2016 Chevrolet Cruze Fuel System Problems

37 owners have reported fuel & propulsion system problems with the 2016 Chevrolet Cruze to NHTSA — 15% of all 250 complaints for this model year. The typical failure happened around 48,000 miles. That ranks #4 of 9 Cruze model years for fuel system complaints (a typical year has 32). One related recall has been issued.

37complaints
48ktypical miles
1related recalls
1crashes
0fires
1injuries

Which parts fail

  • Storage › Tank assembly › Pressure relief devices
    1

Components named in complaints (fuel pump, injectors, fuel tank, hybrid and EV propulsion).

Mileage when the problem started

  • Under 25k
    525%
  • 25k–50k
    630%
  • 50k–75k
    630%
  • 75k–100k
    210%
  • 100k–150k
    15%
  • 150k+
    00%

Owner reports

Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2016 Chevrolet Cruze owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).

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.

33,000 miles · Oct 2023

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. …

Apr 2021

Water leak in trunk. Took car in 3 time to have it fixed after them doing the recall( 84279073 f-lamp kit). Every time it went in they found a leak in a different spot. 15Feb17 they found water leaking from right side of the spoiler retainer holes. Dealer removed spoiler applied double back tape and sealer. Reinstalled spoiler 02Mar17 found pin hole leak in weather strip. Dealer replaced weather strip. 01jan24 start having electrical issues. Hard starting/ running weird and finally dead battery. Had les swabs install battery and remove water in trunk. Car starts but shuts off when driving. 05mar24 Dealer finds leak coming from right side spoiler and now 1 licence plat bolt. Charged me 600.00 . to reseal. Here we go again They could never stop/find the leak before and will not warranty previous work. Isn't this a fire/safty issue? That started the recall in the 1st place. …

Jun 2024

Catalytic Converter , it is a 2016 , it absolutely should not be faulty/defective AT ALL . I checked with Dick Wolstrom Chevy Dealer , if this would be included in the Powertrain Warranty and they said it expired in December . I checked with the other Yearly Recalls for this problem, and it did show this exact same recall for the all the previous years of this make and model of car . It should be fixed , I never heard of a Catalytic Converter be defective like this especially in a newer year car . Can you please help me ? Also, I am having problem with the Fuel pressure Sensor , Air flow intake sensor, Knock sensor , all (3) this is crazy . This is the 2nd time the knock sensor has been replaced . My main concern is the Catalytic Converter , please advise , it should be covered in the powertrain warranty on this car , regardless . It is very expensive to be replaced .

Oct 2022

Purchased a 2016 Chevrolet Cruze on [redacted]. [redacted]. As of July 26th I paid $862 on repairs for the car to be smoking this morning on my way to work [redacted]. In total I've spent Almost or close to $2,000 in car repairs. This purchase was for my 17 year old daughter as a graduation present and for college. She was driving and car started to run hot and cut off in a busy intersection. She was unable to take the car to North Carolina. The owner blocked me and the staff haven't been accommodating since this process. Nor will they look at the car. This has put me in a financial burden and the safety conditions this vehicle is under. And damage this could have cause my daughter.

Jun 2024

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.

Sep 2024

My engine needed oil I checked the dip stick added the oil the next day my engine started leaking and over heating come to find out there's a pcv issue the valve cover gasket along with multiple other seals need replaced I was unaware of anything wrong no indication of over heating I just smelled the heat and was able to see after popping the hood the radiator fan is now not working and gas is coming through the valves

May 2026

While at red light, stop signs, or transitioning turns, the engine shuts off and does not restart. Sometimes it shuts down when driving at extremely low speeds. This is dangerous because I have had to push the car while transitioning in multipile lane intersections. Luckily others stop and help me push the car to shoulder or convenience gas stations. The battery and spark plugs are new, and the car has plenty of fuel.

Aug 2022

Stability Track came on randomly all of sudden car was stalling, running poorly and smell Gas , sure enough leaking Gas Everywhere, very dangerous. Lucky car did not catch on fire. I am still paying for this car. Just thankful no one got injured. THERE IS NO RECALLS FOR THIS VIN ABSOLUTELY SHOULD BE.

Aug 2023

car has been overheating run while i take the keys out doors will lock with keys in the ignition lots of lights will come on car will slow way down constantly adding antifreeze in it heat and air will stop working i have had trouble ever since i bought this a year ago

Dec 1969

Related recalls

Fuel system, gasoline

NHTSA recall 18V-304 · May 10, 2018 · 111,966 vehicles

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.

Fuel System complaints in other Cruze years

2011201220132014201520162017201820194352326123371571
Fuel System complaints per model year, Chevrolet Cruze.

Frequently asked questions

How common are fuel system problems on the 2016 Chevrolet Cruze?

NHTSA has 37 complaints about the fuel & propulsion system of the 2016 Chevrolet Cruze, 15% of the model year's 250 complaints. The component named most often is storage › tank assembly › pressure relief devices (1 mentions).

Is there a recall for 2016 Chevrolet Cruze fuel system problems?

Yes — NHTSA recall 18V-304 (fuel system, gasoline, May 10, 2018). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

At what mileage do 2016 Chevrolet Cruze fuel system problems start?

Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 48,000 miles, and 25% before 25,000 miles.

Is it dangerous?

Owners linked 1 crash, 0 fires and 1 injury to fuel & propulsion system 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.