2012 Chevrolet Cruze Chevrolet Cruze 2012

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2012 Chevrolet Cruze repairs by problem area

Engine (53%)

Transmission and Drivetrain (5%)

Brakes and Traction Control (5%)

Suspension and Steering (9%)

Electrical and Air Conditioning (19%)

Paint, Rust, Leaks, Rattles, and Trim (8%)

Other (2%)

Chart based on 198 repairs.
See TSBs and recalls for the 2012 Chevrolet Cruze.

2012 Chevrolet Cruze engine repair cost distribution

$2500+ (1%)

$1000 - $2499 (1%)

$500 - $999 (11%)

$100 - $499 (18%)

< $100 (68%)

Worried about potential repair costs? An extended warranty can provide peace of mind.

Chart based on 76 repair trips. The repair cost chart excludes repairs made under warranty, do-it-yourself repairs, and repair trips that include maintenance.

2012 Chevrolet Cruze

Engine not specified

40000 mi Reduced Engine Power light after running out of gas. May also be associated with TSB PIE-0210. 

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2012 Chevrolet Cruze 4dr Sedan

turbocharged 138hp 1.4L I4 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD

94000 mi Leaking waterpump, covered under Powertrain warranty. 
67000 mi Replaced the valve cover, they said it was a problem with a sensor (I assume PCV), but was obviously deeper than that. Apparently replaced the same item as last time - PCV. Car is good now. 
100000 mi Faulty rear main seal replaced PCV valve, again 
130000 mi

US $267
Leaking coolant hose and fitting. 
62000 mi Coolant leak from upper water outlet fitting. 
75000 mi Car threw a CEL. Autozone pulled 11 codes. Brought to dealer. Dealer diagnosed as missed or damaged PCV valve (or something similar). Entire intake had to be replaced. 
23300 mi Noticed coolant on garage floor. Visually inspected myself determined to most likely be from water pump. Brought to dealer was confirmed to be pump was replaced under power train warranty. 
35000 mi

US $210
The plastic ooolant overflow tank had a hairline crack causing minor coolant loss. The tank was replaced. 
41700 mi

US $98
Minor coolant leak where engine outlet assembly joins upper radiator hose. Replaced engine outlet assembly 
49000 mi

US $918
Check engine light on; surging at idle. Replaced intake manifold, emissions check valve, and valve cover. 
8000 mi When engine is warm from a previous run there would sometimes be a faint odor of gasoline or oil after a restart, lasting for 30 - 60 seconds. Dealer was unable to duplicate the problem on this visit. 
8600 mi Gas cap would not click when closed. Dealer replaced. (Other unresolved issues were reported through the repair history form.) 
11000 mi Water pump blew. It was replaced. 
36000 mi

US $1000
all the lifters were replaced. 
36000 mi Load vacuum whistle noise reported when car is warm and outside temperature is warm. Problem has happened for many thousands of miles, sporadic. Will take back when problem occurs. 
61000 mi

US $190
Replaced the water pump, thermostat housing, and battery. 
61000 mi

US $90
Replaced heater hose and warranty replaced thermostat housing from previous repair. 
72000 mi Turbocharger assembly replaced due to failure. Initially identified by a DTC P.0299. The cooling system reservoir cracked near the bottom hose. The component required replacement. 
76000 mi

US $400
Replaced intake because pcv valve went bad. 
59000 mi The car ran hot. Chech engine light came on. stop car.took it to dealer and was told thermostat housing need replacing. Car has been normal since. 
22000 mi PCV valve went unexpectedly. Showed a check engine light. Dealer replaced under warranty. 
25400 mi Problem not fixed yet: The interior smells like gas from the HVAC vents when vehicle is not moving. I have taken it to the dealership twice now. Will be taking to another dealership in near future. 
44000 mi Still getting fuel odor into cabin. Power steering system going nuts 
46000 mi Vehicle still had a leaking fuel odor into cabin. 
32000 mi When filling the car with gas, the gas pump would shutoff then the fuel would immediately overspill from the filler neck. Dealership found the cause as a broken fuel limit valve in the gas tank. Replaced gas tank. 
23200 mi Turbocharger went bad. 
69542 mi

