Headlight complaints by model year
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (headlights, tail lights, turn signals, interior lights).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Cruze. The contact stated while driving various speeds at night, the headlights failed to provide adequate illumination to drive safely. The contact stated that the failure was more evident on dimly lit streets. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the headlight bulbs needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that the failure was still evident with the side illumination. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 18,000.
When shifting the gearbox from park to drive or from drive to park the infotainment screen will go to maximum brightness and can not be dimmed causing greatly reduced vision during night driving situations. If you stop in reverse and allow the rear camera to activate it will work normally. Dealer reports working normally.
The contact owns a 2017 Chevrolet Cruze. While refueling, the contact discovered that cracks had formed on both sides of the middle brake light housing. She then noticed that water from the cracks had leaked into the top rear headliner of the vehicle. The contact had taken the vehicle to the dealer where they confirmed the failure and provided her an estimate for the repair. The manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. The vehicle has been repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 15,000. Consumer paid $312.82 for the repairs.
Third rear brake light on my Chevy Cruze hatchback broke off from its mount, and is now dangling against the rear window glass, obstructing the view, obstructing the rear windshield wiper from being able to operate, and held on by nothing but the wiring. It is at risk of falling off into the road, makes the car less visible to drivers while braking, and obscures my view out of the back window, especially when it is raining, as I can no longer use the wiper. It is unable to be reattached without replacing the entire rear spoiler (approximately $1,000 repair according to multiple dealerships I have contacted, with photographs), and it is a manufacturer defect, not caused by outside force. It appears the bolts that hold the spoiler in were over-torqued at the factory, causing excess stress on the plastic holes they mount into, as the plastic surrounding both mounting holes cracked.
I purchased a new 2016 Chevy Cruze limited from fairway Chevrolet on 4/2/16. At the time of purchase I was not aware that it had a center high mounted stop light flashing device on it[the dealer called it a "red alert system". I stated to dealership personnel that per dot laws that I believe such a device is not legal. They stated that it was legal .I removed the device myself as they were to busy to do it without a lengthy delay.can you please look into this issue? The dealer service personnel stated that they install these on all there new vehicles and if its not legal per dot laws then I hope you can and will rectify this issue. My name is [redacted] phone #[redacted] and my email is [redacted]. Please let me know what you can do about this issue if anything.
My door ajar alarm goes off not stop when car is in motion after 3 mins the locks try to unlock and lock going down the road and the dome lights flash on and off. My alarm system goes off every 10 to 20 min in the middle of the night or day so you cant set your alarms and all order for the part are on back order. The door sensor triggers the most when making a hard right turn. Moving parked or sitting I drive the sensor still alarms out
So yesterday night I was at walmart and I had the car idling while putting stuff in the car the interior lights dimmed and there was a rattle that came from underneath the car right after the car stalled out twice, I had interior lights on but no power to the engine just sitting and once I started driving it didn't stall out on highway, but there is a possibility of this happening at a stop sign or traffic light, but again no check engine light, wondering if you can research into this? seems to be a reoccurring situation.
Tl* the contact owns a 2014 Chevrolet Cruze. While driving at 55 MPH, the engine stalled and both of the headlights became inoperable. The contact crashed the vehicle into a side railing. The contact stated that the signal indicators were inoperable. The air bags failed to deploy. A police report was not filed and no injuries were reported. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 10,000.
Related recalls (1)
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,…
Frequently asked questions
Which Chevrolet Cruze years have headlight problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2014 (19), 2012 (16), 2017 (12), 2013 (11) and 2011 (7) model years. Headlight complaints make up 3% of all complaints for the 2014.
Is there a recall for Chevrolet Cruze headlight problems?
Yes — 1 recall, including 16V-498 (headlights, Jul 1, 2016). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Chevrolet Cruze headlight problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 48,000 miles; 51% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the headlights (3 mentions), followed by the brake lights (1).
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.