The 2016 Chevrolet Cruze has 4 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 170,443 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 391 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the engine. Last updated July 5, 2026.
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…
Consequence
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.
SEATS17V0570002017-01-2617,197 affected
Defect
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…
Consequence
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.
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…
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.
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2016 Cruze vehicles manufactured November 5, 2015, to May 26, 2016. The headlight assemblies are not marked with a three-digit identifier code used to properly aim the headlights. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor…
Consequence
Without the identification code, the headlights may be improperly aimed during service, reducing nighttime visibility and increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
GM will mail owners instructions and adhesive labels, with the correct code, to install on their headlight assemblies. Owners may also bring the vehicle to a GM dealership for any assistance with applying the label, free of charge. The recall began on August 11, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet Customer Service…
Complaints by component
ENGINE
100
3crashes2fires1injuries
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
58
2crashes4fires1injuries
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
43
2crashes2fires1injuries
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
34
1crashes1injuries
POWER TRAIN
29
1fires
AIR BAGS
21
12crashes8injuries
STEERING
18
1crashes1injuries
SERVICE BRAKES
17
2crashes1injuries
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)
16
1crashes1injuries
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
10
2crashes1injuries
Total complaints391
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“My engine needed oil I checked the dip stick added the oil the next day my engine started leaking and over heating come to find out there’s a pcv issue the valve cover gasket along with multiple other seals need replaced I was unaware of anything wrong no indication of over heating I just…”
“My engine needed oil I checked the dip stick added the oil the next day my engine started leaking and over heating come to find out there’s a pcv issue the valve cover gasket along with multiple other seals need replaced I was unaware of anything wrong no indication of over heating I just…”
“While driving, I went to make a right turn and the power steering went out making the turn very difficult using manual muscle to complete the turn. Fortunately, it was in a parking lot. After the ignition was turned off for about 45 minutes, I turned it back on and the steering functioned…”
“Coolant system and engine fan”
“Coolant system and engine fan”
“The rear brakes lights have a crack causing water to leak through. The water caused damage to the converter output”
“The contact owns a 2016 chevrolet cruze. The contact stated that upon returning to the parked vehicle, while attempting to unlock the doors with the key fob, the doors failed to open. The contact was able to open the door manually using the key. The contact stated that upon entering the vehicle…”
“There has been no accident to report. My check engine light comes on periodically and will remain on for a lengthy time. It is the light that looks like a water spigot. When I have it checked they say it’s either the “turboâ€� or “air filterâ€� . I can. It get a clear answer as to what it is…”
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL,
FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 2016 Chevrolet Cruze as of
July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.