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2012 Chevrolet Cruze: Problems, Recalls and MPG

What this means

NHTSA lists seven recall campaigns for the 2012 Chevrolet Cruze: three for air bags (filed 2012–2014), one for the powertrain (filed 2016), one for brakes (filed 2013) and two more for other parts. Owners have filed 865 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the engine and the electrical system. For comparison, owners filed 732 for the 2011 and 587 for the 2013 Cruze. In NHTSA crash tests it earned 5 stars overall, with a 10.9% rollover risk.

Summary reviewed by Recalls & Safety Desk · Oct 6, 2026 How we write summaries Data: NHTSA, DOT, EPA · Refreshed Oct 6, 2026
Recalls 7campaigns 3 air bag · 1 electrical · 1 brake Source: NHTSA Complaints 865filed Owner reports, 2010–2019 shown Source: NHTSA ODI Crash tests 5★overall ★★★★★ Frontal 5★ · Side 5★ · Rollover 4★ Source: NHTSA NCAP Fuel economy 32mpg combined $2,041/yr at this week's prices Source: EPA · EIA Specs 1.4 L 4-cyl· 6-speed manual 6 engine and transmission configurations Source: NHTSA vPIC
Compare

Recalls (7)

NHTSA lists 7 recall campaigns for the 2012 Chevrolet Cruze. Check whether yours was repaired with NHTSA's free VIN lookup ↗

Only NHTSA and your automaker know whether your specific car was repaired. PlainVIN shows every recall campaign listed for a model year, with the official text and how many cars have been fixed so far.

Check on NHTSA ↗
Listed for 2012 Chevrolet Cruze. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 16V502000 Filed Jul 5, 2016

Key May Be Removed When Not In Park/FMVSS 114

Electrical system · ignition
Official NHTSA text
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."
Consequence
If the key is removed without the transmission in PARK, the vehicle may rollaway as occupants are exiting, increasing the risk of injury.
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.
97.9% repairedof 8,367 vehicles
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 16V502000
Listed for 2012 Chevrolet Cruze. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 14V300000 Filed Jun 6, 2014

Driver Side Frontal Air Bag May Not Deploy

Air bags
Official NHTSA text
Summary
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2012 Buick Verano vehicles manufactured December 2, 2011 to July, 16, 2012, Chevrolet Cruze vehicles manufactured December 7, 2011 to July 25, 2012, Chevrolet Sonic vehicles manufactured December 5, 2011 to August 2, 2012, and Chevrolet Camaro vehicles manufactured December 1, 2011 to June 11, 2012. The driver side frontal air bag has a shorting bar which may intermittently contact the air bag terminals.
Consequence
If the bar and terminals are contacting each other at the time of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, that air bag will not deploy, increasing the driver's risk of injury.
Remedy
GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the steering wheel air bag coil, free of charge. The recall began on July 25, 2014. Chevrolet owners may contact GM at 1-800-222-1020. Buick owners may contact GM at 1-800-521-7300. Note: This is an expansion of recalls 12V-522 and 13V-023.
81.7% repairedof 31,520 vehicles
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 14V300000
Listed for 2012 Chevrolet Cruze. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 13V360000 Filed Aug 15, 2013

Possible Loss of Braking Assist

Service brakes, hydraulic · power assist
Official NHTSA text
Summary
General Motors (GM) is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 Chevrolet Cruze vehicles equipped with 1.4L DOHC gasoline turbo engines and 6T40 front wheel drive automatic transmissions and equipped with an electric vacuum pump to provide supplemental vacuum for brake assist, when needed. In the affected vehicles, the pump may not activate, resulting in an intermittent reduction or loss of brake assist.
Consequence
A loss of braking assistance will require extra pedal force and/or distance to bring the vehicle to a stop, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
General Motors will notify owners, and dealers will replace a microswitch in the power brake vacuum pipe assembly, free of charge. The recall began on October 7, 2013. Owners may contact Chevrolet at 1-800-222-1020. GM's recall number is 12213.
91.8% repairedof 292,879 vehicles
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 13V360000
Listed for 2012 Chevrolet Cruze. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 13V023000 Filed Jan 24, 2013

