Is the 2016 Chevrolet Cruze a bad year?
250 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other Cruze years.
Keep it
Engine and transmission complaints for the 2016 Chevrolet Cruze are in line with other Cruze years.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2016 Cruze owners report, by mileage
Each system owners named in five or more complaints, with the mileage range where the middle half of those complaints were filed. Read at 66,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 107 (43%) | 40k–85k miles · around this mileage | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| Fuel system | 37 (15%) | 26k–80k miles · around this mileage | Fuel pump replacement $220–$1,500 · Fuel injector replacement (one injector) $300–$1,200 |
| Transmission and drivetrain | 31 (12%) | 25k–76k miles · around this mileage | CV axle / CV joint replacement (one side) $300–$1,500 · Automatic transmission replacement $2,500–$7,000 |
| Air bags | 21 (8%) | 28k–75k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Stability control | 16 (6%) | 40k–81k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Electrical system | 59 (24%) | 14k–61k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Brakes | 19 (8%) | 9k–64k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Steering | 18 (7%) | 20k–65k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Speed control | 11 (4%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Body structure | 8 (3%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Exterior lighting | 6 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Wheels | 5 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
Bills are typical US ranges from the sources named in the tool (J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, CarParts.com and others), printed only for systems that stand out or sit at or ahead of 66,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 250 complaints: 19 mention a crash · 6 mention a fire · 12 report an injury · 18 say the car was towed.
8 complaints were filed in the last 12 months, the newest in Sep 2026.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
In owners' own words
My 2016 chevy Cruze limited started to lose acceleration and wouldn't go over 40 miles an hour. No code lights are on and none detected.
At least once a week, my chevy Cruze 2016 engine shuts off completely while idle at a stop sign of red light. I have auto shut off and when the auto shut off is in play it never cuts back on when taking my foot off the brake.
My cars cam shaft was replaced six months ago, and it was still under warranty.
Unedited excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, chosen by mileage (nearest 66,000 miles), not by content. Unverified.
Recalls for the 2016 Chevrolet Cruze: 4
The vehicles may leak gasoline following a rear-impact crash and a rollover. A fuel leak, in the presence of an ignition source, increases the risk of a fire.
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. In a crash, the seat-backs for the front seats may break, increasing the risk of injury to the occupants.
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. If the key is removed without the transmission in PARK, the vehicle may rollaway as occupants are exiting, increasing the risk of injury.
The headlight assemblies are not marked with a three-digit identifier code used to properly aim the headlights. Equipment." Without the identification code, the headlights may be improperly aimed during service, reducing nighttime visibility and increasing the risk of a crash.
A recall may cover only some cars of a model year; the campaign size counts every model and year it lists. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls: dealers fix open recalls free.
Service bulletins from Chevrolet: 480
Repair instructions Chevrolet sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2016 Chevrolet Cruze. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
Correct customer concerns of Poor Engine Performance in Extremely Cold Weather Conditions…
Normal transmission shift condition and the delay in throttle response when the throttle plate is opened rapidly and advises the customer that it is normal…
Guidelines to replace Oil Cooler, Oil Cooler Lines and Oil Tank if the engine was replaced where large amounts of debris has flowed throughout the oiling system
Internal Engine Noise or Damage After Oil Filter Replacement
Neighbouring years
2015 Cruze: 254 complaints, keep it · 2017 Cruze: 203 complaints, keep it.
Every Chevrolet Cruze year
2010 · 2011 · 2012 · 2013 · 2014 · 2015 · 2016 · 2017 · 2018 · 2019 · All Cruze years side by side
Other Chevrolet models: Chevrolet Astro · Chevrolet Avalanche · Chevrolet Avalanche 1500 · Chevrolet Aveo · Chevrolet Blazer · Chevrolet Bolt EV · Chevrolet Camaro · Chevrolet Captiva · Chevrolet Cavalier · Chevrolet Cobalt · Chevrolet Cobalt SS · Chevrolet Colorado · Chevrolet Corvette · Chevrolet Equinox · Chevrolet Equinox EV · Chevrolet Express · Chevrolet HHR · Chevrolet Impala · Chevrolet Malibu · Chevrolet Malibu Classic · Chevrolet Malibu Maxx · Chevrolet Monte Carlo · Chevrolet S10 · Chevrolet Silverado · Chevrolet Silverado 1500 · Chevrolet Silverado 1500 HD · Chevrolet Silverado 2500 · Chevrolet Silverado 3500 · Chevrolet Sonic · Chevrolet Spark · Chevrolet Suburban · Chevrolet Suburban 1500 · Chevrolet Tahoe · Chevrolet Tracker · Chevrolet Trailblazer · Chevrolet Trailblazer EXT · Chevrolet Trailblazer EXT 370 · Chevrolet Traverse · Chevrolet Trax · Chevrolet Uplander · Chevrolet Venture · Chevrolet Volt. All makes and models.
Questions
Is the 2016 Chevrolet Cruze a bad year?
250 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other Cruze years. At 66,000 miles the tool says: Keep it.
What are the most common problems with the 2016 Chevrolet Cruze?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: engine (107), fuel system (37), transmission and drivetrain (31), air bags (21), stability control (16).
How many recalls does the 2016 Chevrolet Cruze have?
4 recall campaigns list this model year: Fuel system (NHTSA 18V-304), Seats (NHTSA 17V-057), Transmission and drivetrain (NHTSA 16V-502), Exterior lighting (NHTSA 16V-498). A recall may cover only some cars; check by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Method: counts of unverified owner complaints filed with NHTSA, compared only with other years of the same model (sales volumes are unknown, so no failure rate is computed). A system stands out at 40+ complaints and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share across every vehicle of that model year. The mileage range is the 25th to 75th percentile of the mileages owners reported. Data received by NHTSA through November 5, 2026. Repair prices are typical US ranges from named sources, not quotes. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Check this car at your own mileage.