The 2016 Chevrolet Cruze is associated with 249 official NHTSA owner defect complaints and 4 safety recall campaigns in the federal safety database. The most frequently reported component area is Engine, accounting for 42 reports (17% of total complaints). EPA testing covers 9 certified vehicle configurations spanning 1.4l 4-cyl and 1.8l 4-cyl configurations. Gasoline and hybrid variants deliver 26 to 34 MPG combined.
Key Data Findings
- • NHTSA Owner Complaints: 249 reports
- • Safety Recall Campaigns: 4 campaigns
- • Top Reported Defect Area: Engine (42 / 17%)
- • Safety Incident Signals: 19 crash / 6 fire / 12 injury reports
- • NHTSA Overall Safety Rating: 4 / 5 Stars
- • EPA Efficiency: 26–34 MPG (9 variants)
Data Note: Compiled directly from official NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI), NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, and EPA FuelEconomy.gov databases.
| Variant | Engine | Drivetrain | Transmission | City | Highway | Combined | EV Range | Est. Annual Fuel Cost |
| Cruze | 1.4L 4-Cyl | Front-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S6) | 30 MPG | 40 MPG | 34 MPG | — | $1,800 / yr |
| Cruze Premier | 1.4L 4-Cyl | Front-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S6) | 30 MPG | 40 MPG | 34 MPG | — | $1,800 / yr |
| Cruze Limited Eco | 1.4L 4-Cyl | Front-Wheel Drive | Manual 6-spd | 28 MPG | 40 MPG | 33 MPG | — | $1,850 / yr |
| Cruze | 1.4L 4-Cyl | Front-Wheel Drive | Manual 6-spd | 28 MPG | 39 MPG | 32 MPG | — | $1,900 / yr |
| Cruze Limited Eco | 1.4L 4-Cyl | Front-Wheel Drive | Automatic 6-spd | 26 MPG | 37 MPG | 30 MPG | — | $2,050 / yr |
| Cruze Limited | 1.4L 4-Cyl | Front-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S6) | 26 MPG | 36 MPG | 30 MPG | — | $2,050 / yr |
| Cruze Limited | 1.4L 4-Cyl | Front-Wheel Drive | Manual 6-spd | 26 MPG | 37 MPG | 30 MPG | — | $2,050 / yr |
| Cruze Limited | 1.8L 4-Cyl | Front-Wheel Drive | Manual 6-spd | 25 MPG | 35 MPG | 29 MPG | — | $2,100 / yr |
| Cruze Limited | 1.8L 4-Cyl | Front-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S6) | 22 MPG | 34 MPG | 26 MPG | — | $2,350 / yr |
Data Boundary Note: EPA specifications are shown by certified vehicle configuration. NHTSA complaints and recall totals are recorded at the model-year level across all configurations.
| Tested Drivetrain / Cab Variant | Overall Rating | Frontal Crash | Side Crash | Rollover Rating | Rollover Risk |
| 4 DR FWD | | | | | 10.7% |
Active Driver Assistance Systems (NHTSA Recorded): Forward Collision Warning (FCW) is documented as Optional and Lane Departure Warning (LDW) is documented as No in official NHTSA records for tested 2016 Chevrolet Cruze models.
View complete 2016 Chevrolet Cruze crash test & safety breakdown →
Top Reported Problem Categories
Ranked by total consumer complaint submissions recorded by NHTSA
Data Attribution & Context: Complaints are self-reported by vehicle owners to NHTSA and represent unverified consumer submissions. Complaint volume does not equal a statistically controlled failure rate and is not adjusted for total vehicles sold or cumulative mileage driven.
View all 2016 Chevrolet Cruze problems & component breakdown (80 categories) →
Affected Component: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
Defect Summary: 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. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 301, "Fuel System Integrity."
Free Manufacturer 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. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 18159.
Affected Component: SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:HEAD RESTRAINT
Defect Summary: 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. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 202a, "Head Restraints."
Free Manufacturer 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. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 17035.
Affected Component: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
Defect Summary: 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. Also, certain 2013 Buick Encore, 2011 Buick Regal, 2013-2014 Buick Verano, 2011-2016 Chevrolet Cruze, 2010-2013 Chevrolet Equinox 2013-2015 Chevrolet Malibu, and 2011-2013 GMC Terrain vehicles may have been serviced with similar defective replacement electronic park lock levers. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 114, "Theft Protection and Rollaway Prevention."
Free Manufacturer 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. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, Buick 1-800-521-7300, and GMC 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 50490 and 50491.
View all 2016 Chevrolet Cruze recalls & campaign history (4 campaigns) →