US $2770
Car lost power on the highway. Catalytic Converter bad/plugged. Turbocharger failure - might have been caused by bad work from 1st dealer service 
9300 mi CEL light plus vibration at startup 
3100 mi Wire connecting accelerator to engine computer came loose. Warning light was on and the engine power was drastically reduced. Speed was limited to approx 40 mph. The connector was repaired under warranty without a repeat since. 
23040 mi

C $201
There was a recall on the ECM, was replaced under warranty. 
36580 mi

C $334
Engine coolant was leaking. The leak was found and repaired.. Water outlet housing was replace. 
77000 mi Oil pan leak 
97000 mi Oil leak 
47000 mi Valve cover gasket leaking vacuum sending codes 
62000 mi Turbocharger needed to be replaced 
73000 mi

US $380
Throttle position sensor broke 
50500 mi Camshaft cover had a ruptured PCV diaphragm. Replaced camshaft cover 
74214 mi

C $1000
Engine Valve Cover Replacement. Damaged or missing PCV Valve. Exhaust Manifold and a couple of seals had to be replaced as well. 
77500 mi

C $500
New Waterpump Leaking Exhaust Camshaft Actuator Seal Engine Oil pan leak 
78700 mi The car developed a rough idle, and the check engine light came on. It needed a replacement valve cover to resolve the issue. 
100000 mi Water pump and air filter replacement. The water pump was leaking, and needed to be replaced. It was covered under an extended warranty for this particular part. 
101000 mi The dealership reported that the engine had a small oil leak 
27000 mi Loosing coolant slow leak at water pump bolts 
55000 mi Check engine lamp on, set code p0299 turbo under boost Dealer replaced turbo due to worn wast gate pivot on turbo Covered under warranty. 

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2012 Chevrolet Cruze 4dr Sedan

turbocharged 138hp 1.4L I4 6-speed manual FWD

193000 mi

US $30
Coolant overflow tank was cracked and leaking....purchased replacement from dealer and replaced....simple procedure. 
198000 mi

US $100
electronic throttle body was causing check engine light...code thrown indicated incorrect throttle sensor position being detected....not unheard of for the # of miles on the vehicle....fairly simple replacement procedure with the proper tools available 
212000 mi Known issues with Cruze PCV system which is built into the valve cover...bad design. This is something that was replaced about 60k miles ago as well. 
30000 mi Water pump replaced 
62400 mi PCV valve, and manifold replaced 
85000 mi Water pump leaking coolant. Cam solenoids replaced under warranty as there was a small oil leak. 
34100 mi PCV valve/valve cover replaced due to vacuum leak and check engine light. 
40000 mi Intake manifold/PCV valve cover replaced 
48000 mi Water pump replaced 
11000 mi Complained of a coolant smell coming from the front of vehicle. Tech examined and pressurized cooling system but could not duplicate symptom. Logged the issue for later reference should it occur again. 
51000 mi

US $25
received letter from GM concerning coolant loss since new. Informed dealer, dealer refilled coolant overflow. I still have concerns due to a strong coolant smell from under hood after normal operation. 
77000 mi PCV system failed tripping the Check Engine Light. Codes revealed system that failed. Part was replaced under GM powertrain warranty. 
93000 mi

US $25
Engine was starting funny & as a result, throwing a "Service Theft Deterrent System" warning light. Technician cleared code, checked grounds, but could not duplicate the problem. Car continues to do this occasionally. 
94000 mi The PCM threw a P0299 code (turbocharger underboost)twice. The technician diagnosed that the turbocharger had failed. Replaced the entire turbo assembly. 
110000 mi

US $49
throttle position sensor failed on the throttle body... failed while on a roadtrip. Diagnosed once home as a P2135 code (throttle position sensor failure). Scheduled a trip to the dealer and informed them I was clearing the code as I needed the car in the week in between scheduling and visit. Replaced throttle body sensor with one off a low-mileaged, damaged intake manifold. Seems to be working so far. 
125000 mi

US $744
the PCV system failed again (first failure at around 65,000 miles). This failure took the intake manifold with it. Car was almost undriveable. Throwing miscellaneous codes, tripping the throttle control... Had to replace the PCV system and entire intake manifold. This failure was at around 119,000 miles. 
129000 mi