Driver Side Frontal Air bag may not Deploy

Air bags
Official NHTSA text
Summary
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2012 Chevrolet Camaro, Cruze and Sonic, and model year 2012 Buick Verano vehicles. The driver side frontal air bag has a shorting bar which may intermittently contact the air bag terminals.
Consequence
If the bar and terminals are contacting each other at the time of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, that air bag will not deploy, increasing the driver's risk of injury.
Remedy
GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the steering wheel air bag coil, free of charge. The safety recall began on February 13, 2013. Owners may contact General Motors at 1-800-521-7300.
86.4% repairedof 4,167 vehicles
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 13V023000
Listed for 2012 Chevrolet Cruze. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 12V522000 Filed Oct 31, 2012

Driver Side Frontal Airbag may not Deploy

Air bags
Official NHTSA text
Summary
General Motors is recalling certain model year 2012 Buick Verano, Chevrolet Cruze, and Chevrolet Sonic vehicles. The driver side frontal air bag has a shorting bar which may intermittently contact the air bag terminals.
Consequence
If the bar and terminals are contacting each other at the time of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal airbag, that airbag will not deploy, increasing the driver's risk of injury.
Remedy
General Motors will notify owners, and dealers will replace the steering wheel airbag coil, free of charge. The safety recall began on January 11, 2013. Owners may contact General Motors at 1-800-521-7300.
Repair progress not yet reported2,949 vehicles potentially affected
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 12V522000
Listed for 2012 Chevrolet Cruze. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 12V288000 Filed Jun 22, 2012

OIL SPILLING OR DRIPPING/ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE

Engine and engine cooling
Official NHTSA text
Summary
GENERAL MOTORS (GM) IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 AND 2012 CHEVROLET CRUZE VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 2, 2009, THROUGH MAY 31, 2012. SPILLED OR DRIPPING OIL (SUCH AS AFTER AN OIL CHANGE) MAY COLLECT IN THE ENGINE SHIELD (BELLYPAN) NEAR HOT ENGINE OR EXHAUST SYSTEM SURFACES. AS A RESULT, THE OIL AND THE ENGINE SHIELD MAY IGNITE AND BURN.
Consequence
EITHER CONDITION COULD RESULT IN AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE, POSSIBLY CAUSING INJURY OR DEATH.
Remedy
GM WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL MODIFY THE ENGINE SHIELD TO PREVENT FLUID FROM CONTACTING THE SHIELD. ALSO, ON VEHICLES WITH A MANUAL TRANSMISSION, DEALERS WILL APPLY A PROTECTIVE TAPE TO THE ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING WIRE HARNESS. REPAIRS WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE TO THE OWNER. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 10, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT THE CHEVROLET OWNER CENTER AT 1-866-694-6546.
Repair progress not yet reported413,148 vehicles potentially affected
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 12V288000
Listed for 2012 Chevrolet Cruze. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 12V289000 Filed Jun 22, 2012

FUEL TANK WELD SPOTS/FUEL LEAK/POSSIBLE FIRE

Fuel system, gasoline · storage · tank assembly · mounting
Official NHTSA text
Summary
GENERAL MOTORS (GM) IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 AND 2012 CHEVROLET CRUZE VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 2, 2009, THROUGH MAY 14, 2012. ATTACHMENT WELDS FOR THE FUEL TANK STRAP SECONDARY BRACKETS MAY HAVE BEEN OMITTED.
Consequence
THE FUEL TANK COULD COME LOOSE IN A CRASH, POSSIBLY ALLOWING FUEL TO LEAK FROM THE TANK. A FUEL LEAK IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
Remedy
GM WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE VEHICLE FOR MISSING WELDS. IF THE VEHICLE IS MISSING WELDS, DEALERS WILL SECURE THE BRACKET ATTACHMENTS WITH FASTENERS. REPAIRS WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 9, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT THE CHEVROLET OWNER CENTER AT 1-866-694-6546.
Repair progress not yet reported53,239 vehicles potentially affected
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 12V289000

PlainVIN shows public government records for education. It isn't a vehicle inspection or legal advice. Check your own VIN with NHTSA or your dealer.

Which Cruze years had the most recalls?Best & worst years →Every recall for the Chevrolet CruzeAll model years →Where is the VIN on my car?VIN location guide →

Owner complaints (865)

865 complaints filed with NHTSA (owner reports, not verified findings). The engine is mentioned most often.

62involved a crash
18involved a fire
30injuries reported
0deaths reported

As reported by owners in their complaints. These are reports, not NHTSA findings.

