Most common 2016 Chevrolet Cruze problems
Share of the 250 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Chevrolet Cruze complaints by model year
Best Cruze years: 2019, 2018, 2017. Years to avoid: 2012, 2011, 2014. Compare all years →
2016 Chevrolet Cruze recalls (4)
Fuel system, gasoline
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Chevrolet Cruze LS vehicles, equipped with a gasoline engine and a tire inflator kit instead of a spare tire. The vehicles may leak gasoline following a rear-impact crash and a rollover.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will install a lock-ring on the fuel tank that will shield the fuel tank vapor pressure sensor from damage in a rear-impact crash, free of charge. The recall began June 7, 2018.
Seats › Front assembly › Head restraint
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2016-2017 Chevrolet Cruze vehicles. A bracket used in the driver or front passenger seat-back recliner mechanism may have been incorrectly welded to the seat-back frame, as a result, in the event of a crash, the head-restraints may not function properly.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the front passenger seats, replacing any with seat-back frames that are incorrectly welded, free of charge. The recall began on February 28, 2017.
Electrical system › Ignition
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Buick Verano and 2016 Chevrolet Malibu as the electronic park lock lever may allow the ignition key to be removed without the transmission being in PARK.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and if necessary replace the key cylinder lock housing, free of charge. The recall began on October 14, 2016.
Exterior lighting › Headlights
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2016 Cruze vehicles manufactured November 5, 2015, to May 26, 2016. The headlight assemblies are not marked with a three-digit identifier code used to properly aim the headlights.
Remedy: GM will mail owners instructions and adhesive labels, with the correct code, to install on their headlight assemblies. Owners may also bring the vehicle to a GM dealership for any assistance with applying the label,…
What 2016 Chevrolet Cruze owners say
Engine & cooling all 108 →
The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Cruze. The contact stated while driving 25 MPH and depressing the brake pedal, the check engine warning light illuminated, and the message "Service Brake System" was displayed simultaneously. The vehicle failed to respond. The contact stated that he applied more pressure to the brake pedal and the vehicle responded. The contact was able to continue driving; however, the failure recurred while driving to the residence. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the vacuum pump had seized, which fractured the camshaft. The mechanic diagnosed that the vacuum pump and the camshaft needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 108,000. …
The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Cruze. The contact stated that on multiple occasions while driving over 50 MPH, the A/C unit turned off independently and the instrument panel displayed a message that the engine was overheating. Additionally, the engine power reduced message was displayed. The contact stated that after receiving message alerts on the instrument panel, the vehicle decelerated to 15-20 MPH. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the failure reoccurred on several occasions and the instrument panel displayed message alerts for the engine overheating and the engine power being reduced. The contact attempted to call local dealers but was not successful. The vehicle was not repaired. …
Electrical system all 59 →
The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Cruze. The contact stated that upon returning to the parked vehicle, while attempting to unlock the doors with the key fob, the doors failed to open. The contact was able to open the door manually using the key. The contact stated that upon entering the vehicle and closing the front driver's side door, the doors locked and failed to unlock. The contact depressed the brake pedal and pressed the Push to Start button, but the vehicle failed to start or unlock. The message "No Key Fob Detected" was displayed. The contact disassembled the key fob and wiped the battery; however, the failure persisted. The contact called his wife, who arrived with another key fob. The vehicle was able to restart after several attempts. The message "Theft Alarm" was displayed. …
The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Cruze. The contact stated while driving 60 mph, the hydroplane warning light illuminated and the vehicle independently downshifted and decelerated to 50 mph. The contact stated that a couple of weeks later, the contact was driving at 65 mph and the vehicle independently downshifted and decelerated to 55 mph. The contact then stated that while driving at various speeds, the air bag warning light illuminated causing the vehicle to stall. The vehicle was not taken to a local dealer or independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 109,911.
Fuel & propulsion system all 37 →
The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Cruze. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle inadvertently shut off without warning. The contact stated that soon after the failure, the vehicle independently restarted, and the vehicle resumed normal vehicle operation. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where a diagnostic test was performed and recommended that the fuel system be cleaned. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 33,000.
My car was recalled for problems with fuel system or something of that nature, I took it to get repaired not once but about 3 times and problem is still ongoing. When I press the gas, the car shoots all the way to the 3rd gear and gets stuck at about 27 miles which is very dangerous, especially when I'm on the freeway. It will also cut off in the middle of the road making me have to put my car in park and recrank the car, multiple people have almost ran dead into the back of my car. They basically told me it is no way to fix my car. Now, it has caused more problems. My car is now saying "engine power reduced" and "service brake assist" when I try to press the brakes, it's literally almost impossible. I have to almost stand on the brake and it still does not stop all the way. My brakes are new btw, so it shouldn't still have this error message. I'm basically driving a lemon. …
2016 Chevrolet Cruze engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.4L 4-cyl turbo | 6-speed automatic | FWD | 30 / 40 / 34 |
| 1.4L 4-cyl turbo | 6-speed manual | FWD | 28 / 40 / 33 |
| 1.8L 4-cyl | 6-speed manual | FWD | 25 / 35 / 29 |
| 1.8L 4-cyl | 6-speed automatic | FWD | 22 / 34 / 26 |
EPA ratings. Class: Compact car.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2016 Chevrolet Cruze a good car?
Based on 250 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2016 Cruze rates better than average: 57% fewer complaints than a typical year of the Cruze at the same age. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2016 Chevrolet Cruze?
The engine & cooling — 108 complaints, 43% of all complaints for this model year, most often about cooling system › pump. Next are the electrical system (59) and fuel & propulsion system (37).
How many recalls does the 2016 Chevrolet Cruze have?
There are 4 recalls for the 2016 Chevrolet Cruze, the most recent from May 10, 2018 (fuel system, gasoline). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Chevrolet Cruze?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2019, 2018 and 2017. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2012, 2011 and 2014. See the full Chevrolet Cruze years comparison.
At what mileage do 2016 Chevrolet Cruze problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 57,000 miles; 44% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
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.