2016 Chevrolet Cruze Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
CautionComplaint Index
56/100
#5 most-complained of 10 Cruze years
The 2016 Chevrolet Cruze has 250 NHTSA complaints, 4 recalls, and a Complaint Index of 56, ranking 5th worst of 10 model years — a Caution verdict. Engine problems dominate at 46% of complaints, with median failure mileage of 66,050 miles.
- Complaints
- 250
- Recalls
- 4
- Crashes / fires
- 19 / 6
- Injuries / deaths
- 14 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- 4 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 30
- 26 city / 37 hwy
Top 2016 Chevrolet Cruze problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine114 (46%)
- Electrical System61 (24%)
- Other43 (17%)
- Fuel System37 (15%)
- Brakes35 (14%)
- Transmission & Powertrain31 (12%)
- Airbags21 (8%)
- Steering18 (7%)
- Structure & Body12 (5%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires7 (3%)
What owners report
- Owners report sudden brake failure paired with warning lights and smoke or fire near the window vents while driving around 35 mph.
- Electrical harness fires reportedly ignited without warning, sometimes at very low mileage, forcing drivers to escape while the car was in motion.
- Some drivers describe a plastic or rubber burning smell coming from the front of the vehicle shortly after starting a drive.
- Airbags reportedly failed to deploy in head-on or high-speed collisions, resulting in injuries despite significant crash damage.
- Owners report the accelerator failing to disengage after taking their foot off the gas, leading to loss of control on curves.
- Some describe the vehicle shaking, smoking from under the hood, and then rolling backward on its own after being placed in park.
2016 Chevrolet Cruze recalls
4 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 18V304000May 10, 2018Fuel System111,966 vehicles
Fuel system, gasoline
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."
Risk: A fuel leak, in the presence of an ignition source, increases the risk of a fire.
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.
- NHTSA 17V057000Jan 26, 2017Structure & Body17,197 vehicles
Seats:front assembly:head restraint
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."
Risk: In a crash, the seat-backs for the front seats may break, increasing the risk of injury to the occupants.
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.
- 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.
2016 Chevrolet Cruze fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 26 MPG
- Highway
- 37 MPG
- Combined
- 30 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $2,150
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2016 compared with other Cruze years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2016 Chevrolet Cruze reliable?
- NHTSA lists 250 complaints and 4 recalls for the 2016 Cruze, giving it a Complaint Index of 56 and a Caution verdict — worse than most other Cruze years but better than the 2011, 2012, and 2014 models.
- What is the biggest problem with the 2016 Chevrolet Cruze?
- Engine issues are the top problem area, making up 46% of complaints (114 total), with a median failure mileage of 66,050 miles.
- Does the 2016 Chevrolet Cruze have recalls?
- Yes, NHTSA lists 4 recalls covering fuel system leaks after rear impact, a seat-back bracket welding defect, an electronic park lock lever issue, and unmarked headlight assemblies.
- How does the 2016 Cruze compare to other Cruze years?
- The 2016 Cruze ranks 5th worst out of 10 model years tracked, with a Complaint Index of 56, better than 2011 (78), 2012 (100), and 2014 (89), but worse than 2015, 2017, 2018, and 2019.
- How many fires and crashes were reported for the 2016 Cruze?
- NHTSA data shows 19 crashes, 6 fires, and 14 injuries associated with 2016 Cruze complaints, with no deaths reported.