US $450
the engine oil cooler seals have been leaking for at least a year. reached a point where they needed to be repaired. Was a titanic pain of a job. Was estimate 3.5 hours. Took almost 5 hours. Car stayed at dealer overnight and I was issued a loaner. 
75200 mi Water pump leaking. Repaired under drivetrain warranty. 
99200 mi PCV valve and valve cover replaced under powertrain warranty 
62500 mi Check Engine light came on. Replaced leaking hose. Found Cam shaft cover had warped. Replaced with new part. Covered under extended warranty. 
33900 mi Engine idle fluctuating hi and low. Replaced CAM cover. Dealer had seen one other one and knew exactly what it was. 
81000 mi Waterpump leaking 
94000 mi Erratic idle. Camshaft cover replaced under manufacturer's warranty 
94700 mi Water outlet leaking 
169000 mi

US $65
Cam shaft cover gasket 
77000 mi PCV Valve bad, replaced valve cover (PCV is integrated with cover). Car was idling rough/surging and CEL was on. 
98000 mi Turbo problem common to Cruzes. Wastegate not closing all the way leading to low boost condition. Replaced under powertrain warranty. 
175000 mi

US $380
Oil leak, replaced VVT solenoids and seals, and front crank seal. 
67000 mi

US $100
Leaking coolant. Dealer replaced housing and 1 hose under power train warranty, but charged me for a 2nd hose, clamps, and shop time. 
75000 mi Check Engine Light, code P0299 "turbo under boost". Dealer replaced charged air cooler and charged air cooler inlet pipe under powertrain warranty 
32300 mi Thermostat and H20 pump replacement 
26000 mi Engine Light illumination resulted in performing work for a known problem, previously subject to a recall. 
24000 mi Leaking water pump replaced during second of three trips for steering. 
107000 mi

US $700
Vaccuum leak at timing cover. Replaced cover 
114000 mi

US $338
Cracked coolant outlet was replaced. 
22100 mi CEL, valve cover CEL, valve cover 
53800 mi covered under warranty...valve cover 

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2012 Chevrolet Cruze 4dr Sedan

138-horsepower 1.8L I4 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD

31000 mi Engine was overheating, found water outlet adaptor was leaking. Replaced water outlet adaptor assembly. 
39000 mi

US $550
Water pump finally went completely. Leaked since new. 
52500 mi

US $1
The odor of burning antifreeze has been with this vehicle since it was new. Sometimes the dealer tops off coolant, other times I have. Except for the catastrophic water pump failure at about 40,000 miles the coolant loss is always gradual 
52000 mi

US $685
Water pump failed again. Just as is 2015. This time other parts broke from overheating. water tank, coolant channel. 
95000 mi

US $200
MAF sensor and 02 sensor 
33000 mi Replace thermostat under powertrain warranty 
52000 mi Thermostat replaced under powertrain warranty 
55000 mi Replace cracked thermostat housing. Housing is plastic. Dealer replaced free under service bulletin. 
77000 mi

US $600
Replace water pump. 
77000 mi

US $650
Replace engine oil cooler. 

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2012 Chevrolet Cruze 4dr Hatch

turbocharged 161hp 2.0L I4 Diesel 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD

66700 mi

£200
Radiator leaking and had to be replaced 
68000 mi Hose disconnected on acceleration and power dropped off. Hose then re-connected but disconnected again immediately on acceleration. Garage didn't discuss issue or admit this was caused by previous repair but they repaired without charge. 
75000 mi

£40
DIesel Particulate Filter (DPF) warning lightproof kept coming on. Took to a DPF specialist. They concluded DPF was fine, but ECU diagnosis revealed some anomalies. Since then been doing more motorway driving and fault has not repeated. 

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2012 Chevrolet Cruze 4-door

4-cylinder automatic 2WD

8060 mi Fixed small oil leak, under warranty 

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2012 Chevrolet Cruze Engine Problems

See our lemon odds and nada odds page to see vehicles with no repairs or vehicles with more than three repairs. To see how frequently 2012 Chevrolet Cruze problems occur, check out our car reliability stats.