Most-reported components

Complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2012 Chevrolet Cruze, by component (top 10). One complaint can list several components, so these add up to more than 865.Source: NHTSA ODI owner complaints · Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 · Report a data error

How 2012 compares with other Cruze years

Best and worst Cruze years →
2 732 865 587 702 252 250 201 109 22
2010201120122013201420152016201720182019
This year (2012)Other yearsStill collecting reports

Counts are owner reports, not failure rates. Higher sales years tend to draw more reports. Owners are still filing reports for recent model years, so these counts will grow. Source: NHTSA ODI, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.

Crash tests: 5 stars overall

Overall★★★★★
Frontal crashDriver 5★ · Passenger 5★★★★★★
Side crashDriver 5★ · Passenger 5★★★★★★
Side pole★★★★★
RolloverRollover risk 10.9%★★★★☆
Front seat of a modern car with the seat belt buckled across the passenger seat
Compare fairly. Compare stars only between vehicles of similar size and weight. Ratings apply to the tested configuration.

Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (NCAP), 2012 Chevrolet Cruze 4 dr fwd, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.

Fuel economy: up to 32 mpg combined

32
mpg combined
28
city
40
highway
EPA annual fuel cost
$2,100
CO₂ tailpipe
278 g/mi
EPA class
Midsize Cars

What it costs you to run

$2,041per year
$170per month
469gallons a year

Miles ÷ 32 mpg × $4.354 (EIA US average regular, week of Oct 5, 2026, all taxes included). Source: EPA · EIA.

EPA label estimates from lab tests; your mileage will vary.

Specs by configuration

2012 Chevrolet Cruze configurations with EPA data
Engine · transmissionDriveCity / Hwy / CombEPA $/yrCO₂ g/mi
1.4 L 4-cyl · 6-speed manualFront-Wheel Drive28 / 40 / 32$2,100278
1.4 L 4-cyl · 6-speed automaticFront-Wheel Drive26 / 38 / 30$2,250296
1.4 L 4-cyl · 6-speed automaticFront-Wheel Drive26 / 36 / 30$2,250296
1.4 L 4-cyl · 6-speed manualFront-Wheel Drive26 / 37 / 30$2,250296
1.8 L 4-cyl · 6-speed manualFront-Wheel Drive25 / 35 / 29$2,300306
1.8 L 4-cyl · 6-speed automaticFront-Wheel Drive22 / 34 / 26$2,600342

Source: EPA fuel economy data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026. Configurations are listed when EPA and NHTSA records match.

Used blue SUV on a sunny dealer lot with its hood open and a clipboard on the fender

Looking at a 2012 Cruze for sale?

Print a one-page buyer's checklist: each recall campaign with a box to tick when the seller shows proof of repair, the top complaint areas to inspect, crash stars, MPG, and a link back to this page.

All Cruze years

Where to next

Which Cruze years drew the fewest complaints?Best & worst years →2013 Chevrolet Cruze report587 complaints · 5 campaigns →2011 Chevrolet Cruze report732 complaints · 7 campaigns →Have a VIN? Decode itVIN decoder →

2012 Chevrolet Cruze FAQ

How many recalls does the 2012 Chevrolet Cruze have?

NHTSA lists 7 recall campaigns: 16V502000 (electrical), 14V300000 (air bag), 13V360000 (brake), 13V023000 (air bag), 12V522000 (air bag), 12V288000 (engine), 12V289000 (fuel system). Use NHTSA's VIN lookup to see whether a specific car was repaired.

What are the most common 2012 Chevrolet Cruze problems?

Owners filed 865 complaints with NHTSA. Engine (268), Electrical system (196), Service brakes (150) are mentioned most. These are owner reports, not verified findings.

What mpg does the 2012 Chevrolet Cruze get?

EPA rates the 1.4 L 4-cyl · 6-speed manual version at 28 city, 40 highway and 32 combined mpg. Other configurations are listed in the fuel economy section.

What safety rating did the 2012 Chevrolet Cruze get?

NHTSA rated the 2012 Chevrolet Cruze 4 dr fwd 5 stars overall, with 5 stars frontal, 5 stars side and 4 stars rollover (10.9% rollover risk).

How does the 2012 Cruze compare with other years?

Among the 2010–2019 Chevrolet Cruze model years at least five years old, the 2010 drew the fewest complaints (2) and the 2012 the most (865). The 2012 drew 865. Counts are owner reports, not failure rates.

How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes

Processing

  • Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
  • Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.

Limitations

  • Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
  • Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
  • Recent model years are still collecting reports.

Review

Summary reviewed on Oct 6, 2026.

Changelog

  • 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.
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