2012 Chevrolet Cruze Electrical System Problems
NHTSA lists 201 electrical system complaints for the 2012 Chevrolet Cruze, 23% of all complaints filed for the year, with a median failure mileage of 50,000. The related recall (16V502000) covers a key cylinder/park lock issue but applies to 2016-2017 Buick Verano and 2016 Chevrolet Malibu, not the 2012 Cruze.
- Electrical System complaints
- 201
- 23% of 865
- Crashes reported
- 10
- Fires reported
- 3
- Injuries reported
- 1
- Median mileage
- 50,000 mi
- Related recalls
- 1
Typical electrical symptoms owners report
- Dashboard displays, radio, and turn signals flicker off and then come back on after several seconds while driving, sometimes with a stability warning appearing.
- Sudden loss of electrical power to the dashboard accompanied by a Stabilitrak warning and high-voltage diagnostic codes.
- Unexpected engine stall while driving over rough road surfaces, in one case tied to an ignition switch that a mechanic said needed replacement.
- Vehicle catching fire without warning, both while parked in a driveway and while driving on the highway with smoke coming from the vents.
- Body computer faults causing dashboard displays to turn on and off intermittently during highway driving and at idle.
- Repeated electrical issues reported alongside multiple turbo replacements on a vehicle owned since new.
When 2012 Chevrolet Cruze electrical complaints were filed
First complaint May 24, 2012, latest Jun 3, 2026.
Electrical System recalls for the 2012 Chevrolet Cruze
- NHTSA 16V502000Jul 5, 2016Electrical System8,367 vehicles
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. 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."
Risk: 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.
Electrical System complaints by Cruze model year
Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.
Frequently asked questions
- How many electrical complaints does NHTSA have for the 2012 Chevrolet Cruze?
- NHTSA lists 201 electrical system complaints for the 2012 Cruze, which is 23% of the 865 total complaints filed for that model year.
- Is there a recall for electrical problems on the 2012 Chevrolet Cruze?
- The only related recall found, 16V502000, addresses a key cylinder/park lock issue, but it covers 2016-2017 Buick Verano and 2016 Chevrolet Malibu, not the 2012 Cruze.
- At what mileage do electrical problems typically show up on the 2012 Cruze?
- The median mileage at failure for electrical system complaints on the 2012 Cruze is 50,000 miles.
- Have electrical problems on the 2012 Cruze led to crashes or fires?
- NHTSA complaint data for the 2012 Cruze's electrical system area records 10 crashes, 3 fires, and 1 injury.
- How does 2012 compare to other Cruze years for electrical complaints?
- The 2012 Cruze had 201 electrical complaints (23% share), higher in raw count than 2011 (100, 14%) and 2013 (126, 22%), though 2014 had a higher share at 28%.