways if your also having this issues and know a fix please inform me.
While the vehicle was in motion at approximately 50 miles/hour, after dark in heavy rain, the drivers windshield wiper arm suddenly stopped moving. This failure May have resulted in property or personal injury or both, when my view was obstructed due to the failure of the wiper arm to clear the rain. The passenger side wiper arm continued normally. A quick search indicated this problem has been previously reported. This is a safety issue in my view, where the manufacturer is culpable and liable to make the necessary repair so this doesn't result in damage/personal injury. The dealer quickly replaced the 'wiper transmission' which I had to pay for, and feel this is a manufacturing safety defect that is a safety issue that needs to be assessed for recall at no cost to the owner (or reimbursement for those already replaced).
I believe the GM recall 25302 on Chevrolet equinox vehicles should be expanded to include the Cruze model. I own each of these models and have not had an issue yet on the equinox, but the Cruze had to have wiper ball joint replacement that is explained in this existing recall. Please consider expanding this recall to include all modules of Chevrolet that utilize this same wiper ball joint because this design fault exists on the Cruze model as well. My Cruze was fixed at a garage that is not Chevrolet dealer affiliated, so I'm not sure how the NHTSA tracks these types of issues. The issue with the Cruze was that the passenger side wiper blade was no longer moving, the ball joint was broken and no longer functioning and had to be replaced.
Driving on the interstate after work during a rainstorm. Wipers were operating normally the first few minutes, and suddenly the driver side wiper failed. Visibility was extremely diminished and created a severe safety hazard, as I was in motion, traveling at 65mph and in heavy traffic conditions. I managed to maneuver my car off to the shoulder where I had to remain for some time until the rainstorm passed; only then was I able to continue driving. I believe this is an extreme safety hazard and needs to be properly addressed for recall, as it seems many other Chevrolet Cruze drivers/owners have experienced the same type of situation involving failing wiper arm functioning.
While I'm driving southbound on I-75 in detroit, my driver side windshield wiper stops working and shoots all the way up the opposite way from where it sits at rest and stayed stuck there during a bad storm where there was flooded roads. Seconds after it malfunctions I hit a huge puddle of water due to me franticly try and see out my windshield and hydroplaned almost into another vehicle at 55-65 MPH. This was one of the scariest experience of my life and now I'm stuck with a broken windshield wiper. I think this needs to be addressed as an issue because it was extremely dangerous and I'm very lucky to not have crashed my car.
Condensation/fog and/or frost on interior windows, will not clear. Recirculation air control not functioning properly. Actuator does not properly control the flaps in the HVAC system, allowing moist air to recirculate even when the fresh air mode is selected. This causes excessive moisture inside the car, fogging the inside of the windows and reducing visibility. In winter climates this results in frost on the inside of the glass. In either case, clearing the windows is not possible and makes driving the vehicle unsafe and/or not possible.
After I finished clearing the windshield off before driving, I turned the wipers on. They both turned on, but the passenger side wiper brushed right over the driver side wiper. The driver side wiper no longer worked. The wiper transmission had broken. I replaced the transmission on jan. 22, 2015. On March 26, 2015, I was driving in the rain with the wipers on. After two loud bangs, the passenger side wiper stopped working. The car had not been driven 1,000 miles with the new wiper transmission before it broke, too.
The windshield wiper reservoir hose has come lose and is leaking 95% of the washer fluid into the engine compartment and is not cleaning the windshield causing it hard to see on partially rainy or dusty days here in texas. Not to mention I do not know what problems could be caused from the excess washer fluid spraying into the engine compartment. Chevy will not cover this under the extended warranty.
Window & Wiper complaints in other Cruze years
Frequently asked questions
How common are window & wiper problems on the 2012 Chevrolet Cruze?
NHTSA has 39 complaints about the windows, wipers & sunroof of the 2012 Chevrolet Cruze, 5% of the model year's 865 complaints. The component named most often is windshield wiper/washer (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2012 Chevrolet Cruze window & wiper problems?
No. NHTSA lists no windows, wipers & sunroof recall for the 2012 Chevrolet Cruze, though it has 7 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2012 Chevrolet Cruze window & wiper problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 72,000 miles, and 14% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 0 fires and 0 injuries to windows, wipers & sunroof problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.